Khensur Vreeland honors the Dalai Lama’s vision of compassion, kindness, and self-awareness—guiding us to uplift others and nurture peace in our lives and communities.
MANDALA COVER PROJECT COMPLETED
MANDALA COVER PROJECT
Early last year, staff set out to procure a dome to protect the 3-D Mandala housed here at the Center. There were several obstacles to overcome, most apparent the sheer size of the dome - 7.5 feet in diameter and needed to be relatively light weight. Another dilemma was that a dome that size couldn't fit through any of the doorways here at TTC. It would need to be assembled on location.
Enter Heinrich Spillmann... Heinrich has been a devoted loyal student of Khyongla Rato Rinpoche and Khensur Rinpoche since the 80s. Heinrich designed and with help from fellow student Stephan Hiros, built the Kalachakra House used for His Holiness' Kalachakra Initiation at the Paramount Theatre, NYC in 1991 which was also used during His Holiness' initiation in Washington DC in 2011. He also built the throne used in every one of His Holiness' teachings The Tibet Center and Gere Foundation sponsored here in NYC in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2010 and 2013.
On installation day, we spoke with Heinrich about the project…
The Tibet Center - We searched all over the world contacting companies in California, Canada, UK. None of them seemed able to produce what we needed. Then we all looked at each other and said - “let’s ask Heinrich”! And as so many times before, you came to the rescue. We know that this undertaking took many brainstorming sessions and many hours of labor. Can you talk a little bit about your work on the project?
Heinrich Spellmann - Venerable Kensur Rinpoche asked me last November if I think I could build a clear cover of sorts to protect the beautiful and very intricate 3 dimensional Kalachakra mandala house which is on permanent display at the Tibet Center. It urgently needed protection from dust and dirt etc. The mandala house is installed on a custom made wooden octagonal cabinet. The outermost ring of the mandala has a diameter of about 80 inches and sits on a round almost 90 inch diameter platform. We also determined that the cover should be about 42 inches high to comfortably accomodate the mandala house. It quickly became clear that what ever this structure will be it would need to be build in pieces, to then be assembled on location, because the entry door to the space had a maximum width of 36 inches and my car brought further limitation because the pieces would have to be shipped from my studio to The Tibet Center.
After building several sections of full scale mockups and test panels, made out of woodframes etc, i realized I don’t have the setup, the shop or the knowhow to build a safe structure out of wood and so I started to experiment with steel. I found I could weld narrow steel angles together to build much sturdier and structuraly sound frames then I could with wood.
To accommodate the circumference of the mandala an eight sided cover, an octagon, was needed and we further determined that the eight sides should lean in at a 60 degree angle to give more visual access to the mandala. This way one could lean over a little to view the beautiful and intricate house. This resulted in a structure with eight trapezoid panels with an eight sided cover panel on top. The separate welded panels could then be assemble on location and held together with steel screws and fitted with plexiglass panels. Needless to say I was glad that my daughter Sophie remembered her geometry classes so well, I needed a lot of help figuring out all the angles, miters cuts and general geometry of this structure.
My wife Evelyn helped greatly with figuring out the detailing and the finishes and with that, the whole undertaking also became a little family endevour. They also had to put up with all my angsts during the whole process. Thank you so much for that too. And thank you to Venerable Kensure Rinpoche for trusting and empowering me to build this thing, I still don’t understand what ever made him think I could build this. Thank you."
The Tibet Center - Well the cover is now installed and it looks great while in no way hinders the viewing experience of the exhibit. Mission accomplished. We hope this inspires people to come see the mandala. Heinrich, you have been such an integral part of The Tibet Center's history. We are so grateful to you and your wife Evelyn for your herculean efforts on behalf of the center and the Dharma. Many many many thanks.
Visit Heinrich's website to view his brilliant art and designs...
40TH ANNIVERSARY FOR VENERABLE KHENSUR RINPOCHE
On this date, 40 years ago, 40 Losars ago, Venerable Khensur Rinpoche was ordained and became a monk. The Tibet Center would like to recognize this anniversary and thank Khensur Rinpoche for everything he has done for the Center and for the Dharma.
