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DECEMBER 2005 UPDATE

Dear Friends,

The Abbey is beautifully white right now with a fresh snowfall. The deer are still finding things to munch in the garden (Nanc said, “We can cross pruning off the list of chores!”) and the turkeys are strolling around. A small owl flew into a window, but recovered himself after being stunned and happily took off again.

In mid-November, we had a couple of those “super-times,” with 18 people at the Abbey. The first was for the visit of Eric Vogel, our architect, who presented a draft of the Master Plan. Dennis Winters, a landscape architect and an old friend of mine, joined him, and all of us walked the land and brainstormed new ideas, altering the draft in several ways.

During the same weekend, Laurel Odel, a professional fund raiser, volunteered her time and expertise to lead us in a workshop for Inviting Generosity so that the Master Plan can be made a reality. Several FOSA Board members were present, as were people from the Coeur d'Alene Dharma group who have been consistently helpful to and supportive of the Abbey. What a creative and energizing time that enthused us with confidence!

Thanksgiving weekend also saw 18 people at the Abbey. We took precepts on Thanksgiving Day; it was the day after Lhabab Duchen—one

Barbara reads offering prayer
of the great days on the Buddhist calendar that celebrates the Buddha coming back to Earth after teaching his mother the Dharma during the rains retreat—so we celebrated them together. Then over the weekend we had a retreat on the theme of rejoicing and giving thanks. People commented that it was enjoyable to spend the holiday in a Dharma way instead of doing what they usually do on holidays.

This year's building projects were completed! The writing studio is gorgeous—a tranquil place where I can write and meditate. I'm very grateful to all of you who donated your finances, time, and energy so that it could be built!

Venerable in the cabin
Thank you so much. The community room, remodeled from a bay in the barn, turned out wonderfully as well. Stepping into it, you feel like you're in a lovely, sparkling clean room—something completely different from the dirt floor, wood storage area it used to be.The retreatants at this year's three month Vajrasattva retreat will use it well.

Jan is happy as an anagarika—one who holds eight precepts—and Pema is a whiz as our new office manager. Tania from Florida spent a couple of weeks with us and didn't mind at all substituting snow for sunshine. Meanwhile five Dharma friends from Mexico arrived to participate in the Vajrasattva retreat. Flora, who did the retreat last year, and Gaby will serve the retreat by cooking. Patricio, Miky, and Kenna will do the retreat along with their American counterparts—Dianne, Tom, Jan, Joan and Nanc. Nerea has returned to Spokane to work. We thank her for her contribution to the Abbey and wish her well.

Pema
This year, 74 people are participating in the Vajrasattva retreat from afar—17 of them are inmates. Including the retreatants here, that means 87 people are participating in the retreat! If you would like to participate from afar, contact . We have photos of those of you joining us for the retreat in the meditation hall. We feel your support and give you ours.

The series of classes about relaxing stress that I gave in our local town of Newport went well. The turnout was good—19 to 23 people each time. There are the makings of a new meditation group here, which we will explore in the springtime. 85 people attended my talk at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Spokane; we're delighted to have a good connection with them. In addition, we're working together with an interfaith group and Gonzaga University in Spokane to have a conference tentatively titled “What Is Success? Integrating Spiritual Values with a Consumerist Society.” We'll keep you posted about details.

In this season of generosity, we would like to encourage you to consider alternative gift-giving—that is, giving to non-profits in the name of your dear ones. These could be religious organizations such as the Abbey, Tibetan Nuns Projects, your Dharma center or other non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity, Doctors without Borders, and your local food bank. If you do purchase gifts, consider getting craft items that support local artisans and marginalized workers.

May the compassion of the Buddhas be in your hearts, bringing you joy and peace,

Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron and the Vajrasattva retreatants
2006

March 30 New York City
Talk “Transforming Adversity into Joy and Courage”
Tibet House
22 West 15th Street, NYC 10011
212.807.0563 x 104 | 212.807.0565 fax
shanti@tibethouse.org | www.tibethouse.org

March 31 to April 2 Phoenicia NY (outside New York City)
Tara Retreat
Menla Retreat Center
375 Patherkill Rd., Phoenicia NY
Info: www.menla.org, shanti@tibethouse.org, office@menla.org
Tel: 212.807.0563 or 845.688.6897

April 3 Boston area
Talk “Tranquility during Times of Grief and Loss”
Kurukulla Center
68 Magoun Ave
Medford, MA 02155
Tel: (617) 624 0177
www.kurukulla.org
Email: kkc@kurukulla.org

April 2 and 4 Boston area
Harvard University, Cambridge MA

April 5 – 9 Austin TX
Talks, workshop, book signing
For details contact: Mei Chu Chen
meichu.chen@gmail.com
bonniebaptist@hotmail.com

March 14, 21, 28 Newport WA
Series “Transforming Adversity into Joy and Courage”
The Create Place, 900 West 4th Street, Newport WA

March 25 Spokane WA
Workshop on Buddhist Practice
Unitarian Universalist Church
4340 W Fort Wright Dr., Spokane, WA
Info: reipe19@msn.com

April 21 and 22 Singapore
Public Talks
andy@kmspks.org

April 29 Seattle WA
Speaker at 18th Annual Healing After Suicide Conference
mmoore@spanusa.org

May 10, 17, 24, 31, 2006 live telephone teachings
Series on “Working with Anger”
Sponsored by Tricycle Magazine
http://www.tricycle.com/foundation/ttt-08.html

May 31 – June 7 Sravasti Abbey
Buddhist Practice and Community Living (for young adults age 18 – 25)


June 9 – 16 Castle Rock WA
Retreat: Chenrezig and the Cultivation of Compassion
http://cloudmountain.org/june_2006.htm

June 21 – 25 Sravasti Abbey
Friends of Sravasti Abbey Annual Board and Volunteer Meeting


August 7 – 25 Sravasti Abbey
Exploring Monastic Life

http://www.sravastiabbey.org/calendar.html

Sept. 1 - 4 Sravasti Abbey
Retreat: Taking Refuge: The Worldly Three Jewels (TV, refrigerator, and credit card) and the Transcendental Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha)


Nov. 24 – 26 Sravasti Abbey
Retreat: Rejoicing and Giving Thanks

You're welcome to come the evening of Nov. 22 and take precepts on Thanksgiving Day with us, too.

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