Geshe Thupten Dorjee, a highly educated Tibetan Buddhist monk, will give a public Dharma talk at 7:00 pm, Tuesday October 10, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville, 901 West Cleveland Street.  Sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship, this talk is free and open to the interested public.  The talk will include a demonstration of Tibetan polyphonic chanting as well as a teaching.

Geshe-la was born Sonam Palden in Tibet during the Chinese Communist invasion of 1959. He and his family escaped to Bhutan from occupied Tibet when he was three. Much of Geshe-la’s early life was spent in a refugee camp in Bhutan with other Tibetan exiles. Unfortunately, most members of his family died while there due to the poor living conditions and lack of medical care. After 8 years, Geshe-la and his family journeyed south and settled in Southern India. At the age of 13, Geshe-la entered Drepung Loseling Monastery in Karmataka, South India. Over the next 22 years, Geshe-la made a thorough study of the vast Buddhist scriptures. He was ordained a Buddhist monk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1986; and in 1994, he received the degree of Geshe Lhatampa, the highest scholastic honor available in the rigorous Tibetan educational system.

For more detailed biographies of Geshe-la and his student, Rinzin Dorjee, see http://www.nwabuddhist.info/geshe/.  For more information about the Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship, visit http://buddhist.fayettevilleunitarian.org/

Geshe Thupten Dorje, a highly educated and experienced spiritual guide of the Tibetan Buddhist Gelugpa order, will guest-teach at the Buddhist Meditation and Spiritual Support Group on Thursdays September 28, October 5, and November 2, from 7-8:15 pm.  Meeting time will be divided between meditations, and discussions  with Geshe-la in which he addresses questions and topics posed by group members.
 
Contact Geoff Oelsner at 521-2395, for more information.

Washington, DC (September 14, 2006) – The House of Representatives approved legislation last night to award the Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, in recognition of his advocacy of peace, tolerance, human rights, non-violence, and compassion throughout the world.

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who introduced the legislation in the Senate with Senator Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.), today welcomed the passage of the bill. The Senate approved the legislation on May 26.

“The Dalai Lama is a worthy recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal. He is one of the world’s greatest religious leaders and has used human compassion, courage and conviction as his tools in carving a path for peace. For half a century, he has struggled to better the lives of the Tibetan people. In doing so, he has been a shining light to all those fighting for freedom around the world,” Senator Feinstein said.

The “Fourteenth Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Act” was introduced in the House by Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) and Tom Lantos (D-Calif.). It passed yesterday evening with a voice vote. The bill now moves to the President’s desk for his signature.

Congressional Gold Medals require approval from at least two-thirds of the Members of both the Senate and House of Representatives.

For more than two centuries, Congress has expressed public gratitude on behalf of the nation for distinguished contributions through the occasional commissioning of individual struck gold medals in its name. This award, which initially was bestowed on military leaders, has also been given to such diverse individuals as Sir Winston Churchill and Bob Hope, George Washington and Robert Frost, Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa, and other Nobel Peace Laureates, such as Elie Wiesel and Nelson Mandela.

Background on the 14th Dalai Lama

In 1959, the Dalai Lama fled his Tibetan homeland for neighboring India, where he established a government-in-exile. Since embracing the “Middle Way” approach in 1989, he has worked arduously to find a reasonable and peaceful solution that provides for cultural and religious autonomy for Tibetans, within the People’s Republic of China.

In 1989, the 14th Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to bring democracy and freedom to his people. In their recommendation, the Nobel Committee wrote: “The Committee wants to emphasize the fact that the Dalai Lama in his struggle for the liberation of Tibet consistently has opposed the use of violence. He has instead advocated peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people.”

In April 1991, Congress welcomed the Dalai Lama in a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda that was attended by the entire Congressional leadership. When the Dalai Lama addressed the gathering, he reflected on a gift sent to him as a small boy in Tibet by President Franklin Roosevelt – a gold watch showing phases of the moon and the days of the week. “I marveled at the distant land which could make such a practical object so beautiful. But what truly inspired me were your ideas of freedom and democracy. I felt that your principles were identical to my own, the Buddhist beliefs in fundamental human rights freedom, equality, tolerance and compassion for all.”

The Dalai Lama has also made it his life work to promote harmony and respect among the different religious faiths of the world. In his own words: “I always believe that it is much better to have a variety of religions, a variety of philosophies, rather than one single religion or philosophy. This is necessary because of the different mental dispositions of each human being. Each religion has certain unique ideas or techniques, and learning about them can only enrich one’s faith.”

Geoff and Leslie Oelsner are reaching out to contact anyone with an interest in learning more about Waking Down in Mutuality, a powerful, highly supportive spiritual catalyst for fundamental awakening into our true spiritual essence.
 
