Announcement of Special Election

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Assistant Director Stacey Berry has had to step down from his post on the board due to time commitments for work and graduate school. The board thanks him for his service, particularly his help with our highly successful fundraising trip to the Karmapa’s teaching in New York last June. Thank you, Stacey! KTC wishes you all the best and looks forward to seeing you around the center when your schedule permits.

Consequently, in accordance with KTC elections policy, a special election will now be held to elect a member to fill the remaining term of the board member who is unable to serve. Any KTC member in good standing may be nominated for the position, but it is wise to check with the person first before nominating them. Nominees must receive two nominations from members in good standing to become eligible candidates for the office.

Nominations will be received by Rich Butchko at butchko1@columbus.rr.com, or in writing to Rich Butchko, c/o Columbus KTC, PO Box 14946, Columbus, Ohio 43214. You may also call Columbus KTC at (614) 228-6546 to nominate someone by phone.

The nomination period for special elections is one week’s time.

All nominations–whether by email, phone, or postal mail–must be received by 1:00pm on Sunday, March 3rd, 2019.

We also invite people who are considering membership in Columbus KTC to take this opportunity to become members and join us in this process; we welcome your input. To become a member, please visit our pledge page and/or contact Steve Phallen at treasurer@columbusktc.org.

The election itself will take place Sunday, March 24th, 12:45pm, after the Dharma Talk.

For more details on the election policy, please see the attached document.

Columbus KTC Board and Elections Policy 14.1-1.

Sincerely,

The Columbus KTC Board

Director: Kim Miracle
Treasurer: Steve Phallen
Secretary: Michael Stone
Member at Large: Eric Weinberg
Resident Adviser: Lama Kathy Wesley

Chenrezig Update

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Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Chenrezig Sadhana usually held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night will be canceled for Feb. 5, 13, 19, and 26. We hope to return to our regular schedule in March.  We apologize for any inconvenience. We hope you can join us for open meditation at 10 a.m. Sundays. Please contact us at info@columbusktc.org for updates.

First look: New KTC Exterior

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Now that our “little Buddhist center that could” has begun its last push to raise the money needed to rebuild in the aftermath of a 2016 arson fire, we’re going to beging sharing “first looks” at our new 3-Dimensional architectural computer models.

Our incredible Columbus-based architectural team of Peter Macrae and Peter Lenz (who we call “Pete” and “Peter” to tell them apart) has taken the design originated by Wisconsin architect Keith Spruce and shaped it to meet Columbus city codes and add in features requested by the sangha.

To follow Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche’s request that we make our new home larger than the last, the design essentially doubles our floor space – from almost 5,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet. The split-level design includes a shrine room that will seat 100 on cushions and a community room that will accommodate a similar number of folks at tables and chars. An office and classroom wing to the west will give us a separate library, classroom, store space and children’s play area.

Our exterior, seen here in a birds’ eye view from the corner of Rich and Grubb streets looking west from Rich, will include a wheelchair access ramp (and circumambulation path, including a small stupa) and evergreen trees, and a pleasing stone and brick façade. Floor to ceiling windows on the south and north sides of the shrine room will let in light. 

A cupola at the top of the building will a feature special Tibetan architectural element called a “sertö” or “golden vase” spire, symbolizing richness and goodness. Along the roof line, repeating white circles on a dark background represent another Tibetan architectural element known as “the moon,” which symbolizes the Buddha nature inherent in every being.

Tibetan Buddhist teachings say that seeing sacred art and symbols is uplifting for those who see them, even if they are not aware of the symbolis’ inner meaning. We can’t wait to share more 3-D drawings with you and will gradually share them over the time of our campaign. We expect that as our designs mature (these are just early drawings, produced for our recent meeting with Mayor Ginther and do not have all the final details), but we are sure you will be as excited as we are by the vision of a new home for Tibetan Buddhist dharma in Columbus!

While you’re admiring the view of our new temple, take a moment to send us a comment or an encouragement, and feel free to donate toward the accomplishment of this goal. Even small donations participate in the merit of the entire structure, and accumulate the virtue of providing a shelter for the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha in the city.  May all be auspicious! And may all beings benefit ?

Donate

Holiday Events at Columbus KTC

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Christmas Chenrezig

Tuesday, December 25th, 7:00pm

The Center for Pragmatic Buddhism

Join fellow practioners for their Tuesday night Chenrezig practice, which will be held at The Center for Pragmatic Buddhism, on Christmas Day.

First Light Prayers for World Peace

Tuesday, January 1st, 7:00am – 10:30am

The Center for Pragmatic Buddhism

On January 1st, please join the Columbus KTC Sangha and begin the New Year with a First Light Ceremony that include prayers for world peace. Following the program, you are invited stay for a light breakfast and a special Dharma Talk given by Lama Kathy Wesley. All are welcome!

