Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, Gyatrul Rinpoche, Tulku Jigmed and many other lamas, monks and sangha joined in the practice of the Wish-Fulfilling Essence Tara ceremony over Thanksgiving weekend, in order to benefit all beings. We thank our precious lamas and everyone who attended this most auspicious retreat.
The Dechhen Ling building fund raffle was held at the Red Tara tsog and Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche officiated at the drawing. Thanks to everyone who helped raise money for our building fund through donations and this raffle.
On February 20, we sold Tibetan momos at our food booth during the Asian Celebration in Eugene.
__________
During the fall and winter months, Tulku Jigmed led a number of intensive Nyung-ney practice weekends, Vajrasattva and Guru Yoga weekend retreats, and gave public teachings at the Berkeley Dharmadhatu, and in Sonoma and San Rafael.
During one December weekend, Tulku Jigmed offered teachings on and led the concise practice of Peaceful Manjushri, a terma revealed by H.H. Jigme P'huntsog. During his visit to Ati Ling, His Holiness had strongly urged Tulku Jigmed to spread this treasure here in the West and to encourage Westerners to put it into practice.
Tulku Jigmed and his family will be leaving in March for a four-month pilgrimage to Nepal and Tibet. During their absence, the sangha will host Chagdud Rinpoche and other lamas as well.
__________
The Los Angeles sangha was blessed with a short but fulfilling visit by Rinpoche, his first stop in the United States upon returning from Nepal. In a whirlwind of activity, Rinpoche did two book signings at local bookstores and gave the Red Tara empowerment, all on the same day he arrived! Rinpoche' s very first book signing was a standing-room-only event, and the Red Tara empowerment was so well attended that Rinpoche plans to return to Los Angeles more often.
Lama Gyatso's first teaching visit to Los Angeles focused on practice. Lama Gyatso gave instructions throughout the week on Guru Rinpoche tsog, dharma protector practice and p'howa followed by group practice. A small but devoted group of students attended the teaching and practice sessions, which culminated in a Red Tara tsog. Lama Gyatso's successful visit here has energized the sangha, and a much larger core group is now meeting regularly for weekly practice.
__________
The coming of the Autumn season to the Pacific Northwest also heralded the return to Seattle of our Lama, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche. Rinpoche gave a public talk and chod workshop, and many old and new dharma students were present to greet Rinpoche and share in his wisdom.
Lama Inge from Padma Ling presided over our New Year's Eve Red Tara Tsog and instructed us in the correct hand mudras from the Extensive Offerings. Over several enjoyable winter days, we learned to create horses, elephants, mirrors and ministers from the awkward workings of our fingers.
We are pleased to once again host Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche from Bhutan on May 6 to 8. This weekend will include both a public talk and a two-day dharma teaching for the Seattle community.
All are welcome to attend our ongoing Tara, chod, ngondro and Guru Rinpoche practice.
__________
In the midst of preparing for future extensions to Tara House there has been no slowdown in activity at Rigdzin Ling. Work on Phase 1 of Tara House is wrapping up, and all three floors are very close to completion. The commercial kitchen is fully functional. The second floor includes four bathrooms, a lama kitchen and dining room, as well as six living/retreat rooms. The final permits for the building should be granted this spring or summer.
Rigdzin Ling may receive 50-60,000 yards of subsoil from a nearby Caltrans road work project which would go a long way toward reclaiming the land that was mined in the early 1900s. Long term landscaping goals are being considered and we are still looking for tree sponsors (contact Linda Rose Gracia) as well as a backhoe sponsor (contact David Everest). Tara's garden, the project on lower moonland, has taken shape and momentum. Donations of gardening tools, equipment and/or expertise would be greatly appreciated.
Winter retreatants have been diligently winterizing the woodshop and a larger-than-life Guru Rinpoche statue is being completed.Rinpoche wants to build a pavilion for the cedar statue with an eight-sided roof. Volunteer carpenters and artisans are encouraged to contact Rigdzin Ling.
It is our aspiration that within all of this outer activity,the seeds of spiritual development that Rinpoche is planting will mature and bear fruit in each of us, and that Rigdzin Ling will become a place where future generations of practitioners can hear, contemplate and meditate on the teachings of the Buddhadharma, thereby realizing their own true nature for the benefit of every sentient being. Our sincere gratitude goes out to all of the sangha members who make this aspiration possible.
