Dear Sangha friends,

As we say a warm Tashi Deleg and enter the Water Horse year, we can count our blessings and anticipate a richly endowed year for Tashi Choling. Happy Losar to all from everyone here! We look forward to lots of wonderful events and retreats and several possible visits from esteemed teachers in the year to come, as well as the arrival of our precious one, Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche, sometime in May. He is doing very well in Austin, and is reportedly taking many long walks. (When asked about this, Rinpoche responded, "I have legs!")Much preparation for the spring festivities is in order. In addition, at our Sangha meeting last month we heard the whole scoop: news about our various arenas of activity and Lisbeth's splendid presentation of our fabulous forthcoming fund raising effort. This opportunity to support Rinpoche's work, the future of Tashi Choling and the propagation of the Dharma in the west is for everyone. Wow! In two words, go for greatness! There are many do-able ways for everyone to make offerings, so don't be shy, just come on out and/or give a call and let your interest be known. All input is welcome and appreciated.

Our first coordinated fund raising meeting was last month. The Board, Staff and all volunteers were invited. Many irons are now heating up in the fire of our aspirations (it's raging) to make this thing go. We will succeed as one mandala. Be part of the visualization - take that step into union (so to speak). Do I sound enthused? The merit possibilities are endless ~ the time is now!

Welcome to Tashi Choling's Annual Losar Celebration~join our practice!
Sat., Sun. & Mon. February 9 - 11 ~ Vajrakilaya Puja 9:30 - 12 / 2 - 5. Tues. February 12, New Moon ~ Cleaning the temple / Yeshe Tsogyal puja canceled. Wed. February 13 ~ LOSAR ~ Tibetan New Year / Dor Sem Lama Chod Pa tsog 9:30 - 12 noon. All are welcome.

REMINDER: always carry traction devices when coming to Tashi Choling this winter!

Marig Munsel - Clearing the Way of the Darkness of Ignorance, Tashi Chöling's Four-Year Training Program, is progressing well despite winter's challenges. The discussions alone are great, not to mention the opportunity for group practice and study ~ a stimulating & satisfying experience for all. Go, Lama Bruce, go! In Feb. we will meet at the temple on the 23rd and 24th. Session times are changed for now to Sat. from 1:30 - 5:30 and Sun. from 9:30 - 1:30. Future dates: Mar. 23 & 24 and April 20 & 21. For general info about meditation classes call Bruce Newman at (541) 488-0881.

Tashi Choling's 2002 Troma Nagmo Intensive Practice Retreat, led by Sangye Khandro, will be held from Dakini Day, March 8th, through the 17th this year.

The concise Troma Nagmo sadhana will be practiced on Dakini Day, Thurs., Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. If you can, come early at 5:00 to help make tormas for The Guests…(They're counting on us.)

Green Tara practitioners Feb. schedule is: on Sundays ~ the 3rd & 17th from 10:00 - 12:00, the 10th TBA (due to Losar practices) and the 24th from 2 - 4 p.m. Questions? Call Ani at 488-0477.

The Festival Day of Chotrul Duchen falls on the Wed., the 27th of this month. In order to increase the merit and devotion of future disciples, the Buddha displayed a different miracle on each of the first fifteen days of the Lunar year. To celebrate this auspicious day, when the effects of positive and negative actions are multiplied by 10,000,000 (whoa), come to Tashi Choling Temple. We will gather for the Shakyamuni Buddha practice at 7:00 p.m., and will include a large tsog. Practice is always emphasized during the first lunar month and its effects are multiplied by 100,000.

Dharma calendar pointers for the Water Horse year: Days when it is NOT auspicious to hang prayer flags are…Fri. Feb. 22; Tues. March 5; Mon. April 1; Mon. May 13; Fri. May 24; Thurs. June 20; Tues. July 2; Tues. July 16; Sun. July 28; Mon. Aug. 12; Fri. Aug. 23; Sun. Sept. 8; Thurs. Sept. 19; Thurs. Oct. 15; Mon. Oct. 28 (Lha Bab Duchen); Sat. Nov. 23; Sun. Nov. 24; Wed. Dec. 11; Mon. Dec. 23; Mon. Jan. 6; Sun. Jan. 19; Sun. Feb. 2; and Fri. Feb. 14. Unfavorable days of each lunar month for cutting the hair (leading to a loss of vitality) are: the 1st, 2nd, 7th, 12th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 25th, 28th & 29th. Favorable days are: the 8th for longevity; the 9th for attractive energy (ooh la la); the 10th for dignity; the 11th for intelligence; and the 6th & and 26th for a peaceful life. There you have it!

Support our new outreach program with your tsog offerings! Just bring an extra tsog item when you come to Tashi Choling's pujas to help those in need. We are joining with the ICCA - Interfaith Care Community of Ashland - in collecting these items for the community: Most Needed: soy & rice milk, canned soup, boxed rice mixes, pasta sauce. Not Needed: canned tuna, macaroni & cheese, canned vegies. All other non-perishable food items will be gratefully accepted at all Tashi Choling monthly tsogs and will be given to the Ashland Emergency Food Bank. Thank you!

There is a date change for the spring Sangha meeting: it will now be Sunday, April 14 from 1-3 at the temple. We will have lots going on and much news by then, so mark you calendars!

Our friend and fellow prankster, Jigme Lama, wishes to express his sincere regards to the Sangha: "Tell everyone thank you for the wonderful Christmas card! I am very grateful. It was very nice, with very wonderful messages, but who is Ligpa?" (Will the mystery person please stand up?)

Mirror of Wisdom Reminder
Mirror of Wisdom Archives has many supports for your practice available, including books, texts & photos of our great lamas and Dharma deities. As well, your financial support makes the Archives possible.
To make orders in Oregon and the State of Jefferson contact: Lisbeth LaCoste @ 541-488-7911. For mail orders and orders in California contact Lindy Steele @ 415-925-1730. Thank you.

If you want to receive the monthly mailing of this newsletter, calendar and the various flyers via email contact tashicholing@vol.com. Just write your email address in the body of the letter. Send annual mailing donations to Tashi Choling, PO Box 64, Ashland, OR 97520.

In Our Prayers…please pray for Emma Bell Mudra, Donna Woolsey, Lama Yeshe Nyima, Brian Carstens (persevering in Wyoming), and for our center's freedom from obstacles this year!

The Buddha's Jewels... "What do you point to when you want to identify samsara? If you're wondering, point to yourself…" Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche from Natural Liberation

My wishes for everyone's deepening practice during the coming year! Hoping to see you soon at Tashi Choling…

Julie Rogers, Communications Coordinator