Archive for category: News

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ANNUAL KTC BOOTH AT COMFEST

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Every year, Columbus KTC presents an information booth at Comfest for what is probably our biggest outreach event of the year, and we are looking for returning and new volunteers to help make our booth a success again this year. Comfest is a local music festival with an emphasis on community and celebrating local creativity and activism. Check out their website and mission statement here.

During a shift as a booth volunteer for Comfest, you will do the following:

  • Greet booth visitors and give them a brief overview of the beginner programs we offer at Columbus KTC—free Intro to Meditation and Intro to Buddhism classes every Sunday.
  • Then just have natural conversation about meditation, Buddhism, and the center itself if booth visitors are looking to converse more.
  • Offer booth guests fliers with information about our center and weekly schedule.
  • Perhaps sell some of the small merchandise we will have available in the booth: incense, prayer flags, malas, books . . .
  • Hang out with fellow Sangha volunteers, take breaks to go get some yummy festival food, and check out the festival yourself before or after your shift!
  • We will also need some volunteers to help set-up and take down the booth at the beginning and end of the festival.

You do not have to be an expert on meditation or Buddhism to volunteer at the booth. A friendly attitude and a solid understanding and experience of Columbus KTC’s intro programs and how they have benefited you is all that is required!

Come have fun with us and help make the local community aware of all we have to offer at KTC! Sign up for a shift at the link here.

Email Justin Fitch at communications@columbusktc.org with any questions about how to sign up for a shift.

For all other questions, contact Samuel England at samuel.england@live.com or Joseph Meyer at meyerjoseph13@gmail.com.

Thanks in advance – looking forward to hanging with everyone at the festival!

A rainbow flag blows in the wind

Queer Sangha Group Starts Meetings in June! Wednesday, June 24 at 6:00 PM

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We are happy to announce the formation of Columbus KTC’s Queer Sangha group. We are launching in June in honor of Pride!

This queer-focused, queer-led group is for LGBTQI+ practitioners and those seeking fellowship with queer sangha. We will gather for practice, conversation, and community rooted in dharma, belonging, and queer lived experience.

This is a space for the questions, humor, complexity, history, resilience, and joy that queer people may bring to the path. A space for honest conversation and shared practice, where queer experience does not have to be translated, minimized, or left outside the shrine room door.

We hope this group will help KTC’s queer sangha become more visible, connected, and accessible, including for people who are newer, returning, questioning, far away, or looking for a way to connect with our community.

The Queer Sangha group will meet at 6:00 PM on the 4th Wednesday of the month in the KTC Community Room. Come in person if possible, or, if you would like to attend by Zoom, please email queersangha@columbusktc.org in advance and we will send you the Zoom information. Please also email if you have any questions or want to learn more about the group.

Our first meeting is Wednesday, June 24 at 6:00 PM. Please ring the doorbell and enter through the parking lot door, and gather in the Community room downstairs. We hope to see you there!

Starting at 1:30 PM Tuesday April 8! Columbus KTC Statue Consecration Puja

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The day of celebration has come for members and friends of Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling – our new shrine is installed, and the statues filled.
Now all that remains is to consecrate the statues and sertok spire. The puja, led by Lama Tashi Dondup, Khenpo Ugyen Tenzin and Khenpo Sangye Trinley will start at 1:30 PM Eastern Time at the KTC, 645 W. Rich St., Columbus.
The 90-minute session will be in Tibetan, but all are welcome to observe and recite mantras.
It will be webcast live on the Columbus KTC YouTube Page and Columbus KTC Facebook page.
May all be auspicious! May all beings benefit!

KTC Programs Taking Place as Usual THIS Sunday – Shrine Room Seating To Be Adjusted for Construction

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We’re sure you’ve been following our story this week as our long-awaited Shrine Installation began this past Monday.

As the installation winds down this weekend, we wanted to let you know that all our regular Sunday programs will take place as usual this coming Sunday, April 6.

That means we will have our usual Introduction to Meditation class and First-Sunday Chenrezig chant at 10 AM; and our Introduction to Buddhism class, Children’s Program, and Dharma Talk at 11:30 AM.

We will even have a free all-sangha lunch for everyone after the Dharma Talk ends at 12:30. Consider it a celebration of community for the benefit of all beings!

The only adjustment we will have to make will be in the seating arrangement for the 10 AM Open Meditation in our Shrine Room.

Due to preparations for the Statue Filling and Consecration activities next week, the north part of the shrine room will be occupied by tables and statuary, necessitating a seating shift toward the center and south ends of the shrine room.

We hope this one-week inconvenience will be well worthwhile when we unveil the new statues and shrine NEXT Sunday, April 13.

Exciting Times at KTC!

