Update Regarding COVID-19 and Columbus KTC Sangha Activities
March 13, 2020
Dear Dharma Friends:
Hope all of you are doing well. We are writing today to update you on how Coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting our Columbus KTC sangha activities.
As you know, our “home” monastery, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra in Woodstock NY, has closed its campus to day visitors, and has canceled all programs from now through the end of May.
In addition, out of an abundance of caution, Columbus KTC will postpone two upcoming events – Lama Tsultrim Yeshe’s nyungne visit at the end of March, and Khenpo Urgyen Tenzin’s visit in the middle of April. Existing reservations these events will be refunded.
Today, after Ohio government and health officials announced the closure of all Ohio schools (including K-12) and barred assemblies of more than 100 people, our hosts at Congregation Tifereth Israel took the decision to close their temple building, effective immediately, until early April.
This means all Columbus KTC regular Sunday and Tuesday programs will be discontinued until further notice.
We apologize for this development, but these are extraordinary times, and the safety and health of our sangha is of paramount importance.
In the coming days, KTC’s leadership and technical teams will meet to design ways to deliver Sunday dharma talks and weekly chants to you via the internet. We also will try to create a “virtual prayer list” that will connect us all and allow us to share our joys and concerns with one another.
Meanwhile, in an effort to keep everyone safe, we encourage our dharma friends to take reasonable precautions in regard to their health:
- Remain at home if one is feeling unwell
- Practice “social distancing” while out and about
- Wash hands frequently
- Be mindful to not touch one’s face
Here’s a rundown of all the COVID-19 advice from the World Health Organization:https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
If you ask, “what prayers and practices can help us at this time?”
There are many spiritual practices that can lend us strength and comfort. Among the practices recommended by our teachers are the Tashi Prayer, the Chenrezig mantra OM MANI PEME HUNG, Medicine Buddha Mantra TAYATA OM BEKANZé BEKANZÉ MAHA BEKANZé RADZA SA MUNG GATÉ SO HA, and the Tara mantra OM TARÉ TU TARÉ TURÉ SO HA.
In fact, shamatha meditation and any other spiritual practice can be dedicated to “the benefit of all sentient beings in general, but specifically for those experiencing illness.”
If you have questions or concerns, write to us at memberatlarge@columbusktc.org.
Please stay safe, and take care of one another. Thank you for being part of our dharma family. We will keep everyone in our prayers, this week and always.
Sincerely yours,
The KTC Leadership Team
Director Kim Miracle
Assistant Director Chuck Drake
Treasurer Gina Kim
Secretary Michael Stone
Member-at-large Eric Weinberg
Lama Kathy Wesley, adviser
