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1/8/12
December Shabten Update
Dear Sangha,
As of today 21,803 lungta prayer flags have been raised/released (Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche has recommended 10,000).
We have accumulated:
140, 579 Long Life mantras (Trulshik Rinpoche recommended 100,000).
2794 Lives have been released.
Everybody is encouraged to offer donations to the shabten fund, which
is being used to make offerings to Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche as well as
for his Nunnery. The nuns will be accumulating the Long Life mantra for
this shabten. Please contact treasurer@mangalashribhuti.org to donate.
The shabten update will be posted in the beginning of each month.
Please collect your accumulations and email them monthly to Valeska.
khenchungvaleska@mangalashribhuti.org
1/8/12
Childcare Announcement for Rigdzin Dupa Drupcho and Words of My Perfect Teacher
Dear Sangha Parents,
In order to confirm your registration for the Rigdzin Dupa Drupcho (Feb 5-12) and WOMPT (Feb 17-19 and March 2-4) Childcare and guarantee enrollment, please complete the following information by January 25, 2012.
Child's Name __________________________
Child's Age________________
Child's Grade_____________
Special Needs/Allergies_____________________________________________________________________
Which days will your child be attending? __________________________________________________
For WOMPT, how much do you plan to pay/day?___________________________________
For Drupcho, are there days that will NOT work for you to be the childcare parent? ______________________
For Drupcho, is there a day/s that is/are best for you to make a meal for the children? _______________________
Do you have any questions or requests? __________________________________________________
Yours in the Dharma,
Kristin
Kristin Lhatso
Director and Teacher
Snow Lion School
2575 Glenwood Drive
Boulder, CO 80304
720.564.0456
kristin@snowlionschool.org
www.SnowLionSchool.org
1/1/12
Message from HH Dalai Lama
Dear Noble Sangha & Friends,
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has just arrived in Bodhgaya for the Kalachakra. We received a message today that he has requested everyone who is able and inspired, to give up consuming animal products on the main days of the Kalachakra initiation - Jan 7, 8, 9 - and to join him in prayers for the benefit of all sentient beings during that time. Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche wanted to pass this message along to the Sangha. Please pass this message along to anyone you feel might also be inspired to join His Holiness during this time.
Yours Truly,
Jennifer
12/24/11
News About Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche
From Gloria L. Jones, Secretary to Thrangu Rinpoche: Rinpoche had a minor stroke a few weeks ago. He is recovering well now and getting better day by day. His doctors have ordered him to have complete rest and quiet for some time. Rinpoche is now in retreat and getting the care that he needs for a complete recovery.
Khenpo Jigme suggests prayers for Rinpoche: Medicine Buddha and 7 Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche with Vajra Guru mantra. Also, the community at Sarnath will be doing Life Release over the next while for Rinpoche. (In Life Release, animals, fish, or birds are purchased from butchers, and then released back into their environment.) If you would like to contribute to this effort, please send cheques to us at POB 1083, Crestone CO 81131. Cheques should be made to VVRC; please note in the memo that they are for life release. We will then wire the money on to Rinpoche’s monastery at Sarnath.
Currently, we have no information regarding the summer program in Crestone, though we do expect that it will occur in its usual way. We will send out a special notice the moment that we have the information.
11/17/11
Lha Bab Duchen Life Release
On Nov 17, the occasion of Lha Bab Duchen, the sangha contributed money and helped release 402 lobsters in Portland, Maine. In Brazil, Rinpoche and the students at Guna Norling released 1,000 crabs. In Sichuan, China, 13,000 fish were released. Please dedicate the merit for the benefit of all sentient beings' Enlightenment.
8/9/11
Letter From Rinpoche Regarding Norway
Dear Sangha and Friends,
I was deeply shocked and saddened by the recent events in Norway. In particular, what struck me was that if one becomes an extremist in one’s ideology this can lead to actions that cause such great harm to others, even one’s fellow citizens, who are innocent of any wrongdoing. I can only imagine the karma of such an act.
