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Kenneth Mondal

Ken Mondal is a retired Ophthalmologist who lives in Spokane, Washington. He received his education at Temple University and University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and residency training at University of California-San Francisco. He practiced in Ohio, Washington and Hawaii. Ken met the Dharma in 2011 and attends teachings and retreats on a regular basis at Sravasti Abbey. He also loves to do volunteer work in the Abbey's beautiful forest.

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Man with hand on head, looking into mirror.
On Refuge and Bodhicitta

Cultivating equanimity

How does one deal with one's own judgmental mind? A student examines the benefits of…

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Word cloud showing words like dicrimination and prejudice.
On Working with Afflictions

Clean up my act

A recent increase in hate crimes causes a Dharma student to reflect on where hate…

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Man surfing on a boogie board.
Students' Insights

My karma beatdown

A karmic payback incident shows how to avoid suffering by avoiding those negative actions that…

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Man sitting on floor, looking sad.
On Refuge and Bodhicitta

So, now what?

Can practicing the Dharma help with how we are feeling about the recent election? A…

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Gloved hand holding credit card at keyboard of computer.
On Emptiness

Identity theft

Fraudulent tax returns and changing credit scores elicit a meditation on emptiness.

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Two young men passing a hot potato.
On Working with Afflictions

Hot potato

A Dharma student realizes that his attachments are the cause of his suffering.

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Statue of Buddha in garden.
On Working with Afflictions

Why do I get angry?

When anger arises, we can choose not to stay in its thrall. Anger is based…

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Chalkboard with the words "Wake up!" written on it.
On Refuge and Bodhicitta

Keep it simple, stupid

A student examines the reasons for studying the Dharma.

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Young man looking down angrily.
On Working with Afflictions

I’m not an angry person, or am I?

Even when we think we have escaped the three poisons of anger, attachment, and ignorance,…

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Brown mala on red cloth.
On Cultivating Virtue

What brought me to Buddhism

Ken reflects on the causes and conditions that led him to become a Buddhist.

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Passengers seated in an airplane cabin.
On Refuge and Bodhicitta

My big fat self-centered attitude

A student's self-centered attitude changes to compassion.

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Man looking agitated, holding his head in his hand.
On Emptiness

My identity crisis

Ken constructs and deconstructs his tower.

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