Skilled Volunteers Wanted: Mechanic/Welder; Secretary; Bookkeeper. Call Rambhali at Rigdzin Ling.
__________
Odsal Ling, the first Brazilian Chagdud Gonpa center, lies in Sao Paulo, the biggest city in Brazil (pop. 12 million). Rinpoche always teases us by saying he doesn't remember the name of our city and that other cities' centers will surely grow faster than ours. But many people are practicing Red Tara and ngondro here, and some have already completed the preliminaries. Having finished remodeling a house to host Rinpoche when he visits, we are now starting to work with street children, and 20,000 square meters of land have been donated in order to build facilities for this project.
Chagdud Dawa Drolma, a center founded by Rinpoche in Belo Horizonte (pop. 5 million), now has one ngondro and two Red Tara groups that meet weekly. We are also building a retreat facility that will function as Rinpoche's headquarters, on land donated for this purpose. When Rinpoche is in Belo Horizonte, you can feel what he always says: we have met before, so it's good to meet once again! He seems to be completely at home here.
Chagdud Yeshe Ling in Porto Alegre (pop. 5 million), has a ngondro practice group. Our founders studied and practiced Zen Buddhism before meeting Rinpoche, and all now want to finish their preliminaries in order to attend the Dzogchen retreats. We're also examining the possibility of building a house for Rinpoche in the city, as well as a retreat place.
There is a Red Tara practice group in Rio de Janeiro and another to be started in Florianopolis; a new center is scheduled to be established soon in Rio. We wish you the very best for 1994 and especially good progress in your dharma work!
__________
The Padma Ling sangha is pleased to announce the completion of a "bathing pavilion," which translates into hot tub. We are grateful to the donor Dexter Amend, and to Lama Yontan, whose efforts made this project possible. We are especially happy to make the tub available to all those who are doing prostrations or working on dharma projects.
Lama Yontan is not taking much time to soak on his laurels... nay, he is going to Vancouver Island to help a practice group and to pursue his college studies. We wish both Lama Yontan and the Vancouver Island group all the best.
We are excited that Lama Sonam Tsering has agreed to visit Spokane in April. He will teach Guru Yoga on April 14. Friday the 18th is dedicated to the preparation of a number of Guru Rinpoche statues for consecration. On Saturday we will make a pilgrimage to the stupa, and on Sunday there will be a festive Guru Rinpoche puja and consecration of the statues. Anyone interested in helping print prayer flags to replace the worn-out flags at the stupa during Lama Sonam' s visit may call Lama Inge at Padma Ling.
Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, Gyatrul Rinpoche, Tulku Jigmed and many other lamas, monks and sangha joined in the practice of the Wish-Fulfilling Essence Tara ceremony over Thanksgiving weekend, in order to benefit all beings. We thank our precious lamas and everyone who attended this most auspicious retreat.
The Dechhen Ling building fund raffle was held at the Red Tara tsog and Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche officiated at the drawing. Thanks to everyone who helped raise money for our building fund through donations and this raffle.
On February 20, we sold Tibetan momos at our food booth during the Asian Celebration in Eugene.
__________
During the fall and winter months, Tulku Jigmed led a number of intensive Nyung-ney practice weekends, Vajrasattva and Guru Yoga weekend retreats, and gave public teachings at the Berkeley Dharmadhatu, and in Sonoma and San Rafael.
During one December weekend, Tulku Jigmed offered teachings on and led the concise practice of Peaceful Manjushri, a terma revealed by H.H. Jigme P'huntsog. During his visit to Ati Ling, His Holiness had strongly urged Tulku Jigmed to spread this treasure here in the West and to encourage Westerners to put it into practice.
Tulku Jigmed and his family will be leaving in March for a four-month pilgrimage to Nepal and Tibet. During their absence, the sangha will host Chagdud Rinpoche and other lamas as well.
__________
The Los Angeles sangha was blessed with a short but fulfilling visit by Rinpoche, his first stop in the United States upon returning from Nepal. In a whirlwind of activity, Rinpoche did two book signings at local bookstores and gave the Red Tara empowerment, all on the same day he arrived! Rinpoche' s very first book signing was a standing-room-only event, and the Red Tara empowerment was so well attended that Rinpoche plans to return to Los Angeles more often.
