Since Rinpoche's return from winter retreat, the activity at Rigdzin Ling has been accelerating. The drubchen in August provides a common focus for the many projects Rinpoche is overseeing. The ten-foot high prayer wheel has been ornately painted in traditional style by the Bhutanese artists in residence. The golden Sanskrit mantra can be seen spinning from across most of "moonland."The main electric cable to the land has been installed, bringing electricity to the now operating woodshop and to Tara House, the wiring of which is nearing completion. Rinpoche's retreat house on the roof has been framed and the membrane which weatherproofs the roof of Tara House has been completed with funds raised by the retreatants during winter retreat. Our present goal is to finish the first floor of the building by drubchen (including the kitchen and shrineroom),so that the facility may be used for the event. The plumbing, dormitory addition, sprinkler/fire protection system, exterior stucco, insulation and sheet-rocking are all projects that will be undertaken in the next few months.
Training in the ritual arts occurs each evening. The presence and guidance of Rinpoche and Lama Sonam on a daily basis has been an immeasurable blessing for those involved with the activities here. We strongly encourage anyone who might be able to offer a few days or weeks of time and energy to call Kim at Rigdzin Ling and make arrangements.
__________
The Dechhen Ling sangha is pleased to welcome back Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche for our third annual nyung-nay retreat, June 5-7. This is a Chenrezig purification practice which involves a vow of silence and fasting. Bhakha Tulku will also conduct a public fire puja and teaching in Eugene on June 3 - 4. This is an extremely auspicious time for practice, as it falls on the days of Shakyamuni Buddha's birth and parinirvana during the year of Guru Rinpoche's birth.
Retreatants have found this practice to be very powerful and it has been used since the time of Shakyamuni Buddha to help overcome sickness. Contact Sharon Kness to pre-register (503) 942-5258.
Lama Sonam recently expressed his sincere thanks to everyone who has helped Dechhen Ling and encourages us to develop travels this winter to continue teachings. Sunday puja is now being held at 9 a.m.. Videotapes of teachings are being shown in the shrineroom afterwards.
The sangha is enthusiastic about our new Oregon membership drive. Cleo Goodwin has kindly offered to manage membership dues and monthly expenses. Oregon sangha members should make out their checks to Chagdud Gonpa Foundation and send them to Chagdud Gonpa Foundation, c/o Cleo Goodwin, 591 w.10th Ave. #5, Eu- gene, OR 97401, or call her at (503) 342-7966. Calendars and mailings are also available.
We are opening an office and a library in conjunction with our expanding bookstore. It is our hope that practitioners and visitors will have better access to dharma books and information with the establishment of consistent business hours. Also, there are private rooms available for
retreatants, travelers or practitioners on a month-to-month basis. Call Sharon Kness, house manager, (503) 942-5258 for more information.
__________
We are very pleased to announce that Chagdud Rinpoche's son, Jigmed Norbu Rinpoche, will become the lama in residence at Ati Ling beginning this summer. We would also like to extend our deep appreciation for recent donations that have made it possible to realize a five-year goal in the July completion and occupancy of Ati Ling. John Swearingen has been supervising the construction since late March, with utilities as well as interior and site work now in progress. This will accomplish the goal of the last five years to establish a lama's residence at Ati Ling. These events lend an exciting and expansive dimension to the foundation's activities in the Bay Area.
__________
Lamas Inge and Yontan, as well as the Padma Ling sangha, joyously welcome Her Eminence Jetsun Kushog Chime Ludig to Spokane on Friday, April 24. On April 25 Jetsun Kushog gave a Standing Red Tara empowerment and teaching to about 60 people gathered at the center and graciously consented to tell a little of her life story and that of her brother, His Holiness Sakya Trizin reincarnation of treasure discover Apong Terton. All the sangha felt very blessed by Jetsun Kushog's presence and hope to see her again many times.
