Dear Friends,

Ashe Acharya John Rockwell, Acharya Suzann Duquette (named an Acharya this summer!), and I composed this offering one afternoon while the Sakyong was here in October - for the second time this year. What a year this has been! We hosted the first ever Scorpion Seal Assembly. We purchased nearly 200 acres of land across West Barnet Road. His Eminence Namkha Drimed Rinpoche cleared the obstacles for us to begin building the Stupa that Conquers All Directions, and we named a project manager for the Stupa, Jane Mi. The Sakyong visited us twice. On his second visit, he conferred the Vajrakilaya Abhisheka for the first time and taught a very potent Sangha Retreat. It has been a year of richness! Thank you to those of you who were able to attend these pivotal events and who contributed your support, time, and energy.

There is much to say but, in order to promote harmony with the natural world, we have decided to provide most of the year-end information via the web rather than paper. Please visit our website http://www.karmecholing.org/yearendletter for more information about our finances, highlights of 2009, and a look at what’s coming up in 2010. There are also updates on the Karmê Chöling staff. Our staff is a remarkable group of practitioners committed to enriching not only this wonderful place, but themselves and all who come here.

In the details about our finances, you will find that Karmê Chöling remains free of long-term debt (except for our mortgage). We continue to operate very carefully, and remain in fundamentally good financial health. Thank you to those of you who have contributed, continue to contribute, and will contribute so this remains true.

It is important for you to know 2010 is the 40th Anniversary of Karmê Chöling. You could say that it is the 40th Anniversary of the Venerable Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s stream of teachings in North America. Please mark your calendar for Memorial Day weekend. We hope you will be able to join us for the planned anniversary festivities.

We are mailing this letter to approximately 6,000 friends and supporters of Karmê Chöling. We rely on you to help sustain, enrich, and nourish this powerful place of practice. This year-end appeal is often our biggest single source of income for the year. Please give what you can. Consider joining the Saddharma Association or the Kubera Association (our ongoing monthly donor groups) if you haven’t, or consider increasing your monthly donation if you are already a member. Please come visit us! And, above all, thank you for all that you do.

Please go to the donations page of our website if you would like to make your donation online.

Yours in the Vision of the Great Eastern Sun,

Jane Arthur

Executive Director