Goodbye, Ron…
by Danny Fisher
Ron Ryan at the Burmese Vihar in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India, December 2006. Photo by the author.
While traveling this week, I was very sad to get the news that Ron Ryan, a pal and former colleague, died in India.
Ron served for many years as librarian on the faculty of the Antioch Education Abroad Buddhist Studies in India program. I participated in the program as a student, and later served on the faculty. Both times, Ron impressed me with his humility, generosity, vast knowledge, and good humor. A testament to his character: when the program ended and he said goodbye to the students we both worked with, the warmth and appreciation in their send-off seemed to surprise and delight him in equally enormous measure. I remember his face at that moment like it was yesterday.
When I said goodbye to Ron as I left Bodh Gaya the last time I was there, he offered some kind words on my path as a chaplain that have really stayed with me. He was not someone who just gave compliments away willy-nilly, and so the things he had to say did what he intended: they encouraged me.
It’s sad to think of the Burmese Vihar in Bodh Gaya without Ron. I know I will feel his absense there in the future. I feel it now.
- “Develop the mind of equilibrium.
You will always be getting praise and blame,
but do not let either affect the poise of the mind:
follow the calmness, the absence of pride.” - - Sutta-Nipāta
My friend David And I met Ron Ryan recently in Bodhgaya,with both liked him very much especially his gentle self effacing nature ,intelligence, enthusiasm,we had invited him to England and he had excepted.We are deeply saddened,and wish and pray that he will be reborn in The Pure Land.He had adopted a local girl and put her through school.I worry what will happen to the girl now.
Don’t worry she is being looked after.
I have had the fortune of spending time in Bodh Gaya; as soon as I heard of Ron’s passing I remembered his deep devotion and faith in his transition from this life to the Pure Land, and I rejoice that he must surely be blessed with a most precious rebirth. May all beings be blessed with the light of dharma
I had to leave the program in Bodh Gaya early. He was one of the adults who accompanied me to Delhi to catch my plane. We spent the night watching soccer and listening to the Bob Dylan CD that I had just bought. I’ll never forget what he said at the end of our listening rapture. He also reluctantly explained the entire game of Cricket to me after much prodding (I forget everything). This memory is a very warm one and I am so grateful that I got to spend the time with him that I did. He is greatly missed.
As a student at the Burmese Vihar, there were times I felt pretty crazy or aggravated (perhaps ironically). At such times, as well as at others, it was such a pleasure to speak to Ron, calm, humble, and humorous. I highly doubt that I made as great an impression on him as he did on me, but I have continued to treasure our contact and I often think of his example. I am sad that I will not see him again, and that he will touch no one else in this incarnation as he touched me and others.
Be nice and mail me, my daughter Sarah lived together with Ron, she died 2005.
Sarahs mother
Can someone tell me when Ron died.
The love in Jesus Kristus