November 02




Dear friends,

It has been so awesome to have Rinpoche here! Tashi Choling's annual Vajrakilaya Retreat is in full expansion and the energy is rare and dynamic. Once again we are also blessed with the great fortune of having Lingtrul Rinpoche as our Vajra Lopon and Pema Tenzin leading us in chanting - Wow. This year's educational program has been just wonderful and following Lopon Rechungpa and Kunsang Gyalpo's teachings on the Bodhicaryavatara, Alan Wallace completed our study of this amazing text with an overview of Shamatha & Vipashyana. Two inspiring and successful teachings by these spiritual friends took place in Ashland, both of which brought new folks into the study of Dharma! As well, Lama Bruce Newman led students through the rich inner/outer world of our first Silent Retreat, an excellent experience for all involved. Thank you Rinpoche, thank you Curly, thank you to our teachers, thanks to the hard working people behind the scenes, thanks to the fabulous cooks and housekeepers that came out to help, and thanks to the students for being present, for taking this precious opportunity to heart. Our program is off to a great start. In this way we can benefit the world and all beings. Way to go!

The Razor That Destroys At A Touch is in action now!
Tashi Choling welcomes you
to the annual Vajrakilaya Drup Chod with Dorje Lopon, Venerable Lingtrul Rinpoche
October 25 ~ November 4, 2002
Sessions daily 9:30 -12:00, 2:30 - 5:00, 7:00 - 9:00
Daily donation: $30 for individuals and $45 for couples and families
One must have received the empowerment or permission to attend - for information about this contact Nick O'Connor at 541-482-3909.

The highly esteemed lama, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, will the guest of our friends at Kagyu Sukha Choling in Ashland this month and will give a public teaching on the evening of the full moon, Tues., Nov. 19, at the Unitarian Center on 4th St. at 7:30 p.m. The teaching's topic will be Song of the Sixteen Important Things by Rechungma, one of Milarepa's eight foremost female disciples. The suggested donation is $15.00. Due to Rinpoche's personal request, Khenpo will also teach at Tashi Choling Temple on Mon., Nov. 18 at 2 p.m., topic TBA. A meditation master, teacher, yogi and scholar, Khenpo Rinpoche is also a geshe lharampa and completed many years of solitary cave practice in Tibet as well as extensive training with the highest teachers of all four Tibetan Buddhist lineages. He is the tutor of HH the 17th Karmapa and other great scholars of the Kagyu lineage. Gyatrul Rinpoche encourages all of his students to attend these rare opportunities. Due to the teaching in town, our full moon puja will be canceled.

Welcome to Tashi Choling's Annual Tersar Ngondro Retreat NOV. 8 - 10
Authorized by Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche, Senior Student Mat Small will guide students with teachings and practice of H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche's Tersar Ngondro. Everyone is welcome.
$35 Suggested offering. Fri. & Sat. the 8th & 9th: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. / Sun. the 19th: 9 - 5 p.m.
Bring your text, mandala rice & plate, prostration pads and malas. Cushions are optional.
Please contact Mat with questions about pre-registration and practice at 541-858-3334.

Marig Munsel - Dispelling the Darkness of Ignorance - continues to deepen our under-standing of the Dharma - truly a great program. Dates this month are Nov. 16th (1:30-5:30) & 17th (1:30 - 5:30). Note the times! Dec. dates are the 7th & 8th. For info. call Lama Bruce at (541) 488-0881.

Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche and Orgyen Dorje Den announce a Nam Cho Space Treasure, Trowo Roza empowerment. Rinpoche will offer this rare opportunity at ODD on Sat., Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. during the Troma Nagmo retreat.
We will practice the concise Troma Nagmo sadhana on Dakini Day, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m., the day after Thanksgiving - how appropriate. Please come early at 4:30 and help prepare the feast!

The schedule for Green Tara practicein November is quite flexible this month: Nov. 3 is canceled due to Vajrakilaya retreat, the 10th is TBA due to the Ngondro retreat, and the 17th and 24th are TBA as well. Please contact Ani Baba at 488-0477 for more information.

If you would like to study the Bodhicaryavatara and also join a small group that will gather for regular sessions throughout the winter to review teachings from, The Bodhisattva's Guide to a Way of Life, please contact Shashi Reitz at 530-465-2308.

Troma Nagmo Retreat News: There will be a Troma Nagmo Retreat at ODD in Alameda this month from Nov. 29 - Dec. 4 led by Sangye Khandro that will be open to all students. Gyatrul Rinpoche will offer the wang there on the 29th at 2 p.m. and will teach during the retreat. For info contact ODD at odd_troma_2002@yahoo.com, Bill at 510-655-9585 or Benson at 650-343-7665.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Our Annual Sangha Holiday Lunch & Party will be at the LaCoste's home on Sun., Dec. 15, noon - 4 p.m.! Potluck! Turkey! Dharma Carols! More later!

In Our Prayers...remember Michael Lewis who continues to recover from cancer surgery last month, Tony & Jeanne Reitz, Donna Woolsey, Sarah Rose, Yeshe Nyima, Sangye Land, Emma Belle Mudra and President Bush - may prayer influence his decisions for the benefit of all.

Mirror of Wisdom Reminder
Email Lindy with order and card info at l_steele@mindspring.com.
For a complete video catalog with prices, email Jane at mowvideo@lanset.com.
For orders in Oregon and the State of Jefferson and for Oral Transmissions Series texts, books and sadhana orders (preceding retreats) contact: Lisbeth LaCoste @ 541-488-7911.
For mail orders, video and audio, pechas and orders in CA and elsewhere contact Lindy Steele @ 415-925-1730.
To join the email list: denise.lai@covad.net.
For Q & A about MoW videos: mowvideo@lanset.com.

Sincere thanks from everyone who has eyes to Renato Caselli for almost single-handedly nurturing the Mandala Statue Garden this year. Renato, it's a great big green thumbs up to you!

The Buddha's Jewels... "don't make big deal." - Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche, in general

Tony, thanks for the pearl-like comics.

Best wishes to all!
Julie Rogers, Communications Coordinator