Arts & Culture
The diamond way buddhism club: effortlessly remaining in what is
The Pointer
nmeye177@uwsp.edu
Six smiling students entered room 230 in the College of Professional Studies on Monday, giving up an hour of their day to focus on their minds in the Diamond Way Buddhist Club.
There was an element of excitement and purpose to their presence. Together they moved the furniture in the room, removed their shoes and seated themselves on pillows on the floor. Then they stepped onto the path toward liberation and enlightenment, not just for themselves, but for everyone.
“When we meditate we hold the thought that we are doing it to benefit all beings,” said one group leader, Kevin Schwartz, during Monday’s meeting.
Schwartz was introduced to Buddhism two years ago while attending UW-La Crosse and became very involved in the practice. When he moved to Stevens Point he wanted to share what he had learned with the new people around him.
“In meditation and Buddhism, I had found something very practical and helpful and wanted these tools to be available to those who would want to take advantage of them,” said Schwartz.
Schwartz started a group at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point last year to provide others with the knowledge he had attained and was able to hold meetings on campus through the Comparative Religions Club. This year, with the support of fellow group members, the group was able to be recognized as an official campus organization. Group members seemed excited about the official status.
“It will put us in contact with many resources the university has to offer, such as a meeting place, different levels of communication, and perhaps even funding towards Diamond Way events,” said Steve Mattek, another leader of the group.
The name of the group refers to the type of Buddhist teachings they study called Vajrayana, or the Diamond Way. It is considered Buddha’s highest teaching, and is one that Buddha intended for people who have strong confidence in their own and others’ Buddha nature. The group does not worship Buddha like a God but uses Buddha’s teachings to fully develop the innate potential of body, speech and mind.
“We view the Buddha merely as not only a great teacher, but also a reflection of the qualities of our own mind,” said Schwartz.
Meetings for the group usually consist of a talk about a different facet of Buddhism each week, followed by guided meditation, which in Buddhism means effortlessly remaining in what is. This state is brought on by calming and holding the mind or by working with the body’s energy channels.
“The main thing we provide people is the opportunity to work with their minds,” said Schwartz.
The goal is to attain complete development of the mind or realization of Mahamudra. The Mahamudra authenticates the mind’s space, clarity and limitlessness to be the only reality, according to the Diamond Way Web site.
“Above all, our purpose is to recognize mind’s naturally radiant clear light,” said Mattek.
Diamond Way Buddhism was introduced to the Western World by Lama Ole Nydahl and his wife Hannah. They were the first western students of the sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa, who is the leader of the Karma Kagyu, the largest lineage within the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. The Diamond Way teachings have been widely accepted by people living in our independent and fast-paced culture.
“The Diamond Way is very well suited to the western way of life,” said Schwartz. “It recognizes that we lead busy lives, but while we go about them we can still recognize our own Buddha nature and the Buddha nature of others so that we can really benefit not only ourselves, but more importantly others.”
The group meets every Monday at 7 p.m. in room 230 of the College of Professional Studies and there is no commitment or obligation once you’ve attended.
