Ganden Center Community Meeting
March 2011
From Dharma Centers come Dharma Teachers, Dharma teachings,
teaching programs, study programs, many practical activities, and
many Dharma books. All these necessary conditions for practicing
Dharma come from qualified Dharma Centers...
A Dharma Center like Manjushri belongs to all sentient beings,
not to any particular person, or people... So therefore we can say
that a Dharma Center like Manjushri or any New Kadampa Tradition
Dharma Center must be shared with the public...
We are improving this Dharma Center for the benefit of future
generations. By working for a Dharma Center you are working for all
sentient beings. Realizing this, if we work, help, improve, or
organize a Dharma Center we are practicing offering happiness to
others.
Please understand this. If we don't improve Dharma Centers, who
will?
-- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, What Should Be Our Main Practice?,
1992.
Current Situation: We Need to Move!
Why Do We Need to Move?
Limited growth opportunity at our current location
Not enough space, especially for the future
Not visible enough (signage, tucked away)
Not handicap accessible
Surrounding environment
Capitol building (NOISE!)
Intersection (NOISE!)
Restaurant + Bar opening in April (NOISE?)
Parking issues, especially at lunchtime
Not the best neighborhood
What We've Tried So Far...
3401 Rosewood
PROS:
Free-standing building with commercial space below, residential
space above
Ample free parking
Ground level on prominent road
Large space
Handicap accessible
Would have had room for separate children's area
CONS:
Price
Not ideal neighborhood
What We've Tried So Far...
1314 Pulaski
PROS:
Commercial space below, residential space above
Improved parking
Ground level on prominent road
Larger space, plus club house
Handicap accessible
Would have had room for separate children's area
Great neighborhood
CONS:
Increased risk (b/c 2 tenants)
Space divided over three levels
Challenging owner / landlord
What We've Tried So Far...
1219 Wayne St.
PROS:
HUGE space
Enough room for Resident Teacher living area
Prominent location
Improved parking
Great visibility
Handicap accessible
Met / exceeded all of our new space goals
CONS:
Price
What's in the Way of Moving?
From a karmic point of view...
Collective energy, collective merit
Individual karma isn't enough
How karma translates into action...
Creating karma together as a community
Types of giving:Giving material resources
Giving time, love, and energy
How Can We Create the Causes Together?
There are so many ways to give!
Giving financially Monthly Membership
Giving your example in daily life giving Dharma
Giving as a volunteer
Publicity
Offerings
Center cherishing
Greeting and snacks
Day-to-day operations
Who is Ganden Center?
YOU ARE!
