Drepung Gomang

  Institute  

Tashi Gomang Dharma Center

 

Drepung Gomang Institute
1578 Parsons Place
Louisville , KY 40205

Latest News

Please see the tab "Becoming a DGI Member" to help us grow and offer more Buddhism in the Louisville area.

  • Please check out the new additions to the website!!

    7/12/2010

    If you have not checked out the website for a while, you are missing out on a lot of new additions. A few DGI members went to India and we have added a number of pictures and stories. We have information on the 2010 food drive, the visit to Drepung Gomang, and a very moving story from a Tibetan we met that was jailed in Tibet. Please take your time looking through the information as we have a number of links embedded due to all the good information we have. 

     

    As part of our membership drive, we will be listing the names of members as we get them. we move a little slow, so please be patient. All DGI supporters will be listed in the "DGI supporter" section of the web page. If you do not want your name listed, please let us know. 

     

  • Special Tsok for 1st Turning of the Wheel

    7/10/2010


    This Thursday marks the anniversary of the Buddha's First Teaching.  To celebrate, there will be a special tsok this Wednesday, July 14th, from 7-8 at Drepung Gomang Institute (1578 Parsons Place in the Highlands).  The evening will start with a brief meditation with the tsok to follow.  Please feel free to bring an offering of small snacks to be blessed and shared with the group.  We hope you can make it.

     

  • Upcoming teaching

    7/12/2010


    DGI will begin our study of the The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicharyavatara) by Shantideva this month. We will likely be working from the Wallace edition for those of you interested in a copy. This is one of the most popular texts in buddhism and if you were ever interested in attending classes (or buddhism in general), this text is one of the best places to start. We hope to see you there. 

     

  • Workshop of Interest

    July 12, 2010

     
     TIBETAN BON HEALING:
    THE FIVE ENERGIES & ELEMENTS
    Weekend Workshop with
    GESHE CHONGTUL RINPOCHE
    Oct. 30 – 31, 2010
    Hanover College
    Hanover, IN
    Workshop Description
    Tibetan Bon healing stresses the importance of invoking natural healing energies in the mind and body. Rinpoche will explain how all disease, stress, obstacles, and imbalances in one’s life are related to the energy of the five chakras. In this ancient Dzogchen teaching for removing obstacles through the movement of the essential energies, Rinpoche will explain how to generate these five energies and develop the five wisdoms to calm and bring the mind toward peace. Students will learn five principal movements and five principal mantras.
    This workshop is open to all: no knowledge of Bon is required.

    Registration Information

    $150 early registration : until Oct. 11, 2010
    $195 registration after Oct. 11, 2010
    Payment and additional registration information: info@bonshenling.org (646-524-7119)

    For additional information about the workshop, travel information, or local accommodation information please contact:
    Dr. Vicki Jenkins vjenkins9@yahoo.com (812-873-6037)

    Geshe Chongtul Rinpoche is a preeminent high Lama of the Tibetan Bön tradition. An engaging, personable, clear and compassionate teacher, he infuses his teachings with humor and a keen understanding of how to make these ancient teachings relevant and accessible to the Western mind. For more information about Rinpoche and his projects go to www.bonshenling.org
     
     
     
  • Special event

    May 31, 2010

    MARCH FOR TIBET'S INDEPENDENCE 2010:

    ITIM will lead yet another "March for Tibet's Independence." This year's 150-mile walk begins with a demonstration at Independence Hall in Philadelphia (143 South 3rd Street) at 9am on July 4, 2010. The walk will proceed through Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C., concluding with another demonstration in front of China's Embassy (3505 International Place NW, Washington DC 20008) at 11am on July 13, 2010.

    July 4th is the Anniversary of the United States' succession or independence from England. The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in Philadelphia are striking symbols of this country's independence. In fact, Independence Hall is considered the birthplace of the United States. This year's walk for Tibet begins at this historic Hall because Tibetans want independence for their country as well. A group of 15-20 Tibetans and others from different parts of the United States will complete this walk.

    This is the 15th major 'March' or 'Bicycle Ride' for Tibet's independence organized by ITIM since 1995. ITIM walkers and bike riders have compiled greater than 3,600 miles in more than 350 days!

    According to Ngawang Norbu (ITIM Board Member), "Fifty-one years is a long time for an individual, but not that long for a nation. We must be patient and work hard, if necessary, for another 51 years to achieve independence for our country, Tibet. If there is a sunset, there is also a sunrise. Right now is a very dark period for Tibet, but the sun will definitely rise again and Tibet will be FREE!"

    Why does ITIM continue to organize yearly walks for Tibet?

