Gyalo Thondup's Visit to the TMBCC Is Cancelled
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New Yoga Class at the TMBCC
Beginning on Thursday, April 30 Winnie Edgerton will begin teaching a Beginner/Intermediate class at the Cultural Building. The time is 5:00 p.m. to 6:30. Suggested donation is $5 per class.
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The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center welcomes world-renowned cellist Michael Fitzpatrick for unveiling of the Film COMPASSION RISING
World-renowned cellist Michael Fitzpatrick will bring the film COMPASSION RISING to Bloomington on May 3, 2009. Thirteen years in the making, COMPASSION RISING chronicles the friendship between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the late Thomas Merton, a friendship that inspired the unprecedented East-West musical collaboration filmed in Mammoth Cave, the largest cave in the world. Since 1996, Fitzpatrick has devoted his musical talents and full-time efforts to the project, while participating in numerous events involving His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who stated, “The emotion of Michael Fitzpatrick’s music is so powerful it seems almost verbalized.”
The event on May 3rd will be held at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Center. It begins at 4:00 p.m. with a Welcome Reception, followed by a ribbon cutting event officially opening the center's new Happy Yak Gift Shop featuring Tibetan and Mongolian handicrafts, jewelry, clothing and books. A special musical performance and remarks by Fitzpatrick, who will introduce the ‘Director’s Cut’ of COMPASSION RISING, begins at 5:00 p.m. Commenting on the film, Mary Pattison, Secretary to Arjia Rinpoche, Director of the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, stated, “Fitzpatrick's stunning musical performances in the film, weaving between the other worldly sounds of Tibet's Drepung Loseling Monks and the Gregorian chant of the Abbey of Gethsemani Monks, powerfully renders a beautiful vision of compassion with all humanity,”
The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center is the ideal location for the unveiling of COMPASSION RISING, as Fitzpatrick has maintained for more than a decade a close friendship with the brother of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the recently deceased Thubten Jigme Norbu. Fitzpatrick stated: “I am honored to continue the East-West collaboration with Arjia Rinpoche, whom I have had the pleasure of knowing and with whom I have worked over these past years. I am very excited to return to the Bloomington community and to introduce the Compassion Rising film project, especially as so much of it was filmed and recorded in Bloomington during His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visits in 1999 and 2003.”
The unveiling event is open to the public with a suggested donation of $10 (pay at the door.) Proceeds will be shared equally between the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center to support program development and the COMPASSION RISING film project to help fund completion of the film.
The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center (www.tmbcc.net) is located at 3655 Snoddy Road, Bloomington, Indiana. For more information call: 812-336-6807 (TMBCC). Details on COMPASSION RISING can be found at www.compassionrising.com. For more information on Michael Fitzpatrick, please visit http://www.michaelfitzpatrick.com
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Cut your Carbon Workshops to be offered April 19 & 26 at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center: 3:30 to 5:30 in the Cultural Building Main room
An intensive program to reduce your “Carbon Footprint” while saving money.
Carbon dioxide (CO2), which traps heat in the atmosphere, is the chief human contribution to global warming. We are responsible for sending CO2 in the atmosphere when we cool our homes, drive to the store, make a cup of tea, take a bath, or watch TV. By adjusting our daily routines and making small changes in our homes, we can reduce the CO2 we are responsible for emitting- our “carbon footprint” – and help curb climate change.
In this two session workshop, learn how to calculate, monitor and reduce your carbon footprint while also reducing your energy bills. Using a nationally tested program and workbook, you’ll choose what you want to do to reduce your carbon footprint and how to put your choices into action. You’ll need to come to both days.
To participate, contact the facilitator, Ben Schultz at 855-5130 schultz@indiana.edu A $10 suggested donation to cover the cost of materials may be given to the facilitator at the workshop. For more information contact Sandy Belth, belthbirds@aol.com, or tmbcc@tmbcc.net
Workshop Dates
Session 1 Sunday, April 19 3:30 – 5:30 in the Cultural Building Library
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Kora Nature Meditation Trail Work Day
Saturday, April 18th, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Please join members of the Hoosier Hikers Council for another trail work day on our Kora Nature Meditation Trail. Work alongside professionals and learn how to use their special trail building tools. Meet in front of the Chamtse Ling at 9:00 am. Please bring work gloves shovels and/or hoes if you have one. Wear sturdy shoes. Work will continue rain or shine so please dress for the weather. Refreshments will be served at 12:00 in the Chamtse Ling Kitchen. For more information, please contact Sandy Belth 812-360-8715, or contact us at tmbcc@tmbcc.net
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Arjia Rinpoche to Speak at IU: April 1, 2009 - 4 p.m. Swain Hall East - rm 105
Tibetan Studies Program of the Department of Central Eurasian Studies Presents: Arjia Rinpoche's Life Story.
When he was two years old, Arjia Rinpoche was recognized as the incarnation of the father of Lama TsongKhapa, the great thirteenth-century Buddhist reformer, and, as such, became the Abbot of Kumbum Monastery located in eastern Tibet. For twenty-one years, beginning in 1958 when he was eight years old, Rinpoche was subjected, as a member of the "exploiting class," to humiliations by the Chinese Communist Party. He moved to Bloomington in February 2006 where he has renovated the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center and promoted Buddhist teachings and Tibetan/Mongolian cultural events.
*Join us to hear more about his story:*
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Join Us for a Retreat in Honor of White Tara at the TMBCC
The retreat will be conducted by the Spiritual Director of the Kumbum Chamtse Ling, Geshe Lobtin, at the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple located on the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center grounds. It will begin on Saturday morning, March 21, 2009, with registration at 9:30 a.m. and will end at 4:00 p.m.
The suggested donation for the retreat is $30. This includes the teachings, a tea and bagel break and a vegetarian lunch. Retreat materials will be provided by the TMBCC. You may make your donation at the door on the day of the retreat.
