MahaSangha News

Monthly Archives: June 2009

Dakini Gardens seeking seasonal workers

This just in from dakinihawaii.net: “We are a Tibetan Buddhist retreat center seeking independent, reliable helpers with our citrus orchards and other seasonal work in exchange for living on our peaceful land. Practice living simply and sustainably, off the grid and with catchment water. We are 3 miles from Pahoa village, bring your bicycle. Plan to buy and prepare your own food in the group kitchen. Live in one of our 1-2 person jungalows, or in a large dormitory tent, or bring your own tent and tarp. Most of the work is working the orchards. We have bee hives you can assist with. Some maintenance work on buildings and grounds. Starting with a 1-week trial period, we welcome 1 to 3 month commitments. The exchange costs $25 a week, plus 15 hours of work per week. Contact: info@dakinihawaii.net.”

15 foot high sand Buddha

Image from Orissadiary.com

Orissadiary.com – “India’s internationally acclaimed sand artist from Orissa Sudarsan Pattnaik participated in the 2nd USF World Solo Sand Sculpture Championship 2009 held from June 4-11, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. Pattnaik created a 15 feet high sitting Buddha (similar to one in Bodhgaya) spreading the message of peace in Berlin. The Berlin Tower in the background the imposing image of Buddha was a crowd puller. This festival will remain open to public till end of July for enabling the public to vote the winner of Public Prize at the USF World Championship. In this championship 12 International solo artists from 12 different countries from all over the world had participated and the top prize was won by the sculptor from Italy which was won by Pattnaik in last years championship. ”

For the full story click here.

The 11th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women

Sakyadhita, the International Association of Buddhist Women, is pleased to announce that the 11th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from December 28, 2009, to January 3, 2010. Temple tours in the vicinity of Ho Chi Minh City will be arranged on January 4 and 5. Optional tours to Hue and Hanoi are available from January 6 to 10.

The theme of the conference this year is “Eminent Buddhist Women.” The conference will take a look at the past achievements of Buddhist women across the globe.

Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso to return to Nepal

ktgr-2009 The great yogi and meditation master Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche has been living in Seattle in recent years. Recently, he announced his decision to return to Nepal. For the latest news about the Khenpo and his Marpa Foundation activities, visit here.

(Photo taken 2009)

B. Alan Wallace on Science and Meditation: Listen in

In June, scientist and dharma teacher B. Alan Wallace offered a series of talks on Science and Meditation, at Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe. To hear audio recordings of these teachings, visit http://www.upaya.org/dharma/. You can download the podcast, or hear individual clips.

Report on Mind & Life Summer Research Institute

Writing for the Upaya Zen Center Newsletter, Maia Duerr offers this report on the Mind & Life Summer Research Institute that just took place in June in Garrison, NY: “Last week, Roshi Joan Halifax, Sensei Beate, and Upaya’s Chaplaincy Coordinator Maia Duerr attended the 6th annual Mind & Life Summer Research Institute (MLSRI) in Garrison, NY. …Roshi and Sensei led numerous meditation sessions throughout the week, and Roshi and Sharon Salzberg guided the nearly 200 attendees in a full day of contemplation mid-way through the week—an opportunity for neuroscientists, clinicians, and others to practice “phenomenology on the cushion.” Read More »

Time, Space and the Buddhist Perspective are the topic of public lecture at UTSC

Time and space as conceptual construct. Buddhism counters the Newtonian structure of reality.

On June 19, the University of Toronto Scarborough will host a talk on what some consider to be the most fundamental aspects of reality: space and time.

Speaking will be Professor Yakupitiyage Karunadasa, the 2009 Tung Lin Kok Yuen Visiting Professor and leading international scholar of Buddhism.

Karunadasa has been at UTSC for the past six weeks teaching a senior undergraduate course on Theraveda Buddhism.

New York City’s Village Zendo hosts first “Village Meeting”

Village Zendo meditation center in New York City welcomed a full house of people for its first-ever “Village Meeting” on June 7.

With expanding membership and greater program availability, Village Zendo is asking members what issues needed to be addressed for the sangha to move forward. These meetings will serve as a forum in which members can contribute their voices and ideas regarding the change, growth, health, and well-being of the zendo.

The meeting was facilitated by Seiren Boroson, using an approach called Open Space, in which participants can “create and manage their own agenda of parallel working sessions around a central theme of strategic importance.”

For information on Village Zendo’s events and programs, click here.

Milarepa Center Festival Day with Free Concert by Grammy Nominee and Renowned Flautist Nawang Khechog

The scenic beauty of Milarepa Center

Come celebrate Chokhor Duchen, the anniversary of the Buddha’s First Teaching on the Four Noble Truths, during a special Festival Day on July 25 at Milarepa Center in Barnet, Vermont.

