Looking for a Buddhist Mentor

[nasentbuddhist]

Good Day All,

I have few questions about daily life as a Buddhist. I am looking for a mentor to discuss these items with. One problem I am having with the temples in the area, and there are many, is a barrier of language and culture. Below is a snapshot of my life at this time. I look forward to hearing from the community.

A little about me and my family:
Married <10 Years
Second Marriage for both of us.
I am 43
Two Girls 6 and 17 (entered college at 12)
Spouse has a serious illness
I am a disabled Combat Veteran with chronic pain issues
Both adults were college instructors now retired
2 Cats and 3 Dogs and a Chihuahua Family
Homeschool
Local Temple is <5 miles from house
Theravada Buddhist
Bibliophile
Anti-Luddite "Early adopter of technology"
Live within the city limits of a large Metropolitan City



Pax,

William

[karen]

Why be a Buddhist at all? (let alone the small boat kind)

[nasentbuddhist]

Karen,

For me it has been a long trip to Buddhism. I started life in a RR family and traveled the world as a missionary's grandson. I saw many cultures and at that intrigued me. I read many books, talked to even more people. In my religious evolution I kept looking inward as it seemed to me that the best way to help others is first to help yourself. When I finally decided to "practice" I came across barriers that I needed answers to. Like I mentioned in my previous posting I tried talking to priests but given cultural differences and such they did not seem to understand where I was coming from or perhaps I was/am not quite ready to understand what they said.
Questions that spring to mind are such as the following: If Buddha left his family to reach Nibanna what does he have to say about how to raise children, Or how would the Buddha deal with the Veterans Administration taking 20 years to live up to their obligations, Does Buddhism have anything to say about living with Chronic Pain.

As for the small boat kind, I am not sure what you mean but if you are talking about Theravada then I can tell you that for me the temple nearby happens to be Theravadan. But I also practice at a Zen Buddhist temple occasionally and attend calligraphy classes at a Mahayana temple once a month and then sit with the monks there too. If this is not what you meant by "small boat kind" I would appreciate your elucidation.

Pax.

William