Some Buddhist Humor!
Q: What does a Buddhist wish someone on their birthday?
A: May you have many happy returns!
In April Golden Blue Lotus Tara Center will be hosting Zasep Tulku
Rinpoche for an evening of public speaking and two days of teachings. Historically,
GBLT has invited the public and his students to pay a specific amount for the public
address and the teachings, which we would then share with Rinpoche. Our portion goes
to maintain GBLT's center. In the past, teachings have ranged from $25 - $35.
We have now changed our policy on this and are not asking for a specific amount for
donation, but are leaving this to the attendees' discretion. Personal gifts to
Rinpoche, presented to him following the teachings, will go entirely to him and are
separate from the donation for the teachings.
It is the consensus of the GBLT board and members that this is an equitable way to
receive support for our efforts as well as Rinpoche's projects in Tibet and among his
western centers. Memberships to the Golden Blue Lotus Tara Sangha are also separate
from donations for teachings, and will be available at the donation table at the
public address and during the teachings. The cost of membership is $48/year for
general membership, $20/month supporting membership .
Thanks for your understanding with all of our different obligations!
Some Buddhist Humor!
Q: What does a Buddhist wish someone on their birthday?
A: May you have many happy returns!
An international organization of Ven. Zasep Tulku Rinpoche, his students and centers,
has been created for the express purpose of bringing, interpreting and integrating Gelugpa
Tibetan Buddhism to the western world. Ven. Zasep Tulku Rinpoche created this vehicle to
make Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhism accessible to as many people as possible. People in the west
are different from Tibetans in their culture, customs and psychology. Western minds need
the teachings of Buddha to be presented in a way that they can understand. The teachings
are the same; the interpretation is different.
In Tibet, 99% of the teachings were for monks and nuns. In the west, they are 99% for
lay people. Gender references need to be for both women and men. We are revising and
changing the way of teaching for the western mind, but not creating a new lineage.
The Buddha said we should revise and adapt to the times, the land and the people we
are dealing with, so the teachings will grow and benefit those who receive them. Then the
teachings will not degenerate and die. The essence of the Buddha's teaching is compassion,
wisdom and understanding of the human mind -- for the enlightenment of all beings.
Here are some projects we are currently working on:
To learn more about Gaden for the West, its spiritual director Ven. Zasep Tulku Rinpoche,
its projects and its centers, please visit the Gaden for the West website.
The Jamseng Health Project and Gaden Relief -- to provide aid to the people of India and Tibet, particularly the Kham region near Zadoh in Tibet;
The Gaden Tashi Choling Retreat Gompa -- our new retreat space in the mountains of British Columbia;
The Dharma publishing project, Gaden Publications -- to publish Rinpoche's teachings.
To learn more about the Jamseng Health Project please visit http://www.jamseng.com.
