News
December 21, Kathmandu:
1) Sangha members who have taken the Vajrayogini empowerment are invited to attend this month's Devi's ganapuja at sangha member Ranjan Thapa's newly purchased house at Kapan at 4.30 pm on Tuesday, December 22. As noted by S.D. Narayan sir, it is extremely important for us to do the ganapujas, as they are the most effective ways to cleanse our innumerable breaches of Vajrayana commitments. He strongly suggested that we accept the invitation if possible — as declining an invitation without any strong reason breaks one of our Bodhisattva vows — and attend the ganapuja in large numbers, as this makes the pujas much more effective. Venerable Sabdrung Rinpoche had also compassionately advised all sangha members to participate in the ganapujas together, after he bestowed the Vajrayogini empowerment recently at Bishalnagar.
To estimate the number of guests arriving, kindly register your name with SM Ranjan Thapa at 9841229938.
2) As some of our sangha members face problems returning home, kindly note that Bodhipushpanjali from next month will begin at 11.00 am until the warmer months arrive.
3) Keeping in view the important engagements of sangha members during Saturdays, the timings for weekly Maitriya Spharan program, which re-commenced a month back, has been changed to just two hours every Saturday, 3 pm to 5 pm.
4) A musical treat was in store for sangha members yesterday at Bodhipushpanjali. S.S. Anupama Dahal's newly recorded Mero Desh, one of her spontaneous songs with national sentiments, was played out for the first time to the sangha members present. The song came under the influence of Maitriya Spharan held every week at Bishalnagar. It has been sung duet with the music arranger of the song, Shiva Mukhia, who is also the lead singer of the well-known The Axe band.
5) Here's another good news: since around a month ago, twelve of our artists from the sangha have been volunteering one day a week (Sunday) to paint the inner face of the Bishalnagar main hall. The life of Shakyamuni Buddha and the 32 Vajracharyas of Nepal would be painted on either sides of the walls, while various mandalas would be painted on the ceiling. The artists involved in the painting are Deepak Joshi, Vijay Maharjan, Bal Krishna Maharjan, Amrit Dangol, Adi Das Dangol, Shova Tandukar, Shyam Maharjan, Kumar Prajapati, Naresh Prajapati, Rakesh Maharjan, Mahendra Dangol, and Raju Maharjan. The work will take approximately two years to be completed.
Nov23-Dec 07, EFT Workshop in Bishalnagar
Under the direct guidance and blessing of Ratnashri, another EFT seminar in Nepali was held for sangha members at Bishalnagar from November 23 to December 7. As in the previous seminars, the participants of the latest EFT seminar noted that the seminar was extremely helpful and enjoyable. Below, some of them share their exciting experiences doing the EFT and the great difference it has made in their lives:
S.S. Samita Khadgi (Shrestha):
Through EFT, I could go into the natural world, which gave different and amazing experience. Within two days, the black spots in my face disappeared, and my skin has also turned fairer. My confidence has also increased. Actually, the benefits have been so many that it is very difficult to mention them all.
S.S. Uma Basnet:
After the 15-day EFT, I wrote love and forgiveness as my root mantra on my wall. Whatever anger was suppressed within me was released and I felt relaxed. Now I feel like looking at everyone with love. I saw that mind was so deep that it has no boundary or restrictions. I also got a confidence that I can achieve whatever I want.
S.S. Narendra Basnet:
EFT helps in understanding and removing the problems and challenges created out of what was experienced by the mind at a particular instant and what aggression and uneasiness developed unknowingly within us. Just like a master key that opens every door in a hotel, EFT can solve all challenges in our lives, if we do it with interest. It can help make us carefree, simple and social, and as a result make our life peaceful and enjoyable. EFT is a very effective tool to clear our superstitions too. I really enjoyed doing it.
Rajiv and Rikma Thapa:
After completing EFT seminar there has been a change in our day-to-day activities. We are able to realize our mistakes and have confidence about what we are doing. Thus life is now becoming very simple and leads toward emptiness.
Thanks to the Guru who showed the path for plain living and we all will expect such type of skillful means of teaching towards enlightenment in the near future.
Thakur and Laxmi Shrestha:
Pranam to Ratnashri and Jetsunma!
After tapping we are filling energetic, confident about the future, and our vision too has become good. And we are feeling very, very happy to get the tapping knowledge from Ratnashree. Thank you.
