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"If you want to change the world, first try to improve and bring about change within yourself. That will help change your family. From there it just gets bigger and bigger. Everything we do has some effect, some impact."
-- His Holiness the Dalai Lama, from "The Path to Tranquility: Daily Wisdom"
April 27, 2005
Dear Friend
Every day the news broadcasts stories of great sufferingwars, famine brought about by greed, family violence, destruction of the earth's resourcesthe list is endless. The root cause of this adversity lies in our afflicted minds, the seeds of hatred, craving, and ignorance. When we subdue these negative thoughts and replace them with love and compassion, peace has a chance.
A kind and peaceful heart doesn't arise by accident. Universal love and compassion are trainable skills, and the Buddha taught step-by-step methods to achieve them.
That's why Sravasti Abbey is so important.
We are writing today to invite your financial support to carry on Sravasti Abbey's visionary work.
Peace in Practice
Over the last three months, Venerable Thubten Chodron and seven practitioners from the U.S. and Mexico have been immersed in a silent meditation retreat. During that time, the retreatants received special teachings from Geshe Wangdak Khensur Rinpoche and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, as well as retreat instruction from Ven. Chodron.
The chance to do a three-month retreat is rare, especially in the West, yet regular meditation retreat is a part of the Abbey's operating plan. Replicating the Buddha's annual rainy season retreats, Sravasti Abbey will close for three months each winter to encourage deep practice and study for its resident monastics and visiting lay people
When these and future retreatants go back into the world, they will spread Dharma understanding and deepened compassion to their families and their communities; they will, indeed, be out there changing the world.
Continued
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