I ask that we all make prayers continuously, not only for those who have lost lives, but especially for the families, so that their loss and grief might be eased. May the emotional and mental anguish that these acts have caused the country and the world also be eased.
I am greatly heartened and inspired by how the people of Norway have faced this crisis and hope their response can serve as an example of non-violence for us all. Let us also pray that extremist views of any kind not take hold in people’s minds but be softened with tolerance and kindness towards all mankind.
Yours in the Dharma,
Kongtrul Rinpoche
4/19/11
20,000 Lungta Prayer Flags Released above the Foothills of the Himalaya
Dear Noble Sangha and Friends,
As many of you know just after Losar each year we request a divination from Kyabje Trushik Rinpoche for Kongtrul Rinpoche's shabten for the coming year. Each year the divination, or mo as it is called in Tibetan, designates specific prayers and accumulations that should be accomplished to support the long life, good health, and general activity of the teacher, for the benefit of beings. The shabten of a teacher is connected to and affects all of his students, and so as a Sangha we collectively engage in the prayers and accumulations for Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche's shabten. One of our Khenchungs, Valeska Agasto, consistently tracks these numbers throughout the year, sending us updates until we have completed the accumulations and prayers.
This year, one of the shabten activities was to raise 10,000 lungta or windhorse prayer flags. Rinpoche's sister Dickey Wangmo, who not only initiated the shabten activity in MSB but also so kindly and tirelessly, follows up each year in personally requesting the mo from Kyabje Trushik Rinpoche. She suggested we buy paper flags and release them from the mountain tops. Then, Jamyang-la, one of Rinpoche's older brothers, suggested we actually get a few of paragliders (Bir is a world famous paragliding destination by the way) to actually go up and release them over the mountains way, way up high. Jamyang-la also gave us another 10,000 making our total 20,000 flags!
On the last Guru day we blessed them and did the Riwo Sangcho. We were all ready to go, but every day we have had the most spectacular thunder and lightning storms, and so we were not sure if anyone would be going up at all. Luckily, today on the morning of the full moon, the storm broke for about 3 hours and all was calm. Sure enough a couple of very brave paragliders went up and set the lungta flags free while flying! Clare saw them fluttering down from far away, but unfortunately none of us were up there to take a few photos to share with you all. So, i thought this little story could give you all a mental image and also allow us to join in rejoicing and dedicating the merit of this activity today, on the full moon, or whenever you happen to read this.
Yours Truly,
Jennifer
4/7/11
Rinpoche's Letter to the Sangha Regarding Ruth
Dear Noble Sangha,
One afternoon before leaving for India I visited Ruth in her nursing home. She was her usual self and in good spirits. As I was leaving, one of the gentlemen who works there – the Activities Director, Shawn – approached me to talk.
He said that Ruth was the only Buddhist at Manor Care and they were wondering if there were people in our Community who could come and visit her more often and engage in some spiritual or meaningful activity. Though they offer some spiritual support and activities at Manor Care it is all Christian based and Shawn said that Ruth had no interest in participating. She had expressed the wish that more MSB sangha members visit her if that were possible. He was passing this request on to me both from the facility and from Ruth.
We will all be in her position one day, if we live to be that old. This is a precious time and opportunity right now that won't last much longer. Perhaps we can take a little time out of our week or month or day to go and spend some time either just visiting and chatting, or sitting together, reciting mantras, singing the 7 line supplication or reading to her – what ever she might like at that time on that day.
I would like to request that we all look at our schedules and though I understand everyone is very busy with thier lives, perhaps we can create a more regular schedule to visit Ruth, not only for her well being but as an extension of our personal and collective care for one another.
Sincerely,
Rinpoche
4/3/11
Shabten 2011
Dear Noble Sangha,
Please download the information regarding this year's Shabten practices.
