Greetings from a lovely spring
at Milarepa Center!

We have been extremely busy at the Center preparing for all of our wonderful seasonal events.
 
We're kicking off our season with our Open House on Sunday, May 2 from 2:00 - 3:30pm. Feel free to stop by with friends and family for
some tea and cookies, to take a
tour, go for a hike, or to walk your pet around the Stupa.
 
Registration for the program with Ven. Choden Rinpoche (the Kalachakra Initiation and teachings) has opened and places to stay on-site are getting full. The bed and breakfast across the street is fully
booked although we have
negotiated a discounted rate withthe Comfort Inn about 10 miles away and there is another bed and
breakfast nearby that is still available. In addition, you can now register for ALL of our upcoming programs. Other highlights of the season are the July weekends with Vens. Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa (Introduction to Tantra - great for those interested in taking the Kalachakra Initiation) and Dagri Rinpoche (who lives in Dharamsala) will teach a commentary on the Heart Sutra and give a Manjushri Jenang.
 
Our annual newsletter went out containing a listing of our events through the rest of the year. If you have not received a newsletter yet (we had a minor mailing list error that has now been corrected so some people may not have gotten one), please let us know and we will be happy to put one in the mail to you. You can also find those activities updated on our website.
 
We are also beginning the process of preparing the Center's Master Plan which involves a great deal of work with which Jeff Garnette has been largely involved. Rosanne Hebert has been happily reorganizing the office and setting up systems for easier course registration, among other things. Ven. Amy begins her weekly classes in early May.
 
In addition, as a spring innovation, Jeff decided to transform part of the floor in our dining room and repaired a terrible hole that has been there from a fire years before. The before (below, left) and after (below, right) photos say it all, but do stop by to check out his handiwork for yourself. We so hope to see you soon.
 

 
With huge love from all of us at Milarepa Center!
 
Highlights of this e-letter:
       :: The Mahayana - Our Wonderful Truck!
        :: Urgent Request: Seasonal Cook Needed
       :: Able-Bodied Beings - Join the Party!
       :: Become a Sponsor of the Kalachakra Initiation
       :: Connect with the FPMT
       :: Wish List
       :: Rejoice!
       :: Don't Miss Out: Upcoming Programs
       :: Practice Days in May
   

The Mahayana - Our wonderful truck!

The exciting news is that we have just purchased a wonderful four-wheel-drive truck for the Center! It took us some time to find the right vehicle, but it's BEAUTIFUL (truly the Mahayana!) and we attach a photo over which you can rejoice.
 
We bought a 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD with a 12/month/12,000 mile warranty (thanks to the great negotiations of Rosanne and Jeff!).
 
We would like to thank the following donors again for their kind generosity, particularly Brittni Vallejo and Eric Lindberg, along with Eryn Bordes and David Jaffe, Herb Hale, Marianna Janicelli, Jim Johnson, Yi-Fang Li, Klaus Liu, Bob Zimmer, and Claire Zurawski.
 
We are also most grateful to John Wolfe and Norma Quesada of Buddha Maitreya Study Group in Northhampton, Massachusetts for the generous donation of their truck that the Center found so useful over the past few years. We were able to trade it in towards this purchase.
 
This truck will be invaluable for all of the work we are doing to develop the Center, as well as to take care of snow removal in the winter once we secure a snow plough. No doubt, this will save Milarepa hundreds of dollars each year.
 
So come for a visit and admire the Vajra Vehicle!

Seeking Seasonal Cook

 
  Here's a great way to join our family. We are
  currently seeking a vegetarian cook for our
  upcoming season. Providing nourishing food for
  our program participants is a wonderful way to
  serve sentient beings and Milarepa Center.

  The position offers a monthly stipend, room,
  board, and a delightful opportunity to work with
  your mind.


For more information and to apply, contact Rosanne Hebert, Administrative Manager at (802) 633-4136 or by e-mail to milarepa@milarepacenter.org.
 

·Able-Bodied Beings -- Join the Party!

 
Milarepa Center is currently seeking some "able-bodied beings" who would like to join us for all or part of the summer or building season to help us with a variety of building projects including the construction of a second Tiny House.

It's very expensive for us to hire contractors and carpenters at this point in the development (particularly for the smaller projects such as building tent platforms, erecting tents, etc.), so we have been working with wonderful volunteers when they have the time. You don't have to have a vast amount of experience as we have a variety of different jobs.

We offer simple accommodation in our dormitory or camping with your own tent, food, as well as access to programs and retreats in exchange for 30 hours of service per week. It's a wonderful way to explore life at a beautiful Buddhist retreat center.

