Talent Show and Fundraiser This Sunday

This Sunday from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM the Temple will be the site of the Fall Term DM talent show! All those with talent or at least those who think they have talent are encouraged to come out, get applauded (or sympathized with), and help raise money for the campground. Oh, excuse me.  Did you ask about refreshments? I'm glad you did, because Ted Lemon will be making cappuccinos and espressos (he's got a machine) to aid in the fundraising efforts.  All money will go towards campground maintenance and upgrade. So come out and show it off or at least witness the amazing plethora of DM talent.

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Apache Blessing at DM

For many generations the land we now call Diamond Mountain was home to the Apache people. When outside forces came to remove these people there was struggle and bloodshed. Many terrible things happened on the land and DM wants to make things right and purify those actions.

This Wednesday and Thursday Apache spiritual leader Cranston Hoffman and prayer warriors will come to Diamond Mountain to help clean and bless the holy land. Our own Allegra Ahlquist is heading up the events. From her email:

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m. in the Temple: drumming and singing sacred Apache songs and explanation of holy ground ceremony. NO CAMERAS OR VIDEOS. Afterwards we'll show a short PBS documentary Geronimo and the Apache Resistance, most of it shot around Bowie.

Thursday, Oct. 18, about 10 a.m. to noonish: Holy Ground ceremony on hill across from the wash. You will see and hear where it is. You're free to come and go as you need to. Bring a hat and something to sit on. Join us afterwards for a potluck lunch.

No doubt we Buddhist can do some good to bring the land back to a peaceful state.  And we will do so with our spiritual friends the Apaches.

Maroke Exam Coming, Oct. 21

The Diamond Mountain education is founded on Buddhist studies of the Gelukpa tradition. Over many years these teachings were condensed, clarified, and formalized into the Asian Classics Institute series of courses.  There are a total of 18 courses that included ten classes each, with readings, homeworks, and even a final exam.  Those who complete this rigorous, seven to three year training, received the title of "maroke," which means guide.  The final test to become one of the chosen is the dreaded maroke exam.  The traditional way of performing this is in a public debate much like the final exam to become a Geshe.  This Sunday at DM we will hold such a maroke exam.  The testing will take place after the service day, during dinner in the temple.  People can eat and watch the examinees take their last steps to becoming a guide.  Don't miss it.

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AcroYoga Coming to DM

This Thursday and Friday morning yoga will be led by AcroYoga founders Jenny Sauer-Klein and Jason Nemer.  AcroYoga looks like a very fun way of getting crazy with your channels.  From the AcroYoga website.

AcroYoga blends the spiritual wisdom of yoga, the loving kindness of Thai massage, and the dynamic power of Acrobatics.

Many of the AcroYoga pictures feature people twisting, stretching, and flying; which seem like good things to do.  Perhaps the don't-miss-it event of the term.  Jason and Jenny's classes will be from 9:30 - 11:30 AM in the temple.

AcroYoga website

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Tucson Debate Seminar

Calling all city slickers, this Tuesday the Tucson debate ground will start with a short debate 101 seminar.  Tucsonian Guy Wheeler will lead a class at Himmel Park (Tucson Debate HQ) at 6:00 PM.  Guy will show you how to put the fun in functional when it comes to logic.  Ever wondered what the difference between tak ma drup and kyappa ma jung is?  The education begins this week.

Consider Diamond Mountain debaters,

They are happy people,

Because they know a good proof when the hear one.

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F07-01 Service Day Pics

The shower queue is full.  Community dinner is being devoured.  The dust is settling.  All signs that today's community service day has just come to and end.

Each term Diamond Mountain has three or four community service days in which students get out of the classroom and get on the land (and get the land on them) doing various outdoor physical projects.  Today's work included planting trees around the temple, making earth bag steps on the debate ground, working on the composting system, and many more great jobs.  Want to see images?  You can find them here.

images of the day

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