December 24, 2007 - Dharma students from around Hawai’i Island attended Lama Karma Rinchen’s Vajrasattva Empowerment & Teachings on November 17 – 18, 2007, at the Puna Hongwanji’s Columbarium.  For many Dharma students, this was their introduction to the Vajrasattva practice; for others, this was a reunion with Lama Rinchen, Director of Rime Osel Ling Dharma Center on Oahu (1977 to present).     

     On Saturdary (Nov. 17^th), approximately 25 Dharma students attended Lama Rinchen’s Vajrasattva Empowerment.  Lama Rinchen presented his teachings briefly the next day on Vajrasattva, including the Six Paramitras (Buddhist Ethical Conduct). Distant  singing from Jodo Shinshu members from the Hongwanji Temple across from the Columbarium could be heard during Lama’s teachings, as Jodo Shinshu members attended their annual Etaikyo Perpetual Memorial Service/Dharma appreciation service. 

     Coming soon in January is the annual Protector’s Retreat led by our own Lama Nyungne and special guests Lama Gyaltsen (Maui) and Lama Tempa (Oahu).  Thank you. 

August 20, 2007 - Members of Rangjung Kunchab Rime Ling of Hilo were kept busy this past July and August where the group sponsored a T-shirt design contest, hosted a visit by Lama Lodo Rinpoche, met with Lama Kunzang Dorje, and hosted a Kid’s Dharma Day at Ninole. 

     Approximately six T-shirt design entries were submitted for RKRL Center by artists (as young as seven years old).  The winning entry was submitted by Bill Pope (a graphic artist by trade) who donated his $50 prize to the RKRL Center & will receive a T-shirt with his design.  Dr. Shelley Ham volunteered to purchase & print the T-shirts just in time for RKRL members to wear during Lama Lodo Rinpoche’s Hilo event.

     RKRL of Hilo hosted Venerable Lama Lodo Rinpoche’s visit to Hawaii Island this past July 27 - 31, 2007.  Rinpoche was able to give three public talks (“When Someone You Love Is Seriously Ill Or Dying”, “Compassion and Loving-kindness”, “The View of the Absolute Way”)&  two Empowerments (Hayagriva and Mahakala) with related commentary, at Hospice of Hilo. 

     Approximately fifty people attended the talks at the beautiful setting next to the Wailuku River.  Folks had an extra treat before Rinpoche’s first talk when sangha member Mailelaulani Canario presented her offering in the form of a Hawaiian chant (pule).

     What a wonderful opportunity to have hosted Rinpoche’s dharma teachings here in Hilo while his California sangha is celebrating Rinpoche’s thirty years of teaching Tibetan Buddhism in the West.