Round One: What do you value most about your experience at KSC?

• guidance for my life on the path from the ; at the center; the mutual commitment of the and devotion to one another.

• the teachings, learning about the dharma illuminate daily life and sheds understanding on the events of life.

• teachings from the lamas, clear transmissions- I appreciate having my feet held to the fire (with assignments, goals), the opportunity for the sangha to create together.

• continuity- I imprinted on Kalu and learned of the Dharma path; happy to be part of 's unfolding in the west with our lamas leading us. The books we read here are the classics- it's important that our center hold that knowledge.

• I echo ______, this is such a rich place, there is an opportunity here for genuine transformation at levels we are barely aware of when we start, and it has to do with . I am concerned about "changing the wine into water" - i.e. diluting the dharma and practices.

• the lamas for their inspiration, guidance and care; the teachings, dharma.

• individual counseling from the lamas

• teachings, lamas, resources here, visiting teachers - it has changed my life.

• thinking differently, that my mind is changing

• being with all of you today (I come inconsistently)

• value of the sangha is immeasurable; the energy, teachings of the lamas, the remarkable growth of the sangha since early days

• the value is that it's here! a storehouse of teachings- it radiates that vibration out into the community and the world.

• the freedom from believing that my thoughts are me

• KS provides an opportunity for everything we can realize in spiritual growth; there is basic sanity, a ground of being, and acceleration of growth; my heart has reopened being here; the contemporary teachings of the Lamas.

• well thought out structure of the teachings, the lamas' depth of knowledge, the sangha itself- life changing.

• I have become a lot kinder to others and myself in my thoughts.

1 • I'm a simple joe- I like an exemplar: the cool, calm joyfulness of the Lamas; gratitude to Bruce and Leslie Sargent for Buckhorn retreat.

• community, teachings and the opportunity to practice together.

• spent most of my life frightened- the teachings and counseling from the Lamas give me a place to develop responsibility for my own transformation, methods to address fear. This is a practice, very practical.

• like ______and ______, a transformative processing of what it is to be alive, that my thoughts and emotions are not all of who I am.

• children's program, they are the ones to come after us; small groups, nurturing environment.

• increase in self-awareness, constant reminders that I am part of something bigger than myself; connected to the exalted sangha.

• I think of it in bigger ways- our family's connection to this group and what it brings to us, getting to know the Lamas- in time of need, for advice and for practicing a new way of living.

• since starting here, I feel I never stop growing along spiritual lines, through confused states and personal crisis - aspiration that all of us will continue to grow.

• gratitude to the lamas, for their generosity, kindness and teachings; increased, richer self awareness.

• there is a reason I chose the word "future"- our child was in Dharma Kids- we want to grow that.

Round Two: What would you like the next generation of KSC practitioners to have available?

• continue everything that is already happening, the lineage, lamas, sangha, teachings, practices and Vajrayana practice groups even in the absence of the lamas, children's group, retreats, Buckhorn Springs.

• what we have here- a strong lineage connection; that the tantric practices do not wane- that there is connection with whoever comes to teach that they "teach the Dharma from the heart" (LLR); encouraging younger families and children in their dharma path.

• full hearted integrity of teachings for the sangha

• deep connection of our lamas to the teachings- this is precious and not available everywhere.

• that the harmony the lamas have fostered continue, for all voices to get a chance to be heard- "I'm for harmony".

• the pastoral counseling is important for me; I'd like to see that extended in groups not related to readings, but in relative world experiences (ex. election: found myself thinking after speaking, "Where did that come from?")

2 • strong connection to the lineage, so that we have resources to continue practices; support young families, kids

• this place- each person can find silence in this busy world, and refuge in that silence; to never forget that is the ground and the goal

• that the door is always open to everyone, instruction and support for people walking in the door for the first time (Calm Abiding. ), support for young families.

• a residential , strong in keeping the Vajrayana deity practices, the foundational practices; strong guidance, multidimensional.

