Joshua Goldberg
Vince Cullen
After his detox Josh returned home to the States and despite following a different Buddhist tradition he was determined to return to Thamkrabok Monastery to spend some time as a monk in the Thamkrabok/Theravada tradition.
Josh did indeed return to TKBM at the start of 2006. Sadly, I have just heard from Mae Shee Rambhai, that Josh got sick and had to go into hospital in Bamrungrat. He died in his sleep a few days ago. The cause of death is said to have been heart failure. Josh's parents are going to Thailand for his funeral which will be held in Thamkrabok in a few days time.
I remember Josh with great affection; he always swept the leaves with enthusiasm.
He was 23 years old.
--
40
Seeing this body to be as fragile as a clay vessel,
and fortifying the heart like a city wall,
one can confront Mara with the weapon of insight.
Having the advantage of non-attachment,
one protects what has already been gained.
-------------------------------------------------
A DHAMMAPADA for CONTEMPLATION
(c) 2005 Aruna Publications
http://www.ratanagiri.org.uk/Book/book5/index.htm
jazz man
I just met Joshua at Thamkrabok during his return this past January(Phra Gordon introduced us, being as all of three of us are New York "boys"). Joshua was looking to take robes and asking questions of Pra Vichien in regards to aligning different practices in Buddhist tradition. It was with great sadness that I read this post, such a shame to lose a gentle soul at such an early stage. I will burn some incense for him at home tonite. Reminds me of the fragile nature of all of our existence.
Metta to all,
Ron
From: "Vince Cullen" <vince....@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Friends-of-Tham...@googlegroups.com
To: "Friends of Thamkrabok Monastery" <Friends-of-Tham...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: FORUM: Joshua Goldberg
Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 04:57:27 +0000
><< JoshuaatThamkrabok(301).JPG >>
><< JoshuaatThamkrabok(357).JPG >>
Vince Cullen
Attached photo is Josh, David and me - "Sweeping leaves at Thamkrabok"
May all Beings be well and happy.
Vince
--
41
Certainly this body will soon lie lifeless:
cast aside on the ground,
devoid of consciousness
and as useless as a burnt-out log.
TheExaltedOne
I am sad that such a talented guy has left us so early on in his life.
Josh was still in the clucking area of the building when I arrived even
though he had been clean for quite some time. Over time he became a
companion and friend, and lent me his copy of Transfrom Your Life: A
Blissful Journey by Kelsang Gyatso for which I can say is still one of
the most insightful books I have ever read. And that was thanks to
Josh.
I will remember that Josh was on the path and that he that he had so
much to give to everyone who came in his life that it is a one of those
tragic things of life that such a person is the one who is taken away.
I will also burn seven sticks this evening while I sit to his memory.
Josh, thank's for being in my life bro.
David.
dark...@gmail.com
some funny jokes and we connected with being interested in the same
kinds of music, and like myself he was actively involved in the making
of music. I too aim to return to Thamkrabok to do a Tudong and be a
monk for this short period, and I was looking forward to spening some
quality time (as a monk) with Josh.
I just received a phone call from Pete with this sad news. My heart
goes out to his family and friends...
He was a bright star in my life during my short stay @ Thamkrabok, and
showed me many things about Buddhism, which I now follow with my open
heart. I just so wish he was still with us now, but it was his time to
go so let him go, for in this life we learn what we must then move onto
other lessons. In some respects I am happy for him, for i'm sure that
he has acheived whatever it was that he was to learn during this life.
Be with you in peace and love, always my new friend, Josh. I will burn
7 stcks in his memory as well tonight.
METTA,
Darko
Liz
Vince Cullen
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I burnt seven incense sticks yesterday when I got home. I remember you had suggested me to do that one day when I had to face a few problems.
These ones were for Joshua. Life is so frightening : you're better than never, you take the good decisions, wants to change and then suddenly everything collapses.
