Guests in a New Home

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We are so appreciative of Congregation Tifereth Israel’s kindness and generosity, and their warm welcome since they opened their doors to all of us last week. The Rabbis, staff, and members of Tifereth Israel tell us they are very happy we are sharing space with them! While we are guests in their home, please keep in mind the following guidelines:

  • Since Tifereth Israel is such a large space, greeters will be available for each program we hold at Tifereth Israel including for Chenrezig on Tuesday nights and all of our programs on Sundays. Greeters will be located in the main lobby and will help members and visitors find the right room for the appropriate Columbus KTC activity.
  • We’ve assured the congregation leaders that we will not allow members of the general public (who are visiting KTC to learn meditation and Buddhism) to wander unaccompanied through their building. Greeters will accompany members of the public to Room 204 (the classroom for Meditation and Beginning Buddhism) and after class, the Meditation Instructor will accompany them downstairs to the Broad Street Atrium for tea and coffee.
  • Please be aware that members and staff of Tifereth Israel are holding multiple programs/classes at the same time we are holding our programs. Please be mindful that we don’t disrupt their programs/classes. Please do not look into classroom windows, as it disturbs the children and adults.
  • KTC Volunteer “Tea Helpers” will be available to coordinate our tea at 11:00 am on Sunday mornings. If you need more coffee or tea, please let the Tea Helper or a board member know and they will take take the request to the Tifereth Israel kitchen staff.
  • If you smoke, the Tifereth Israel staff requests that you not smoke near the doors to the synagogue, but instead go into the parking lot, or smoke in your car.
  • We’ll be bringing back the tradition of wearing name tags on Sunday mornings, and will begin wearing them on Tuesday nights, as well. Name tag supplies will be on a table at the rear of the Lower Social Hall beginning this Sunday. We assured congregation leaders that our greeters and volunteers would wear name tags so we can get to know one another. Congregation Sunday school teachers will do the same.
  • If you have a question or need something while attending a Columbus KTC program at Tifereth Israel, please ask board members and we will be glad to help you!

Columbus KTC Update by Lama Kathy

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15 February 2016

Good evening, and (as we say in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition) Blessed Losar!

This past week, we celebrated Tibetan New Year (Losar). The Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center had a bright and beautiful observance in our temporary quarters at the Peggy McConnell Arts Center in Worthington. Through the generosity of the MAC’s Executive Director Jon Cook and his wonderful staff, we have had a “landing place” for our immediate needs, and a place from which we can search for a longer-term “temporary” home.

We still have warm feelings for the cold day two Thursdays ago when Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther came to see us at the Interfaith Association’s Peace Circle in our parking lot; we are so grateful to the Mayor for reaching out to us, and appreciate his powerful words and deep concern for us.

We’re writing tonight to give everyone an update on our progress, and provide some cheer on a cold winter’s evening.

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Incense & Tea Offering for Local Beings
Today, Lama Karma Wangdu presided over a Serkhyem (tea) and Sur (singed) offering in the KTC Parking Lot off of Grubb Street. Lama Wangdu said that at the beginning and end of endeavors Tibetans make offerings to the Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and all who live in the locality, thanking them for their help and protection. About 30 hearty souls braved 18-degree temperatures to participate in and observe the ritual. Mary Sink provided the portable fire pit and wood; participants assisted with kindling and prayers. Lama Wangdu also dedicated strings of prayer flags on the cyclone fence around the demolition site, praying that all beings be blessed by their connection to the land. Lots of hugs were passed around at the end of the ceremony as KTC friends celebrated their connection to our sacred ground.

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Demolition
The work on demolishing the fire-damaged temple continued this week under the expert guidance of Tim Koller at City of Columbus Building and Zoning. Tim’s advice and patience in answering our questions has made him a great resource. The demolition contractor, Tom Romero of Advanced Construction, has faced sinking dumpsters, sleet, and other problems at the site, but we feel the work should be completed by the end of next week.