Lama Gyatso's first teaching visit to Los Angeles focused on practice. Lama Gyatso gave instructions throughout the week on Guru Rinpoche tsog, dharma protector practice and p'howa followed by group practice. A small but devoted group of students attended the teaching and practice sessions, which culminated in a Red Tara tsog. Lama Gyatso's successful visit here has energized the sangha, and a much larger core group is now meeting regularly for weekly practice.
__________
The coming of the Autumn season to the Pacific Northwest also heralded the return to Seattle of our Lama, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche. Rinpoche gave a public talk and chod workshop, and many old and new dharma students were present to greet Rinpoche and share in his wisdom.
Lama Inge from Padma Ling presided over our New Year's Eve Red Tara Tsog and instructed us in the correct hand mudras from the Extensive Offerings. Over several enjoyable winter days, we learned to create horses, elephants, mirrors and ministers from the awkward workings of our fingers.
We are pleased to once again host Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche from Bhutan on May 6 to 8. This weekend will include both a public talk and a two-day dharma teaching for the Seattle community.
All are welcome to attend our ongoing Tara, chod, ngondro and Guru Rinpoche practice.
__________
In the midst of preparing for future extensions to Tara House there has been no slowdown in activity at Rigdzin Ling. Work on Phase 1 of Tara House is wrapping up, and all three floors are very close to completion. The commercial kitchen is fully functional. The second floor includes four bathrooms, a lama kitchen and dining room, as well as six living/retreat rooms. The final permits for the building should be granted this spring or summer.
Rigdzin Ling may receive 50-60,000 yards of subsoil from a nearby Caltrans road work project which would go a long way toward reclaiming the land that was mined in the early 1900s. Long term landscaping goals are being considered and we are still looking for tree sponsors (contact Linda Rose Gracia) as well as a backhoe sponsor (contact David Everest). Tara's garden, the project on lower moonland, has taken shape and momentum. Donations of gardening tools, equipment and/or expertise would be greatly appreciated.
Winter retreatants have been diligently winterizing the woodshop and a larger-than-life Guru Rinpoche statue is being completed.Rinpoche wants to build a pavilion for the cedar statue with an eight-sided roof. Volunteer carpenters and artisans are encouraged to contact Rigdzin Ling.
It is our aspiration that within all of this outer activity,the seeds of spiritual development that Rinpoche is planting will mature and bear fruit in each of us, and that Rigdzin Ling will become a place where future generations of practitioners can hear, contemplate and meditate on the teachings of the Buddhadharma, thereby realizing their own true nature for the benefit of every sentient being. Our sincere gratitude goes out to all of the sangha members who make this aspiration possible.
Skilled Volunteers Wanted: Mechanic/Welder; Secretary; Bookkeeper. Call Rambhali at Rigdzin Ling.
__________
Odsal Ling, the first Brazilian Chagdud Gonpa center, lies in Sao Paulo, the biggest city in Brazil (pop. 12 million). Rinpoche always teases us by saying he doesn't remember the name of our city and that other cities' centers will surely grow faster than ours. But many people are practicing Red Tara and ngondro here, and some have already completed the preliminaries. Having finished remodeling a house to host Rinpoche when he visits, we are now starting to work with street children, and 20,000 square meters of land have been donated in order to build facilities for this project.
Chagdud Dawa Drolma, a center founded by Rinpoche in Belo Horizonte (pop. 5 million), now has one ngondro and two Red Tara groups that meet weekly. We are also building a retreat facility that will function as Rinpoche's headquarters, on land donated for this purpose. When Rinpoche is in Belo Horizonte, you can feel what he always says: we have met before, so it's good to meet once again! He seems to be completely at home here.
Chagdud Yeshe Ling in Porto Alegre (pop. 5 million), has a ngondro practice group. Our founders studied and practiced Zen Buddhism before meeting Rinpoche, and all now want to finish their preliminaries in order to attend the Dzogchen retreats. We're also examining the possibility of building a house for Rinpoche in the city, as well as a retreat place.
There is a Red Tara practice group in Rio de Janeiro and another to be started in Florianopolis; a new center is scheduled to be established soon in Rio. We wish you the very best for 1994 and especially good progress in your dharma work!