Vijay Maharjan:
Tri Ratna Sharanam! Through the EFT seminar organized by Mahayogi Ratnashri, I have been able to rid myself of even old habits like the intake of nicotine and other self-created mental problems. Although till now I have often been unsuccessful in my endeavors in life, I am now moving ahead with a renewed confidence and enthusiasm to succeed. In front of Ratnashri at the seminar, I also declared to everybody that within 10 years from now, I would achieve my financial target for the sake of Ratnashri and the sangha. I got the confidence to declare such a thing by doing the EFT. In short, EFT is a cute gift of ancient Tantra and modern science to mankind.
Ranjan Thapa:
We are very fortunate and grateful to have the opportunity to do EFT with the guidance and blessing of Ratnashri. EFT helped me release the knots of doubts on my capabilities. We always tend to think negatively, but I got a message through EFT that we should always move forward positively. The feelings of boredom and laziness just disappeared. I gained a confidence that now I can do whatever I want to do. I request all sangha members not to miss this golden opportunity to transform themselves!
Balkrishna Maharjan:
I consider myself very fortunate to get to do the EFT. This has totally changed my lifestyle. Till some days back, my daily routine included a series of addictions of different sorts: consuming alcohol, playing cards, seeing films, etc. However, now I am completely positive about my life. I have thrown out of myself all the addictions I had. After the 15-day EFT, my habit of seeing/analyzing others' words/deeds only from my angle also vanished. Now I respect and give importance to others' part of the story too. After the seminar, I realized that there is nothing we cannot do in life. I felt that our every endeavor would turn out successful if we did it with diligence. In short, I have become more positive, happier, and my life has become complete with different facilities.
Amrit Dangol:
Tri Ratna Sharanam!
Millions of prostrations to Ratnashree!
The EFT course is very, very effective. I find EFT is very applicable to me. After doing the EFT course many of my blocked nerves has opened. I feel very relaxed, free, open all the time. Now I find myself that I can actually accept my mistake that I do which I was rejecting all my life. It's been really big baggage for me the whole life and now it is gone forever. And I am really very confident toward life. I am very grateful to Ratnashree for giving me this really wonderful therapy. I think everyone should take this course of EFT because it is very helpful to everyone.
October 18-28, EFT Workshop in Washington DC
The Washington DC sangha held the 10 day EFT workshop with the guidance and blessings of Ratnashri. The workshop started on October 18th and went on to the 28th. All the participants felt that the process was worth coming in to after work and they felt very empowered. There were several very acute self-observations and identification of stuck places. Also some revealing dreams, and overall awareness of thoughts and reaction patterns. We did 3 days for anger. As the days went by, everyone was becoming visibily lighter and more relaxed. By the last session, everyone was screaming out the affirmations gleefully. Also there was a sense of bonding among the people in the group. Please read the feedback provided by some of the participants:
Arun Joshi: EFT created very positive vibrations and energy for me. Ratnashri had already instructed us to look at the Hays video, but EFT seems to provide a strong method to implement the Hays affirmations. Some of the deep insecurities I had came up and I was able to see them closely and diffuse them into a positive expereince. By doing this over and over, I hope to accept myself and my expereinces (without judgement) and create a very positive 'can do' attitude in my life!!!
Prabha Joshi: It was an excellent experience for me. I have tried many other therapies with Ratnashri, but this one was very meaningful and the most effective personally for me. I was able to pinpoint the deeper feelings of fear, anger, and insecurity and the tapping helped to take my mind in a positive direction. I was very emotional on the first day itself (crying etc.) and then it became better and better throughgout the week and I now I feel more condifident to deal with my negative emotions even when they arise. I plan on doing this daily and keeping a positive attitude. I think it will be helpful for everybody.
Ranjan Pant: The session was very helpful and insipirational especially it really helped me to bring out the insecurities, anger etc. inside me. It also boosted my self confidence and now I feel that my whole body has become very lighter because the session helped me to get rid of lot of my emotional baggage. It also helped to bring the sangha members together and tightly bonded, now we feel more closer and more connected. I feel very grateful to Guru for showing me this technique of releasing the negative emotions. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu!!!
Sachi Mishra Pant: The EFT really helped me to bring out my childhood insecurities and anger. There were some negative emotions which I felt was not there at all and I felt really good that they came out after doing 10 days session of EFT. Now I feel calm, confident, motivated in my practice as well as daily life. I am very thankful to Guru for guidance through this therapy.
