Dear Kadampa Center Family and Friends,
One of the fundamental teachings of the Buddha is the pervasiveness of change or impermanence – if we look closely, we see that every aspect of our existence is in a continual state of flux. By becoming aware of this change, we can react to it positively and use it to grow on our spiritual path.
And I don’t need to tell anyone that we’ve all had a major teaching on change over the past several years! Nothing is exactly as it was two or three years ago – and this especially applies to Kadampa Center.
Whether giving once or becoming a Monthly Sustainer, we’ve made it easier than ever to give! There is no need to fill out a separate pledge form. Simply fill out the online giving form and choose your Sustainer gift amount and frequency.
Also, please consider joining a growing community of people who want Kadampa Center to thrive in the future. Many of our supporters make gifts to Kadampa Center in their will or estate plan so they can do even more to ensure that the Buddha’s teachings of wisdom and compassion will be taught and practiced at our center for generations to come.
With deep appreciation for your support!
Most importantly, along with our fellow 140 FPMT centers around the world, we’re facing a future without our precious spiritual director, Lama Zola Rinpoche. This also means that the Light of the Path retreats, run so well by our magnificent volunteer spiritual team, are on hold for now. Rest assured that the highly qualified FPMT board of directors is deeply involved in setting the direction for the future of our parent organization.
What we can say for sure is that Kadampa Center, thanks to the generosity and work of so many, enter 2024 in outstandingly solid financial condition. Kadampa Center is in the best financial shape it has ever been in. Indeed, we are embracing change and continuing our work toward a sustainable future…
Rather than just be reactive and wish things were the way they used to be, we are planning on using our new reality to move forward and grow.
This forward movement includes, but is not limited to:
A vigorous spiritual program guided by our beloved resident teachers, Geshe Gelek and Geshe Sangpo, augmented by visiting teachers such as Ven, Robina Courtin, and Don Hendricks, that is offered not just in person at the Center but reaches around the world on Zoom and Youtube
Solar panels that have been installed, are on-line, and provide all our electricity needs (and more).
A reinvigorated Family Program beginning in January 2024.
Our physical buildings and grounds are also in the process of change. We are in the process of major rethinking and remodeling of the kitchen and office areas at the Center, so that our physical facility can meet the needs for more and different types of events.
And that’s just scratching the surface of what’s going on! Our active Board of Directors and an enthusiastic team of Management Coordinators are meeting regularly, and we want you to join us as we move forward and Embrace Change!
2023 in review
Expanded Teachings
Sunday Dharma with Geshe Gelek, Circumambulation Practice, Discovering Buddhism, and Sunday morning meditation – all in-person while continuing our expanded virtual offerings achieving a hybrid teaching environment.
Going Solar
We are living our values by installing a solar energy array on our roof, partially funded by a grant, that will provide almost all our electric needs for years to come.
Turning Faith Into Action
Reaching Across the Globe
Our online Zoom presence has enabled people from far-flung areas to hear Geshe-la teach, including Spanish-speaking students, thanks to Ale Almeda’s translation skills on Sunday mornings. People are coming online from Argentina, Mexico, Thailand, and Canada, as well as many other states in the US.
Expanded Practice Space
We built a beautiful brick path that allows our community to safely circumambulate our entire gompa and all the holy objects inside, as well as the stupa.
Community Garden Work Days
Volunteers led by our Grounds Team worked hard all year long on a variety of tasks as we prepared for our Circumambulation Path and developed plans for the Buddha Shrine and Community Garden.
Prayer Wheels Painted
What started as a fairly simple job of cleaning the prayer wheels turned into a major project of refinishing and painting the wood frame, and finding the proper ball bearings to balance the beautiful newly gilded prayer wheels.
Stupa and Building Cleaned
Volunteers came together to wash and clean our stupa and the exterior of our building…no small job!
Geshe Sangpo's Book
Celebrated with our own Geshe Palden Sangpo on the launch of his new book, Opening the Door to Happiness: A Commentary on the Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva.
Geshe Sangpo’s intention for writing this book is to benefit all who read it. He freely offers this book as a teaching and will make no monetary gain from its release. Through the generosity of many kind benefactors, copies of Opening the Door to Happiness: A Commentary on the Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva are being freely given away at the center while supplies last.
Hosted Khensur Rinpoche
We had the amazing opportunity to host our teachers’ teacher, Sera Jey Khensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Delek for the past month. Khensur Rinpoche offered teachings, initiations, empowerments, and many, many blessings to our community.
Sand Mandala at Elon
Geshe Sangpo returned to Elon University for the eighth year to create a sand mandala for peace and healing.
“When people come here to view and experience the creation of this mandala, which represents the calling together of all the positive, peaceful energy, they are each bringing a little piece of that energy with them, and they all leave with the collective energy they’ve generated,” said Elise Strevel, Kadampa Center’s Outreach Coordinator.
2023 has been an amazing year and we believe 2024 will be just as wonderful!
Take a few moments over the holiday season to go and renew (or increase) your sustainer giving or to make a one-time donation.
We thank you for your past, present, and future generosity, and ask that you do what you can to contribute to a sustainable, ever-changing Kadampa Center.
As plans are developed for our kitchen remodel and furthering our grounds beautification ~ you will learn of special fundraising opportunities.
On behalf of our Sangha and our entire community, thank you for your generosity, and ask that you continue to give what you can to support Kadampa Center now and in the future.
With much love and deep appreciation,
Robbie Watkins,
Center Director
For many years now, the actions that enable us to create a budget and sustain our operation have been your commitment to our sustainer support.
Please take a few moments in this holiday season to renew (or boost!) your sustainer giving or make a one-time donation in support of Kadampa Center. If you do not give monthly, please consider signing up. Our online donation process is easier than ever, and it is no longer necessary to fill out a separate pledge with your donation.
– 2024 INITIATIVES AND EVENTS –