__________
The Padma Ling sangha is pleased to announce the completion of a "bathing pavilion," which translates into hot tub. We are grateful to the donor Dexter Amend, and to Lama Yontan, whose efforts made this project possible. We are especially happy to make the tub available to all those who are doing prostrations or working on dharma projects.
Lama Yontan is not taking much time to soak on his laurels... nay, he is going to Vancouver Island to help a practice group and to pursue his college studies. We wish both Lama Yontan and the Vancouver Island group all the best.
We are excited that Lama Sonam Tsering has agreed to visit Spokane in April. He will teach Guru Yoga on April 14. Friday the 18th is dedicated to the preparation of a number of Guru Rinpoche statues for consecration. On Saturday we will make a pilgrimage to the stupa, and on Sunday there will be a festive Guru Rinpoche puja and consecration of the statues. Anyone interested in helping print prayer flags to replace the worn-out flags at the stupa during Lama Sonam' s visit may call Lama Inge at Padma Ling.
Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, Gyatrul Rinpoche, Tulku Jigmed and many other lamas, monks and sangha joined in the practice of the Wish-Fulfilling Essence Tara ceremony over Thanksgiving weekend, in order to benefit all beings. We thank our precious lamas and everyone who attended this most auspicious retreat.
The Dechhen Ling building fund raffle was held at the Red Tara tsog and Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche officiated at the drawing. Thanks to everyone who helped raise money for our building fund through donations and this raffle.
On February 20, we sold Tibetan momos at our food booth during the Asian Celebration in Eugene.
__________
During the fall and winter months, Tulku Jigmed led a number of intensive Nyung-ney practice weekends, Vajrasattva and Guru Yoga weekend retreats, and gave public teachings at the Berkeley Dharmadhatu, and in Sonoma and San Rafael.
During one December weekend, Tulku Jigmed offered teachings on and led the concise practice of Peaceful Manjushri, a terma revealed by H.H. Jigme P'huntsog. During his visit to Ati Ling, His Holiness had strongly urged Tulku Jigmed to spread this treasure here in the West and to encourage Westerners to put it into practice.
Tulku Jigmed and his family will be leaving in March for a four-month pilgrimage to Nepal and Tibet. During their absence, the sangha will host Chagdud Rinpoche and other lamas as well.
__________
The Los Angeles sangha was blessed with a short but fulfilling visit by Rinpoche, his first stop in the United States upon returning from Nepal. In a whirlwind of activity, Rinpoche did two book signings at local bookstores and gave the Red Tara empowerment, all on the same day he arrived! Rinpoche' s very first book signing was a standing-room-only event, and the Red Tara empowerment was so well attended that Rinpoche plans to return to Los Angeles more often.
Lama Gyatso's first teaching visit to Los Angeles focused on practice. Lama Gyatso gave instructions throughout the week on Guru Rinpoche tsog, dharma protector practice and p'howa followed by group practice. A small but devoted group of students attended the teaching and practice sessions, which culminated in a Red Tara tsog. Lama Gyatso's successful visit here has energized the sangha, and a much larger core group is now meeting regularly for weekly practice.
__________
The coming of the Autumn season to the Pacific Northwest also heralded the return to Seattle of our Lama, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche. Rinpoche gave a public talk and chod workshop, and many old and new dharma students were present to greet Rinpoche and share in his wisdom.
Lama Inge from Padma Ling presided over our New Year's Eve Red Tara Tsog and instructed us in the correct hand mudras from the Extensive Offerings. Over several enjoyable winter days, we learned to create horses, elephants, mirrors and ministers from the awkward workings of our fingers.
We are pleased to once again host Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche from Bhutan on May 6 to 8. This weekend will include both a public talk and a two-day dharma teaching for the Seattle community.
All are welcome to attend our ongoing Tara, chod, ngondro and Guru Rinpoche practice.
__________
In the midst of preparing for future extensions to Tara House there has been no slowdown in activity at Rigdzin Ling. Work on Phase 1 of Tara House is wrapping up, and all three floors are very close to completion. The commercial kitchen is fully functional. The second floor includes four bathrooms, a lama kitchen and dining room, as well as six living/retreat rooms. The final permits for the building should be granted this spring or summer.
