Changes in Achi Choyki Drolma Event

Sorry for the delay in letting you know what will happen. Diane's email explains it all.
Thanks for your patience.

Bill

Begin forwarded message:

> From: dianewagner@att.net
> Date: August 19, 2008 5:23:23 PM CDT
> To: billpope.enteract@rcn.com (Bill Pope)
> Cc: dianewagner@att.net
> Subject: Changes in Achi Choyki Drolma Event
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> This email outlines the changes and details of the upcoming Achi Choyki Drolma event; this email is being generated by Diane Wagner with Drupon Rinchen Dorjee’s approval. If there are any comments or suggestions, please email them directly to dianewagner@att.net.
>
> Bill had previously sent out an email notifying everyone that we needed to fill the remaining rooms at the retreat center in order to go forward with the drubchung, and that did not happen. I realize it is a holiday weekend, however it was the only weekend in this year we could have both of our beloved Drupons and a translator to do this retreat. Also, we thought with almost 3 months notice, people would have time to perhaps make arrangements to attend. We’ve had many people in our sangha requesting a retreat and empowerment for Achi Choyki Drolma; in the past we have received an oral transmission on a couple of occasions, but not a full empowerment. However, in the end for the retreat center not including commuters, we have 11 people from out of town and out of state who registered, 5 from Chicagoland, and the 2 Lamas and 1 translator, leaving us 6 rooms short. The retreat center had already reduced the required number of rooms to 25 from 30 and had also made a change in the fee structure for reduced meals and so forth; they worked very hard to facilitate our group, but could do no more and we owe them our gratitude for trying. I worked out a personal arrangement with the Director to insure our sangha would not be thought less of in the future, and still be able to book there. Those details will remain private. Also, airfare of almost $600 had already been personally paid for by a sangha member for Drupon Thinley Nyingpo and Ina Bieler; due to these arrangements, we will move forward with the teaching event but with changes.
>
> Instead of a drubchung, we will follow an abbreviated teaching and practice schedule at the Dharma Center located at
> 5337 W. Cullom, Chicago, IL
>
> Suggested Donation $150 Full Weekend
> Single day fees:
> $75 Friday night
> $75 Saturday
> $75 Sunday
> (Sliding scale for anyone who should need it with advance notice; please speak or email with Bill Pope)
>
> I apologize for any inconvenience this presents for our out of town members and students. Your room deposits, as well as all room deposits which have been paid by every student, with each student’s approval, will be placed in donation for the event--if this is satisfactory to you—meaning if you paid the full $150 deposit, you will have satisfied the suggested donation to the sangha for the event. Should anyone who has paid a deposit for a room, choose not to attend the event due to these changes, we will refund your deposit to you immediately with our sincere apologies.
>
> Furthermore, since it is a holiday weekend and hotel rooms will be at a premium in Chicagoland, for those men pre-registered for a room who are from out of town, there are 3, Drupon has approved that they only, for this event, will be allowed to sleep in the shrine room at the center. We will ask that anyone else please not make a request to do so. For those women who have pre-registered for a room, who are from out of town, they are welcome to stay in my home, and of course there is no fee for either. :)
>
> I want to take a moment to extend a very heartfelt thank you to those of you who have offered to make a larger donation, donate for others, and basically extend your personal lives for Drupon Rinchen Dorjee and our sangha for this event. At first I was extremely dismayed at the turn of events and thought how ironic this is, for an Achi retreat not to happen! But as the sleepless nights and worry have worn on, it has finally occurred to me that perhaps she is removing obstacles and granting wishes…just not in the manner expected. We are very blessed to have two of the most highly realized Retreat Masters in the world here to bless us with this empowerment and teachings, please come and receive the blessings of our beloved Drupons and our Drikung Lineage Grandmama, Achi Choyki Drolma.
> Love,
> Diane
> 630/667-9662 Mobile
>
> Schedule of Teachings/Practice
> (Texts are included with donation)
>
> Friday- August 29th
>
> 7 PM
> Refuge Vows will be given by Drupon Rinchen Dorjee
> (NOTE: you MUST have taken refuge vows in order to receive the empowerment)
>
> *7:30PM
> Achi Choyki Drolma Empowerment
> *Please plan to depart the Dharma Center directly after the empowerment session ends in order for the Lamas to rest.
>
> Saturday August 30th
>
> 9AM to 12 Noon (Tea Break @ 10:30)
> Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Teaching
>
> 2PM to 5PM (Tea Break @3:30)
> Teaching and practice
>
> *7PM to 8PM
> Practice Only
> *Please plan to depart the Dharma Center directly after the evening practice—no later than 8:30PM in order for the Lamas to rest.
>
> Sunday August 31st
>
> 9AM to 12 Noon (Tea Break @ 10:30)
> Drupon Thinley Nyingpo Teaching
>
> 2PM to 3:30PM
> Teaching and practice
>
> 4PM to 5PM
> Achi Choyki Drolma Offering and Tsok
>
> Please feel free to remain at the Dharma Center for conversation and discussion until 7PM.