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E-News: January/February 2014
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Dear Dharma Friends,
We hope you're staying warm and well this winter - taking care of body and mind. Our team is doing well (minus occasional sniffles, aches and Achoo's!), and we look forward to the coming year. In this issue, we share more information about Lama Zopa Rinpoche's improved health and his retreat in North Carolina this spring, news of Ven. Fedor Stracke's upcoming teachings in February, and some organizational announcements for Shantideva Meditation Center. While we are near registration capacity, it's also not too late to sign up for our Compassion in Action event to benefit senior citizens.
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Left: Hand-beaded White Tara thangka offered in December to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Right: Sera Je Abbot Geshe Delek, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Sera Je Monastery, January 2014.
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While there is much to rejoice in as we review 2013 and look forward to a new year, we have also been saddened by the unexpected passing of people within our wider circle of friends. On January 1, Deirdre Frank, the Director of FPMT's Tsa Tsa Studio, a center for Tibetan sacred art, passed away after contracting a staph infection. Only a few weeks prior, I was chatting with her on the phone as she helped us choose beautiful gifts to offer our volunteers. It was difficult to imagine that this conversation would be our last. Nevertheless, we are heartened by her service in life and the news of her peaceful passing, as shared by her daughter: "My mom died last night, with so much grace, courage, and peace. The last word I heard her say was, 'cheery!'"
About a week after Deirdre's passing, the father of one of our dear community members passed away without warning. While we rejoice that she and her dad experienced a sweet relationship filled with laughter and fond memories, we also share her great sadness at this parting and make strong aspirations that goodness may ultimately arise from this challenging time. For both of these passings, Shantideva Meditation and our worldwide family of Dharma friends have offered our sincere prayers.
With these events, it is difficult not to be reminded of the fragile and transitory nature of life:
"When you look at a river, think that just as the river flows, life finishes just as quickly. As the sun rises and sets, think that life passes just as quickly."
- Lama Zopa Rinpoche
And yet within this reality of the impermanence of life, the inevitability of death, and the probability of suffering, we explore a path to happiness and greater ease:
"Those who have created great, extensive merit are happy at the time of death.
This is definitely possible. For the purest Dharma practitioners,
death is like returning home or going on a picnic." - Lama Zopa Rinpoche
With eyes and hearts open, we welcome back Ven. Fedor Stracke in February, who shall lead a rare weekend retreat on Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth - presenting the different stages of the death process in relation to the three levels of consciousness explained in the tantric teachings of the Buddha, and exploring the process of the intermediate state and rebirth. Ven. Fedor shall also lead an evening session on February 18 to help budding Buddhist practitioners develop a strong, daily practice, and shall join us in person for our final session of the Discovering Buddhism Study Group.
Shantideva Meditation is continuing to expand efforts in supporting people with different levels of experience with the Dharma, from beginner to advanced. We hope these teachings may support your development, and please stay tuned for future offerings.
We hope you may also stay tuned to our upcoming Appeal for Support, which has been moved to the beginning of our new year. We hope our Center may have all the conditions to flourish and share a treasury of Dharma for the benefit of all.
Thank you for being with us, virtually and in person. You're always welcome to contact us with questions, suggestions, needs and ideas. Love and best wishes,
Jennifer
Jennifer Kim, Director Shantideva Meditation Center - FPMT NYC
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F P M T N E W S A N D A C T I V I T I E S
Update on Lama Zopa Rinpoche's Health
On January 20, Ven. Roger Kunsang, attendant to Lama Zopa Rinpoche and FPMT's CEO, offered an update and good news about Lama Zopa Rinpoche's health:
Lama Zopa Rinpoche is in Sera Je Monastery, South India right now. This morning coming back from the long life puja (offered to the ex-Abbots and Abbot of Sera Je, as well as to the most senior lamas who were around from Tibet and Baxau, and to Lama Zopa Rinpoche) both Geshe Jinpa and Ven Sangpo and I were walking behind Rinpoche and watching with great interest the improvement in Rinpoche's right leg ... the walking action is definitely improving. Then last night I watched as Rinpoche was writing the mantra for putting above the rabbits' cage here in Osel Labrang. Again you can see improvement. And the rabbits noticed as well. Rinpoche's blood pressure and diabetes have been ok the past year... and I think there has also been a little improvement in those areas too, although the blood pressure does have a tendency to go up and down. We are no longer requesting and counting the specific practices which were recommended for Rinpoche's health and long life back in April last year.