Financial assistance is available upon request. No one will be turned away. Participants are expected to stay at the TMBCC during the entire time of the retreat.
If possible, please let us know if you plan to attend by Thursday, March 19, 2009. You may e-mail us at tmbcc@tmbcc.net or call 317-490-011 (Liese)or 812-336-6807 (Mary, Geshe Lotin).
Click here for a Schedule of Activities and a Registration Form
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Fundraising Party for WFHB
March 7: 6 to 9:30 p.m.
The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center invites you and your family to come to the Cultural Center Building located at 3655 Snoddy Road to support WFHB (Community Radio for South Central Indiana) and enjoy an evening of entertainment and education. (Proceeds will be shared 50/50 by WFHB and TMBCC. TMBCC is donating costs incurred.)
To commemorate Tibetan National Uprising Day March 10, we will provide you with a tour of our center and acquaint you with the arts, culture, and recent political history of Tibet. In addition, we will introduce you to the country of Mongolia by showing the movie The Weeping Camel, a story that will also make you cry--and rejoice
Director of the TMBCC, Arjia Rinpoche, will give you a slide presentation focusing on recent political events in Tibet. He will explain how the Tibetans felt about the Olympic Torch and why they demonstrated throughout Tibet in 2008.
Professor Rakdho Rinpoche, a visiting scholar at Indiana University, is a practitioner of the art of Tibetan herbal healing. He and his translator, Gedun Rabsal, will talk about Tibetan herbal treatments: method and results. He will allow you to make an appointment for a private consultation.
While the talks are in progress, we will provide supervised activities for children ages 2 to 12 in a separate area of the building. They can learn how to make Tibetan "butter" sculptures, create a Tibetan sand painting, make colored tissue paper Wind Horse (Lung ta) squares to blow in the wind, and/or color the 8 Auspicious Symbols in a Tibetan Coloring book.
A Tibetan musician will sing traditional Tibetan songs and a Mongolian artist will perform on the Yatga--a stringed instrument indigenous to Mongolia.
Wine & hors d’oeuvres, snacks, Tibetan cookies kabtse, chai, and soft drinks will be served. During the movie, you can enjoy wine, soft drinks, popcorn, and Tibetan dresi--sweet rice with currants.
The suggested donation is $30---$55 per couple. Children 12 and under are free. Bloomington community radio station--WFHB--and the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center are partnering to provide you with this evening of entertainment and education.
You may pay at the door. If possible, please RSVP by Wednesday, March 4. Email us at tmbcc@tmbcc.net or call 812-331-0014; 812-336-6807
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Losar Prayers: February 24 and 25, 2009
The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center will not have its traditional Losar Celebration this year for two reasons: first, we are still in mourning because of the passing of Tagtser Rinpoche; second, because of the unhappy situation in Tibet, we do not think that a celebration is appropriate. We wish to show our unity with all those Tibetans who are suffering at the hands of the Chinese occupiers.
However, we will still have prayers to commemorate this holy day. We will say prayers for the Long Life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and for all Tibetans--those living in Tibet and those in-exile. We will also pray for the happiness of all sentient beings.
Prayers will be chanted at the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple on the eve of Losar: Tuesday, February 24 at 7 p.m. Our monks will also chant prayer on Losar Morning at the temple at 10:00. The public is invited.
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Vajrasattva Retreat at the
Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center
(Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple):
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Retreat Master: Geshe Lotin
Please join us for a Buddhist retreat in honor of Vajrasattva (tib. Dorje Sempa)
The retreat will be conducted by the Spiritual Director of the Kumbum Chamtse Ling, Geshe Lobtin, at the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple located on the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center grounds. It
will begin on Saturday morning, February 21, 2009, with registration at 9:30 a.m. and will end at 4:00 p.m.
The suggested donation for the retreat is $30. This includes the teachings, a tea and bagel break and a vegetarian lunch. Retreat materials will be provided by the TMBCC. You may pay your donation at the door on the day of the retreat
Financial assistance is available upon request. No one will be turned away. Participants are expected to stay at the TMBCC during the entire time of the retreat.
If possible, please let us know if you plan to attend by Thursday, February 19, 2009. You may register and give your donation at the door. If you wish to pre-register, submit e-mail or fax the form below. tmbcc@tmbcc.net or call 317-490-011 (Liese)or 812-336-6807 (Mary, Geshe Lotin); fax: 812-334-7046
Click here for a schedule of events and registration form.
Earth Care Offers "Cut Your Carbon" Workshops
The TMBCC is a member of Earth Care. They are offering the following "Cut Your Carbon" Workshops in the Bloomington area. Following are listed workshop options. We hope some of you may attend.
Tuesday lunch hour (2/10, 2/24, 3/10, & 3/24) from noon to 1:30 pm at First Christian Church, 205 East Kirkwood. Bring a bag lunch. Call or email Anne Veldman at 988-6241 or anneveldman@yahoo.com
Wednesday Evenings (2/18, & 3/4 from 6 – 8 pm at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 3800 East Third street. Call or email Benjamin Schultz at 855-5130 or schultzb@indiana.edu
Saturday afternoon (2/21 or 3/7 from 1 – 5 pm at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 3800 East Third St. Participants in this power version (the full workshop in one session), will need to contact Benjamin in advance for instructions on information that attendees will need to bring with them to the workshop: 855-5130 or Schultz@indiana.edu
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Prayers for Mongolians Guests at the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple
February 7, 2009
Lunch for invited guests at 12 noon
Prayers - 1 to 3 p.m.
Prayers for the Panchen Lama: January 31 at 3 p.m.
January 28 is the Anniversary of the Death of the Panchen Lama. We will commemorate this event by having special prayers said at the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 31. The public is invited.
