<div>Please join us in supporting the Ordination of our lovely Laura: a greatly loved and long standing member of our NY NJ Sangha who is joining the Triratna Order in August. Laura has no financial assets and lives entirely upon her coaching income - and is only paid when she works. So we need to raise funds for her retreat costs, and her Private Preceptor's (Padmadharini) and also to cover her losses while she is away, so she can come home to a supportive context.
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<div>Laura shared this with us: "When I think about my practice, it feels like I AM my practice, and my practice is integrated into every aspect of my life. Consciously aware to replace the lens of delusion with the lens of the dharma, I remind myself that like all things, my practice will change and will often challenge me. It will ask that I continue to look deeply within, without fear but curiosity, without judgement but with kindness toward myself and others. I cannot imagine life without practice. Keep practicing, keep practicing....
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<div>When I received my invitation into the Order, I experienced a shift within myself. This shift was not forced and it felt very natural. I asked for ordination because I wanted my practice and the fruits of my practice to go deeper, not just for me but for all sentient beings. I wanted to express my commitment to the Three Jewels with an aspiration of Bodhicitta. My journey is not singular and there's much I can learn from other Order members and much I can give as I continue to develop on this most profound and beautiful path....with deep gratitude to my sangha and my Kula who have lifted me up, inspired, and believed in me unwaveringly."
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<div>Padmadharini is overjoyed that Laura is making this step - "Laura was the person who greeted me 11 years ago when I visited NY to explore coming to teach for a while. We had an instant connection that has flourished and grown over the years. I have had the privilege of watching her heart connection to the Dharma and Sangha grow and evolve. Her generosity of spirit and unwavering commitment to her practice are evident. She has been crucial to the growth of our small sangha, extending the hand of generosity to all who are interested. We are blessed to have Laura joining the Order, and I feel so happy to be Ordaining her."
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<div>Please help however you can - no gift is too small or large!!
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<div>thank you &amp; much love to you all
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<div>Samayasri 
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<div>(Amanda Seller)
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Help Laura Join the Triratna Order

<strong>PLEASE HELP Lona Kovacs to attend her Ordination retreat at Akashavana in Spain in Spring 2022 </strong><br /><br />Fundraising goal: $6,000<br /><br />It is with great joy that we announce Lona’s invitation to attend the 2022 three-month Ordination Retreat at Akashavana Retreat Center in the mountains of Spain. This retreat will mark her joining the Triratna Buddhist Order. <br /><br />However, Lona simply cannot afford to attend this remarkable and life-changing retreat without our help.  <br /><br />The cost of the retreat itself is approximately $4,700 (approx. 12 weeks), and the travel expenses will be approximately $1,300.<br /><br />So we need to raise $6,000.  <br /><br /><strong><br />WHY Lona needs these funds for this retreat: </strong><br /><br />Lona was recently diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis, which led to a total hip replacement in May 2021. After twelve weeks of recovery, she has slowly returned to her various jobs. These include her plant design business, her line of homemade herbal remedies, fine gardening, teaching yoga, and being a retreat chef at the Aryaloka Buddhist Center; none of which provides any income while she is away. <br /><br />Earlier this year Lona and friends fundraised for the hip replacement, which enabled her to meet the $8,000 deductible. She remains very grateful to friends and family for that support! Unfortunately, with medical bills and being out of work for so long, she does not have any savings or income to cover her expenses for the retreat.<br /><br /><strong> WHY support Lona </strong> <br /><br />Lona finds deep meaning in serving her community. She has pursued other career paths in the past but has always come back to putting her energy into service to others: work that she loves and is skilled at, but which is not highly paid. This ordination retreat will allow her to gather herself for the next phase of her life and then continue to be of service to the communities she belongs to. <br /><br /><strong>About Lona:</strong><br /><br />Lona lives in Maine (USA) with her husband Suddhayu, an Order Member in Triratna. During the last two decades has focused on building Right-Livelihood projects that serve her community.  She taught yoga in Dover, NH for 15 years, owning her own studio for six of those years. With Suddhayu, she stewarded a farm/CSA (community supported agriculture) offering organically grown vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers for seven years.  She also waitressed at farm-to-table restaurants. Connections she made there led her to start her own business focusing on plant container design and installation for small businesses in the Seacoast area. <br /><br />Presently, she continues to run her plant business while also working part-time as a fine gardener with an organic landscape company. This past fall, she relaunched her herbal medicine line, called Witch's Dream Botanicals, with great success at a local craft fair.<br /><br />Thank you so much for considering this appeal on behalf of dear Lona - and please do give if you can!<br /><br />Padmadharini, Sunada, Viriyalila and Viriyagita<br />(We are a team of 4 Order Members who have supported Lona through this process.)<br /><br /><strong>AND FROM LONA HERSELF - Thank you so much for considering a donation! </strong><br /><br />My ordination invitation letter arrived in November 2021, during the full moon and longest lunar eclipse in 500 years! I do feel this is of auspicious significance! <br /><br />As my kind friends launch this fundraiser on the Full Moon right before the Winter Solstice, may this light result in great prosperity and generosity! <br /><br />With huge thanks to all of you.  Lona x