Rigdzin Ling may receive 50-60,000 yards of subsoil from a nearby Caltrans road work project which would go a long way toward reclaiming the land that was mined in the early 1900s. Long term landscaping goals are being considered and we are still looking for tree sponsors (contact Linda Rose Gracia) as well as a backhoe sponsor (contact David Everest). Tara's garden, the project on lower moonland, has taken shape and momentum. Donations of gardening tools, equipment and/or expertise would be greatly appreciated.
Winter retreatants have been diligently winterizing the woodshop and a larger-than-life Guru Rinpoche statue is being completed.Rinpoche wants to build a pavilion for the cedar statue with an eight-sided roof. Volunteer carpenters and artisans are encouraged to contact Rigdzin Ling.
It is our aspiration that within all of this outer activity,the seeds of spiritual development that Rinpoche is planting will mature and bear fruit in each of us, and that Rigdzin Ling will become a place where future generations of practitioners can hear, contemplate and meditate on the teachings of the Buddhadharma, thereby realizing their own true nature for the benefit of every sentient being. Our sincere gratitude goes out to all of the sangha members who make this aspiration possible.
Skilled Volunteers Wanted: Mechanic/Welder; Secretary; Bookkeeper. Call Rambhali at Rigdzin Ling.
__________
Odsal Ling, the first Brazilian Chagdud Gonpa center, lies in Sao Paulo, the biggest city in Brazil (pop. 12 million). Rinpoche always teases us by saying he doesn't remember the name of our city and that other cities' centers will surely grow faster than ours. But many people are practicing Red Tara and ngondro here, and some have already completed the preliminaries. Having finished remodeling a house to host Rinpoche when he visits, we are now starting to work with street children, and 20,000 square meters of land have been donated in order to build facilities for this project.
Chagdud Dawa Drolma, a center founded by Rinpoche in Belo Horizonte (pop. 5 million), now has one ngondro and two Red Tara groups that meet weekly. We are also building a retreat facility that will function as Rinpoche's headquarters, on land donated for this purpose. When Rinpoche is in Belo Horizonte, you can feel what he always says: we have met before, so it's good to meet once again! He seems to be completely at home here.
Chagdud Yeshe Ling in Porto Alegre (pop. 5 million), has a ngondro practice group. Our founders studied and practiced Zen Buddhism before meeting Rinpoche, and all now want to finish their preliminaries in order to attend the Dzogchen retreats. We're also examining the possibility of building a house for Rinpoche in the city, as well as a retreat place.
There is a Red Tara practice group in Rio de Janeiro and another to be started in Florianopolis; a new center is scheduled to be established soon in Rio. We wish you the very best for 1994 and especially good progress in your dharma work!
__________
The Padma Ling sangha is pleased to announce the completion of a "bathing pavilion," which translates into hot tub. We are grateful to the donor Dexter Amend, and to Lama Yontan, whose efforts made this project possible. We are especially happy to make the tub available to all those who are doing prostrations or working on dharma projects.
Lama Yontan is not taking much time to soak on his laurels... nay, he is going to Vancouver Island to help a practice group and to pursue his college studies. We wish both Lama Yontan and the Vancouver Island group all the best.
We are excited that Lama Sonam Tsering has agreed to visit Spokane in April. He will teach Guru Yoga on April 14. Friday the 18th is dedicated to the preparation of a number of Guru Rinpoche statues for consecration. On Saturday we will make a pilgrimage to the stupa, and on Sunday there will be a festive Guru Rinpoche puja and consecration of the statues. Anyone interested in helping print prayer flags to replace the worn-out flags at the stupa during Lama Sonam' s visit may call Lama Inge at Padma Ling.
Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, Gyatrul Rinpoche, Tulku Jigmed and many other lamas, monks and sangha joined in the practice of the Wish-Fulfilling Essence Tara ceremony over Thanksgiving weekend, in order to benefit all beings. We thank our precious lamas and everyone who attended this most auspicious retreat.
The Dechhen Ling building fund raffle was held at the Red Tara tsog and Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche officiated at the drawing. Thanks to everyone who helped raise money for our building fund through donations and this raffle.
On February 20, we sold Tibetan momos at our food booth during the Asian Celebration in Eugene.
__________
During the fall and winter months, Tulku Jigmed led a number of intensive Nyung-ney practice weekends, Vajrasattva and Guru Yoga weekend retreats, and gave public teachings at the Berkeley Dharmadhatu, and in Sonoma and San Rafael.