Monthly Retreats in 2009
The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center and Kumbum Chamtse Ling Monastery will be holding monthly retreats during 2009. These retreats will take place on the third or fourth Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The retreats will be lead by Kumbum Chamtse Ling's Spiritual Teacher, Geshe Lotin. They will not include empowerments. Everyone is invited to attend. You may recite the prayers even if you have not had the initiation for the deity of the retreat. The schedule of prayers will be posted on the "Calendar" page and on the "Upcoming Reteats" page a week ahead of time.
We suggest a donation of $30 for each retreat which includes all retreat materials and a cooked lunch in the Kumbum Chamtse Ling kitchen room.
Following are the retreats planned to date:
Chenrezig Retreat: Saturday, January 24 - Chenrezig is the Buddha of Compassion
Vajrasattva Retreat: Saturday, February 21 - Vajrasattva is the Purification Deity
White Tara Retreat: Saturday, March 21 (not 28) - White Tara is the Buddha of Long Life
Manjushri Retreat: Saturday, April 25 - Manjushri is the Buddha of Wisdom
Medicine Buddha Retreat: Saturday, May 23 - The Medicine Buddha is the Buddha of Healing
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Sunday Schedule Change at the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple
Beginning with Sunday, January 11, 2009 the schedule at the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple is as follows:
10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Discussion/Reading class of the Lam Rim Chen Mo by Lama Tsong Khapa. Arjia Rinpoche, Director of the TMBCC and Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple will moderate this class. The format will be informal. We will meet in the Temple Kitchen. Coffee, tea, and sweet rolls will be served. Everyone is welcome.
The text: The Great Treatise of the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment is published by Snow Lion. If you notify us (tmbcc@tmbcc.net), we can order a copy of the Volume 1 for you ($29.95)
11:30 to 12:30
Chanting of Prayers and Teaching by Geshe Lotin (assisted by Liese Hilgeman, Coordinator of Spiritual Activites)
12:30 to 1:30
Lunch and Social Time in the Temple Kitchen.
1:30 to 2:30
Teaching by Geshe Lotin – translator, Tenzin Namgyal.
Teaching topics will be announced in our weekly “This Week at the TMBCC” Announcement
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Celebrate the Anniversary of the Birthday of Lama Tsong Khapa
at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center
Monday, December 22 at 5:30 p.m.
Je Tsong Khapa Day: Gaden Ngachod
Lama Tsong Khapa
The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center celebrates the birthday of Lama Tsong Khapa, the founder of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhist.
To honor him, our monks will chant a Guru Tsok Puja. After the puja, participants can offer candles at the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple and around both stupas. Following this offering, we will have the chanting of Migtse-Ma, a prayer composed in honor of Tsong Khapa. We will end the celebration by serving a dinnerof a traditional Tibetan soup called Bhak-thuk with a salad and tea.
Schedule of events.
5:30 PM - Guru Puja and Tsog Offering in the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple
6:30 PM - Offering of Light at the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple and the two stupas.
Participants may bring strings of Christmas lights to place all around and over the two stupas, the Kumbum Chamtse Ling and the Cultural Building as offerings. Different colors are fine--they don’t have to be white, . We have extension cords for this. Lights may be retrieved a few days later. Candles may also be offered.
7:00 PM - Chanting of Migtse-Ma download the chant by clicking here
If anyone has a small musical instrument he/she could bring to accompany the chant, please come to our practice on Sunday, December 21 at 4 p.m after the second teaching. We can e-mail the score to you, if you contact us at tmbcc@tmbcc.net
Traditionally Tibetans recite the Migtse-Ma* prayer continuously while offering lamps and while doing circumambulations. We will chant this prayer in the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple after the lights have been lit.
7:30 PM - Bhak-thuk, salad, and tea in the Temple kitchen.
* Migtse-Ma
You are Avalokiteshvara – a great treasure of unaimed affection,
Manjushri – a commander of flawless wisdom,
Vajrapani – a destroyer of all hordes of demonic forces,
Tsongkhapa – the crown jewel of the erudite masters of the Land of Snows ,
At your feet, Lozang-dragpa, we make you requests.
Tibetan text
Migmey tzeway terchen chenray-zi
Drimey kyenpay wangpo jampel- yang
Dupung malu jomdzay sangway-dag
Gangchen kaypay tzug-gyen tzongkapa
Losang dragpay shabla solwa-deb
For more information, please call us at 812-331-0014; 812-336-6807
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Holiday Party at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center
Friday, December 19, 2008 at 6 p.m.
Join us at the TMBCC as we Celebrate the Season. We will have a potluck dinner at the Cultural Building on Friday, December 19 at 6 p.m. If you are able, please bring something to share: salad, dessert, bread or whatever you would like to bring.
TMBCC Staff
812-331-0014; 812-336-6807
tmbcc@tmbcc.net
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HHDL Nobel Peace Prize Day & Human Rights Day
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
6:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 10 is the Anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. It is also International Human Rights Day.
His Holiness Receiving the Nobel Peace Prize - 1989
To commemorate both events, we will have a special prayer session at 6 p.m. at the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple. After the prayers, we will read His Holiness acceptance speech. Also available will be a template of a letter you may send to your representative asking him/her to raise the issue of Human Rights in Congress/Parliament.
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Thanksgiving Break for Yoga Class
Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, there will be no Yoga Class on Saturday, November 29, 2008. Please consult the monthly calendar for up-to-date news about this class and other events at the TMBCC
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Arjia Rinpoche Returns to TMBCC from Trip Abroad
November 24, 2008: Arjia Rinpoche, Director of the TMBCC returns to the center from his six-week trip to Japan and Taiwan where he gave teachings to Buddhists in each country. While he was in Japan, Rinpoche met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and discussed the status of the TMBCC with him. His Holiness expressed "complete confidence" with the decisions of the Director and the Board of the TMBCC.
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Program for Tagtser Rinpoche
October 23, 2008 is the end of the 49 days of prayers for the passing of Tagtser Rinpoche. We will hold a special program to commemorate this event. The public is invited.