Ordination Retreat for Lona Kovacs

<p>Savage Society and our friends at 2 Rivers Remix Society is starting this fundraiser on behalf of folks in Lytton, BC, our friends, family, 2 legged and 4 legged, Elders and young ones, who have had to flee their homes and are experiencing much loss.
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<p>Kumsheen, the place in the heart where the blood mixes. At the convergence of the great rivers.
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<p>This is in response to a wildfire in the community of Lytton BC, hometown of our artistic director Kevin Loring
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<p>The funds will be used for both immediate needs and Re-establishment and kept aside for these purposes. 
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<p>Funds will be received and distributed by Savage Society www.savagesociety.ca a not for profit society with a majority N’lakapamux Board of Directors together with community members.
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<p><span style="font-size:1.0625rem;">Savage Society Board of Directors are Gloria Raphael, Jacyntha England, Alice Joe, Meredith Elliot, Romona Baxter and David Walkem.<br /><br /></span>more info here: 
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<p><a href="https://savagesociety.ca/about-us/our-board/"><a href="https://savagesociety.ca/about-us/our-board/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://savagesociety.ca/about-us/our-board/</a></a> 
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Helping our friends in Lytton

<p><span style="font-size:1.0625rem;">The climate crisis may be big, but our movement to stop it is </span><strong style="font-size:1.0625rem;">even bigger.</strong>
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<p>Youth around the world have made their voices heard loud and clear - we are in a climate emergency and need <strong>urgent action</strong> <strong>now.</strong> On September 27th, we mobilized 1 million people across Canada, including 150,000 people to the the streets of Vancouver.
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<p>The Sustainabiliteens is a movement of youth in Metro Vancouver who have been organizing massive climate strikes since December 2018. We are raising the alarm and <strong>shifting the narrative</strong> on the climate crisis. Our movement is entirely youth-led, volunteer-run, and grassroots, with members ranging from 10-23 years old.
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<p><span style="font-size:1.0625rem;">Youth deserve to have a say in our future, and we are making our voices heard. We will continue to organize </span><strong style="font-size:1.0625rem;">climate strikes, community building events, and youth training sessions.</strong>
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<p><span style="font-size:1.0625rem;">We will use your donation  for:</span>
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<p>-<strong>Strike and Event Logistics: </strong>renting sound equipment/other materials, honorariums for speakers and performers, venue rentals<br />-<strong>Art Supplies: </strong>paint and manner to creatively amplify our message<br /><strong>-Spreading Our Message: </strong>photographers, videographers, posters, online advertisements, maintaining our website to expand our reach<br />-<strong>Education</strong>: running workshops and trainings for our organizers and youth across Metro Vancouver
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<p><span style="font-size:1.0625rem;">This movement is about more than just reducing emissions - it's about demanding Indigenous sovereignty, growing stronger communities, and building a more just world. </span>
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<p><span style="font-size:1.0625rem;">We are so grateful for supporters like you, no matter how much or little you are able to support. This is our opportunity to come together and stand up for climate justice. Will you join in?</span>
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<p><span style="font-size:1.0625rem;">For more information and to stay updated,</span><span style="font-size:1.0625rem;"> follow us on social media:</span>
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<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sustainabiliteens/">Facebook</a> <br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sustainabiliteens/?hl=en">Instagram</a> <br /><a href="https://twitter.com/sustainteens?lang=en">Twitter</a>
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<p>Video Credit: Ursula Galvao
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Climate Strike Vancouver - Sustainabiliteens

<img class="not-resizable" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/18627770_1518698869.797_funddescription.png" alt="" width="100%" /><br /><br />You can donate via this site or direct to Adhisthana.

Prajnaparamita Rupa @ Adhisthana

Christine Thuring

<div>Two of my favourite Buddhist Centres need financial support, and I'm prepared to run a series of races to raise funds. I've never done a trail race, and am training for the <a href="https://www.5peaks.com/british-columbia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5 Peaks series in British Columbia</a>.
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<div><strong>Please join me in this practice of generosity. Help my spiritual community grow and flourish, for the benefit of all beings. I'll consider running more races until my goal is achieved.</strong>
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<div>The <a href="https://vancouverbuddhistcentre.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vancouver Buddhist Centre</a> and <a href="https://tiratanaloka.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tiratnaloka Retreat Centre</a> enrich the lives of many, for the benefit of all. Both rely on the generosity economy to operate. Both are under pressures relating to real estate. Donations can be made by credit card here, or at the same campaign on <button data-competitor="competitor-link" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">PayPal</button>. Thank you!
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<div><a href="https://ysp.org.uk/art-outdoors/buddha" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buddha, Niki de St-Phalle, Yorkshire Sculpture Park</a>
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Christine Thuring

Christine Thuring

What they care about

Featured causes

Fundraising for my two favourite Buddhist Centres

Help Laura Join the Triratna Order

Ordination Retreat for Lona Kovacs

Helping our friends in Lytton

Climate Strike Vancouver - Sustainabiliteens

About me