Schedule Details  

7:00 am: First Light prayers and Chenrezig Puja

8:30 am: Light breakfast of bagels, juice, tea and coffee

9:30 am: New Year’s Day Dharma Talk with Lama Kathy Wesley

Completing the Vision: A New Home for Columbus KTC

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What began as a tragic loss has now developed into an inspiring vision, as the Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling begins the next phase of fundraising for its new home in the heart of the capital city.

When an arson fire destroyed our small wooden church in January 2016, our founding teacher, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, started the project by encouraging us: “Don’t be sad – rebuild!”

So, our little 50-family congregation dug deep, and manifested an emergency fundraising campaign raising $100,000, and amassed resources that helped us design a 10,000-square-foot temple that would satisfy our center’s needs for the next decade and beyond. 

The “little congregation that could” made friends along the way – local business owners, government representatives and townspeople admired our 40-year commitment to Columbus and our 30-year history of offering free weekly meditation instruction to the public. 

Donors supported our work in Ohio’s prisons, including teaching meditation to inmates on Death Row, and helped us expand our Free Meditation Instruction to a second weekly meeting – at an Episcopal church located downtown in the shadow of the Ohio Statehouse.

Meanwhile, friends overseas heard about our plight, and sent donations to help us rebuild our shrine hall better than ever, with traditional shrine furnishings and plenty of cushions and prayer book tables for retreats and regular practices. On top of $600,000 in insurance proceeds, the center collected $700,000 from donors around the corner and around the world.

After raising $1.3 million and making arrangements for a $200,000 loan, the KTC rejoiced at having funded its initial construction estimate. 

But then, in early 2018, the final construction budget – including some items required by city code but unexpected by the construction team – came in at $2.3 million. A quick review cut some costs, but the revised budget was still $2.1 million. This figure is much higher than the $1.5 million KTC had on hand for the project.

After consulting with friends and advisors, the KTC Board and Capital Campaign Committee met and decided to move forward with the project, setting a fundraising goal of $800,000, which covers both the shortfall and an expected increase in construction costs due to a delayed construction start date. 

To rally our friends and supporters for this last part of our project, we have organized a “last push” campaign with a goal of $800,000. This will allow us to start construction and complete our vision for a new home in the coming year.

Our teacher, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, who turns 95 this year, believes in the project so much that he already has purchased our Buddha statue – a stunning 10-foot-tall masterpiece of bronze depicting the primordial Buddha Vajradhara, a powerful reminder of the awakened potential that exists within all of us.

Khenpo Rinpoche also has donated the last of his personal practice items to a charity auction that raised $43,000, and says he is ready to come to Columbus in the company of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje, to oversee our dedication, when it occurs. 

This is where you come in. 

If you believe in the power of meditation; if you believe that a beautiful meditation hall can help transform a bustling city; if you believe that donating to create spiritual environments accumulates positive virtuous merit and decreases ignorance in the world, we ask you to donate to the Columbus KTC Rebuilding Fund and fulfill the vision of the congregation and its founder, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche.

All donations will be acknowledged. Donors of $1,000 or more will qualify for special gifts and donors of $10,000 or more will qualify for naming opportunities at the new center.

Donate today, and help us re-create our center of love and compassion in the center of the city.

Donate Today

Columbus KTC Announcement of Annual Elections

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Dear Sangha Members:
In accordance with KTC elections policy, we have opened nominations for the offices of Columbus KTC Director, Secretary, and Member-at-Large. Any KTC member in good standing may be nominated for the position, but it is wise to check with the person first before nominating them. Nominees must receive two nominations from members in good standing to become eligible candidates for the office.

Nominations will be received by Rich Butchko at butchko1@columbus.rr.com, or in writing to Rich Butchko, c/o Columbus KTC, PO Box 14946, Columbus, Ohio 43214. You may also call Columbus KTC at (614) 228-6546 to nominate someone by phone.

All nominations–whether by email, phone, or postal mail–must be received by 11:59pmon Thursday, December 27, 2018.

We also invite people who are considering membership in Columbus KTC to take this opportunity to become members and join us in this process; we welcome your input. To become a member, please visit our pledge page and/or contact Steve Phallen at treasurer@columbusktc.org.

For more details on the election policy, please see the attached document.

Columbus KTC Board and Elections Policy 14.1-1.