The schedule is as follows:
4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Tsok Offering to mark the conclusion of the Bardo Period.
5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Viewing of the relics of Tagtser Rinpoche
6:00 p.m. - Dinner in the Cultural Building
7:00 p.m. - Lighting of candles at the Kumbum Chamtse Ling, Teaching Pavilion, Jangchub Chorten, and Kalachakra Stupa.
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Manjushri Teaching & Empowerment
Sunday, October 19, 2008
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Manjushri
tib: Jampelyang
On Sunday, October 19, 2008, Pare Rinpoche will give a Teaching and Empowerment on Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom
No pre-registration is necessary. The teachings begin at 10:00 a.m. We ask that you arrive for registration by 9:30 a.m. We request a suggested donation of $50.
For schedule information, please go to our Manjushri PDF File by clicking here.
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Monday, October 13, 2008:
Farewell Dinner for Pare Rinpoche
Pare Rinpoche, our visiting lama from Dharamsala who was sent to the TMBCC by His Holiness to give teachings, is scheduled to return home at the end of October. We are hosting a Farewell Dinner in his honor on Monday, October 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Cultural Building. Everyone is invited. Please bring a side dish, appetizer, or dessert to share if this is convenient.
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Schedule for Medicine Buddha Retreat: September 27 & September 28, 2008 at the TMBCC
You may access the schedule for the Medicine Buddha Retreat to be held at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center on Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28 by clicking here.
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Long Life Puja & Guru Tsok Puja at the Kumbum Chamtse Ling
September 22, 2008
On Monday, September 22 at 9:30 a.m. there will be a Long Life Puja with sweet rice and Guru Tsok Puja at the Kumbum Chamtse Ling.
The public is invited. The ceremonies will take approximately 2 hours
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Drolkar White Tara
Teaching & Empowerment
Sunday, September 14, 2008
White Tara represents the fertile aspect of compassion. Her body is white and she sits in the full lotus posture on moon and sun discs upon a lotus flower. In her left hand, she holds the stem of the blue lotus of compassion, while her right hand makes the gesture of generosity.
White Tara may be easily recognized by her seven eyes: three in her face, two in the palms of her hands, and two in the soles of her feet. She was born from a tear of compassion that fell from the eye of Avalokiteshvara.
Pare Rinpoche, a visiting lama from Dharamsala will give a teaching and confer the White Tara Empowerment at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center on Sunday, September 14.
The ceremony will begin at 10:00 and will consist of four session--ending at 4 p.m. Lunch will be served in the temple kitchen.
Suggested donation is $50—payable at the door.
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Public Visitation for Thubten Norbu (Tagtser Rinpoche)
The Norbu Family announces that there will be Public Visitation for Thubten Norbu at the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 from 4 to 6 p.m. The temple is located on the grounds of the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, 3655 Snoddy Road, Bloomington, IN 47401
Norbu passed away on Friday, September 5, 2008. He was the Founder and former President of the Tibetan Cultural Center. Thubten Norbu is the eldest brother of His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gomang/Tagtser Fund. Checks should be made out to Friends of Drepung Gomang, a tax-exempt organization.
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The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center Announces 49 Days of Prayers for Founder Thubten Norbu (Tagtser Rinpoche)
The Board of Directors and President of the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center (TMBCC) announces 49 Days of Prayers for its founder and former president, Thubten Jigme Norbu. Known among Tibetans as Tagtser Rinpoche, Norbu passed away on September 5, 2008 at the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple, located on the grounds of the TMBCC.
The TMBCC Board and Arjia Rinpoche have been advised by the Office of the Dalia Lama of Tibet and Mr. Lobsang Nyendak, Representative of His Holiness to the Americas, to perform these 49 Days of Prayer, beginning on September 5. Consequently, the previously scheduled Tenshug Naadam Festival has been cancelled. The Mongolian wrestling competitions will be shifted to a venue in the Chicago area. Details are yet to be decided and will be announced at a later date.
However, the Treasure Vase Ceremony and other religious rituals that have been scheduled to be performed on September 22 at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center will continue as planned.
Visitations arrangements are being made by the Norbu family. The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural is supporting them in their period of mourning.
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September Retreats and Empowerments at the TMBCC
The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center will be holding a Vajrasattva Retreat & Empowerment, the White Tara Empowerment, and a Medicine Buddha Retreat and Empowerment in September. Pare Rinpoche, our visiting lama from Dharamsala, will give these retreats and empowerments.
Vajrasattva Retreat & Empowerment: Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 7, 2008
For a Registration Form and a Schedule, click here.
White Tara Empowerment:: Sunday, September 14, 2008
For information, click here
Medicine Buddha Retreat and Empowerment: Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28, 2008.
For a Registration Form and a Schedule, click here
You may also access these forms by clicking the "Upcoming Retreats" link on the Kumbum Chamtse Ling section of the TMBCC website.
Greetings and Happy Holidays
The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center is hosting a Holiday Party next Saturday, December 29, 2007 at the Cultural Building. You and your friends are invited to celebrate the coming of the New Year. The festivities begin at 7 p.m.
Please let us know by Thursday, December 27 if you plan to come so we can make adequate preparations.
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NEW AT THE MONASTERY BOOK STORE
December 12, 2007
Teaching tales for children – The Jataka Tales
The Jataka Tales celebrate the power of action motivated by compassion, love, wisdom and kindness. They teach that all we think and do profoundly affects the quality of our lives. Selfish words and deeds bring suffering to us and those around us, while selfless action gives rise to goodness of such power that it spreads in ever-widening circles. Life stories of the Buddha, Jatakas feature heroes in all shapes and sizes. These tales, first related by Buddha over two thousand years ago, bring to light his many lifetimes of positive action practiced for the sake of the world.