October 16, Bishalnagar:
Sangha members interested in attending an EFT seminar in Nepali are requested to kindly contact SS Manik Das Dangol at 9841320225 to register their name. EFT, Emotional Freedom Techniques, is a very simple and effective mode of psychotherapy that combines the eastern concept of Acupuncture points with the modern psychotherapy’s concept of positive affirmations. Participants in an earlier EFT seminar in English (29 September – 8 October) noted that the seminar was very interesting and productive.
October 9, Vajrayogini Empowerment:
Out of extreme compassion Venerable Sabdrung Rinpoche bestowed the uncommon Vajrayogini empowerment including the 11 Yogas according to the Naropada tradition. The empowerment fell on the auspicious 10th day of the waxing moon in the Lunar Calendar (Dashami) and saw a participation of around 180 sangha members. Venerable Rinpoche also blessed the sangha by donating Rs 10,000 as an initial amount to organize regular Vajrayogini gana puja (group pujas) on the Dashami of the waning moon at Bishalnagar since the pujas become a lot more powerful if done in groups. Jetsunma informed all present that from now on the Vajrayogini gana puja would be organized in the main hall so that all the sangha members can participate and told all the sangha members to attend the pujas if possible.
October 8, Bishalnagar:
Venerable Sabdrung Rinpoche compassionately conferred the sangha with Vaishravana empowerment (Abhishek). The deity is related to obtaining wealth as well as wisdom for the benefit of sentient beings. Around 230 sangha members gathered to receive the empowerment.October 7, Bishalnagar: Around 70 sangha members participated in the Uposad (maintaining 8 precepts) and praying for the rebirth in Sukhawati of tens of thousands of animals butchered for meat on the occasion of Dasain festival in Nepal and elsewhere. The prayers which began at 5.15 am included the aspiration prayers, prostrations, chanting of dharanis and mantras of Amitabha Buddha, Akshobya Buddha, Arya Avalokiteshwor and Chitigarva, and went on till 11.15 am, followed by a lunch. The participants had to maintain 8 vows for up to the next morning, which included fasting, avoiding any form of entertainment and avoiding sitting on higher seats.
September 30, Ratnashri's Termas and Guru Yoga
In August 2008, Acharya Mahayogi Shridhar Rana Rinpoche's disciples received some really wonderful news that is of great importance and a matter for joy, celebration, and unlimited gratitude. We learned that our precious Guru Ratnashri's termas had started appearing around 14 years ago. They were validated by H.E. Karma Thinley Rinpoche since back then, and this process has continued throughout the 14 years as more and more termas have been discovered.
Termas are complete sets of Vajrayana teachings concealed by enlightened masters in various places like earth, space, or the mind of a disciple, and in the safekeeping of Dharmapalas, so that in the future the teachings can be discovered and taught afresh when the time is ripe. This protects the teachings from degeneration with time. A revealer of termas is called a terton.
The fact that termas were being discovered was kept secret all these years for many reasons, to be revealed when the time was ripe. Now for the sake of "tendrel", Ratnashri has given one of the termas, his Guru Yoga, to about 30 disciples on August 16th, 2008. Ratnashri received very good signs after having given this wang.
Ratnashri will again give his Guru Yoga to the sangha as the causes ripen. He has set certain criteria for disciples to receive this:
1) One has to have reached the stage of Mahayana Bodhichittotpada. In this case, it will not be given individually, so a group of about 10 people must have requested it for it to be given, OR
2) To receive the Guru Yoga individually, one has to have reached the stage of Vajrayana Ngondro.
Sangha members are encouraged to move forward in their krama practice so as to be ready and eligible to receive Ratnashri's Guru Yoga!! Receiving this wang is a significant experience as noted by some of the people who received it in the first occasion:-
Ankit Bista:
Right after the wang, I was very happy, like I got a very big, important thing. This felt even more important than other wangs like Hevajra. It felt like my connection with Ratnashri will never break even in infinite lifetimes. I will always be born as Ratnashri’s chela (disciple). Even if in some lifetimes I go to hell or something, in the next lifetime I will again be born as Ratnashri’s chela. My devotion has increased even more than before.
