This Week at Kurukulla Center                               August 09, 2010 - August 15, 2010
From the Director


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 Dear Kurukulla Community, 


Thank you for your interest in and support of the Center. 


Geshe-la updateGeshe Tsulga

We continue with the practices we're doing for the complete restoration of Geshe-la's health. The latest tallies are:

Vajrapani malas - 54
White Tara malas - 128
Animal liberations - 100 crickets, 100 worms


Thank you so much! Rejoice! If you would like to participate in these practices, please let us know. Of course, you can dedicate any practice you do to Geshe-la's good health and long life.

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Choden Rinpoche arrives this week!Venerable Choden Rinpoche

Arrival
Rinpoche arrives at 8:45 pm this Friday (see below for details). Please come greet Rinpoche at the airport if you can. Because of Geshe Tsulga-la's illness, we cannot offer Rinpoche Geshe-la's room, but as I mentioned last week, Center members Askold Melnyczuk and Alex Johnson have kindly offered their Medford house to Rinpoche and his entourage, so they will be staying there. On Saturday morning Rinpoche will go to Milarepa Center for the program there before returning to Kurukulla August 24 for six nights.

Event Volunteers

We will need volunteers to help ensure every aspect of Choden Rinpoche's visit go well, so as many beings can benefit from this wonderful opportunity as possible.  Volunteers are needed to help set up before and clean up after each event, especially the outdoor event, as well as a host of other responsibilities.  If you are able and willing to help out during Choden Rinpoche's events, please email Tsültrim with what dates you are available and he will be happy to find an opportunity for you to offer service!


Hosting visitors & giving rides
Can you open your home for a few nights in August for out-of-town guests? A number of visitors from distant and no-so-distant places need a place to stay around the time of Venerable Choden Rinpoche's visit. They either plan on attending his teachings at Kurukulla Center or need a place to stay on their way to and from Rinpoche's events at Milarepa Center. If you are able to host one or more guests for one, two, three or four nights, please let Tsultrim know. Some of these visitors will also need rides to and from Milarepa Center in Vermont. Please let us know if you are able to help.

Publicity
We need your help in publicizing Rinpoche's teachings at Kurukulla. Please download the flyer, print it out and post wherever you can. Thank you so much. Color flyers are also available at the Center for you to take and post.

Expenses
And remember, we still need to raise about $1,500 to cover the expenses of Rinpoche's visit, so please give generously to make sure we reach our goal.  You can donate online right now via PayPal, or leave a donation clearly marked "Choden Rinpoche" in any donation box at the Center. Thank you so much.

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The Kalachakra Stupa at Kurukulla Center

Under the direction of Damchoe and Emmanuel, work on the stupa, the Tara pond and the circumambulation paths is coming along well, as we approach our August 28 deadline, when Choden Rinpoche will consecrate the stupa.


Circumambulation Path

While these aspects of the work are under control, we need your help over the next ten days to make the garden presentable. A lot of dirt has been moved here and there as we've dug out the paths, the pond and so forth. Some of this is junk and needs to be moved to the main driveway so it can be hauled away. Some is good and needs to be spread so that we can restore the lawn. And the garden beds need smoothing out and weeding. And the lawn and plants always need watering! Please let me know if you can help. You can pretty much do this work whenever suits you. Thank you so much.


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Kurukulla South

Last week we sent out the following: Some people have said they would attend the kind of Dharma teachings we offer if they were available south of Boston. We did a quick survey of people from the south after class today and all expressed interest and also said they had friends who would attend if they didn't have to drive through Boston! So, this is to extend the survey. If you and/or your friends would attend a class somewhere say south of Quincy on a Tuesday evening, please email Tsultrim and we'll see what we can work out. Also, if you have a suggested or preferred location (like town), please let us know. If you have a large living room and would be prepared to host such teachings for a couple of months while we assess interest, please let us know that too. Tsultrim has kindly offered to teach at these meetings and lead discussion, so this could be a great way of extending Kurukulla's outreach and helping many, many people.

Several people have replied, so we're off to a good start. If you did not reply but are interested in getting this going, please email Tsultrim as soon as possible. Thank you. Our plan is to start classes in September after Labor Day.

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FPMT news

The new FPMT news bulletin is now available.


Thank you again for your wonderful support.


Much love,


Nicholas Ribush, Director

  Nick Ribush
  Director
Calendar of Events

Monday, August 9

 

Introduction to Buddhism with Ven. Ani Yeshe (Helen Lee)Ani Yeshe-la

7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Introduction to Buddhism is an on-going series. Each class introduces a new topic as a way of providing newcomers a broad overview of Buddhism. The course is designed for those who are new or newly acquainted with the Center to hear basic Buddhist teachings, ideas and concepts, especially those emphasized by our resident lama (teacher), Geshe Tsulga. Bring all your questions. It is fine to attend any class without having attended prior classes. All welcome!


