Suryathon Success

Today was the second annual campground fund raiser. Last year the yogis were sponsored to hold a pose for a length of time. This year each participant did 108 sun salutations, or surya namaskaras, without break. I don't know how much money the brave ones raised for the campground, but they certainly earned every penny. The series went on for about an hour and everyone who started was able to finish.

The yogis and yoginis were passionately encouraged by a musical ensemble consisting of DM's talented melody and rhythm masters.

Congrats and thanks to all.

images for the fund raiser

addition 10/25: Alexander Muir has put together a little narrated slideshow from the pictures mentioned above. Take a look and listen to what he and his handsome accent have to say.
slidesh0w

The Nectar Lounge, Open for Business

Today was the grand opening of the Nectar Lounge, the Diamond Mountain temporary student union. The opening included a ribbon cutting ceremony by czars of the lounge Jerome and Connie along with Geshe Michael and Lama Christie.

The lounge is a great place. I've already spent quite a bit of time there getting out of the weather, debating, relaxing, and noshing. Both Jer and Con are doing a terrific job of managing the tent. They've made everyone feel right at home in their world.

Want to see it? There's a flickr set of Nectar Lounge photos:
images here
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Service Day 7-1

Just got back from a great day up at "the Mountain." Today was our first service day of the term. The work included repairing yurts, cleaning the Lama house, fixing up the kitchen yurt, and of course, ditch digging. Naturally I gravitated to the latter as it is the least mentally demanding. This trench will be for the footing of a stem wall that will conceal the temple coolers.

The day's work was followed by a delicious dinner and a community meeting. If you missed the meeting, I'll remind you that Monday is another service and the mid-term celebration, which is always a fun time. We also got some updates on the student union building (talk to Bert) and the three-year retreat planning (talk to Elly).

Here are some images from the service day:
link

Another Year, Another Rainbow

Yesterday began the first Sacred Classics Translator and Bok Jinpa courses of the school year. And once again the kickoff was celebrated with a rainbow. I write 'once again' because this seems to be the third year in a row that we've had a rainbow in this water poor area on the first of these two courses. Each year it seems less like a coincidence.

Benjamin Worden posted some really nice photos which are now hosted on flickr.
photos here

Thanks Benjamin!

Orientation and Maroke, Party Gets Started

Tonight at Diamond Mountain things really got started. The evening began with a community dinner followed by an orientation / community meeting and finally the maroke exam debate. Everyone of the thirteen debaters did wonderfully and were honored with a small ceremony.

My debate topics; the ten qualities of a qualified Lama given by Je Tsongkapa and the six steps of staying in the suffering world as taught by Lord Maitreya.

We've got some images of today and tonight's happenings:
check out the pics
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Fall Term '06 Begins

Following a asana-tastic four days in Tucson, Diamond Mountain students and teachers have returned to the University to take part in Fall term. There are several new courses, study groups, and events this term and plenty of new faces to participate in them.

Two special nights are lined up for the opeing of the term. Tonight is Vajroyogini Tsechu for those with initiation. And Tomorrow will be a dinner at 5:30, orientation and 7:00, and then the public Maroke exam at 8:00 (previous post about Maroke exam).

To see the course catalog and DM and Tucson campus schedules head on over to http://diamondmtn.org/dmu