February 1998

Hello and Happy Losar,

The first order of the day and the year is say WELCOME to all our new and recently made friends that have been showing upo out at the temple, at the Holiday Party in December and at our recent Sangha meeting. Glad to meet you, glad we're together and hope to see you soon. Please join us for our upcoming Losar Potluck (see info later in this letter)

Buddha Family Developments

Anyone who came to the Jan. 11 Sangha meeting knows there's a lot of interest in the center and plenty of ways to express it. Thanks to all the folks who showed up. We introduced a workable agenda, met together in committees and set some tasks for ourselves. The current guides of the 'Buddha Families' are as follows:

Buddha Family/Temple Support :
Team: Ani Baba and Tara Carreon 482-0275

Vajra Family/Teachings and Events:
Nick O'Connor (482-3009)

Padma Family/Communication
Team: Julie Rogers (488-3009) and Dianne Taudvin (482-3597)

Karma Family/Building and Grounds
Chris McKinnies

Ratna Family/Lawn and Garden
Team: Kathleen McLeary (488-0519) and Bea Rataj-Arestad (482-4551)

If you weren't at the Sangha meeting and would like to help out in any way, please contact any of these people for the corresponding category. Each group will be meeting individually in the near future. See the Sangha phone list for numbers.
Also, this monthly letter can be considered advertising space for any and all Buddha Family activities that need a voice (requests for help, announcements, etc.) so please use the resources. Projected meeting dates for your group can be put on the calendar, or work party dates. Contact me with information at: 488-3009.
A new phone tree will be sent out in the not-too-distant future. It will be arranged by Buddha Family committees and all available phone numbers will be listed on it for your convenience. Please call me with any possibly needed changes.

NEW NYINGMA CENTER
1345 TOLMAN CREEK ROAD, ASHLAND

In the light of the new year, it seems appropriate to formally introduce the new Tolman Creek town center that one of Chagdud Rinpoche's students, Marina, has offered to share with Tashi Choling. We're enthusiastic that our two neighboring dharma families can meet in one space. Both organizations will hold pujas and other events there and both schedules will be represented on our monthly calendar. So those of us that attended Tsering Everest's Red Tara empowerment last year or in the past can now practice that sadhana there with other students. In addition, this location is the new home of Matthew Small's Ngundro class and Bruce Newman's Bardo classes (and others in the future). For other information call Marina Rezek at: 482-6229. Please note dates and times on this month's Tashi Choling calendar.
Many thanks to the Carreon's for their great efforts and the beautiful center at the old Armory that has now closed. Many of us were able to practice there.
This new center is also available for various dharma uses, though Tashi Choling's formal monthly pujas on Guru Rinpoche Day, Dakini Day and the full and new moons will be observed at the temple as ususal.

We have been having all our Sangha and officer's meetings, and our dinners at the home of Dan and Kathleen McLeary. Many thanks for the great offering of a lovely and comfortable spot for us to meet.

Folks that want to acquire a RIGPA (Tibetan) Calendar for the coming new year (beginning in Feb. with Losar) need to contact SoundPeace bookstore in Ashland (482-3633). If you call or ask behind the counter, there's a list of Tashi Choling students. The first twelve oredered will be $8.00 each. After that, it's $8.95 plus shipping. Our dates for pujas are taken from this book, and will be reflected on the Tashi Choling schedule.

News on upcoming events:

LOSAR: As mentioned, Tibetan New Year is approaching. We will practice the Pudri Reg Pung cycle of Vajrakilaya (tsogs) at the temple from 9 am - 12 pm and 2-5 pm on sund - Tuesd. Feb. 22-24. Thursday, Feb 26 will be Dor Sem Lama Chod Pa tsog at 9:00 am, changed from the traditional time of dawn to allow for a more modern morning schedule, especially geared for students traveling from town out to the center. On Wed, Feb. 25 we will observe Gutor, and will gather to clean, as well as throughout the month. Please contact Ani Baba about when you can come to help.

LOSAR POTLUCK DINNER TO WELCOME NEW FRIENDS AND STUDENTS
We're getting together for a 'Tibetan New Year Potluck', an evening for mingling and munching. Please be with us and enjoy the company (and the typically great food). Come to the Mcleary's on Friday night, Feb 27 at 6:30pm. Nothing fancy, paper plates, cups and forks provided, just bring a tasty dish of your choice to share. Let's spend some time together. Be there or be square.

Troma Nagmo Retreat Update: (March 22 - April 1, 1998) During the March Trom Retreat we will be doing a concise version of the sadhana and tsog (as well as the longer version we have done in the past.) The new version will not be available through Yeshe Melong. It is not ready but will be available for purchase at a moderate price on the first day of the retreat at registration. It is a concise tsog as taught to Sangye Khandro by Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, and will be needed for practice, so plan on picking one up.

Please remember to contact me with calendar and/or monthly letter information by the 20th or so of the month (previous to the month you want it out). Call Julie Rogers at 488-3009.

Thanks a bunch. Best Wishes for the new year.

Julie Rogers
Secretary

Vajra Koan of the Month:
Would a fly that loses its wings be called a 'walk'?