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Insurance
Our insurance company has been fantastic in helping us organize our insurance claim. Dozens of hours have gone into making lists of items lost in the fire, and we hope to have the claim wrapped up sometime in the next two weeks. We expect to receive a full $443,000 settlement on the building plus $66,000 settlement on the contents, along with $100,000 for building code improvements (should we decide to rebuild), $5,000 to replace our sacred objects, $10,000 as a demolition allowance, and $10,000 for emergency rental space. We will present a full accounting when we get the final settlement information from our insurer.

Temporary Space
Ever since the Mayor’s announcement and the Interfaith Association’s Peace Circle drew attention to our plight, offers of help and temporary space have been pouring in from around the community. Since last week, KTC volunteers have been working through the nearly 15 offers of temporary space, and have seen some promising leads. We hope to have a semi-permanent location settled before our informal arrangement with the MAC ends at the end of March.

We’ve been able to host our full Sunday schedule (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at the MAC, and will soon announce the location of our Tuesday night (7 to 8 p.m.) prayer service.

Additionally, our Alcoholics Anonymous Group, the Meditating Peacocks, has found a new home in a different area space. They now are meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Crestview Presbyterian Church, 350 E. Tulane Ave., in Clintonville. We are grateful to the Peacocks for being part of our community for so long, and wish them well as they seek to support the recovery of folks in the Columbus community.

Neighborhood Response
Jim Sweeney of the Franklinton Development Association and Trent Smith of the Franklinton Board of Trade met with KTC Director Kim Miracle and Lama Kathy February 5. We had a wide-ranging discussion about how KTC might continue to be part of the East Franklinton Community. We learned about East Franklinton’s special zoning requirements, and how those requirements might impact rebuilding, should the KTC try to rebuild on its current property. We also received good advice about how to choose a commercial realtor, should the center decide to sell its property and try to relocate the center elsewhere.

Also, the artists’ collective at 400 West Rich Street gave us moral support and offers of space. In addition, The Columbus Idea Foundry likewise offered support, and will host a neighborhood potluck supper for us on Friday Feb. 19, 7pm at the Columbus Idea Foundry, 421 W. State Street. We feel loved and uplifted by the neighborhood, are grateful for the inclusion and support.

The Arson
We thank the City of Columbus for putting up the “$5,000 Reward” posters on our protective fence; we appreciate work done to catch the arsonist who struck not just our temple, but the entire Franklinton neighborhood. We also appreciate the Mayor’s efforts to distribute fire prevention literature and smoke detector devices in the wake of our fire. No new information has been received about the arson this week; we hope to have more information next week.

Finding a New Permanent Home
Work on finding a new KTC home began this week, with good conversations started on all three future possibilities: rebuilding, selling and buying a new place, and selling and building a new place.

We received some very important advice this week from our spiritual guide Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, who said the KTC’s new building “should definitely be larger than the old one.”

With this request in mind, we will be surveying KTC members and friends this week to gather their advice about what elements they feel are needed in our new “home.” Please click here to read more about and to complete the survey. Survey results will help us evaluate the Grubb Street property to see if it will support our building needs. Additionally, it will provide guidelines for a commercial realtor to search for appropriate property, should we need to purchase a new building for Columbus KTC. Please click here to complete the survey.

Fundraising Efforts
Due to the Mayor’s help and assistance from various Central Ohio media outlets, we have made great progress in fundraising for our rebuilding effort. Our GoFundMe page has attracted more than 400 donors and $40,300 in donations. In addition, KTC representatives met this week with Brad Britton of The Columbus Foundation to finalize creation of a “Columbus KTC Rebuilding Fund” there. We will have more information on this in the coming days.

Feeling Gratitude
While we are still somewhat in a state of shock over the sudden loss of our “treasure house” dharma center, the last 14 days have brought us so many blessings – and we feel such gratitude to you all!