Beginning on Friday, December 14th, the monastery Book Store will have 25 different Jataka titles
and three matching coloring books as well as other youth oriented publications for sale. These books can be great teaching aids as well as meaningful gifts for any time of the year.
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Anniversary of Lama Tsongkhapa: December 4, 2007
All are invited to celebrate the Anniversary of Lama Tsonkhapa (Gaden Ngachoe Cheno) at Kumbum Chamtse Ling Monastery . The events will be begin at 5:30 with the offering of candels at the temple and around both stupas. At 6:00, the TMBC monks will chant the Guru Puja and make a Tsog Offering. At 7:30, you are invited to dinner featuring a traditional Tibetan soup called Bhak-thuk that will be served with salad.
For more information and the text of the Migtse-ma prayer, please go to our Events page.
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Volunteer "Thank-You" Dinner: December 8, 2007
On December 8, we will have a special "Volunteer Thank-you Dinner." We wish to express our gratitude to all those persons who helped us with His Holiness' visit. The dinner is being sponsored by Harry and Barbara Strope, but volunteers may bring a dish of their choice if they so wish. If you were a volunteer when His Holiness was in Bloomington and/or you helped us prepare for the events, you are invited to the dinner. Please let us know if you plan to attend: 812-331-0014; 812-336-6807; tmbcc@tmbcc.net
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Arjia Rinpoche and his attendant, Chunpay, are currently in Japan attending teachings by His Holiness there. Rinpoche and Chunpay will return on December 6.
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Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment Available at TMBCC Bookstore
October 3: You may purchase Atisha's Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment at the Tibetan Cultural Center giftshop: 3655 Snoddy Road, Bloomington, IN 47401. This book contains the text of the teaching that His Holiness will be explaining October 24-26 at IU Auditorium.
October 2:
Single Event Tickets Available for His Holiness Teachings in Bloomington
October 24-26, 2007
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is giving teachings at Indiana University Auditorium on October 24, 25, and 26 on Atisha's Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment. Subscription tickets for the three days of events have been on sale since last March: $275 for the packet which includes three evening events; $250 for groups of 10 or more.
On Tuesday, October 2, you may purchase a ticket for just one of the teaching sessions
His Holiness will give teachings on October 24 at 10 a.m. to 12 noon and at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. He will give teachings on October 25 at 9:30 a.m. to 11;30 a.m. and 2 p.m to 4 p.m. He will give teachings on October 26 at 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. On that day from 2 to 4 p.m., His Holiness will be at Purdue University giving a talk "Cultivating Happiness." The talk will be broadcast to IU Auditorium on live TV. Ticket holders will be able to view the broadcast from their assigned seats.
Single session tickets are $50 for general public and $25 for all students. Tibetans and Mongolians may purchase a single session ticket for $30 (call 812-325-6483 to make arrangements for this price.) Tickets for the Purdue Public Talk TV broadcast may be purchased for $10.
Please call IU Auditorium Box Office for your tickets at 812-855-1103.
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IVY Tech Course on Buddhism
Course Offered at IVY Tech in Bloomington: Buddhism and its Passage to the US
In October 2007 His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet will again visit Bloomington, teaching for 3 days on Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment. The significance of this visit is rooted in Tibetan Buddhism and the journey this religion has taken from its origins in India to the United States.
In this interactive class, instructor Chapla Verma will help frame an understanding of this eastern religion, exploring Buddha’s life, the two main forms of Buddhism (Thervada and Mahayana), the Chinese influence on Buddhism, the role of the Dalai Lama in Tibetan Buddhism, the religion as it is practiced in Japan and other Eastern countries, and ultimately the acceptance of Zen Buddhism in the United States. The focus will be less on complex theories of the religion and more on associated traditions and rituals.
Course Number: 610102P6J
Instructor: Chapla Verma
Days: Mondays
Dates: September 24-October 15, 2007
Time: 7-9 PM
Location: DEPOT
Cost: $65
Register online at www.bloomington.ivytech.edu/CLL or call 812-330-6247.
Chapla Verma, Ph.D., is in her second year as an adjunct instructor at Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington. She is currently teaching philosophy and enjoys the curiosity and dedication of her students. Beyond Bloomington she has taught at the University of British Columbia in Canada. Her doctoral thesis was on Zen Buddhism.
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Need Volunteers
September 12: His Holiness' Visit to Bloomington and the Tibetan Cultural Center involves much preparation. We need the assistance of Tibetan Artists to help us decorate our new gateway. Also, if anyone can provide us with a golf cart to zip around our property during the time of HHDL's visit, please let us know. call 812-331-0014 or 812-336-68007
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Q/A Questions for HHDL
August 23: Q/A with HHDL
His Holiness will have a question and answer period following his teachings and public talk. If you wish to submit a question about the teachings, please e-mail it to atishaquestion@yahoo.com. If you want to submit a question for the public talk, please e-mail it to compassionquestion@yahoo.com. The questions will be screened and a number of them will be selected to be read and answered by His Holiness
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Yoga and Mongolian Language Classes
August 21: Yoga and Mongolian Language Classes at the TCC
Yoga Classes will continue at the Tibetan Cultural Center on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon: August 27 through October 20. Classes are $10 per session
The instuctor is Winnie Edgerton, initiated as "Ana Shakti. " She is of the classical Hatha-Kriya lineage of Swami Sivananada and Swami Satyananda of the Bihar School of Yoga in Munger, India. Winnie has been practicing Hatha Yoga since 1968.
For more details about this program and the Hatha Yoga Practice, please click Hatha Yoga
Mongolian Language Class: Myagmar Sarantsetseg (Saran), our Mongolian Assistant at the Tibetan Cultural Center, will be conducting Mongolian language classes at the TCC. Classes will be $15 per session and will be held on either Saturdays or Sundays. If you are interested, please contact Saran at chamtse_ling@yahoo.com. She will discuss with you and others what are the most convenient classtimes for you and for others.
