Ontul Rinpoche Visits LHA Center

People braved the inclement weather to attend Ontul Rinpoche's events in the Community Center this December. Below follows his schedule. LHA was very happy to host this weekend, and we will look forward to future visits!

Lotus Lake Drikung Center
Presents
LHO ONTUL RINPOCHE

Vajravidarana Purification Ceremony

Friday 11th , 7-10pm, LHA 621 N. Rendon

Suggested donation $25.00

This is a profound purification ceremony and blessing, which purifies all kinds of
negativity and contamination that bring about sickness of body, mind and spirit.
This is open to Buddhist and non-Buddhists.

Yangzab Amulet of the Sun and Moon Long Life
Breathing Yoga Teachings/Practice

Saturday 12th, 11am-1pm, and 2-4pm, LHA, 621 N. Rendon

Suggested donation $35.00

This is a rare opportunity to receive the secret Long Life Yoga practice of Guru Rinpoche and Mandarava. This is a profound yet not difficult Long Life Yogic practice that works with the breath and visualization. Rinpoche will give the pith instructions for this practice followed by practice sessions as well as an opportunity for questions.

Public Healing Chod

Sunday 13th, 11-2am-pm, LHA, 621 N. Rendon

Suggested donation $25.00

Rinpoche will offer a Healing Chod practice to heal mental and
physical sicknesses, and to remove karmic obstacles to spiritual growth.
This ceremony is open to both Buddhist and non-Buddhists.

May These Teachings Benefit All Sentient Beings.

For more information call 894-8803

LHA's Annual Report of our India Projects

Hello from India!

This 2009 annual report will give you a basic update on all the work we’ve been doing, including the nearly complete pay-off of our new social service building. Since moving into the new building last summer, our services and projects in Dharamsala have been going great! This year has seen a flurry of activity, both stateside from enthusiastic supporters, and here in McLeod Ganj

One of our main goals from the inception of Louisiana Himalaya Association “LHA” in 1997 was to establish a fully Tibetan run, self sufficient and sustainable social work organization within the Tibetan Community. Thanks to all of you, we are almost there. Lha Charitable Trust “Lha”, established in 2005, is now a fully Tibetan run organization which originated from and is supported by the Louisiana Himalaya Association. Lha Charitable Trust now has its own Board of Directors, all Tibetan, and employs 7 full time Tibetan staff.

Over the past 12 years we have continued to fulfill our mission of providing material resources and social services to the Tibetan community in exile while bringing the ancient knowledge and wisdom of the Tibetan culture back home to Louisiana. This year in New Orleans, LHA hosted 5 Tibetan Rinpoches and participated in a number of events promoting Tibetan Culture and Awareness. In Dharamsala we continue to offer services and resources that empower Tibetans with social, financial and language skills.

• 57 students and 6 professors from Tulane University, Loyola University and Centenary College joined other LHA volunteers from Louisiana this summer in Dharamsala to volunteer services to the Tibetan Community.

These students were each paired with a Tibetan Refugee of similar age. The Louisiana Students taught needed English and computer skills while learning invaluable life experiences from their Tibetan Partners.

• 477 volunteers from 28 different countries volunteered with Lha’s volunteer coordination program.

These volunteers all made a personal connection with the Tibetan Community while engaging in meaningful service. They also learned first hand about the message and spirit of the Tibetan community.

• Over 300 Tibetan Refugees per day attended our FREE classes, over 2,000 new students this year, and many more benefited from the other community services offered:

Most Refugees arrive in India destitute, fleeing oppression. Many come from nomadic herding communities; their skills and language are no longer helpful in their new circumstances. Through the services we offer, many are able to find work to support them and also provide financial assistance to their families inside Tibet who are often in dire circumstances.

Regular, Free, Ongoing Services Include:

• 7 English Classes
• 2 French Classes
• 2 Chinese Classes
• 4 Computer Classes
• 2 Community Libraries
• A Community News Paper
• Individual Tutoring
• Massage and YOGA training courses
• A Donation Drop Off Center (distributes an average of 200 articles of clothing and a wide array of medical supplies on a monthly basis)
• Volunteer Coordination

Extra Programs and Projects this Past Year Included :

• The Loyola University student group started and funded an eye care project that provided eye exams to 250 Tibetan refugees and 108 pair of free glasses.
• The distribution of 30,000 children's books received from our long time partner organization - The OmPrakash Foundation, was completed.
• A new partnership with BCMT, Boulder College of Massage Therapy, who sent instructors to teach in Lha's Massage Training Program.
• A new partnership with Chung Yuan Christian University of Taiwan who sent Computer instructors to teach in Lha's Computer school.
• Health education classes were incorporated into our regular scheduled language classes.
• A trash collection project throughout downtown McLeod Ganj was organized in observation of UN World Environment Day.
• Ngawang's Rabgyal, Lha's General Manger, had his first book published: Environmental Protection and International Endangered Species Issues . He was invited by the Wildlife Protection Society of India to lecture on UN’s World Environment Day. The audience turn out was over 8500 people!