A picnic lunch will be served at noon followed by an afternoon of ancient Buddhist wisdom and music with Nawang Khechog. Read More »

Recipes from the Buddhist heart

Jewel Heart, a Tibetan Buddhist education and cultural center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has some clout when it comes to potlucks. Now they’ve compiled a cookbook that hopes to live up to that notoriety: Recipes from the Heart: Potluck from a Buddhist Center.

The call went out in the March/April issue of their newsletter, asking community members to share their “great recipes with others.” The endeavor would also serve in helping to raise funds for Jewel Heart.
Read More »

Jetsunma Akhon Lhamo turns music into empowerment

Jetsunma Akhon Lhamo is not just known as the incarnation of Padmasambhava’s spiritual consort. These days, Jetsunma has made a name for herself in the music industry.

In 1985, Jetsunma Akhon Lhamo was recognized by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. Almost a decade later, she was acknowledged as being the emanation of the Indian consort.

Recently, Jetsunma produced a CD titled Trilogy, which consists of three songs: “The Promise,” “The Blessings” and “Phowa.” The songs are just a few of many that belong to The Lineage of Queens album, set to be released in September.
Read More »

Applied Mindfulness Conference announces keynote speakers

The Applied Mindfulness Conference is “gathering for people interested in presenting mindfulness meditation in non-traditional teaching venues” and is presented by Tail of the Tiger and hosted by Karme Choling Shambhala Meditation Center, in Barnet, Vermont. The conference will run from July 23-26.

Keynote speakers are:

Michael Baime, MD – Mind, Neuroscience and Mindfulness Meditation
David Rome – Making Wise Decisions: Engaging the Body as a Source of Deeper Insights
Mary Campbell, RN, MSN, CNS-BC – Mindfulness, Healing and Health Care

Barbara Bash reveals the natural world through her visual blog

Barbara Bash is an illustrator and teacher living in the Hudson Valley of New York. She has written and illustrated many books about the natural world. For the past six months, Barbara has kept a visual blog called “True Nature,” consisting of artistic and beautiful sketches.

Want to know more about her illustration on the left?

Gampo Abbey celebrates 25th anniversary by making treasury of oral teachings public

Gampo Abbey is pleased to announce the following:

“It was the heartfelt wish of the Vidyadhara, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche that the monastic tradition be developed and nurtured in the West. We are therefore delighted that in 2009 Gampo Abbey is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its founding. With the early guidance and continued blessing of our Abbot, the Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche and the direction of the Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, the Gampo Acharya Ani Pema Chödrön is leading the monastic community at Gampo Abbey in its deepening exploration of Shambhala monasticism.
Read More »

Buddhism and Artistic Assemblage in New York City

Buddhist artists and art fans in New York City can now stay connected through the VZ Arts network, created by Village Zendo, a local Zen Buddhist meditation center.

The network aims to unit the artistic community of their sangha in order to organize special events like concerts, art shows and poetry readings as well as create art study groups.
Read More »

Keeping up to date with Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

Those interested the Khyentse Foundation, or any of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche’s other projects, can keep up to date with the Foundation’s newsletter, Communique. Published bi-monthly, Communique contains “a compendium of the quarterly news, in-depth feature articles, and an installment of the Patron King series.”

The publication is available now at the Communique webpage in a downloadable PFD format. Past newsletters are also available online, spanning from Summer 2003 to the present issue. For a more traditional reading experience, print versions of the newsletter are available by email request.

New York Shambhala campaign surpasses $2000 fundraising goal

The Shambhala Meditation Center of New York held a successful walka-jogathon fundraiser on May 31st. The RUN for Tibet event brought in $3,440, well over the original goal of $2,000. In addition, the center was informed that the money raised with be matched by two Konchok Foundation donors. All of the proceeds will go towards the Konchok Foundation’s Surmang Shedra Education Project in Tibet to rebuild the children’s education program. You can get more information about the project at the Konchok Foundation’s website. Read More »

International Mahayana Institute gives thanks as retreat wraps up

The International Mahayana Institute sends the following message to their friends and members:

“Over the last few weeks, over 70 nuns and monks from the worldwide community of International Mahayana Institute (IMI) have been participating in the 100 Million Mani Retreat with Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Institut Vajra Yogini in France. On June 6, 2009 this amazing event will draw to a close.

The Mangala Shri Bhuti invites you to join Ani Pema Chodron, one of American Buddhism’s most beloved and accessible teachers, on June 24, 2009 for an evening of dinner, informal discussion and personal interaction. The evening will take place in the home of Pamela and Marty Krasney in Sausalito, California where there will be a sumptuous buffet, followed by a short dharma talk and brief personal interviews with Ani Pema.

Read More »

Prison Dharma Network gets matching grant, seeks your support

Dear Friend,
We have received a generous matching grant that will help launch our next 20 years of providing service, programs, teachings, resources and community to prisoners and prison dharma volunteers.

We are requesting your help!
We are requesting a donation of $10 (or more) from you at this time. All donations we receive in 2009 will be matched 100% by the matching grant provider and will allow us to provide transformational tools to thousands of prisoners.