Thank you,
MSB Studies and Practice
4/3/11
New MSB Email Addresses
Dear Sangha,
Please note the new MSB email addresses:
Polly Banerjee Gallagher: vp_finance@mangalashribhuti.org
Sasha Dorje Meyerowitz: vp_development@mangalashribhuti.org
Kelly Smith: vp_projects@mangalashribhuti.org
Julia Sanderson: vp_eastcoast@mangalashribhuti.org
Katie Keach: director_communication@mangalashribhuti.org
Also, the following email addresses are changing users:
Hillary Campbell: events@mangalashribhuti.org
Steve Gore: treasurer@mangalashribhuti.org
3/9/11
Photos from Words of My Perfect Teacher, Drupcho, Losar
Please view by clicking on the links
https://picasaweb.google.com/118222836942222658281/LosarCelebration352011?feat=directlink
3/9/11
Lhasang Contributions
For the purpose of dispelling obstacles and ensuring the health and activity of HE Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dungse Jampal Norbu and the entire Mangala Shri Bhuti Sangha in the upcoming year of the Iron Hare, excellent and auspicious offerings were made in the lhasang lead by Rinpoche at Osel Ling in Crestone on the first day of Losar.
We are inviting the whole sangha to contribute to the cost of the offering to enjoy this good tendrel. A suggested donation of $10.00 per sangha member will be most appreciated. More generous offerings will be gladly accepted.
Please give offerings personally to Scott Gallagher, Moni Banerjee or Christina Dercum. One may also mail checks to Mangala Shri Bhuti, PO 4088, Boulder, CO 80306. Please make a note that your offering is dedicated to Losar 2011.
Tashi Delek!
Christina Dercum and Scott Gallagher
3/9/11
Link Podcasts Updated
Please note that all Link Podcasts are now updated and available.
3/9/11
Attending to Phuntsok Choling After Sunday Sitting and Feast Practice
Dear Sangha who participate in regular Tsoks and Sunday Sitting at Phuntsok Choling:
It's been my pleasure to "put the house to bed" following a group activity. As I've some travel ahead, I invite each of you to give a hand after any event and especially when I'm not around.
If you're one of the last to leave, kindly see that:
1. Shrine and protector oil lights are snuffed out
2. Lights are turned off
3. Shrine room heat is turned off
4. Doors closed
Thanks so much,
Ani Nyima
PRACTICE RECORD ANNOUNCEMENT
Go to the Records Webpage to download a Word Document file of the MSB Practice, Study, and Service Records for the 2011 calendar year.
Records include spaces for all three wheels of practice, study and service. Please record, simply and clearly, time spent in minutes and hours daily for each category on the electronic calendar that follows this introductory page. "Practice" includes time in formal practice sessions as well as time spent reciting Vajra Guru Mantras both in and outside sessions. "Study" includes listening to teachings (both live and recorded), reading and contemplating Dharma. "Service" in this case includes all time spent in service to the Three Jewels. Rinpoche has instructed his students to record the amount of time involved in these three aspects on a daily basis, and to turn in these practice records at the end of each year.
RECORD YOUR MINUTES/HOURS - Type in the minutes/hours of time you spend each day practicing, studying, and/or serving on this electronic calendar over the course of the 2011 calendar year.
TURN IN RECORDS – At the end of the calendar year, please turn in your records. You can do this electronically by uploading them on the Turn in Records webpage OR mail in hard copies of your records. Students living in the Pacific, Mountain, Mid-Western regions of the U.S. and those who live outside of the U.S. can mail records to PO Box 4088 - Boulder, CO 80306. Those living in the Eastern U.S. region can mail records to 322 Eastman Cross Rd. - Vershire VT 05079. Please electronically upload or mail in paper copies of your records by Jan. 31, 2012. Records are only submitted once per year; at the end of the calendar year.
RECORDS REVIEWED – Records will be reviewed by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. Afterwards, an email will be sent to all students who submitted records for the year with a message from Rinpoche.
SUPPORT- Please contact us if you have any questions or need support.
