Letter to the Sangha

Dear sangha,

 One of my main wishes is to stay close to all my dharma students and friends. I have noticed that in my individual communications with each of you that I have not been able to keep you fully informed about my general activities. My many projects and teaching schedule are growing rapidly, with Nitartha international and Nalandabodhi, many activities for Dzogchen, Tsurphu and Rumtek monasteries, and frequent visits to other study and meditation centers worldwide. These programs are all discussed in this edition of Bodhi.

This maturation of my work is very gratifying, and for some time I have wanted to find a way to share with you more details about what I am doing.  Now I am very happy to have seen the birth of Bodhi. This small newsletter is my vehicle to connect with my students, and a forum for us to share our view, meditation and effort. I am personally supervising Bodhi, and believe that this is a good start toward strengthening the connection between us.

Bodhi has only come about because some students in our sangha have been tremendously generous with their time, effort, and contribution. Our sangha is growing, and it will make me very happy if you can support Bodhi and openly share your understanding, experience, and realization of dharma with all our fellow sangha members, as well as with me.

I hope and pray that we will have a direct and close connection in the future. As always, I am happy to make my time and knowledge available to all my students with the sincere hope that this work will be somewhat beneficial to all.

Ciao for now and I'll be back!

The Dzogchen Ponlop, Rinpoche
September 1, 1997

This song is part of the contents published in Bodhi Issue 1 (Fall 1997). You can purchase this issue or subscribe to Bodhi at the Bodhi Dharma Store.