Dharma, fine wine and elegance mingled on a warm spring "Afternoon for Inner Peace," a benefit for Chagdud Gonpa's Ati Ling at the lovely Robert Mondavi Winery located in the verdant Napa Valley. The winery was graciously made available for the event by Robert and Margrit Mondavi. The Mondavis and Stephen and Maria Farrow hosted 180 guests at the luncheon and reception, where a total of twelve thousand dollars were raised.The funds will be used for the construction and development of Ati Ling.
The afternoon began with a reception on the winery patio. While Tibetan music was performed by Chaksampa, a traditional Tibetan dancetroupe, the guests passed through the receiving line, greeted by Rinpoche.
In the Vineyard Room, where the luncheon was served, light streamed down through skylights, and t'hangkas from the Vorpal Gallery of San Francisco and from the Chagdud Gonpa Foundation collection draped the walls. Luncheon seating was arranged to include dharma students at each table of eight guests. Each of the three courses of the gourmet meal was accompanied by a Mondavi wine. Dessert, described by some as "blissfully delicious," was served with an ambrosial dessert wine.
Following the meal, Chagdud Rinpoche was introduced by Robert Mondavi and responded to his humorous and sincere questions with insightful commentary on a range of topics from wealth and generosity to the integration of spiritual practice into daily life. Rinpoche related the story of King Indrabhuti, who once questioned the Buddha's teaching about abandoning worldly life. Concerned that there were so many people dependent upon him, the king asked how someone such as himself, with worldly responsibilities, could practice the Buddha's teachings within the context of his rich and pleasurable life. The Buddha responded to his supplication by opening the vast treasury of the Vajrayana. Indrabhuti was then able to attain enlightenment while upholding his position as custodian of vast wealth, through his diligent practice of Vajrayana principles and the power of his pure intention.
Rinpoche commented that we too, as Americans, sometimes enjoy wealth similar to that of kings, explaining that it is not necessary to give away all of one's worldly possessions in order to initiate and maintain a spiritual practice. He strongly emphasized that if we practice good-heartedness and pure motivation in all of our worldly pursuits, we are practicing spirituality.
Rinpoche was clearly delighted by the interest and support shown by participants in the event and by the generous effort of all those who helped to make it possible. "An Afternoon for Inner Peace" has surely planted the seed for a growing relationship between the community of Napa Valley and Ati Ling.
Kevin and Angie Arnold
Dharma, fine wine and elegance mingled on a warm spring "Afternoon for Inner Peace," a benefit for Chagdud Gonpa's Ati Ling at the lovely Robert Mondavi Winery located in the verdant Napa Valley. The winery was graciously made available for the event by Robert and Margrit Mondavi. The Mondavis and Stephen and Maria Farrow hosted 180 guests at the luncheon and reception, where a total of twelve thousand dollars were raised.The funds will be used for the construction and development of Ati Ling.
The afternoon began with a reception on the winery patio. While Tibetan music was performed by Chaksampa, a traditional Tibetan dancetroupe, the guests passed through the receiving line, greeted by Rinpoche.
In the Vineyard Room, where the luncheon was served, light streamed down through skylights, and t'hangkas from the Vorpal Gallery of San Francisco and from the Chagdud Gonpa Foundation collection draped the walls. Luncheon seating was arranged to include dharma students at each table of eight guests. Each of the three courses of the gourmet meal was accompanied by a Mondavi wine. Dessert, described by some as "blissfully delicious," was served with an ambrosial dessert wine.
Following the meal, Chagdud Rinpoche was introduced by Robert Mondavi and responded to his humorous and sincere questions with insightful commentary on a range of topics from wealth and generosity to the integration of spiritual practice into daily life. Rinpoche related the story of King Indrabhuti, who once questioned the Buddha's teaching about abandoning worldly life. Concerned that there were so many people dependent upon him, the king asked how someone such as himself, with worldly responsibilities, could practice the Buddha's teachings within the context of his rich and pleasurable life. The Buddha responded to his supplication by opening the vast treasury of the Vajrayana. Indrabhuti was then able to attain enlightenment while upholding his position as custodian of vast wealth, through his diligent practice of Vajrayana principles and the power of his pure intention.
