Archived Newsletters: August/Sept 2003 | October 2003 | Nov/Dec 03 | February 04

Jewel Heart News
CLEVELAND CHAPTER March/April 2004

Jewel Heart is an educational and cultural center whose doors are open to all. Its purpose is to transmit the essence of Tibetan Buddhism in an authentic and accessible form. Jewel Heart provides guidance and practical methods to anyone interested in spiritual development, as well as those who wish to follow the traditional Buddhist path.

Coming Jewel Heart Cleveland Events

For more information about the following Jewel Heart events, contact Anne at 440-576-1190 or aewarren@apk.net

Odyssey to Freedom part two. Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 25, 7:15-8:45
Eight sessions with new videos by Rimpoche. These sessions begin the actual meditations on the foundation of spiritual practice, and include presentation by the instructor, opportunity for discussion and guided meditation. Instructor: Anne Warren

Creating Space: Clarity and Insight through Meditation First and Third Saturdays, Beginning March 6, 10:30-noon
This course provides instruction in the basic elements of meditation – breathing, posture, stabilizing the mind, coping with distractions, as well as establishing a daily meditation practice. Open to all, especially helpful for beginners or those wishing to strengthen their concentration .
Eight sessions. Taught by Craig Hartman.

The Healing Practice of White Tara. Second Saturdays, Beginning April 10 , 1:30-3 pm
Tara is the mother goddess of Tibetan Buddhism, known for her quick and compassionate activity, particularly associated with healing and longevity. This course uses visualization techniques relying on the feminine energy of White Tara to overcome physical, mental and emotional suffering. Four sessions. Taught by Julie Thomas.

Ganden Lha Gyema practice day – Saturday, March 6, 1 to 3 pm
We will discuss any questions that may have arisen since the Ganden Lha Gyema workshop and do the practice together.

Vajrayogini Short Sadhana Study Group Mondays, beginning Feb. 23, 7:15-9 pm
For those with Vajrayogini initiation. . Required reading, Vajrayogini section of Three Short Vajrayana Practices. Led by Anne Warren

Kalachakra study days 4 Mondays, beginning March 22
For those with Highest Yoga Tantra initiation or those planning to attend the Kalachakra initiation in Toronto. Led by Anne Warren

Migstema Workshop Saturday, April 17, 1 to 4 pm
This workshop will discuss the Migstema, the mantra of Je Tsongkhapa, and how to recite and meditate on it. The workshop will include information about Je Tsongkhapa's life, guided meditations, and time for discussion and questions. Instructor: Anne Warren

The JewelHeart Study Program
Jewel Heart offers a graduated study and practice program based on the teachings of Gehlek Rimpoche. Open to all, these classes are especially intended for those wishing to study the Tibetan Buddhist path in a systematic and in-depth manner. Most Jewel Heart Study Program classes are free to supporting members of Jewel Heart. The fee for an 8 session course is $80, for a 4 session course $40 or $15 for a drop in session, though if you cannot afford this, please let Anne know and come anyway.

Call for work – As a part of The Buddha Project (see description below), Jewel Heart Cleveland will be having a show of Cleveland JH members' art that is inspired in some way by Buddhist practice. Opening of the show will be Friday May 14 during the ArtWalk. Work will be due Sunday May 9 at noon at the center. We will try to show at least one work by each artist, more if space permits. Contact Anne 440-576-1190 aewarren@apk.net if you are interested in having your work shown or want to help organize this event.

March Potluck
The March potluck will be held Saturday March 27 at the Cleveland center , 6:30 pm to whenever . Information about a special event during the potluck to follow!

Other Cleveland Area Events

The Buddha Project:
Visual Manifestations of Buddhist Thought in the Western World Cleveland State University Art Gallery May 21 – June 26, 2004

The upcoming Buddha Project exhibition at Cleveland State Gallery concerns itself with this question: how is the transfer of the Dharma from Eastern to Western cultures being expressed in contemporary visual art? The exhibition will feature contemporary visual work that engages with three aspects of Buddhist tradition: images of the Buddha; reflections on Buddhist teachings, and the experience of Buddhist community. The goal of the curators is to assemble a body of work that will engage gallery visitors with the question being explored, while providing direct access to works of significant aesthetic merit.

Many adjunct activities relating to this exhibit are being planned, including lectures and dharma talks, practice days, films and so forth. More information will be available in future newsletters.

