NOVEMBER
2003 TO JANUARY 2004
SANGHA NEWS
MEETING
HIS HOLINESS KYABJE CHADRAL
KUNGPANGPA SANGYE DORJE RINPOCHE
I was really quite afraid to make this pilgrimage to India. To be
alone with my teachers, I'd have to be on my best behavior for days.
I
was afraid I'd fall on my face or my knees would give out when I
did my prostrations, assuming that Lama Tsondru Sangpo and Lama
Padma Karma had enough group Karma to carry me along on this journey
to see His Holiness.
Oh,
I made up so many reasons not to continue on. I panicked, but Rinpoche
said a healthy case of panic was a good thing and that it would
keep me on my toes (actually he said it would keep me practicing,
but isn't that what keeps me on my toes ???).
And
the dream just didn't help! I was told it was a good sign that I
had had a dream about His Holiness, but it was a scary dream and
of course I embarrassed myself in front of him - oh no, was this
shades of things to come?
Then
the time came. H. H. wasn't feeling well and hadn't been seeing
anyone for days. Magically he decided to come out and allow us in
to receive his blessings. I wasn't afraid anymore, but I wasn't
excited either. I just felt calm and happy knowing that now Lama
Tsondru Sangpo would be happy, I know that he really wanted me to
have this opportunity, and that Lama Padma Karma would be happy
because I know he really wanted to see his teacher before he left
for home. This happiness carried me along. I didn't fall, I didn't
do anything silly, and then I heard him speak.
Ya,
Ya, Ya... it was such a sweet and loving sound, one that he repeated
over and over. With each utterance I grew more and more happy. This
may have been sacrilegious, but I felt him dissolving into a big
teddy bear, or the world’s grandfather, I wanted to climb
into his lap and be held. I knew that it would be wonderful. I started
to cry from the happiness of the feeling.
I
had to try to stay in complete awareness, hard when you dream of
climbing into this wonderful beings lap, so I could absorb it all
and take some photos and video. Occasionally he would look straight
at me while I took a photo or shot some film, it was such a strong
stare, was he checking me out ??? Did I pass muster? I guess I will
never know, but I will always have the memory of his gaze and the
soft utterances of Ya, Ya, Ya.
Sharon
LIBRARIANS NEEDED
We here at the Center are moving into the 21st century with our
extensive Library of dharma texts and we need your help.
We
have purchased software that will allow us to catalog all of our
books, as well as the tools that we will need to keep track of borrowed
books and magazines
Looking
to generate some good karma? Please see Sharon Knies (sknies@eastcoasttile.com)
if you can volunteer any time. We will need people to data enter
the books into the computer. The software we purchased will make
it fast and easy (taking less than 20 seconds per book!) so the
project should go fast. We will also need some help in putting the
book labels on and re-organizing the shelves so people can quickly
and easily find a book to borrow.
NEWS
This years pilgrimage to Nepal could not have materialized without
the guidance and support of Lama Tsondru Sangpo. Throughout the
trip Lama Tsondru Sangpo was extremely patient and compassionate
with everyone, he worked tirelessly to fulfill all our expectations.
In addition, Lama Tsondru Sangpo took care of Serdok Rinpoche’s
group several weeks before we arrived, taking them to sacred sights
both in Nepal and India. As you can imagine, his summer off was
really much more work than anyone expected, there are really no
words to express my gratitude.
All
the volunteers who participated in the annual basement cleanup were
greatly appreciated. Most of what we needed to do got accomplished.
As we will be doing some work in the basement to raise the center
of the house, the added space to maneuver is going to be quite useful.
Thanks
to Jack Knies we have a very fine reconditioned grill to use during
the summer months, or maybe if someone at the Center is adventurous,
during the winter months as well.
Michael
Novack and Paul Amendola came to the rescue to clean and repair
our gas heating system. The heating system being more efficient
now should help in reducing our gas bill over the winter months.
Many
thanks to Sharon Knies for her continued support, especially over
the last two months, when we were swamped with travel details for
17 people.
We
are attempting to collect everyone’s best photographs of the
trip to Nepal so that a photo album can be created and kept at the
Center. Your participation in this project would be greatly appreciated.
Lama
Tsondru Sangpo has commissioned an artist in Darjeeling to construct
the Center For Dzogchen Studies a traditional wooden shrine. We
should be able to give you an update as to its arrival time within
a few months.
Bob
Abt did an amazing job of negotiating our stay at the Hyatt Regency
Hotel in Kathmandu. Having a comfortable place to return to at night
for $30.00 a day, which included a wonderful buffet breakfast, provided
the contrast we needed to ponder our circumstances compared to the
average Nepali. Being able to afford to stay at the Hyatt also assisted
us in maintaining a standard of hygiene our system was use to. What
we feared most was 16 people getting ill in a developing country,
fortunately all went incredibly well.
If
it were not for Joe and Terry Azoti as well as Jack and Sharon Knies,
Pema Sodon and Sangay Dekie would not be here today. Upon hearing
that the US consulate in Kolkata refused to issue visas to them,
both couples scrambled at the last moment to fill out the endless
forms required by the US government.
Thanks
to Joe and Terry Azoti Pema Sodon and Sangay Dekie now have a new
scientific calculator to use while taking the PSAT and SAT exam.
NOTICE
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE AS MANY FLYERS AS POSSIBLE REGARDING THE THANGKA
PAINTING CLASSES AND TIBETAN SCIENCE OF HEALING IN PLACES WHERE
PEOPLE WOULD APPRECIATE KNOWING THESE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE.
TREASURE
VASES
Lama Tsondu Sangpo has brought back from Sikim, India, some very
special treasure vases (Bumpa) that are filled with precious substances
and blessed in a sacred mandala. These treasure vases are placed
in one’s home to encourage good health, prosperity, long life,
merit and the conditions necessary for good dharma practice. If
you would like one of these treasure vases to place in your home,
please contact Khandro Karma Drolma. The cost of the Bumpa is $75.00.
All proceeds go to maintaining Gonjang Monastery, a school dedicated
to passing on the precious dharma and the sacred art of Thangka
painting.
FINANCIAL
SUPPORT
Please remember to support the Center on a monthly basis so that
we can maintain our financial obligations. We depend on these contributions
to support our sacred text acquisitions project, acquire objects
of devotion, support lineage teachers, contribute to the well-being
of other monasteries, provide space for sacred art classes and Tibetan
medicine clinics, and many other dharma activities. May all sentient
beings have an opportunity to rediscover their enlightened state.
