Thar He Blows!

I just have to express my appreciation for whatever genetic sensitivity led both of my congenitally maternal older sisters, almost simultaneously, to suddenly inquire, “Hey, you got enough coffee?” I mean, it may be that they simply noticed my writing here had gotten more listless than usual (very few lists of late, right?) but I prefer unprovable assertions, such as intercontinental psychic intuition. And, in fact, they were right on the money. I had “coffee”, but had run out of good coffee, my usual stash of high-octane beans.

I know in the past I’ve appealed to y’all in such straits, and you’ve responded with deeply caffeinated compassion. But afterward I realized that doing so compromises my monastic vows. I’m not supposed to solicit offerings for myself, or even drop hints to that effect. Now, I can hear your howling protests already, but listen, if you have fifty bucks (or however many zeros you care to tag on) burning through your wallet, please drop it into the MBRP coffer where it will be put to genuinely beneficial use, and you Americans will get a tax benefit.

As it stands, my pupils are now properly dilated, having just drained my second cuppa Dean’s Beans’ nuclear roast called Ahab’s Revenge, courtesy of dear sister Laura. Hey, wait a second. She didn’t choose that with the subtle implication that I’ve become a white whale, did she? Or maybe cuz I’m bald like Moby? Hmm...

Anyway, enough of that. For the weekend, I want to share with you some smoke signals we’ve observed on the horizon. Interpreting them carefully, we see that they originate in the Republic of Kalmykia, the westernmost outpost of the ethnic Mongol diaspora (I wrote about this rich land and its colorful history, in the context of an American road trip with two Mongol lamas, some time ago).
Seems a small, hardy band of Buddhist practitioners in our very own Nyingma tradition, under the direction of one Lama Duddul Dorje, are striving to establish some sacred space for themselves and other faithful along the lower Volga there. A temple is in the works in the capital Elista, which will enshrine a lovely statue of Guru Rinpoche. All the news (in English and Russian) is here. We intend to support them with a donation, and encourage you to do the same!

What I really, secretly hope is that I can go visit in person some day. Kalmykia! Wouldn’t that be a kick?

Oh, not going to the Gobi on Sunday, but stay tuned for tales of adventures with Alak Zenkar Rinpoche. Just had dinner with him last night, and he makes a magnificent first impression.