During one December weekend, Tulku Jigmed offered teachings on and led the concise practice of Peaceful Manjushri, a terma revealed by H.H. Jigme P'huntsog. During his visit to Ati Ling, His Holiness had strongly urged Tulku Jigmed to spread this treasure here in the West and to encourage Westerners to put it into practice.
Tulku Jigmed and his family will be leaving in March for a four-month pilgrimage to Nepal and Tibet. During their absence, the sangha will host Chagdud Rinpoche and other lamas as well.
__________
The Los Angeles sangha was blessed with a short but fulfilling visit by Rinpoche, his first stop in the United States upon returning from Nepal. In a whirlwind of activity, Rinpoche did two book signings at local bookstores and gave the Red Tara empowerment, all on the same day he arrived! Rinpoche' s very first book signing was a standing-room-only event, and the Red Tara empowerment was so well attended that Rinpoche plans to return to Los Angeles more often.
Lama Gyatso's first teaching visit to Los Angeles focused on practice. Lama Gyatso gave instructions throughout the week on Guru Rinpoche tsog, dharma protector practice and p'howa followed by group practice. A small but devoted group of students attended the teaching and practice sessions, which culminated in a Red Tara tsog. Lama Gyatso's successful visit here has energized the sangha, and a much larger core group is now meeting regularly for weekly practice.
__________
The coming of the Autumn season to the Pacific Northwest also heralded the return to Seattle of our Lama, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche. Rinpoche gave a public talk and chod workshop, and many old and new dharma students were present to greet Rinpoche and share in his wisdom.
Lama Inge from Padma Ling presided over our New Year's Eve Red Tara Tsog and instructed us in the correct hand mudras from the Extensive Offerings. Over several enjoyable winter days, we learned to create horses, elephants, mirrors and ministers from the awkward workings of our fingers.
We are pleased to once again host Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche from Bhutan on May 6 to 8. This weekend will include both a public talk and a two-day dharma teaching for the Seattle community.
All are welcome to attend our ongoing Tara, chod, ngondro and Guru Rinpoche practice.
__________
In the midst of preparing for future extensions to Tara House there has been no slowdown in activity at Rigdzin Ling. Work on Phase 1 of Tara House is wrapping up, and all three floors are very close to completion. The commercial kitchen is fully functional. The second floor includes four bathrooms, a lama kitchen and dining room, as well as six living/retreat rooms. The final permits for the building should be granted this spring or summer.
Rigdzin Ling may receive 50-60,000 yards of subsoil from a nearby Caltrans road work project which would go a long way toward reclaiming the land that was mined in the early 1900s. Long term landscaping goals are being considered and we are still looking for tree sponsors (contact Linda Rose Gracia) as well as a backhoe sponsor (contact David Everest). Tara's garden, the project on lower moonland, has taken shape and momentum. Donations of gardening tools, equipment and/or expertise would be greatly appreciated.
Winter retreatants have been diligently winterizing the woodshop and a larger-than-life Guru Rinpoche statue is being completed.Rinpoche wants to build a pavilion for the cedar statue with an eight-sided roof. Volunteer carpenters and artisans are encouraged to contact Rigdzin Ling.
It is our aspiration that within all of this outer activity,the seeds of spiritual development that Rinpoche is planting will mature and bear fruit in each of us, and that Rigdzin Ling will become a place where future generations of practitioners can hear, contemplate and meditate on the teachings of the Buddhadharma, thereby realizing their own true nature for the benefit of every sentient being. Our sincere gratitude goes out to all of the sangha members who make this aspiration possible.
Skilled Volunteers Wanted: Mechanic/Welder; Secretary; Bookkeeper. Call Rambhali at Rigdzin Ling.
__________
Odsal Ling, the first Brazilian Chagdud Gonpa center, lies in Sao Paulo, the biggest city in Brazil (pop. 12 million). Rinpoche always teases us by saying he doesn't remember the name of our city and that other cities' centers will surely grow faster than ours. But many people are practicing Red Tara and ngondro here, and some have already completed the preliminaries. Having finished remodeling a house to host Rinpoche when he visits, we are now starting to work with street children, and 20,000 square meters of land have been donated in order to build facilities for this project.