May your New Year be bright and fulfilling, and may your spiritual practice grow and flourish. May we benefit many, many sentient beings in the days to come!

Columbus KTC Building Survey

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Dear Sangha Members,

A new “home” for Columbus KTC is definitely in our future. Please help the sangha decide requirements and capacity for a new Columbus KTC building.

We’ve been encouraged by friends in the architecture business to plan for KTC’s needs five years into the future. And our spiritual guide, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, remarked this week that the KTC’s “new building should definitely be larger than the old one.” Since our old shrine building comfortably accommodated about 75-80 people, we are looking at accommodating 100-150 in five years. Our survey is based on this “guesstimate” of growth.

To complete the survey, please click here. Provide your contact information, membership status information, and then choose the building and capacity requirements you favor from the list below. Make sure to include your comments.

The survey results will enable us to evaluate if the property on Grubb St will support our building needs. Additionally, it would provide guidelines for a commercial realtor to search for the appropriate property or a new building for Columbus KTC.

We look forward to reading your input and comments, and will report on the survey when it is completed.

PLEASE COMPLETE the survey by Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016.

Best wishes in Dharma,

The Columbus KTC Board

Director: Kim Miracle
Assistant Director: Tanya Bissig Schroeder
Treasurer: Steve Phallen
Secretary: Justin Fitch
Member at Large: Eric Weinberg
Resident Teacher & Adviser: Lama Kathy Wesley

Losar Day 2016: An Abundance of Offerings by Lama Kathy Wesley

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Tibetan New Year 2016 began with a flurry of snow – streets in Columbus were clogged with commuters, and on the stage in the auditorium at the McConnell Arts Center in Worthington, 15 people made elaborate offerings of fruit, flowers, and lights to usher in New Year.Sitting on cushions large and small, with makeshift tables covered in brocade, they chanted the Praises of Tara to remove obstacles for all beings. Volunteers served tea and sweet rice in a nod to the Tibetan culture; a few came in to meditate silently before the workday.

KTC is a community of nomads, putting up its shrine table covered in white and maroon in various rooms at our temporary home at the MAC. While people of all ages flock to the MAC to learn about art, the KTC is chanting and meditating; we’re so grateful to have a place for our cushions and our hearts in this time of transition.

Meanwhile, KTC board members are tying up loose ends with the demolition company that is razing the old KTC to the ground. Most of the work was completed Saturday, with the next big steps coming this week: scooping up and carrying away the remains of the building and filling the empty spaces with fresh dirt. Returning the earth to its natural state is required under the demolition order, but it also feels right – like wiping a slate clean before starting afresh.

We will get a hand in bringing closure to the property this Saturday, when Lama Wangdu conducts a tea and smoke offering for the local deities and spirits. Tibetans understand the importance of paying one’s respects and offering gratitude to the beings who inhabit the land; we’ll offer that gratitude at the KTC Grubb Street property at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday with a special prayer service. 

There will be charcoal and a bit of juniper offered in a brazier in the parking lot; feel free to stop by and pay your respects to the land, and offer it your thanks. The prayers will last about a half-hour, so be certain to dress warmly, in case there is cold and wind.

The search continues for semi-permanent space for the KTC’s Tuesday and Sunday programs; board members have spent a bit time in recent days making calls and visiting churches and other places to see if they can meet our needs. Lists of KTC possessions – our shrine objects, library books, bookstore items, audio equipment, and more – are being compiled by volunteers for the insurance adjuster. 

This week our dear friend Lama Tom Broadwater, resident lama of the Athens KTC, goes to India to see His Holiness Karmapa and attend the 33rd Annual Kagyu Monlam. Our prayers to with him – and with our spiritual guide Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, who will be leading a delegation of lamas from our “home” center, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra. Prayers for the KTC will be top of mind for the group, and we appreciate the goodness being sent our way!