• purity of the teachings is crucial; another residential lama - container for all our growth.

• acknowledge _____ 's comment for support group with dharma practice orientation. Older folks will continue to come and we want to stay visible and engaged. This is a place for the sacred.

• a heart felt wish for this: when we walk through the doors, we remember who we are; great teachers, wonderful if could be residential; to be available as our lamas are.

• open doors, accommodating all; resident teacher(s), senior students augmenting dharma talks and inspiring sangha

• continuation of lineage; resident lama; vajrayana practices.

• the welcome, for it to feel comfortable to be here, to carry that attitude forward, we are an example to those coming up.

• hard to envision without residential lamas; love and compassion extended to all coming in.

• lineage- connect to other centers for teachings/teachers; resident Lamas; community outreach.

• holding and unfolding of compassion, permeating strength and clarity (emanating from Lamas and sangha)

• harmonious tone set by Lamas; rich teachings (basic, foundational and advanced); residential Lama • the name of the center is Kagyu Choling- there are lots of Buddhist centers in the area, there is one KSC- authentic lineage, holding to that- the tsoks, the Vajrayana practices.

• we are a Shangpa-Kagyu lineage and the Shangpa have deep respect of the female energies- its founders are , we have two female Lamas- honoring of the feminine.

• community outreach, so that it is easier for people to find out about us; echo _____'s mention of an open heart and welcome.

3 • that what we have continues- resident Lama(S), Shangpa-Kagyu lineages, Vajrayana practices; as continues in the west, perhaps incorporate English and Tibetan in practices so there is more understanding.

• I hold the teachings in my heart and want it to here for future. I drive by this temple and it reminds me, even though i don't come frequently. It is sacred. Buckhorn Springs is also sacred.

• honesty- we all need to wake up; go onto the street and see that others are just as sacred as we are. More patience, calm.

• outreach to those in need, compassion in action.

• transitions give us a special opportunity to deal with the energy that comes up...resiliency- we will each have a different impression and together it is beautiful.

• core tone of how our Lamas are- heart, softness, depth and breadth- the divine feminine finally gets to breathe- so that it comes into our body and mind and out again into the world, to benefit all. • divine feminine, carried on to the 7th generation; visualization with the elements- fire puja, offerings up; to foster direct experiences (ex: don't tell about an orange, offer one to eat); oneness male and female.

• I have received help from here- from Roland and Sue and their daughter Ronnie, an asset to the future generations of sangha; thanks to Michael David and Clay.

Round Three: How do you envision your part in sustaining KSC into the future?

• This was shared in a "spiral circle", with 6 chairs arranged around the center bowl. The first six people called to answer occupy the chairs; 2 minute speaking time; is passed sunwise; first person speaks, passes vajra- second person speaks- first person leaves when second person is finished speaking; another fills the empty chair.

• Buckhorn Springs is in transition as well, open as to what shape it will take- strong connection with KSC, perhaps as housing, retreat space

• serve the dharma and the lamas; the ways of serving change over time- I'm going to work in the office.

• I'm thinking of generosity; I stay more in the background, I want to expand my connection the sangha.

• I would facilitate/co-facilitate a dharma support group.

• volunteerism- the energy of the people give the center form; continue to make it a welcoming place • I came from the northern sangha and moved here to practice) maturing my practice, engaging relationship to center and sangha, I offer a servant's heart to you.

• deepening of my practice with sangha here and in retreat, support connection to the natural world and to the dharma that world can bring us in retreat

4 • my daughters have been my teachers- taught me to walk the walk and force me to do it. Offer myself as a model to community, sangha- what it means to be reflective, mindful in a Kagyu way.

• center is a hub for our family life. I will continue to be a part of the Board, and to help expand and flourish volunteerism so everyone can have an opportunity to serve the center.

• to make my practice stronger so that it ripples out in known and unknown ways; continue to be a paying member, so financial support; compassion in action team leader, gardening; would like to generate more social activities.

