Annual Report 2006

Triple Gem of the North
Annual Report 2006

Triple Gem of the North was established in 2003 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and practice of the Buddha. Triple Gem of the North sponsors meditation and Sutta study classes, as well as meditation retreats and various disaster relief efforts.

In 2006, Triple Gem of the North continued our mission through the events and functions as noted below.

Triple Gem of the North started the New Year with Blessing Ceremonies at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Mankato January 2^nd and Heartwood Mindfulness Center, Minneapolis January 6th. Bhante Sathi conducted presentations in Mankato for MSU seniors at the Congregational Church and for the Centenary United Methodist Men’s Group. He also held a half day meditation retreat at Sun Moon Yoga, Mankato and participated in a discussion at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter. A two part lecture series, “Core of Buddhism”, was held at the Heartwood Mindulness Center, Minneapolis January 13^th & 20^th and at the Blue Earth Library, Mankato Feb 25^th & 26^th.

In March, Bhante Sathi gave speeches for International Women’s Day at MSU, Mankato, Awareness Day, South Central College, Mankato and at the Open Bridges Conference, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter. On March 13^th & 14^th Sister Ani Pema, a Buddhist Nun, visited the weekly Mankato and St. Peter meditation classes. Meditation retreats were held at the Blue Earth Library, Mankato and Chanhassen Library, Chanhassen.

April began with a retreat for the MSU meditation group in Mankato. On the 23^rd, Triple Gem of the North members raised funds at a food booth at the International Festival. The month ended with a Vesak celebration conducted by monks and nuns of various Buddhist traditions, hosted by Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter.

On May 2^nd, Bhante Sathi joined a discussion panel at Ridgewater College, Hutchinson. He also gave a talk and conducted meditation at the University Baptist Church, Minneapolis. Triple Gem of the North sponsored a retreat May 14^th at the Williams Nature Center Park, Mankato.

In an ongoing commitment by Triple Gem of the North to support the families and communities affected by the 2004 Tsunami, Bhante Sathi visited Sri Lanka in June to establish the “Help A Child Fund”. The program provides for fifty children who are impoverished, have lost one or both parents in the tsunami and are in desperate need of adequate food, medical care, and school supplies. Support will be provided for one year with 100% of donations being applied to the cause.

Summer also marked the one year anniversary of the Triple Gem of the North monthly newsletter “Insight: Voice of Wisdom”. There were also changes to the weekly meditation classes with the Minneapolis group moving to the First Unitarian Society, Minneapolis and the Chanhassen Group to the Chanhassen Library. A new class was added at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter while the Mankato group remained at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

Venerable Bhante Punnaji returned to Minnesota to conduct retreats at the Lake Crystal land site August 6^th and Chua Phat An Buddhist Temple, Roseville August 12^th. He also held public speeches at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Mankato August 6^th and First Unitarian Society, Minneapolis August 11^th. Bhante Sathi led a meditation retreat for staff at ISJ Hospital, Mankato August 19^th. He was also invited to attend a Buddhist gathering in Rochester August 20^th and a retreat at BLBV, Chicago, IL August 24^th.

The “Core of Buddhism” lecture series was held September 21^st & 28^th in Chanhassen.

Triple Gem of the North sponsored a moonlight retreat at the Lake Crystal land site October 7^th. Bhante Sathi also participated in a Kathina Ceremony October 21th in Michigan followed by a Robe Ceremony, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Mankato October 30^th.

A retreat was conducted November 4^th at the Williams Nature Center, Mankato. Bhante Sathi was invited to speak at DWMS in Clearwater,FL and attend a Robe Ceremony November 11^th. His speaking engagements continued in the Chapel at Carlton College November 12^th and the World Religion Class at MSU, Mankato. He also held a Thanksgiving Retreat at Chu a Phat An Temple, Roseville.

Bhante Sathi led Mankato’s Sangha members in a memorial service for Julie Lorentz, mother of member Melissa Lorentz on November 18th. For many in attendance, this was their first Buddhist memorial.

On December 22^nd, Triple Gem of the North established the Buddhist Meditation Center, located in Mankato. This is the first permanent location of Triple Gem Of the North and willprovide accommodations for Buddhist monks and nuns, space for meditation, to study teachings of the Buddha (Sutra study classes) and sponsor meditation retreats around the state of Minnesota.

The organizations website, www.triplegem.org, does a tremendous service all around the web world. Our official e-mail address is info@triplegem.org.

May the Triple Gem always be with you.