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A Close Call, or, Establishing Dharma in the West
Palzang
Veteran
Well, we had a very scary week this week at our temple. With the downturn in the economy, we, like nearly every other nonprofit and religious organization, have been encountering very difficult financial problems. Ours got so bad that we were unable to pay the bank that holds a note on our temple and land for months (not a mortgage - we got the note to pay off the mortgage on the 65 acres of land we own across the road from our temple when it was about to be repossessed a few years ago and used the temple land as collateral).
Last Friday the bank sent us a letter saying they were recalling the note. What that meant was that we had less than a week to cough up $240,000 or we would lose everything - the land, the temple, and everything in it, including several consecrated stupas. Needless to say, it's been a very difficult, pretty much sleepless week! But the difference that I noticed this time is that, unlike past financial crises, nobody panicked, we didn't go rushing off to the one or two people in the sangha who might be able to come up with the money like we usually do, but instead we just rolled up our sleeves and got to work. Jetsunma, our teacher, told us that if we pulled together we could do it. She also has told us in the past that if we supply the effort, she'll supply the miracles.
So that's what we did. We started contacting everyone we knew, sent out emails to our contact list, contacted the Asian community here in DC (who really like our temple), and held a couple of online telethons. Well, the response was nothing short of astounding. At the last telethon on Wednesday night we were receiving calls, emails and donations from all over the country and all over the world. And they weren't just sending money, they were sending messages of love and telling us how much our temple means to them, even though they may not have had the opportunity to actually visit it. Many people who live in a place where there isn't any Dharma, like Idaho or Utah, told us how they really love to watch Jetsunma's teaching online, that it provides them their only spirtual sustenance out in the spiritual desert. The Asian community also really came through, particularly the Vietnamese community here. Once word got out, people were contacting everyone in their family to give. During the telethon two Asians showed up at the temple to hand deliver donations they had gathered from their families to make sure it got there on time. We asked them to tell us what our temple meant to them. One, a nice young Cambodian man, told us he spends many hours meditating at our temple (which is always open), and that he finds a sense of peace like he has never experienced anywhere else. The other, a Vietnamese man, said that everyone at his temple, which visits us by the busload during Tet every year, loves our place, that our stupas work when prayers are made at them, and that they need us to stay in the world. The same message was repeated over and over in emails and phone calls that we were getting constantly during the 3 1/2 hour telethon.
Meanwhile we were able to obtain pro bono legal representation by the most prestigious and powerful law firm in DC (the capital of lawyers), Covington and Burling (Eric Holder, the current US Attorney General, was a partner there before his current job). They were able to work out a deal with our bank to give us an additional 2 weeks "forebearance", as they put it.
But it turns out we didn't need the forebearance. The Wednesday night telethon raised some $97,000 bringing our total to over $200,000. A generous anonymous donor then offered to make up the difference. In short, we are now able to pay off the note in full and secure the temple.
What is more important to me, though, than just the financial aspect of this miracle (what else can you call it?) is the amazing revelation of the impact our temple makes literally around the world. That to me shows the power of the Dharma and how much it is needed and wanted in the world. I realized last night when I went to the temple for our usual Thursday night online video teaching that I will never look at the place in the same way I did a week ago. It's not just a slightly worn at the edges place where I and some other people go to practice and strive to become enlightened. It is also a sparkling wish-fulfilling jewel for countless sentient beings (including the birds at the Garuda Aviary who would have been dead if not for the temple taking them in and the feral cats we feed and take care of). It is very humbling, very humbling indeed! Securing this land and this temple and these stupas for future generations is a huge step for us in planting the victory banner of Dharma in the West. EH MA HO!
Oh, we also resolved to never, ever put our future in the hand of banks again!
Palzang
Last Friday the bank sent us a letter saying they were recalling the note. What that meant was that we had less than a week to cough up $240,000 or we would lose everything - the land, the temple, and everything in it, including several consecrated stupas. Needless to say, it's been a very difficult, pretty much sleepless week! But the difference that I noticed this time is that, unlike past financial crises, nobody panicked, we didn't go rushing off to the one or two people in the sangha who might be able to come up with the money like we usually do, but instead we just rolled up our sleeves and got to work. Jetsunma, our teacher, told us that if we pulled together we could do it. She also has told us in the past that if we supply the effort, she'll supply the miracles.