Also, you might consider a shorter option of joining our Annual Work Party Overnight on June 5 and 6. See program details below on our website.

If you are interested in joining us, please contact Rosanne Hebert at (802) 633-4136 or by e-mail to: milarepa@milarepacenter.org.

Become a Sponsor of the Kalachakra Initiation

We are deeply honored that Venerable Choden Rinpoche will be visiting Milarepa Center this August to teaching and give the Kalachakra Initiation from August 15-22, 2010. Becoming of a sponsor of this precious program is a uniquely beneficial opportunity.
 
  Ven. Choden Rinpoche was born in 1933 in the Kham region of eastern Tibet. At the age of 3, Rinpoche was recognized as the reincarnation of the previous Choden Rinpoche, who himself had been one of the finalists in the search for the 13th Dalai Lama's reincarnation. Rinpoche entered Rabten Monastery at the age of 7 and took novice ordination from Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche. At 17, Rinpoche entered Sera Je Monastery where he completed Geshe (Ph.D.) studies at the age of 28 achieving highest honors (Lharampa).

 Lama Zopa Rinpoche says of His Guru, " . . . Rinpoche has vast knowledge and experience -- not only having vast intellectual understanding but also his holy mind enriched with oceans of realizations as vast as space. He not only has intellectual understanding, but also the actual realization of the real meaning of mantra -- the transcendental wisdom of non-dual bliss and voidness."
 
We are quite excited about the enormous benefit this type of event can create and are doing all we can to prepare. However, special programs such as these can accrue a number of expenses. The costs we have listed on the attached program barely cover Milarepa Center's costs for food, accommodation and operating expenses. The budget below outlines the additional costs of hosting a visit such as this. There is no doubt, though, of the benefit to infinite beings so it is even difficult to put a price on such visits. The world in which we live, however, necessitates certain payments and, thus, the reason we are appealing to you now.
 
We invite you to become a sponsor of this special program with Ven. Choden Rinpoche. There are several different ways you can help:
 

 -- by making a $1,000 individual or $1,500 couple donation. For those able to       help at this level, we have a special gift for you, as well as reserved seating if you attend;

-- by making a $150-$600 donation to support a monk or nun to attend the Kalachakra Initiation;

-- by making a general donation of any amount to help toward the entire program; or by selecting all or part of a budget item below and offeringto
        sponsor it!
 
Your financial support is greatly appreciated by Milarepa Center, and by those who could not otherwise attend this program without your help.  All donations are tax-deductible.
 
Contributing to this program is a great way to generate positive energy even if you are unable to attend. We have raised nearly $3,000 so far and are appealing to you to help us gather the remaining $14,700.

Please consider a generous gift at this time. Checks are made payable to Milarepa Center and can be sent to PO Box 51, Barnet, VT 05821 USA. You can also make donations with a credit card via our PayPal account on our website at  www.milarepacenter.org. Thank you for your kind support.
 
Please consider contributing to this auspicious retreat and help make all of our wishes come true.

 
Kalachakra Initiation Budget (in U.S. dollars)

Housing:  $2,812

Airfare: $1,500
    Three people, two business class, one economy from San Jose, CA to Boston or
     Manchester, NH onto Europe (shared with Kurukulla Center)
          
Food:  $432
     $12/day for three people x 12 days)  (sponsored)
                   
Sangha sponsorship: $600
     Four monks and nuns @ $50/day per person x 3 days
                                           
Lama, interpretor, attendant and additional staff offerings: $3,500

Linens, towels and dishes for Rinpoche: $300 (sponsored)
 
Advertising: $1,498 (sponsored)
                                                         
Supplies: $900
     (prayer book printing, tsog, altar offerings)
            
Tent rental:  $965
    (30 x 45 feet)
                                              
Portable toilet rental: $600
      Eight units with servicing (sponsored)
        
Purchasing additional cushions or making foam seating: $800

4 Tent platforms: $600
     (10 x 12 feet @ $150 each)
                             
Wall tent: $3,270 (based on three)
     (additional guest accommodation) (10 x 10 feet)
     -- To purchase one -- $1,211 each;  to purchase three -- $1,090 each               

 TOTAL:  $17,777
 
Budget Explanation:

While most of the budget is self-explanatory, here is an explanation of a few of the items:
 
·       Due to the limited housing and cooking facilities for Lamas and attendants at Milarepa, we feel it's best to house Rinpoche and two attendants (one interpreter and one cook) at our neighbor's bed and breakfast across the street. We had no other housing offered in the area as has happened before with visits such as these. Therefore, we felt this was the most reasonable option. Our neighbor gave us a greatly reduced rate for the rooms and use of the kitchen and this affords Rinpoche more privacy and quiet during the program.
 
