May 1998

Dear Sangha friends,

Where do I begin? Happy spring! Get ready for a lot going on. Here goes....
Some great news - Rinpoche will be arriving at Tashi Choling around the 2nd week of May, and Sangye Khandro will be back sometime the 1st week. Yes!
The April 19th Sangha meeting was successful with 17 folks present. We discussed the success of the recent Troma Nagmo retreat, preparation for the upcoming Vajrasattva retreat (see other side), a wonderful garden project proposal by the Ratna Buddha family (spotlight on the McLearys!), and other neede dwork efforts at Tashi Choling. This spring and summer are opportunities to offer your very helpful energy to the center. It will be greatly appreciated, and thank you to everyone who has been giving their all for some time now. We also decided to have a Sangha 4th of July Celebration/Fundraiser instead of the ususal booth at the Ashland parade this year. More details later. Thanks to everyone who came. Next meeting - mid June.
A big thank you to those who have been making generous Temple Support Fund donations. Everyo offering helps support the temple, our spiritual home, including ritual items, utility costs, insurance, and road maintenance. Many thanks!
As in years past, we need to rejuvenate our prayer flags. Nick Doherty has made a generous donation of flags, which can also be sponsorted by YOU. Another important way to help is to join us in a group effort to raise the new prayer flags, perhaps on a Sat. or Sun. in the near future which can be organized for this project. Please contact Nick Doherty at 488-0101 with dates that will work for you, and to offer financial support.
Due to difficult circumstances, Ron and Michelle Fidler have turned over the Prayer Flag Project, which they have managed very successfully for the last several years. Graciously, Denise Lai of the S.F. bay area Sangha has taken over the White Umbrella flag production, and thank you Denise. The Tara and Windhorse flags still don't have a new home. Interested persons can receive some direction from Michelle. The blocks to print from are available, and the project requires energy and commitment, though the orders can be sporadic. This could possibly be a group effort, so those inspired to help with this worthwhile and appreciated offering can call Michelle Fidler at (530) 926-6024.
Green Tara practice on Sundays from 2-4 for Ron Fidler continues at the temple. This is a wonderful way to be supportive as Ron continues to undergo Chemotherapy and its trials, and has proven to be a strengthening experience for the Sangha. Remember that Tara practice on the 17th and the 24th are canceled this month due to the retreat.
To benefit the fidlers, Laurel Hansen has offered to gather with a group of us to show how to make 1000 cranes, a Japanese tradition which is said to grant wishes and good fortune. This is a simple craft folding Origami paper into the form of the crane, and can quickly be done as a group or on your own. Contact Laurel at 488-0682 or Julie at 488-3009 so we can plan a date to get together, or find out how to do this at home. Thanks!
Teri Thomas is full into making the new temple curtains and could use help. Several need to be finished before the Dor Sem Lama Chod Pa retreat this month. Teri will set you up with packaged, pre-cut fabric and instructions. Those with sewing skills, please call her soon at 482-3421. Also, my personal thanks for her help with the monthly calendar and for her computer wizardry. Bravo!
Much appreciation for Kay Henry's skill at creating the new addition of the Yeshe Nyingpo annual Newsletter which will soon be out. Thanks to all contributors!
Bruce Newman is leading a new meditation class on Wed. and Thurs. nights. Please see the enclosed flyer, and dates on the calendar.
Mat Small's Ngundro classes are cancelled during the month of May. For info on future classes, call him at 482-3441.
Tara Carreon is leading the Dor Sem Lama Chod Pa practice of Vajrasattva in English every Sunday at 10:00am. and invites you to join her. This is a great way to learn this profound practice and the accompanying mudras, and to deepen one's understanding. Again, on May 17th and 24th this will be postponed, to continue in June. If you have questions, you can leave a message for her at their office, 482-8216.

ANNUAL RETREAT - DOR SEM LAMA CHOD PA

WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE in preparing for this auspicious event. Temple cleaning will soon be underway, so please call Ani Baba at 488-0477 and leave a message if you can help anytime. Several days preceding the retreat, especially the 15th - 17th, will require considerable effort. Please call Nick O'Connor about this at 482-3909. During the retreat, many tasks will need to be done, and sign-up sheets will be out at registration. We need help buying tsog from those who are traveling back and forth from town. Torma making, shrine duties, cleaning and cooking for the Lama's, and other opportunities to help will abound. Please consider how you could support this event.
Please arrive early to register on your first day of participation.
A statue consecration ritual will take place with Tulku Sang-ngag and Gyatrul Rinpoche sometime during the retreat, though we don't yet know when. Stay tuned.....
If you want to offer flowers, please choose from the scentless varieties.
Additional offerings for the lead chanter and the Lamas are traditional. Thanks to all!!

As a closing remark, I'd like to include this statement, which I found anonymously posted on a bulletin board at an Elementary school where I work....

Contemplation of the Month

"A resilient community is comprised of people who bond together,
support one another, take responsibility for their actions,
are pro-active about preparing for the future and spring back from adversity."

I found this inspiring and pertinent. And so, as our community grows, best wishes!

Julie Rogers,
Vice Secretary