Taradhatu Tara Dance
Sat. Feb. 28 10 am to 1 pm
The Tara Dances, originated by Prema Dasara, have been taught worldwide as personal practice and communal offering. Simple, tai-chi like movements are done accompanied by Tara mantras and the 21 Praises sung in English. Suggested donation $ 1 5. For more information, please contact Kris 330 494-9413 kiko-cozy@kiko-cozy.com or visit www.taradhatu.org or www.kiko-cozy.com

Tibetan Art Show in Columbus
The Circle of Bliss: Buddhist Meditational Art will be at the Columbus Museum of Art from Feb. 6 through May 9. This exhibit, which was previously in Los Angeles, includes about 150 pieces that illustrate the Chakrasamvara Tantra and related practices. Thursday March 11 Robert Thurman will be speaking! Tickets $10 call 614-629-0359. A number of other lectures are also scheduled during this exhibit. www.columbusmuseum.org 614-221-4848 or 614-221-6801

A group will be leaving from the Cleveland center Sunday April 18 at 10:00 am. If you are interested in joining the car pool as a driver or passenger please e-mail Michele at Katrinlya@hotmail.com

2004 Summer Ecology Trip to Nepal and Tibet
Carole Elchert will be leading this small group tour to Kathmandu and Tibet this July. Those who have traveled with her know that the knowledge and access to the culture she offers are incomparable - ask Janice C.! The very reasonable cost of $3000 includes hotel, food, transportation in Nepal and Tibet and from Kathmandu to Lhasa and back. Airfare to Nepal is not included. For more details, contact Carole Elchert, University of Findlay, OH. ph. 419-365-7131 or email carole799@yahoo.com

Japanese food sale (and bake sale and knick-knack sale, too!)
Saturday, March 27, 1-7 pm and Sunday, March 28, noon to 6 pm. Pick up a delicious dinner for you and the family (or to bring to the JH potluck!) Cleveland Buddhist Temple, E214th and Euclid Ave, 216-692-1509

JH Cleveland News

Cry of the Snow Lion Review:
Many JH members attended the Cleveland premier of Cry of the Snow Lion on 1/31 at CIA. The movie juxtaposed breathtaking vistas of Tibet and the Himalayas with narratives of those who have suffered greatly through the annexation and occupation of Tibet. The accounts of those presented were both heart-rending and in many cases, inspiring as we witnessed their continuing compassion even in the face of such adversity and suffering. This movie served not only as a sobering account of the situation in Tibet, but also as an example of Buddhist practice in action. In addition, it afforded the opportunity to realize how fortunate we are to have the ability to practice our beliefs unhindered. May all beings be free from suffering.

Ganden Lha Gyema Workshop:
Hartmut Sagolla presented a workshop on the practice of Ganden Lha Gyema in the tradition of Je Tsongkhapa. Through Hartmut's excellent guidance, there was ample opportunity for practice of accompanying visualizations as well as questions and answers. A practice day has been scheduled as a follow up to this workshop 3/6 from 1-3 pm – see calendar of events.

Kalachakra Initiation Toronto:
Several Cleveland JH members will be attending the Kalachakra initiation in Toronto with His Holiness the Dalai Lama this spring. One of the attendees, Lora Swartz, has a ticket for sale for the event. The ticket was purchased early so is a very good seat. She can be reached at Lswartz9@aol.com. Several attendees also have rooms with an extra bed, so anyone wishing to attend for a day or two and who would like to share a room, please let Dorothy deeyurkiw@yahoo.com know.

Mother tantra tsoh offerings were done on Jan. 17 and 31. Many thanks to the elves who cleaned the center before the Jan. 31 Tsoh!

New editions of Rimpoche’s transcripts are available in the library. Those who want their own copies may order them through Susan at any Jewel Heart event. Vajrayana transcripts are available in the Vajrayana library or for sale for those with the applicable initiation.

JH Cleveland Calendar of Events

Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 25, 7:15-8:45 Odyssey to Freedom part two.

