Louisiana Himalaya Association

LHA Welcomes Zilkar Rinpoche to New Orleans!

2012-01-05T14:24:00.002-06:00

A Teaching:

“Coping with Anxiety”

Monday, January 2, 7pm

LHA Center

623 N. Rendon

NOLA 70119

Ven. Zilkar (Thupten Legsha) Rinpoche

is a fully ordained Bikshu, practitioner and scholar of Buddhism. Zilkar Rinpoche is considered to be the reincarnation of Khentrul Sherab Jigme, who was the throne holder of Zilkar monastery and reincarnation of Yogi Damchoe Jigme, an emanation of the

white Manjushri.

The current Zilkar Rinpoche was recognized at nine months old as a reincarnated lama by H.H. Trijang Rinpoche, a junior tutor to H.H. the Dalai Lama. Rinpoche received Getsul ordination from H.H. Ling Rinpoche, a senior tutor to H.H. the Dalai Lama. Later, H.H. the Dalai Lama recognized Rinpoche as the reincarnation of Khentrul Sherab Jigme. Rinpoche received both Getsul and full ordination from H.H. the Dalai Lama at Dzogchen monastery. Khensur Ngawang Legden took great care of Rinpoche’s studies and practice.

Rinpoche had always received the first position in every Buddhist philosophical debate and

other examinations including his final Lharam geshe degree and tantric exam from

Gyurme Tantric University. Rinpoche has received many teachings from great teachers, including H.H. the Dalai Lama, H.H. Ling Rinpoche, H.H. Trijang Rinpoche, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Dhenma Lochoe Rinpoche, Khensur Ngawang Legden, Geshe Ngawang Choesang, Choedhen Rinpoche, Kyabje Penang Rinpoche, and Rato Khyonglha Rinpoche. Rinpoche started teaching Buddhist philosophy and practice when he was fifteen in Sera monastery and since then has dedicated his life to the teaching and practice of Buddha Shakyamuni in Sera Mahayana Monastic University, Gyurme Tantric College, Buddhist Centers in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Europe, and America.

LHA blogs coming back soon

2011-06-23T14:03:00.002-05:00

Hi all,

We were experiencing technical difficulties this last year with the LHA blogs, which is why we haven't updated you on all of the exciting events and visits we had in 2010/2011, but we have resolved the issues (thanks to board member Jeannie Detweiler) and will be back in business as soon as we have another event.

Thanks for your patience, and as always

thank you for your support

LHA

Lama Lena & Tibet Week this week!

2010-04-15T10:57:00.002-05:00

Louisiana Himalaya Association Hosts:

Ven. Lama Lena

“Compassion and Wisdom in Daily Activities”
Friday April 16th - 7-8:30pm
Stibbs Hall, 2nd floor of LBC, Tulane University

"Flight of the Garuda"
Saturday April 17th - 9:30am-12pm; 2-4pm
LHA Community Center - 621 N. Rendon, New Orleans, LA
Teaching on meditation on the nature of mind from Flight of the Garuda and doha (poetry of realization). Includes direct meditation instruction and practice.
Suggested donation: $30

"Compassion Exercises"
Sunday April 18th - 10:30am-12pm
Bayou St. John park (across from US Post Office) in Mid City. Teaching and practice of compassion based exercises. Donations appreciated.

Lama Lena visited New Orleans last year with Lama Wangdor Rinpoche, and is very excited to be coming again! Please forward this invitation to anyone you think would be interested.

http://www.customjuju.com/wangdorrimpoche/lamalena.htm

Beginning in 1972, Lama Lena spent three years studying with Lama Thubten Yeshe at his monastery in Nepal and seven years in retreat and practice in a small cave above TsoPema under the tutelage of her root teacher, Ven. Wangdor Rimpoche. For the past 25 years she has traveled extensively with Wangdor Rimpoche as his translator and assistant. Lama Lena has also studied Chinese medicine and had a private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2005 she returned to Tso Pema to assist Wangdor Rimpoche. She currently lives on the mountain above Lotus Lake with her two kandros. When she is not traveling, teaching or translating, she works providing medical assistance to the Tibetan refugee community as well as the local Indian villagers and mountain tribespeople. At the request of H.E., Zigar Choktrul Rimpoche and Ven.Wangdor Rinpoche - as well as many Western and Tibetan dharma students - she has been traveling and teaching from the lineages she holds.

