A MESSAGE TO THE SANGHA COMMUNITY
~ from a letter by Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche
"The reason for Dharma centers is so that beings can find the path that leads to liberation through hearing, contemplation and meditation. The reason for establishing a gather ing of spiritual activity is to benefit self and all others according to the capacities of practitioners based on causes and contributing circumstances...Establishing a Dharma center is something very meaningful. In fact, the purpose is very great. Because it's so hard for beings to separate themselves from their ordinary worldly concerns and their ordinary lives and many people are not able to do this, if they have a place they can relate to, and that helps them begin to stabilize their spiritual lives rather than always producing negative results in their lives, they can begin to produce positive results. And all positive results are definitely, eventually leading to liberation...
We shouldn't think the Dharma center is only run by the leaders. It should be run by all members of the community. Everyone should help each other: men, women, children. Everyone should find a way that they can participate and be responsible and helpful to one another. This is the way the Dharma center grows up, when leaders are good practitioners and examples and when all members of the center are helpful. Rather than being without any dignity, both leaders and members of the community should have the dignity to help one another...when we started to build this temple, there weren't any particular leaders. But there was some kind of inconceivable blessing when people felt equal and just inspired to accomplish virtue... But still, we need more help... I'm looking to see that students will show the enthusiasm to earn the merit... all the many different jobs and ways of participating...So if people come and work, the money is definitely going to be there, that's not the obstacle. Was the Buddha's doctrine built based on money? Or is it built based on merit? Take a look and see. Wherever the doctrine is flourishing it's because the people who are allowing it to flourish there have the merit to do that..." Gyatrul Rinpoche
The Tashi Choling Staff sincerely requests
that we come together with increasing enthusiams and inspiration on the
occasion of our "new day" to support the sacred place of our center.
Turning our aspirations to benefit
others into a tangible reality can be a nourishing and rewarding
experience. Our merit as a community will help to clear the path
for ourselves and others.
Please review the list of duties and jobs below. Simply contact the corresponding person who can direct you toward fulfilling your volunteer commitment. Reliability and flexibility are key points. Many thanks to everyone for becoming more involved and dedicated to our Dharma home!
| CATEGORY | TIME / COMMITMENT | CONTACT |
| mailing list organization and overseeing | weekly / must own a PC and learn the ACT program | Nick O'Connor |
| general assistance | weekly to monthly / events | Nick O'Connor |
| east wing site clean-up | intermittent / as needed | Chris McKinnies |
| skilled / manual labor | intermittent / as needed | Chris McKinnies |
| center maintenance person | weekly / "handy" & flexible | Chris McKinnies |
| office help / computer skills | weekly to monthly | Julie Rogers |
| website & Info Line updates | monthly | Julie Rogers |
| email responses | weekly | Julie Rogers |
| Recycling | bi-monthly | Ani Baba |
| snow shoveling | as needed (winter only!) | Ani Baba |
| Nick: 541.482.3909 | Chris: 541.488.3672 | Julie: 541.488.6236 | Ani Baba: 541.488.0477 |