Volume 2: No. 1
Summer 2006

News Front Page

Letter to the sangha from Khandro Rinpoche

Like Pearls on a String:
A short biography of
His Eminence Kongtrül Rinpoche

Meeting the Buddha Within:
VKR presents the Uttaratantra

Remaining Like a Log:
Memories of Shedra 2006

Stand-Up-Sit-Down-Zen!
Kyudo comes to Lotus Garden

Turning the Wheel of Dharma:
Annual Retreat is just ahead

Tibetan Lesson: Bodhicitta

Lotus News Contributors

Remaining Like a Log

Shedra memoirs

Cooking in the enchanted kitchenSince the dawn of Lotus Garden, we have come together to practice, to receive teachings, to talk, to meet with old friends – and if you're lucky, catch a glimpse of the famed Lotus Garden talent show rock band, The Underwater Allies. We have always called this gathering a retreat. For the first time, this year we decided to call it a 'Shedra', and we invited the very eminent teacher, Kongtrul Rinpoche, who taught extensively and gave detailed commentaries on The Way of the Bodhisattva.



About half way into the retreat I was sure I had poison ivy, or my team was on a losing streak...


Itching and scratching

In order to show us how silly our ego clinging is, Rinpoche told us about the twenty-seven ways or instances where one should remain like a log, the seventy-two itches, and how we should treat other people like our favorite football team and rejoice in their victories. About half way into the retreat I was sure I had poison ivy, or my team was on a losing streak, but it turned out I was just made nervous by Rinpoche's bone stirring teaching and analogies. For me, his analogies were what brought the teachings to life and made them accessible.

So as not to get bogged down by the important stuff – the meat in the sangha sandwich or the teachings, which are reason we all came – I would like to take a more holistic look at our Shedra Program.


...as you entered the side gate Lisa would jump on your back – with lighting quick agility – and strap an apron on you. With a little luck you might get an apron with something floral imprinted on it!


In the enchanted kitchen

When walking around the land, a place one would definitely notice would be the pool house. For this was not just any pool house! At the beginning of the retreat, at the drop of a hat, it was transformed into an enchanted kitchen. It began as a place where people could enjoy the luxury of dipping their toes in the cool waters, while the wind would gently kiss their faces and their worries would be washed away as they contemplated the teachings. But, as you entered the side gate Lisa would jump on your back – with lighting quick agility – and strap an apron on you. With a little luck you might get an apron with something floral imprinted on it! Then she would shake a spatula in your direction with such ferocity that you would take it from her for fear of death. Trust me. I know. She’s my sweetie! Before you knew what had happened, you were standing there frying up tofu for about a hundred people. So all in all, this technique worked amazingly well: lure them in with beautiful surroundings and make ‘em work.

The kitchen was graced with so many new faces, it was a wondrous sight to behold. As early as six in the morning, one might find a group of senior lopons shucking corn for the day's soup with the sun streaming down and bathing them in the morning light – glorious. As a side note I’d like to thank Thomas for all the sweet tea, and adding the spice of life to our days during this Shedra.

The best ever!

All in all, this years’ shedra was pretty much the best one ever. I can’t even think of one thing I would change to make it better. So hopefully everyone will be able to come back next year and enjoy Lotus Garden as much as I do.


Contributed by: Chris Jarmon