Giacomo made a link to the Abbey last year when he requested that we read Shantideva's Engaging in the Deeds of Bodhisattvas on Christmas, thus beginning a new tradition at the Abbey. He recently wrote again to make an offering so that the Sravasti Abbey monastics can go to the Kalachakra initiation this summer.
Giacomo thought that other people might like to join him in this offering. Here is his letter:
Dear Dharma Friends,
I discovered that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is going to give teachings as well as the Kalachakra initiation in Washington DC in July 2011. The teachings of the Kalachakra Tantra are considered very significant by all the schools of Tibetan Buddhism, and so they are widely and deeply studied in all these traditions.
Besides, receiving this empowerment directly from His Holiness is an immeasurable fortune due to His Holiness’ great kindness. In particular it is said that receiving such an empowerment can generate a powerful cause which can bring the student to realize enlightenment in a very few lifetimes, which is quite helpful.
Thus, I thought it would be good to participate in providing the monastics of the Abbey with the material means for participating in the teachings. In general it is said that the results of our actions depend on many things, among them the qualities of the people we are acting towards.
Monastics, in particular those who are sincerely engaged in the training of the bodhisattva path, are a very good field for creating merit. Also in a practical way, since the monastics of the Abbey are dedicated full-time to the concrete practice of the teachings, and since the Abbey is an environment fit for preserving these teachings, I think it will be very helpful to have this seed of Kalachakra planted in that environment, especially a seed given by His Holiness.
Please join me in making an offering that will support the travel, food and accommodations so the monastics of Sravasti Abbey can attend the Kalachakra teachings in Washington D.C. this coming July 2011.
If some of you feel some kind of connection to these teachings, maybe it would be good for you to try to participate in the event in person. If you cannot participate now, I think trying to help the monastics to go would create the cause to be able to participate in the future.
Giacomo
To make an offering on-line, click here and write Kalachakra in the comment box.
To make an offering by mail, send a check to Sravasti Abbey, P.O. Box 20644, Seattle, WA 98102-1644. Be sure to write “for Kalachakra” on the check.
Thank you!