Thank you to everyone for the extensive suggestions and ideas, and especially for all the prayers and dedication of good karma ... to improve our karmic view of Rinpoche.
According to the teachings, the essential practice for creating the cause for the guru's long life is harmony between students. Additionally, our devotion to our teachers is best expressed by following their advice, which includes offering service. By maintaining harmony, following our teachers' advice and offering long life pujas, FPMT students are accumulating the merit needed for our precious gurus to stay in the world with us for a long time. Light of the Path Retreat with Lama Zopa Rinpoche Hosted by FPMT's Kadampa Center in North Carolina Sunday, May 4 to Sunday May 18, 2014 YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly Black Mountain, NC 
Light of the Path Retreat 2014 is the third of a 5-year series of teaching retreats led by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA, and hosted by Kadampa Center (an FPMT affiliate located in Raleigh, NC). The root text for the course is Lama Atisha's Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment. According to Kadampa Center, anyone is welcome to attend, even if you did not come in 2009 or 2010. Lama Zopa Rinpoche has not yet started a direct commentary on the text, and you can stream the preliminary teachings from past years on FPMT's Online Learning Center to help prepare.
Click here for more information. Click here to register.
Kadampa Center has let us know that FPMT will be live-streaming the event so that all will have the opportunity to hear Rinpoche's teachings, if you are not able to join in person.
CarpoolingSome students have inquired with us about carpooling / group travel to the retreat. We are currently investigating options and are taking a poll to understand how many people may be interested in traveling together. If you are interested in group transportation, please let us know by completing this brief survey. Thank you! We shall be in touch with you.
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V I S I T I N G T E A C H E R P R O G R A M
Teachings with Venerable Fedor Stracke
Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth
Public Talk and Retreat
Friday, February 21 at 7pm-9pm; Saturday and Sunday, February 22-23 at 9:30am-6pm Tibet House 22 West 15th Street New York, NY 10011
All phenomena of causality change, and that which meets is certain to part. It is also certain that one day we have to die and part from our body, the only question is when. The moment of our death is the most crucial of our life, as our mental state during the death process determines our rebirth. It is therefore important that we prepare ourselves for this moment. For the unprepared person death can be very difficult, but for the prepared person death can be the opportunity for great spiritual development. To prepare, it helps if we have a good knowledge of the death process, which continues beyond the clinical death known by Western science. At the time of death, our consciousness withdraws gradually to its most profound level, the clear light mind of death. This process is accompanied by a series of inner visions and outer signs, and occurs in conjunction with the elements and aggregates of the physical body. In this public talk and retreat, Venerable Fedor Stracke will present the different stages of the death process in relation to the three levels of consciousness explained in the tantric teachings of the Buddha. We will also explore the process of the intermediate state and rebirth. The retreat will be divided into guided meditation, lecture and discussion. This intermediate-level retreat is part of Shantideva Meditation's series of topics from FPMT's Basic Program, designed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche for students committed to more in-depth study and practice. We are delighted to welcome back Ven. Fedor Stracke, who began the series two years ago. Join us for an exploration of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy in a supportive environment with a qualified teacher noted for his depth of knowledge and clarity of explanation. The public talk on Friday night presents an overview of the topic. The Saturday and Sunday retreat is intensive as much ground is covered in a relatively short time; students are therefore requested to attend all sessions. Study materials will be provided. Dates and Times:
Friday, February 217:00pm - 9:00pm Public Talk Saturday and Sunday, February 22-23 9:30am - 12:45pm Morning Teachings and Meditations with Tea Break 12:45pm - 2pm Lunch Served 2pm - 6pm Afternoon Teachings and Q&A with Tea Break Readings: Recommended Reading: The Three Basic Bodies: Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth; Transcript of the Oral Commentary by Geshe Jampa Gyatso (to be emailed upon registration) Resources for More Information: Death, Intermediate State, and Rebirth in Tibetan Buddhism by Lati Rinpoche and Jeffrey Hopkins
Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth - Foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama Suggested Donation: Public Talk Only: $20 Retreat (including talk): $120, which includes light refreshments, lunch, and materials Tibet House and Nalanda Institute members: $108 for entire retreat; $18 for public talk
Donations may be made online or at the door. Please register in advance for the retreat. To register, click here.