Research continues on our three options – rebuilding on the current site, selling the property and buying another, or selling the property and building elsewhere. The board will start gathering “specifications” for our new KTC space early next week from members and friends; the information-gathering will take several weeks but will lead to the next stage of considering all of our options. 

While we prayerfully wait for the next steps in our “journey home” to become more clear, we’re moved to gratitude by all of the donors and friends, old and new, who have stepped forward to help us. We are grateful for you, and offer your merit for the benefit of all sentient beings! 

 

7 February 2016: Homecoming Away From Home by Lama Kathy Wesley

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7 a.m. comes early every Sunday for the Columbus KTC – it’s when the Tara puja happens every Sunday. This weekend, the puja crew reported for duty at our temporary location – the McConnell Arts Center in Worthington.

Eight dharma friends helped Umdzes Marilyn Stephen and Erin Hess get ready for the weekly puja in a new location – the digital art classroom at the MAC. Images placed, offering bowls filled, and chants begun – an auspicious beginning for our nomads’ journey.With the old KTC building torn down yesterday (in answer to the city’s emergency demolition order) and the future a bit uncertain, it certainly felt good to be welcomed by Erin Blue and the rest of the wonderful staff at the MAC. We brought the entire KTC Sunday schedule to the arts building, with pujas, Meditation Instruction and Dharma Instruction classes, 10 a.m. Meditation, Lama interviews, a dharma talk and a special Mahakala protector puja for the pre-Losar (Tibetan New Year) blessings. It was a busy place – full of dharma.

And old friends. One after another, they came through the door, cushions in hand and ready to sit for the benefit of beings. They filled our “main shrine room” in the beautiful main gallery – and by Dharma Talk time, we counted nearly 100 people. Old friends. New Friends. Shambhala friends. The KTC Children’s Class. We felt surrounded by love and support from so many people – so many it’s hard to gather all the names together to say “thank you,” so we will just leave it as “we love you.” 

Even students and new people found us – including one visitor who came all the way from Marietta, who felt confounded when her GPS led her to a vacant lot on Grubb Street. Signs at the site re-directed her to the MAC, where she attended classes and become a part of the community.

So many people volunteered to help visitors find the classes and classrooms. Others brought treats. One friend – Tom Olson of Cleveland – even brought us a microphone and amplifier.

During the dharma talk, Lama Kathy offered condolences to the community for the loss of the building, and invited everyone to take an imaginary walk through the mandala of KTC – its hallways, its shrine room, the library – and then imagine it dissolving into light and merging into their hearts. In this way, the mandala of KTC – that treasure-house of dharma – could become one with us, always to remain.

Before the Pre-Losar Mahakala puja, Lama Wangdu spoke eloquently of his feelings of warmth and joy at being part of the Columbus KTC sangha. He said obstacles arise wherever there is powerful dharma, and said that external obstacles, while painful, can be overcome by dharma and the goodness of virtue.

He also said he would like to have a puja of offering and thanksgiving at the site of the old Columbus KTC; when we have the time and date for the puja, we will let you know.

Also, we heard from Lama Tom of the Athens KTC – the Athens KTC has gifted us with a wonderful portrait of His Holiness for our center, as well as prayer books for us to use while new ones are being prepared. They also took up a collection from their membership and gave us $400. Thank you to Lama Tom and our dharma siblings in Athens!

Other KTCs and centers also have made donations in recent days, including Ann Arbor KTC, Albany KTC, Cape Ann Vajra Vidya, Jacksonville KTC, Gainesville KTC. We also received a donation from Lama Karma Drodhul. Many thanks to all!

This week will continue the work of seeking longer-term housing for our community and meetings with city officials, realtors and others to see what options we have for replacing our building. We’ll also update Mayor Ginther on our progress, and meet with The Columbus Foundation, which has started a fund for our renovation there.

