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November 2, 2007 Vol. 2, Issue 44
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A Continent Full of Precious Jewels
Would you like to go to "a continent full of precious jewels"? Perhaps you are already there. In the Nam Cho Ngondro practice, that term refers to the opportunity to receive and practice the Dharma. North America did not used to be considered a good place for such an opportunity, particularly for the practice of Vajrayana Buddhism, which was once virtually unknown in the West. Then, a generation ago, lamas of the Vajrayana tradition arrived from Asia, and, through their teaching, established a beachhead of native-born practitioners. Along the way, these lamas formally recognized a handful of Tulkus, reincarnate lamas who had taken birth in the West. Gradually, as the practice of Dharma was established here, a few jewels were being found on this continent.
When His Holiness Ngawang Tenzin first visited the United States in 2004, he was gratified to find real practitioners here. At that time the Dorje Lopon of the Kingdom of Bhutan, His Holiness was responsible for religious matters in that country. A close student of his was marrying an American woman, and the occasion of providing a wedding ceremony in which her family could participate brought His Holiness to Maryland. Through a series of fortunate coincidences, this eminent lama, head of the Drikung Kagyu lineage in Bhutan, found himself at KPC, a Palyul/Nyingma temple under the guidance of an American lama, to bless the union of these two people.
After seeing the temple and stupas that Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo had built and meeting Jetsunma's students, His Holiness decided he wanted to meet this teacher. He re-arranged his tour of the U.S. to make a visit to Sedona, Arizona, where Jetsunma was then in residence. Sure enough, the two lamas recognized each other as ancient friends, continuing in this life the Dharma commitments that originated many lifetimes ago. Such was his respect for her work in this country that His Holiness conferred an empowerment for Amitayus, the Long-Life Buddha, dedicated to Jetsunma's long life, and composed a precious Long-Life Prayer for Jetsunma, which her students have recited daily since then.
Now in this country for the second time, His Holiness is on a Dharma mission. On Saturday, November 3, he will offer an unusual opportunity to participate in a Fire Puja for Chenrezig, Buddha of Compassion. The purpose is to purify negativities and in that way remove obstacles--for this place, for this country, and for the world. And the opportunity is unusual because the puja, or meditation ceremony, is a terma, a revealed treasure, never before offered in this country.
His Holiness has spent a total of 28 years in solitary retreat over the course of his life. After he had accumulated 100 million repetitions of the mantra of the Buddha of Compassion ("Om Mani Padme Hung"), Chenrezig appeared to him and transmitted the text for the puja. This puja has been performed already in Bhutan, and now the potential for the light of Chenrezig's compassion to shine throughout the world is coming to us in Maryland.
As usual, we cannot begin to understand how great a gift His Holiness is bringing to our continent in the form of this revealed treasure. We can only respond with joy and wonder at our opportunity to provide a setting for these jewels of Dharma.
 To download the Long-Life Prayer for Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo that His Holiness Ngawang Tenzin wrote, and the Long-Life Prayer for His Holiness as well, go to Palyul Productions.
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| Visit of His Holiness Ngawang Tenzin KPC-MD |
His Holiness Ngawang Tenzin Will Lead Chenrezig Fire Puja
 As usual when Vajra Masters are providing extraordinary gifts, the schedule changes! His Holiness Ngawang Tenzin, visiting from Bhutan, will be offering empowerments and commentary this weekend, and will provide an opportunity for participating in a rare and precious ceremony, the Chenrezig (Buddha of Compassion) Fire Puja, a terma revelation that came to His Holiness after his repetition of 100 Million Mani mantras.
The schedule for Saturday, November 3, is as follows:
10 a.m. Empowerment for Chenrezig, Buddha of Compassion
Noon Lunch
2 p.m. Chenrezig Fire Puja
If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity and receive the deepest benefit from the empowerments, you may wish to adhere to the following diet from the evening meal on Friday until Sunday after the Tara empowerment: no meat, no onions, no garlic, no eggs. Dairy products--yogurt, cheese, milk--are fine. You are welcome and encouraged to participate in the empowerment regardless of whether you adhere to the diet, but it is recommended for serious practitioners. A lunch prepared for this diet will be available.