Yeshe Wangmo's teachings at LHA, February 2010

2010-03-02T08:52:00.009-06:00

Dechen Yeshe Wangmo
New Orleans Events February 19-22, 2010

"Evolving not just for ourselves but to benefit all beings."

Practitioner, teacher, translator, and author, Dechen Yeshe Wangmo brought the wisdom and experience of the Tibetan Vajrayana tradition to life in the West, in her recent visit to LHA. Her Buddhist path began in Montreal, Canada in 1978. She was authorized as a teacher or lama in the Nyingma lineageof Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism in 1992. Ten years later, she founded Jnanasukha, dedicated to the female buddha Yeshe Tsogyal and the Dudjom lineage of The Dakini Heart Essence. Yeshe Wangmo is also a certified Hakomi Practitioner and Teacher. A long time resident of the Big Island of Hawai'i, she has visited New Orleans several times and this will be her first visit since Katrina. Her websites include: www.jnanasukha.org, www.yeshewangmo.net,www.leadershipmandala.com

The Sacred Sites of Yeshe Tsogyal in Tibet Slideshow & Travelogue
Friday, February 19, 7PM

Lama presented her slideshow of the first-ever pilgrimage to the sacred sites of Yeshe Tsogyal's life story in Tibet and also sharing her personal experiences in Tibet

The Lady Yeshe Tsogyal of Tibet: Myth & Archetype

Saturday, February 20, 10AM-12:15PM

The world of Tibetan Vajrayan Buddhism is filled with a vast array of spiritual archetypes and mythologies that provide guidance for the heroic journey to enlightenment. At any point in our own journeys, these "teachers" can offer us a more complete picture of who we are and where we are going. They can inspire, guide, and protect. The Lady Yeshe Tsogyal lived in eighth century Tibet. She was a spiritual and mundane heroine who battled personal and cultural limitations to succeed in realizing her true nature, which is the realization of all buddhas, regardless of gender. Lama Wangmo weaved and interpreted the mythology and archetypal aspects of Yeshe Tsogyal, suggesting how to pick up the thread of our own mythic life and recognize our worthiness and power.

The Quintessential Meditation Practice of Yeshe Tsogyal
Saturday, February 20, 2PM-4:30PM

"If you know me, you know that I reside in the hearts of all beings"

Yeshe Tsogyal This session included transmission, teachings, and practice of a concise Yeshe Tsogyal deity practice written by the great twentieth century master, His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche. The practice was explained in terms of the three inner tantras of the Nyingma lineage.

Mountain Smoke Offering

Saturday February 20, 4:30PM-5:30PM

This fire ritual is part of the profound cycle of Dharma teachings called Accomplishment of the Awareness-Holders Vital Life-Force (Rigdzin Sokdrub), a heart-treasure which arose from the pure vision of the great Lhatsun Namkha Jigme (1597-1650). Its purpose is to purify and remove obstacles, both relative and ultimate. It is often done on a daily basis. This session included a short teaching followed by the practice itself.

Practicing Compassionate Presence: A Hakomi-Based Exploration
Sunday, February 21, 12-4PM

Drawing from neuroscience, spirituality, and psychotherapy, Hakomi has been evolving since the late seventies through the creative genius of Ron Kurtz, the founder of Hakomi. It is Yeshe's personal experience that Hakomi can play an important part in the ongoing process of cultivating a greater capacity to be more conscious of ourselves, more helpful to others, and more capable of participating in the task of reducing suffering in the world. In many situations, Compassionate Presence is the best gift we can offer to ourselves and others. To a certain extent this comes naturally, but if we want to be masterful, as the bodhisattvas are, we need to develop and practice more consciously. In this workshop, using parts of the Hakomi Method such as mindfulness and a mind-body interface, participants worked through a few gentle experiential exercies as a group, in pairs, or small pods. Participants were encouraged to gain more insight into their own meaning and practice of compassionate presence and into ways of being more skillful and effective.

Lama Lakshey visits New Orleans for 2 weeks!

2010-01-20T10:37:00.003-06:00

LHA Hosts... Lama Lakshey

LHA Center, 623 N Rendon just off Orleans Ave.and Bayou St John.

All events, lectures and/or personal interviews are by donation only. 100% of all donations help to cover Lama Lakshey's personal expenses and benefit his Social Service projects in Tibet.

LHA looks forward to seeing you!