Chagdud Dawa Drolma, a center founded by Rinpoche in Belo Horizonte (pop. 5 million), now has one ngondro and two Red Tara groups that meet weekly. We are also building a retreat facility that will function as Rinpoche's headquarters, on land donated for this purpose. When Rinpoche is in Belo Horizonte, you can feel what he always says: we have met before, so it's good to meet once again! He seems to be completely at home here.
Chagdud Yeshe Ling in Porto Alegre (pop. 5 million), has a ngondro practice group. Our founders studied and practiced Zen Buddhism before meeting Rinpoche, and all now want to finish their preliminaries in order to attend the Dzogchen retreats. We're also examining the possibility of building a house for Rinpoche in the city, as well as a retreat place.
There is a Red Tara practice group in Rio de Janeiro and another to be started in Florianopolis; a new center is scheduled to be established soon in Rio. We wish you the very best for 1994 and especially good progress in your dharma work!
__________
The Padma Ling sangha is pleased to announce the completion of a "bathing pavilion," which translates into hot tub. We are grateful to the donor Dexter Amend, and to Lama Yontan, whose efforts made this project possible. We are especially happy to make the tub available to all those who are doing prostrations or working on dharma projects.
Lama Yontan is not taking much time to soak on his laurels... nay, he is going to Vancouver Island to help a practice group and to pursue his college studies. We wish both Lama Yontan and the Vancouver Island group all the best.
We are excited that Lama Sonam Tsering has agreed to visit Spokane in April. He will teach Guru Yoga on April 14. Friday the 18th is dedicated to the preparation of a number of Guru Rinpoche statues for consecration. On Saturday we will make a pilgrimage to the stupa, and on Sunday there will be a festive Guru Rinpoche puja and consecration of the statues. Anyone interested in helping print prayer flags to replace the worn-out flags at the stupa during Lama Sonam' s visit may call Lama Inge at Padma Ling.
Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, Gyatrul Rinpoche, Tulku Jigmed and many other lamas, monks and sangha joined in the practice of the Wish-Fulfilling Essence Tara ceremony over Thanksgiving weekend, in order to benefit all beings. We thank our precious lamas and everyone who attended this most auspicious retreat.
The Dechhen Ling building fund raffle was held at the Red Tara tsog and Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche officiated at the drawing. Thanks to everyone who helped raise money for our building fund through donations and this raffle.
On February 20, we sold Tibetan momos at our food booth during the Asian Celebration in Eugene.
__________
During the fall and winter months, Tulku Jigmed led a number of intensive Nyung-ney practice weekends, Vajrasattva and Guru Yoga weekend retreats, and gave public teachings at the Berkeley Dharmadhatu, and in Sonoma and San Rafael.
During one December weekend, Tulku Jigmed offered teachings on and led the concise practice of Peaceful Manjushri, a terma revealed by H.H. Jigme P'huntsog. During his visit to Ati Ling, His Holiness had strongly urged Tulku Jigmed to spread this treasure here in the West and to encourage Westerners to put it into practice.
Tulku Jigmed and his family will be leaving in March for a four-month pilgrimage to Nepal and Tibet. During their absence, the sangha will host Chagdud Rinpoche and other lamas as well.
__________
The Los Angeles sangha was blessed with a short but fulfilling visit by Rinpoche, his first stop in the United States upon returning from Nepal. In a whirlwind of activity, Rinpoche did two book signings at local bookstores and gave the Red Tara empowerment, all on the same day he arrived! Rinpoche' s very first book signing was a standing-room-only event, and the Red Tara empowerment was so well attended that Rinpoche plans to return to Los Angeles more often.
Lama Gyatso's first teaching visit to Los Angeles focused on practice. Lama Gyatso gave instructions throughout the week on Guru Rinpoche tsog, dharma protector practice and p'howa followed by group practice. A small but devoted group of students attended the teaching and practice sessions, which culminated in a Red Tara tsog. Lama Gyatso's successful visit here has energized the sangha, and a much larger core group is now meeting regularly for weekly practice.
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The coming of the Autumn season to the Pacific Northwest also heralded the return to Seattle of our Lama, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche. Rinpoche gave a public talk and chod workshop, and many old and new dharma students were present to greet Rinpoche and share in his wisdom.
Lama Inge from Padma Ling presided over our New Year's Eve Red Tara Tsog and instructed us in the correct hand mudras from the Extensive Offerings. Over several enjoyable winter days, we learned to create horses, elephants, mirrors and ministers from the awkward workings of our fingers.
