| Description | An interview with VAJRAGUPTA, a single man with no children, who is a Manager of Buddhist Centre, born in Bromley, Kent and now living in Brmingham. VAJRAGUPTA’s father was a Teacher, born in England and his mother a Teacher p-t born in England. In the interview, he talks about …
'MS2255/2/086 Vajragupta
01 I was born in 1968 in Bromley…my name was Richard Staunton, well that’s the name my parents gave me…Vajragupta is my Buddhist name. It is the name I was give when I was ordained….literally it means: Vajra -diamond thunderbolt and Gupta –secret, hidden, concealed. Explains symbolism of Buddhist names.
1.09 Father was a schoolteacher, mother worked part-time teaching adult education. Both committed Catholics so Christian upbringing. Went to Catholic schools. First came to Birmingham as a student to study physics at Aston University.
2.11 I wanted to be a Catholic…I wanted to do the right thing. Confirmed at age 14, but a year after stopped being a Catholic. There were certain things I couldn’t believe in anymore…I couldn’t believe in God….how come there was so much suffering in the world. But I remember I wanted some kind of faith, I wanted some kind of path in the world, so I gave it up almost reluctantly…. Looking for something else to believe in.
3.17 Reasons for choosing physics at University. Switched to social sciences midway through course.
4.09 Involved in politics at university and environmental groups.
4.44 My initial impression of Aston University was that at first I really hated it to be honest…I think it was a bit of a culture shock because I went from living in the suburbs of London to living in a tower block of university accommodation right in the centre of Birmingham. Outside was the Aston Expressway- 8 lanes of traffic roaring past and skyscrapers all around and subways…but eventually I just got used to it…and had an enjoyable time there.
02
46” Being involved in politics at Aston University was a bit of a struggle really. It’s not particularly a politically active university. The courses are quite technological and career-orientated, so I found the atmosphere at the time was that people were quite into their course. At the time in the mid-80s there was very large unemployment….would have preferred a larger university with a wider range of courses.
2.13 After first year at university moved off campus and lived with friends in Lozells Road in Handsworth. Where riots took place in early 80s. And in a way you could still tell it had gone on….it was still in the atmosphere of the place…but I loved living there, the Asian shops, the Afro-Caribbean shops, the ethnic mix.
3.01 Describes the area in which he lived and the people he knew.
4.22 Switching from physics to social sciences.
03
I was to some extent disillusioned with the politics. I’d got involved with student union politics. I’d actually done a sabbatical in the student union which I found very difficult…
57” Aimed to do a PhD.
04
Account of first becoming interested in Buddhism.
2.29 I saw this poster and went along to the class which was in a semi-detached house in Moseley….in October, 1990. Describes the environment.
3.52 Recalls first class.
05
Meditated every day at home.
1.14 As I got more involved over the months, I just got a sense that here was a group of people who really knew what they were doing with their lives….It was also something that was really practical…..They lived together as Buddhists…
2.33 Unsure of the Buddhist rituals initially.
3.54 University friends had mixed reactions to Buddhism.
4.40 Finished degree and then became more involved in Buddhist Centre.
06
I was exploring the idea of doing a PhD, but by this time I was getting more involved in the Buddhist Centre….It just so happened that they were starting a business….
1.02 And then I also moved into the community of men living above the centre….that was a big step…but I didn’t have any other responsibilities and commitments…
1.42 Liked Birmingham and decided not to move away.
2.12 Contrasts Moseley and Handsworth. Moseley still has a sense of being a village….
3.01 Interested in jazz music. Accoun of visiting a pub specialising in jazz.
4.06 Describes living at the Buddhist Centre.
07
Worked in the shop for 3 months.
Asked for ordination into the Western Buddhist Order.
2.02 A lot of what goes on at the Buddhist Centre has a positive effect and over the years hundreds and hundreds of people have been taught to meditate….
3.20 Visit schools and prisons teaching meditation.
3.53 People generally have a really good response to Buddhism and meditation….people are willing to try things….We have an open day every year….
08
Describes the process of ordination.
2.28 One of the first things people ask is what can you not do…People’s view of religion is like that…Elaborates on what Buddhism means. Buddhist precepts.
09
Went on Buddhist retreat to Spain. Given a new name.
2.43 Returned from retreat and worked at the Buddhist centre. Managed the centre and helped with publicity.
3.56 Social activities: theatre and cinema, art galleries…
10
From week to week in Birmingham most of my friends are Buddhists…
32” Parents are devout Catholics. I think in some ways they could relate to us wanting to have some kind of spiritual path but they couldn’t understand why we had to choose a Buddhist path….They were wary about it…but after a while they were quite supportive about it…
2.42 Buddhist Centre has expanded over the past 2 years. First running the centre in Salisbury Road. Needed to move to bigger premises.
4.12 Then one day we heard of a synagogue and the Jewish community wanted to move….a lot of the young people had moved away….they were planning to merge with another local Jewish congregation and sell the building….so in a way it was ideal for us…
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Continues account of buying the synagogue.
1.41 Spent one year converting the Buddhist Centre. Open day July 1998.
3.10 Explains the Sangha Festival. 15 th Anniversary of Birmingham FWBO
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Became the chairman of the centre at the end of 1997.
2.20 Hopes the centre will become much more established in the future. Reach out to other parts of Birmingham and become more active in the community.
14
Would like to write about Buddhism.
ENDS. |