Staying Strong on the Path: How to Develop a Daily Practice
Tuesday, February 18 from 7pm-9pm Jewel Heart Center 260 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013 Venerable Fedor Stracke will offer teachings and advice on how to develop a daily practice in order to progress along the path to enlightenment and to more successfully integrate the Buddhist teachings into our daily lives.
This session is ideal for students who have taken the lay vows and refuge precepts offered by Venerable Robina Courtin in December. It is also appropriate for students who have some experience with Tibetan Buddhism and wish to receive guidance in establishing a daily practice in our FPMT tradition. Ven. Fedor will briefly review the lay vows and refuge commitments and offer advice about establishing a regular spiritual practice for the benefit of oneself and others. This advice will include an overview of the methods, reasons and practical benefits for accumulating merit, purifying negative karma, and requesting prayers. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. As support for your practice, attendees will receive a copy of A Daily Meditation on Shakyamuni Buddha, written by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Suggested Donation: $20. Donations may be made online or at the door. While the Dharma is given freely and no one is turned away for lack of funds, we invite you to inquire about volunteering or other ways you might support our efforts to make these teachings available in New York. As an emerging volunteer organization, Shantideva Meditation Center relies entirely on donations to cover the cost of space rental, transportation, housing, materials, and administration. Thank you for your generosity. Please register for the event in advance. Thank you.
About the Teacher:
Venerable Fedor Stracke has been a Buddhist monk since 1988. For the past 25 years, he has been studying the Dharma with various masters, translating Tibetan texts, interpreting for his teachers and teaching the Dharma at FPMT centers around the world.
He has received many teachings from masters in Kopan Monastery, Nalanda Monastery and Sera Monastery. At Sera Monastery, he followed the Geshe Program for many years, and during his time in India, attended extensive teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
For the last seven years, Ven. Stracke has been the resident teacher at Aryatara Institut in Munich and also teaches the FPMT Basic Program for Western students at Kopan Monastery.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available  Do you wish to support these teachings in a meaningful and helpful way? Sponsorship Opportunities are available. Sponsorship offers a way for people to practice generosity, to accumulate merit on the path to enlightenment, and to contribute to a specific cause that is close to their heart. If you are inspired to sponsor teacher offerings, lunches, transportation, and/or facility rentals, please click here.
You may indicate in your donation if you would like the funds to be used for a specific purpose.
Benefits of Offering to the Sangha by Lama Zopa Rinpoche Benefits of Offering (e.g., Food and Drink) to Other Students by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
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U P C O M I N G P U J A S A N D P R A C T I C E S
Pujas are offered twice monthly beginning at 7pm
Jewel Heart Center
260 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013
Shantideva Meditation students gather regularly for pujas, a ritual where prayers are offered to enlightened beings to request blessings and invoke help. Pujas help clear away obstacles and allow practitioners to realize their worldly and spiritual aspirations. Come as an observer or participant in this highly beneficial practice within a supportive community.
 | Shantideva Meditation's altar for Guru Puja with Tsog |
Guru Puja with Tsog lays the whole path to enlightenment on our mindstream, connects us more strongly to our teachers, and allows us to quickly and effectively accumulate merit and purify negative karma.
Medicine Buddha purifies and heals on all levels -- physical, mental, spiritual, and environmental. It is considered particularly powerful for people who are sick or have recently died, and for bringing both temporary success and the ultimate success of enlightenment.
Green Tara puja is especially swift in helping to grant wishes and quickly remove obstacles to our worldly success and spiritual development, helping us to accomplish our goals.