Sunday Jan 17 at 9AM -10:30AM - Lama Lakshey will participate in the weekly Bodhichitta ( TONGLEN) practice session at the LHA Center. This is a Tibetan meditation practice which incorporates mantras, visualizations and breathing for the development of Compassion.

Sunday Jan 17 , 11AM -Noon & 2PM -4PM Teaching session - Tonglen Practice

Developing compassion for self and others. Working with those destructive emotions that bring division between ourselves and others.

Friday Jan 22 at 7PM -9PM Teaching Session – Meditation , Calming the mind.

Types of Meditation, finding the meditation practice that is right for you. How to meditate. How to maintain a daily or regular meditation routine.

Sunday Jan 24 at 9AM -10:30AM - Lama Lakshey will participate in the weekly Bodhichitta ( TONGLEN) practice session at the LHA Center.

Sunday Jan 24 at 11AM -Noon & 2PM -4PM Teaching session - Tonglen Practice Continued, Developing compassion for self and others. Working with those destructive emotions that bring division between ourselves and others. * not necessary to have attended the first session on Tonglen on Sunday Jan 11.

Tuesday Jan 26 at 7PM -8PM - Lama Lakshey will lead and give guidance at the regular weekly meditation session at the LHA Center.

Friday Jan 29 at 7PM -9PM Teaching Session – Meditation , Calming the mind Continued.

Types of Meditation, finding the meditation practice that is right for you. How to meditate. How to maintain a daily or regular meditation routine. *not necessary to have attended the first session on Meditation on Friday Jan 22.

Personal Interviews/Individual Counseling sessions with Lama Lakshey :

Counsel on personal matters, relationship problems and/or psychosocial issues.
Instruction on the enhancement of your spiritual life.
Direction on Buddhist practices – meditation, understanding of teachings …...

Available for Lectures, Group Meetings, University classes, Elementary or High schools , etc....

To schedule dates and times in and around New Orleans. Contact lha.neworleans@gmail.com

Besides the schedule above these other dates and times are already booked: Tulane School of Social Work Class room visits– Jan19, 21 &26 3:30-4:45PM

To Schedule Meeting Dates and/or Personal Interviews contact : lha.neworleans@gmail.com

Ontul Rinpoche Visits LHA Center

2009-12-19T10:20:00.003-06:00

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

2009-12-14T16:38:00.001-06:00

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

2009-05-09T21:10:00.003-05:00

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!

2009-04-14T08:18:00.004-05:00

Lama Wangdor Rinpoche NOLA schedule

2009-04-01T19:16:00.002-05:00

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

2009-03-30T14:03:00.007-05:00

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

2009-03-10T13:35:00.004-05:00

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

Hello from India

2008-11-18T20:25:00.005-06:00

Coming to the end of my LHA work in India for this year and soon headed home for New Orleans. What an incredible summer! All of the projects here have been growing and getting more and more fine-tuned. The biggest news is that we have now moved into our new service center building just across the street from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Home and Temple, which is spectacular. Renovations are in action and much of the space already in use. We are receiving lots of encouragement from the local Tibetan community here in Dharamsala, from the main office of the Dalai Lama and from many local and international Tibetan organizations.

A few of the high points from this year:

Ø Lha now has 7 full time Tibetan staff members who manage the organization while at the same time earning 100 percent of their own salaries and all monthly maintenance costs. They earn funds by offering services and courses to the local tourist population such as Tibetan cooking, language and art classes, massage and yoga. Once the balance of the new service center building is paid off Lha will be totally self-sufficient.

Ø Over 300 Tibetan Refugees benefit from Lha’s FREE services every day.

Ø Free daily classes offered to the Tibetan Refugees now include 7 English classes, 2 French classes, 1 Spanish, Health education, Environmental education, Social Work, Business management, Accounting, Photography, Massage Courses, Yoga training and more. Lha also operates 2 Libraries open to the public.

Ø The Lha computer school now offers free scholarships for 4 daily classes and special evening and weekend workshops for more advanced trainings.

Ø Lha now provides the least expensive Internet phone service for Tibetans to contact their families back in Tibet

Ø Throughout this summer, in conjunction with the OmPrakash Foundation, Lha successfully distributed 30,000 children’s books to Libraries, Tibetan Children’s Village schools and other Local schools throughout the area.