1/2/11
Shabten 2010 Completed
Dear Sangha,
This is the final update for this year's shabten:
Long Life Mantra: 133,454 & will be 145,454 at Losar
Seven Line Prayer: 122,779
Vajrakilaya: 297,738
Short Amitayus: 296,774
Tara Long Life Mantra: 61,860
Lives ransomed: 2,002,282 shrimp; 30,000 eggs of artemia (aquatic crustacean);
Other Lives 1680.
There is a pledge of 12,000 Long Life Mantras that will be completed
by Losar. It will bring the accumulations of the Long Life mantra
to 145,454.
It is great to continue this year's Shabten practices until we receive new instructions. If you do, please dedicate it as usual to Rinpoche's longevity and activity, but do not send me your accumulations anymore for this year.
Thank you to all of the participants in this year's Shabten. We will again request Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche to do the MO for Rinpoche for the year of the Iron Hare.
Please check our website for the announcement of Shabten 2011
after Losar.
10/17/10
Letter to Sangha Regarding Participating in Monthly Tsoks
Dear Sangha,
Following the most recent Dakini Dechen Gyalmo Drupcho it may be helpful to remind sangha members and friends about the policy Rinpoche has set regarding attending the monthly dakini and guru tsoks. Rinpoche has spoken repeatedly about the wonderful opportunity for purification and progress on the path by amending samaya during the regular tsok practice. He has also set a policy regarding who would attend these tsoks. All students who have gone through the MSB Sangha Ceremony are invited to attend tsoks and make torma on a regular basis with or without the corresponding empowerments.
For people who have not gone through the MSB Sangha Ceremony, one must have received the corresponding empowerment (Rigdzin Dupa and Dechen Gyalmo) from an authentic lineage holder. In addition, Rinpoche requires people to write a letter of request at least 24 hours prior to the tsok to
dharmarakcha@mangalashribhuti.org and be approved in order to attend.
Thank you,
Khenchung and Dharmarakcha
9/15/10
Karuna Maitri Support Group: A Letter from VDKR
Dear Noble Sangha,
I would like to start a Sangha based support group called the Karuna Maitri
Support Group.
My vision is that this group of people could serve as a support to those in
need, who are having a hard time in their lives, suffering from loss or
depression, and to be there during the death and dying process.
It would be wonderful if there could be a small group of people who are
inspired to serve in such a way in each location where we are gathered:
Boulder, Crestone, and Vermont, for starters.
This should be self inspired and all you need is compassion for others. we
could have a point person in each location and then people could work
together loosely as needed.
I will provide some simple instructions, as we see who is interested in
joining in.
If you are interested or inspired to be a part of this or know more, contact
Jennifer during the shedra. If you are out of town please send a note to my
secretary Rebecca Zepp and she will let me know.
vdkrsecretary@mangalashribhuti.org
Thank you
Kongtrul Rinpoche
7/9/10
New Ngondro Set
“Refuge lays the ground, and Bodhicitta is the main path. In that main path there is a need of purifying one’s obscurations and accumulating merit for one’s own innate enlightened nature to shine and reveal itself from the veil of obscuration.”
Wisdom Productions is pleased to announce the release of the third disk in the Words Of My Perfect Teacher Ngondro series. This set is titled “Purification and Accumulation -- Practices of Vajrasattva and Mandala” and includes detailed explanations regarding each of these practices.
Vajrasattva
Rinpoche paraphrases Patrul Rinpoche in the following two quotations:
“The reason we don’t make so much progress is because we do not put enough effort to purify what holds us back.”
“One of the reasons why we don’t make progress as much as we could is because we are not so open to confess our own obscurations.”
Being able to confess fully and sincerely is a pivotal step in being able to relax with one’s mind. In these talks Kongtrul Rinpoche gives advice on how to get over guilt and other unhelpful emotional reactions to our past deeds and present mind states. If we can learn the proper way to view and approach the practices of confession and purification, we will see these practices working in our mind on a day to day basis. We will grow more relaxed and confident in our mind and our intentions, and we will be able to overcome certain mind states that keep us from engaging deeply in practice.