You may wish to bring a small offering of food or flowers to create merit (positive energy). Please contact George Cuesta to request a dedication for yourself or someone else to be recited during the puja.
You are also invited to sponsor an entire puja (suggested $60) or sponsor partially via this link or to make an offering at the door. The purer the motivation that accompanies your act of giving the more powerful is the act of charity.
You are welcome to RSVP in advance, as that helps us better prepare for your arrival.
RSVP Guru Puja with Tsog Friday, January 24
RSVP Medicine Buddha Puja Friday, February 7
RSVP Green Tara Puja Friday, March 7
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C O M P A S S I O N I N A C T I O N
Compassion in Action: DOROT's Winter Package Delivery for Homebound Seniors
Sunday, February 2 from 9:45am - 12pm Brandeis High School (Meeting Spot) 145 W 84th St (b/w Amsterdam and Columbus Ave), New York City
Compassion in Action offers opportunities for Shantideva Meditation students to volunteer for social service organizations as a group. Through hands-on, shared experiences in helping, we seek to develop our capacity for compassion and generosity.
Volunteers are needed for our next Compassion in Action project, in partnership with NY Cares, where we will visit and deliver meals in groups of three to homebound seniors on Manhattan's Upper West Side with DOROT, an agency that extends a lifeline of support to homebound and homeless seniors.
A Photo ID is required to participate. Other basic guidelines will be emailed upon registration.
Some volunteers will meet up for lunch at Hampton Chutney (484 Amsterdam Ave, b/w 82nd and 83rd Streets) after the event.
For more information, contact us. Special thanks to Bonnie Costa for coordinating.
Registration:
Click here to RSVP by Monday, January 27. Space is limited to 10 participants. Details will be sent with your confirmation.
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R E J O I C E - R E C E N T D H A R M A A C T I V I T I E S
Teachings and Events with Venerable Robina Courtin
 | Ven. Robina Courtin with students at the close of "Karma and Emptiness" |
Karma and Emptiness: a Tasty Example of Dependent Arising
On December 6-8 at Tibet House, Shantideva Meditation hosted a public talk and retreat with Ven. Robina. During the lively teachings, Ven. Robina shared her many insights into karma, purification, the ten non-virtues, dependent arising, how to let go of ego-grasping, and understanding emptiness. In the Q&A sessions, Ven. Robina answered a variety of questions from students.
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Living the Dharma: Refuge in the Three JewelsOn December 10 at Jewel Heart, Ven. Robina offered teachings on the reasons, benefits and commitments for formally taking refuge and the lay vows. She then bestowed refuge and vows to those who were interested. 20 people decided to take refuge for the first time, and many more renewed their vows. Access the audio recording of the teaching.
Medicine Buddha Puja
On December 13 at Jewel Heart, Ven. Robina offered a brief teaching on the Medicine Buddha practice and led us in the puja.
We are grateful to Ven. Robina Courtin, for her generosity and wisdom, and for inspiring us to work tirelessly on developing our own minds for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Thank you to all the participants who came to these events.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our volunteers and sponsors:
Tara Baltazar, Sandra Benedict, Arnaud Berger, Jeff Caspari, Tricia Clark, Lauren Coleman, George Cuesta, Bonnie Costa, Frederick English, Augusto Giacoman, Cynthia Golembeski, Margi Haas, Jeff Holloway, Loren Kantor, Charlotte Lowson, D�zanne Phillips, Laura Pintchik, Allan Tarantino, Ann Marie Witzel, D�zanne Phillips, Stephen Redenti, Meg Sweetland-Baker, Ruby Sanchez, Teddy Sczudlo and Jaime Silberman.
We also acknowledge Ganden Thurman and Tibet House US, as well as Jewel Heart Center for making their spaces available to Shantideva Meditation for the teachings. Thank you to the Interdependence Project for hosting and co-sponsoring Ven. Robina's teaching on December 11. Thank you to Tara Baltazar for attending to Ven. Robina during her stay in New York. Thank you also to the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science for promoting programs of mutual benefit.