Rinpoche commented that we too, as Americans, sometimes enjoy wealth similar to that of kings, explaining that it is not necessary to give away all of one's worldly possessions in order to initiate and maintain a spiritual practice. He strongly emphasized that if we practice good-heartedness and pure motivation in all of our worldly pursuits, we are practicing spirituality.
Rinpoche was clearly delighted by the interest and support shown by participants in the event and by the generous effort of all those who helped to make it possible. "An Afternoon for Inner Peace" has surely planted the seed for a growing relationship between the community of Napa Valley and Ati Ling.
Kevin and Angie Arnold
Dharma, fine wine and elegance mingled on a warm spring "Afternoon for Inner Peace," a benefit for Chagdud Gonpa's Ati Ling at the lovely Robert Mondavi Winery located in the verdant Napa Valley. The winery was graciously made available for the event by Robert and Margrit Mondavi. The Mondavis and Stephen and Maria Farrow hosted 180 guests at the luncheon and reception, where a total of twelve thousand dollars were raised.The funds will be used for the construction and development of Ati Ling.
The afternoon began with a reception on the winery patio. While Tibetan music was performed by Chaksampa, a traditional Tibetan dancetroupe, the guests passed through the receiving line, greeted by Rinpoche.
In the Vineyard Room, where the luncheon was served, light streamed down through skylights, and t'hangkas from the Vorpal Gallery of San Francisco and from the Chagdud Gonpa Foundation collection draped the walls. Luncheon seating was arranged to include dharma students at each table of eight guests. Each of the three courses of the gourmet meal was accompanied by a Mondavi wine. Dessert, described by some as "blissfully delicious," was served with an ambrosial dessert wine.
Following the meal, Chagdud Rinpoche was introduced by Robert Mondavi and responded to his humorous and sincere questions with insightful commentary on a range of topics from wealth and generosity to the integration of spiritual practice into daily life. Rinpoche related the story of King Indrabhuti, who once questioned the Buddha's teaching about abandoning worldly life. Concerned that there were so many people dependent upon him, the king asked how someone such as himself, with worldly responsibilities, could practice the Buddha's teachings within the context of his rich and pleasurable life. The Buddha responded to his supplication by opening the vast treasury of the Vajrayana. Indrabhuti was then able to attain enlightenment while upholding his position as custodian of vast wealth, through his diligent practice of Vajrayana principles and the power of his pure intention.
Rinpoche commented that we too, as Americans, sometimes enjoy wealth similar to that of kings, explaining that it is not necessary to give away all of one's worldly possessions in order to initiate and maintain a spiritual practice. He strongly emphasized that if we practice good-heartedness and pure motivation in all of our worldly pursuits, we are practicing spirituality.
Rinpoche was clearly delighted by the interest and support shown by participants in the event and by the generous effort of all those who helped to make it possible. "An Afternoon for Inner Peace" has surely planted the seed for a growing relationship between the community of Napa Valley and Ati Ling.
Kevin and Angie Arnold
Dharma, fine wine and elegance mingled on a warm spring "Afternoon for Inner Peace," a benefit for Chagdud Gonpa's Ati Ling at the lovely Robert Mondavi Winery located in the verdant Napa Valley. The winery was graciously made available for the event by Robert and Margrit Mondavi. The Mondavis and Stephen and Maria Farrow hosted 180 guests at the luncheon and reception, where a total of twelve thousand dollars were raised.The funds will be used for the construction and development of Ati Ling.
The afternoon began with a reception on the winery patio. While Tibetan music was performed by Chaksampa, a traditional Tibetan dancetroupe, the guests passed through the receiving line, greeted by Rinpoche.