• community is so important; I'm a descendant of the Oneida Community in upstate NY- it was a place, the building itself, that had great meaning and history; able to offer charitable contribution when I pass on, due to the compassionate heart of my grandfather.

• serve lamas in their needs and lives; assist people in their first experiences here.

• I have been involved, fade back and swing back in. I will continue to do what I can do; a sense of a collective , dedicated for everyone's benefit-solid, clean practice. "I'm in". • a clear vision for the future of KSC, dharma: I'm currently living in a dharma community in service to the practitioners. I like the servant heart mentioned earlier. When I come back to KSC, my spiritual home, I will give back as a servant. This is the most important thing to me.

• I've been in leadership roles in the center since its beginnings. We need to be clear in our attitude that we are part of an intentional community, and to recognize our own mortality. Leadership has to have looseness, so we're not unnaturally dependent. I will continue to help with leadership in this transition; to practice clarity, open- heartedness, take all I've learned up off the cushion, to help maintain what we have here- it is wonderful. The lineage blessing is the most permanent thing we have.

• I will contribute financially, with my time and energy; to help smooth the workings of the volunteer efforts; to support and help others as they deepen their practice, to show up and be more open hearted with people I'm practicing with.

• use of technology to support practitioners at a distance (esp. to those who are infirm); get word out to others in community about the dharma.

• best way is through my practice, and serving the Lamas in that; being a model to family and community.

• when asked of LLR, how best to serve the Lamas, he said, "Build a center". How best to serve? Ask my lamas. They may have a not available to me. How to sustain? I have utter confidence in the Lamas' guidance... We are infusing this whole place with the energy of the dharma, and I am dedicated to its continuation.

• I feel I am representing the Library group who provide dharma to anyone coming through the door; they have sincere dedication.

• It is wonderful here today, I echo others' thoughts, acknowledged others and our melancholy over the week's events; I want the continuity of this; gratitude for the children. I see that young families are not here- I would like

5 to work with membership growth, so that other generations are represented, included- to assess possible barriers there).

• I am touched by the caring and the energy here; we are well located to make Dharma available to the people of this country. I started at the Granite St. farmhouse, fixing toilets, etc. and then got a promotion to Building manager when the center was built. With the building came an upsurge in energy- support the bldg., keep it clean, maintained, etc. I'm an infrastructure person. There's a saying in Las Vegas, "You have to be present to win". So it is with the dharma. The sangha is of infinite value; leading a practice strengthens practice; openness to newcomers.

• I used to come, do practice and go; then, I began to lead practice as omse, and my participation evolved when Lama Pema asked me to speak at CA . I thought,"Look at what the Lamas have given me- how can I say no?" My devotion has deepened. Sometimes stepping up and pushing one's boundaries is good. Keep the doors open, anything is possible.

• my first volunteer job at KSC Granite St. was to pick up a sound board. That got me attending. I would sit in the shrine room here during long sound edit downloads. I enjoy Newcomers' Night. I feel free to be loyal to the lineage, and feel the freshness of the teachings. • This building is a refuge- we helped build it with our own hands. I like to work in the background. I am available to the lamas.

• I'll do less, be more patient, compassionate in supporting others in doing. This building is alive- it breathes, needs fixing, needs its face washed... "It's a little job (for example, filling the birdbath) but you could do it".

Conclusion:

• Lama Pema: close your eyes, allow an image, a symbol, a word to arise. • The word I chose earlier is respect, for all of you and what I heard today- the care and caring expressed. We had a wish to hear from the community, and to recognize that change is happening- facing all of us, being together, is important. • This circle hasn't ended. Between now and Thanksgiving, if you have anything further in response to the questions, or if people were unable to attend, please send mindful thoughts to the office.