Due to popular demand Lama Yontan has added another Tibetan class on Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. The new students are already reciting the alphabet after only two classes. Lama Yontan will also be giving a series of bardo teachings; the first of these will be on Thursday, May 14th.
Lama Inge is traveling to Rigdzin Ling to participate in Chagdud Rinpoche's ritual arts training for a week. Upon her return she is going to Moscow, Idaho, to give a public talked entitled "Buddha, Dharma,Sangha: An Introduction to Buddhism." On Saturday, May 23, Lama Inge will give a T'hroma empowerment, so that numerous new students can participate in the daily chod practice at Padma Ling.
__________
We had wonderful gathering of rigdzin members and friends from the local sangha for a New Year’s Eve Tara tsog offering. In January and April, Lama Sonam visited us and we were fortunate to receive teachings and counsel from him on various points of practice.
This May we were fortunate to receive Ven. Bhakha Tulku. He gave a public talk, led a two-day in-house retreat, bestowed the Guru Rinpoche empowerment and conducted several fire pujas in the area.
Our established schedule of the short Red Tara and sitting practice continues on Mondays, along with Red Tara and Guru Rinpoche tsog offerings held at the regular time on their respective lunar days. We also try to hold a ngondro practice day once a month which we all find very valuable.
__________
Since Rinpoche last visited the Los Angeles sangha, we have been keeping a strong commitment we've made to ourselves once a month, as a special additional practice, we do several sessions of Takhyung Barwa mantra accumulations and dedicate the merit to all beings in general and specifically to the well-being of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, who gave us this special empowerment when he was last with us. Starting our Sunday practice an hour early gives us enough time for at least two two-hour sessions. Members who can't attend are encouraged to practice at home during the same hours.
__________
Odsal Ling has a new home in the back of Yvonne Vieira's house in Sao Paulo. A project to renovate the space into a shrineroom is now underway, with architectural plans drawn and some funds already raised. More than a dozen Odsal Ling sangha members will be attending this year's drubchen at Rigdzin Ling, and four Odsal Ling sangha members came to Rigdzin Gatsal in March to do a ngondro retreat with the intention to return for next year's winter retreat. A ngondro practice group now meets regularly on Monday evenings, and a Portuguese translation of Rinpoche's ngondro teachings during his last visit to Brazil is underway. Ten to fifteen practitioners also meet on Tuesday evenings to conduct Tara practice.
Since Rinpoche's return from winter retreat, the activity at Rigdzin Ling has been accelerating. The drubchen in August provides a common focus for the many projects Rinpoche is overseeing. The ten-foot high prayer wheel has been ornately painted in traditional style by the Bhutanese artists in residence. The golden Sanskrit mantra can be seen spinning from across most of "moonland."The main electric cable to the land has been installed, bringing electricity to the now operating woodshop and to Tara House, the wiring of which is nearing completion. Rinpoche's retreat house on the roof has been framed and the membrane which weatherproofs the roof of Tara House has been completed with funds raised by the retreatants during winter retreat. Our present goal is to finish the first floor of the building by drubchen (including the kitchen and shrineroom),so that the facility may be used for the event. The plumbing, dormitory addition, sprinkler/fire protection system, exterior stucco, insulation and sheet-rocking are all projects that will be undertaken in the next few months.
Training in the ritual arts occurs each evening. The presence and guidance of Rinpoche and Lama Sonam on a daily basis has been an immeasurable blessing for those involved with the activities here. We strongly encourage anyone who might be able to offer a few days or weeks of time and energy to call Kim at Rigdzin Ling and make arrangements.
__________
The Dechhen Ling sangha is pleased to welcome back Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche for our third annual nyung-nay retreat, June 5-7. This is a Chenrezig purification practice which involves a vow of silence and fasting. Bhakha Tulku will also conduct a public fire puja and teaching in Eugene on June 3 - 4. This is an extremely auspicious time for practice, as it falls on the days of Shakyamuni Buddha's birth and parinirvana during the year of Guru Rinpoche's birth.
