May Newsletter

Gomde e-News
May 2009
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Welcome to the May edition of Rangjung Yeshe Gomde's
quarterly email newsletter. With the summer retreat season coming on, things
are kicking into gear at Gomde. Upcoming events include Work Week, which is May 22-31. Everyone is welcome to come up for a day, a few days, or more,
join in and help get Gomde ready for summer events. Read about details of� this summer's programs, revised plans for retreat hut funds, information on volunteering at Gomde, and news from other
teachers. We hope to see you this summer at Gomde!

Work Week
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Gomde's annual Volunteer Week runs from Saturday, May 22 to
Sunday, May 31. Come for just a few days or the entire time, and join us in
practicing together, working together, and getting to know each other better.
Room and board are provided to volunteers at no charge. Lama Tsultrim will lead
morning and evening practice sessions for everyone (the monthly May practice
weekend has been combined with this event) and will offer individual interviews
as well.
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Because the interns are arriving later this year, we need
all kinds of help: people to weed gardens, clear brush, set up the dining tent,
cook for volunteers, do some painting, clean the houses for our teachers and
staff. We promise there is something for everyone to do at all
skill levels!
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If you can stay for the whole ten days, that is wonderful --
but if your schedule is limited and you can come only for a weekend or two, or
even just a day, we welcome you. If you can't make it up in May, but would like
to make a donation to help sponsor brush-clearing, painting, or another worthy
project, please let us know.
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If you are coming, please RSVP to adminassist@gomdeusa.org (mailto:adminassist@gomdeusa.org?subject=Volunteer%20Week)
or call 707-925-0201. We look forward to seeing you.

Campground Improvements
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Lauren and Kelly have been hard at work getting the land ready. Here's a picture of the newly cleared
campground -- everyone who's seen it says it looks like a park this year!
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If you haven't visited for several years, you may not recognize
it. Poison oak has been cleared away, campsites expanded and leveled, dead brush removed.
���� Solar lights are now on the trails throughout the
campground, which should make it a lot easier to find your tent at night. Plus, there's new landscaping around the office and Lama, Middle and Sangha
Houses.
���� Another aspect of the upgraded campgrounds: there are now eight tent cabins
available for rent during programs. Outfitted with
cots, a small dresser, lamp and rug, they provide comfortable and spacious accommodations for $30 single, $40 double per night. Contact the office if
you'd like to rent one.
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2009 Programs
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Visit the website for more details and to register: www.gomdeusa.org. (http://www.gomdeusa.org/) If
you'd
like to reserve a tent cabin for one of the retreats ($40 double, $30 single),
email programs@gomdeusa.org. (mailto:programs@gomdeusa.org?subject=tent%20cabin%20reservations) Four tsok days will be
celebrated during programs: June 7, July 25, July 27
(coinciding with the Ocean of Amrita
puja), and July 31.
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Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
Introduction to the Middle
Way, by Chandrakirti
June 6-11
Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche will continue his clear, concise
and practical teachings on the philosophical insights of this classic
Madhyamika text. Rinpoche will be giving refuge and bodhisattva vows. Qualified
participants will have the opportunity to go through the Mangala Shri Bhuti
Sangha ceremony.
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Kumara Internship Program
June 21 - July 26
Study, practice and work for Dharma students ages 18-30.
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Lama Tsultrim
Study Group on Ocean
of Amrita:
Ngakso Puja
July 2 - 5
Join the weekend study group on this profound Vajrayana
practice that is key to the Chokling Tersar tradition, and master the fine
points of this beautiful ritual.
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Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche
Benefiting Beings and Making Aspirations
July 24 - 27
"You can only benefit sentient beings through the
bodhicitta resolve and making aspirations; comparatively, any other immediate
action is of little benefit."�-- from The Final Words of Tsele
Natsok Rangdrol
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Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche
Ocean
of Amrita:
Ngakso Puja
July 27
The profound Vajrayana practice known as Ocean
of Amrita mends
violations of root and branch samayas and purifies violations, breaches and
faults of tantric commitments.
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Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche
Knowing One Thing Liberates All
July 26 - August 2
Based on the text The Final Words of Tsele Natsok
Rangdrol, this teaching will impart the key points of this profound pith
instruction. "Unless you realize the key point of natural awareness --
that knowing one thing liberates all -- you won't find any certainty in
pursuing endless seemingly 'important' information." -- from the text