Everyone will participate in the ceremony. In this type of traditional ceremony, a written list of names of the deceased is offered in the fire to pacify their negative karma (the cause of future suffering). The offering benefits them no matter where they have been reborn. You are encouraged to make a list of loved ones, human and animal, who are deceased, and bring it with you for the ceremony. (Do not put in names of living beings!) You will also be able to make an offering of substances (these will be provided) in the fire. To keep the offerings as pure as possible, please bring a bandana or scarf to cover your mouth at that time. (We will have extras available to share.)
The schedule for Sunday is unchanged:
10 a.m. Commentary on Green Tara
Noon Lunch
2 p.m. Green Tara Empowerment.
Please plan to arrive AT LEAST half an hour before each scheduled event.
The Tara Commentary and Empowerment will supersede the regular Sunday schedule, which will resume on November 11. For more information about the schedule and registration, see the Maryland page on tara.org. |
| Jetsunma's Retreat |
Jetsunma Prepares for Retreat after Period of Creativity
 The last year has been a period of intense creativity for Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, KPC Spiritual Director. Jetsunma has developed a whole new sound for sacred mantra, produced three CDs, formed a music production group, and taught frequently from the throne. Now she has announced that she intends to take retreat in Arizona, leaving in about two weeks. She foresees repeated cycles in the future of intense creativity followed by retreat.
Jetsunma's Bodhisattva activity involves working with animals, particularly her adopted dogs, all rescued out of degrading and dangerous circumstances. To make it easier for her to travel with the dogs, we are trying to purchase a recreational vehicle. (We have found a suitable one for only $36,000, and need to negotiate the purchase soon.)
We want to enable Jetsunma to make spontaneous choices for retreat and still continue her work with animals. For a practitioner, supporting someone on retreat is considered an incomparable opportunity for accumulating merit, creating the causes for one's own accomplishment in retreat in the future.
As Jetsunma's students, we like to think of any vehicle that carries our lama as the Diamond Vehicle. The Vajrayana literally means "Diamond Vehicle," and for Vajrayana Buddhists, the lama embodies the Three Precious Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Hence our name for the vehicle that carries this source of pure blessing.
 We invite you to participate in supporting Jetsunma's retreat by helping to provide the vehicle she will use to carry out her work. To make a secure contribution, please click here.
Or, if you wish to pursue other methods of donation, contact Editor: kpc@tara.org. You may also call the KPC office in Maryland: 301-349-0440. Please leave a message, and someone will be glad to call you back.
May all beings benefit from your generosity, and from the generosity of the teachers who return, lifetime after lifetime, for our sake! |
| Jetsunma's New Music |
  New Consciousness Radio
Is Playing Our Song!
Jetsunma's music has hit the airwaves--on the internet! You can listen to "Kindness Is the Way" from Revolution of Compassion on New Consciousness Radio from November 5 - 16.
You can also download your very own copy on iTunes!
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| Tara's Babies |
 TBAW to Participate in Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion
Best Friends Animal Society is proud to present their "Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion" in Washington, D.C. Best Friends, an organization devoted to ending homelessness for companion animals, and a good friend and supporter of our own KPC animal rescue organization, Tara's Babies Animal Welfare, has brought together a group of leaders from all the major religions to proclaim kindness to animals as a key spiritual value for our time. Tara's Babies is delighted to be a signatory for Buddhists on the proclamation. Ani Thubten Kunzang, Directory of Tara's Babies, will be flying to Washington to add her signature on behalf of Buddhists. Ani Kunzang resides at Dakini Valley in Arizona, where Tara's Babies Dog Rescue is based. The signing ceremony and press conference will take place in the Caucus Room of the Cannon building on Wednesday, November 7, at 9.30 a.m. Members of Congress who care about animals have offered the use of this historic venue, and some plan to be at the ceremony too. There will be a meet-and-greet, with refreshments, for everyone right after. If you'd like to attend, please e-mail Kris Haley from Best Friends, at krish@bestfriends.org. She is organizing the event, and will give you full details.You can also read more about the proclamation and how the group of faith leaders first came together (at a special retreat at the Best Friends' Angel Canyon site in Utah), along with their plans to involve congregations and religious leaders around the country.