Dhroova Thapa:
Even after having received so many other wangs and doing all these practices, I remained unsatisfied, that somehow something was lacking. Then that morning that we got the wang, I was very restless and anxious, although I didn’t know we were going to get the wang that day. Then the call from Bishalnagar came that Guru has called me, and I went there, not knowing why I was called. Then when I found out that it was to receive Ratnashri’s Guru Yoga wang, I was stunned and so happy. Receiving that wang completed me. It was what I had been missing, and now I have the most complete practice, and I am fulfilled and I feel like I am safe and secure, nothing to worry about.
Mukunda Bista:
While I was receiving the wang, it felt like this is it – the ultimate practice. It was a combination of Guru’s blessing and compassion. The power of the wang stayed with me for a few days, like I was in a trance. When doing the various sadhanas that I do in a day, I can’t wait until I get to the Guru Yoga sadhana. I really look forward to doing it. The level of devotion has multiplied many folds over.
Padmisha Mainali:
I am really very thankful to our respected Guru for giving us such a great wang. I am so lucky to have such a great Master in my life. After that wang, I feel like I have got a new life. I feel I have got a lot of strength to deal with my life. Now I can believe that we are a son/daughter of Vajradhara himself and we all have got the spirit to do a lot for the welfare of all sentient beings.
Rachana Pandey:
It was a sacred experience that opened up the depths of my heart and I found Guru residing there. The unshakeable knowledge of belonging to Guru arose. I felt secure and loved, and confident that no matter what, I could derive strength from this connection while traversing this topsy-turvy samsara. Practicing the Guru Yoga sadhana is a blessing each day that renews my faith, devotion, gratitude, and surrender, and gives me purpose and strength. I am not afraid anymore of being far away physically from Guru, because I’m at home with him no matter where I am.
Dr. Ramesh Dahal:
I would like to share some of my feelings and comments with your all about the Vatul Vasav Guru Yoga, which has been so compassionately unveiled and granted to us all as a Terma which happened only through Guru's special blessings and compassion. I place the crown of my head at the lotus feet of our Great Guru and Prostrate to him ten million times and also express all my heartfelt Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu! to the Sangha members who did their part of helping out to bring out the text from the extraordinary mind and literally translating the description of Guru's Sambhogakaya Enlightened Form into the divine and splendid Art!! Words no more have become adequate to express and appreciate this further...!!!
The Guru Yoga Initiation has definitely made me see Guru in his magnanimity..!! He is no more only the bearded Guru on the seat, smiling nicely at me...The GuruYoga Wang has made me realize that I am once again united with my Beloved Guru who in his real Enlightened form is seated on that magnificent carved golden throne with that divine youthful radiating form in all his Sambhogkaya regalia. The perfect Buddha, no different from the Buddhas of the three times in the ten directions. The real Vajradhara himself in person...emerging out only for the benefit of us all!! After the Guru Yoga Wang there have been episodes and moments when I see him no differently than any Buddha, to me he just blends into Vajradhara. At times great faith wells in me that I can now be assured of Enlightenment from him without doubt...! And I know it's only faith and devotion (that Guru Bhakti) that can lead me to my Dharmic destiny...nothing surpasses this...as even in the Song of Mahmudra it is said ...Faith/Devotion is the head of meditation....!
With his own Guru Yoga initiation and the Mind Pointing from Guru himself has made great sense to me. I feel very blessed and enriched... the Dharma for me has boiled down to just these two extremely precious practices! I don't know if I am right (only Guru can tell), but I am beginning to see every other Dharma practices are a means to enhance the Guru Bhakti and Pravashwar-Shunyata Gyana. I am pretty sure only these two can deliver Enlightnement. Which however does not belittle the other Dharma practices, to the contrary, other practices like Samatha, Ngondro, Yidam and all other tougher Vajrayana methods become indispensible and extremely important tools that "uplift' us or rather 'clear away' the Sanskara and the lot that veil us from these Two Vitals....!
Sushma Amatya:
I can only say that it has helped me increase my faith in the guru and the path tremendously; and a magical world has opened up for me that can only be experienced and not explained.
Urmila Basnet:
After receiving Ratnashri’s Guru Yoga wang, I went home and meditated, and it felt like Ratnashri’s presence helped me recognize the nature of my mind clearly. I started doing the Guru Yoga sadhanas four times a day, and I feel like I want to take this practice when I go into retreat. I think whoever gets this Guru Yoga is very fortunate indeed.
In addition to the Guru Yoga, Ratnashri will give more of the termas like Jambhala etc. as the time becomes ripe.