Public Talk with Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
June 5, 7 pm
Berkeley Shambhala Center
$35
http://www.berkeley.shambhala.org/program_details.php?id=23155&cid=178 (http://www.berkeley.shambhala.org/program_details.php?id=23155&cid=178)
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"Little Needs, Much Contentment" -- durchong chokshi in Tibetan -- might
be called the practitioner's motto. As we progress in our practice, it expresses
a simple and courageous attitude towards the world as well as strength of mind.
At the beginning of the path, it points the way to recognizing our insecurities
and our potential.
���� In its most modern application, "Little Needs, Much Contentment," with its
emphasis on reducing consumption without sacrificing inner satisfaction, could
be Buddhism's contribution to the goals of environmentalism. One day people may
even say, "Looking is the new green!"
���� Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche was born into a noble Tibetan family in Northern
India. At the age of nine, he was recognized as an incarnation of
Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and the 16th Karmapa.
Rinpoche trained extensively in all aspects of Buddhist doctrine; in
particular, he received the teachings of the Nyingma lineage from his root
teacher, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Rinpoche also studied under Tulku Urgyen
Rinpoche, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, and the great scholar Khenpo Rinchen.

Retreat Development Plans
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Fundraising efforts last summer raised about $40,000 for the
development of Gomde's retreat land. At Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche's request, a
professional consultant was hired to review the property, provide an assessment of the
current status of buildings, and advise on various permit and development
issues. In consideration of larger development plans for Gomde, the consultant
recommended we not pursue construction of new retreat facilities at this time.
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Rinpoche and the board directed the Gomde manager and land
committee to develop an alternative retreat facility plan. The new plan proposes
taking better advantage of structures already on the property, by renovating
the Glass House (which can be used for seminar lodging and both short- and long-term
retreats), and the two small existing retreat huts (which can serve as short-term
meditation facilities).
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The plan was approved by the board in February, and the
process of getting construction bids for the work is underway. Donors were
given the opportunity to redirect their funding; most chose to support the revised plan. The long-term plan is to develop new retreat
facilities once current issues have been resolved.
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News Roundup
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A new volunteer page on the website outlines positions and help needed for Gomde: http://gomdeusa.org/volunteer.html (http://gomdeusa.org/volunteer.html)
Check it out and email the appropriate manager if you can help in any way. Much of the work can be done off-site.
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Several volunteer positions are open, including managers for Fundraising, Programs, Ratna Shop, and
Education. If you're
interested or have questions, send an email to information@gomdeusa.org. (mailto:information@gomdeusa.org?subject=) Again, much of
the work can be done off-site.
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Mingyur Rinpoche's new book, Joyful Wisdom, was released in April, and promptly made a mention
in the New York Times:
http://papercuts.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/24/recession-what-recession/#more- (http://papercuts.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/24/recession-what-recession/#more-)
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Phakchok Rinpoche's two-part talk on "View, Meditation, Conduct and Fruition" is available for viewing on
Dharma Sun: http://dharmasun.org/buddhistadvice.php
(http://dharmasun.org/buddhistadvice.php)
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There will be a Practice and Study weekend at Gomde July 10-12. A daylong event with Lama Tsultrim will
be held in Tiburon June 28.

Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche's North American Schedule
Ottowa, Canada
July 12-13
CNROttowa@magma.ca
(mailto:CNRottowa@magma.ca?subject=)
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Montague, Massachusetts
Teachings
July 17-19
cnrteachings@yahoo.com
(mailto:cnrteachings@yahoo.com?subject=)
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Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Public Talk: "Compassion and the Environment"
7:30 pm July 21
Snow King Resort
drshlim@wyom.net (mailto:drshlim@wyom.net?subject=Rinpoche%27s%20public%20talk)
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Eureka, California
Free Public Talk
Thursday, July 23
info@humboats.com
(mailto:info@humboats.com?subject=Rinpoche%27s%20public%20talk)
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Leggett, California
Teachings
July 24 - August 2
www.gomdeusa.org (http://www.gomdeusa.org/)