Letter to the Sangha
Dear Sangha,I am very happy to meet with all of you again today. Do you remember our last meeting? Five months ago we met with
the publication of the first issue of Bodhi.  Lord Buddha said that when you meet his speech -- the tripitakas -- you meet him. If you learn the scriptures, there is nothing more to learn from the Buddha, even if you meet him in person. In Bodhi we have an opportunity to meet the great masters by learning their speech. In the pages of Bodhi
we will have many opportunities to connect with these great masters' hearts.
This second issue of Bodhi is very special for me, for two reasons. First, I am happy to present the translation of a short supplication prayer by His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorje, written when he was nine years old. Secondly, my great master, the Venerable Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, has given his blessing that Bodhi may serve
both Rinpoche and Nalandabodhi together in one newsletter. Bodhi will now be a joint newsletter. It brings me great joy that Bodhi serves our teachers and lineages, and this service is very fortunate for our sangha members. We should remember our good fortune and appreciate this unique opportunity to benefit from this service. It has been a good winter for me; spent partly in retreat and partly in teaching and spending time with our sangha here in Vancouver. I have also
been working on Nitartha, Nalandabodhi, and other projects, and they are all progressing well. Nitartha International: We are happy that last year we published our Tibetan book on logic called Lorik & Takrik by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. We are working to publish two more books this year and a few more in the near future! Many of these books are out of print, and some so rare that only one copy, in antiquated manuscript form, can be found. These texts are
critical educational materials needed by the students of Kagyu and Nyingma shedras (monastic colleges) in India, Nepal, and Tibet. Nitartha International and its staff in the US, Nepal, and other places in the world are working very hard to preserve and publish these texts, and thus serve the lineages by providing these educational materials to the shedra students. We are also close to finishing the translation of one of the most comprehensive texts on Mahamudra: The Ocean of True Meaning
by the Ninth Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje. This text will be a great contribution to the English speaking dharma communities around the world for this and many future generations to come! (For more on Nitartha international, go to their website.) Nalandabodhi: We have recently instituted an extensive study and practice
curriculum, in which students in Boulder and Vancouver are participating. This comprehensive curriculum outlines a complete path of study and practice. It provides a great opportunity for many sangha members to generate the right view and take progressive steps in meditation practice through their participation in this curriculum. Karma Thekchen Choling: I have repeatedly been asked to become the main resident spiritual master for Karma Thekchen Choling in Vancouver. I
have agreed, and since Losar (Tibetan New Year, February, 1998), I have been working closely with the board of directors and center members. We hope to bring the blessings of the authentic Karma Kagyu lineage to the sangha of Canada. I would like to apologize if I have not responded to your e-mail. Between late 1996 and mid – 1997, I experienced some computer problems and may have even lost some mail. Since the beginning of this year, I am trying to
answer your mail as promptly as possible within the limits of my available time, and hope to appoint someone soon to help me keep up with the volume of e-mail and respond to you more quickly. Finally, I would like to thank the editors and design and publishing staff of Bodhi, who have worked very hard to make this issue possible for everyone. Thank you for your patience -- patience is the key to achieving our goal – enlightenment! Many tashi delek's for a Happy Earth Tiger Year! The Dzogchen Ponlop, Rinpoche |