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| Buddhist Relief |
 Faces of Burma at the Lincoln Memorial, Sunday, November 4
Buddhist Relief invites you to support an upcoming event on Sunday, November 4, organized by a group of committed, compassionate grass-roots leaders in the Washington area. The invitation sent to us reads as follows:
Now more than ever, people in Burma need to know that they are not alone in their struggle for freedom and human rights. The military junta waits for the international pressure for political change that has followed the brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrations last month to dissipate. We cannot let this happen.
The event takes place at the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. The site is where Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech to a crowd in 1963. Join in delivering a message of compassion and hope to the world in support of a free and democratic Burma.
Despite the rain that curtailed "Light the Way for Burma" in Maryland last week, KPC students in Arizona had a perfect moonlit night for their offerings at the Amitabha Stupa, pictured below silhouetted in the full moon. At right, nuns, monks, and lay people make offerings of light by circumambulating the stupa..
 To learn more about activities related to freedom for Burma, see the Buddhist Relief blog, By My Hand and Heart Alone and our Buddhist Relief page on tara.org.
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| Sunday Schedule for Poolesville KPC-MD |
 Schedule for Sunday, November 4
10:00 a.m. Commentary on Tara by
HH Ngawang Tenzin
Noon Lunch
2:00 p.m. Tara Empowerment,
HH Ngawang Tenzin
(Regular Sunday Schedule resumes on November 11.)
If you would like to listen to the Tara Commentary from afar, just dial 1-712-432-2000 and press 82721 followed by the # sign. Make sure to call in just before 11 a.m. East Coast time.
It is considered auspicious to make an offering at the time of receiving teachings. If you are hearing the Commentary by telephone transmission, we invite you to go to the
tara.org donations page and mark your on-line donation as "HHNT Event." The suggested donation for the commentary is $20. May this teaching lead to your swift enlightenment!
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| Mineral Kingdom Workshop KPC-MD |
Mineral Kingdom Workshop, Saturday, November 10
KPC is known for an incredible collection of crystals--and they're not for decoration! The crystals are considered to amplify the energy of the spiritual activity that goes on around them. As such, the crystals serve as supports for spiritual practice.
We invite you to "Exploring the Transpersonal Stones," a workshop on November 10, 2007, from 1 - 4 p.m., at KPC in Poolesville, Maryland. Using the teachings of Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo, Ani Samten Swift will lead an experiential exploration of the transpersonal stones and the profound role they can play in our lives.
The workshop will include a tour of the KPC crystal collection, one of the largest and most exquisite in the U.S. Lunch will be included in the workshop fee of $50.
For more information, click here for the downloadable workshop flier.
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Garuda Aviary KPC-MD
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 Garuda Aviary Fun-Raiser: Indian Dinner & Movie Night
Saturday, November 10, 6:30 p.m.
Please join us for dinner and a movie! The dinner will feature Indian cuisine by Puneet Sharma. The featured movie is "The Cave of the Yellow Dog," a Mongolian fable about accepting the limitations of life. A small girl learns the painful lesson of letting go of desire when her father insists on leaving her newfound stray dog behind. The end of the film offers hope-another lesson that life is full of changes and that the consequences of change may bring unexpected rewards.
Tickets for dinner and movie: Adults $20, Couples $35, Children $5, Ordained $10. Proceeds will benefit the Garuda Aviary.
