Buddhist Christmas Catalog

"The sangha of today is the Buddha of tomorrow."

We recognize that pure altruism is rare. We recognize that the overwhelming majority of ordinary people often give from what are, in the final analysis, selfish motives, such as the desire for gain, or prestige. Regardless, there are circumstances where the results of giving are immediately felt in all directions, no matter the intention -- much as the rings that widen when one throws a pebble in a pool of still water. 

That time of year again, when we publish notice of the projects and giving opportunities that have proven themselves eminently worthy of holiday season generosity. This is Digital Tibetan Buddhist Altar's 2010 Annual List of Causes. 

If you have never experienced the personal benefits of giving to a pure lineage of  accomplished practitioners, click one of the links below and then do the right thing. You will come to know what we mean.

Whether you give five dollars or five hundred thousand dollars, these recipients have a spotless record -- developed over a period of years -- of delivering a shower of benefit. These are the projects that we personally support, and we know you can do the same in complete confidence. In no instance, do any of the projects or organizations we have listed take out money for "administrative salaries," "fundraising costs," or any other such nonsense. In most cases, we have already profiled the folks on this list, so you'll be dealing with familiar names. You can also be assured that one hundred percent of the money you give will be handled the way you would want it handled. So, please -- take a few moments, browse through the links we have given here, and then give generously. What better gift for yourself or a loved one than the gift of the eternal Dharma?

(1) The Nyingma Trust. Heading our list this year is one of Tarthang Rinpoche's family of projects, and one very near and dear to my heart. This organization supports the authentic Nyingma lineage in the United States: a group of selfless people who have toiled in anonymity for over forty years to establish a powerful, complete, and completely pure infrastructure for the benefit of future generations. When you visit this site, be sure to click the link that explains the Nyingma Mandala. You will be introduced to a worldwide organization with a list of tangible accomplishments that truly defies any superlatives I could muster. These folks dedicated their lives to you. Don't you think it is time to give something back?

(2) Lotsawa House. In a world where would-be "lotsawas" are busy hustling for a buck, and fighting over emptiness, the humorously-named "Wu Tai Shan Clan" has been embracing the foundation of all perfections, and freely giving their work away. This is a group of the finest young translators in the world today, guided by Marpa's philosophy that the Dharma is ownerless. When you visit their site and look around, you will be treated to a feast of resources, and immeasurable richness. -- all for free. As their motto says, "Dharma. On the house."

(3) Nubri Monastery. It takes only USD $30,000 a year to maintain one of the world's last surviving beyul monasteries, in a remote Himalayan valley, but all of that money must come from our donations. The lay community that for over 500 years supported the monastery has all but disappeared. Many termas still remain to be discovered in the mountains around this valley, so can we do our part?

(4) Mahasiddha Org. This organization was founded to support Dodrupchen Rinpoche's activities the world over. When you click this link, you'll be taken to a site where you can arrange for prayers and pujas to be performed at participating monasteries and nunneries. If you do this on a regular basis, you will quickly see the benefit. Dodrupchen Rinpoche is the direct, untainted Longchen Nyingthig lineage holder, in an unbroken line to the great Jigme Lingpa.

(5) Monlam Org. Here is another popular prayer and puja resource, from the monastery and nunnery under the supervision of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche and Chokling Rinpoche. Both are the sons of the late Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, and well established masters in their own right. All prayers are performed at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal; Nagi Gompa nunnery on Shivapuri Mountain; and Asura Cave Temple at Pharping.

(6) Zangdokpalri Foundation. This organization supports the pure intention of the great twentieth century terton Kunzang Dechen Lingpa, and the work of his son, Dungse Rigdzin Dorje Rinpoche. This year, the organization was finally able to witness the consecration of the visionary Zangdokpalri Temple in Assam, but help is urgently needed to consolidate decades worth of effort into a maintainable program.

(7) Tibetan Aid Project. The largest such project in recorded history -- their annual distribution of dharma books can cover an entire football field, eight feet deep. To save lives is paramount, but to save an entire language and culture -- this requires extraordinary vision and effort. When you review this project -- which began with nothing and today defies description -- you will see that quite literally millions of books, images, and ritual implements have been given away. This project is also linked with the Yeshe De Text Preservation effort, and the Adopt A Book program.

[We may update this post as further information becomes available. In the interim, please outlink and share as much as possible.]

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