So that's what we did. We started contacting everyone we knew, sent out emails to our contact list, contacted the Asian community here in DC (who really like our temple), and held a couple of online telethons. Well, the response was nothing short of astounding. At the last telethon on Wednesday night we were receiving calls, emails and donations from all over the country and all over the world. And they weren't just sending money, they were sending messages of love and telling us how much our temple means to them, even though they may not have had the opportunity to actually visit it. Many people who live in a place where there isn't any Dharma, like Idaho or Utah, told us how they really love to watch Jetsunma's teaching online, that it provides them their only spirtual sustenance out in the spiritual desert. The Asian community also really came through, particularly the Vietnamese community here. Once word got out, people were contacting everyone in their family to give. During the telethon two Asians showed up at the temple to hand deliver donations they had gathered from their families to make sure it got there on time. We asked them to tell us what our temple meant to them. One, a nice young Cambodian man, told us he spends many hours meditating at our temple (which is always open), and that he finds a sense of peace like he has never experienced anywhere else. The other, a Vietnamese man, said that everyone at his temple, which visits us by the busload during Tet every year, loves our place, that our stupas work when prayers are made at them, and that they need us to stay in the world. The same message was repeated over and over in emails and phone calls that we were getting constantly during the 3 1/2 hour telethon.
Meanwhile we were able to obtain pro bono legal representation by the most prestigious and powerful law firm in DC (the capital of lawyers), Covington and Burling (Eric Holder, the current US Attorney General, was a partner there before his current job). They were able to work out a deal with our bank to give us an additional 2 weeks "forebearance", as they put it.
But it turns out we didn't need the forebearance. The Wednesday night telethon raised some $97,000 bringing our total to over $200,000. A generous anonymous donor then offered to make up the difference. In short, we are now able to pay off the note in full and secure the temple.
What is more important to me, though, than just the financial aspect of this miracle (what else can you call it?) is the amazing revelation of the impact our temple makes literally around the world. That to me shows the power of the Dharma and how much it is needed and wanted in the world. I realized last night when I went to the temple for our usual Thursday night online video teaching that I will never look at the place in the same way I did a week ago. It's not just a slightly worn at the edges place where I and some other people go to practice and strive to become enlightened. It is also a sparkling wish-fulfilling jewel for countless sentient beings (including the birds at the Garuda Aviary who would have been dead if not for the temple taking them in and the feral cats we feed and take care of). It is very humbling, very humbling indeed! Securing this land and this temple and these stupas for future generations is a huge step for us in planting the victory banner of Dharma in the West. EH MA HO!
Oh, we also resolved to never, ever put our future in the hand of banks again!
Palzang
0
Comments
What a great story, it touched my heart to hear the swelling of support for the temple, and how much it has touched the lives of people around the globe. Thank you dearly for sharing.
With warmth,
Matt
but why didn't you send links to the website or phone numbers for donations in here?
I would have participated...
Palzang
What a wonderful story! As patbb said you should have told us we would have given. I would love to see pictures of your temple, the stupas and the surrounding grounds. It gladdens me that the giving of others has allowed you and your brethern to continue your work of sharing the Dharma.
Yours in the Dharma,
Todd
Palzang
Yours in the Dharma,
Todd
Palzang
this shows how flourishing buddhism is in the world today, making the earth a central location... this is a good sign for buddha dharma.... WHIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!
Palzang
I read your story with interest. That is a lot of money given to you all. Sounds like a priesthood, somehow you all must deserve it. The quote above is one of the most callous statements i have heard in quite awhile, could you possibly explain, how the "Dharma" is absent in these two entire states?
Palzang
In a way, I don't think any of us truly deserve the kindness and compassion of others. That's the whole idea of giving though... give to others who need it, who can benefit from it, but not necessarily those who "deserve" it.
Not to say that your temple didn't deserve it of course, Palzang
I think it is always best to assume people's intentions were never malicious; it allows room for a lot more compassion. I read the comment to mean there was a lack of teachers or temples in those areas. What is so callous about this?
The internet can be a terrible place where words become mis-interpreted often.
Palzang
Here is just a small list of Dharma centers in Idaho....