September 15, Donation for Koshi Flood Victims
Bykoma Kusuma members collected NRS 20,440 to help the Koshi flood victims in Nepal and handed over that amount to the organization Help Nepal Network (HeNN). The funds will be used to purchase relief materials which will include everything a family needs in order to recoup from the flood. This step ensures that every rupee donated goes towards the victims. Please click here to see the letter that accompanied the donation, and click here to read the thank you letter from Help Nepal.
Aug 01, Pujaniya Guru Ratnashri's Birthday Celebration see pictures
The 60th birthday of our precious Guru Ratnashri fell on the new moon day of August 1st, 2008. This year's birthday was more auspicious because it came after the completion of 12 years of Ratnashri’s retreat. The solar eclipse that occurred on this day made it additionally favorable.
The planning for the celebration had begun over a month ago and the workload did not ease up to the last day to ensure everything went perfectly on that Friday. Sangha members were joyful even as the day dawned and groups of vajrabandhus went out with the morning light to the stupas, temples, shrines, and power places in and around the Kathmandu valley to light hundreds of butter lamps and offer khatas, praying for the long life of our precious Guru Ratnashri. Monks were brought to Bishalnagar to conduct long life pujas. Long life pujas were also performed at various monasteries.
Even up to that morning there was a clean-up and set-up crew at Bishalnagar, putting the final touches on the newly done hall at Bishalnagar. With the new wood floors, wood-paneled and whitewashed walls, new shrine pedestals with beautiful pictures of the Buddhas, and colorful banners, our gumba looked very beautiful. And a large picture of Ratnashri made it feel like he was present there in the hall.
Right around noon, the venerated invitees started to arrive. Sangha members lined the way up to the hall with khatas and incense to welcome them. Among the dignitaries that graced the event were their Eminences Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, Asanga Rinpoche, Tharig Rinpoche, Sabtron Rinpoche, and Ani Rinpoche, along with other honored guests from many monasteries. They enjoyed a beautifully prepared lunch and left around 2 pm. More sangha members convened together later that afternoon, including the ones who took the Reiki 1 initiation that morning. The initiation was held in honor of Ratnashri’s birthday, as it is a means of compassionate healing of self and others. At 3 pm, the sangha chanted dharanis for the long life of Ratnashri. Sahayak Samathacharya Anupama Dahal then led the sangha in singing the new long life prayer for Jetsunma, that has been blessed by His Eminence Karma Thinley Rinpoche.
This was followed by the mandala offering to Ratnashri, where along with the kaya, vaka, and chitta offerings, the sangha also presented an LCD TV. There were also offerings of poshak, books, fruits, and flowers. Then Ratnashri cut the birthday cake and everyone enjoyed some sweet moments. There was also more food served downstairs. Then 1008 (yes, read one thousand and eight) butter lamps were lit that gave out a beautiful glow in the evening light. It was a wonderful end to a wonderful day.
Sometime during the day sangha members also freed 2,000 fish and 20 pairs of birds, in honor of Ratnashri’s birthday, and the next day, meals were provided to about 600 needy people in temples and a school.
July 2008: Jesunma Visits the UK!
The UK Byoma Kusuma Sangha members were delighted and grateful for Jetsunma's visit to London. Click here to read the write up by Pratistha Karki.
June 14, Mandala Offering to the Venerable Karma Thinley Rinpoche
In profound gratitute for conferring the title of Jetsunma to our beloved Guruama, Byoma Kusuma held a mandala offering to Venerable Karma Thinley Rinpoche. see pictures
May 26, Recording for the song Mero Desh
The song recording process for making the music video of Mero Desh, one of Sahayak Samathacharya Anupama Dahal’s national songs, began on May 23. The video of the song, which arose in Anupama from the experience of Maitri Spharan, is expected to be out within two months.
Music Arranger: Shiva Mukhiya (vocalist/bassist of noted Nepali rock band The Axe).
Video: SM Abhilash Acharya and Bodhi TV crew
Producer: SM Mausam Shakya
May 20, Donations and Reiki Healing
Byoma Kusuma requests all sangha members to actively participate with donations for accumulating merits in the ceremony of mandala offering to His Eminence Karma Thinley Rimpoche to mark our extreme gratitude to HE Rimpoche for conferring the title of Jetsunma on respected Guruama. The offerings will include Buddha statue, dharma texts and stupa, and, along with HE Rimpoche, a Bhojandan for the nuns and monks of the monastery. Sangha members will be informed of the exact date as it gets confirmed.