Ø 1400 copies of Contact Community News Paper is published and distributed each month

Ø Hundreds of articles of clothing are collected and distributed each month

Ø Boxes of medical supplies are collected and distributed to local medical clinics.

Ø Our Tibetan staff and volunteers constantly identify individuals with medical, dental, housing and other personal needs and work together to help those with no one else to help them.

Ø This summer Lha once again successfully hosted four University groups that came to study Tibetan culture and to volunteer throughout the community: a graduate student group from the Tulane School of Social Work, a Tulane University undergrad group, a Loyola University group and another from Centenary College of Louisiana.

Ø This year alone the Lha staff has already coordinated 427 volunteers from 39 different countries to serve throughout the Tibetan Community. These volunteers all make a personal connection with the Tibetan Refugees they work with then bring awareness of The Tibetan situation back to their homes around the globe.

A Short Story of a Lha Volunteer and a 19 year old Tibetan Girl Whose Life was Saved

The list goes on but I’ll stop here to give just one short personal story about one of our Tulane volunteers we’ll call Lisa and her 19 year old Tibetan English student we’ll call Dolma. Normally Tibetans don’t complain or show their pain so we often have to look closely behind the smile to find their needs. After only 3 sessions with Dolma, Lisa reported that she knew something was wrong but Dolma just kept showing up and wanting to study her English. On their fourth meeting Dolma fell unconscious and we rushed her to the hospital. She was on the verge of death due to a simple but untreated urinary tract infection. We easily collected the funds for the hospital visit and the antibiotics and after just one week Dolma was back to normal. Dolma most likely would have died alone in her room had it not been for Lisa. There are so many similar stories between our volunteers and the Tibetan Refugees being served. The other side of the coin that I can’t even begin to get into here is the countless stories of personal transformation happening to our volunteers after spending time with these incredible Tibetan People.

Outside support that was received this year

Ø $58,500 was donated for the down payment of the New Service Center Building (a short breakdown on this: 25K from a single donor which came through the OmPrakash Foundation, 13K from fundraising activities of the LHA New Orleans Team, 5K from a new friend in Lafayette Louisiana, 3k from one of our long time LHA supporters, 2k from a past LHA volunteer in Athens Greece and another 2K from one of our New Orleans Volunteers. In addition, there were so many more kind donations ranging from a few cents up to a thousand dollars or more. Every little bit helped so much! Thank you all.

Ø The Office Of His Holiness the Dalai Lama donated five new computers for the expansion of the Lha computer school.

Ø The Tibet Relief Fund of the UK donated a new copy machine for the Lha office.

Ø A German Organization for Tibet donated a new computer for the Lha volunteer coordination office.

Ø One of our Current Volunteers donated the funds necessary for flooring and interior painting of the new service center.

Ø The List goes on and on to include so many other donations, both large and small that keep the organization functioning, growing and serving the Tibetan community and the world.

Important Support Still Needed

Ø $30,000 is due June 1, 2009, which is the next payment deadline for The New Lha Service Center ($7,000 of which has already been donated leaving $23,000) The total balance payoff is $109,500.

*A short note about the funds being paid for the new building. The owner selling the building to Lha is donating all proceeds from the sale directly back into the Tibetan community: one third goes to the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, one third to support Tibetan Refugee Monks in South India and the other third going to social service projects inside Tibet.

Ø Due to the current situation in the Tibetan Community and the swiftly growing need of the services provided by Lha we have decided to retain the current location of operations while also expanding services into the new service center building . This will require $9,000 annually to cover the ongoing rent of Lha’s current building . Lha’s hope is that an organization or individual will be able to take on this sponsorship.

*A short note about the building which Lha currently rents and which has housed the organization for the past 5 years. The building is owned by the Tibetan Handcraft Coop which is composed of over 400 Tibetan families. The $9,000 rent paid annually goes directly back into the Tibetan Refugee Community and is a vital source of income for many of these families involved.

As for Today and the Days to Come
So many of you have helped in so many ways, all of your previous support and encouragement is so very important and appreciated. If we all stop now we can be happy and say that we have done a good job, and we have ! If we don’t stop now and just put in a bit more effort, our Tibetan Friends of LHA will be self sufficeinet enough to take these vital service projects long into the future. Due to the current situation inside Tibet, it appears that the need for Lha’s services are continuing and will continue to grow.