Myagmar Sarantsetseg has an MA in Comparative Mongolian. Her native language is Mongolian and she is fluent in Japanese and Russian. Presently, she is studying English and Tibetan. She has held the following positions:
* Mongolian Language Instructor at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
* Mongolian Languge Instructor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan
* Mongolian Language Director and Teacher at the Tokyo Mongolian Academy
* Mongolian Language Instructor at the Daigakusyorn International Language Academy
* Researcher at the Institute of Mongolian Language and Literature, Mongolian Science Academy, Topic: "Connection of Mongolia, Tibet, and India"
Publications:
* Bodol Ergetsuulel, Orchuulga, (Thought and Translations, included articles and translations), Ulaanbaatar, 2003
* Mongol yariany khelnii khelzuin zarim ug helleg, (Some Grammatical Words and Phrases of Oral Mongolian Language), Ulaanbaatar, 2001
* Mongol Khelnii Surakh Bichig (Mongolian Language Textbook), Ulaanbaatar, 2000
* Mahabharata Subject in a Tale, "Conference Science and Youth -88,", 1988, Ulaanbaatar
*Two Translations of One Poem, "Conference of Young Researchers and Professors, 1989, Ulaanbaatar
* On Some Sujbects of Mahabharata in Mongolia and tibet, Summer School of Young Mongolists, 1990
* About the Book "Explanation of Words and Phrases in the Shulin Galzuu Baatar Epos," Conference of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
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Ticket Prices for Public Talk
August 19: Ticket prices for His Holiness' Public Talk at IU Assembly Hall- October 27: 2- 4 p.m.
Contact IU Assembly Hall Box Office at 812-855-4006 or contact Ticketmaster. The Bloomington Ticketmaster number 812 -333-9955
All persons who have or will purchase a subscription ticket packet to His Holiness' teachings at IU Auditorium (October 24-26) will be given a free ticket to the public talk to make up for the 2 hours His Holiness will at Purdue during the scheduled 6th session.
Ticket prices are
n $60 for Gold Circle. These seats will be on Court Level
n $30 for adults: general admission seating
n $15 for IU students: general admission seating
n Youth 2 and under will be admitted free.
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Video Showing of HHDL Public Talk At Purdue
August 17: Attention IU Auditorium Subscription Ticket Holders to His Holiness' Teachings
Because the Dalai Lama will give a Public Talk at Purdue University on the afternoon of October 26, the sixth session of his teachings on Atisha's Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment will be replaced at IU Auditorium by a live video showing of his talk at Purdue. The title of this talk is "Cultivating Happiness." All IU Auditori! um ticket holders will be able to view this talk in Bloomington from their assigned seats while persons in West Lafayette, Indiana will have the opportunity to be blessed by His Holiness' presence.
However, to ensure that IU Auditorium subscription ticket holders will be in the Dalai Lama's presence for a full twelve hours as originally scheduled, the Tibetan Cultural Center will issue to each IU Auditorium subscription ticket holder a free ticket to His Holiness' public talk in Bloomington at IU Assembly Hall. This talk is scheduled for October 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. and is entitled "Compassion: the Source of Peace."
In addition, the morning session at IU Auditorium on October 26 will be extended by one hour to ensure that the teaching materials are adequately covered. It will begin at 8:30 and end at 11:30.
The public talk at IU Assembly Hall is sponsored by the Tibetan Cultural Center in partnership with Indiana University's Office of the President, Office of the Vice President for International Affairs, Office of the Provost, and the Indiana University Foundation.
Attention Yoga Class Participants
Due to a conflict, the Yoga Class for Saturday, August 11 will NOT be held at the TCC. Please go to Hannah's house at 1801 E. Maxwell. Later classes will resume at the TCC per usual.
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HHDL Public Talk at Purdue
August 3: Public Talk at Purdue: Purdue University and the Tibetan Cultural Center are hosting a public talk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Purdue University's Elliot Hall of Music on October 26 at 2 p.m. The title of the address is "Cultivating Happiness." For complete details, please go to Purdue's website
http://www.purdue.edu/convos/dalailama.shtml.
The public talk will be preceded by cultural programs from the Tibetan and Mongolian traditions.
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HHDL Public Talk at IU Assembly Hall
August 2: Public Talk at IU Assembly Hall
The 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, will deliver a public talk at 2 p.m. Oct. 27 at Indiana University’s Assembly Hall. His public talk, entitled "Compassion: the Source of Peace," culminates three days of religious teachings that His Holiness will give at Indiana University Auditorium, October 24-26, on Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment.
Tickets for the Public Talk will go on sale at Indiana University Assembly Hall Box Office (812-855-4006) and Ticketmaster on Friday, August 10. Ticket prices will be announced on that date. Please check www.tibetancc.com and click on "His Holiness' Visit" for up-to-date information.
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TCC is Debt Free
August 2: TCC is Debt Free
Arjia Rinpoche and the Board of Directors are pleased to announce that the 1.7 million debt inherited from the previous management has been completely paid off. A group of supporters of His Holiness the Dalai Lama donated the money in response to the wishes of His Holiness. Koneru is available to address inquiries about this financial matter. Please contact him at 812-272-9152
Annual Report: The TCC’s 2006 Annual Report is now posted on the TCC Main page after the “Mission Statement”
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Tibetan Summer Camp
July 30, 2007: The Tibetan Summer Camp for children of Tibetan refugees has begun at the TCC. The camp will end on August 8. Please check back at that time for news about the camp's events.
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Mongolian Summer Camp
July 27, 2007: The first Mongolian Summer Camp was held at the TCC from July 20 through July 28. Sixteen Mongolian children participated in a week's learning and recreational activities. On Friday, July 27, the children entertained their host with a "Farewell Performance" during which they sang Mongolian songs and did a Mongolian Folk Dance. Katas and gifts were exchanged.