Beginner's Mind Sangha
746 Santa Paula Ct., Boise, ID 83712
Tel: (208) 336-2128
Tradition: Vietnamese Zen
Founder: Thich Nhat Hanh
Affiliation: Community of Mindful Living/Unified Buddhist Church
Web site: http://www.beginnersmindsangha.org
Contacts: Gary Richardson - (208) 336-2128
Email:beginanew@cableone.net)
Tom Sarriugarte - (208) 850-5340
Email: tsarriug@cableone.net) Dzogchen Shen Pan Choling Dharma Center
114 N. Latah, Boise, ID 83706
Tel: (208) 345-3032
Email: idaho@dzogchenlineage.org
Web site: http://www.dzogchenlineage.org
Contact: Mr. Daniel King
Tradition: Tibetan, Vajrayana, Dzogchen
Affiliation: Dzogchen Shri Singha International
Spiritual Director: H.E. Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche
Golden Blue Lotus Tara Buddhist Meditation Center
525 South Main Street, Moscow, ID 83843
Contact: Martha Foster
Email: marthaf@cs.uidaho.edu
Web site: http://community.palouse.net/lotus/default.htm
Tradition: Tibetan, Gelugpa
Spiritual Director: Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Idaho Zen Buddhist Association
P.O. Box 583, Bruneau, ID 83604, USA
Contact: Rev. Chuan Yi Shakya
Phone: 208-845-2032
Email: info@izba.us
Website: http://www.izba.us
Tradition: Southern Chinese Mahayana (Chan) Buddhism
Affiliation: Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun - Lin-Ji lineage of Hui Neng
Spiritual Director: Rev. Chuan Yi Shakya
Karma Dongag Ling
Suite 9, 114 East 90 South, Malad ID 83252
Contact: Sonam-Theresa Johnson
Tel: (208) 766 5259
Email: kdl_sonam@yahoo.com
Web site: http://www.karma-dongag-ling.freehomepage.com
Tradition: Tibetan, Karma Kagyu
Spiritual Director: Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche
Mindfulness Sangha of the Palouse
106 East Third Street, #3B Moscow, ID 83843
Tel: (208) 883-3311
Email: phine@moscow.com
Tradition: Vietnamese Zen
Director: Thich Nhat Hanh
Affiliation: Community of Mindful Living, Berkeley
Contacts: Pamela Berger and Pat Hine
Treasure Valley Dharma Friends
2312 E. Overland Road, Boise, ID 83701
Contact: Dan Black
Tel: 887-9496
Email: danblack@velocitus.net
Web site: http://www.dharmafriends.net
Tradition: Tibetan, Non-sectarian
Spiritual Director: Ven. Thubten Chodron
White Cloud Meditation Center
232 S 9th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho 83201
Contact: Rein Konpo Kaales
Tel: (208) 478-9715
Email: wcloud@ida.net
Web site: http://www.whitecloud.org
Tradition: Soto Zen
Affiliation: Kanzeon Zen Center International, Salt Lake City, Utah
Spiritual Director: Dennis Genpo Merzel Roshi
Teacher: Rein Konpo Kaales
Addititional information at: www.zencenterutah.org
Now Utah.....
Asian-American Meditation Center
P.O. Box 725 - Snowville UT 84436
Park Valley UT State Road 30 Mile Post 66
Contact:Malcolm and Eleanor Duvall
Tel: (801) 394-3744
Email:bacoou@msn.com
Tradition: Practice Group
Big Mind, Inc.
Street Address -- 1268 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, U.S.A.
Contact person -- Bruce Lambson
Telephone -- 801-328-8414
Email -- office@bigmind.org
Web site -- http://bigmind.org
Tradition -- Zen Buddhism
Affiliation -- Kanzeon Zen Center International
Spiritual Director -- Dennis Genpo Merzel Roshi
Teacher/s -- Dennis Genpo Merzel Roshi
Buddhist Church of Ogden
155 North Street, Ogden, UT 84404
Tel: (801) 392 7132, Fax: (801) 622 8827
Contact: Elsie Shiramizu
Affiliation: Buddhist Churches of America (BCA)
Tradition: Jodo Shinshu Buddhism
Community of Mindful Living
Contact:Barb Eastma
1566 E. Bryan Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
Tel: (801) 466-0542
Email:tombarbpaul@hotmail.com
Tradition: Zen Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hahn
Dzogchen Shri Singha Association
621 9th Ave., Salt Lake City,UT 84103
Tel: (801) 355-9676
Email: saltlake@dzogchenlineage.org
Web site: www.dzogchenlineage.org
Contact: Mr. Geoff Kassner
Tradition: Tibetan, Vajrayana, Dzogchen
Affiliation: Dzogchen Shri Singha International
Spiritual Director: H.E. Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche
Insight Meditation Vipassana
599 East 4075 South, Salt Lake City UT 84107
Tel: (801) 281-5922
Email: sray@aros.net
Web site: www.alwaysmetta.org
Tradition: Theravada Tradition
Teacher: Ven. Shirley Ray
Kanzeon Zen Center International, Utah
