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The event, held at
the elegant Travis Pointe Country Club in Saline, Michigan was blessed
with the radiance only an autumn evening can bestow. The celebration began with cocktails and delectable appetizers as guests viewed and entered bids on a silent auction of enticing items from Gehlek Rimpoche's personal collection. While dinner music filled the air, friends caught up with each other and enjoyed the luscious buffet, many going back to fill their plates again (and again). The audience then delighted to solo musical performances by John Madison on the viola, Rollie Tussing III on the steel guitar and Johnny Evans on the saxophone. Enthusiastic applause reflected genuine appreciation shared by all. Rimpoche and guests were treated to a marvelous video montage of Gehlek Rimpoche via sounds and images complied by Jone Noveck and Paul Yurt. It was followed by their promise of a "better yet" production as they made a request for resources and assistance for next year's project. All became quiet as Sonam Dhargye, former chanting master of Loseling Monastery and J (formerly know as Jamyang Tseten) stepped on stage to chant the auspicious verses based on the Five Buddha Families. J then stole everyone's hearts with his respectful message of gratitude and a beautiful Tibetan folk song in honor of Rimpoche's birthday. Readings from Good Life, Good Death by John Thornton, Elisabeth Coleman and Carole Corcoran were to be the final presentations before the evening's comedy performances began when Master of Ceremonies, Matthew Krichbaum interrupted to say he had heard there was a special guest about to arrive on stage.
As the party came to a close, guests reveled in the success of an evening aimed at honoring and celebrating an incomparable man who has brought humor, delight and perhaps a little wisdom into our fortunate lives. Happy Birthday, Rimpoche! We all pray you enjoy many, many, many more! -Kathy Laritz (Ann Arbor)
RIBUR
RIMPOCHE VISITS THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART We arrived with Ribur Rimpoche at the Cleveland Museum of the Arts at around 11.30 am on Sunday, October 13. The museum staff had kindly provided the wheelchair we had been asking for so that Ribur Rimpoche could get around easily and see everything he wanted to see. We had particular interest in the Asian collection. There were ancient Buddhist statues and other Buddhist artworks from the 1st century AD onwards, from India, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Tibet, Korea, Thailand, Burma, China and Japan. Ribur Rimpoche took great interest in all of them and showed an amazing reverence for them. In front of many statues he folded his hands and remained silent for a few moments. At one stage he did say that Buddhism had actually gone to Tibet far earlier than the time of Padmasambhava and Shantirakshita. There has been known to be Buddhist influence even before the time of King Songsten Gampo, although it was not organized and widespread then. Ribur Rimpoche had great respect for all the different representations of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas from the various Buddhist traditions and said that it was very beneficial to look at them, because they left a powerful imprint on the mind. He told the story of Shariputra who apparently had a very attractive physical appearance. People asked Buddha why he was looking so extraordinarily good and Buddha said that in a previous life, in the period of another Buddha, Shariputra had been a mail courier and had rested during the night in the open, before continuing his delivery run. There he chanced upon the image of the Buddha of that era and felt great reverence. He looked at it for a long time and made the wish that one day he wanted to become like that. This encounter led him to have a pleasing appearance and meet with Shakyamuni Buddha later on and becoming one of his closest disciples. Ribur Rimpoche said that we should think similarly. When looking at a representation of the Buddha in a museum we should make strong, heartfelt requests and prayers and if possible, do prostrations. If it was awkward to prostrate in the middle of the museum, we could at least fold our hands and bow our heads. He said that this would accumulate tremendous merit and at the same time purify a lot of previous negative karma. Rimpoche said that we should also bring our friends and relatives to the museum to see all the statues and even if they didn't have faith in Buddha, just seeing the images would definitely leave good imprints on their minds. In one section of the Asian collection there is a number of ancient texts, some of them early sutras from India, written in Sanskrit. They date back as far as the 2nd and 3rd century AD. Ribur Rimpoche remarked that when Buddhism came to Tibet the Sanskrit was adapted and that there are 14 different types of calligraphy in Tibet. He said that Kushok-la, the incarnate lama who always travels with him was highly skilled in calligraphy and knew most of the14 kinds available in Tibet. He said that one time in Bodghaya, he had surprised even Indian scholars with his skill. Ribur Rimpoche said that after Buddhism had become extinct in India during the Muslim invasions it had flourished in Tibet and that now Tibetan Buddhism carries the most complete transmission of the Buddhist tradition. At some point, when we had to climb down a few stairs to the lower section of the Asian collection, Ribur Rimpoche got out of the wheel chair and with some assistance climbed down the stairs and strode around that area energetically, viewing the different statues with great interest and putting his forehead against some. He recognized one particular statue of a standing Buddha from ancient Indian Buddhist times as one that was the personal practice image of an earlier Indian practitioner. We all found it amazing that more than a thousand years later we are looking at it in a museum in Cleveland! When we eventually left the museum we felt that while we had been blessed by the Buddhist images in the museum, Ribur Rimpoche had also blessed all the images and that their expression and message to us had been rejuvenated and they had come to be much more alive and had a far greater meaning than just being antiques in a museum. -reprinted from the Cleveland chapter newsletter
JANUARY
INITIATIONS Friday, January 24 7:30 pm & Sat., Jan. 25, 2-5 pm and 7:30-10 pm. Heruka 5 Deity Initiation, which can serve as entry for those wishing to become Vajrayana students. Aspiring new initiates, contact Kathleen at 734-994-3387 or programming@jewelheart.org. Sunday, January. 26, 2-5 pm and 7:30-10 pm, Rimpoche will give either Heruka Body Mandala or Vajrayogini Initiation. Either initiation will include a Tsoh (that will serve to comply with the compulsory tsoh day Jan 27th). Everyone must pre-register for these initiations by Jan 23, 2003 - no exceptions. Suggested minimum donation per initiation is $25.