• Lama Yeshe: We felt a need to be in community and to dialogue with you today as we continue to refine the bridge to the future. We have been in conversation with the Board of Directors for four years; we will continue to work with the Board to reach consensus of the most important themes that have emerged today that will help us determine what that bridge will be. • We will put up a pad with markers in the shrine room- please add your image (from LP's guided meditation above) to it. Our first visioning circle image was of a wellspring. Who knows? Maybe yours will be the next image for this transition! • Thanks to the volunteers and to Anne Stine, who has a deep lineage connection.

Dedication: Nell Le Febvre

6 Additional Comments that came in via email after the Visioning Circle:

• this may not be feasible, but, would someone like Ani Tenzin (the young nun KSC sponsored at Abbey in Kathmandu) want to come teach in the west for some time? The two of you could be mentors initially. She has some connection to KSC, the at Tara Abbey taught for 6-8 years in Colorado (so they may have some interest in teaching here), Ani Tenzin has been getting formal training and speaks pretty good English (in addition to seeming bright, energetic, and funny!)

• With regard to Question 2: What resources would we want available to future practitioners? I would like to see the establishment of a dedicated hospice facility. The focus would be on serving practitioners by providing a supportive environment before, during and after their transition.

• most importantly for the future of KSC, when the time comes for you to retire, would be to have a resident lama. I would like to see KSC have an explicit curriculum... and put in writing for those interested which would include readings that students could read at their own pace. I would like to see more practices done in English. I think it would make our practices more accessible to the wider community.

• my hope is that as the Center goes forward, it will consider having a more inclusive mission- to serve as a Buddhist Center that welcomes all who wish to learn , meditation practice, and how to work with our minds. And even, again in the style of the , to take an ecumenical stance regarding other faith traditions whose wisdom points to the same truth of the interconnectedness of all life. The Center might open its doors to more events produced by other local , and invite notable teachers who may not be in the Tibetan tradition. I'm hoping for a broader vision that will enable the Center to affect the lives of more in our local community, and to make more alliances with other true paths.

• teachings and compassionate support with open discussion for the particular community that unfolds; trained teachers in the 3 turnings of the wheel; enlightenment discovered and experienced through meditation; support to the lay community from birth to death with life and the opportunity between.

• as the sangha members age, the need will be greater. I suggest that the be video recorded and made available to those of us who can't get to them. I would use the condensed Chenrezig at home on the TV or computer if it were available. The visual would give the feeling of being in the wonderful sanctuary. I would be glad to contribute to the cost of having it done.

• Continuing the lineage teachings at KSC important. Having qualified teachers/Lamas to take the place of our Lamas so they can retire is important. Will not be easy to replace Lamas Pema and Yeshe.

2. Resident teachers/Lamas should be young or youngish. Wondered if Ari and Rose might have been considered? They are young, and have Oliver to attract young families to the center and to the dharma. They are lineage teachers having trained many years under Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche who is KSC’s beloved teacher and sponsor.

3. Bring in qualified Lamas in lineage to perform empowerments if resident teachers/Lamas not qualified to give? Wonder if Lama Lodru Rinpoche would come out of retirement to give Chenrezig empowerment at KSC as entry level into compassion based deity practice? Lama Tsang Tsing from Eugene... bring to KSC for

7 empowerments?

Feels to me that we older, senior students may have to go elsewhere to get advanced empowerments like , Chakrasamvara, Chod, etc, if that’s what we want. I feel that with the majority of the sangha NOT being Vajrayana practitioners that Compassion practices like Chenrezig and Green Tara should be focused on. Personally feel that a strong foundation in compassion is needed to feel comfortable in practices like and 4 Tantric Deities. But that’s just been my personal experience. Ngondro, particularly , who brings up compassion for the self through purification, also gives people confidence in deity practice. Think Lama Lodru gave us old students the Vajrasattva practice two times. We’ve been so fortunate!

3. Resident teachers/Lamas that come to KSC should be fluent in English. And ... in the ways of the Western mind.

4. Diversity at KSC... invite young Buddhist teachers, for example, , author of Against the Stream to talk at KSC? Teachers of color, for example, Lama Rod Owens, one of the authors of Radical Dharma to talk at KSC. Other possibilities?