I think about his family. He was vegan, I remember - and I'm vegetarian -. We discussed about eating eggs, :)
Kind regards,
Tom
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
--
42
More than a thief,
more than an enenmy,
a misdirected heart
brings one to harm.
Vince Cullen
Article from today's Marin Independent Journal http://www.marinij.com
------------- Quote -------------------
Article Launched: 3/19/2006 04:58 AM http://www.marinij.com/marin/ci_3618836#
Service today for Novato man who became monk
Jim Staats
Marin Independent Journal
A memorial service is today in San Francisco for a Novato man afforded the status of Buddhist monk just as illness cut his life short.
Joshua Goldberg, 23, died Feb. 24 in a Bangkok hospital of cardiac arrest arising from complications of a leg infection treatment.
"He went all over the world in search of his nirvana," said Julie Wisner of Mill Valley, whose son attended North Bay Marin School with Mr. Goldberg. "If Joseph Campbell was alive, he'd congratulate Josh on finding his own bliss."
Mr. Goldberg entered the Thamkrabok Monastery, high in the mountainous north-central region of Thailand, in January with the intention of becoming a monk. He previously visited the monastery during a visit to Thailand.
"That's where he was happiest, when he was traveling," said his mother, Linda Goldberg of Novato.
She said her son, who grew up in Novato, traveled extensively throughout North America, Mexico and Europe and twice toured Africa - the second visit volunteering at a Ghana orphanage until a bout with malaria cut it short. At 19, he moved to New York to attend the Natural Gourmet Institute for Food and Health. He graduated from the culinary academy in early 2005.
"He was as sweet as Tupelo honey," said his father, Jim Goldberg of New York, who described his son as an "exceptional, complicated and brilliant guy."
His father, a Buddhist, said his son became scholarly in the subject.
"It was his decision, and he had my complete blessing and support," he said. "It transformed his life and imbued him with a kind of wisdom that he had been searching for all his life."
His brief religious tenure left a lasting impression.
Upon his death, Mr. Goldberg was posthumously ordained as a Buddhist monk and priest. His ordained name of Pra Tatsawuttoe means teacher.
Mr. Goldberg's ashes were interred in high honor alongside other monks in a hillside cave overlooking the monastery after a three-day traditional funeral overseen by more than 100 monks last week - an indication of how deeply he had touched the Buddhist community there, family members said.
"One of the high monks wouldn't speak for three days when he found out that Josh died," said his mother, who also noted a group of monks readied themselves to walk the seven days out and seven days back to transfer his casket from Bangkok to the monastery, if needed.
His father described his own internal awe as he sat at the back of the monastery temple during the funeral.
"While his coffin sat festooned with flowers, every night for several hours over those three days the monks engaged in ancient chants and afforded him the rites that are only reserved for people who are considered to be quite holy and sacred," he said.
"He was a regular-looking young guy who you'd see walking down the streets of San Rafael - and to be honored this way - how does that happen? It's mind-blowing."
Barbara Schakel, head of school at the Marin School in Sausalito, recalled Mr. Goldberg as a thoroughly captivated 17-year-old traveling companion during a monthlong visit to Ghana, where she accompanied a small group of students.
"Josh immersed himself in the whole cultural change," she said. "He really embraced it, embraced the people and had fun with the whole experience.
"He had an ability to go beneath the surface of things so, in a way, I'm not surprised by his path," Schakel said. "I could see him wanting to explore something deeper in his life and it sounds like that's what he was doing."
"He found his way," she said. "And then this tragedy occurred."
In addition to his parents, Mr. Goldberg is survived by a brother, Brian Harvey of Santa Rosa, and a sister, Dana Larson of Austin, Texas.
A service and chanting in Mr. Goldberg's honor will be at 5 p.m. today at the Kadampa Buddhist Temple in San Francisco.
------------ End Quote -------------
--
45
It is those who knowingly walk the Way
who can see as they truly are
this earth, this body,
the hell realms and the heavenly realms.
These are the ones who can discern
the well-taught Path of Wisdom.