JEWEL
HEART MATRIX PROJECT Phase I Phase II The IT volunteers and Jewel Heart staff are also involved in this effort and are an integrated part of these project plans. Kudos to all for their great efforts!!! -Rose Jasso (Ann
Arbor)
JEWEL
HEART TERMA PROJECT -Jonas Berzanskis (Ann Arbor) PROGRAMMING
COMMITTEE NEWS -Madonna Gauding (Ann Arbor)
OFFICE
NEWS
JEWEL
HEART STORE NEWS And don't forget that old holiday classic "Deck the halls with lots of amazing high quality pure silver ritual items from Nepal. Fa-la-la-la-la.." We've just received a shipment and our shelves are overflowing! Our beloved store manager and carpet specialist Ujjen Tsewang is issuing a special holiday discount to Jewel Heart members. From December 10th until the 24th all members receive a 10% discount on in-store carpets. Please remember that Jewel Heart is happy to work with you to create a custom made carpet. We've got tons of colors and designs to work with. Please call the store for details. The Programming department recently re-priced Rinpoche's teaching CDs. Tuesday/Thursday night teachings are now $10 each. Special event CD sets are $9.00 per CD for those who attended the event and $15.00 per CD for those who did not. Early in the fall, James Jorah, who has helped so many people throughout his time at the Jewel Heart Store, has left to pursue a career as a piano tuner. All of the folks in the store would like to thank James for his loyalty, humor, commitment and kindness. We all wish him the best of luck. Please be sure to think of James if you or someone you know would like their piano tuned. Gloria Boyajian and Beth Locke have begun working in the store. Beth keeps the shelves full of the newest Dharma books and the important classics. Gloria has enlivened the window and store displays with her creative talents. Kate Glahn has also joined the staff working behind the scenes. To order call 734-994-3385 or email store@jewelheart.org -Kate Glahn (Ann Arbor)
ANN ARBOR / DETROIT ADDESS: 207 E. Washington
St. Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 Suggested minimum donation for Teachings - $5. Ann Arbor also has a Fragrance Free Policy - We ask that those participating in Jewel Heart events kindly refrain from wearing perfumes colognes, or other scented products in consideration of other people's allergies. Because Rimpoche will be traveling for the month of December and January, he will not be available for Tuesday Night Teachings during those months. Tuesday, December 10, Matthew Krichbaum will give a dharma talk. Tuesday December 17, Supa Corner will give a dharma talk. The Promise and Pitfalls
of Having a Spiritual Teacher White Tara Practice - Sundays 11:15 am - 12:15 pm Staff - These sessions are meant to provide a time and place for those wishing to practice guided White Tara Meditation as a group. All are welcome. Suggested site donation: $5.00 Meditation session - Sundays 10:00 am 11:00 am Staff - These session s are available for all those who wish to join with others in sitting meditation. All are welcome. Suggested site donation: $5.00
SANGHA
COMMITTEE If you have any issues concerning Jewel Heart, any of its members, or would like to bring an issue to the attention of the sangha committee, please email sanghacommittee@jewelheart.org -Madonna Gauding (Ann Arbor)
NEW YORK ADDRESS (CENTER):
260 West Broadway, NY 10013 Suggested donation for Teachings $15 / Suggested donation for classes - $5 For a detailed listing of New York programming, go to the Jewel Heart web site at www.jewelheart.org, click on "Chapters" then on "New York" for more information. Rimpoche gave a talk after the December 6th performance of "Blue Sky Transmission" at the La MaMa E.T.C. Theater. "Blue Sky Transmission" is a multi-disciplinary work conceived and directed by Raymond Bobgan and composed by Halim El-Dabh, and is based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Blue Sky Transmission Meditation classes will be held on December 5, 12, and 19 at 6:00pm at the Jewel Heart New York center.
