IN MEMORIAM MARIE SPINA

Dear Friends of The Tibet Center, 

It is with great sadness we write to inform that our dear friend and Tibet Center member, Marie Spina passed away last night in NJ. 

There wasn't a kinder, sweeter, wiser person in the world. She embodied wisdom and merit. Marie was an elder stateswomen and absolute heart of The Tibet Center. 

Because of the virus situation, right now there are no funeral plans. We will send updates about services or a memorial sometime in the future. 

Please keep Marie, Tony and the cats in your prayers. 

The Tibet Center / Kunkhyab Thardo Ling
Rato Dratsang Foundation

The Tibet Center to Livestream classes / discussion groups online during COVID19 crisis

During the COVID19 health crisis The Tibet Center / Kunkhyab Thardo Ling will livestream classes and discussions on its Facebook page - @thetibetcenter - or here on the website until the it’s deemed safe to once again meet in public. Check the schedule page for updates. The Tibet Center cancelled all classes on March 12, 2020.

A MESSAGE FROM VENERABLE KHEN RINPOCHE NICHOLAS VREELAND TO THE TIBET CENTER

Venerable Khen Rinpoche checks in to discuss the current health crisis we are facing.

RATO MONKS TO RECITE 'CITTAMANI TARA' FOR HIS HOLINESS VIA FREE WEBCAST JUNE 4, 2019

The Tibet Center and Tibetan Monastery Service are pleased to announce that Tibetan Gompa Service will broadcast a free webcast from RATO DRATSANG of the ‘Four Mandala Ritual of Cittamani Tara’, dedicated to the removal of predicted astrological hindrances to His Holiness the Dalai Lama during this year, to be performed on the first day of the sacred month of Saka Dawa, June 4th, at Rato Dratsang, Mundgod, India. The merit of any good deeds performed during this special month is considered to be multiplied many times. You are cordially invited to participate.
Registration for the webcast is now open at www.gompaservices.com. Registration and viewing will be available until June 18th, 2019.

The event: Event ID: 208

The ‘Four Mandala Ritual of Cittamani Tara’ is a special practice of the meditational deity Green Tara (the female embodiment of the enlightened activity of all the Buddhas) which accumulates extensive merit, increases positive conditions and is regarded as exceptionally effective in removing hindrances and bringing success to all positive activities.

The webcast will be made available for viewing by the end of the day (India time) on June 4th. The webcast will then remain available for you to view at any time of your choosing until June 18th, 2019.

Registration:

This is a free webcast but registration is needed to view the webcast. At the time you register you will also have the option to send a personal dedication and an offering to Rato Dratsang as co-sponsorship for this special ritual.
To register, please go to www.gompaservices.com and sign in to your Gompa account and select Special Events / See details of all events and webcasts; then select the event (from the list in date order, or by selecting Rato Dratsang from the monastery / nunnery list). If you do not have a Gompa account, you can create a free account by selecting Sign in / New to Gompa at www.gompaservices.com.

Source:: https://www.gompaservices.com/TMS_test/en/_en_events_listings.asp

CLIVE ARROWSMITH RAISES FUNDS FOR THE TIBET CENTER

Khyongla Rato Rinpoche's good friend and student, the great photographer Clive Arrowsmith is offering profits from the sale of his posters and greeting cards on ETSY.com. Click on the link below to see and purchase his work. All profits from the sale of these posters go to The Tibet Center. ~ THANK YOU CLIVE !!

SAKA DAWA WEBCAST_OF RATO MONKS RECITING 'ESSENSE OF ELOQUENCE'

---

Dear Friends, 

The Tibet Center and Rato Dratsang Foundation are excited to announce that The Gompa Tibetan Monastery Service will host a free webcast of Rato monk's recitation of the 'Essence of True Eloquence' on the full moon day of Saka Dawa, May 29th from Rato Dratsang.
Event ID: 159

Event type: Free Webcast

Brief description: This reading by the assembled monks of Rato Dratsang of Lama Tsongkhapa's celebrated text 'Essence of True Eloquence' (Lekshe Nyingpo) on the auspicious full moon day of Saka Dawa is dedicated to the long life of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. 