(For more info on these and other projects go to www.lhaindia.org and click onNews)

Some extra Donations received this year included:

The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama donated 5 new computers to Lha's computer school.

• A grant from The Tibet Fund was used to purchase seven new computers, seventy-five grammar books, one hundred twenty text books, fifty mats and one hundred twenty dry erase markers.
• The Tibet Relief Fund donated a photocopy machine and an office computer.
• The Universal Responsibility Fund of His Holiness Dalai Lama granted $1600 for photography projects and another $1790 was granted from The International Campaign for Tibet “ICT” Rowell Fund

• 4 Massage tables were donated by BCMT alum and a massage chair was donated by their BCMT instructors group.

And of course, it is due to the generosity of our regular financial supporters and a host of new ones that continue to enable all this to happen. Thank You !

We have almost received enough donations to fully purchase the New Building!

Once again, our supporters have been most generous towards this goal. Besides our regular supporters and fundraisers that brought in $20,000 this year, we also had two anonymous family foundations that donated $10,000 and $30,000, respectively. We are now only $39,000 away from paying off the entire mortgage. The pay-off of the new building will render our Tibetan friends of Lha Charitable Trust totally self sufficient and sustainable!

The two bottom floors of this four story building will accommodate the expansion of services offered while the two top floors will be retained as rental units for the University groups and volunteers. The rent earned will be enough to pay salaries, utilities, other expenses and the total annual rent of Lha's downtown building, which we have been renting from the Tibetan Handcraft Cooperative. The 400 Tibetan families that compose the Coop will continue to receive rental income and Lha Charitable Trust will have the space within the 2 buildings to continue expanding to meet the growing needs of the community.

As we are so close to the completion of this long term goal, LHA has begun researching other areas of need throughout the Himalayan Regions of India, Nepal and inside Tibet. Next year’s report will update everyone on potential new programs and projects!

Thank you all once again for your continued support and encouragement over the years. It has been truly been amazing to watch this all unfold and touch so many lives.

Sincerely,

Neil Guidry

P.S. If you or anyone you know would like to get more involved as a volunteer and/or are able to make a donation please feel free to contact me directlyneilguidry@hotmail.com or check out our websites: www.lhainfo.org (for donations),www.lhaindia.org (for volunteer opportunities)

Ven. Zilkar Rinpoche to teach at LHA New Orleans

New Orleans is honored to host Ven. Zilkar Rinpoche, who will teach at the Louisiana Himalaya Association Community Center on Tuesday May 12, 2009, from 6:30pm-8:30pm. LHA is located at 621 N. Rendon St.
(near Bayou St. John, across the street from Easton Park.)

All are welcomed to attend.

Rinpoche will be teaching on Meditation and Anger Management

**Donations will go to the new LHA building in India**

Ven. Zilkar Rinpoche is the throne holder of the Zilkar Monastery in Tibet. Rinpoche has been visiting New Orleans since 2003 to teach and share Tibetan culture. He teaches at various Buddhist centers and Dharma Drum University in Taiwan. Rinpoche has also taught at Gyurmey Tantric College and Sera Mahayana Monastic University in India.

All inquiries may be made to 504-723-1317.

Lama Wangdor Rinpoche here for Tibet Week!

Lama Wangdor Rinpoche NOLA schedule

Please check out the exciting visitor who is coming to New Orleans in two weeks! Besides being a profound Dzogchen Master, Lama Wagdor Rinpoche has worked with LHA for many years, while tirelessly supporting his community of retreatant nuns,  and the people of Tso Pema, India.  We are honored to collaborate with Tulane University to help bring his wisdom to Louisiana.  So mark your calendars, below is his schedule of teachings:

-Thurs 4/16, 7-9pm @ Louisiana Himalaya Association (LHA) Community Center, 623 N. Rendon Street, New Orleans, LA 70119. Teaching will include Guru mantra and 7-line supplication transmission and blessings, and introduction to meditation on the nature of mind. Venue is small, please arrive early if possible.