CLEVELAND ADDRESS: 2670 W14th
St., Cleveland, OH 44113 Cleveland has a full schedule of programming. Go to the Jewel Heart web site at www.jewelheart. org, click on "Chapters" then on "Cleveland" for more information. Holiday Open House and Fine Crafts Sale! Here's a chance to do all your holiday shopping and benefit Jewel Heart as well! Wonderful gifts available for purchase will include beadwork, ceramics, ornaments, decorative cookies, jewelry, wearables and accessories by John Gulyas, Angela Keslar, Kim Mettee, Sarah Ralston, Maryann Posch, Angelica Pozo, Anne Warren and Theresa Yondo. This open house replaces the December potluck, so come enjoy a variety of goodies and live entertainment. Since the Open House is part of the Tremont ArtWalk, you can visit the other local galleries, shops and restaurants displaying art as well. Friday Dec. 13, 5:30 to 9:30 and Saturday, Dec.14 noon to 4 pm. -Anne Warren (Cleveland)
CHICAGO PHONE: 847-256-3176 People interested in adding their names to the JH Chicago mailing list should send their name, address, and e-mail address to David Bolitho at dabolitho@hotmail.com. We will let everyone know by e-mail when we plan to begin another series of "public" meetings and when Rimpoche will be returning to Chicago! For more information call 847-256-3176. Members of the Chicago sangha met on Nov. 23 for a day-long discussion of the 11-stage method of developing compassion, led by Brenda Rosen and Rochelle Winter. They also enjoyed a pot luck lunch. A Lama Chopa tsoh in celebration of Tsongkhapa Day was held at the home of Brenda Rosen on Friday, Nov. 29. Upcoming plans include a weekend Vajrayana workshop in early 2003. -Brenda Rosen (Chicago)
LINCOLN PHONE: 402-435-7679 MEETING SPACE The Gathering Place, 1448 E Street, Lincoln, NE Thursdays 7:00 pm Weekly practice sessions. Call for details and to confirm all scheduled events.
SAN FRANCISCO PHONE:
415-248-2656 Regular meetings continue twice monthly on Tuesdays; call for details.
NIJMEGEN ADDRESS:
Dominicanenstraat 2b, 6512 GX Nijmegen, The Netherlands Jewel Heart Netherlands has extensive programming and its own website. Go to http://www.jewelheart.nl/ for more information. The website is available in both Dutch and English.
MALAYSIA PHONE: 011-606-952-7961 Weekly Vajrayana discussion held every Wednesday. Weekly Lam Rim discussion held every Friday at the Muar Buddhist Society. Call to confirm details of scheduled events.
SINGAPORE PHONE:
011-65-3348-566 ext 23
MEMBER
NEWS Chicago sangha members have also been collecting White Tara mantras on behalf of Chicago member Robin Olsen who is facing a health challenge. To date, almost 200,000 mantras have been collected, including contributions from JH members in other chapters. Kathy Laritz will have an exhibit and sale of photography and art on Sunday, December 15, 11AM to 4 PM at Salon Luminosity, 7025 E. Michigan, in Saline. (From Ann Arbor, take State Street South, past the 94 expressway, to Michigan). Congratulations to Ann Arbor sangha members Kate Glahn and Rollie Tussing III who have decided to marry in July of 2003. Rinpoche is reported to have said, "It's about time!" In the last issue we told you about long-time sangha member David Schmidt, who was diagnosed with cancer and had begun chemotherapy The update is that he completed chemotherapy and had surgery to remove the last of the tumor. His cancer is in complete remission and there is a good chance of a cure. All the White Tara practices and mantras that have been said for David are a great blessing to him and he sends his thanks to all who have assisted him in any way.
CLASSIFIEDS Because eJewel is available to all on the internet, we encourage the contact information contain email addresses only (no phone numbers or personal information unless you are comfortable the whole world seeing it!) -Kate Glahn
ANN ARBOR / DETROIT For Sale: Lakewood Space Heater.(Electric, looks like a little radiator) Very good condition. $20 mgauding@comcast.net For Sale: 3/4 cello with softcase and bow, $550. Debbieburr@comcast.net For Sale: Viola: New Masters Ltd., the Cadet, made especially for Lake and Wilson fine violins. In excellent condition. See at: www.ezsl.com/1 $1,500 or best offer. Services Offered: Astrology readings, nourishing delicacies, specialty meals, special occasion cakes. Mcr_15@hotmail.com Services Offered: Handyman, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, minor repairs. Call John Moran at 734 332-1647 Services Offered: Piano tuning, repairs, and regulation. Call James Jorah at Pristine Piano Care at 734 253-2007 NEW YORK CHICAGO CLEVELAND LINCOLN SAN FRANCISCO NIJMEGEN SINGAPORE MALAYSIA
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Home | Gehlek Rimpoche | About Us | Membership | Programs | Publishing | Webcasts | JH Store | Calendar | Contact Us 207 East Washington Street - Ann Arbor, MI 48104 - phone 734.994.3387 fax 734.994.5577 |
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