Your generosity is very much appreciated by us and all of the prisoners who will benefit from your kindness. Please help us celebrate 20 years of supporting transformation for prisoners and launch the next 20 years.

Statements of support:

From Ani Pema Chodron: “I have been honored to serve as a spiritual advisor to the Prison Dharma Network since its founding and fully endorse the work they continue to accomplish. Through my own experience with prisoners, I have directly witnessed the transformative potential of prison meditation programs. Please support Prison Dharma Network in any way you can.” Read More »

Thai insurgents continue attacks, targeting Buddhists as well as Muslims

Associated Press, Bangkok—”Islamic insurgents shot dead a villager and then detonated a car bomb as a crowd gathered, killing one and wounding 19 in Thailand’s restive south on Sunday, police said. … An Islamic insurgency launched in 2004 has killed more than 3,400 in southern Thailand. The insurgents target Buddhists as well as Muslims whom they believe have collaborated with the Thai government.”

China raises possibility of dueling Dalai Lamas

From the NYTimes: “The current Dalai Lama and his followers in exile in India compete with the Chinese government for control of how the 15th Dalai Lama will be chosen…Both the Chinese and the Tibetan exiles are bracing for an almost inevitable outcome: the emergence into the world of dueling Dalai Lamas — one chosen by the exiles, perhaps by the 14th Dalai Lama himself, and the other by Chinese officials.”

NY Times/Michael Powell reviews “Unmistaken Child”

In the New York Times, Michael Powell reviews the new film “Unnmistaken Child” in which the monk Tenzin Zopa relies on dreams and astrological signs to find the reincarnation of his Lama master. The doc opened at the Film Forum on Wednesday, before rolling out to Los Angeles, Denver, San Francisco, Washington and other cities.

Watch the trailer on YouTube.

Something Beyond Greatness

Published June 1 by HCI Books, Something Beyond Greatness: Conversations with a Man of Science and a Woman of God co-authors Judy Rodgers and Gayatri Naraine, explore the essence of personal courage and altruism. The “man of science” is Chilean cognitive biologist Humberto Maturana and the “woman of God” is Indian spiritual leader Dadi Janki, two important members of their respective fields. The book examines what happens inside of people who society deems heroic, and how we can create communities of greatness across disciplines and faiths.

Rodgers and Naraine are both yoga students of Dadi Janki, who inspired them to write a book about heroism. They spent almost two years researching the book, talking with men and women all over the world who had, in moments of courage or over a lifetime, acted in generous, courageous, and heroic ways. They realized Read More »

Pages from the classic Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind on display in San Francisco

Zen Mind photos June 509 As part of the 50th anniversary of Suzuki Roshi’s coming to America, San Francisco Zen Center member Genine Lentine borrowed students’ marked copies of Roshi’s classic Zen Mind Beginners Mind and displayed these on a grand wall, in late May… check out some Flickr photos here.

Dalai Lama’s birthday to be celebrated July 6 in India

From Indopia: “People of the Himalayan region will celebrate the 74th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on July 6 ….A grand and befitting function will jointly be organised in New Delhi by various organisations of the Himalayan region.”

Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art receives historic designation

The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art is pleased to announce its recent listing on the New York State Register of Historic Places. “The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art is a distinctive part of New York’s rich heritage,” said Carol Ash, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. “I’m sure the designation as a historic place will help the museum to preserve and care for this remarkable example of our state’s history and culture.” The New York State Register of Historic Places is the official list of properties recognized as significant in the history, architecture, and culture of New York.

First sitting statue of Maitreya found at Korean temple

Buddha statue June409 From the Korea Times: “The first statue of the Future Buddha, which dates back to the Unified Silla Kingdom period (668-935), has been found, according to a prominent Buddhism art professor Thursday. Moon Myung-dae, former professor of Buddhist Arts at Dongguk University, announced that he had confirmed that the Buddha statue enshrined at the Goseok Temple, Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, was the sitting statue of Maitreya. …‘As the first sitting statue of Future Buddha from the Unified Silla Kingdom period, we believe this will mark an important moment in Buddhism art history,” said Ven. Jong Bum, the head monk of the temple.“ (Photo: / Yonhap)

Experience RMA on iTunes

e1243962083 Now you can learn more about The Rubin Museum of Art’s collection and special exhibitions from the comfort of your own computer. Content includes the museum’s audio tours, special events, and interviews with artists and scholars. Visit their iTunes U site to find the newest free audio downloads, including an interview with Dr. David Nalin, selections of whose collection will be on view in the upcoming exhibition A Collector’s Passion, and a keynote lecture by Tashi Tsering given at the museum’s conference on Situ Panchen.

Mind and Life XIX: Educating World Citizens for the 21st Century

From the Mind and Life Institute: “We are happy to invite you to join the Dalai Lama and world renowned educators, scientists and contemplatives for an incredible two day dialogue: Mind and Life XIX: Educating World Citizens for the 21st Century. Read More »