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I know I said I had decided to not go ahead with the forums site but…

When I started to look into running a forum, as part of my investigation (I had never even visited one until then) I had purchased the domain BuddhistForums.net as well as hosting for the site. I also installed the software, created a logo for testing purposes. This was all part of the learning process. I wanted to see just how much work it was going to be before starting proper.

However in the time since deciding to not go ahead with the site, Google has index the site - with a ranking of 9th for the search term Buddhist Forums - and someone has found the site, registered and posted (although a slightly spamish post). This all without doing anything. I had posted a couple of test threads (if that is what you call them?) but, nothing else. I had not linked to the site. I told my closest friend (also a monk) about it. But he told no one. In fact he visited it once and we didn’t eve really talk about the site at all.

So, given that I have already paid for a domain, hosting and spent time creating logo’s, installing the software and Google has somehow found the site. I will launch the site and just see what happens. If it works fine! If not fine!

So here we go Buddhist Forums is now open.

NOTE: BuddhistForums.net is running advertising¹. I intend to build this site up to be a source of income. Just enough for the site to pay for itself and perhaps pay for my rent. This will allow me to concentrate on dharma i.e. writing more, blogging more and meditating more. Rather than having to work as a web developer in order to survive. For this reason alone there are ads and sponsorships available on the site. If the situation changes then I will remove the ads. It is not driven by profit but, simply a possible way of channeling my activity towards Buddhist related activities that can also pay my way through life. I hope you all understand. I wish the situation was different but, as many other western monks and nuns are not supported like they are in traditional Buddhist culture, I need to find income. If I can do that by providing Dharma services such as a forums on Buddhism then great.

Also I would really appreciate it if, those of you with blogs could let your readers know about the site. If you wish your can use the Buddhistforums.net logo to spice up your post.

Thanks,

LJ

Footnotes:

1. I plan to run this for only the time needed [↩]