·       The airfare is an estimate as Rinpoche's main attendant could not give me the exact amount yet until the fares are booked, but this was the closest cost we could make based on the organization of other tours.
 
·       We feel it's very important to make generous offerings to Rinpoche and attendants and we would be unable to understand any of the program without Rinpoche's interpreter. The additional staff help needed to support a program such as this is something often greatly undervalued so we felt it was important to include some offerings for the main workers.
 
·       Although we purchased an event tent last year, we feel we will need another tent just for the number of people we are expecting as Kalachakra is a unique program.
 
·       The cushions, tent platforms and wall tents are something that Milarepa Center urgently needs to purchase for the overall development of the Center as we work to offer better seasonal accommodation and more comfortable furnishings for the gompa in general.

Connect with FPMT! 

Here's the latest news from our parent organization,
the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana
Tradition (FPMT). See what Lama Zopa Rinpoche says about Dharma centers and read the 2009 Annual Review at
www.fpmt.org/enews/2010/fpmt/April.htm

Wish List

This is a great way to sponsor a specific item for the Center and feel a part of our family. We respectfully request that you not bring anything to the Center that is not on the list without checking with us. If there is something on the list below you are interested in helping us with, please call Amy Miller at (802) 633-4136 or e-mail her at milarepa@milarepacenter.org to discuss the specifics. Thank you so much.


-- 1 twin bed frame in good condition
-- 3 twin mattresses in good condition
-- 3 dressers in good condition
-- Snow plough
-- Army tents for guest accommodation
-- Long range portable phone system with 3 phones
-- Good quality saffron (represents pure morality and is placed in
     our water offerings each day to create prosperity for the
     center)
-- Reading lamps
-- Septic safe recycled toilet paper and paper towels
-- Good quality tea lights
-- HP Inkjet cartridges 94/95 and 97

Don't Miss Out:
Upcoming Programs
 
More details and registration information can be found
on our website: www.milarepacenter.org
 

Courses with Ven. Amy Miler:

1. Traveling the Path to Enlightenment: Tuesday Evening Series
    Tuesdays: May 4, 11, 18; June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; July 6, 13, 27;
    August 3, 10, 31.  6:30 - 8:30pm. By donation.
Here's your chance to get a refreshing overview of the Tibetan Buddhist path. Study of the Lam Rim (the Steps on the Path) lays a fantastic foundation for your spiritual practice and explores topics such as death and rebirth, karma, nirvana, developing the good heart, and the nature of reality. This class is open to all levels of students. A different topic will be discussed each week throughout the 14-week series. Drop-ins welcome.
 
2. Taming the Mind: Wednesday Evening Meditation Series
    Wednesdays: May 5, 12, 19; June 2, 9, 16, 23; July 7, 14; August 4, 11.
     7:00 - 8:00pm  (6:30pm: Introduction for newcomers)   By donation.
Please join this weekly series integrating contemplative practice with the fundamentals of meditation. These ongoing classes are perfect for drop-ins and all levels of practitioners. If this is your first experience with meditation, arrive at 6:30pm for a brief overview. We will begin our meditation together at 7:00pm. Invigorate and inspire your spiritual practice!
 
3. Meditation Daylong
    May 16, 9:30am - 4:00pm
    By donation. Potluck lunch.
This year we are continuing to offer our meditation daylongs for all levels of students. If you are interested in learning about meditation or are a regular meditator who would like to recharge your practice, please join us. A perfect component for weekly study groups, the meditation daylong affords you the opportunity to get to know your mind while exploring some relevant discussion. Pre-registration required by calling (802) 633-4136 or by e-mailing us at milarepa@milarepacenter.org. Bring a main vegetarian dish to feed four people (they can be heated on-site).
 

***

Sakadawa
Nyung Né Retreat
May 26, 7:00pm to May 28, 10:00am
Led by Ven. Amy Miller

Pre-registration required.
Suggested donation: sliding scale of $100 to $300 per person
includes shared accommodation and all meals. Private cabins available.
No one turned away for lack of funds.
 


Sakadawa is the Buddhist celebration of the Buddha's birth,
enlightenment and parinirvana. What better way to honor this holiday
than to participate in a Nyung Né retreat?
 
Nyung Né is a Chenrezig (the Buddha of Compassion) practice
from the Kriya (Action) class of Tantra. In each of the four
daily sessions we practice the sadhana of Chenrezig,
which involves meditating on bodhicitta (the aspiration to attain
enlightenment in order to benefit all sentient beings), visualizing
Chenrezig, reciting prayers and mantra, and performing prostrations.

