December 2001

Dear Sangha friends,

It was wonderful to be with Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche and Lingtrul Rinpoche during our Vajrakilaya Drup Chod last month! Our gratitude to Rinpoche for guiding us, and thanks to all!

The first snow storms have given the colestin Valley that "winter magic" look. Tashi Choling is sparkling like a vision of splendor, and it seems that our activities have settled into a slower pace, but looks can be deceiving. We've just moved indoors, that's all, and now enter that quiet time of year with hammers banging. We start this season on the last leg of work that will bring the east wing to a point of completion by spring. There is a lot to do, both in and out of the office. Much of the casual labor needed at the worksite is over, but there are still opportunities for some skilled work. Crews for hauling materilas and clean-up will be needed intermittently throughout the winter and early spring. Volunteers will be greatly appreciated.

Please consider donating some time to Tashi choling. The results of your work will benefit everyone involved at the center, our children, and beings in the future. Any amount you can offer, whether it is several hours or a part of your weekly schedule, will be helpful. YOU ARE NEEDED because it can't be done without you. Your physical support of our center allows spiritual support to be available to ourselves and others continuously. Please read excerpts of a message from Rinpoche, a letter from our directory Tony, and a list of volunteer duties.

Come one, come all to our seasonal extravaganza

Tashi Choling's Holiday Celebration and Potluck Dinner

Saturday, December 15th at 2 p.m.

Bring Table Settings and an Offering for the Feast

Please RSVP: For food tips and head count call Steph: 482.1620 by Dec. 10th!

REMINDER: always carry traction devices when coming to Tashi Choling this winter! Due to our record breaking busyness, our next Sangha meeting has been postponed from Dec. 16 to Sun., Jan 13 from 1-3 pm in the temple. WE NEED YOU! Please join us.

Tashi Choling's Four Year Program has been given a new name by Gyatrul Rinpoche: Marig Munsel - Clearing the Way of the Darkness of Ignorance. Our program is a success! Dates in Dec. are the 1st from 2:30-5 / 6-8:30 and the 2nd from 1-3:30. Students are very enthusiastic about this educational opportunity. Meaningful discussion, contemplation, practice mark this new gathering. In Jan. we meet the 19th and 20th. For info on this and other classes call Bruce @ 488-0881.

Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche continues teaching from Patrul Rinpoche's famous text Words of my Perfect Teacher this month via phone line at Tashi Choling temple through Decmber and possibly longer. The teachings through Dex. 2 will discuss Guru Yoga and will be translated by Sangye Khandro. Dates this month are: the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 18th and 20th. Weekend times are 7-10 am., weekdays are 5-7 pm. There is a very small fee.

Support our new outreach program with your tsog offering! Help those in need by bringing extra food offerings to Tashi Choling. 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!

Mirror of Wisdom Reminder

Mirror of Wisdom Archives is offering new publications: The Four Kilas of Vajrakilaya by Gyatrul Rinpoche; Mountain Retreat by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche with a new commentary by Tulku Sangngag Rinpoche; and Garab Dorje's Three Verses that Strike the Key Points of Practice, by Lingtrul Rinpoche.

To make orders in Oregon contact Lisbeth LaCoste @ 541.488.7911. For mail orders and orders in California contact Lindy Steele @ 415.925.1730.
Thank you.

The extensive Troma Nagmo sadhana will be practiced on Dakini Day, Sun. Dec 9 at 2 pm. Please come early at 11:00 to help make tormas - 10 in all. Thanks a bunch.

Does anyone want to receive the monthly mailing of this newsletter, calendar and the various flyers via email? Contact Ian Villarreal at tashicholing@vol.com. Just write your email address in the body of the letter. Send annual mailing donations to T.C. PO Box 64, Ashland, OR

PHONE TREE UPDATE: If you have changed your number please contact me (621.8108) with that info. A phone tree update will come out sometime after the first of the year. Thanks.

SANGHA TENANTS WANTED: Nice two bedroom apt. in Hornbrook. Water & garbage included - $375.00 per month. Available Dec. 15. Contact Richard Schwindt @ 530.475.3122.

Our new friend, Jesse Hartzell, is looking for a "permanent" home and regular work (carpentry and waiter exp.) Can you help? Leave a message for him at the Thomas' @ 482-3421.

Lost and Found: Hand woven, hand dyed, light pastel colored scarf. Call Susa: 488.0881.

Notable dates this month include an annualr eclipse of the sun on Fri. the 14th (effects are multiplied by 10,000) Ngenpa Gu Dzom on Thurs. the 20th, when 9 bad omens occur together, and Zangpo chu Dzom when 10 auspicious omens happen simultaneously, and on the solstice. Guru Rinpoche Day will be celebrated on Christmas, and blessings to you, every one.

In Our Prayers...remember Lama Yeshe Nyima who is still healing, and please pray for the Afghani civilians, and all those engaged in and affected by war.

The Buddha's Jewels..."As self-importance arises, the door to liberation closes." Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche, from A Spacious Path to Freedom.

Prayers for nourishment and gratitude during the holidays! Enjoy!

Julie Rogers,
Communications Coordinator