Is there a good location in the US?

BCS4

Hello all, first post here.

Just wondering, it looks like I've decided to buy an inexpensive RV and go where I want to live. Not much income right now, and I'm finding I really don't care much about that fact. I'm thinking that perhaps I've finally made some progress in not worrying much about possessions (other than my dogs)! However I'm thinking I'd like to find some like minded companionship to disagree with occasionally or not.

Is there a place in the US that is well populated with Buddhists and warm in the winter, and perhaps another that is in the Midwest for the late spring , summer and late fall?

I'd be looking for a inexpensive to moderately priced RV park that's not too near big cities, and perhaps also near some scenic beauty.

I hope I'm not sounding too naive, but would there happen to be any Buddhist RV parks? Sounds like a natural thing to me..

Any advice appreciated
Bill

dennis60

Here is link to an RV park in Port Arthur, TX

http://www.accessrvpark.com/attractions.html

here is one near Mt.Shasta, CA near a Buddhist temple....

http://www.mccloudrvpark.com/

just google "buddhist rv park"

good luck!

BCS4

Hi Dennis,

Thanks for the reply! I did Google it, but I'm afraid all I'm finding is relatively expensive RV parks that are generally closed in the winter and might happen to have a temple within 20-30 miles. I'm looking for something more of a Buddhist RV hangout, or one that might have a history of attracting Buddhists. Sorry I wasn't more clear. I was just wondering if anyone here might have bumped into anything like that..

Thanks again,
Bill

Jeffrey

It doesn't hurt asking but I would be surprised if there was a buddhist RV community just because there is only a small fraction of US buddhist. I guess it is possible.

If that falls through I would look for an affordable RV community near a temple within traveling distance. And look for a community where the residents are not into bad stuff like tons of drinking etc.. At least not in large numbers.

SherabDorje

I would guess that if you're looking specifically for a "Buddhist RV park", or a place to hang out with Buddhists literally all the time, that's probably just not going to happen. Most of the time, maybe.

But I think in general your idea is workable if you just look for places where there is a lot of Buddhism happening and then look for RV parks close to that. There is also the possibility that someone with some private land who would be willing to help you find a place to keep your RV.

I'm really just going to tell you what I would do if I was in your situation- and if it works out, let me know, and I'll consider going with you .

There is a Pure Land congregation in Orlando FL that seems like a good situation to me, a place called Guang Ming, which is Chinese Chan/Pure Land. I myslf am 58 and fantasizing about being a "retired Buddhist", and that seems like a good scene to me- I think I would spend all my time there, but that's just me. But between Guang Ming Orlando and Drigung Theksum Chöling Orlando, I would think there's plenty going on there. I myself would stay away from the Kelsang Gyatso groups, just because I get a bad vibe from them, and I'll explain that if you want to know why.

There is a lot going on in New Mexico with Tibetan Buddhism, in the corridor along I-25, that is, Albuquerque/Santa Fe/Taos. I think if I was in your situation I would do that. There's probably someplace to park your RV or rent space from a private party so that you could spend spring/summer/fall doing that.

This is really just an off-the-top-of-my head thing, an illustration of what I would do in your circumstances. I think the winter scenario in Orlando would be really comfortable, and I know the good-season scenario in New Mexico is a good one from personal experience.

The Orlando scenario "feels good" to me from what I get from the internet, and I know the New Mexico scenario is good because I used to live there.

BCS4

I was considering New Mexico before I posted. I think it's likely my first choice so far. I can't stand the humidity of Florida, but that sounds like a great social environment.

Wish we could get some like minded people together to invest in a hunk of ground now that I am fetter-less - just as long as I can get the internet, so I can watch my Twins baseball. Well, almost fetter-less.

I can't believe the number of people that have decided to become full timers in an RV and pretty much go off grid. It's really sounding good, but I'd like to find somewhere that isn't strewn with NRA stickers and square dances.

Any other advice is appreciated!

PietroPumokin

hm dunno about a buddhist rv park but you can find a community of similiar and open minded people who want to live in an RV and then teach them about buddhism and get a steady practice of meditation going
if something doesn't exist, start it yourself
i'm sure you could find plenty of hippies that are doing this sort of thing

SherabDorje

Google up "stupa New Mexico" and you'll see the bodhistupa in Santa Fe. That's probably someplace you can stay for an entire summer, or close. Cost of living is a little high there though, but if you went to Albuquerque for groceries that would probably work. And there's Buddhist things going on in Albuquerque too. Bohdi Mandala Zen Center is in Jemez Springs. Just random thoughts.

patbb

perhaps you can park your RV in a Buddhist temple property.
or in a Vipassana retreat center, if you help with cooking and other tasks, perhaps they would let you stay and have access to the meditation halls and the facilities...

And you would be doing your part to help people practice and learn about Dhamma.

i guess you would only have to give them a call.