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Attention Tibetans and Mongolians
The Tibetan Cultural Center hopes that many Tibetans and Mongolians will be able to attend His Holiness' teachings in Bloomington, Indiana at Indiana University Auditorium, October 24, 25, & 26. To facilitate this, we are offering a special discount to persons of Tibetan and Mongolian heritage. If you want to attend all six sessions (two per day), you will be able to obtain a packet of tickets for $125. Single session tickets are available for $30 per session. These tickets will be on sale beginning September 1.
To purchase these special tickets, Tibetans should contact the Tibetan Coordinator at the TCC. His name is Tenzin Namgyal (Tenam) and his e-mail address is tenam59@yahoo.com .
Mongolians should contact the Mongolian Coordinator at the TCC. Her name is Myagmar Srantsetseg (Saran) and her e-mail is saran_mongol@yahoo.co.jp
He or she will obtain your information and make arrangements for you to receive your tickets.
For complete information about His Holiness' visit in October to the Tibetan Cultural Center and Bloomington, please go to www.tibetancc.com
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Celebration of His Holiness' Birthday at the TCC Sunday, July 8, 2007: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Come join us on and celebrate!
10:00 a.m. – Introduction to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and explanation of the significance of celebrating his birthday
10:30 a.m. - Recitation of Long-life Prayer for His Holiness by monks and the public (English translation of the prayer will be provided) followed by Offering of Khatas to His Holiness’s image. A khata is a Tibetan traditional scarf—available at the TCC booth for $3 and above
11:00 a.m - Smoke Puja and Hanging of Prayer Flags - Lhapsol, a ceremony hailing victory to the gods (by throwing tsampa in the air)
11:30 - Open Mike (starts with traditional Tibetan songs) There will be Information Booths and Merchandise Tables hosted by the TCC, Indiana Buddhist Center (IBC), International Tibet Independence Movement (ITIM), and other organizations
12:30 – 4:00 p.m. – Food sale
$8 for a plate (4 Momos, Veggie Noodle, Rice, Chicken or Mixed-Vegetable dish with Soda or Water bottle),
$1 for a cup of Chai
$1 for a water bottle (if purchased separately)
A variety of FREE books on Buddhism will be displayed on a table near the food area. You are welcome to help yourself.
2:15pm - Film Program in the Cultural Building – Creating Peace in a Violent World: Tools for Living Joyfully and Serenely on a Chaotic Planet by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
In case of rain, all programs will be held inside the Cultural Building.
For more details, contact the Tibetan Cultural Center at 812-331-0014 or 812-336-6807 during office hours (9:00 a.m – 5:30 p.m).
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Trip to Washington
Tuesday, July 2, 2007: Sudhakara Koneru, our Board Member and Treasurer has gone to Washington, D.C. for the week to attend a conference concerning the establishment of the Ananda Buddha Vihara in Hyderabad, India. The mission of the Ananda Buddha Vihara is to propogate the Buddha Vacahana, to revive the Buddha Dhamma, and to promote such Buddhist values as Karuna (compassion), Maitri (loving kindness), and Upekkha (equanimity)among the people in India. This Vihara is planned to develop as a comprehensive Buddhist Center in the capital city of Hyderabad. It will provide multifarious facilities designed for the lcoal and visiting Buddhist Community and those intrested in the study of Buddhist tradition and culture.
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Welcome Back
June 25, 2007: Welcome Back Arjia Rinpoche
Arjia Rinpoche has returned to the TCC from his trip to Taiwan and California. While he was in Taiwan, Rinpoche gave three major teachings on these topics : Foundation of All Good Qualities, Heart Sutra, and Dependent Origination. He also gave 18 shorter talks at a number of centers, organizations, and universities.
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Yoga Classes To Be Offered at the TCC
Introductory Workshop Saturday, July 14th from 10:00 – 12:00 in the Cultural Building: $12.00
Series of six sessions $60.00
July 21............10:00 – 12:00
July 28............10:00 – 12:00
August 4.........10:00 – 12:00
August 11.......10:00 – 12:00
August 18.......10:00 – 12:00
August 25.......10:00 – 12:00
Instructors are Winnie Edgerton, (initiated as "Ana Shakti") and her daughter Hannah Edgerton (initiated as "Radha"). Winnie and Hannah are both of the classical Hatha-Kriya lineage of Swami Sivananada and Swami Satyananda of the Bihar School of Yoga in Munger, India. Winnie has been practicing Hatha Yoga since 1968.
For more details about this program and the Hatha Yoga Practice, please click Hatha Yoga
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Work Opportunities for Mongolian Summer Camp Volunteers:
July 20 - July 27, 2007
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Yurts: Date: July 1 - 10: Setting up yurts, making trenches around yurts, arranging lights and cots inside the yurts, and placing citronella torches in the ground around the yurts.
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Cook Helper: Date: July 19 - 28: Setting up food on time, chopping vegetables and meat, washing dishes and cleaning up the kitchen, grocery shopping, etc.
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Transportation: Date: July 19 - 28: Contact person and driver when needed
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Grounds and Housekeeping: Date - July 19 - July 28: Supervise participants in cleaning the grounds, main hall, hallway, living room, and bathrooms--when needed.
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Fundraising: ASAP: Help write a proposal and find possible sponsors
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Photographer, Video, and Web-person: Date: July 20 - 27
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The 2007 Writing Unlimited Summer Camp!
Who: Boys and girls ages 7-13 years old
When: June 11-15
Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm - (healthy, filling snacks will be provided)
Where: BWWC/Writing Unlimited, now located at the Tibetan Cultural Center, 3655 Snoddy Road, Bloomington, 47401
For: Fun writing activities and games that promote age-appropriate work in expanding enjoyment of craft and creativity in writing skills, time to write alone, and time to share writing one-on-one or in a group setting.
