In the News
IBC Takes Its First Step Towards the New Teaching Hall
As part of its plan to build a new teaching hall, IBC needed to improve its water supply. The well that's on the property didn't produce enough to meet our future needs. So, IBC had plans to address this issue. Well... things didn't go according to plan and IBC was forced to connect to city water a few years ahead of schedule. So, we do now have enough water to meet all our future needs!
Death in the Community
A couple weeks ago Dawn Ryan's husband, Bo, was killed in a work related accident. In addition to having to deal with the unexpected and sudden loss of her spouse, Dawn is also now in the difficult position of figuring out how to provide for her family now that the primary bread-winner is gone. Dawn has a very part-time business selling essential oils. Recently, she started a blog to promote healthy living and her products. Please consider perusing her blog and perhaps purchasing something to help her through this trying time. Thanks.
IBC's Fundraiser Match!!
An anonymous benefactor has generously offered to match dollar-for-dollar all monies raised in fundraisers for the next year. So, the Board is working on arranging quite a few fundraisers for the coming months. In addition, starting right away, there will be an ongoing fundraiser to raise money to cover the expenses of IBC's expansion project. In the next year this will include: paying down our mortgage, rewiring IBC's electricity, improving the condition of our well, installing a second bathroom, etc. If you are considering making a one-time donation to IBC, please consider making it either during one of these fund-raising events, or designating it towards our expansion project fund-raising so it can be matched. Making small monthly donations over the course of the next year and designating them to go towards a fundraiser is always another option.
The Office of HHDL Recognizes IBC!!
IBC recently received this letter of support from the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (pictured right).
(To view it, right click and either download or open it in a new tab or window).
IBC New Teaching Hall!
IBC's Board of Directors has begun planning for the construction of a new teaching hall! As anyone who has visited IBC knows, our current facilities are too small to accommodate normal growth and host larger events. Under Geshe-la's direction, we have begun planning to build a larger teaching hall where the garage now stands. This is by necessity a long range project (we are currently hoping to have it done in about 3 years). Within this large project are several smaller projects (refinancing the mortgage, upgrading the electrical system, upgrading the water system, installing a second bathroom, redoing the outbuildings, to name just a few). More complete information will be coming soon. It is never too early to start donating!
Spring Flower Sale
INDIANA BUDDHIST CENTER MOTHER'S DAY SPRING FLOWER SALE!
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011.
In Buddhist teachings we learn to revere our parents who gave us this precious human life. To honor your mother this Mother's Day
plan to purchase some of the beautiful annuals we will be offering for sale and help IBC as well! We are selling plants by
PRE-ORDER ONLY as we cannot afford the cost of unsold plants. Flats (48 flowers unless otherwise specified), half flats and
individual four-packs will be available for bedding annuals. We will also have foliage plants available to add the finishing touch
to flowers in planters and specialty hanging baskets.
Pre-orders must be submitted NO LATER THAN APRIL 16TH. Please download order form
(.rtf document), fill it in, attach to an email and send to Gaynell at diveinnerspace@mac.com. Order forms will also be available
at IBC and completed forms may be left there as well. We CANNOT GUARANTEE complete availability in all colors and species and will
make appropriate substitutions as necessary. Please let us know if you do not want us to make substitutions.
You can Google any of the plants on the list to see photos and growing information.
Payment will be due at time of pickup. Pick up can be done from 11:00-1:00 or after teachings at 4:30-6:00.
HAPPY SPRING!!!!! TELL FRIENDS AND FAMILY!
Monthly Tsog offerings
Geshe-la recently announced his wish to hold tsog offerings on a monthly basis. In keeping with his wish, IBC will be offering tsog offerings on every full moon, an auspicious day on the Tibetan calendar. Watch the calendar and the weekly emails for details.
Tibetan Monk Tour coming to Indy
The 2010 Drepung Gomang Tour will be coming to Indy Jan 13-15 at St Luke's United Methodist Church. More info on the calendar and the listserve.
HHDL public talk a success.
According to one of the event hosts, Rev. Kent Millard (President, Interfaith Hunger Initiative), "His Holiness The Dalai Lama not only talked about compassion, but He demonstrated it by designating half of the net proceeds to be used to feed hungry children. Furthermore, about 5,000 people stopped by the Indianapolis Interfaith Hunger Initiative display table to pick up information about how to practice compassion by feeding the hungry right around us."
To be more specific, David Miner (Volunteer Executive Director, Interfaith Hunger Initiative) reported that their share of the "proceeds will feed 1,500 Kenyan AIDS orphans a much needed school lunch for an entire year, as well as procuring a quarter of a million pounds of food for hungry Indianapolis residents."
G-la has a green card!
Due to the outstanding dedication and practice of our membership, tireless devotion of our board members, persevering effort of our attorney and of course the infinite compassion of our teacher, the U.S. immigration department has finally approved and distributed a green card to our teacher!! We are ecstatic to announce that this is the final step in his immigration process (unless he later decides to apply for citizenship) and that he may now enter and leave the U.S. at his choosing. Please visit the photos page for pictures of the celebration/welcome home party hosted in his honor and wish him congratulations the next time you visit/speak with him. We are so blessed and looking forward to fulfilling our vision of opening his teachings and wisdom to a wider audience to help all mother sentient beings achieve enlightenment. With warmest regards - the IBC Board
He's Back!!!
We are overjoyed to announce that IBC’s spiritual director and precious teacher, Geshe Jinpa Sonam-la, is back from India. Thanks to the hard work of our board of directors and our attorney, the immigration process went very smoothly. Geshe-la is very happy to be home and is expecting his green card to arrive in the next few weeks.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all who helped with this process. You showed your support in so many ways - by reciting prayers, working at the center, or donating money to the legal fund - just to name a few. We wouldn’t have been able to help Geshe-la return to the U.S. without our wonderful members!
After paying for Geshe-la’s travel expenses and the initial legal fees, we still have approximately $3,000 to pay our lawyer. If you have the ability and compassion, we would greatly appreciate your further assistance with this. You can donate online by clicking the “donate” tab above, by mail to our center, or in person at any IBC event. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support. Geshe-la's wisdom, integrity, dedication and selflessness are beyond compare and of immeasurable benefit. We are so blessed to have him home!
The New Driveway & Parking Lot Completed!
Thanks to your generosity, we have met our fundraising goals for our new driveway and parking lot! Click here to see photos
Immigration Status for Geshe Jinpa Sonam
Geshe-la will be returning to India on September 4, 2008. He plans to use his time there renewing his Visa, visiting his home in Ladakh, visiting the Drepung Monastery and all of his friends and students, and visiting Dharmasala. IBC plans to use the time during his absence to complete the zoning requirements for the new center, maintain the building, and provide guest teachers as the opportunities arise. Click here for updates.