Retreatants have found this practice to be very powerful and it has been used since the time of Shakyamuni Buddha to help overcome sickness. Contact Sharon Kness to pre-register (503) 942-5258.
Lama Sonam recently expressed his sincere thanks to everyone who has helped Dechhen Ling and encourages us to develop travels this winter to continue teachings. Sunday puja is now being held at 9 a.m.. Videotapes of teachings are being shown in the shrineroom afterwards.
The sangha is enthusiastic about our new Oregon membership drive. Cleo Goodwin has kindly offered to manage membership dues and monthly expenses. Oregon sangha members should make out their checks to Chagdud Gonpa Foundation and send them to Chagdud Gonpa Foundation, c/o Cleo Goodwin, 591 w.10th Ave. #5, Eu- gene, OR 97401, or call her at (503) 342-7966. Calendars and mailings are also available.
We are opening an office and a library in conjunction with our expanding bookstore. It is our hope that practitioners and visitors will have better access to dharma books and information with the establishment of consistent business hours. Also, there are private rooms available for
retreatants, travelers or practitioners on a month-to-month basis. Call Sharon Kness, house manager, (503) 942-5258 for more information.
__________
We are very pleased to announce that Chagdud Rinpoche's son, Jigmed Norbu Rinpoche, will become the lama in residence at Ati Ling beginning this summer. We would also like to extend our deep appreciation for recent donations that have made it possible to realize a five-year goal in the July completion and occupancy of Ati Ling. John Swearingen has been supervising the construction since late March, with utilities as well as interior and site work now in progress. This will accomplish the goal of the last five years to establish a lama's residence at Ati Ling. These events lend an exciting and expansive dimension to the foundation's activities in the Bay Area.
__________
Lamas Inge and Yontan, as well as the Padma Ling sangha, joyously welcome Her Eminence Jetsun Kushog Chime Ludig to Spokane on Friday, April 24. On April 25 Jetsun Kushog gave a Standing Red Tara empowerment and teaching to about 60 people gathered at the center and graciously consented to tell a little of her life story and that of her brother, His Holiness Sakya Trizin reincarnation of treasure discover Apong Terton. All the sangha felt very blessed by Jetsun Kushog's presence and hope to see her again many times.
Due to popular demand Lama Yontan has added another Tibetan class on Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. The new students are already reciting the alphabet after only two classes. Lama Yontan will also be giving a series of bardo teachings; the first of these will be on Thursday, May 14th.
Lama Inge is traveling to Rigdzin Ling to participate in Chagdud Rinpoche's ritual arts training for a week. Upon her return she is going to Moscow, Idaho, to give a public talked entitled "Buddha, Dharma,Sangha: An Introduction to Buddhism." On Saturday, May 23, Lama Inge will give a T'hroma empowerment, so that numerous new students can participate in the daily chod practice at Padma Ling.
__________
We had wonderful gathering of rigdzin members and friends from the local sangha for a New Year’s Eve Tara tsog offering. In January and April, Lama Sonam visited us and we were fortunate to receive teachings and counsel from him on various points of practice.
This May we were fortunate to receive Ven. Bhakha Tulku. He gave a public talk, led a two-day in-house retreat, bestowed the Guru Rinpoche empowerment and conducted several fire pujas in the area.
Our established schedule of the short Red Tara and sitting practice continues on Mondays, along with Red Tara and Guru Rinpoche tsog offerings held at the regular time on their respective lunar days. We also try to hold a ngondro practice day once a month which we all find very valuable.
__________
Since Rinpoche last visited the Los Angeles sangha, we have been keeping a strong commitment we've made to ourselves once a month, as a special additional practice, we do several sessions of Takhyung Barwa mantra accumulations and dedicate the merit to all beings in general and specifically to the well-being of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, who gave us this special empowerment when he was last with us. Starting our Sunday practice an hour early gives us enough time for at least two two-hour sessions. Members who can't attend are encouraged to practice at home during the same hours.