-Fri 4/17, 7-8:30pm @ Tulane University Lavin-Bernick Center (# 29 on campus map), 6823 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118. Public talk on altruism and introduction to meditation on the nature of mind.

-Sat 4/18, 10-12am, 2-4pm @ Tulane University Rogers Memorial Chapel (# 73 on campus map), 6823 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118. Seminar on meditation on the nature of mind. Light refreshments served.  

Tulane University Campus Map: http://tulane.edu/about/visiting/uptown-campus-map.cfm or http://tulane.edu/about/visiting/upload/uptown.pdf.

The historic New Orleans streetcar runs from the Central Business District next to the French Quarter along St. Charles Avenue to Tulane University. It costs $1.25 to ride and takes 30-40 minutes the whole way. http://www.norta.com/StCharles/

***The Tulane buildings will be air-conditioned so people should bring shawls or sweaters as it may be cold. Also, if people prefer to sit on cushions on the ground, they are encouraged to bring their own, as we have a limited number.

Suggested Donations TBA

LHA's "Not-So-Silent Auction" this Saturday, April 4th

LHA's "Not-So-Silent" Auction

Saturday, April 4th

the LHA Community Center

621 North Rendon, St.

Preview begins at 4pm, Bidding starts at 6pm

Dear friends and future bidders,

We have another great auction for you this year.  Once again,  Celebrity Auctioneer, Captain John Calhoun and his all-star band will lead the festivities at the Community Center.

A five dollar donation at the door includes all the fun, plus appetizers and drinks. (Wine and beer sponsored by Glazers Distributers; thank you Glazers!!)

We have a dazzling array of offerings this year, including:

**Artwork by many local and louisiana artists

**Certificates from hotels, bars, and other local businesses and attractions

**Multiple massages and other healing arts services

**Gift baskets, Tibetan artwork and handicrafts, and an assortment of other items

Once again, all proceeds go directly to the purchase of the four-story Social Service Building we are helping purchase for our sister organization, Lha Charitable Trust, in Dharamsala India.  So come win one of these one of a kind, incredible items, while supporting a truly wonderful and worthwhile cause.

(Please bring cash or check with you to the event; we are unable to take credit cards and are asking that all items won be paid for the night of the auction)

Spread the word, join the fun,

We hope to see you there!

The enthusiastic LHA auction committee 

Seeking Donations for our "Not-So-Silent" Auction

Dear friends,

It's that time of year again!  We are having LHA's annual "Not-So-Silent" Auction on Saturday, April 4, 2009 and we are looking for donations.

The auction will again be run by Captain John Calhoun, Celebrity Auctioneer, and his all-star band.   This year, like last year, all monies raised will be dedicated to the four-story Social Service building we are in the process of purchasing for our sister organization, LHA Charitable Trust, in Dharamsala, India.

LHA has been working with Tibetan Refugees in the Himalayan Region of India and Nepal for over ten years; programs include providing free English and computer classes, business training, volunteer coordination, and health and environmental projects aimed at helping area residents achieve a sustainable, healthy existence.  LHA also works with Tulane and Loyola Universities to bring Tibetan teachers here to Louisiana and to provide access to this rich and profound culture and people.  To learn more about our activities, please visit our website: www.lhainfo.org.

LHA is entirely volunteer staffed and donation funded.

We still need to raise $97,000 to complete the sale of the building.  The purchase of this building will make our Tibetan partners totally self-sufficient and sustainable.  With the help of many generous donations, over a third of the total building cost has already been paid.  Our next annual payment of $30,000. is due on June 1, 2009.  We are working towards this now!

The "Not-So-Silent" Auction is our last official fundraiser of the season; please help us make it our best.  We are seeking donations of goods and services; each gift is tax-deductible.  If you have an item or service to donate, or have any questions regarding the auction, please contact Susan Dunlap at susandunlap@hotmail.com.  If you would like to make a direct contribution to our building purchase project, or for more information, contact Neil Guidry at nguidry@tulane.edu.

The auction will be help at 6pm, on Saturday, April 4, with a preview and cocktails at 4pm a the LHA Community Center, 623 North Rendon St.  There is a $5.00 suggested donation at the door for entry.  All are welcome to attend.

And once again, thank you so much for your continued support for LHA over the years; we really could not do it without you.

Most sincerely,

the LHA Auction Committee