5. Maybe include [young] teachers from other traditions/lineages to do dharma talks in a Rime fashion including , ? See above. Mingyur Rinpoche, Kagyu/; Jetsun , Mindrolling Nyingma/Kagyu tradition has been invited! , Zen... Jack Kornfield, Vipassana... Pema Chodron, [wouldn’t that be amazing]?

6. Free entry level public talks about teachings of the Buddha as well as meditation. Think price of teachings scare people away who might otherwise be interested in the dharma. Free talks would be more inclusive to general public.

7. Build Dharma kids program. Find larger space. Buddhist pre-school in space where Phyllis used to be? Have to hire staff but could it be on donation basis to keep within KSC non-profit basis? And then be used on Sundays for Dharma Kids?

8. Could Lamas Pema and Yeshe “retire” like Lama Lodru Rinpoche? Stay close when not in New Mexico ... only teach occasionally, when they want.

9. I know pastoral counseling has been very helpful to many, including myself, but can only imagine the stress it puts on the Lamas. Wonder if counseling by Lamas could be limited to practice advice only? Maybe could incorporate into practice groups somehow... 15 min sessions for each participant throughout the group practice 6 month period?

There are plenty of therapists in the sangha... would they be willing to donate as service to the center, an hour a month for those who need or want psychological counseling? People continue to donate what they can for the service? Thinking out loud... not sure of any of this?

KCC seems to have turned to practice advice only counseling and given that to senior students... however, I believe KCC has more highly qualified senior students than we do at KSC. That could change in the future.

10. I believe the future will bring English to Tibetan tantric practices in English speaking countries eventually. I personally would like to somehow keep the Tibetan as well. I particularly think about how many years we have

8 done 4 Tantric Deities practice in English and how beneficial that has been. In case of 4TD, loved learning the Tibetan but don’t absorb the practice and visualizations as well as when reading in English. Will take more time. I LOVE chanting in Tibetan and know there is a difference in body and mind experience when chanting in Tibetan or reciting .

Rangjung Yeshe Gomde, Nyingma center that Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche teaches at in Leggett, CA, has combined Tibetan and English in their practices... It took a long time of doing practice at home, with a CD that I could pause and read English and contemplate meaning behind the practices, before I could chant in Tibetan. Wonder if people in this busy world we live in are willing, or have the time, to do practices at home in this manner?

11. Teacher training programs (senior students): not sure what this would look like but might be helpful in relieving load of resident teachers/Lamas?

12. Possibility of retreat land! One year retreat came to mind first. But who would teach? Lamas live there in retirement? Summer dharma camps for Dharma Kids just came to mind!

• Anne asked that as we grow, we give structure to good intentions. For example, how do we ensure we greet people new to the sangha? It is our intention to talk with new people on break but reports are that this often doesn't happen. Until we are we would probably benefit from structure, no?

Could we have greeters? Name tags in general might be useful. I think it creates warmth and community to get help with names and ensure introductions. We could also have a "newcomer" packet with basic information, the calendar and ways to participate. Nothing overwhelming, just a way to answer common questions and be inclusive.

• I hope that... Ø the heart of the Kagyu Shangpa lineage remains intact as long as the Center is standing. Ø future generations have access to residential lamas/teachers Ø all beings feel welcome to enter the doors Ø the culture remains harmonious- or when it is not, that they rely on the teachings to regain their balance. Ø the DharmaKids program flourishes as long as there are children who want to participate Ø HHDL: "May you be the living ground of love for innumerable beings" Ø KSC continues to develop a culture of value for the senior student, as jewels of experience and knowledge (I spoke with Phyllis Norris after the circle, and she said," Not everyone goes on 3-year retreat, nor becomes a lama. The 's practice is still very important".) Ø resident teacher will hold retreat specifically for senior students to enable them to augment their leadership within the sangha. Ø senior students are engaged in ways that further support the "Sustainable Lama" plan currently in motion.

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