But prayers at the MAC will continue, with our annual Losar Tibetan New Year prayers and observances beginning aat 7 a.m.Tuesday at the MAC, 777 Evening Street, Columbus 43085. Morning prayers will go from 7 until 9:30. and an evening practice will go from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. We hope you can join us, and make an auspicious start to the New Year. 

Thanks to Erin Blue for the photos!

 

Post-Fire Update, 2.2.16

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February 2, 2016

Dear Sangha Members,

Since the fire Sunday morning, Lama Kathy, Director Kim Miracle and the CKTC Board, and our wonderful KTC community have been hard at work: first to address immediate needs and then to turn our attention to our strategy for moving forward. We would like to share with you the most recent developments.

First, this evening, Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016, we will be holding our regular Chenrezig practice at 7pm at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Upper Arlington, 2070 Ridgecliff Rd. (at Redding Rd.) – Upper Arlington, OH 43221 614-451-6677. Pastor Tracy Keenan is eager to welcome us. The space is carpeted, chairs will be available, and it sounds very comfortable, but as Lama Kathy has phrased it, consider this Chenrezig a “BYOC” (Bring your own cushion) event. Copies of the sadhana will be available in 8.5 x 11 format, but if you have your own copies and puja tables, you are encouraged to bring them. We hope to see many of you there; it will be great to be together. (Please reach out to KTC friends for carpooling purposes if you need a ride or can offer others a ride).

Looking beyond tomorrow evening, it is possible that we will become a bit of a nomadic community over the next few weeks, holding events and services at various locations that have been generously and warmly offered to us from around the Columbus community. Previously scheduled events should be considered on stand-by. We will announce what services and events we will be able to offer and their location as those decisions are made. Presently, we have a three-stage approach in mind: 1) short-short term — where to host services until we find the most appropriate interim location for Columbus KTC; 2) short term — where to settle as an interim location until a new Columbus KTC building is realized; 3) long term — planning for the Columbus KTC building. There are so many factors to consider as we sift through the offerings of temporary locations: placement within the city, capacity, parking, when the space is available, etc. . . Please know that we are doing our best to accept offers that we believe will meet as many of our needs as possible. At the same time, it is possible that a single interim location will be found in short order. We welcome your thoughts at this time and have created a Google form to collect your feedback (Click here to fill out response form). You may also contact memberatlarge@columbusktc.org with your communications.

Concerning our home of 231 South Grubb street, a large portion of the day Monday was spent working with city officials to determine the next steps for the building. The decision has been made to demolish the building, which will be done within the next four to five days. ***It is very important to know that the building is unsafe at this time. There is debris–glass, nails, wood, . . . –around the perimeter of the building and those who wish to visit the site should do so from the sidewalk or parking lot. Thank you for respecting this guideline and making everyone’s safety and well-being our priority at this time.*** On a related note, all utilities to the building have been shut off. The water was still running Monday, but that problem has been fixed.

Our treasurer, Chuck Drake, spent most of his day Monday working with our insurance company, and our claim is presently in process. Both Kim and Chuck spent most of Monday on the phone and at their computers addressing all of our most pressing concerns at this challenging time. We are so grateful for their tireless service to Columbus KTC! Lama Kathy, Cathy Lhamo Jackson, and Tanya Schroeder, are working together to catalog lost items, and Cathy Lhamo will be working with OSU restoration services to preserve our copies of the Kanjur and Tanjur. Thank you to all who helped rescue items from the building Sunday afternoon! Again, this is no longer something you should do, but when it was permitted briefly Sunday, everyone’s support was greatly appreciated.

Lama Kathy received a call from Mayor Andrew Ginther on Monday, and the two spoke for twenty minutes. Mayor Ginther expressed his sadness at the fire at Columbus KTC and offered support in a variety of ways. Both he and Jim Sweeney of the Franklinton Redevelopment Association have expressed their wish that Columbus KTC remain in Franklinton.

