Gar Drolma Buddhist Center

Sangha News

With winter rapidly approaching we are all probably wondering what happened to Spring, Summer and early Fall! Gar Drolma certainly experienced many blessings during this period and we want to be sure to share those with all our friends who may not have been able to join us for a while here in Dayton.

Spring began with the return of our beloved teacher Garchen Rinpoche who blessed us with his profound teachings and practice on Vajrakilaya. During this retreat we were able to live stream the teachings so the world wide mandala could share in the blessings.

As Spring continued, in April we honored and said good-bye to the founders of Gar Drolma—Ellen Marie Lauricella and Naomi Bloom, as they made their move away from Ohio to a new home in Iowa.

Back in 2002, they envisioned creating a center in Dayton propagating the teachings of the great Tibetan Buddhist master, H.E. Garchen Rinpoche. With his permission and support, Gar Drolma Choling was born. Through their tireless efforts, endless courage and great devotion, Gar Drolma Buddhist Center has been able to touch the lives of hundreds of people and continues to fulfill the aspirations of our spiritual founder, H.E. Garchen Rinpoche. We know they will continue to touch the lives of fortunate beings wherever they go.

As spring unfolds into summer, the temple received a little tender loving care in the form of a new carpet in the shrine room and a coat of paint inside and out. Completing this work in between all the activities was a bit of a challenge but we completed without missing a beat.

Because of extremely generous donations from friends, we made significant progress in paying down the mortgage on the temple as well as framing many precious lineage Tangkas. Amitabha texts arrived from LA Drikung Rinchen Choling as they so generously shared their support in our efforts.

We had a wonderful retreat in June with Khenpo Nyima Gyaltsen in which he shared his skills as a teacher and we learned about Medicine Buddha and the Mahamudra of Gampopa. Our resident teacher, Khenpo Samdup provided us with precious teachings throughout the year and an empowerment on Guru Rinpoche as well as teachings on the Drikung Lineage Tangkas much in English! Ani Tsunma led us in Chenrezik practice and Nyungne Retreat.

During the period we again saw a change in the organization. After contributing extraordinary quantities of time to the center as a Board member, Linda and Jonie moved away to be closer to family. We certainly miss them both but appreciate all the help that they continue to provide to Gar Drolma from afar.

Long time member Mike Young graciously accepted an invitation to fill Linda’s spot on the Board and “hit the beach running”, taking over membership while also supporting our newly developed beginners programs. In addition to leading the beginners programming, Mel also led the development and introduction of our highly successful Sunday Newcomers Orientation program.

Buddhist School. Our two teachers, Erin and Bonnie, continue to guide the children in learning about the Buddha and meditation, with lots of time for fun and laughter. Coming this Fall a new and exciting study group for young teenagers which is taught by Khenpo Samdrup with the assistance of Bonnie.

Coming this December Khenmo Nyima Drolma, Abbess of the Vajra Dakini Nunnery, will visit Gar Drolma for the first time sharing the heart sutra with us. While in Dayton, she will teach a workshop for the Hospice of Dayton, offering her compassion and experience in the hospice field.

To help folks with planning, the Board worked with Khenpo and others to come up with a 2013 Events and Program calendar. Check it out elsewhere on our website (click here)

As 2013 unfolds we look forward to sharing in the precious dharma, extraordinary teachers and continue to serve the community.

May all beings benefit!