Photo, appearing left to right: Manoshi, Abhilash, Khedrup la, Wayne, David, Ekaterina, and Dhana (Khedrup la and Wayne just happened to be there too – friends of the board).
Dear Esteemed Members of the Lama Yeshe Ling Tibetan Buddhist Community,
We wish you happy holidays and a meaningful new year.
We hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. As the Board of Directors of Lama Yeshe Ling, we are writing to share some exciting news and express our gratitude for you being a part of our treasured community.
The Lama Yeshe Ling Mission
Science of the Mind, inspiration for the Heart. We are an open-hearted community aspiring to benefit all living beings by offering traditional and accessible approaches to Buddha’s teachings.
Geshe Sonam Permanent Residency Update:
We are thrilled to share that Geshe Sonam Ngodrup has now received his Canadian Permanent Residency. This significant milestone allows us to plan for Geshe Sonam’s long-term residency with Lama Yeshe Ling, ensuring the continuity of his invaluable teachings and spiritual guidance. Geshe Sonam is a remarkable scholar and teacher, revered and loved in his monastery in India, and now here. With his profound knowledge and humble nature, we are very fortunate he has chosen to complete his long journey from Tibet to live and teach amongst us here. Our gratitude goes out to those who donated funds to support the various immigration fees and expenses.
Introducing the New Board of Directors:
We gratefully introduce our team dedicated volunteers who make up our new Board of Directors, committed to serving the Dharma and our revered gurus, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and Geshe Sonam. Each member brings a wealth of experience, a heartfelt connection to the teachings, and a desire to offer service.
Dave Gould (Director): From serving on the board since 2006 (most of the time as the SPC), and with a professional background in Information Technology (and an old Ph.D.), Dave brings long experience and technical skills to his role.
Abhilash Menon (Co-Director): Abhilash, a seasoned technology manager with extensive volunteer experience, has been associated with FPMT since 2012 and brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to our community.
Ekaterina Stepanova (Treasurer): Ekaterina combines financial expertise with a deep commitment to the Dharma from her Buryatia Buddhist origins. Her background as a Certified Professional Accountant and in marathon running reflects the acumen and passion she brings to our community.
Dhana Hughes (Secretary): With a Ph.D. in Anthropology and experience working in education and public policy, Dhana brings an exceptional set of skills to our board. Her Sri Lankan Buddhist heritage enriches the cultural tapestry of our community.
Manoshi Ghosh (Spiritual Program Coordinator ‘SPC’): Manoshi has been fortunate to have received the Dharma from many precious teachers over the years. For this she feels deep gratitude. After some years of unofficial service to our spiritual programs, she is now taking on this role officially.
Operating Budget and Request for Monthly Donations:
To sustain Lama Yeshe Ling, we need ongoing support from our cherished community. Our current operating expenses are approximately $65,000 a year, and we have been breaking even over the past few years due to your kindness. This amount does not provide for responsibilities we foresee in 2024, or for special projects which would help us grow. Stay tuned for our Losar message for more details.
A Message of Gratitude to All the Benefactors:
We want to express our deepest gratitude to each one of you for your unwavering support, be it through attendance, volunteering, or generous donations. Your contributions provide to our community these excellent teachings of Buddha and maintain the spiritual haven that Lama Yeshe Ling has become. Lama Yeshe Ling flourishes because of your contributions, and we are profoundly thankful for your involvement in our shared spiritual journey. We humbly request you consider making an ongoing monthly donation and thank you to those who are already supporting Lama Yeshe Ling this way!
https://lamayesheling.org/
In closing, we know our community thrives on compassion, wisdom, and the collective efforts of all members. We look forward to continuing this spiritual journey together, guided by the teachings of Buddha, and the profound wisdom of our teachers.
May your practice be fruitful and may the light of the Dharma continue to illuminate our path.
With heartfelt gratitude, and warm wishes for the Holidays and the New Year!
The Lama Yeshe Ling Board of Directors:
Dave Gould [email protected]<
Abhilash Menon [email protected]
Ekaterina Stepanova [email protected]
Dhana Hughes [email protected]
Manoshi Ghosh [email protected]