To view the webcast you must go to www.gompaservices.com and take a quick moment to create an account. You can choose to become a member or just sign up to view free webcasts. No payment is required unless you choose to make an optional donation. 

Please be aware that your registration must be finalised by the registration/payment deadline if you wish to view the webcast and/or make a donation for this event.

*Note that by registering to view the webcast you will also be able to make a voluntary offering to Rato Dratsang if you wish.

Gompa Facebook page (www.facebook.com/gompatms/).

Tashi Delek

The Tibet Center / Rato Dratsang Foundation

INSTITUTE of BUDDHIST DIALECTIC'S SIMON HOULTON at TTC JUNE 2017

SIMON HOULTON of the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics Dharamsala will give two lectures at TTC / KTL to discuss Rime non-sectarian approach to studies and practice.

Monday June 5th at 273 Bowery, NYC, NY 10002 at 7pm

Wednesday June 7th at At the Orange Lawn Tennis Club ~ 305 North Ridgewood Road, South Orange, NJ 07079 at 7pm

IN MEMORIUM: TIBET CENTER CO-FOUNDER MARJORIE MORTENSEN AUGUST 31 1936 - DECEMBER 12 2016

The Tibet Center’s Co-founder, Marjorie Mortensen passed away today here in New York City.

Marjorie was a great help to Venerable Khyongla Rato Rinpoche when he first arrived in the United States and played a central role in the founding of The Tibet Center in 1975.

Born August 31st, 1936 in Jackson Michigan, she graduated from Michigan University, where she studied literature and Interior design. Marjorie also designed and sold costume jewelry at the Greenflea Market for over 20 years. She was a passionate foodie and fixture of the NYC restaurant scene. 

                                                                  August 31 1936  -  December 12 2016

Marjorie worked at the NYC Mayor's Office for 17 years and wrote proclamations for several administrations. 

She is survived by her brothers Dan and Robert Mortensen.

Marjorie was very dedicated to The Tibet Center. We are so grateful to her for her good works on behalf of Tibetans and their culture. We will miss our friend.  

A Catholic mass will be held for Marjorie this Friday, December 16th, at the Chapel of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary at 10am - 325 East 33rd Street, New York, NY  10016 [212]213 6027. As Marjorie would've wanted, in lieu of flowers donations can be made to your favorite Tibetan charity or The Tibet Center.  

Click on photos to see Marjorie in the blogoshere...

HIS EMINENCE the 7th KYABJE YONGZIN LING RINPOCHE VISITS TTC/KTL

Venerable Ling Rinpoche returned to The Tibet Center to bless the new location and to speak to students. Rinpoche answered several questions the students had.  We told Rinpoche to consider this his home and asked him to come back for a longer stay. Rinpoche had named our center - Kunkhyab Thardo Ling some 40 years ago. We are so grateful for his blessing and hope that Venerable Ling Rinpoche will visit us again soon. 

VENERABLE LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE ~ WHITE TARA LONG LIFE EMPOWERMENT

Photo FPMT

Sunday July 31st 2016 at 10am

The Tibet Center / Kunkhyab Thardo Ling ~ under the direction of Reverend Rato Khyongla Rinpoche and Venerable Nicholas Vreeland has requested Ven. Lama Zopa Rinpoche to confer a White Tara Long Life Empowerment

Time: Sunday July 31 at 10 AM

Location: 

The Woodlands

60 Woodland Road

Maplewood, NJ 07040

thewoodlandnj.com

Please note: The venue is a five minute walk from the Maplewood NJ Transit station and has ample free parking.

Trains leave NY Penn station 11 minutes past each hour and arrive in Maplewood at 9 minutes before each hour.

