Support our Harvest of Peace Fall Fundraising Campaign!

We had a delightful community celebration of the Harvest of Peace Nyida Day on Sunday, September 25.  You can find a Gallery of Photos taken on the day by Dale Bennett by following this link.

Harvest of Peace, held at the time of the autumn equinox, is one of our traditional nyida days. In Tibetan, nyima means sun and dawa means moon.  On these days we celebrate the changes of the seasons on or near the days of the equinoxes and solstices. These are regarded as a time for community-wide, family-oriented celebrations.

Please also find a letter by Chagdzo Jack Bodner about our Fall Fundraising Campaign just below!

sunflower-display

Dear Sangha,

I was extremely fortunate to meet Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, the founder of Shambhala, over forty years ago while living in the Bay Area. That moment of “meeting” (it was at a public talk in San Francisco in 1974) changed my life.  Dressed in a dark suit, he entered the packed Unitarian Church where the event was held. He sat silently for several minutes. That moment, plus his ensuing talk, resonated.  While I didn’t understand too much, here was someone who was meeting my mind, from the depths of the wisdom of a Buddha.

That was the beginning of a profound lifelong journey for me. Despite personal ups and downs, my insight from that initial meeting has only been confirmed and deepened. Maitri and wisdom can be discovered within one’s heart.

As support for this journey, the Shambhala Center is very important to me . It is the vehicle through which fresh wisdom comes down to us from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, our leader and spiritual guide.  It is also a place where we gather as community, practice, study, celebrate and provide benefit to many people.  Some recent reviews on our Facebook page reflect how people are experiencing this:

 

“First time at the center and took a beginners class, wonderful teachers and guidance. They

are very welcoming. This place is for everyone.”

“I needed to be around others. They were welcoming and warm. I enjoyed the meditation teaching (thank you Diane) and found the walking meditation refreshing. Thank you!”

“What a beautiful experience! I left the Queer Dharma session feeling deeply enlightened and incredibly fulfilled. Thanks!”

 

Part of our commitment is to practice generosity by contributing financially to the Center.  To make ends meet, this year we set a goal to raise $7,000 for our Harvest of Peace / Year End Campaign.* So far, we have received generous donations from 30 people totaling over $2,000.  We have also received dues increases of $138 per month.  Because we may relocate in 2017, our Fall Campaign is particularly important.

Here’s how you can helpoffer a one-time gift and/or increase your monthly dues to make an ongoing impact by mailing or dropping off at the Center the enclosed pledge card, or by donating online at portland.shambhala.org/community/donate/ and clicking on “Make a Donation” center page, then select “General Fund” on the Donation/Payments page.

If you need assistance, please contact our office manager Abbey Pleviak at [email protected] or if you have any questions about this campaign, contact me at [email protected].

Thank for your continued support of the Shambhala Center, through which we benefit both ourselves and the our world.

Jack Bodner,

Chagdzö / Finance Director

Shambhala Meditation Center of Portland

 

“Generosity is the virtue that produces peace.”

~  from the Sutra of the Recollection of the Three Jewels.

 

*I am posting recent financial statements on our website. Go to shambhala.org/community/members/ and click on “Finance Reports.”

Leave a Reply