Our world leaders were not able to seize the opportunity of the Beijing Olympics to better human rights conditions inside Tibet. It appears that for the families of many of our Tibetan freinds the situation has only become much worse. Lines of communication have been broken and foreign media pushed out from many of the Tibetan areas. We can only hope and pray that the many uninformed and misinformed Chinese people will realize what is happening and begin to stand up against their government for what is right and just.

We do realize that the state of world affairs is an issue for most of us right now and financial donations may not be as easy as they were last year. Our hope is that some of you will still be able to donate or at least help us to be creative with fund raising and to get this message out to others that are able to help in one way or another. As always, together we are going to make this happen just because it is the right thing to do!

Thanks Again and please feel free to contact me anytime with questions, comments or helpful ideas.

Neil Guidry
President
Louisiana Himalaya Association
nguidry@tulane.edu

p.s.
All donations are tax-deductible. Tax-ID#: 72-1487498

Make checks payable to LHA and mail to :

LHA

PO BOX 71826

New Orleans 70179

Louisiana, USA

For online donations go to the paypal link on the LHA website www.lhainfo.org

Dates to Remember : Cypress Bayou Weekend March 19 –22, LHA Mardi Gras Ball Feb 20

2008-09-19T17:04:00.005-05:00

Sept. 19 Fri: 7:00-9:00pm Public Talk: Tulane, Freeman Auditorium

“Dealing with the Problems of Ignorance, Greed and Hatred”

Sept. 20 Sat: 10:00am-12:00pm Public Talk: Tulane, Freeman Auditorium;

“Understanding the Mind and Why We Suffer”

Sept. 21 Sun: 7:00–9:00pm Teaching: Swan River Yoga, 2130 Magazine St.

“Meditating on Selflessness”

Sept. 23 Tues: 7-9:00pm Public Talk: Loyola, Audubon Room (Danna Center)

“Working with the Mind through Change: An Explanation of Impermanence”

Sept. 25 Thurs: 7pm -9:00pm Teaching: LHA Center, 621 N. Rendon St.

"Mantra Recitation Instruction and Transmission"

Chamtrul Rinpoche will give an explanation of mantra meditation and recitation practice in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. He will also offer the community an oral transmission of some of the most common mantra practices, including the mantras of Avavalokitesvara, Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava, Amitabha and Tara.

Sept. 26 Fri: 7-9:00pm Public Talk: Loyola, St. Charles Room (Danna Center)

“Altruism and the Importance of Compassion: the Buddhist concept of Loving Kindness”

Sept. 27 Sat: 6:00–8:00pm Farewell Potluck—LHA Center, 621 N. Rendon Street

Chamtrul Lobsang Gyatso Rinpoche is Coming to New Orleans

2008-08-07T20:35:00.004-05:00

We are very excited to announce that Chamtrul
(Lobsang Gyatso) Rinpoche has accepted our
invitation and is coming to New Orleans for
the month of September. This is his first visit
to the United States, and he will be staying
courtesy of LHA right in the Bayou St. John
neighborhood. Chamtrul Rinpoche has been a
teacher to and close friend of ours since we
began our work in India years ago.

We have planned a month of teachings, talks
and other opportunities to meet with the
Rinpoche, and will be sending out his schedule
in the next few weeks. For more information
on Chamtrul Rinpoche, visit his website:
www.chamtrul-rinpoche.com .

If you would like more detailed information or
would like to be more closely involved with
this project, please contact susandunlap@hotmail.com
or shelleyom@rediffmail.com, and we will add
you to our specialized email list. We will need
lots of help with his stay and the events, and
have many exciting opportunities, other information
to present,which we will only be emailing to this list.

Let us know, and hopefully see you in September!

Susan and Shelley

Message from Michael Smith in India

2008-07-30T21:22:00.007-05:00

Dear Family and Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I write you from Dharamsala, India. As most of you know, I have spent about half of the past five years in Nepal, India and Tibet with Tibetan people of many different varieties. I returned to Dharamsala in April of this year, at which time the protests and peaceful demonstrations that began in Lhasa on March 10 and spread to every Tibetan settlement in the world had been continuing for almost a month. There was a sense of opportunity and excitement, especially amongst young Tibetans, as well as fear about what the repercussions of the events in their homeland would be.