__________
Odsal Ling has a new home in the back of Yvonne Vieira's house in Sao Paulo. A project to renovate the space into a shrineroom is now underway, with architectural plans drawn and some funds already raised. More than a dozen Odsal Ling sangha members will be attending this year's drubchen at Rigdzin Ling, and four Odsal Ling sangha members came to Rigdzin Gatsal in March to do a ngondro retreat with the intention to return for next year's winter retreat. A ngondro practice group now meets regularly on Monday evenings, and a Portuguese translation of Rinpoche's ngondro teachings during his last visit to Brazil is underway. Ten to fifteen practitioners also meet on Tuesday evenings to conduct Tara practice.
Since Rinpoche's return from winter retreat, the activity at Rigdzin Ling has been accelerating. The drubchen in August provides a common focus for the many projects Rinpoche is overseeing. The ten-foot high prayer wheel has been ornately painted in traditional style by the Bhutanese artists in residence. The golden Sanskrit mantra can be seen spinning from across most of "moonland."The main electric cable to the land has been installed, bringing electricity to the now operating woodshop and to Tara House, the wiring of which is nearing completion. Rinpoche's retreat house on the roof has been framed and the membrane which weatherproofs the roof of Tara House has been completed with funds raised by the retreatants during winter retreat. Our present goal is to finish the first floor of the building by drubchen (including the kitchen and shrineroom),so that the facility may be used for the event. The plumbing, dormitory addition, sprinkler/fire protection system, exterior stucco, insulation and sheet-rocking are all projects that will be undertaken in the next few months.
Training in the ritual arts occurs each evening. The presence and guidance of Rinpoche and Lama Sonam on a daily basis has been an immeasurable blessing for those involved with the activities here. We strongly encourage anyone who might be able to offer a few days or weeks of time and energy to call Kim at Rigdzin Ling and make arrangements.
__________
The Dechhen Ling sangha is pleased to welcome back Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche for our third annual nyung-nay retreat, June 5-7. This is a Chenrezig purification practice which involves a vow of silence and fasting. Bhakha Tulku will also conduct a public fire puja and teaching in Eugene on June 3 - 4. This is an extremely auspicious time for practice, as it falls on the days of Shakyamuni Buddha's birth and parinirvana during the year of Guru Rinpoche's birth.
Retreatants have found this practice to be very powerful and it has been used since the time of Shakyamuni Buddha to help overcome sickness. Contact Sharon Kness to pre-register (503) 942-5258.
Lama Sonam recently expressed his sincere thanks to everyone who has helped Dechhen Ling and encourages us to develop travels this winter to continue teachings. Sunday puja is now being held at 9 a.m.. Videotapes of teachings are being shown in the shrineroom afterwards.
The sangha is enthusiastic about our new Oregon membership drive. Cleo Goodwin has kindly offered to manage membership dues and monthly expenses. Oregon sangha members should make out their checks to Chagdud Gonpa Foundation and send them to Chagdud Gonpa Foundation, c/o Cleo Goodwin, 591 w.10th Ave. #5, Eu- gene, OR 97401, or call her at (503) 342-7966. Calendars and mailings are also available.
We are opening an office and a library in conjunction with our expanding bookstore. It is our hope that practitioners and visitors will have better access to dharma books and information with the establishment of consistent business hours. Also, there are private rooms available for
retreatants, travelers or practitioners on a month-to-month basis. Call Sharon Kness, house manager, (503) 942-5258 for more information.
__________
We are very pleased to announce that Chagdud Rinpoche's son, Jigmed Norbu Rinpoche, will become the lama in residence at Ati Ling beginning this summer. We would also like to extend our deep appreciation for recent donations that have made it possible to realize a five-year goal in the July completion and occupancy of Ati Ling. John Swearingen has been supervising the construction since late March, with utilities as well as interior and site work now in progress. This will accomplish the goal of the last five years to establish a lama's residence at Ati Ling. These events lend an exciting and expansive dimension to the foundation's activities in the Bay Area.