1274 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Tel: (801) 328-8414, Fax: (801) 532-5867
Email: office@kzci.org
Web site: www.kzci.org
Teacher: Zen Master, Genpo Merzel Roshi
Tradition: Soto Zen
Honeyville Buddhist Temple
3945 W 6900, Honeyville, UT 84314
Tel: (801) 279 8477
Affiliation: Buddhist Churches of America (BCA)
Tradition: Jodo Shinshu Buddhism
Paramita Group
1211 Cherry Lane, Provo UT 84604
Contact: Joseph Johnson
Email: info@paramitagroup.org
Web site: www.paramitagroup.org
Tradition: Influenced by Theravada, Mahayana & Vajrayana
Salt Lake Buddhist Temple
211 West First South, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Tel: (801) 363 4742, Fax: (801) 363 4742
Minister: Rev. Jerry Hirano
Email: jhirano@slbuddhist.org
Web site: www.slbuddhist.org
Affiliation: Buddhist Churches of America (BCA)
Tradition: Jodo Shinshu Buddhism
Salt Lake Sangha
Contact: Vaughn and Joanne Lovejoy
Tel: (801) 974-0328
1411 Utah Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84104
Tradition: Vietnamese Zen
Lineage: Thich Nhat Hanh
Affiliation: Community of Mindful Living, Berkeley
Shodo-An Zen Mountain Retreat
P.O. Box 680646 Park City UT 84060
2962 W Wildflower Court, Unit 26, Pinebrook
Email: GenshinSLC@aol.com
Web site:www.shodo-an.com
Resident Teacher: Nancy Genshin Gabrysch
Lineage: Maezumi Roshi and Genpo Roshi
Soka Gakkai International
Salt Lake City Community Center
537 East 300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
Tel: (801).538.0822, (801) 355.7717
Web site: www.sgi.org/english
Tradition: Mahayana
Founder: Daisaku Ikeda
Soka Gakkai International - Southern Utah
Contact:Mr. Calvin Weiss, District Leader
60 East 100 South, La Verkin, UT 84745
Tel: (435) 635-7848
Web site: www.sgi.org/english
Tradition: Mahayana
Founder: Daisaku Ikeda
Thupten Choling
P.O. Box 1017 La Verkin UT 84745-1017
Tel: (435) 635-3610
Contact: Midge Henline
Email: rosebud4tibet@hotmail.com
Tradition: Tibetan Buddhist Practice Center
Urgyen Samten Ling
740 South 300 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
Tel: (801) 328-4629
Web site: www.urgyensamtenling.org
Tradition: Tibetan, Nyingma
Lineage: Longchen Nyingthig
Wasatch Zen Center
1274 South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Tel: (801) 328-8414
Affiliation: Zen Center of Los Angeles (CA)
Wat Buddhikaram
Cambodian Buddhist Temple
3325 West 3800 South, West Valley City UT 84119
Tel: (801) 968-9073
Tradition: Theravada
Monk in Residence: Ven. Ritthy Lek
Contact: Mr. Ramsey Kay (President)
Wat Dhammagunaram of Utah
644 E. 1000 North, Layton, UT 84041-4220
Tel: (801) 544-7616, Fax: (801) 543-1910
Tradition: Theravada, Thai (Maha Nikaya)
Affiliation: Thai Bhikkhus Council
Wat Lao Munisriratnaram
279 E. 8000 South, Sandy, UT 84070
Tel: (801) 255-1546
Contact: Mr. Kham B. Sayavong (Temple Officer)
Tel: (801) 964-9197
Resident monk: Ven. Phouy Keovangmany
Tradition: Theravada, Laotian
I wonder if your leader teacher would agree with you about there being NO Dharma in those states, i guess i can find out by posting what you said here to your temples website. Do you think i should?
I don't know what planet you live on, but we all work for a living at our place. Nobody is "making a living from other peoples money". I work full-time at a real job for a real company in addition to my monkly duties. So do most of our ordained sangha as well as our lay sangha. Those who don't are either retired or on disability. So much for your "priesthood" theory. We work our asses off every day of every year. What do you do? How are you contributing?
But it takes a lot of money to keep our place going. We are in the temple we're in at the explicit instruction of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche who told us the exact house to look for and where to look for it, even though he'd never seen the place or even been to the US at the time. The sangha at that time didn't think it was possible to get this place, but they did somehow, and somehow over the years, with lots and lots of work and a lot of close calls like this one, we've managed to keep it going. It's always a challenge, but it's worth it when we hear from all over the world from people who do appreciate our efforts and need us to stay in the world as we are their only connection to the Dharma. If that's a bad thing, then I plead GUILTY!!!