With Profound Respect and Thanks,
The Tibet Center / Kunkhyab Thardo Ling
Photo by Stefan Kochs
Gehse Lozang Jamspal 1933 - 2024
Our beloved teacher and friend Geshe Lozang Jamspal has passed away in Ladakh on August 2nd 2024. All at The Tibet Center are saddened at Gen la passing but also so grateful for his many teachings, translation, kindness and generosity.
Read Geshe Lozang Jamspal’s bio and interview from the International Buddhist College - https://ibc.ac.th/en/node/3044
The Tibet Center to host a celebration and prayers for His Holiness' 89th Birthday
Saturday July 6th 2024 at 11:30am
The Tibet Center / Khunkhyab Thardo Ling will be hosting a celebration and prayers for His Holiness' 89th Birthday tomorrow, Saturday July 6th 2024 at 11:30am
All are welcome @ 502 N Ridgewood Road, South Orange, NJ 070798
718 222 0007
HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA HAS TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY IN NYC
Dr. Tsetan D Sadutshang, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s personal physician and Mr. Tenzin N Taklha, Secretary to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
New York, USA
June 28, 2024
HH Sakya Trinzin and Khensur Rinpoche Nicholas Vreeland greet His Holiness in NYC June 23, 2024
His Holiness the Dalai Lama had a total knee replacement surgery this morning, which was very successful. After the surgery, he returned to his room in the hospital in a very stable condition and has already had his lunch.
He will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.
The entire team looking after His Holiness has been extremely supportive and caring.
His Eminence the 7th Kyabjé Yongzin Ling Rinpoche at The Tibet Center April 16, 2024 at 7pm
We are elated to announce that His Eminence the 7th Kyabjé Yongzin Ling Rinpoche will visit The Tibet Center in South Orange, NJ, on Tuesday April 16 - 7pm, to teach The Foundation of All Good Qualities. Rinpoche will also bestow an oral transmission of In Praise of Dependent Arising.
The teaching will take place at the Baird building 5 Mead Street in South Orange, NJ 07079 at 7pm.
TTC
Venerable Yongzin Ling Rinpoche at The Tibet Center 2016
SERKONG TSENSHAP RINPOCHE VISITS THE TIBET CENTER
We were so honored and blessed to have Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche stop by The Tibet Center. Rinpoche had a quick espresso, some cookies, greeted Bud the cat and took a tour of the Center. He stopped by the office to view a portrait of his predecessor that hangs there. Thank you Rinpoche !
TAIWAN MEMORIALS FOR KHYONGLA RATO RINPOCHE, JUNE 2023
The Taiwan centers in Taipei and Taichung where Rinpoche gave many teachings over the years, held memorials for Rinpoche this June 18, 23 and 24, 2023.
Memorial held in Taipei, June 18, 2023
Memorial held in Taichung, June 23, 2023
Beautiful photo and video montages of Rinpoche’s life are presented and Venerable Khensur Rinpoche eulogizes Rinpoche at each memorial.
WE WISH HIS HOLINESS A VERY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL 88TH BIRTHDAY‼️ ~ TTC
RATO MONKS RECITE PRAYERS FOR RINPOCHE ONE YEAR AFTER HIS PASSING
Happening now at Rato Monastery, Mundgod / State of Karnataka
Rato monks reading Nagarjuna's Root of Wisdom or Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way in honor of Khyongla Rato Rinpoche on the one year anniversary of his passing.
FOUNDER OF LINGSKINCARE AND TIBET CENTER MEMBER LING CHAN HAS PASSED AWAY
RIP LING CHAN
It is with great sadness to let you know that our dear friend and Dharma Sister Ling Chan passed away Saturday February 25th 2023 here in New York City.
