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buddhism
October 2009 
The pedicab improved
Posted on Jul 10th, 2007
by 
Phaedrus
Phaedrus
MVC 001F
Yesterday I got my Prayer Flags from West Wind Flags and put them on the bike right away. The kids made their usual "Dad, you are SUCH a hippie!" remarks, but they definitely thought it was cool. :-)
It's been a great summer so far... I've been able to spend a lot of time with Kyle and his new friend, Blake, which has been great. Aaron's been off being 18, and so far no one's been bored... always a plus.
I'm currently reading Awakening the Buddha Within by Lama Surya Das. The kids keep asking me if I'm a Buddhist, and I still answer with "I don't know." I really like what Buddhism has to say... it resonates true with me... and I am trying very hard to follow its precepts, but I don't belong to a Sangha or have a formal teacher, so I still haven't figured out whether I can call myself a Buddhist yet... and I'm not sure that it matters if I do. (Though I suppose it would make answering all of those questions a bit easier.) *shrug*
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It was three years into my practice before I sought out a teacher, like you say Buddhist is just a label, a set of credentials that we can put on if we choose. One which comes with a set of codes and practices, all of which can be taken on without any identification in a belief system. On the other hand you honor the Dharma by taking refuge in the three jewels, you show gratitude to all the enlightened teachers who have come before you to show you the path and also you become a recognizable symbol to others who you may also inspire by your positive actions. What is a Buddhist anyway? There's a good forum question. I would say if you live your life mindful of the three marks of existence, no matter how well or badly you do it you're well on the way :-)
Awesome pedicab by the way.
Loving Kindness
AoSora
Very cool pedicab bike. How is it to ride compared to regular bike? How many people have you carried?
Did you finish the book? I've listened to Lama Surya Das a few times and liked with I heard.
Hi, Mark-
It's definitely slower than a regular bike… one day my youngest (Kyle, he's 13) got bored, hopped out, ran alongside me and hopped back in again… while I kept pedaling along! (ha ha!) Part of it I think is that it's a single speed, and it's geared a bit strangely… or maybe it's because I'm just old. (ha ha!) So far I've only carried two at a time… and uphills are “interesting” let me tell you. I plan on getting a triple chainring put on it when I can… maybe that'll speed me up. :-
I haven't finished the book quite yet. I'm reading it fairly slowly since I'm really tried to absorb what's in it… I really enjoy it, though… very readable and makes Buddhism very undedrstandable and approachable- I definitely recommend it!
I was curious about how it peddled because when I was in India I saw these small thin men peddling around in various bicycle contraptions with not challenges.
You must get lots of interest while riding.
this thing was a real joy phadreus i loved riding in it!!!! it is too bad kyle did not like it.
but you know he is not used to it. i hope we can bring it to the farmers market some day and ride it around in boulder.