VoyageKC Interview
Today we’d like to introduce you to Victor James Dougherty.
Hi Victor, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
There’s an old story about a monastery where the senior monk was aging and needed to retire. Many monks stepped forward wanting the position; there were debates and arguments over who deserved it the most. In the end, the senior monk gave it to the gardener. When asked about this, the senior monk said, “which among us has demonstrated non-clinging? Who has demonstrated care and concern with an open and pure heart?” This is what happened to me. I have been studying with my teacher here at Temple Buddhist Center for 18 years. After he retired, I studied with him individually and continued to teach at a public high school in Kansas, my career for 23 years. In 2017, I began feeling a pull, not running away from the teaching profession, just something telling me I needed some time off a sabbatical. During my two-year sabbatical, the senior minister at Unity Temple on the Plaza (TBC is a community within a community) asked me if I would take over the Temple Buddhist Center. I remember being floored. I told my teacher the next day, “I’m not ready to lead the sangha!” He replied, “you know how you know you are ready? Because it was offered to you.” This is my 7th year as director, we have quadrupled our attendance in that time, and 60 years of living have prepared me for this moment.
Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a community within a community, there are many opportunities for bumping into each other. And, as quickly as TBC is growing, there have been growing pains. There is the normal pushing and shoving, advocating for my community, feeling protective regarding budgetary concerns, etc. But my biggest challenge has been transitioning from a minister-centered program (up to 100 members in the community) to a program-centered model (over 250 members). This has required me to go from doing it all to surrounding myself with members who want to share in the growing responsibilities of the community and trusting them to complete tasks. In other words, the difficulties allowed me to see my control issues and grow through the experience. One of my teachers used to say, “What is in the way is the way.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I became aware of my spiritual path in 2005. After a traumatic event changed my life, I began asking bigger questions and searching more deeply within myself. This event is known in many traditions as the “night of the soul.” It sounds terrible, but it is a kind of “breaking open,” a “bursting of the bubble,” if you will, and can be a great spiritual awakening for an individual. After seeing a therapist for about 3 months, he told me. “Victor, I don’t think you’re having a mental crisis. I think you have a spiritual one.” From there, I began working with my teacher in the Buddhist practice and still met with him. Since I embraced this new direction, I have received many blessings. If you had asked me, “Victor, do you think someday you’ll be directing a Buddhist Temple and living on donations?” Of course, I would have thought you were joking! Today our community is thriving; I enjoy having daily conversations with members of the sangha about the practice, evening meditations, retreats, chanting and flower mandala creation, helping folks in recovery, spending time with marginalized communities, and generally being of service to all in need.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
Oh yes! So many! I have worn out books by author and spiritual teacher Jack Kornfield. Western Buddhism is enjoying a big expansion right now. Many writers and influencers are reaching out over every medium about the benefits of meditation, mindfulness, and other eastern practices. Often they will not say it is Buddhist because other churches, schools, and hospitals will not support them. In our practice, it does not matter what name you assign to it; all that matters is that people wake up and find a deep spiritual connection.