__________
Lamas Inge and Yontan, as well as the Padma Ling sangha, joyously welcome Her Eminence Jetsun Kushog Chime Ludig to Spokane on Friday, April 24. On April 25 Jetsun Kushog gave a Standing Red Tara empowerment and teaching to about 60 people gathered at the center and graciously consented to tell a little of her life story and that of her brother, His Holiness Sakya Trizin reincarnation of treasure discover Apong Terton. All the sangha felt very blessed by Jetsun Kushog's presence and hope to see her again many times.
Due to popular demand Lama Yontan has added another Tibetan class on Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. The new students are already reciting the alphabet after only two classes. Lama Yontan will also be giving a series of bardo teachings; the first of these will be on Thursday, May 14th.
Lama Inge is traveling to Rigdzin Ling to participate in Chagdud Rinpoche's ritual arts training for a week. Upon her return she is going to Moscow, Idaho, to give a public talked entitled "Buddha, Dharma,Sangha: An Introduction to Buddhism." On Saturday, May 23, Lama Inge will give a T'hroma empowerment, so that numerous new students can participate in the daily chod practice at Padma Ling.
__________
We had wonderful gathering of rigdzin members and friends from the local sangha for a New Year’s Eve Tara tsog offering. In January and April, Lama Sonam visited us and we were fortunate to receive teachings and counsel from him on various points of practice.
This May we were fortunate to receive Ven. Bhakha Tulku. He gave a public talk, led a two-day in-house retreat, bestowed the Guru Rinpoche empowerment and conducted several fire pujas in the area.
Our established schedule of the short Red Tara and sitting practice continues on Mondays, along with Red Tara and Guru Rinpoche tsog offerings held at the regular time on their respective lunar days. We also try to hold a ngondro practice day once a month which we all find very valuable.
__________
Since Rinpoche last visited the Los Angeles sangha, we have been keeping a strong commitment we've made to ourselves once a month, as a special additional practice, we do several sessions of Takhyung Barwa mantra accumulations and dedicate the merit to all beings in general and specifically to the well-being of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, who gave us this special empowerment when he was last with us. Starting our Sunday practice an hour early gives us enough time for at least two two-hour sessions. Members who can't attend are encouraged to practice at home during the same hours.
__________
Odsal Ling has a new home in the back of Yvonne Vieira's house in Sao Paulo. A project to renovate the space into a shrineroom is now underway, with architectural plans drawn and some funds already raised. More than a dozen Odsal Ling sangha members will be attending this year's drubchen at Rigdzin Ling, and four Odsal Ling sangha members came to Rigdzin Gatsal in March to do a ngondro retreat with the intention to return for next year's winter retreat. A ngondro practice group now meets regularly on Monday evenings, and a Portuguese translation of Rinpoche's ngondro teachings during his last visit to Brazil is underway. Ten to fifteen practitioners also meet on Tuesday evenings to conduct Tara practice.
Since Rinpoche's return from winter retreat, the activity at Rigdzin Ling has been accelerating. The drubchen in August provides a common focus for the many projects Rinpoche is overseeing. The ten-foot high prayer wheel has been ornately painted in traditional style by the Bhutanese artists in residence. The golden Sanskrit mantra can be seen spinning from across most of "moonland."The main electric cable to the land has been installed, bringing electricity to the now operating woodshop and to Tara House, the wiring of which is nearing completion. Rinpoche's retreat house on the roof has been framed and the membrane which weatherproofs the roof of Tara House has been completed with funds raised by the retreatants during winter retreat. Our present goal is to finish the first floor of the building by drubchen (including the kitchen and shrineroom),so that the facility may be used for the event. The plumbing, dormitory addition, sprinkler/fire protection system, exterior stucco, insulation and sheet-rocking are all projects that will be undertaken in the next few months.