As the Chinese Communist Party has taken an increasingly heavy hand in its supression of dissent, that atmosphere of excitement has given way to a feeling of hopelessness. Since the last members of the independent press have been evicted from Tibetan areas, reporting on the continued struggle of Tibetans in Tibet for basic human rights has waned. However, we know that the use of deadly force against peaceful demonstrators and mass arrests have only increased (www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=21993&article=Chinese+impose+blackouts+for+new+Tibetan+monk+deaths ), in spite of the fact that anyone thought to be related in any way to any kind of dissent must live in fear of a mid-night abduction by paramilitary police. A previous Tibetan employee of Lha (www.lhasocialwork.org, a social work organization I volunteer with in Dharamsala, India), who now lives in Canada, wrote the following:

"...My brother, who suffers from tuberculosis,
my sister and two uncles, who have never been involved
in any type of demonstration or protest, were detained
without cause... on the grounds of what can only be assumed as
mere suspicion... My parents figure that at least a couple of
thousand innocent Tibetans from Lhasa City alone are
imprisoned, where they are maltreated, neglected and
possibly tortured. They were finally released... My brother and sister
were first taken... beaten with rifles, kicked and thrown
into a truck. They were taken out of the city to
an unknown location, and were put into a small
concrete room with 400 other Tibetans. There were no
washrooms, and they received no food nor water for two
days and nights. Hardly anyone could stand up by
themselves because of the beatings. After two days
they were transferred to another place where there
were about 6000 Tibetans. There they received a bowl
of rice or small steam cooked bread twice per day.
They received water and had a toilet in this location.
After a week in this place, they were transferred
again, where they stayed around two weeks. Here they
got blankets to sleep with, but before they had to
sleep on the concrete floor (with no blankets). At
this final location they also had first aid
assistance, which was needed as many people had broken
bones. When they released my brother and sister, they
kept my brother's watch and his rosary, which
had some semi-precious stones, and all the money they
had (they don't use banks and keep most of their money
on them)..."

Accounts of torture used on political prisoners in all parts of China are well documented, and many are not fortunate to be released so soon. For example, last Friday a Tibetan nomad was sentenced (without trial) to five years imprisonment for merely shouting 'Long Live the Dalai Lama' at an official's meeting (www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=21985&article=Tibetan+nomad+sentenced+to+5+years+imprisonment+for+%E2%80%9Csplittism%E2%80%9D).

I have a close American friend who has been working in eastern Tibet for the last four years, teaching English and working to build schools, clinics and water wells. Although she has never had any trouble extending her visa, in early June a group of officials came to her remote village and gave her ten days to leave China. She worries about why the Chinese government found it necessary to remove her witnessing eyes from a place to which she has dedicated so much. Satellite dishes are now banned there, making it impossible for the locals to get any international (and therefore unbiased) news. She wrote to me:

"The government is also limiting communication in particular areas. Since March they have shut down numerous cellular towers and more recently denied access even on satellite phones...
There may not be any more uprisings: There are troops in every town that has paved roads. The army marches through town streets three times a day, paralyzing the Tibetans with fear. Surveillance cameras were installed in places that don't even have running water. Many monks, nuns and students were forced to return to the area that their ID card was issued, since travel outside of their hometown is officially prohibited right now.

Foreigners are not allowed to stay in areas that have had protests. In Amdo many people remain in prison since the March uprisings- their families unable to come up with bail. Bail can range from $1,000 to $2,000. Private schools have been shut down in Amdo, and teachers and principals face threats of losing their jobs."

I spent June in Kathmandu, Nepal, where peaceful protests are also continuing. On June 19, the father of the Tibetan family I lived with for 3 months in 2003 was arrested with 700 other Tibetans at a demonstration at the Chinese Embassy. Just last Friday, 118 Tibetans were arrested. He said didn't mind the arrest, since international pressure by the UN and the US Ambassador had reduced the violence the Nepalese police were using. However, he was disheartened by the entire situation. There is a growing feeling of hopelessness in the face of the great power of the Chinese Communist government. To my Tibetan friends in Nepal and India that I work with every day, it seems that the all governments, the UN, the media, and especially multinational corporations are ignoring their basic moral obligation to stand up for human rights and democracy in Tibet and everywhere else. Most of them feel like there is little they can do for their relatives and friends back home in Tibet, except maybe pray.

Please dedicate your prayers and aspirations to those suffering in Tibet and China, and also, please make yourself informed!

Peace Love and Light,

Michael D. Smith

Dharamsala, India