We are pleased to once again host Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche from Bhutan on May 6 to 8. This weekend will include both a public talk and a two-day dharma teaching for the Seattle community.
All are welcome to attend our ongoing Tara, chod, ngondro and Guru Rinpoche practice.
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In the midst of preparing for future extensions to Tara House there has been no slowdown in activity at Rigdzin Ling. Work on Phase 1 of Tara House is wrapping up, and all three floors are very close to completion. The commercial kitchen is fully functional. The second floor includes four bathrooms, a lama kitchen and dining room, as well as six living/retreat rooms. The final permits for the building should be granted this spring or summer.
Rigdzin Ling may receive 50-60,000 yards of subsoil from a nearby Caltrans road work project which would go a long way toward reclaiming the land that was mined in the early 1900s. Long term landscaping goals are being considered and we are still looking for tree sponsors (contact Linda Rose Gracia) as well as a backhoe sponsor (contact David Everest). Tara's garden, the project on lower moonland, has taken shape and momentum. Donations of gardening tools, equipment and/or expertise would be greatly appreciated.
Winter retreatants have been diligently winterizing the woodshop and a larger-than-life Guru Rinpoche statue is being completed.Rinpoche wants to build a pavilion for the cedar statue with an eight-sided roof. Volunteer carpenters and artisans are encouraged to contact Rigdzin Ling.
It is our aspiration that within all of this outer activity,the seeds of spiritual development that Rinpoche is planting will mature and bear fruit in each of us, and that Rigdzin Ling will become a place where future generations of practitioners can hear, contemplate and meditate on the teachings of the Buddhadharma, thereby realizing their own true nature for the benefit of every sentient being. Our sincere gratitude goes out to all of the sangha members who make this aspiration possible.
Skilled Volunteers Wanted: Mechanic/Welder; Secretary; Bookkeeper. Call Rambhali at Rigdzin Ling.
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Odsal Ling, the first Brazilian Chagdud Gonpa center, lies in Sao Paulo, the biggest city in Brazil (pop. 12 million). Rinpoche always teases us by saying he doesn't remember the name of our city and that other cities' centers will surely grow faster than ours. But many people are practicing Red Tara and ngondro here, and some have already completed the preliminaries. Having finished remodeling a house to host Rinpoche when he visits, we are now starting to work with street children, and 20,000 square meters of land have been donated in order to build facilities for this project.
Chagdud Dawa Drolma, a center founded by Rinpoche in Belo Horizonte (pop. 5 million), now has one ngondro and two Red Tara groups that meet weekly. We are also building a retreat facility that will function as Rinpoche's headquarters, on land donated for this purpose. When Rinpoche is in Belo Horizonte, you can feel what he always says: we have met before, so it's good to meet once again! He seems to be completely at home here.
Chagdud Yeshe Ling in Porto Alegre (pop. 5 million), has a ngondro practice group. Our founders studied and practiced Zen Buddhism before meeting Rinpoche, and all now want to finish their preliminaries in order to attend the Dzogchen retreats. We're also examining the possibility of building a house for Rinpoche in the city, as well as a retreat place.
There is a Red Tara practice group in Rio de Janeiro and another to be started in Florianopolis; a new center is scheduled to be established soon in Rio. We wish you the very best for 1994 and especially good progress in your dharma work!
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The Padma Ling sangha is pleased to announce the completion of a "bathing pavilion," which translates into hot tub. We are grateful to the donor Dexter Amend, and to Lama Yontan, whose efforts made this project possible. We are especially happy to make the tub available to all those who are doing prostrations or working on dharma projects.
Lama Yontan is not taking much time to soak on his laurels... nay, he is going to Vancouver Island to help a practice group and to pursue his college studies. We wish both Lama Yontan and the Vancouver Island group all the best.
We are excited that Lama Sonam Tsering has agreed to visit Spokane in April. He will teach Guru Yoga on April 14. Friday the 18th is dedicated to the preparation of a number of Guru Rinpoche statues for consecration. On Saturday we will make a pilgrimage to the stupa, and on Sunday there will be a festive Guru Rinpoche puja and consecration of the statues. Anyone interested in helping print prayer flags to replace the worn-out flags at the stupa during Lama Sonam' s visit may call Lama Inge at Padma Ling.
