Happy Losar 2016
Columbus KTC Fire
We all were saddened to see the devastating fire that damaged the Columbus Karma Thegsum Choling (KTC) building early in the morning of Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. The former church has been the KTC’s home since 1990; the center itself has been in Columbus since 1977.
On the day of the fire, while investigators searched for a cause, KTC friends and neighbors from our Franklinton neighborhood helped us salvage some of our most precious shrine items: Our original Buddha statue filled with mantras and relics and dating back to the founding of the center; our set of Buddhist scriptures, singed but still whole; and a few statues given to us over the years by our spiritual friends and teachers.
Thus we have salvaged a few of the external supports of what are called the Three Jewels of Refuge: Buddha as the teacher; Dharma as the path; Sangha as the guides and companions.
Upon hearing of the fire, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, the abbot of our home monastery in New York, gave us precious advice: “Do not be sad; work together and rebuild.”
Rinpoche said that rebuilding our center was the best “prayer” we could perform in the face of this devastating change.
Since the fire, we’ve been touched by the many offers of help we’ve received via telephone, email and social media; thoughts and prayers have been shared with us by people of all faiths, showing that a diverse community like ours can come together at times of difficulty.
We started this GoFundMe page to thank everyone for their prayers and to give them a practical way to contribute. We will regularly keep you updated on what we learn about the fire and its causes, and what our little community of Central Ohio Buddhist followers is doing to carry out the “prayer” of rebuilding our center.
Our home in Franklinton – where we have sheltered our aspirations to spiritual growth and trained a generation (or two!) of local meditators – has been destroyed, but from the true residing place of love and blessing in our hearts, may we all come together to manifest a new place of refuge in the heart of Columbus. – Lama Kathy Wesley
October 14-15 Seven Points of Mind Training and Lineage Prayer Teaching with Lama Kathy
We’re delighted to announce that Lama Kathy will be teaching at KTC Jacksonville Wednesday October 14 & Thursday October 15! She has not taught at KTCJax in a number of years and we are very excited to welcome her back!
Lama Kathy Wesley (Gyurme Chotso) has studied with Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche since 1977. She participated in the first three-year retreat led by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche at Karme Ling Retreat Center in upstate New York, and thus earned the title of ‘retreat lama.’ Lama Kathy serves at the Columbus Karma Thegsum Choling (Ohio) as its resident teacher, and travels to other Buddhist Centers throughout the country to teach. She is a graduate of Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She lives in Newark, Ohio with her husband, Michael. She is also on the Board of Trustees at KTD.
Training in Compassion: The Seven-Point Mind Training
We all treasure the ideals of love and compassion, but may feel we lack the “how” instructions – how do we engender and nurture love and compassion, and bring them to fruition?
The Tibetan Buddhist tradition has a number of teachings on this topic – teachings called “Lojong,” or “mind training.” One of the more celebrated “how-to” manuals on love and compassion is “The Seven-Point Mind Training,” which was written in the 12th Century. In it, author Chekawa Yeshe Dorje tells us how to develop mindfulness and compassion in a logical, easy step-by-step format that is easy to understand and practice.
Because this special visit by Lama Kathy is during the week, we adjusted the teaching schedule so that more people can attend due to work schedules.
Lama Kathy Teaching Schedule:
Wednesday, October 14th:
12:00pm-1pm – Registration
1:00pm-4:00pm- Teaching
4:00pm-6:00pm- Dinner/Interviews
6:00pm-8:30pm- Evening Teaching
Thursday, October 15th:
12:00pm-1pm – Registration
1:00pm-4:00pm- Teaching
4:00pm-6:00pm- Dinner/Interviews
6:00pm-8:30pm- Evening Teaching
SUGGESTED DONATIONS/FEES
$25 Per Session or $80 for Both Days
*No one has ever been turned away due to lack of funds. Suggested donations and fees for teachings helps us cover the costs associated with hosting Lamas. We will have volunteer positions available.*
Please contact Casey Stone at yongtentenzin@gmail.com if you have any questions about the upcoming teaching.
Please don’t miss this precious opportunity to receive these Dharma Teachings from the amazing Lama Kathy!
Lama Kathy will also be teaching over the weekend at Gainesville KTC for more information visit http://www.ktcgainesville.org/ .