    1. Because Tibet is still not independent;

    2. To give voice to the Tibetans inside of Tibet who desire their freedom and experience unthinkable conditions on a daily basis;

    3. Because Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, The Panchen Lama, is still missing;

    5. Because Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and other Tibetans continue to be imprisoned;

    6. To promote a Boycott of China's Goods;

    7. Because a democratic system of government needs to exist in China; and

    8. Because Eastern Turkestan, Southern Mongolia, and Taiwan also should be independent countries.

    The Indiana Tibetan Association, Tibetan Association of Philadelphia, Capitol Area Tibetan Association, and the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress-Minnesota are assisting ITIM with the coordination of this year's walk.

    cut and past the following link into your eb browserto learn about previous walks and rides

    http://www.rangzen.org/WalkRideVideo/ITIM_Walks_Rides.mp4

     

     
  •   Earthquake Relief Fund

    3/26/2010

    Dear Friends,

    As many of you are now aware, a massive earthquake of magnitude 6.9 hit the region of Kham in Eastern Tibet last Wednesday morning, April 14 causing heavy damage and loss of human lives. The epicenter was near the town of Kyegudo in Yulshul county, an area with heavy concentration of Tibetan populations. The whole town was razed to the ground, including schools and monasteries. As of this morning, over 10,000 people have either died or remain buried according to Tibetan sources. Those who survived are left homeless, often sleeping outside in the cold, or in tents temporarily set up by the Chinese army rescuers. Initial reports suggests upwards of 100,000 people are displaced by the earthquake and will have to be moved to safer areas as the town itself is completely destroyed .

    In the wake of this unfortunate disaster, Tibetans and their friends across the world have mobilized to raise money for the victims and many organizations have sprung up to deal with the immediate needs of the people in Kyegu. Even though the Chinese government has taken the lead in rescue efforts and aid to the people, it seems much of it is for show and there is also a growing mistrust between Tibetans and Chinese, who for fear of political upheaval are removing the many monks there who have flocked to the area and were the most help in the initial stages. With urging from Drepung Gomang monastery in India, it’s sister organization in the US, Drepung Gomang Institute (DGI) in Louisville is collecting donations from it’s members, and reaching out to supporters and friends across the country who have known the monks from their various tours. Once they have a sizable pool, an organization working with the relief efforts in Kyegu will be picked to sent the money through , making sure that it will help those directly affected on the ground. Some of you may already have given to other organizations. But it will help if you are able to reach out to your friends and family and collect whatever you can to aid in this effort. Most importantly, DGI is hoping that the hosts and tour coordinators from last year will be able to email this letter to their many contacts. DGI is a non-profit religious organization and all donations are tax deductible. All contributions should be in check made to:

    DGI

    Memo: Earthquake relief fund

    1578 Parsons Pl.

    Louisville, KY-40205

    Please be advised that we will be turning over the money we raise to an organization in the first week of May and so donations must be received by 5/7/10 in order to be counted in this effort. Once all donations are counted and turned over, we will post the amount from each location or area organization on our website, drepunggomanginstitute.org.

    Again, on behalf of Drepung Monastery and DGI, we are making this appeal to our many friends and supporters. Any amount of donation will go a long way if we band together and also keep the many thousands of Tibetans who are struggling in Kyegu in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

    With the greatest appreciation,

    Tsundue, 2009 Tour driver and Translator

    Lhakpa. DGI resident translator

  • DGI welcomes our new geshe!!!!

    3/2/2010

    We were fortunate enough to welcome Geshe Rapgyal for his first teaching Sunday. Geshe Rapgyal was picked by the monastery due to his academic accomplishment, he has obtained the Lingse level of the Geshe degree.There are four levels of Geshe degrees categorized under the set criteria of a Gelugpa university – Lharam, Tsokram, Rigram, and Lingse. To qualify for the monastic degree of Geshe, the student must undergo the vast and extensive traditional monastic studies on the five major treatises of Buddhist philosophical texts [The Perfection of Wisdom (as elaborated upon by Maitreya in the Abhisamayalamkara; Chandrakirti’s commentary on Nagarjuna’s root text on Madhyamaka; Dharmakirti’s Pramanavartika – Compendium on Valid Cognition; Vasubhandu’s Abhidharmakosha; and Vinaya – studies in monastic discipline].

    At the end of the teaching Geshe Rapgyal stated his goal is to be able to teach in English by the end of the year, which we all hope he accomplishes!!! Geshe Sangay Gatso, Geshe-la to all of us, has obtained his green card and will likely visit India and Tibet sometime in the future, although no immediate plans have been made. He has assured us that he is coming back after taking a much deserved vacation!!!  As our new geshe gets settled, we will be working on future events. Please check back as we add more special events. 

DGI is a 501 (C) (3), Non-profit Organization Under Kentucky State Law                                                                                                     Copyright DGI. All rights reserved.

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Drepung Gomang Institute
1578 Parsons Place
Louisville , KY 40205