Best wishes in Dharma,
The Columbus KTC Board
Director: Kim Miracle
Assistant Director: Stacey Berry
Treasurer: Steve PhallenSecretary: Justin FitchMember at Large: Eric Weinberg
Resident Adviser: Lama Kathy Wesley

Statement of Thanks from Outgoing Secretary

Greetings, Columbus KTC Dharma Family!
It has been my pleasure serving as your secretary of the board these past four years. I’ve done my best to keep the newsletter running in good order and to keep you informed of the goings on here at Columbus KTC, as well as to support the Welcoming Team, and to assist the board and community when- and wherever I’ve been able to do so during the transition period after the fire.
Instead of running for secretary again this election cycle, though, I need to take a little time for myself and invite another member of the community to take up a board position at this time.
I will continue on in service to the Welcoming Team and the newsletter crew, as well as volunteering in as many other ways as I can, which is what all of us do: volunteer to keep Columbus KTC strong! So thanks to all of you who give your time, energy, and financial and moral support to our sangha. You are Columbus KTC!
Speaking of volunteers, I’ve had the honor of working with amazing board members over the past four years, and I share my heartfelt thanks, as I know you all do, with Kim, Steve, Eric, Tanya, Michelle, Stacey, Chuck, and Lama Kathy for their unwavering commitment to Columbus KTC.

In addition, the guidance and support Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche (and Khenpo Tenkyong, Lama Karma, Ani Lodhro, and others from KTD) during our journey since the loss of our building has been generous, selfless, wise, and kind. We are all so thankful to them-and the Karmapa!-for their support. Karmapa Chenno!
Many thanks to you all, may all beings benefit, and I’ll see you on the volunteer and Dharma practitioner trail soon!
Sincerely,
Justin Fitch

Columbus KTC on the Move – Sunday, November 25th

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All Programs to be held at Martin de Porres Center

at Ohio Dominican University

Please join us, once again, at the lovely Martin de Porres Center on the Ohio Dominican University Campus for your regular Columbus KTC programming this Sunday, November 25th. No programs will be held at Tifereth Israel this Sunday; all programs will be at Martin de Porres.   

***Notice: due to construction, a new route is required to reach the center. Please read the following instructions and consult the map attached below to plan your arrival.***

Directions:

The main entrance to Parking Lot B, the main parking lot for the Martin de Porres Center, is closed due to an ongoing maintenance issue. Parking in Lot B and entrance to the Center will need to take place by driving through Ohio Dominican University, 1216 Sunbury Road.

Visitors should drive on Sunbury Rd. through ODU campus and turn east on St. Dominic Way. Drive through campus and through a raised gate into Lot B. Signage will be positioned to help with directions.

For further information, contact the Martin de Porres Center at (614) 416-1910.

Map of Directions to the Center

Celebrate the Sacred Day by Donating Food to Our Local Pantry Oct. 7th – Nov 4th

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Lhabab Duchen, or The Great Occasion (“Duchen”) of Buddha Sakyamuni’s Descent from Heaven, is one of the four great Tibetan Buddhist holidays commemorating four events in the life of the Buddha. This holiday is celebrated to observe the return of Buddha Sakyamuni from the god realm (where he had traveled to teach his mother and the gods) back to earth. This year, Lhabab Duchen is observed on Thursday, October 31st.

It is common to observe these holidays by engaging in dharma practice or other virtuous actions. In honor of this special day, KTC is organizing a food drive for the Holy Family Pantry. The pantry serves many families in the Franklinton neighborhood as well as families staying at a nearby shelter. The food drive will start on Sunday, October 7th and conclude on Sunday, November 4th.

Please consider donating non-perishable food items (canned fruit, vegetables, juice, meat and boxed crackers, pasta) and toiletries (shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, diapers) and place your donations in plastic bin located in at the rear of the Lower Social Hall at Tifereth Israel. Your donations will make a big difference for these moms, dads and kids! Thank you in advance for your generosity!  

Also, one to two volunteers are also needed to take the donated items to Holy Family after November 4th. If interested in helping, please contact Kim at director@columbusktc.org.

Columbus KTC on the Move: September 9th – 16th & October 2nd

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Greetings Sangha Members,

On Sundays September 9th and 16th, Columbus KTC will be holding its Sunday services at the Martin de Porres Center at Ohio Dominican University while congregants of Tifereth Israel celebrate their high holy days at Tifereth.

Tuesday night Chenrezig practices will also be relocating during this time. They will be held at the Center for Pragmatic Buddhism on Tuesdays September 11th, 18th, and October 2nd.

Here’s a list of key dates and locations:

Saturday, 9/8 – Meditation Instructors Breakfast & Workshop, Center for Pragmatic Buddhism

  • Sunday, 9/9 – Sunday Programs, Martin de Porres Center, Ohio Dominican University
  • Tuesday, 9/11 – Chenrezig, Center for Pragmatic Buddhism
  • Saturday, 9/15 – Mahakala Text & Chant Workshop, Center for Pragmatic Buddhism
  • Sunday, 9/16 – Sunday Programs, Martin de Porres Center, Ohio Dominican University
  • Tuesday, 9/18 – Chenrezig, Center for Pragmatic Buddhism
  • Sunday, 9/23 – Sunday Programs, Tifereth Israel
  • Tuesday, 9/25 – Chenrezig, Tifereth Israel
  • Sunday, 9/30 – Sunday Programs, Tifereth Israel
  • Tuesday, 10/2 – Chenrezig, Center for Pragmatic Buddhism

Volunteers!