In the Vineyard Room, where the luncheon was served, light streamed down through skylights, and t'hangkas from the Vorpal Gallery of San Francisco and from the Chagdud Gonpa Foundation collection draped the walls. Luncheon seating was arranged to include dharma students at each table of eight guests. Each of the three courses of the gourmet meal was accompanied by a Mondavi wine. Dessert, described by some as "blissfully delicious," was served with an ambrosial dessert wine.
Following the meal, Chagdud Rinpoche was introduced by Robert Mondavi and responded to his humorous and sincere questions with insightful commentary on a range of topics from wealth and generosity to the integration of spiritual practice into daily life. Rinpoche related the story of King Indrabhuti, who once questioned the Buddha's teaching about abandoning worldly life. Concerned that there were so many people dependent upon him, the king asked how someone such as himself, with worldly responsibilities, could practice the Buddha's teachings within the context of his rich and pleasurable life. The Buddha responded to his supplication by opening the vast treasury of the Vajrayana. Indrabhuti was then able to attain enlightenment while upholding his position as custodian of vast wealth, through his diligent practice of Vajrayana principles and the power of his pure intention.
Rinpoche commented that we too, as Americans, sometimes enjoy wealth similar to that of kings, explaining that it is not necessary to give away all of one's worldly possessions in order to initiate and maintain a spiritual practice. He strongly emphasized that if we practice good-heartedness and pure motivation in all of our worldly pursuits, we are practicing spirituality.
Rinpoche was clearly delighted by the interest and support shown by participants in the event and by the generous effort of all those who helped to make it possible. "An Afternoon for Inner Peace" has surely planted the seed for a growing relationship between the community of Napa Valley and Ati Ling.
Kevin and Angie Arnold
Dharma, fine wine and elegance mingled on a warm spring "Afternoon for Inner Peace," a benefit for Chagdud Gonpa's Ati Ling at the lovely Robert Mondavi Winery located in the verdant Napa Valley. The winery was graciously made available for the event by Robert and Margrit Mondavi. The Mondavis and Stephen and Maria Farrow hosted 180 guests at the luncheon and reception, where a total of twelve thousand dollars were raised.The funds will be used for the construction and development of Ati Ling.
The afternoon began with a reception on the winery patio. While Tibetan music was performed by Chaksampa, a traditional Tibetan dancetroupe, the guests passed through the receiving line, greeted by Rinpoche.
In the Vineyard Room, where the luncheon was served, light streamed down through skylights, and t'hangkas from the Vorpal Gallery of San Francisco and from the Chagdud Gonpa Foundation collection draped the walls. Luncheon seating was arranged to include dharma students at each table of eight guests. Each of the three courses of the gourmet meal was accompanied by a Mondavi wine. Dessert, described by some as "blissfully delicious," was served with an ambrosial dessert wine.
Following the meal, Chagdud Rinpoche was introduced by Robert Mondavi and responded to his humorous and sincere questions with insightful commentary on a range of topics from wealth and generosity to the integration of spiritual practice into daily life. Rinpoche related the story of King Indrabhuti, who once questioned the Buddha's teaching about abandoning worldly life. Concerned that there were so many people dependent upon him, the king asked how someone such as himself, with worldly responsibilities, could practice the Buddha's teachings within the context of his rich and pleasurable life. The Buddha responded to his supplication by opening the vast treasury of the Vajrayana. Indrabhuti was then able to attain enlightenment while upholding his position as custodian of vast wealth, through his diligent practice of Vajrayana principles and the power of his pure intention.
Rinpoche commented that we too, as Americans, sometimes enjoy wealth similar to that of kings, explaining that it is not necessary to give away all of one's worldly possessions in order to initiate and maintain a spiritual practice. He strongly emphasized that if we practice good-heartedness and pure motivation in all of our worldly pursuits, we are practicing spirituality.
Rinpoche was clearly delighted by the interest and support shown by participants in the event and by the generous effort of all those who helped to make it possible. "An Afternoon for Inner Peace" has surely planted the seed for a growing relationship between the community of Napa Valley and Ati Ling.
Kevin and Angie Arnold
