DM Video Newsletter

Fancy moving images seem to have become a theme at DM this term. First it was the streaming vids of classes and now the Diamond Mountain Video Newsletter. After much hard work Rob Cipriano has produced this remarkable video about DM. It's really cool. It's a great way to check out DM from a far for those who are interested. And the video serves a lot of us in helping to show off to our friends and family how super-awesome we are. You can view the video at the official DM site here.

Holy bananas, we owe a big thanks to Rob. Please give him a hug and a back rub when you see him.

Update: the video newsletter has been taken offline temporarily due to copyright issues.  When the issue is resolved I'll make sure to post the link.

DMU Vids, Update

As many of you know video of this term's classes having been going on Google Video for the world to see. Every week more clips go up and every day more people are tuning into to DMU. In an effort to help spread word about these new fangled moving pictures there is now a simple interface to access all of Spring term 2007 streaming vids.

You can find the drop-down menu on the downloads page of the official Diamond Mountain website.

A big thanks to Benzadaka for spearheading this huge project.

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Student Union, It Begins

Sure we have the Nectar Lounge, i.e. a big tent with wood floors, but DM still doesn't have a dedicated building where students can meet, eat, and work. Enter the Student Union. The next building on the Diamond Mountain slab is this magnificent structure that will include lots of study space, a commercial grade kitchen, and meeting areas.

If you've spent any time camping at DM you know the importance of getting out of the heat/cold and screaming banshee winds. Fundraising has begun and anything would help. You can always make secure online donations at this page of the DM website.

Make sure to check out the larger version of the artist rendering.

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Retreat Land Consecration

Today Geshe Lotar honored us by consecrating the future three-year retreat land and then leading all in the practice of Lama Chupa. The event took place in the middle of the retreat valley on a beautiful mountain side. Geshe-la began by teaching a bit on the practice of Lama yoga after being formally requested to do so by Geshe Michael and Lama Christie. The teaching was quite sweet. Next came the very short consecration, followed by the Lama Chupa practice itself. Once the formalities ended participants had the chance of making offerings to Geshe Lotar and his assistant Jhampa Dundrup.

Thank you, Geshe Lotar, for coming back to DM. We'll see you soon.

images from the day

Geshe Lotar Returning to DM

Next week our favorite former vice-abbot of Sera Mey Monastery will be returning to Diamond Mountain. Geshe Lotar arrives on Friday, May 18th and will remain at DM throughout the weekend. On Saturday evening Geshe-la will be teaching refuge and on Sunday at 3:00 he will honor us again by performing a consecration of the future three-year retreat land. What's more, Geshe Lotar will be arriving with Jhampa Dhundrup, a wonderful monk from Sera who has played a major role in saving ancient Tibetan texts. He also makes a wicked cup of tea.

So join us this weekend in welcoming Geshe-la and Jhampa-la to our little school. It will be a memorable event.

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Spring '07, Service Day #1

The sun shone in their faces. The wind beat at their backs. The dust stung their eyes. It was a Diamond Mountain service day. Today, May 1st, was the first community service day of Spring term 2007. For those not in the loop, service days are the three or four days per term that we all get out of the books, computers, minds, etc. and get dirty working on around Diamond Mountain. They are a nice change from the meditation cushion to the mortar shovel.

Today's jobs included building a stem wall near the temple, plastering at Jamyang house, working on a retreat site, and setting up a propper composting center. Check out the photos of the days events. Enjoy.

link to photos

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