Training in the ritual arts occurs each evening. The presence and guidance of Rinpoche and Lama Sonam on a daily basis has been an immeasurable blessing for those involved with the activities here. We strongly encourage anyone who might be able to offer a few days or weeks of time and energy to call Kim at Rigdzin Ling and make arrangements.
__________
The Dechhen Ling sangha is pleased to welcome back Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche for our third annual nyung-nay retreat, June 5-7. This is a Chenrezig purification practice which involves a vow of silence and fasting. Bhakha Tulku will also conduct a public fire puja and teaching in Eugene on June 3 - 4. This is an extremely auspicious time for practice, as it falls on the days of Shakyamuni Buddha's birth and parinirvana during the year of Guru Rinpoche's birth.
Retreatants have found this practice to be very powerful and it has been used since the time of Shakyamuni Buddha to help overcome sickness. Contact Sharon Kness to pre-register (503) 942-5258.
Lama Sonam recently expressed his sincere thanks to everyone who has helped Dechhen Ling and encourages us to develop travels this winter to continue teachings. Sunday puja is now being held at 9 a.m.. Videotapes of teachings are being shown in the shrineroom afterwards.
The sangha is enthusiastic about our new Oregon membership drive. Cleo Goodwin has kindly offered to manage membership dues and monthly expenses. Oregon sangha members should make out their checks to Chagdud Gonpa Foundation and send them to Chagdud Gonpa Foundation, c/o Cleo Goodwin, 591 w.10th Ave. #5, Eu- gene, OR 97401, or call her at (503) 342-7966. Calendars and mailings are also available.
We are opening an office and a library in conjunction with our expanding bookstore. It is our hope that practitioners and visitors will have better access to dharma books and information with the establishment of consistent business hours. Also, there are private rooms available for
retreatants, travelers or practitioners on a month-to-month basis. Call Sharon Kness, house manager, (503) 942-5258 for more information.
__________
We are very pleased to announce that Chagdud Rinpoche's son, Jigmed Norbu Rinpoche, will become the lama in residence at Ati Ling beginning this summer. We would also like to extend our deep appreciation for recent donations that have made it possible to realize a five-year goal in the July completion and occupancy of Ati Ling. John Swearingen has been supervising the construction since late March, with utilities as well as interior and site work now in progress. This will accomplish the goal of the last five years to establish a lama's residence at Ati Ling. These events lend an exciting and expansive dimension to the foundation's activities in the Bay Area.
__________
Lamas Inge and Yontan, as well as the Padma Ling sangha, joyously welcome Her Eminence Jetsun Kushog Chime Ludig to Spokane on Friday, April 24. On April 25 Jetsun Kushog gave a Standing Red Tara empowerment and teaching to about 60 people gathered at the center and graciously consented to tell a little of her life story and that of her brother, His Holiness Sakya Trizin reincarnation of treasure discover Apong Terton. All the sangha felt very blessed by Jetsun Kushog's presence and hope to see her again many times.
Due to popular demand Lama Yontan has added another Tibetan class on Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. The new students are already reciting the alphabet after only two classes. Lama Yontan will also be giving a series of bardo teachings; the first of these will be on Thursday, May 14th.
Lama Inge is traveling to Rigdzin Ling to participate in Chagdud Rinpoche's ritual arts training for a week. Upon her return she is going to Moscow, Idaho, to give a public talked entitled "Buddha, Dharma,Sangha: An Introduction to Buddhism." On Saturday, May 23, Lama Inge will give a T'hroma empowerment, so that numerous new students can participate in the daily chod practice at Padma Ling.
__________
We had wonderful gathering of rigdzin members and friends from the local sangha for a New Year’s Eve Tara tsog offering. In January and April, Lama Sonam visited us and we were fortunate to receive teachings and counsel from him on various points of practice.
