Sangha News
As we reach the end of this year it brings a time for reflection and gratitude for the many blessings we have received. In 2010 our center has seen many exciting changes. In January Khenpo Samdup arrived in Dayton, blessing our center with his wisdom and insight. His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche blessed us with his profound teachings on Vajrakilaya that same month and then we received his blessings again in July. We had a wonderful celebration with food and music for a most auspicious day, the birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche. The retreats were filled with much loving kindness, compassion and joy.
We also had a most wonderful retreat in June with Khenpo Nyima Gyaltsen in which he shared his skills as a teacher and we learned about the Seven Taras as told by Lord Jigten Sumgon. We continued this fall with our beloved Rinzin Khando teaching the art of meditation, sharing with us her experience and pith instructions. In addition to our many retreats, we had great fun as a community participating in the Yellow Springs Street fair under a tent built from bamboo and adorned with prayer flags. We began the day with a shower of blessings!
This year has also seen many changes within our organization. After founding and working to maintain the center over the past seven years, Ellen Marie stepped down as director in February to spend time with her family—Naomi, Sam and Oriana. She still continues to support us with her great webmaster gifts and by designing and assisting with PR. We are very grateful for all Ellen Marie and Naomi have done and continue to do.
Garchen Rinpoche asked Debbie to become president of Gar Drolma, and in May, with Gary continuing as a board member, Debbie and Gary began directing the center. This fall Linda and Mel joined the board, serving Rinpoche by supporting the center through their time, efforts and great love for the community.
In addition, Khenpo Samdup began school at the University of Dayton this fall, where he is very diligently studying English. This will enable him to offer his great knowledge in our language and bring great benefit to all. His studies at the university have been made possible by the kindness of two very generous sponsors and the tutors who help him each day.
As the leaves changed color and the summer days became shorter the fall season also brought the start of our Buddhist School. Our two teachers are kindly guiding eight children in learning about the Buddha and meditation, with lots of time for fun and laughter. The children’s work can be seen throughout the temple, and this week they presented a beautiful offering of evergreens and holly for the solstice celebration--the auspicious day when the effect of our actions is multiplied by seven.
When the cold winds began in November our heat did not, as our old steam boiler had reached the end of its life. Again blessed by a member who very generously helped us, we now have a new boiler and our center is warm and cozy as the chill of winter descends.
Throughout the year our volunteers have continued to assist and serve the center through all the many gifts each possesses. Their service has been heartfelt, and all have participated with joy and kindness, working together to support the center by offering their time and energy.
As this year comes to a close we again are filled with aspirations for the coming year. We hope to serve the community by providing a forum for input and ideas and a place to participate. We are planning on launching our membership program under the direction of Linda and a beginners' program under the direction of Mel, and we will continue fundraising to assist in paying down our mortgage on the temple. In addition, we will continue to provide an open door for those who seek the dharma and a place of respite for those who seek a sanctuary of peace and quiet.
We have started planning next year’s retreats and will begin in January with our precious teachers Khenpo Samdup and Rinzin Khando. Our most beloved teacher, Garchen Rinpoche, will be returning in the spring to share with us the profound teachings. None of what we do would be possible without Rinpoche's boundless blessings. He has given all of us this rare and precious opportunity to serve the dharma and benefit beings for countless lifetimes.
We are deeply grateful for all who serve the center, and we look forward to the boundless blessings the new year will bring.
May all beings benefit!
As we reach the end of this year it brings a time for reflection and gratitude for the many blessings we have received. In 2010 our center has seen many exciting changes. In January Khenpo Samdup arrived in Dayton, blessing our center with his wisdom and insight. His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche blessed us with his profound teachings on Vajrakilaya that same month and then we received his blessings again in July. We had a wonderful celebration with food and music for a most auspicious day, the birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche. The retreats were filled with much loving kindness, compassion and joy.
We also had a most wonderful retreat in June with Khenpo Nyima Gyaltsen in which he shared his skills as a teacher and we learned about the Seven Taras as told by Lord Jigten Sumgon. We continued this fall with our beloved Rinzin Khando teaching the art of meditation, sharing with us her experience and pith instructions. In addition to our many retreats, we had great fun as a community participating in the Yellow Springs Street fair under a tent built from bamboo and adorned with prayer flags. We began the day with a shower of blessings!
This year has also seen many changes within our organization. After founding and working to maintain the center over the past seven years, Ellen Marie stepped down as director in February to spend time with her family—Naomi, Sam and Oriana. She still continues to support us with her great webmaster gifts and by designing and assisting with PR. We are very grateful for all Ellen Marie and Naomi have done and continue to do.
Garchen Rinpoche asked Debbie to become president of Gar Drolma, and in May, with Gary continuing as a board member, Debbie and Gary began directing the center. This fall Linda and Mel joined the board, serving Rinpoche by supporting the center through their time, efforts and great love for the community.
In addition, Khenpo Samdup began school at the University of Dayton this fall, where he is very diligently studying English. This will enable him to offer his great knowledge in our language and bring great benefit to all. His studies at the university have been made possible by the kindness of two very generous sponsors and the tutors who help him each day.
As the leaves changed color and the summer days became shorter the fall season also brought the start of our Buddhist School. Our two teachers are kindly guiding eight children in learning about the Buddha and meditation, with lots of time for fun and laughter. The children’s work can be seen throughout the temple, and this week they presented a beautiful offering of evergreens and holly for the solstice celebration--the auspicious day when the effect of our actions is multiplied by seven.
When the cold winds began in November our heat did not, as our old steam boiler had reached the end of its life. Again blessed by a member who very generously helped us, we now have a new boiler and our center is warm and cozy as the chill of winter descends.
Throughout the year our volunteers have continued to assist and serve the center through all the many gifts each possesses. Their service has been heartfelt, and all have participated with joy and kindness, working together to support the center by offering their time and energy.
As this year comes to a close we again are filled with aspirations for the coming year. We hope to serve the community by providing a forum for input and ideas and a place to participate. We are planning on launching our membership program under the direction of Linda and a beginners' program under the direction of Mel, and we will continue fundraising to assist in paying down our mortgage on the temple. In addition, we will continue to provide an open door for those who seek the dharma and a place of respite for those who seek a sanctuary of peace and quiet.
We have started planning next year’s retreats and will begin in January with our precious teachers Khenpo Samdup and Rinzin Khando. Our most beloved teacher, Garchen Rinpoche, will be returning in the spring to share with us the profound teachings. None of what we do would be possible without Rinpoche's boundless blessings. He has given all of us this rare and precious opportunity to serve the dharma and benefit beings for countless lifetimes.
We are deeply grateful for all who serve the center, and we look forward to the boundless blessings the new year will bring.
May all beings benefit!
1329 Creighton AveNUE . Dayton, OHIO 45420
(937) 252-2220
sangha@gardrolma.org