The Vajrasattva section also includes commentary on visualization practice, which practitioners of both Ngondro and Sadhana will find helpful.
Mandala
Mandala practice is a means of training the mind to open up further in our relationship to the phenomenal world. It leads us to realize that we can use so many experiences in our daily lives to further expand our hearts and minds through making mental offerings. We do this practice to accumulate merit in order to further purify our minds and to bring about the appropriate circumstances for realization. We make offerings on the level of each of the three kayas, which helps to further expand our understanding of the mind and it’s capabilities. These talks include a detailed section on merit, and also much discussion of the three kayas in relation to the mandala offering.
We welcome you to take advantage of this valuable compilation of teachings!
To take part in the introductory "July Special" please visit the following link to purchase, or pick it up at NSS:
http://mangalashribhuti.org/html/store/recordings_practice.html#set3
1/24/10
Transportation/Accommodations Requests
We're receiving requests for carpooling to and accommodations for our upcoming programs. These are posted on the Bulletin Board page. Please check there regularly.
11/2/09
Retreats at Pema Osel
Dear Noble Sangha,
As winter closes in and the last signs of autumn slip away, retreat seems very natural -- it is time to go inside literally and figuratively. We have been so lucky to have many people coming into retreat at Pema Osel. The fall has been booked and many people will be doing retreats throughout the winter. Thank you for taking the opportunity!
Our lovely and spacious cabin is available all of December as well as the end of February and March. Take some time and come up and do retreat. Remember even a few days away can make a big difference in our minds. We look forward to supporting your retreat.
Sincerely,
Pema Osel retreat staff
Rebecca Henry
Pema Osel Retreat Coordinator
poretreat@mangalashribhuti.org
(802) 333 9752 or (720)-224-7938
9/13/09
Riwo Sangcho Eligibility
Dear Sangha,
Rinpoche recently said that anyone who has attended one of the Riwo Sangcho retreats in Vermont can do the practice on their own. A separate lung is not required.
To order a liturgy, go to: http://www.mangalashribhuti.org/html/study_practice/liturgies.html. Many Tibetan import stores carry Riwo Sangcho incense, which is necessary for doing the practice. Practitioners are also encouraged to study Rinpoche's teachings on this subject. Two different recordings--"Lenchak" and "2006 Riwo Sangcho Retreat"--can be ordered from the MSB store at http://www.mangalashribhuti.org/html/store/recordings_new.html.
Yours,
MSB Study & Practice
8/1/09
MSB Chant Recordings
A new version of the MSB Chants recording is now available for download on the Staying in Step with the Lineage page at:
http://www.mangalashribhuti.org/html/study_practice/recteach.html
The content of this new recording is exactly the same as the previous one. The only difference is that this new recording is save
as a smaller Mp3 file, which will make it easier and faster to download on to your computer.
7/29/09
The Link
Dear Noble Sangha,
MSB Sangha members are highly encouraged to listen to the Link teachings each Sunday at their local center rather than listening to the teachings at home. Of course, if you don't live close to a center or are genuinely unable to make it to your local center you are welcome to individually call in.
Below is the Sunday Sitting at Phuntsok Choling in Ward according to Mountain Time. For those living close to another MSB or MDC Center, please contact those centers for their schedules.
Phuntsok Choling Sunday Sitting:
9:00 - 10:00 Opening Prayers and Sitting
10:00 - ? (Links will be approximately 45 - 60 min. long)
Closing Prayers will follow the Link
4/16/09
Protector Prayers CD
We will now be doing the Extended Protector Prayers along with an audio CD during group tsoks. Individuals are also permitted to use an audio CD as well. This change came directly from Rinpoche. He wanted the centers to start doing the protector prayers during tsoks along with the recording so people could get into a better habit with pronunciation, tempo, etc. Recordings cost $5 please contact Susan Martich to order a CD.