Ricc lives and works in Orlando as Southern Regional Trainer for a large corporation. He is the Resident Teacher of Vajrapani Center in Orlando and studies on the Teacher Training Program.

When were you first attracted to Buddhism?

The first time I ever touched a statue of Buddha was in the Biltmore Museum in Coral Gables at the age of 22. While I had always been a spiritual seeker, I knew absolutely nothing about Buddhism. The card next to the statue said that it was a wishing Buddha. So I touched it and asked to be shown true wisdom. The next day a book dropped into my life through a very special friend who knew nothing of my wish. The book was called "This Is It" by Alan Watts (yes, Buddha has a sense of humor). I experienced profound realizations while reading this book. I had a deep sense that I had found the way home. I began my Zen practice and proceeded to devour the writings of Alan Watts.

What made you choose to come to this Buddhist Center?

I found Geshe Kelsang's The Meditation Handbook. The book's combination of contemplation with creative visualization immediately interested me. I had practiced visualization meditation as something separate from Buddhist contemplation meditation for a long time. The first time that I did Prayers For Meditation, incorporating the visualizations with contemplation meditation, it just blew me away! I purchased Joyful Path of Good Fortune and began a daily practice. I also discovered that Parbawatiya Center was in Safety Harbor, but felt that I needed to spend at least a year alone with these practices, on my own, before seeking out the center.

Were you apprehensive about coming? What did you expect?

My highly critical mind had me convinced that I would find a bunch of misfit losers gathered into a pathetic social club! Sorry, but that's what I expected. (That's me, big, fat "I".)

What were your first impressions when you arrived?

Well, the two-hour drive over from Orlando had given me plenty of time to hone my negative attitude to a sharp, piercing edge. I walked in the door ready to walk right back out again. In my defense I felt I had discovered something precious in the works of Geshe-la and in my daily practice of Lamrim (stages of the path). So in a way my critical expectations were a defense mechanism to protect me from deep disappointment. But then Kadam Lucy James entered the room. I know a precious jewel when I see one. Lucy has an uncanny ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to my poor limited mind. But I think what most caught my attention that night was her strong, definite presence. Even today I don't have to turn around to know that she has entered a room. So she pretty much had me at "good evening".

What do you like best about coming here?

Amusingly enough, the people. They are the exact opposite of my original expectations. They are, for the most part, intelligent, dedicated, compassionate and REAL. I find our interactions to be incredibly useful to my practice and also fulfilling to my heart.

How would you explain the benefits of meditation to someone new?

There is a shared experience in western culture that we are, each of us, "missing something". Our high standard of living and all of the enjoyments at our disposal have failed to take away this feeling. Well, we are missing something, we are missing our lives! Our lives just fly by in sense perceptions. Every day brings new irritations, angers, and jealousies as we continuously chase after our desires. Then one day we find that our life has passed us by. Meditation allows us to really live and appreciate each moment. It introduces us to ourselves. How can we ever expect to find happiness when we don't even know who we are?

How has what you have learned here made a difference in your everyday work and home life?

My "moods" have almost completely evaporated. If there is something bothering me I can identify it through meditation and address it directly. I am no longer such a slave to my emotions. My delusions are still very, very strong but the knowledge that they are not a true part of me has removed that sense of angst that infected my interaction with others.

What do you feel that Buddhism can offer to the world today?

A huge, deep breath of pure freedom. A loving response to others; together we can create the pure land right here, right now.

What is your favorite Kadampa Buddhist quotation?

"Do not look for faults in others, but look for faults in yourself, and purge them like bad blood." - Advice From Atisha's Heart

Also, "Guard moral discipline like your eyeballs!"

With which historical Kadampa Buddhist practitioner do you most identify, and why?

Probably Geshe Ben Gungyal. Only because he was aware of the need to identify each of your delusions precisely and then be merciless to each and every one. I have found this to be very true. If you give any one of your delusions just a fraction of an inch, just a little mercy, your are immediately overwhelmed.

What aspect of the Bodhisattva's way of life most inspires you?

The open heart that loves without judgement or expectation. The speech that serves only to comfort and to heal. The mind that sees all suffering beings as precious.

What's the first thing you're going to do when you become a Buddha?

Of all the suffering in samsara, it's the suffering of animals that most tugs at my heart. Humans have a great gift, the ability to create the causes for future happiness. But animals just have to endure, suffering moment by moment in the prison of their past actions until the karma has been exhausted. I would do everything I could to bring all animals the gift of a human life and the opportunity for liberation as soon as possible.