The Oelsners will sponsor the 3rd Waking Down weekend workshop to be held in a year, here in Fayetteville in November, from the evening of Friday the 10th through Sunday the 12th.  There will also be a free public talk on the evening of Thursday, Nov.  9th.   You’ll be informed about exact times and cost later on, if you indicate a  potential interest.
 
Over the last year, a small but thriving Waking Down community has developed  here.  Some of the people involved have attended only local events; some have also traveled to events elsewhere.  All  share a sense of affinity and resonance for this spiritual approach.
 
If you feel a sense of interest or curiosity, and want further information, please email Geoff at greenwaters(at)cox(dot)net , or call Leslie or Geoff at 521-2395. 

Sunday mornings at 11:00 am, Geshe Thupten Dorjee leads the meditation and teaches on the Four Noble Truths from the text The Four Noble Truths by the Venerable Lobsand Gyatso. Contact Karen Chotkowski at 530-7868 or 587-8920 or Pam Dramis at 409-3349 to confirm the schedule and get directions.

Lama Kunga Rinpoche returns to Little Rock on Wednesday through Saturday, October 4th-7th, to teach and give empowerments.

Lama Kunga Rinpoche is offering several deity practices that are important in these times of world strife, economic insecurity, and war. Deity practice in the Vajrayana tradition center on aspects of ourselves physically, emotionally, and  spiritually. The deities are all aspects of ourselves. Lama Kunga Rinpoche has also allowed these practices to be done in English for easier accessibility to the practitioner.

Sponsored by the Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock.  See their newsletter for more details.

Fayetteville is having a Peace on Earth Music Festival, Saturday, September 16th from 4-11 pm at the U of A Greek Theater. It will be a celebration of peace through music and the spoken word. Come to enjoy Joseph Israel and the Jerusalem Band which includes Jamaica’s most talented musicians, the Afrique Aya Dance Company’s drum and dance from West Africa, St. James Baptist Church Choir and their gospel talent, Papa Rap and the Barrio Band’s salsa sound, and DJ Hod-I (Hawd-Eye) will spin roots and conscious dancehall. The steppers of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority and the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity will perform, along with internationally acclaimed slam-poet Clayton Scott, African story teller Curtis Tate, JoAnn Kaminski, international puppeteer and more. Tibetan Buddhist teacher Geshe Thupten Dorjee and his assistant Rinzin Dorjee will open the festival with polyphonic chanting and a word regarding Tibet.

There will also be a “Tapestry of Cultures” ceremony, crafts, interactive arts, non-profit organization booths and fun for everyone. Festival organizer Olivia Meeks says, “This festival is for everyone; Hispanic, white, republican, and democrat. Everyone can feel comfortable at the festival.” Don’t miss this exciting Peace on Earth Music Festival sponsored by OMNI UA on Saturday, September 16th at 3 pm in the University of Arkansas Greek Theater. In case of rain, the festival will be held in the Union Ballroom on campus. Admission is free! For more information call 479-495-1316.

Silent Day-long Meditation Practice
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday, September 24th
 
On these Dharma Days, we practice Vipassana, (a form of Theravadan Buddhist meditation), alternating sitting and walking, throughout the day. The sitting periods are 30 - 40 minutes, generally, and walking periods are 30 minutes.

Dharma Day includes complete meditation instructions, a cupful of Buddhist philosophy (dharma talk), and a question and answer period. Beginners are welcome, along with our usual sangha.

Lunch is potluck - Wattle Hollow provides brown rice and peppermint tea.

No charge for Dharma Day. All are welcome, but pre-registration is appreciated.

For more information, visit wattlehollow.com

Tibetan monks Geshe Thupten Dorjee and Renzin Dorjee will lead the regular session of the UU Buddhist Fellowship on Tuesday, September 5 at 7:00 pm.  The session will probably run later than it’s usual 1 hour, probably until 8:30 or 9:00 pm.  The meeting will include a demonstration of Tibetan polyphonic chanting, a meditation, and a teaching.

Geshe Thupten Dorjee was born in Tibet and escaped the Chinese Communist occupation with his family at the age of 3.  He entered Drepung Loseling Monastery in Karmataka, South India at the age of 13, intensively studying the vast body of Tibetan Buddhist scriptures for the next 22 years.  Geshe-la was ordained a Buddhist monk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1986; in 1994, he received the degree of Geshe Lhatampa (meaning “Spiritual Guide”), the highest scholastic honor available within the arduous Tibetan educational system (roughly equivalent to, but a lot harder to earn than the western Ph.D.) He’s teaching 2 classes in Tibetan Culture and Buddhist philosophy at the U of A this Fall.

The Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship meets every Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville (901 West Cleveland Street.)  Meetings are free open to any and all who feel an “affinity with both Unitarian Universalism and Buddhism”. For more information, see their web site at http://buddhist.fayettevilleunitarian.org.  For a map and driving directions, visit http://www.fayettevilleunitarian.org/contact/