Asheville Buddhist Center celebrates fifth anniversary

PRESS RELEASE: 
Urban Dharma NC invites the public to a festival celebration of the fifth anniversary of its founding, entitled “Living the Life Abundant: A Mandala for Openness, Generosity, and Joy.” Tibetan Buddhist monks Khenpo Choephel, from Pittsburgh, and Lama Sonam, from Boston, will construct a Tibetan sand mandala in the storefront at 29 Page Avenue, visible to the public, over the course of 7 days. These monks will also offer a series of blessings and teachings to the public.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Jambhala is associated with the principle of abundance. This abundance is the basis for manifesting openness, generosity, and magnanimity in all aspects of living—it is even the basis for uncovering our own innate buddha nature. When we make a habit of generosity, this will result in abundance of positive inner qualities and contentment, as well as a material abundance that allows us to benefit others.

The festival celebration of abundance, or Jambhala, will begin with a social gathering and silent auction at the Battery Park Apartments Ballroom at 1 Battle Square, and conclude with the dissolution of the sand mandala. Other programs will include:

Ikebana flower arrangement demonstration by Emiko Suzuki.
A discussion on myth and subtle energy by Rich Fabio.
A presentation on five mandala principles by Dr. Hun Lye.
An interfaith forum.
Visits by school groups.

All programs are offered by donation. A portion of the proceeds will be used for medical support for the monks and nuns of Jangchub Ling in Dehradun, India.

Most programs will be held at Urban Dharma, 29 Page Avenue, Asheville.

 

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About Thomas Calder
Thomas Calder received his MFA in Fiction from the University of Houston's Creative Writing Program. His writing has appeared in Gulf Coast, the Miracle Monocle, Juked and elsewhere. His debut novel, The Wind Under the Door, is now available.

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