This event is open to all, serious students and curious beginners.

There is no admission fee, voluntary donations are accepted.

The venue is handicap accessible.

LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS WORKING ON NEPAL EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

We continue to pray for our friends in Nepal.  Venerable Khen Rinpoche has dispatched Rato's Nepalese monks back to help their families and fellow villagers.  

The New York Times has compiled a list of reputable organizations you can choose from to donate to in order to help meet the immediate needs of those suffering. If you would like to help please consider giving whatever you can to any of the organizations listed below working towards Nepalese earthquake relief. 

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee:jdc.org

American Jewish World Service: ajws.org

AmeriCares: americares.org

CARE: care.org

Catholic Relief Services: crs.org

Global Giving: globalgiving.org

Habitat for Humanity International: habitat.org

Handicap International: handicap-international.us

International Medical Corps:internationalmedicalcorps.org

International Relief Teams: irteams.org

Jewish Federations of North America:jewishfederations.org

Lutheran World Relief: lwr.org

MAP International: mapinternational.org

Mercy Corps: mercycorps.org

Operation Blessing International: ob.org

Oxfam: oxfamamerica.org

PayPal: paypal.com

Project Concern International: pciglobal.org

Red Cross: redcross.org

Salvation Army: salvationarmyusa.org

Samaritan’s Purse: samaritanspurse.org

Save the Children: savethechildren.org

SOS: Children’s Villages International: sos-childrensvillages.org

United Nations World Food Program: wfp.org

Unicef: unicef.org

World Vision: worldvision.org

Global Fund for Women: globalfundforwomen.org

Monk With A Camera teams up with Photos For Rato in Los Angeles Dec 11, 2014

Artist reception for the documentary film "MONK WITH A CAMERA"

THURS, Dec. 11, 2014, 6-9pm at the ROYAL Theatre

** Venerable Khen Rinpoche Nicholas Vreeland and Filmmakers Tina Mascara and Guido Santi Will Be in Attendance! **

RSVP on our event Web Page -- www.Laemmle.com/Monk

OR .. on Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/events/570369593107963/

About "Art in the Arthouse" - www.laemmle.com/Art

Laemmle Royal ~ 11523 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025

(park on street or in city lot on Colby Ave. just south of Santa Monica Blvd., or lot on Butler Ave. just north of the Blvd.)

More Info: http://www.laemmle.com/theaters/1

------------------------------------

In Honor of This Evening...

Proceeds from the sale of art will benefit Rato Monastery  -- https://www.ratodratsangfoundation.org/about.html

and the Laemmle Charitable Foundation --  http://www.laemmlefoundation.org/

Venerable Khen Rinpoche on NPR's Saturday Weekend Edition

On Saturday December 6th, Venerable Khen Rinpoche Nicholas Vreeland was a guest on Scott Simon's "Saturday Weekend Edition" - 6 to10AM PST, on KCRW 89.9 to discuss the documentary - Monk With A Camera. 

Monk With A Camera New York Premier at Lincoln Center Nov 21st

The New York Premier of Monk With A Camera at Lincoln Center November 21st, 2014 7:20pm Walter Reede Theatre 165 West 65th Street, New York, NY 10023 p212 875 5600

This 7:20pm screening wil include a Q&A with Venerable Khen Rinpoche and Directors Tina Mascara and Guido Santi. A conversation with Richard Gere and Khen Rinpoche at the end of the 5:20 screening Saturday November 22nd 2014. Tickets are still available. Click on the link below to get tickets today! 

http://www.filmlinc.com/films/on-sale/monk-with-a-camera

View fullsize

OPENING NIGHT - EXHIBIT OF DIPTYCHS BY NICHOLAS VREELAND

NOVEMBER 7th 2014 5:30 - 7PM

TO ATTEND THIS EVENT RSVP TO: design@abchome.com

View fullsize

IN MEMORIUM JENNETH WEBSTER

photo by Dyana Crummet

There will be two memorials to honor the life of our dear friend Jenneth Webster held here in NYC on August 1st and on August 10th. 2014. 