This May we were fortunate to receive Ven. Bhakha Tulku. He gave a public talk, led a two-day in-house retreat, bestowed the Guru Rinpoche empowerment and conducted several fire pujas in the area.
Our established schedule of the short Red Tara and sitting practice continues on Mondays, along with Red Tara and Guru Rinpoche tsog offerings held at the regular time on their respective lunar days. We also try to hold a ngondro practice day once a month which we all find very valuable.
__________
Since Rinpoche last visited the Los Angeles sangha, we have been keeping a strong commitment we've made to ourselves once a month, as a special additional practice, we do several sessions of Takhyung Barwa mantra accumulations and dedicate the merit to all beings in general and specifically to the well-being of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, who gave us this special empowerment when he was last with us. Starting our Sunday practice an hour early gives us enough time for at least two two-hour sessions. Members who can't attend are encouraged to practice at home during the same hours.
__________
Odsal Ling has a new home in the back of Yvonne Vieira's house in Sao Paulo. A project to renovate the space into a shrineroom is now underway, with architectural plans drawn and some funds already raised. More than a dozen Odsal Ling sangha members will be attending this year's drubchen at Rigdzin Ling, and four Odsal Ling sangha members came to Rigdzin Gatsal in March to do a ngondro retreat with the intention to return for next year's winter retreat. A ngondro practice group now meets regularly on Monday evenings, and a Portuguese translation of Rinpoche's ngondro teachings during his last visit to Brazil is underway. Ten to fifteen practitioners also meet on Tuesday evenings to conduct Tara practice.
Since Rinpoche's return from winter retreat, the activity at Rigdzin Ling has been accelerating. The drubchen in August provides a common focus for the many projects Rinpoche is overseeing. The ten-foot high prayer wheel has been ornately painted in traditional style by the Bhutanese artists in residence. The golden Sanskrit mantra can be seen spinning from across most of "moonland."The main electric cable to the land has been installed, bringing electricity to the now operating woodshop and to Tara House, the wiring of which is nearing completion. Rinpoche's retreat house on the roof has been framed and the membrane which weatherproofs the roof of Tara House has been completed with funds raised by the retreatants during winter retreat. Our present goal is to finish the first floor of the building by drubchen (including the kitchen and shrineroom),so that the facility may be used for the event. The plumbing, dormitory addition, sprinkler/fire protection system, exterior stucco, insulation and sheet-rocking are all projects that will be undertaken in the next few months.
Training in the ritual arts occurs each evening. The presence and guidance of Rinpoche and Lama Sonam on a daily basis has been an immeasurable blessing for those involved with the activities here. We strongly encourage anyone who might be able to offer a few days or weeks of time and energy to call Kim at Rigdzin Ling and make arrangements.
__________
The Dechhen Ling sangha is pleased to welcome back Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche for our third annual nyung-nay retreat, June 5-7. This is a Chenrezig purification practice which involves a vow of silence and fasting. Bhakha Tulku will also conduct a public fire puja and teaching in Eugene on June 3 - 4. This is an extremely auspicious time for practice, as it falls on the days of Shakyamuni Buddha's birth and parinirvana during the year of Guru Rinpoche's birth.
Retreatants have found this practice to be very powerful and it has been used since the time of Shakyamuni Buddha to help overcome sickness. Contact Sharon Kness to pre-register (503) 942-5258.
Lama Sonam recently expressed his sincere thanks to everyone who has helped Dechhen Ling and encourages us to develop travels this winter to continue teachings. Sunday puja is now being held at 9 a.m.. Videotapes of teachings are being shown in the shrineroom afterwards.
The sangha is enthusiastic about our new Oregon membership drive. Cleo Goodwin has kindly offered to manage membership dues and monthly expenses. Oregon sangha members should make out their checks to Chagdud Gonpa Foundation and send them to Chagdud Gonpa Foundation, c/o Cleo Goodwin, 591 w.10th Ave. #5, Eu- gene, OR 97401, or call her at (503) 342-7966. Calendars and mailings are also available.