And I did email what I wrote to the board at the temple. They all loved it. Instead of sitting around looking for people to attack, you might want to consider going out and doing good for people. It feels good.
Palzang
You are choosing to put me down and ridicule me for not agreeing with your heart felt miracle. First of all i am not confused, in fact i am more clear about what i am saying than in most other situations.:) This is not a personal attack on you. It is about how Buddhism is represented in the West. We are an extremely wealth driven society. I assume you all took a "vow of poverty". It just doesn't sound like you are living it to me. I do know what you are about. I have been to similar places. It is like the big churches i also have been to. Just because you are an integral part of this institution, doesn't mean that all is well there. IMO you are mis-representing the true nature of compassion and skillful means.
Then you accuse me of being from a different planet. Like i have no knowledge of the goings on of big religion in the US. Sorry, but i have studied this subject for 30 years, and i am confident of which i speak.
If you follow everything your human leaders tell you, how do you know your own mind? Again it sounds like all you do there is find peer-approval for your "Acts of kindness". Of course your group will approve your letter, probably even your supreme leader. You just secured your lifestyle for another "trip into the future."
I use every bit of my time practicing compassion and skillful means. That is why i am debating with you right now. I do not agree with your all's representation of Buddhism. It has been said, i am not going to change my mind. So that is that. I have no more to say about this.-
That's greeat news palzang.
Anyway, I'm not even going to respond to dennis (or whatever his real name is - we'll never know!). It's obvious that the axe he was grinding wasn't obvious from his inane statements and failure to respond to my comments. Though I did find the part where he claims to "use every bit of my time practicing compassion and skillful means" pretty hilarious. If that's compassion and skillful means, none for me, thanks! So hopefully he will keep his promise.
And thank you Swanny and silverstein. It was a truly remarkable week, though if I had any hair left and if any of that had not been gray already, it certainly would be now! But sometimes living on the edge like that can be exhilarating. Sometimes, I said!
Palzang
My own Temple is struggling although not financially...just with an aging membership.
I have to admit I also was a bit taken aback about the comment of a lack of Dharma in Idaho and Utah..partly because I have met Jerry Hirano Sensei of the Salt Lake Buddhist Church, and I know it is a very active Sangha, but I just sort of assumed perhaps this was in reference to your specific school.
I know it is difficult when someone pushes your buttons...but as my Sensei would say...Dennis is a Bodhisattva! Helping you to see where your own practice needs work.
Certainly online comments should not cause one to want to do violence, although I completely understand why you feel that way and would want to defend the honour of your Sangha and Temple.
In any event certainly don't let this online discussion dampen your joy! In the big picture the success of your temple is a fantastic thing...this one aspect of this thread on the other hand....just a minor annoyance.
Congratulations though...always great to hear these sorts of success stories!
I wish you the best in keeping your center going as well! We need all the Dharma we can get in these dark times. I started out in Zen and respect it very much.
Palzang
Congratulations, Palzang.
This was very clear in my opinion.
Someone getting so riled up over such sillines makes no sense to me. If those states are lacking in Dharma centers, is it really a knock on those states? That would be like me getting upset because someone said Chicago doesn't have any Waffle Houses.
Congratulations!!
Now here's to some downtime, some peace and security. I'm glad you are able to appreciate the living-on-the-edge thing though. That's a very handy skill to have in this world. That's for sure. Lol!!
You're right, Boo, it is a good skill to develop because it seems like my life has mostly varied between periods of inactivity and periods of high tension drama. Guess it's just my karma! I have to admit that the adrenaline thing is pretty stimulating sometimes, but maybe not with so much riding on it!
Palzang
It doesn't!?!?!? :eek: Huh, I never noticed that when I lived there... (just being silly)
No, you're right. And like I said, there are Dharma centers in every state, but not everybody lives within easy commuting distance to them.
Palzang
I live in UT and yes there are plenty of Dharma centers but we could use more, as we do live in a spiritual desert. I have two temples in walking distance from my house but would like five more.
QW
Palzang
Oh, and numbers do not necessarily equal coverage. There are lots of Dharma centers within the state of Illinois, but they're mostly all centered around the urban areas. Out here in the sticks they're non-existent, so that leaves most of the state, geographically speaking, completely uncovered.
And you're right, most Dharma centers are located in the big population centers. If you're out on a farm or a ranch somewhere or live in a small town, you're out of luck. So by providing a cyber presence we hope to be able to provide some sustenance for these people.
Palzang