First and Third Saturdays, beginning March 6, 10:30-noon Creating Space: Clarity and Insight through Meditation

Second Saturdays, beginning April 10 , 1:30-3 pm The Healing Practice of White Tara

4 Mondays, beginning Feb. 23, 7:15-9 pm Vajrayogini Short Sadhana Study Group

Saturday Feb. 28, 10 am to 1 pm All Day Taradhatu Dance

Saturday, March 6, 1 to 3 pm Ganden Lha Gyema practice day

Mondays, beginning March 22. Kalachakra study days,

Ann Arbor News

Broadcast teachings Beginning Feb. 24, Kyabje Gehlek Rimpoche will again be teaching weekly in Ann Arbor and New York. The previous open teachings on Tuesday and Thursday nights will be replaced by formal courses taught by Rimpoche, providing more opportunities for in depth teachings. The first courses will be on concentrated meditation. These teachings will be available over the internet for JH members at the supporting level or above ($ 3 00 a year or more.) For more information, watch the website www.jewelheart.org

Jewel Heart's 2004 winter retreat was held in the newly remodeled sanctuary at the Ann Arbor center. Ten people from Ohio were among the more than 130 attendees, who came from as far away as Malaysia and Holland. Kyabje Gehlek Rimpoche gave teachings and initiations relating to the Highest Yoga Tantra practice of Tara that can only be described as magnificent and genuinely inspiring. Guided meditation led by senior students each afternoon helped us integrate the teachings. The retreat concluded with a combined Lama Chopa Tsoh and White Tara longevity initiation on Sunday Feb. 15.

Supa Prostratathon! On Rimpoche's instructions, Supa Corner, who has given many talks and workshops in Cleveland, will be completing 100,000 prostrations before Feb. 8, 2006. You are invited to pledge $100 to be donated to Jewel Heart on that date providing he finishes them all! Sign up sheets are available at the Cleveland center - let's help motivate Supa and contribute to Jewel Heart!

Summer Retreat 2004 will be held Sunday, July 11 thru Sunday, July 18 at Albion College, Mi. Please check back for further details.

Autumn Retreat 2004 will fall on Labor Day weekend, Sept 3 – 6, 2004, details will be determined in the near future. Location: Garrison, NY.

Guhyasamaja: A Highest Yoga Tantra Retreat
Kyabje Denma Locho Rinpoche
Nine-day program | Friday- Sunday | May 21-30
Drepung Loseling Institute (Atlanta) in conjunction with Jewel Heart (Ann Arbor) and Tibet House US (New York) is honored to host Kyabje Locho Rinpoche, one of the foremost Tibetan Tantric masters alive today.

Rinpoche has kindly accepted our request to lead an important Tantric retreat: Guhyasamaja, or the "Tantra of the Secret Gathering." The retreat will begin with a teaching on the preliminaries of Tantric practice, followed by the complete initiation (wang, loong and tri) over two days. The remainder of the retreat will be devoted to teachings and meditation.
Location: This residential retreat will take place at The Garrison Institute, 14 Mary’s Way, Route 9D, Garrison, NY 10524. (Individuals living in the area may commute on a daily basis if they wish. Please contact The Garrison Institute for non-residential fees.)
Fees include eight nights' lodging, meals, and tuition for the retreat.

Single room accommodations: $975;
Double room accommodations: $850;
Triple room accommodations: $730 (limited availability)

A traditional voluntary offering will be individually presented to the teacher at the end of the retreat.

Registration and payment deadline: May 1, 2004
To register: call 845-424-4800, x 106; or e-mail: registrar@garrisoninstitute.org
Special Requirement: Registrations will not be accepted until you have been approved by Drepung Loseling Institute (As Guhyasamaja is an advanced Tantric practice, participants must have a basic grounding in Buddhist studies and meditation practice and also must be able to make a commitment to daily meditation on "Six Session Guru Yoga." Therefore, in order to register for this retreat you must submit a recommendation from your teacher or make an appointment (in-person or over the phone) with one of the Drepung Loseling teachers to discuss your participation.) Or, if you are a student of Gehlek Rinpoche and Jewel Heart, contact Jewel Heart directly at 734-994-3387 extension 5 or email: programming@jewelheart.org

Drepung Loseling Institute: 2531 Briarcliff Road, Suite 101, Atlanta, GA 30329;
Website: www.drepung.org; E-mail: institute@drepung.org or 770-938-9709

APPEAL - Newsletter on line! – If you received a printed copy of this newsletter in the mail, please consider accessing it on line and removing yourself from the mailing list! Helps save $ for production/mailing costs. Email Anne at aewarren@apk.net to have your name removed from the regular mail list. THANKS! Anyone wishing to donate a book of stamps to help defray cost of mailings, the generosity would be greatly appreciated!

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May all beings have happiness.
May they be free from suffering.
May they come to know the joy that has never known suffering.
May they be free from attachment and hatred.

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