We are opening an office and a library in conjunction with our expanding bookstore. It is our hope that practitioners and visitors will have better access to dharma books and information with the establishment of consistent business hours. Also, there are private rooms available for
retreatants, travelers or practitioners on a month-to-month basis. Call Sharon Kness, house manager, (503) 942-5258 for more information.
__________
We are very pleased to announce that Chagdud Rinpoche's son, Jigmed Norbu Rinpoche, will become the lama in residence at Ati Ling beginning this summer. We would also like to extend our deep appreciation for recent donations that have made it possible to realize a five-year goal in the July completion and occupancy of Ati Ling. John Swearingen has been supervising the construction since late March, with utilities as well as interior and site work now in progress. This will accomplish the goal of the last five years to establish a lama's residence at Ati Ling. These events lend an exciting and expansive dimension to the foundation's activities in the Bay Area.
__________
Lamas Inge and Yontan, as well as the Padma Ling sangha, joyously welcome Her Eminence Jetsun Kushog Chime Ludig to Spokane on Friday, April 24. On April 25 Jetsun Kushog gave a Standing Red Tara empowerment and teaching to about 60 people gathered at the center and graciously consented to tell a little of her life story and that of her brother, His Holiness Sakya Trizin reincarnation of treasure discover Apong Terton. All the sangha felt very blessed by Jetsun Kushog's presence and hope to see her again many times.
Due to popular demand Lama Yontan has added another Tibetan class on Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. The new students are already reciting the alphabet after only two classes. Lama Yontan will also be giving a series of bardo teachings; the first of these will be on Thursday, May 14th.
Lama Inge is traveling to Rigdzin Ling to participate in Chagdud Rinpoche's ritual arts training for a week. Upon her return she is going to Moscow, Idaho, to give a public talked entitled "Buddha, Dharma,Sangha: An Introduction to Buddhism." On Saturday, May 23, Lama Inge will give a T'hroma empowerment, so that numerous new students can participate in the daily chod practice at Padma Ling.
__________
We had wonderful gathering of rigdzin members and friends from the local sangha for a New Year’s Eve Tara tsog offering. In January and April, Lama Sonam visited us and we were fortunate to receive teachings and counsel from him on various points of practice.
This May we were fortunate to receive Ven. Bhakha Tulku. He gave a public talk, led a two-day in-house retreat, bestowed the Guru Rinpoche empowerment and conducted several fire pujas in the area.
Our established schedule of the short Red Tara and sitting practice continues on Mondays, along with Red Tara and Guru Rinpoche tsog offerings held at the regular time on their respective lunar days. We also try to hold a ngondro practice day once a month which we all find very valuable.
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Since Rinpoche last visited the Los Angeles sangha, we have been keeping a strong commitment we've made to ourselves once a month, as a special additional practice, we do several sessions of Takhyung Barwa mantra accumulations and dedicate the merit to all beings in general and specifically to the well-being of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, who gave us this special empowerment when he was last with us. Starting our Sunday practice an hour early gives us enough time for at least two two-hour sessions. Members who can't attend are encouraged to practice at home during the same hours.
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Odsal Ling has a new home in the back of Yvonne Vieira's house in Sao Paulo. A project to renovate the space into a shrineroom is now underway, with architectural plans drawn and some funds already raised. More than a dozen Odsal Ling sangha members will be attending this year's drubchen at Rigdzin Ling, and four Odsal Ling sangha members came to Rigdzin Gatsal in March to do a ngondro retreat with the intention to return for next year's winter retreat. A ngondro practice group now meets regularly on Monday evenings, and a Portuguese translation of Rinpoche's ngondro teachings during his last visit to Brazil is underway. Ten to fifteen practitioners also meet on Tuesday evenings to conduct Tara practice.