37 PRACTICES OF THE BODHISATTVA TEACHING & GREEN TARA EMPOWERMENT WITH LAMA KARMA DRODHUL
We are delighted to announce that Lama Karma Drodhul will be visiting KTCJax for a teaching weekend June 12-14. Lama Karma has not visited Jacksonville for several years. We just had a very eventful visit from Lama Lodro Lhamo and Lama Choenyi but we didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to host Lama Karma, who is an amazing teacher.
Lama Karma Drodul is Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche’s principal attendant and nephew. He became a monk when he was nine years old and at twenty received both getsul (intermediate) and gelong (full) ordination from Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. Lama Karma excelled in all aspects of dharma study and completed his education in five years. Thrangu Rinpoche sent him to the U. S. to deepen his understanding of the dharma under the tutelage of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche. In March 2004, Lama Karma completed his first and in February 2008 his second traditional three-year, three-month retreat under Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche at Karme Ling Retreat Center. He now is the Drubpon (retreat master) at Karme Ling. He travels to different centers and has a full teaching schedule.
June 12-14, Lama Karma will teach on the “37 Practices of Bodhisattvas.” This core scripture from Tibetan Buddhism has been relied upon for six centuries as a synthesis of the Mahayana teachings, and more specifically as a condensation of the famous (but longer) text called Bodhicharyavatara (The Way of the Bodhisattva) by Shantideva. The 37 Practices is memorized and studied in all Tibetan Buddhist schools.
Lama Karma will give the Green Tara Empowerment and Refuge Saturday, June 13th at 7 pm. For those that attended the Green Tara Retreat with Lama Lodro at the Florida KTC’s, receiving the Green Tara empowerment would complete the 3 requirements for Green Tara practice(reading transmission, instruction, empowerment).
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY JUNE 12
7:00 pm: Public Talk:”Compassion Without Limits”
Location: Hai Duc Temple(Chua Hai Duc)
2101 Pickettville Road
Jacksonville, FL 32220
*All are welcome to have dinner with Lama Karma & our Vietnamese brothers and sisters after the Dharma Talk. There is no charge for this Talk. Donations are welcome*
SATURDAY JUNE 13
10:00am-Noon- Teaching
Noon- Lunch
2:00 pm-4:30 pm- Teaching
7:00 pm- Refuge & Green Tara Empowerment
Location: KTCJax
1258 McDuff Avenue South
Jacksonville, FL 32205
SUNDAY JUNE 14
10:00am-Noon- Teaching
Noon- Lunch
2:00 pm-4:30 pm- Teaching
Location: KTCJax
1258 McDuff Avenue South
Jacksonville, FL 32205
SUGGESTED DONATIONS/FEES
$25 Per Session or $80 for the Entire Weekend(Including Empowerment)
$25 for Green Tara Empowerment
*No one is ever turned away due to lack of funds. We will have volunteer positions available*
*Please email Casey at yongtentenzin@gmail.com if you have any questions concerning the weekend*
Lama Karma Droduhl will also be visiting KKSG Amelia Island June 16th and 17th:
Karmapa Society: Help for Nepal
The earthquake that struck Nepal, along with areas of Tibet and India on Friday, April 24, is the worst to hit that region in 80 years. With aftershocks, mudslides and avalanches, the death count now exceeds 7,000. Even the smallest financial support can be life saving for the people of this area at this time.
The Karmapa Service Society is accepting donations to help those in need; please click this link for more information or to donate.
Or you may follow this link a list of relief organizations you can donate to.
May our merit benefit all beings!
Green Tara Teaching with Lama Lodro
Please join us at KTCJax in May!
We are delighted to host Lama Lodro Lhamo in May, while she teaches the practice of Green Tara, the female Buddha of Enlightened activity.
(from Namse Bangdzo)…Green Tara is a gentle female embodiment of universal compassion. She represents the virtuous, enlightened, and miraculous activity of all Buddhas. She reaches out her hand in the gesture of granting protection, freeing one from fear, obstacles, and difficulties. With her right foot stepping forward, she is alert, determined, and ready to actively help all who call upon her.
Green Tara is known as the ‘Swift One’ or the ‘Swift Liberator’ due to her immediate response to those who request her aid. Green Tara’s compassion for the welfare of all living beings is said to be even stronger than a mother’s love for her children. She is the one who helps us cross over the ocean of suffering and guides us upon the path of enlightenment.
Lama Lodro will teach on the Green Tara text, ritual, chanting, music, and lead practice sessions. It’s wonderful to have this precious opportunity learn this powerful practice, as we are doing Tara puja once a month at the center again!
