UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2006
Dear Friends,
That Geshe Smile
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A lot has been happening at the Abbey. At the end of July we had the honor of hosting Geshe Kalsang Damdul, director of the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsala, India, and a member of Sravasti Abbey’s Advisory Board. The weekend was for Geshela to have some R&R, so we appreciate his teaching on “Compassion and World Peace” as well as presiding during a Lama Chopa puja. Geshela was accompanied by his student, Chris Harding, and both enjoyed long walks in the woods with us.
Rev. Clarissa beams
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Tanya, our hard-working webmaster, and Barb, our PR chair, were also here. We worked on redesigning some of the web pages, so stay tuned for the changes. We welcomed our first visitor from Israel, Daniel Shaaf, and we all made prayers for peace in the Middle East. Rev. Clarissa from the Portland Buddhist Priory also visited us for 10 days, so we had many interesting discussions about Buddhist practice across traditions. Alessandra, Gerry, Lydie from France, and many others visited us over the summer as well. And this is not to mention the day visits of many local supporters, including Mary who spent hours ironing out computer problems.
Not all of our guests this summer were human. A huge woodpecker with a red crest has been visiting us regularly, and the turkeys are back in full forcewe’ve watched them grow from chicks to adults and listened to their turkey-talk, including sweet-sounding chirps. Never heard one gobble out of them.
Baby Bear
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One day as we were going into the garden to each lunch, we saw a bear cub eating apples under the apple tree a few feet away. When he heard us, he trotted under the willow tree outside the writing studio. A few minutes later, Mama Bear entered the garden, looking for him. She poked around the garden and munched berries from the hawthorn tree for about 45 minutes, before sauntering out the gate (We ate lunch inside).
The next morning when our cats were attentively looking out the window, I peered out to see a teenage bear sitting on his haunches looking right at me! News about good apples spreads fast and we had several more bear-able visits that day. Later that day, the teenage bear scampered under the fence as I walked to the studio. As he slowly walked down the road, he kept turning back to look at me with woeful eyes that said, “I’m just a little bear who wants to eat apples. Why won’t you let me stay?” Needless-to-say, their visits made dedicating for the welfare of all sentient beings more vivid and touching.
Jan, Nanc, and I went to Airway Heights Correctional Center where I spoke on “Working with Anger,” and we participated in discussion groups with the inmates. This is one of the oldest Buddhist prison groups in the Washington State and they practice earnestly. In addition to the dedicated members of the Buddhist group, many men from other religionsIslam, Jehovah’s witness, Native American, and so forthattended. After our visit, we met with the Buddhist volunteers who have supported the group for years: Priyamitra from FWBO and Judy from Padma Ling.
Two inmates whom I visited in Missouri last month had to miss lunch because our meeting overlapped with the prison’s meal time. When I wrote these two men expressing my concern, Ron replied, “As far as your comment about James and I missing lunch, it reminds me of a line from the Noble Sanghata Dharma-paryaya Sutra, ‘We do not have need of drink, nor do we have need of food. What we need is the Dharma itself that liberates us from suffering.’ The meal you provided with your presence and teachings (not to mention the hot chocolate and cookies) was truly a banquet.” Their appreciation of the Dharma is heart-warming.
EML of '06
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Our second 19-day Exploring Monastic Program was wonderful. We had eight participants, five of them who had attended last year. After early morning meditation and a silent breakfast, our mornings were spent in offering service and afternoons in Dharma teachings and discussion groups. This was followed by evening meditation. The group energy was strong, not only when we talked honestly and openly about topics such as interest in monastic ordination, but also when we had fun taking walks, making applesauce, removing dying juniper, and shoveling dirt. Ven. Tenzin Chogkyi’s presence enriched everyoneworking with her in the kitchen was a Dharma teaching.
Geshe Sonam Thupten, Kensur Rinpoche and Ven. Tsenla
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At the end of August, we hosted Gyume Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tenzin, who taught Grounds and Paths (Tib: Sa.lam) for three days. A road map of spiritual progress, this topic gives us an idea of the journey ahead. Ven. Tsenla did a wonderful job translating these detailed teachings into English. About 20 people attended, and in addition to Grounds and Paths teachings, Rinpoche gave a talk on the benefits of monastic life to the participants of Exploring Monastic Life. It was a privilege to have him at the Abbey for the first of what we hope will be many visits.
Listening to Ven Chodron
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The refuge retreat in early September was inspiring, with 20 people sharing teachings, discussion, and meditation as we examined, “Where we turn to find happiness and what is the source of happiness?” The teachings on refuge and the qualities of the Three Jewels will be on thubtenchodron.org before long.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama was in the USA in September, and Abbey residents went to hear his teachings: some of us went to Vancouver, some to Los Angeles, and others to New York. We are extremely grateful for his presence in our world and for the opportunity to hear teachings that lead us to enlightenment.
The color of fall is around us, reminding us of the changeable nature of all things. May we accept changebe it wished for or unwanted, be it expected or unexpected. May we appreciate the change that allows our wholesome emotions and correct views to increase and become stable.
In the Dharma,
Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron
- October 15: Sharing the Dharma Day at the Abbey
- November 12: Sharing the Dharma Day at the Abbey
- Nov. 23: Thanksgiving Precepts at the Abbey
- Nov. 24-26: Rejoicing and Giving Thanks Retreat at the Abbey
- Dec. 10: Sharing the Dharma Day at the Abbey
- Dec. 16 26: Retreat with either Seraje Khenzur Rinpoche Jampa Tegchok teaching the Two Truths or Ven. Chodron teaching “Living Well and Preparing Wisely for Death.” See the website for details and to register.
- Dec. 13 March 15, 2007: Chenrezig retreat at the Abbey (note new dates)
Ven. Chodron’s Travels
- Oct. 22 30: Teachings, public talk, and retreat in Singapore.
- Nov. (dates TBA): Talks at Tushita Retreat Centre and Thomsaling in Dharamsala and Tushita Centre in Delhi.
- Nov. 28 29: Teachings in Singapore.
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