May 2001

Dear Sangha friends,

Spring is here as we prepare for Rinpoche's arrival this month and our annual Vajrasattva Retreat.

During this year's practice intensive we will celebrate Buddha Shakyamuni's birth, Guru Rinpoche

Day, and on the full moon that falls on the last day, Saga Dawa Duchen, the festival day commemorating the Buddha's enlightenment and parinirvana. As we approach these auspicious events our energy increases, and a new, improved commitment to work together is in the air. Please see the letter to the Sangha from Tashi Choling's Director, Tony Reitz, that's included in this mailing - a very inspiring message. Thank you Tony, for your positive energy and enthusiasm.

At our Sangha meeting last month we discussed a general overview of Tashi Choling's needs: volunteer duties that have to be done regularly to keep things going, and all the various efforts yet to be carried out toward finishing the east wing. Current projects underway include the following:

East Wing- digging trenches, odd jobs, insulation, sheet rocking, painting

Temple -raising banners, wash and prep of cushion covers, cleaning, tsampa roasting

Gardens- weeding, watering, mowing lawns, planting

General- Amitabha site work, cleaning residence, completing the pond, prayer flag raising

This is merely an overview. For East Wing tasks talk to Chris, Mat & Jim; for Temple talk to Ani Baba; for Gardens call Trish; for Amitabha talk to Alan; and for general info talk to Chris. (You'll find their numbers on the new, improved Phone Tree included here - please note the few changes on it.) So, in the spirit of Dharma and for the benefit of all, with the idea that this is the season of home improvement, please consider Tashi Choling your home away from home this spring and summer.

Each and every person's efforts are needed and appreciated...it's a virtual storehouse of merit! (Did I say that?) Share the wealth! Don't feel a lack of skills should keep you back either! There are plenty of simple tasks and training for others will be provided. In June we?ll begin Sun. bi-monthly workdays with potlucks. So join us as we carry on...

  TASHI CHOLINGS DOR SEM LAMA CHOD PA RETREAT

May 28 through June 6, 2001

Join us for Saga Dawa this year with two added days of instruction May 26 & 27.

Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche will be present and will perform the Neydren Ritual of Guiding the Consciousness of the Deceased.

Lama Jigme will lead the puja.

Full Retreat: Singles: $160.00/Families $275.00 - Daily: Singles: $20.00/Families $35.00

Additional offerings for the Lamas are traditional.

Tashi Choling Temple ~ 2001 Colestin Road, Ashland, Oregon

Please pre-register by May 10th by sending a minimum deposit of $60.00 to:

Tashi Choling, P.O. Box 64, Ashland, OR 97520. - For general information call: (451) 482-2399.

For accommodations call Susan Bosworth at (541) 488-0881.

To order texts in advance call Mirror of Wisdom at (541) 488-7911.

There will be classes offered in both torma making and mudras this month to prepare for the

retreat. Torma making lessons will take place on Sundays, May 6 & 20 from 2 - 4 p.m. Mudra

instruction will be on three Friday nights, the 4th, 11th & 18th, from 7 - 9 p.m. All are free of

charge and will be held at the temple.

On Dakini Day this month we will practice the concise Tr?ma sadhana on Thurs. the 17th at 7

p.m. Please try to come early to help make tormas. Thanks.

Lama Bruce Newman?s classes continue. The Bodhisattva?s Way of Life and Generating the

Deity continue on Thursday and Monday nights. See the calendar.

Teen classes with Lama Bruce Newman are now every other Friday from 3:30 - 5 p.m. or so.

For dates and other information, call Lisbeth at (541) 488-7911.

The Statue Garden is ready for all gardeners to work their magic! People have begun to come

forward with offers of energy. It?s time for planting, watering, weeding, and all other

beautifying and therapeutic tasks. If we get enough folks to commit, we can begin meeting for

Gardening Days. Call Trish - she knows the scoop: (530) 842-4138.

We will continue hanging Prayer Flags every Sunday from 9 - 12 a.m. this month until all the

new ones are up. This is an easy, enjoyable activity that everyone can participate in. Come on

out! Meet at the statue gardens or wherever you see a jolly group moving as one across the

landscape...

In Our Prayers...keep our Dharma brother Ed Gierke in your prayers as he continues to deal

with his health, as well as Donna Woolsey. May they be strengthened by the love and care of

their Sangha family.

The Buddha's Jewels...?Having taken the vows of the spirit of awakening, you've taken birth

in the family of the buddhas; you've become a child of the buddhas. If you don't delight in that,

then what do you take delight in??         Gyatrul Rinpoche from Naked Awareness

(If you would like to offer a brief quotes from one of Gyatrul Rinpoche?s many teachings and

books and have it included in an upcoming issue, mail it to Julie Rogers, P.O. Box 885, Ashland,

OR 97520.)

Everyone take care - hope to see you soon out at the temple!

Julie Rogers, Communications Coordinator