In early March we were blessed with a visit from Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, his nephew and attendant Lama Karma Drodul, and Ani Karuna Lodron. Rinpoche gave a teaching at Vajra Vidya, performed an animal blessing there for many pets and gave a wonderful teaching up at the Stupa. His visit brought about a renaissance for all of us at KTTG ushering in lots of fresh activity and new people joining our group.
In April, Lama Zoe de Bray became KTTG’s new Director. She’s been Khenpo Karthar’s student for over 30 years, completed a 3-Year Retreat under his guidance, as well as, several other years in solitary retreat. She has an interdisciplinary PhD in Psychology and World Religions, a Masters in Asian Studies and is available to retreatants for instruction and guidance. We are holding regular practice sessions in her home.
We’ve recently refurbished the retreat cabins, now available for rental year round. Likewise, the Halaby House has been repaired, refurbished, repainted and will be ready for long termrental after retreatants leave in January, 2011.
On a very windy day in May, KTTG participated in Shumei’s Interfaith Day by enticing the audience into singing one of Khenpo Tsultrim’s yogi songs for world peace. In June, Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche came with 130 of his students during his annual summer teaching program in Crestone to celebrate the 17th Karmapa’s Birthday up at the Stupa. August brought The Yangsi (Dilgo Khentse’s 16 year old reincarnation)up to the Stupa.
We decided to repair the Stupa this summer if possible. From the outset, we had one generous $10,000 matching grant. Shortly after that another donation came in and then there was not one penny for weeks. Some wondered if we would be able to do the work needed this summer before the freezing temperatures of fall. Then a dear friend got a fund raising letter posted on the internet. The letter was passed around to other sites and a miracle started to happen…in less than 5 weeks nearly $48,000 poured in–all of the money necessary for the extensive repairs (see the page, Friends of Karmapa, for the restoration story in pictures). The stories accompanying this generous outpouring were heartwarming. One morning, a woman sent us $10,500 telling us it was all of her alimony money so that we could, “Finish the work this summer!” On August 21st at sunset Gary and the stucco workers left and the Stupa was nearly finished. Over the next weeks Barbara worked on repainting all of the lotus petals, the doors and the glass protecting the statue of the 16th Karmapa is being replaced.
In November KTTG and some friends from the community came to recite Mikyo Dorje’s, “The Guru Yoga for the Four Sessions”, as a thanksgiving service for all of the wonderful work that happened up at the Stupa.
2010 is nearly over. An enormous amount of reinvigorating work has been completed. Among the most exciting recent moments have been the evenings in which one member of the KTTG group shares a skill or passion honed over years with the rest of us. These evenings have included an introduction to healing modalities, Ikebana, Raga singing…
With great thanks for the bounty and shared energy at KTTG and Friends of Karmapa,
Best heartfelt wishes to all!