This retreat includes periods of fasting and strict silence
and is a powerful, quick and effective method to both purify
an enormous amount of negativity while collecting vast merit.
 
One doesn't need to have had any initiations prior to this retreat,
but pre-registration is required to attend. If you have never attended
a Nyung Né before, however, you must attend the evening
introduction on May 26.


***

 
Sakadawa Celebration
Anniversary of the Buddha's Birth,
Enlightenment and Parinirvana, May 27
 

 
4:00am: Eight Mahayana Precepts*
5:00am: Tea and Setting Up and Offering Water Bowls
6:00am: Lama Chopa Puja
11:15am: Lunch  
1:30-2:30pm: Sutra reading
6:30-7:30pm: Shakyamuni Buddha Puja
(Please let us know if you will be joining us for lunch.)
 
This special holiday is a fantastic time to practice, so while Milarepa Center
will be hosting a silent day of the Nyung Né, you are most welcome to come
 and participate in the activities listed above or feel free to spend some time
 during the day exploring your own practice.
 
(*) The Eight Mahayana Precepts are 24-hour vows that are especially
powerful to take on merit multiplying days such as the special holiday
of Sakadawa. These vows include refraining from killing, stealing,
lying, sexual activity, intoxicants, singing and dancing with attachment,
wearing of ornaments, and sitting on large, high or expensive thrones.
Those on Precepts also eat one meal during the day that is finished by
noon and do not eat garlic, onion, radish, meat or egg.

***
 
Death and Rebirth:
Understanding Life's Ultimate Transition
A Three-Week Series at the Montpelier Library with Ven. Amy Miller.
Thursdays: June 3, 10, and 17, 6:00 - 8:00pm.  Free.
  Hayes Room, Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Main Street, Montpelier, Vermont
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We'll explore the death process according to Tibetan Buddhism and will
also discuss more practical methods to best support those who are actively
 dying. Preparing ourselves for this major life change will also be included
 along with applicable meditations.

***
 
Spring Work Party Overnight and Tara Puja
Saturday, June 5, 9am - 5pm with evening activities
Sunday, June 6, 9am - noon followed by lunch and Tara Puja
Pre-registration required.
 
The work party weekends are a great way to support the center
 and enjoy time with dharma friends.  We need help this time of year
 in our organic garden (which helps to nourish our program participants
 and staff!), washing windows, chopping wood, cleaning, and getting
ready for our fantastic summer programs.

Feel free to bring work clothes and gloves, chainsaws, and anything
 else than could be useful working in the house and garden.
 
Lunch and dinner will be provided on Saturday and breakfast and
 lunch on Sunday.  You are welcome to come either day if you're
 unable to spend the night.

***
Summer Solstice Qigong
Saturday, June 19, 9:00am - 5:00pm
with Mary Sturtevant, M.Ed.,
 Certified instructor of Qigong, Reiki and Taiji. 
Suggested donation: sliding scale of $50 to $125 per person includes lunch.
 

 
From spring cleaning to summer light!  As the yin flow of winter abates
during the spring season and the yang energy of summer rises, a very auspicious period for healing work occurs.

 Spring is the season of rebirth, of new growth, of new beginnings.
This is a wonderful time to open to the new and to cleanse stale qi
(vital energy) from our body, mind, and spirit. The gentle, yet powerful
 movements of Qigong incorporate a relaxed posture, deep breathing
and focused attention. Qigong is all about health and healing, relaxation
and letting go, clarity and inner peace. A rich variety of Qigong forms and
 practices that focus on health and healing will be taught in this workshop.

 Come join us and learn to play with the qi!  Please wear loose,
comfortable clothing and bring a ball (volleyball, soccer ball,
playground ball) and a ruler or dowel of similar length.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mary Sturtevant is Associate Professor Emerita, Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts and a practitioner of eastern philosophy, healing modalities and movement forms for over 30 years. She served on the Boards of Directors of the National Qigong Association and Guang Ping Yang Tai Chi Association.
Presently, she serves as chairperson of the Ethics and Integrity Committee of the
 National Qigong Association. In addition, to presenting workshops, Mary is a
hospice volunteer and served on the Littleton, New Hampshire Hospice Board
of Directors. We are delighted to welcome Mary back to Milarepa Center.

Practice Days in May
 
May 8          Milarepa Tsog, 1:30pm
May 21        Tara Puja, 6:30pm*
May 23        Lama Chopa Tsog, 1:30pm*
May 27        Sakadawa Celebration, all day
 
(*) Please check with the Center in advance if you are planning to attend as these
     practices may be changed due to other programming.

www.milarepacenter.org

(802) 633-4136