Heart Sutra: the Profound Union of Wisdom and Compassion
A Teaching with Geshe Kelsang Wangmo
 | Geshe Kelsang Wangmo teaching students on the Buddhist view of reality and the self |
On November 17 at Jewel Heart, Shantideva Meditation hosted a teaching with
Geshe Kelsang Wangmo on the Heart Sutra. During her lecture, Geshe Wangmo discussed the Heart Sutra in relation to the profound wisdom of emptiness, and its implicit meaning pertaining to compassion and the progressive stages to enlightenment.
Listen to the audio recording of Geshe Wangmo's teaching. For more photos from this teaching, visit our Facebook album.
We are very grateful to Geshe Wangmo for leading these inspirational and informative teachings.
We are also grateful for the time and talents offered by volunteer team leaders: Tara Baltazar, Tricia Clark,Lauren Coleman, Bonnie Costa, and Allan Tarantino. Thanks also to volunteers assisting: Arnaud Berger, Kat Courtney, Gustavo Cutz, Charlotte Lowson, Jon Owen, Ruby Sanchez, Teddy Sczudlo, and Tracy Smith. Thank you also to the kind volunteers who offered delicious snacks and drinks for our attendees.
In addition, we would like to thank Britain Hopkins for coordinating important details about Geshe Wangmo's visit, and Jewel Heart Center for making their beautiful space available.
Shantideva Meditation 2013 Holiday Party
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Ven. Robina Courtin with Jennifer Kim and George Cuesta � Eliana Castanho, 2013
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On December 15 at the MiMA Building, community members gathered together for a festive party with friends, yummy food, trivia games, and raffle giveaways.
Our guests gathered into teams to participate in two trivia rounds, related to the Big Apple and the Dharma, respectively. The winning teams received Jacques Torres chocolates offered by an anonymous donor and tsa tsa's representing Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of wisdom.
Ven. Robina Courtin was our guest of honor and led a teaching about Bodhicitta, followed by choosing the lucky winners of our raffle giveaway, sponsored by community members who wished to practice generosity and share gifts with others. All this was enjoyed over warm spanikopita, cheeses, dips, mulled cider, and fun conversation. Thank you to all who joined us!
For more holiday party photos, visit our Facebook album.
Click here to listen to the audio recording of Ven. Robina's teaching on Bodhicitta.
Special thanks to Ven. Robina Courtin for her presence and teaching. Special thanks also to Ann Marie Witzel and Michael Knipp for creating the menu and working diligently to feed our guests. We would also like to thank the kind volunteers for this event: Rosy Alessandro, Tara Baltazar, Lauren Coleman, Bonnie Costa, Gustavo Cutz, Cynthia Golembeski, Paul Hackett, Charlotte Lowson, Mercedeh Mirshamsi, Michele Parlabean, Marcia Rosales, Ruby Sanchez, Deborah Stevenson, and Danielle Walker.
Thank you also to Eliana Castanho for sharing with us her beautiful photos from the event, and for the generous community members who offered gifts for the raffle giveaway.
Special Lama Tsongkhapa Day Guru Puja with Tsog
On December 27, Shantideva Meditation, with our friends at Jewel Heart and other Gelugpa and Mahayana Dharma centers, hosted a special Guru Puja and Tsog to honor our lineage of gurus for Lama Tsongkhapa Day.
Lama Tsongkhapa Day is the celebration of the 'parinirvana' or enlightenment of JeTsongkhapa (1357-1419), the renowned saint, scholar, yogi, teacher, and author from Tibet, the Land of Snows.
There were beautiful light, food and flower offerings filling the altar space. We extend our sincere thanks to Jewel Heart Center and their umdze, Mya Myint, for leading us in the practice.