Lama Lodro Lhamo, pictured above in the procession welcoming His Holiness the Karmapa to his home in North America at KTD Monastery.
Lama Lodro Lhamo has been a student of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche since 1990. She completed three consecutive three-year retreats at Karme Ling under Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, and received full bhikshuni ordination in 2008. She is currently the women’s retreat master at Karme Ling Retreat Center. She has a master’s degree in Buddhist Studies from Columbia University. She’s also fluent in Chinese, English, and Tibetan.
SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 16th
9-10:30 AM–Reading Transmission & Instruction
10:45 – 12 PM –Green Tara Puja
1:30 – 3 PM–Practice Instruction
3:15 – 4:45 PM–Green Tara Puja
Sunday, May 17th
9-10:30 AM–Practice Instruction
10:45 – 12 PM –Green Tara Puja
1:30 – 3 PM–Practice Instruction
3:15 – 4:45 PM–Green Tara Puja
SUGGESTED DONATIONS/FEES:
$25 per Session or
$80 for the Entire Retreat Weekend.
(no one turned away for lack of funds, and work-study scholarships are available. Please inquire at the Center or email Casey Stone for more information.
Thank you for supporting KTCJax!
May 15: KTC Jax Benefit Dinner with Lama Lodro Lhamo
Please join us at 7 pm on May 15th for a Benefit Dinner at Ani Karma Lhamo’s Residence!
We will welcome Lama Lodro Lhamo & Lama Choeyni to Jacksonville with a wonderful dinner to fundraise for the Dharma center. Participants will be able to share company & conversation with these two incredible Lamas of the Karma Kagyu Tradition as well as enjoy delicious Vegan Vietnamese food.
“Pho Chay” will be the main dish served. Pho Chay is a popular traditional Vietnamese rice noodle soup with vegetables and a unique, flavorful broth.
Registration for the Benefit Dinner is $20 per person.
You can register from now till Thursday, May 14th. Please register for the dinner at the center with Casey Stone and he will give you a ticket with Ani Lhamo’s address. You can also register by emailing him at yongtentenzin@gmail.com. All proceeds go to sustaining KTC Jacksonville.
We hope you can attend!
Green Tara Statue Raffle Fundraiser
An anonymous KTCJax Member has donated two beautiful GREEN TARA STATUES to fundraise for the Center.
Green Tara is the female Buddha of Enlightened activity. She acts for the benefit of all who pray to her with the swiftness of the wind. Her main activity is to brush away fear and danger.
One of these statues will be the prize in a raffle drawing when Lama Lodro visits May 15-17.
These statues were filled with precious blessing substances by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche himself, the Abbot of KTD, and by the KTD Lamas.
They will also be consecrated by His Holiness the Karmapa when he visits KTD Monastery this month! Lama Lodro will pull the winning raffle ticket May 17th at the end of the Green Tara Teaching & Retreat.
The donation per raffle ticket is $20.
You may purchase raffle tickets now till May 17th.
Please see Casey Stone to purchase your raffle tickets. Even if you cannot attend the Tara Retreat, you can still purchase tickets and participate. Email Casey Stone at yongtentenzin@gmail.com if you live far away or cannot make the weekend teaching, he will mail the statue to you. All proceeds go to keeping the Dharma Center’s doors open.
Rummage Sale Fundraiser Scheduled for June
It’s that time of year again!
If you’re doing some Spring cleaning and come across items you no longer want, consider bringing them to the Center anytime before or after any of our weekly programs. The next yard sale fundraiser is scheduled for June but we are taking item donations for it now.
Leslee has kindly opened up her garage to us where we will store the items. We will announce the exact date in May. There’s still room for us to store things to offer for sale, so please think of us when you’re doing your spring cleaning.
Thank you for your generosity!
Karmapa America 2015
UPDATE 24 April 2015
This week the Karmapa is at home, at Karma Triyana Dharmachakra…
“Protect the earth. Live simply. Act with compassion. Our future depends on it.”
— His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje
He celebrated Earth Day with the town of Woodstock, NY.
UPDATE 12 March 2015
This past week His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa visited Stanford, Redlands, Google, Facebook and Yosemite.
On April 1, he will speak at Princeton: “A Buddhist Perspective: Gender, the Environment and Activism”, and will visit KTC New Jersey to Teach on: “Clarifying the Stages of the Meditative Path”.
Please see the Tour website for more information and the schedule of his appearances, and you may also visit his Foundation’s website to learn more about his activities.