Forward to Retreat -- Updated

Update: Hey, here's something cool I just discovered. They're offering live webcasts of practices and teachings from the retreat! Click here for schedule and broadcast site. Sorry if my ugly mug ruins any of the images.

 

In a couple hours I leave to do something I haven’t done since the winter of 2000-2001, which is go on long retreat. By Vajrayana standards, “long” this time means “pretty short,” but still. For 30 days I’ll be ensconced at the Palyul Retreat Center in McDonough, NY with a couple hundred others and all my lamas. And retreat is...well, retreat. Which means that as much as possible, one leaves one’s worldly attachments behind. Now, the Buddha didn’t specifically say blogs, but I gotta be honest – I’m a bit overly fond of DODR and I gotta let it go for a month. So. Barring world-shaking emergency news, no posts here until after August 10.

 

But I will not stop thinking about our prime directive, to do whatever possible to assist in Mongolia’s Buddhist revival. Most of all, I will be discussing with my lamas how we can get Palyul lineage holders and qualified teachers to Mongolia, so that the poor Mongols will no longer be subjected to my own bumbling efforts.

 

Uppermost on my mind, as well as many Mongolians now, is a mid-October visit by my root teacher, Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo and, hopefully, one Palyul lama to give empowerments. Many Mongolian women, in particular, are so eager to meet Jetsunma and take her as their teacher. I just received an email saying that all 1000 copies of the Mongolian translation of Jetsunma’s Stabilizing the Mind book were given out at the opening ceremony of Sakyadhita’s 10^th International Conference of Buddhist Women (itself a big success, I hear), with many taking several copies to give to their friends. We also printed and distributed 1000 color brochures in Mongolian, introducing the Palyul lineage in general, and Jetsunma in particular, and giving people the opportunity to support a visit with contributions in a specially set up bank account.

 

Now, my ride leaves in an hour, so I gotta be quick and blunt: for the past three years, we have set the table every possible way, and now it’s time for the lamas to come. The only obstacle? What else? Money. Or, as my lama likes to say, green energy.

 

As you undoubtedly know, the recent (and very suspicious) meteoric rise in fuel prices has driven up airline tickets. From America, it’s tough to find an ‘economy’ round trip to Mongolia for under $2000. But that’s how it is, and together we can make this happen, yes? I know we can.

 

I am, of course, fundraising several different ways, but I want to give you loyal DODR readers and visitors an opportunity to support the worthy effort to bring these precious lamas to Mongolia. I believe in my heart that Mongolian Buddhism will not come back into full flower unless the Mongolians can once again form deep relationships with contemporary lineage holders. Since almost none are in-country, that means they gotta travel there.

 

So, please, consider a generous gift to our Mongolian Buddhism Revival Project’s Lama Travel Fund. It’s tax-deductible for U.S. citizens, and karmically redeemable in future lives for all! Now, I can't sort out in Typepad how to make text link to Paypal. But you see that cool Garuda image on the left with "Donate to the Mongolia Fund" written on it? Yeah, don't click that. But do click on the simple oval under it that says "Donate". That'll take you to Paypal and you can make a secure contribution there, even if you don't have a Paypal account. Alternatively, you can send a check, made out to "KPC Mongolia Fund," and mail it to: KPC, 18400 River Road, Poolesville, MD 20837, ATTN: Treasurer. On behalf of my beloved Mongolians, thank you so much.

 

Man, look at the time! I love you all, and wish you the best for this summer. Be kind to one another, and feel free to leave comments. I will be able to check in from time to time.

 

Saikhan amrarai!

Comments

[Leamur]

Great photo!

Enjoy the retreat!

[Claire Lumiere]

I'm really going to miss your postings. Have a good sit.

[conceição]

good luck

[daisy in the shenandoah valley]

Have a productive retreat. We'll be here when you get back. (who's taking care of the cats while you're gone? They won't speak to you for weeks when you get back.)

[Aarlene]

Sending green energy.

[Bolor]

Have a good retreat! well-deserved!

[Tom Robertson]

If the retreat were any shorter would that make it a hasty retreat?

Ducking now.

[Aarlene]

You just can't beat a hasty retreat!

[Phil]

Don't be distracted by these comments!

[Oliver]

Best wishes with the retreat!

[Konchog]

I'm sorry, Phil, what? Aw, dang it! I was right on the cusp! *Sigh* OK, "Om Mani..."

[Sarabaite]

Enjoy! You deserve it! The meadow looks awesome.