Hello, Dharma family! It’s been a while since we talked – there was this Buddhist center that needed to rebuilt, and the KTC leadership board was working overtime on the project, and I figured that I’d better chip in – and the rest, they say, is history 🙂
But it’s Losar (Tibetan Buddhist New Year) and a time for new beginnings, so this is a good time to re-introduce the Dharma Blog to everyone.
From time to time you’ll hear from me about goings-on at KTC, and some random musings gliding through my mind. You also can Dharma questions – we will design a Google form for that – and I can answer them here. In any case, after a long hiatus, I’m happy to be back!
I call my Dharma friends my “dharma fam” because in a way you are all like are like brothers and sister to me; we share a world view and outlook and aspirations, and can keep each other uplifted and encouraged.
And I certainly felt uplifted last weekend, when I got a special treat – I got to do three pujas for my birthday!
Well, it wasn’t exactly like that. As happens occasionally my birthday fell on Losar (new Year’s) Day. So I got to do pre-Losar Chenrezig puja the day before my birthday, Green Tara puja ON my birthday, and Losar Prayers on the day afterward. Now (that’s* a celebration!
Besides the usual Losar cake, our KTC leadership board and KTC sangha sponsored some stones with longlife mantras painted on them for a wonderful display of sacred stones in Eastern Tibet. These stones will be part of a structure that is more than a city block long and wide, which is circumambulated by pilgrims all year long. What a wonderful way to be remembered on my birthday.
Other friends offered lamps for my health and well-being at Bodhgaya India (where the Buddha attained enlightenment) and in Kathmandu Nepal at the Great Stupa and other holy places. I started feeling healthier right away, hearing this news!
Thanks to all who joined our Columbus KTC Losar observances last week – your generosity was deeply touching, and your gifts brought tears to my eyes. There really is nothing better than dharma – may we always have friends and support along our spiritual path. OM MANI PADME HUM 