To make this move happen, we need volunteer support. Thanks to all who were able to help out Sunday and Tuesday night for the pack-up. Here are the remaining dates we could use assistance:

  • Sunday, September 9th, Martin de Porres, 8am (set-up)
  • Sunday, September 16th, Martin de Porres, 12:30pm following Dharma Talk (pack up)

If you can volunteer, please show up at these times. Thank you!

Letter to the Sangha

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Dear Dharma Friends:

Thanks for your continued interest and caring for us at Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling. Since fire destroyed our center in January 2016 we have been relying on friends like you to support our programs in our temporary home at Congregation Tifereth Israel, and to continue helping us develop plans for a new KTC home.

Today’s letter is a short summary of what’s been happening at KTC since the fire, and what’s ahead as we work toward the next stage of our journey home.

We hope you will be inspired by our journey and will join with us as we carry our community those last miles to our new KTC center.

We’ve created a survey document where you can tell us what gifts and skills you can share with us – either to support our weekly programs at Tifereth or through lama visits and fundraising events. We can’t travel this path alone, and need your help to make this vital journey.

Please click here to participate in this survey.  Please let us hear from you by the end of day Monday, September 10th.

Whether it’s through prayer or aspirations or energetic efforts to help us with your hearts and hands, we welcome you and appreciate you!

May our aspirations and dharma flourish for the benefit of beings!

Wishing you all the best,

Your Family at KTC Columbus

Summary of the Columbus KTC Rebuilding Project

Our Story Thus Far

Karma Thegsum Chöling Columbus has hosted a Buddhist practice center in the Capital City since 1977, when it was founded by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche. Since 1990, it resided in a small wooden church at Rich and Grubb streets in the Franklinton neighborhood of West Columbus.

An arson fire destroyed the KTC’s little wooden church in January 2016.  Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche encouraged KTC’s 50-family Sangha to “not be sad – rebuild,” and directed that our next building be larger than the first.  With input from the Sangha and Khenpo Rinpoche, a new building was designed that would meet Sangha needs for the next decade.

City officials approved the design for the new KTC in late 2016, and Centerpoint Construction was hired in 2017 to turn the designs into finished building plans.  Meanwhile, KTC raised more than $100,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to pay emergency expenses, and a Capital Campaign Committee set a $1.5 million fundraising goal. After raising $1.3 million and planning a bank loan for $200,000, the $1.5 million goal was met in December 2017.  KTC members rejoiced.

2018: Construction Budget Surprise

  • In early 2018, our first construction budget – including some items required by city code but unexpected by the building team – came in at $2.3 million. A quick review cut some costs, but the revised budget was still $2.1 million. This figure was much higher than the $1.5 million KTC would have on hand for the project.
  • KTC Board met with Sangha and the construction team in April. KTC Sangha members expressed a wide variety of views about how to respond to the sudden change. With ideas from the Sangha, the construction and design team continue to work on cost-saving ideas.
  • Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche was informed about the sudden change in construction costs, and about Sangha members’ ideas and views. He encouraged the Sangha to unite behind the vision of building a new center at Rich and Grubb streets that would serve “future generations” of Dharma practitioners.
  • KTC Board responded by adding new members to the Capital Campaign Committee and setting a new fundraising goal of $800,000 – to meet the new $2.1 million budget plus expected cost increases due to an expected delay in the start of construction.
  • Fundraising plans include local events, a national GoFundMe campaign, and an international campaign headed by a team including Lama Lodro Lhamo, Lama Karma Drodhul, Cherry Qu and many others.
  • In May 2018, His Holiness Karmapa was informed of KTC’s need, and said he was discussing our situation with others.
  • From May to June, with these blessings, we raised $93,000 in six weeks:
  • KTC was invited to raise money at His Holiness’ May teachings in New York City, where $25,000 was raised in 3 days.
  • Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche donated items for a special sale and gave KTC donations. Both amounted to $53,000.
  • Local people inspired by stories of this generosity donated $15,000.
  • Along with his contributions, Khenpo Rinpoche sent a recorded message encouraging everyone to work together to manifest a beautiful and lasting center according to the design created by the Sangha, the architects, and himself, and to see their work as benefitting not just themselves, but all sentient beings. Khenpo Rinpoche said that His Holiness the 17th Karmapa has agreed to attend the opening ceremony for the new KTC Columbus – but we have to build the center first!

Moving Forward

The Columbus KTC Board has decided to focus exclusively on fundraising for the new building in Franklinton.  With the encouragement from Khenpo Rinpoche and many others, and their offer to actively help us fundraise for the building project, the Board is hopeful that the necessary money will be raised by next summer.