Cost: $80 for one-week session, $70 each for siblings. Please spread the word to young writers who would enjoy a week writing and having fun with the written word!
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Our Grounds Beautification Work Day and Dinner
Come join us as we tidy up the grounds for summer and fall. This is a special opportunity for you to gain merit.
Saturday, June 16th Work Times:
7:00 – 12:00 and/or 3:00 – 8:30 pm.
Those who work in the morning are invited back for dinner at 8:30. Cool beverages will be provided throughout the day in the Cultural Building kitchen.
You may choose to work at several projects—depending on your inclination.
1) Trim branches in preparation for the Mongolian and Tibetan Children’s summer camps. We will trim off the lower dead branches under the pines to create a shady outdoor classroom and picnic area.
2) Remove dead tree limbs from the roadside and trimming low overhanging branches above the road. We will use the pick-up truck for this
3) Trim around trees with weed eater(s)
4) Remove “weed” trees the near Lotus Pond
We have some tools at the center but please bring heavy work gloves, hand saws, loppers and smiles. If anyone has a chainsaw to use, it would be very helpful.
For more information please contact Tenam or Sandy at the TCC office: 812-331-0014
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Sawa Dawa
Thursday, May 31, 2007: The Tibetan Cultural Center is celebrating Saga Dawa by offering special Long life prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tsok prayers (Guru Puja and Accumulation of Positive Merits.
Since the year 2007, corresponding to the Tibetan Fire Pig Year, is considered an Obstacle Year (Ghung-Kag) for His Holiness, the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and the Tibetan community around the world have been doing large-scale prayers and a special long-life offering for His Holiness.
Part of the objective of our prayer ceremony at the TCC is to lay down a foundation of positive karma and karmic-connection as a preparation for His Holiness' visit to our center in October.
Following is our program at the Kumbum Chamtseling Temple:
6:00 p.m: Brief introduction of the day followed by Tsok Offering by our resident monks. Fruits, cookies and candies will be offered at the altar. After special prayers, all of the offerings will be redistributed to the participants. Please bring fruits, flowers and cookies, and candies for your own good merits.
While the monks are reciting prayers, please feel free to offer candles, circumambulate the stupas. You may sit in the temple as you meditate or recite your own prayers.
6:30 p. m.: Tea for the participants
6:45 p.m: Recitation of Long Life Prayers in Tibetan and English (three times). And English translation will be available in the temple.
For information about Saga Dawa, please go to our "Events" link.
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Trip to Taiwan
Thursday, May 17, 2007: Arjia Rinpoche and Chunpay left for Taiwan where Rinpoche will give dharma teachings. They will return to the TCC at the end of June.
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Consecration of Buddha Statue
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 : The members of the Sacred Art Tour Group consecrated our new Mitrukpa (Akshobya) Buddha statue. For pictures,please go to our "Events" link.
Mitrukpa Buddha (Akshobya)
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Gomang Monks Visit TCC
Sunday, May 6, 2007: Eight monks of the Drepung Gomang Sacred Art Tour group will arrive at the Tibetan Cultural Center for a 10 day visit. While they are in Bloomington they will prepare and dedicate the new Mitrukpa (Akshopya) statue that came to the TCC on April 26. You may bring precious gems to be placed inside the statue. The monks will do this part of the operation on May 8. The consecration will take place on May 9 (chanting throughout the day). At 6 p.m. they will wind up the consecration chanting with a final chant. Everyone is invited to attend. Tea and snacks will be served afterward.
This statue was made in Nepal and was donated to the Tibetan Cultural Center and Kumbum Chamtse Ling by an anonymous benefactor.
The name Mitrukpa (Akshobya) means one who is imperturbable, immovable; it refers to one who is undisturbed by destructive actions or harmful emotions, who remains steadfast and stable in the face of vicissitudes. The dharmakaya arises in the form of Mitrukpa with the particular power to purify past negative deeds and afflictive emotions, and the practice of the sadhana of Mitrukpa is often recommended specifically for purification and for enhancing emotional stability.
Akshobya is one of the buddhas in the Vajrayana system of spiritual transformation known as the Five Buddha Families. This system makes us aware of the profound differences between the egocentric and thoroughly unsatisfactory state of our ordinary consciousness the open, fully evolved state of enlightened consciousness. It also makes us aware that beneath the superficial obscurations veiling our mind there exists an essential nature that is in no way different from the essential nature of the Awakened Ones.
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TCC Sangha Members Attend HHDL's Teachings at Deerpark
Tuesday, May 2, 2007:Our Director, Arjia Rinpoche, his attendant, Chunpai, our Board Treasurer, Sudha Konuru and members of our Sangha including Geshe Lotin, Sandy Belth, Barbara & Harry Strope, and Barbara Bodner, are going to Deerpark Center in Madison, Wisconsin to attend His Holiness’ teachings.
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Building Bridges
Sunday, April 29, 2007 : a representative from the Tibetan Cultural Center attended “Building Bridges, an interfaith gathering at Ivy Tech. The keynote speaker was Philip Gulley, author of the Harmony fiction series as well as If Grace is True and If God Is Love. His message focused on the necessity of interfaith tolerance and harmony. About 300 persons from the Bloomington area attended the gathering. The Tibetan Cultural was listed among the area sponsors of this event.
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Fire Puja
Saturday, April 28, 2007: In conjunction with the Bloomington Area Arts Center (BAAC), the TCC held a fire puja to promote peace and harmony. The occasion was the "One Book One Bloomington" project in which the BAAC is promoting the reading of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. The fire puja was an attempt to fight the evil fire of oppression as depicted in the book with the benevolent fire of peace and purification. Arjia Rinpoche, Geshe Jinpa Sonam, Aku Nam Ka, and Chunpay chanted the ceremony that lasted about 2 hours. More than 60 guests attended. At the end of the ritual, they enjoyed a Tibetan meal prepared by Tenam.