Opinions?

[Amelia]

Rob, you could post a highly edited photo of yourself, something altered enough to the point that no one you know would be able to recognize. Perhaps PM Jundo about why we have pictures of ourselves as our avatars, he can suggest some alternatives. We are a real sangha, not just a forum, and if we were attending a physical zendo, we would all be able to see each other's face.

Gassho, sat today, lah

[Rob VanCamp]

Rob, you could post a highly edited photo of yourself, something altered enough to the point that no one you know would be able to recognize. Perhaps PM Jundo about why we have pictures of ourselves as our avatars, he can suggest some alternatives. We are a real sangha, not just a forum, and if we were attending a physical zendo, we would all be able to see each other's face.

Gassho, sat today, lah

No, but if its going to be an issue I'd be happy to bow out gracefully and leave...

[Amelia]

Rob, instead of leaving, perhaps PM Jundo and you both can discuss what you would be comfortable with. Having an actual portrait, even if it is not quite a picture of you, is one of the rules here, and it's meant to keep the atmosphere of a physical sangha, so that we all get to know each other more closely than is possible on the average Buddhist forum. I have yet to see anyone leave over it. I'm sure that he can help you figure out what the best option would be, if you discuss your privacy concerns with him.

Maybe some other members with similar concerns can chime in here and explain what they did.

We have a few rules like this, another one being that we make sure we sit in the twenty-four hours before posting. We indicate this by ending our posts with "sat today." Some find these rules arbitrary, but it keeps us all on the same page.

Gassho, sat today, lah

[HAN SEN]

It's all good.. once you turn 65 or older no one will even notice LOL

[HAN SEN]

it's all good.. Once you turn 65 or older no one will even notice lol

sat today and it was great !!

[Mp]

Rob, instead of leaving, perhaps PM Jundo and you both can discuss what you would be comfortable with.

Hey Rob, yes ... please chat with Jundo first, it is great having you here and don't want to see you go. =)

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Jundo]

No, but if its going to be an issue I'd be happy to bow out gracefully and leave...

I will write you. We have had a couple of folks whose work or preferences would not allow this because of personal issues, such as people in law enforcement who are not allowed. We can work something out. I will write you.

Here is what we usually recommend, part of our confidentiality suggestions here (check out Item 4).

CONFIDENTIALITY TIPS for Sangha Members

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?8531-CONFIDENTIALITY-TIPS-for-Sangha-Members

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

[Rob VanCamp]

Its obviously important to you. I will leave. Thank you all.

[Jundo]

Its obviously important to you. I will leave. Thank you all.

Hi Rob,

I just PM'd you.

Yes, if we were a brick and mortar Sangha, it would be strange if somebody came in with a mask. However. because we are online, we actually can deal with some special issues, such as folks in law enforcement whose lives could be at risk, people with past stalker issues or a past that they are trying to move beyond, folks just who are shy ... so we have some tips and procedures. I wrote to you.

Gassho, J

SatToday