The kindness and generosity that has been shown to Columbus KTC has been incredible! Our GoFundMe campaign “Columbus KTC Rebuilding Fund” raised roughly $12,000 in its first 24 hours of being posted and has raised $16,339 at last count. The link to the campaign is here.

To close, Lama Kathy, contacted in Mexico (where she is teaching at the invitation of Kagyu centers there) sent the following message: “We are all praying for you here. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche’s words of encouragement are so true – the best prayer we can offer is to rebuild the KTC for the benefit of beings. We are all sad to lose the building that has been the container for our aspirations for awakening for so many years, but it may be helpful to remember that the sources of Refuge – Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha – are actually present even now, within each of us. It is my hope that, from that place of inner blessing and strength, through collective effort and harmony, we will manifest new external supports. May all beings be comforted in their moment of loss and may all beings be free of suffering.”

We will continue to offer updates as we have them, and we hope to see you at our Chenrezig service this evening.

Yours in the Dharma,

The Columbus KTC Board – Kim Miracle, Tanya Schroeder, Chuck Drake, Justin Fitch, Eric Weinberg, and Lama Kathy Wesley

Chenrezig Tuesday Night at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Upper Arlington!

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Dear Sangha Members:

Thank you for your patience in waiting for updates concerning our situation post-fire. As you can imagine, it has been a hectic time. A more detailed update is forthcoming (look for an email early tomorrow). In the meantime, we want to let you know of our plans to hold our regular Tuesday evening Chenrezig service tomorrow, Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016, 7pm, at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Upper Arlington, 2070 Ridgecliff Rd. (at Redding Rd.) – Upper Arlington, OH 43221 614-451-6677.

Pastor Tracy Keenan is eager to welcome us. The space is carpeted and padded, chairs will be available, and it sounds very comfortable, but as Lama Kathy has phrased it, consider this Chenrezig a “BYOC” (Bring Your Own Cushion) event. Copies of the sadhana will be available in 8.5 x 11 format, but if you have your own copies and puja tables, you are encouraged to bring them. We hope to see many of you there; it will be great to be together. Please reach out to KTC friends for carpooling purposes if you need a ride or can offer one to others. Thank you to Pastor Keenan and her congregation for hosting us tomorrow. The outpouring of support from the Columbus community has been incredible.

More information on our present situation to follow shortly. Thank you, be well, and we hope to see you tomorrow evening. Om mani peme hung.

Message from Rinpoche

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January 31, 2016

Dear Dharma Friends:

The following message is taken from Lama Karma’s Care Page and was asked by Rinpoche to be shared with the Columbus KTC community:

Buddha said “things always change and [are] impermanent.” Of course it’s sad to hear about how Columbus KTC got burnt by fire, but because of darkness we appreciate the light. Some big obstacles can remove bigger obstacles and that will happen to Columbus KTC since lamas, director, staff and members are so united and so dedicated.

When our wonderful director Kim called this morning, I told her that things happen and it’s a sign of brightness and to find a better place as they always wanted and also told Rinpoche about the condition and this is what he has to say:

“It’s sad to hear the condition, but it’s important time for all-especially Columbus KTC’s lamas, staff, and sangha members-to come together to support for the new residence” and Rinpoche will pray for that.

Also, Kim asked what kind of prayers or mantras that they can do for the center, and Rinpoche said that all of us especially the center people come together and to support to get new location and temple is the best prayer you can perform.

Kim sent me some pictures and it’s a miracle to see that the building is in such fire, but Buddha Karmapa’s flag is unharmed and still flying beautifully and it’s a wonderful sign that Columbus KTC’s building is burnt, but dharma will flourish and will continue to maintain Buddha Karmapa’s lineage.

Rinpoche got tears to see the dream flag is standing there firmly! Finally, we love all of our sangha members there and you will do a great job than ever, and we all will be there to support! Yes We Can! Karmapa Khyenno! Karmapa Khyenno! Karmapa Khyenno!