Byoma Kusuma members donated an additional sum of Rs 12,900 for sangha member Suresh Prasad Pokharel's uncle who is undergoing treatment for brain tumor. Sahayak Samathacharya Anupama Dahal handed over the sum to sangha member Pokharel.
Byoma Kusuma has begun a group Reiki healing service (distance/touch) for sangha members who happen to fall ill. Please contact the Bishalnagar office (ph no 4426863) to register/book your name.
May 11, Jetsunma Leaves for the US
Jetsunma left Kathmandu for a two-and-half month visit to the US and UK, to the joy of the Sangha living overseas.
May 10, Jetsunma Title for Respected Guruama
Venerable Karma Thinley Rimpoche conferred the title of Jetsunma, meaning Bhattaarikaa in Sanskrit, or feminine of Nath, to respected Guruama. It was an occasion of great delight and rejoicing for the whole Byoma Kusuma family.
April 26, New Byoma Kusuma Office Phone Number:
There is a new phone number for our newly opened office at Bishalnagar - 977-1-4426863. Please call this number for official Byoma Kusuma business and to get information.
April 25, Marshland Flowers Articles now also in Nepali:
The first article of the Marshland Flowers series translated into Nepali appeared on the 25 April - 1 May issue of Samaya, a noted Nepali national weekly that comes out every Friday (www.bhrikuti.com). The weekly, a sister publication of Newsfront, will continue to feature the Ratnashri's series of articles on Buddhism under the title "Dhape Kusum". Narayan Prasad Rijal is the translator.
April 23, Monks at Maitri Gumba Get a Check Up:
Under the aegis of our respected Guru Ama and with the help of a doctor from a reputed hospital in Kathmandu, Byoma Kusuma organized a free dermatological check up for the monks of Maitri Gumba.
April 16, Sangha Members provide assistance:
Byoma Kusuma Sangha members donated a total of Rs. 20,100 to help sangha member Suresh Prasad Pokharel's uncle who is suffering from brain tumour and was running short of adequate financial resources to meet the heavy medical expenses. Dr. Ramesh Dahal handed over the funds to the patient on April 16.
(Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact Manu Bhandari, phone no 00977-9803204395, or e-mail: manua3@gmail.com)
April 13, 12th anniversary of our precious Guru Ratnashri’s retreat <
Sunday, Baishak 1 (April 13), the first day of the Nepali new year 2065, marked the 12th anniversary of our precious Guru Ratnashri’s retreat. To celebrate the auspicious occasion, a special Bodhipushpanjali was held on Baishak 1 rather than the first Saturday of the month. The day was filled with pujas, prayers, chanting, a meditation session, speeches, recognitions, and the reading of Ratnashri’s biography. Narayan Prasad Rijal was declared a Sahayak Dharmadhara and Rachana Pandey was declared a Sahayak Samathacharya. read more
April 5, Byoma Kusuma Office Opens!:
On Saturday April 5th, the Byoma Kusuma Office was opened for business. It is located at the basement level, but has nice airy windows! Please stop by to obtain information or share your information with us. Office hours are Saturdays 8am to 2pm, and Tuesdays 4pm to 7pm.
April 5, Update on Ratnashri's Welfare Fund:
Coming towards the end of the Nepali year 2064, showing his great compassion, Ratnashri continues to provide financial assistance to needy people who are sick and need medical treatment through his personal Welfare Fund. He has been doing this for the last 12 years.
April 5, Update on the Maitri Spharan Program:
By the blessings of Ratnashri, the Maitri and Karuna Spharan program has been running successfully every Saturday for the past two months. The number of people attending has risen over the weeks as people are seeing the benefit of such practices for the country as well as for themselves. Sangha members abroad are also organizing similar programs where they reside.
March 21, Swayambhu: Many Sangha members participated in the lighting of lamps around Swayambhunath Stupa for long life of Guru Ratnashree and bringing positive feeling in Nepali people, and people of the world, in today's disturbed condition. The programme was led by Sangha members Samita Khadgi, Sameer Bhattachan and Ranjan Thapa. Respected Guruama also graced the occasion.
March 3, Bishalnagar: Sangha member Raj Karki (S.B) tied the knot with Sangha member Anupama Sherchan on Monday at Bishalnagar. Guru Ratnashree and Guruama blessed the couple. On March 2, several of our Sangha members also participated in the procession to bring home the bride.