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Tuesday, August 10


Morning Meditation with Tsunma-la (Sue Macy)Ani Tsunma-la

6:30 am to 7:00 am
Start your day on the right foot by calming your mind, setting your day's purpose to be a meaningful one and remembering to just breathe! Resident nun Tsunma-la leads basic meditations that help stabilize the mind by learning to focus on the breath. By using these simple techniques, you can bring a sense of tranquility to your day. If you plan to join Tsunma-la in the meditation hall (gompa) at Kurukulla Center please arrive a few minutes early. We will start promptly at 6:30 am. Feel free to listen live online.

Yoga & Meditation with Wendy CookWendy-la

7:00 pm to 8:45 pm

These classes include therapeutic movements, standing postures, back strengthening postures and hip openers. The last twenty minutes are spent in guided meditation, including breath awareness, visualization, and analytical techniques to enhance our inner good qualities. Suitable for both experienced and new students, you are welcome to attend on a drop-in basis. Please arrive a few minutes early and wear comfortable, fitted and modest clothing.

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Wednesday, August 11

 

Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas with Ven. Geshe TenleyGeshe Tenley-la

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Geshe-la continues his explanation of the Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas by Togme Sangpo (1245-1369.) Come and discover what it means to model your actions after those of a bodhisattva. All are welcome. A copy of the text will be distributed in class and a commentary by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is available on the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive website. Other contemporary commentaries are available for purchase in our bookstore. Feel free to listen live online.

 

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Thursday, August 12

 

Discovering Buddhism: How to Meditate with Tsunma-la (Sue Macy)

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Tonight is the final class in the How to Meditate series from our popular Discovering Buddhism Program. Tsunma-la teaches us the elements necessary for a fruitful, daily meditation practice. At the end of the series, you will have the tools so that your practice can bring both short and long-term benefits. You will learn how to plant powerful and positive seeds in your mindstream so that personal growth and spiritual realizations can take root and grow. There will also be instruction in basic meditation techniques. Feel free to listen live online.

How to Meditate is the second of fourteen modules in our  Discovering Buddhism program. It is not necessary to have attended the first module in order to attend this one. If you would like to receive the handouts, homework and materials for this course, please click the link at the bottom of this email, "Update Profile/Email Address," and be sure that "Discovering Buddhism" is selected, or email us and we will manually add you to the list. The third module Presenting the Path begins Thursday, September 9, 7 - 9 pm.

Discovering Buddhism (DB) is an advanced beginner's program designed by our parent organization, the FPMT, to explore the core Buddhist teachings in a cohesive and comprehensive way. Designed for beginner's who have had some background and anyone interested in a systematic program. There are readings, meditations and homework assignments. This is a highly practical program that is grounded in authentic Buddhist tradition. And it can be assured that Tsunmala will make it fun! More information about the 'Discovering Buddhism' program is available here, or you can email Program@Kurukulla.org with any specific questions.

 

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Friday, August 13

 

Morning Meditation with Tsunma-la (Sue Macy)

6:30 am to 7:00 am

Start your day on the right foot by calming your mind, setting your day's purpose to be a meaningful one and remembering to just breathe! Resident nun Tsunma-la leads basic meditations that help stabilize the mind by learning to focus on the breath. By using these simple techniques, you can bring a sense of tranquility to your day. If you plan to join Tsunma-la in the meditation hall (gompa) at Kurukulla Center please arrive a few minutes early. We will start promptly at 6:30 am. Feel free to listen live online.

 

Arrival of Ven. Choden RinpocheChoden Rinpoche

Logan Airport, United Airlines #862

Scheduled to arrive at 8:45 pm

You can check his actual arrival time here.  If you are interested in meeting at Kurukulla Center and carpooling to the airport, please contact Tsultrim, including how many people can fit in your car if you are willing to drive.

 

All are welcome to greet Rinpoche at the airport when he arrives. The schedule of Rinpoche's teachings at Milarepa Center is available at on their website and Rinpoche's schedule at Kurukulla Center is available at http://www.kurukulla.org/

 

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Sunday, August 15

 

Wisdom Chapter from Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life with Ven. Geshe TsulgaGeshe Tsulga-la

10:00 am to 12 noon
The ninth chapter of Guide to a Bodhisattva's Way of Life, composed by the great bodhisattva Shantideva, addresses the Madhyamaka view of reality by setting it against other philosophical systems, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist. Reputed to be highly challenging, we are fortunate such an eminently qualified teacher as Geshe Tsulga will guide us through this section. Copies of Guide to a Bodhisattva's Way of Life and a commentary on this chapter by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Transcendent Wisdom, are available for purchase in our bookstore. We will also distribute a copy of Chapter 9 to all class participants. Feel free to listen live online.

 

This course is from the Basic Program, a multi-year program offering a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of core Buddhist texts. Prior participation in the Basic Program or a background in Buddhist philosophy are recommended. If you would like to receive the handouts, homework and materials for this course, please click the link at the bottom of this email, "Update Profile/Email Address," and be sure that "Basic Program" is selected, or email us and we will manually add you to the list.


     Kurukulla Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies
     68 Magoun Avenue
     Medford, MA 02155
     617.624.0177
     http://www.kurukulla.org
May all sentient beings have happiness and its causes!