‘Ling Chan grew up in Hong Kong and immigrated to New York City at the age of 21. There she began her career in the beauty industry and soon realized that in order to provide for her family while achieving the American dream, she decided to pursue her passion in esthetics. While preserving her rich Chinese heritage, Ling simultaneously assimilated into mainstream American culture and opened her first spa in 1984 at the renowned intersection, 57th street and 5th avenue in NYC.’
A devote Buddhist practitioner, Ling was a longtime member and stalwart supporter of The Tibet Center. When The Tibet Center lost its temple / office, Ling hosted us in her Lingskincare warehouses until we found our new space. When Rato monastery experienced difficult overcrowding conditions, Ling played an integral role in the project to expand the monks’ quarters and new Temple building.
Khyongla Rato Rinpoche was very close to Ling and he considered her family. We will miss her warmth and compassion as she watched over and took care of us all. She meant so much to us and we will miss her greatly.
FUND ESTABLISHED FOR THE CREATION OF KHYONGLA RATO RINPOCHE'S STUPA
The Tibet Center has commissioned the creation two silver stupas in memory of Khyongla Rato Rinpoche. The stupas will contain some of Rinpoche’s remains and will be permanently housed at the reestablished Rato monastery in Karnataka, INDIA and the other permanently housed at Rinpoche’s center in the West - The Tibet Center NJ, USA.
The stupas will be objects of devotion, much like a Buddhist statue for future generations and will cement The Tibet Center as an enduring presence for good in the world as Khyongla Rato Rinpoche intended and will hasten his return to preside over The Tibet Center in the future.
We have started a fund for the creation of the two reliquary stupas in Rinpoche’s honor. You can make a tax-deductible contribution through The Tibet Center towards these two reliquaries here below…
FUND FOR CREATION OF KHYONGLA RATO RINPOCHE STUPA 2022
Work has begun…
Making measurements
Many many thanks to all who have so generously given toward the creation of Khyongla Rinpoche’s stupas. ~ The Tibet Center / Kunkhyab Thardo Ling
The Tibet Center 2022 Fall Fund Drive
There are a few days left to The Tibet Center’s 2022 Fall Fund Drive. We hope to end strong this Giving Tuesday (November 29) and the last few days of November. Visit - thetibetcenter.org/support-us - to make a tax-deductible year-end donation today !
Many thanks to all of you who have donated so far. ~ TTC
The Tibet Center wishes His Eminence Ling Rinpoche a Happy Birthday !!
The Tibet Center wishes His Eminence Ling Rinpoche a Happy Birthday and we pray that he will have a very long life!
Gyuto, Dharamsala May 30, 2022
English translation of His Holiness', Prayer for the Swift Reincarnation of Rato Khyongla Rinpoche
We are posting a 1st draft English translation of His Holiness' 'Prayer for the Swift Reincarnation of the late Rato Khyongla Rinpoche', translated by Venerable Geshe Dorrje Damdul and we thank him for his efforts.
We will post The Tibet Center's English translation of this prayer very soon.
Thank you for all your prayers and good works on Rinpoche's behalf.
The Tibet Center requests His Holiness to write a prayer for Rato Khyongla Rinpoche's Swift Return
Students, Members and Friends of The Tibet Center / Kunkhyab Thardo Ling, sent a request to His Holiness the Dalai Lama asking Him to write a prayer for Rato Khyongla Rinpoche's swift return.
We are so grateful to His Holiness for granting our request on May 26, 2022 the same day Rinpoche left his meditative state.
THE TIBET CENTER SADLY ANNOUNCES THE PASSING OF RATO KHYONGLA RINPOCHE IN DHARAMSALA
THE TIBET CENTER SADLY ANNOUNCES THE PEACEFUL PASSING OF RATO KHYONGLA RINPOCHE IN DHARAMSALA TODAY MAY 24, 2022
Venerable Khenpo Rinpoche Nicholas Vreeland is with him and is currently performing prayers along with Rato monks in Rinpoche’s presence. His Holiness’ office has been informed and Venerable Ling Rinpoche is advising Venerable Vreeland.
Venerable Vreeland asks us to kindly say prayers on Rinpoche’s behalf and we will have a further statement in the near future.
