Lobster Liberation 2010!

On June 30, the monastics and residents of Gampo Abbey were joined by local fisherman and tour guide Captain Mark for the annual Lobster Liberation. This year, we released around 150 lobsters back into their native habitat, while reciting a blessing liturgy and making aspirations for the well-being of all sentient beings.

Thank you to everyone who donated to support the event. We are still fundraising to recover costs from this year's event. Please visit our Support page to help us.

Click here to visit our blog and view photos from this year's Lobster Release. Enjoy!

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From the Director: Supporting the Future of Shambhala Monasticism

One of the basic principles articulated by the Gampo Acharya, Ani Pema Chödrön for how Gampo Abbey should operate is that the monastic community must not go into debt. In addition to not borrowing money to run the Abbey, we are also committed to careful, ethical and prudent management of our financial resources. Our new report on Gampo Abbey’s finances is based upon information from our 2009 financial year. It is presented for the information of all those who have an interest in this community -- and in particular for our patrons and donors, without whose support the Abbey would not exist. For those who are interested, you can find the full report on our website.

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First Book by Chökyi Gyatso Translation Committee

We at Gampo Abbey are not only delighted but also a little proud to announce the following publication from our very own senior monk and Elder of the community, Lodrö Sangpo, of the Chökyi Gyatso Translation Committee:

The Philosophy of Buddhism
(Die Philosophie des Buddhismus)
by Erich Frauwallner

Translated by Gelong Lodrö Sangpo, with the assistance of Jigme Sheldrön, under the supervision of Professor Ernst Steinkellner.
ISBN: 978-81-208-3481-1
578 pages; price: US $18.93 = Rupees 795

Now available from publisher Motilal Banarsidass.

The translation of Erich Frauwallner’s Die Philosophie des Buddhismus, first published in 1956, opens up a classic introduction to Buddhist thought to a broader English-language readership. Because of the exemplary choice of source texts translated in Die Philosophie des Buddhismus and particularly because of the clear and substantial introductions to these texts, this anthology is a profound narrative of the unfolding of Buddhist thought, and it is still the only one of its kind. The book covers the period of early canonical literature with examples of its philosophically relevant ideas, followed by the principal philosophical concepts of systematic Śrāvakayāna-Buddhism.

Visit our blog for a full description and links to purchase the book.

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Completion of Groups 'E' and 'F' Three-Year Retreat

Eleven Three Year Retreatants who have finished their retreat practices participated in the final gate opening ceremony at Gampo Abbey's Sopa Choling Retreat Center on Sunday, July 11th.

Acharya Larry Mermelstein, who along with Acharya Lodro Dorje, is working with the Office of Practice and Education to support traditional Sadhana practices in our community, led the Gate Opening Ceremony despite a downpour of rain (see photo). At the subsequent celebration, over 70 guests honored the following retreatants for their practice and perseverance:

• Charles Jay Whetsell, Birmingham, AL
• Yvan Larrivee, Montreal, Quebec
• Ning Su Ong, San Francisco Bay Area
• Nancy Huszagh, Nova Scotia
• Laura Kaufman, New York City
• Mary Taylor DeRouen, Boulder Area
• Elizabeth Richardson, Nova Scotia
• Yessica Ulloa Vidal, Chile
• Linda Kreger, Nova Scotia
• Lynele Jones, Boulder Area
• Jeanne Riordan, Nova Scotia

Congratulatory letters from the Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche, spiritual advisor to the three year retreat, and Susan Chapman, drupon for the retreat for 2 of their 3 years, were read to the retreatants.

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Monks (and Nuns!) at Bat!

On July 1, Canada Day, the monastics and residents of Gampo Abbey played our annual softball game against the local Pleasant Bay volunteer firefighters. Although the firefighters won the game as usual, at the end of the 5th inning the game was tied 8-8. So close to victory!

Visit our web site for more photos of this year's game.

Thanks to everyone who came out to cheer on the team. We had so much fun, we might even play another game with the firefighters sooner than next year.

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Come Take a Guided Tour of Gampo Abbey This Summer

Gampo Abbey is once again offering guided tours this summer, from July 5th to September 3rd. Tours are offered Monday to Friday, at three times: 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

At other times, you are welcome to come walk the grounds, visit the Stupa, and see the outside of the Abbey -- but with a guided tour, you get the inside track. See the shrine room where we practice, visit our library with over 5,000 books on Buddhism and religion, learn about our lineage and activities, and get a glimpse into the life of the monastics and lay residents living at Gampo Abbey.

Visit our Web page for driving directions.

We hope to see you in beautiful Cape Breton this summer!

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A Talk by Pema Chödrön

We are delighted to present another hard-to-find talk by the Gampo Acharya, Pema Chödrön.

In this teaching from the 2008 Yarne retreat, Ani Pema presents the view of bringing obstacles to the path of awakening, with a four-step practice. This builds on the previous teaching where she introduced the "pause practice." The talk is approximately one hour.

To listen to the talk in streaming audio, visit our blog.

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Find Us on Facebook

Are you on Facebook? Check out Gampo Abbey's Facebook fan page, where you can view photos and keep up with what's going on at the Abbey.

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