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O R G A N I Z A T I O N A L N E W S
Announcements Regarding our Management Team
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Ven. Lhundub Chodron
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We are delighted that
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Arnaud Berger
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Arnaud Berger has accepted our invitation to serve as the Spiritual Program Coordinator for Shantideva Meditation Center, as George Cuesta was scheduled to step down from the position at the end of 2013. We are happy that George shall remain on the Board of Directors, stay closely involved with Spiritual Program activities, and expand his activities with guiding students in meditation. Arnaud holds nearly a decade of experience with the FPMT, since first taking part in a 10-day retreat at Kopan Monastery in 2004. He has studied the Basic Program for 5 years with Geshe Jampel at the Kalachakra Center in Paris, the Foundation of the Buddhist Thought with Geshe Tashi at Jamyang Center in London, and the Lam Rim Chen Mo study program on line. In France, he has also guided meditations and has facilitated some modules of the Discovering Buddhism program. Arnaud has also attended several retreats with his family at Plum Village with Thich Nhat Hanh. With his appointment as Spiritual Program Coordinator, Arnaud shall also serve on the Board of Directors. With his experiences and successes in growing Adie, a microfinancing organization in France, we are very fortunate for his participation in our activities during this time of growth. Due to increased responsibilities with other areas of her work and life, Tricia Clark has needed to step down from her position as Treasurer of Shantideva Meditation Center. We are very grateful for Tricia's exemplary service and kindness over the past year and look forward to seeing her at future events! We are grateful that Ven. Lhundub Chodron has accepted our invitation to serve as Treasurer, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge about Dharma, accountancy and finances to our organization, combined with kindness and compassion.
After taking refuge in the mid 1980's, Ven Lhundub Chodron practiced in the Korean and Japanese Zen traditions for 10 years. Since meeting Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 1997, she has studied and practiced Tibetan Buddhism within the FPMT community and has held various positions within the organization including Director of the Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Program in Dharamsala, India and Director of the International Mahayana Institute (IMI), the organization of FPMT monks and nuns. She took getsulma vows from Geshe Lhundub Sopa in 2000.
Prior to her life as a nun she held various positions in the banking, real estate and health care industries as a Certified Public Accountant. She has brought this knowledge and experience to various positions within the FPMT organization. Ven. Chodron is currently also the acting Treasurer and accountant for the IMI. Opportunities to Offer Service Would you like to get to know our community, participate in organizing events and resources, and help develop our dynamic and harmonious FPMT Center in New York City? 
Shantideva Meditation Center activities are organized by a team of amazing volunteers who are devoted to serving the Dharma and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, our Spiritual Director. As a practice, offering service is a wonderful way to make your life meaningful, generate merit (positive potential), and be of benefit to others.
Tasks are made lighter when taken on by many rather than a few, and as new people step forward and offer to help, we are relieved and thrilled.
Volunteers are needed to assist with various aspects of Shantideva Meditation Center's spiritual program, fundraising and community event needs. Shantideva Meditation is also looking for people with lovely homes who may be able to host FPMT teachers during the next year; teachers typically prefer private, simple, and quiet accommodations in Manhattan.
For for more information or to express your interest in offering service at Shantideva Meditation Center, please contact Shantideva Meditation Director, Jennifer Kim. We thank you for your kindness and generosity.
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P R A C T I C E G E N E R O S I T Y
Please support our efforts to present retreats and public talks with visiting FPMT teachers, meditation classes, Discovering Buddhism study groups, pujas, and community events and activities serving our New York City community.
There are many opportunities to make donations - at Dharma teachings, in sponsorship of a puja, around one of the Buddha's holy days, during our annual appeal or at special events.
Shantideva Meditation relies entirely on the generosity of donors and the kindness of volunteers who donate their expertise and time. Therefore, every gift at any level is needed and deeply appreciated.
We now have the option to make recurring donations in order to provide essential support for ongoing expenses. If everyone who benefits from our programs gives even a modest amount each month, the funds and positive good will created will increase exponentially.
To create positive potential to collectively keep the wheel of Dharma turning, please consider making a donation via the link below. Thank you for your kindness and generosity!
And please stay tuned for more information about our 2nd Annual Appeal!
In giving we not only find wealth while in cyclic existence but we achieve the zenith of prosperity in supreme enlightenment.
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama
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A B O U T U S
Shantideva Meditation Center is dedicated to cultivating wisdom and compassion through the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism within the New York community. We are affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), which is based on the Gelugpa tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught by Founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe and Spiritual Director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
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