New Book Benefits Garuda Aviary, and Parrots Everywhere
Here, There and Everywhere, by Mira Tweti and Lisa Brady
This book is a masterpiece for children, combining factual information and animal welfare issues with story telling and fabulous illustrations.
 Here, There, and Everywhere is based on a true story and takes your child on a fascinating journey from New Guinea to New York. Parents and teachers will learn as much as children and be just as enchanted. This book would make a great gift!
And buying the book generates a gift for the Garuda Aviary, which receives a percentage of every purchase! Order your copy now to be sure to have it is shipped in time for the holidays, at www.ParrotPress.org. When ordering, note Donation Code # 009 at PayPal checkout or on your personal check and Garuda Aviary will receive a donation from Parrot Press.
You will benefit the Garuda Aviary--and parrots here, there, and everywhere!
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| Spiritual Programs KPC-MD |
Khenpo Norgey to Teach at KPC in Maryland in November
 An opportunity to study with Khenpo Norgey of our own Palyul Lineage is coming our way in a little less than two weeks. Khenpo Norgey's visit to KPC will begin on Thursday, November 15, with a teaching on the last of the Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind to Dharma: The Faults of Cyclic Existence.
On the weekend, Khenpo Norgey will focus on the Nam Cho Ngondro (preliminary practice). A commitment to practice Ngondro is the first step on the path in the Nyingma School of Vajrayana Buddhism. On Friday evening, November 16, and during two sessions on Saturday, November 17, Khenpo will teach from the red Ngondro book. This is a wonderful opportunity for all who are considering Ngondro, have begun practicing Ngondro, or would welcome a refresher to finish Ngondro.
On Sunday morning, November 18, Khenpo will teach the meditation class. |
| Weekend Schedule for Sedona KPC-AZ |
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 Saturday, November 3
4:00 p.m. Amitabha and Chenrezig Practice at the
Amitabha Stupa
Sunday, November 4
8:00 a.m. Commentary on Green Tara,
HH Tenzin Ngawang by telephone transmission
11:00 a.m. Dharma Teaching from Jetsunma
(At the new Center via videotape.)
1:00 p.m. KPC Teens
3:00 p.m. "Plug in to the Indescribable
Spiritual Power of a Stupa"
4:00 p.m. Shower of Blessings Tsog at the Amitabha
Stupa
To call in for the Commentary on Green Tara, dial 1-712-432-2000 and press 82721 followed by the # sign. It is considered auspicious to make an offering at the time of receiving teaching. Please go to tara.org and note in the memo space "HHNT Event." The suggested donation is $20.
During the week, KPC public events will take place at the Amitabha Stupa, weather permitting, as follows:
Wednesdays: 5 p.m. Amitabha and Chenresig practice
Saturdays: 4 p.m. Amitabha and Chenrezig practice
Sundays: 4 p.m. Shower of Blessings Tsog
The Amitabha Stupa is located at the corner of Andante and Pueblo and open from dawn to dusk. Visit Google Maps for directions.
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| New Center KPC-AZ |
Join in New Activities at New KPC Site in Sedona
 With a new Prayer Center at 835 Andante Drive, Sedona, KPC students in Arizona are planning new activities. This Sunday, November 4, at 7 p.m., KPC monk Thubten Rinchen Palzang will continue instruction in the Tibetan language with the second class in the series. All are welcome! Knowing the rudiments of Tibetan is considered a great benefit for practice.
A Discussion Group for newcomers and newer students will continue meeting on Wednesdays. Next session is November 7, at 7 p.m. The Discussion Group will be informal, providing a forum for students to ask questions about what they are learning and what they may be experiencing as they start to practice Dharma. Senior students will lead the discussions.
If you have any questions, please contact Gonpo: kpc@tara.org.
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| Contact Information KPC-Aus |
 For information about KPC-Australia in Alice Springs, Brisbane, and Melbourne, contact kpcinaus@gmail.com.
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