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 Meet
Our Members: In His Own Words with Gene Campanelli
Gene Campanelli,
our generous and tireless sangha member from White Plains, is the
design consultant and creative wizard behind the beautiful brochures,
posters and website for Chakrasambara and now the ad campaigns for
the NKT. He produces all of this in addition to his full-time job
as art director at an advertising firm. He is also a director of
the board of Chakrasambara Center. He and his wife Donna, another
indispensable sangha member, have three children and are the force
behind the new and successful White Plains branch, Vajra Light Center.
— Michelle
Yasmine Valladares
How
did you come to Buddhism?
I was
never looking for a religion. I was turned off by religion. I thought
all I really needed was a philosophy; you know, a good "self
help" book would do. I had a happy marriage, a healthy child,
great parents and a good career, but deep down I knew something
was missing. I looked at my life and thought that although I had
everything anyone could ever ask for, deep down I really wasn't
happy, but didn't know why. That's when I began actively reading
and searching. I was drawn to Buddhism. At the time I didn't know
why. Now I know.
What
is it like to have your family involved as well?
Because Donna and I are both in it together it makes it that much
easier. At this age, kids' minds are so open to new ideas that the
concept of Buddhas is easy for them. They are forming a deep connection
with the Buddhas and already rely on their blessings. Understanding
karma and previous lives helps you accept each child as an individual.
The kids are growing up not killing insects and cultivating compassion.
What else could you ask for?
How
do you apply Dharma in your work?
My business (advertising) is egocentric, backstabbing and competitive
but at the same time challenging and creative. You realize through
the Dharma that you get what you give. You realize that if you help
nurture someone else, it's going to come back to you. Dharma helps
relinquish attachment to my creative ideas when they are ripped
apart. It helps me let them go. From learning about interconnectivity
one understands that every idea comes from another person's idea.
No matter how good the idea is, it's not really mine. My best work
has emerged from collaboration with others.
What
Dharma teachings inspire you?
All of them! But the teaching that blew me away was emptiness. It
made so much sense! I connected with it the very first time I heard
the teaching. Having said this, I also feel it is important to have
faith in Dharma, but not blind faith. You should contemplate all
Dharma so you understand it in your heart, not just in the head.
Decide for yourself whether it's true or not. Then you can really
become mindful of the teachings.
What
do you see as your role in the future with the center?
Right now it's enough to do the publicity and help build Vajra Light.
We're working on NKT ad campaigns for Tricycle and What Is Enlightenment
magazines and also brochures. So that's where I can most benefit
right now. But I'd like to teach eventually. Donna is guiding the
Sunday morning meditations at Vajra Light and is really coming along.
I basically have work, family and Dharma. The challenge is to integrate
Dharma into my life and not keep it separate.
Can
you give us an example of a Dharma experience that moved you?
Our dog, Sophie, was dying with intestinal cancer. The thing you
do in America is put the dog to sleep. I, too, thought of it as
the "compassionate thing to do." We spoke to Kadam Morten,
and he reminded us that Sophie had created conditions for this suffering,
but that there were other ways to help and transform that suffering.
If we put her to sleep, she would have to experience this suffering
again. But if she died naturally, she'd purify the negative karma
that had ripened as cancer. So we continued to care for Sophie.
One night Kelsang Ganden said he'd like to come up and do a puja
for Sophie. He prayed through the night. Then for the next two nights,
Donna did the same. On the fourth of July when we came back from
the fireworks, Sophie had passed away. She died with a picture of
Geshe-la in front of her. Then Morten, Jo, Ganden and Dana came
up from the center and guided a transference of consciousness in
which Sophie's subtle mind was sent to Tara's pure land. This was
one of the most incredible experiences in my life and such a lesson
in compassion, renunciation and the power of the mind. What a great
demonstration of the power of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Donna and
I both pray we get such a great send-off.
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