Jenneth Webster was one of Khyongla Rinpoche's first students in New York City and one of the first members of Kunkhyab Thardo Ling -- The Tibet Center.  She was a great friend to the Center and included us in several Asian fairs at Lincoln Center which helped us pay the rent.  She introduced us to many people who didn't know there were Tibetans or a Tibetan organization in the City.  

As Associate  Director, Programming of Lincoln Center Out Of Doors for almost 30 years, Jenneth offered hundreds of performing artists from countries and traditions throughout the world free programs before thousands of people. 

The first of two memorials, Lincoln Center is honoring Jenneth in a free public memorial on August 1 at 4:30 pm outdoors to the right of the Metropolitan Opera House featuring some of the artists who worked with her, as well as speakers.  When the event ends at 7:00 pm you are invited to go to the left of the Met where  Lincoln Center Out Of Doors will present many other artists.

http://lcoutofdoors.org/events/1700-a-celebration-of-jenneth-webster

And the second memorial for Jenneth ...

Praise Her Spirit

Celebrate the Life of Jenneth Webster

August 10, 2014, 4pm to 7pm

El Jardin del Paraiso Community Garden and Park

Enter East 4th Street, between Avenue C and D, adjacent to 309 East 4th Street.

Please join us as for a gathering to honor the life of Jenneth Webster, who left the planet on April 10, 2014.   We celebrate the life and work of our extraordinary friend - producer, spiritual being, and Tibetan Buddhism practioner - with informal offerings of food, words, music and dance.

The event is a picnic /Pot luck and we welcome you to bring food, drink (non-alcohol) and memories to share.  

Please contact Bonnie Stein with any questions, with performance or offering ideas, or if you need more detailed directions.

bonnie@gohproductions.org

With love and care,

Charles Allcroft, Bonnie Stein, Claudia Norman

KHEN RINPOCHE TO RECEIVE HONORARY DEGREE fr AMERICAN UNIVERSITY of PARIS

Congratulations to Venerable Khen Rinpoche on receiving an honorary degree from The American University of Paris !

Since 1984, it has been a tradition at The American University of Paris to award honorary degrees as a way of recognizing a distinguished person’s contributions to a specific field, or to society in general. An honorary degree is very often awarded to distinguished individuals whose accomplishments are consistent with the mission and core values of AUP.

May 26 - 18:00 -20:00 in the Grand Salon at 31 avenue Bosquet. 2014 Honorary Degree Recipient Nicholas Vreeland '73 will join the AUP community to share insight into his life as abbott of the Rato Monastery. 

MONK WITH A CAMERA SCREENINGS

Monk With A Camera  screens at the Cleveland International Film Festival March 26, 2014 

...and.has been invited to the Ashland Film Festival April 3rd through the 7th 2014!

Monk With A Camera will also be screening at the following venues...

FULL FRAME FILM FESTIVAL in Durham, North Carolina (this is one of the most important doc festivals in US)

the film will play on THURSDAY, April 3, at 1:20PM at the Fletcher Theatre (in Durham) - Producer /Director Tina Mascara will be attending.

SOUND VIEW CINEMAS, Port Washington (Long Island)

the film will play as part of the Elliman Film Series, on Tuesday, April 8, at 7:30PM

Minneapolis, Washington DC, Taipei and New Zeland screenings to be announced soon. 

LIKE us on FB at Monk With A Camera or FOLLOW us on Twitter @monkwithacamera. 

The documentary chronicles the life and spiritual quest of our Khen Rinpoche Nicholas (Nicky) Vreeland, grandson of legendary Vogue editorDiana Vreeland, celebrated artist, and now a Tibetan Buddhist monk.

Directed, Written and Produced by Guido Santi and Tina Mascara of Asphalt Stars Productions