February 2, 2008: First Maitriya Spharan Program at Bishalnagar
By the blessing of Guru Ratnashree, Sangha members successfully completed the first Maitriya Spharan Program at Bishalnagar from 10am to 6pm. The program will be held each Saturday for the next month and a half except on days set aside for Bodhipuspanjali.
January 2008: Byoma Kusuma Sangha members donated Rs. 19,440 to Help Nepal Network for the support of the Nepal flood victims. Click here to read the letter of appreciation from Help Nepal.
January 30, 2008: Sangha Wedding
Sangha members Shalav Rana and Nina KC tied the knot at Bishalnagar. Both of them were blessed by Guru Ratnashree and Guruama. Narayan Prasad Rizal performed the rituals. The Sangha members performed 21 Tara and Guru Rinpoche prayers for the couple and the Samathacharyas gave khadas to them. The couple looked very beautiful at the occasion.
January 26, 2008: Music album launch of Sahayak Samathacharya Anupama Dahal at 2pm at Gurukul, Old Baneshwor!! see pictures
It was a very joyful occasion on the afternoon of January 26 at the Sama Theatre, Gurukul, Old Baneshwor when Sahayak Samathacharya Anupama Dahal's music CD 'Pagaala Baadal' (Crazy Cloud) was launched. Named after pet name of Pujaniya Guru Ratnashree, the album was launched by Respected Guruama.
The album comprises altogether eight songs taken out of the all together 270 realisation songs that arose in Dahal's mind during her Samatha meditation. "A spiritual mind knows no boundaries," she said. She also showed her immense gratefulness to Guru Ratnashree for his compassion and blessings. She mentions in her album that the songs are an offering to Gurus HH Sakya Trichin Rinpoche, late HE Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, late HE Chogye Trichin Rinpoche, HE Karma Thinley Rinpoche, and root Guru Mahayogi Acharya Shridhar Rana Rinpoche and dedicates the album for the benefit of all sentient beings.
In the programme, respected Guruama read out a letter for the occasion by Pujaniya Guru Ratnashree, who wished Anu didi all the best and said that the songs could take one into the alter state and give one new perspective to look at things.
The main guests at the occasion were, apart from Respected Guruama, Narayan Prasad Rizal sir, Byoma Kusuma committee president Mukunda Bista, and Dr Bhola Rizal.
Narayan Sir gave a brief biography of Guru Ratnashree and what Byoma Kusuma meant. He also shed light on the meaning behind Crazy Cloud, which is symbolic of an unconditional mind.
Music video of Amideva Aau was also premiered at the occasion and Sangha member Vijay Sarga also exhibited his paintings that were inspired by the songs.
January 12, 2008: Consecration of Relic Stupa of late H.E. Chogye Trichen Rinpoche by H.E. Ratna Vajra Rinpoche see pictures
January 10, 2008: H.E. Ratna Vajra Rinpoche arrives Kathmandu
Byoma Kusuma took part with other Sakya monasteries to welcome H.E. Ratna Vajra Rinpoche to Trikal Maitriya Gumba. Although the arrival was delayed by over three hours, there was a good participation of many devotees in the welcome. Along with the lamas playing traditional welcoming music, our Sangha offered welcome by Panchakanyas.
Jan 2008: Lumbini Monlam
Seven of our Sangha members led by respected Guruama participated in the Sakya Monlam festival.
Sangha members Abhilash Acharya and Mausam Shakya successfully co-ordinated with the media on behalf of the Sangha, which gave a good coverage to the festival in both print and electronic media. Sangha member Hemant Gurung was a photographer and Sangha members Ravi Kiran Bajracharya and Narayan Tyata were videographers at the festival.
January 1 2008: Art Exhibition/Competition
Some sangha members participated in a competition cum exhibition of Pauva paintings at the Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal. The event was organised by Nepal Bhasa Academy. The competition was divided into two categories — traditional style, and the blend of traditional and modern styles. To our delight, Sangha member Amrit Dangol clinched the second position in the traditional style category.
Jan 2008: Provisional executive committee appointed
A new provisional executive committee of the Sangha has been appointed following health problems of our former head members. Following are the major post holders.
President: Mukunda Bista
Vice-President: Harsha Nath Bhandari/ Samita Khadgi Shrestha
Treasurer: Ram Krishna Sangat
General Secretary: Raj KC
Secretary: Ranjan Thapa