Meanwhile, if you’d like to contribute to our Shrine and Spire pledge drive, you can sign up here: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Fulfilling-the-Vision-of-Khenpo-Karthar-Rinpoche.html?soid=1102656873809&aid=mwEbR-f75Go

Fulfilling Khenpo Rinpoche’s Vision

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Dear friend of Columbus KTC,

Three years ago, our community celebrated the joyous opening of our new home. The center has flourished beautifully since that time, but our building journey is not yet complete.

Before his passing in 2019, our beloved founder Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche entrusted us with a sacred task – to build a shrine that would house the three statues he had carefully selected, and place the golden sertok spire atop our building.

These projects will expand KTC’s ability to connect with all who seek the wisdom of the Karma Kagyu lineage.

We’ve made great fundraising progress, but need to raise a total of $85,000 to complete this crucial phase.

Today, we are calling on you to make a gift that will bring this project to life. Your contribution, of any amount, will have a profound and lasting impact.

To get started click here to fill out the pledge form and then visit Kindful to make your donation online.

Together, let us honor our founder’s legacy and create a sacred space that will be a blessing for generations to come. Thank you for your support!

May all beings benefit.

Sincerely,

The Columbus KTC Board

Don’t Worry – Parking at KTC is OK!

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Some of you may have noticed the signs that were placed on our parking lot this week by the Ohio department Of Transportation.
While KTC owns the land underneath our parking lot, the use of the parking lot is controlled by ODOT, which holds the right way.
Recently, we had problems with junk cars being left on our parking lot, so ODOT, trying to be helpful, place these no parking signs on our parking lot.
However, this may be confusing for our Sunday and Saturday attendees.
Despite what the signs say, you are allowed to park on our parking lot when you attend KTC programs.
We will begin working directly with ODOT next week to see if we can arrange a different location for those signs, or different signs all together.
Meanwhile, please be assured that it is OK for you to park in our lot.
Thank you for your understanding; may all be benefit 🙂

Tag Sale to Benefit Lama Karma’s Rescue Animals (This Weekend!)

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During this weekend’s Dharma Teaching by Lama Karma Drodhul, be sure to take a look at the amazing items in a special Tag Sale and Silent Auction to benefit Lama Karma’s rescue animals.

Some years back, as part of a Tibetan spiritual practice called Life Release, Lama Karma purchased some farm animals that were being raised for slaughter and placed them at the Red Robin Song Animal Sanctuary in upstate New York. Proceeds from the Tag Sale and Silent Auction will provide food and lodging for the rescued animals – allowing us to share in the merit of their rescue!

Look for the Tag Sale in our downstairs Community Room before teaching sessions and during meal breaks at the Saturday and Sunday teaching sessions. May all beings benefit!

Image Credit: Jim Chute, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Losar Special Event: Have a Heart for the Homeless

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Wednesday 1/1/2025 – Sunday 2/2/2025

Compassion In Action! Just as Tara is stepping off the cushion to rescue beings, KTC is stepping up to collect winter wear and supplies for our homeless neighbors here in Franklinton, to start the New Year off right!

Declutter Your Closet, Used and Thrifted OK

  • Warm Clothing / Coats
  • Sleeping Bags / Tents
  • Insulated Gloves
  • Hats / Wool Socks
  • Hand Warmer Packets
  • Granola Bars

Have Questions? Reach out to to Winie Wirth (wirthwitte@att.net)

KTC’s Snow and Weather Cancellation Policy

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If the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office declares a Level 2 or Level 3 Snow Emergency, KTC will CANCEL its programming.

KTC will monitor these alerts and try to get the word out quickly if events need to be cancelled.  Prior to regular Sunday events, we will make a determination by 5 PM Saturday about whether KTC will be open the next day.

We’ll follow a similar course of action for other special events.

Please keep a look out for weather alerts and monitor conditions for your own safety. Information about alerts issued by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office can be found at the link below:

https://sheriff.franklincountyohio.gov/Information/Snow-Level-Emergency

Annual Election Nomination Period Open

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In accordance with KTC elections policy, the board has opened nominations for the offices of Columbus KTC Director (2 yr term), Secretary (2 yr term), and Member-at-Large (1 yr term). 

 

Nominations

Any KTC member in good standing may be nominated for the position, but it is wise to check with the person first before nominating them. Nominees must receive two nominations from members in good standing to become eligible candidates for the office.

Nominations will be received by election chair Justin Fitch at

communications@columbusktc.org, or in writing to Columbus KTC, Attn: Justin Fitch, 645 W. Rich Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. You may also call Columbus KTC at (614) 228-6546 to nominate someone by phone.

All nominations–whether by email, phone, or postal mail–must be received by 11:59pm on December 29th, 2024.

If you are curious about the duties of a board member, what each positions entails, etc . . . you are invited to talk to any of our current board members about their work. Here are our current board members: https://columbusktc.org/our-organization/

 

Membership

We also invite people who are considering membership in Columbus KTC to take this opportunity to become members and join us in this process; we welcome your input. To become a member, please visit our pledge page.For more details on the election policy, please see this document: Columbus KTC Board Elections Policy 14.1-1.