Triple Gem of the North was
established in 2003 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the study
and practice of the teachings of the Buddha. Since that time, Triple Gem
has grown in the variety of ways it serves others, expanding from an
initial offering of meditation retreats and sutra classes to a fuller
complement of classes. The year 2007 was particularly noteworthy, as a
permanent home was established in Mankato, MN.
Throughout 2007, the mission of Triple Gem has been continued through a
series of regular activities including weekly meditation classes,
special retreats, outreach, arranging for guest speakers in various
locations, etc. Regularly scheduled activities during 2007 included
Monday night meditation classes at the Unitarian Universalist Church in
Mankato; Wednesday noon meditation class at South Central College during
spring semester; Tuesday night meditation class at Gustavus Adolphus
College in St. Peter, MN; bi-weekly meditation classes at Carlton
College in Northfield, MN; and Saturday morning meditation class at
Chanhassen, MN. In addition, Triple Gem experimented with providing a
variety of different study and practice opportunities throughout 2007,
testing the needs and interests of the community. Included in this group
of classes were Beginning and Advanced Yoga, Sutra Studies, Film Nights,
Book Club, Sunday morning services, Tai-Chi, Pali Chanting, Yogananda
Group, Youth meditation, Om meditation, Buddhism Classes, and Round
Table Discussions, all available at the Mankato Center. Some of these
offerings were continued for a few months and then were replaced by
others; some of these classes continued all year. Triple Gem strived for
flexibility and breadth to best serve the community. The special
retreats, outreach, guest speakers, and other services provided by
Triple Gem during 2007 are described in detail below.
On January 7, Triple Gem celebrated its first permanent location with an
opening ceremony at the Mankato Meditation Center at 311 East Elm
Street, Mankato, MN. Celebrants included Bhante Sathi (founder), Bhante
Magama Dhammajeewa of Pasadena, CA, and Sister Ani Pema Tsultim of
Chanhassen, MN. On January 14, a one day retreat was held at the North
Mankato Fire Station with Bhante Sathi. Bhante Sathi traveled to
Oklahoma City to give a speech and provide a one day retreat on the
22nd.
On February 3, visiting monk Bhante Sujatha from the Blue Lotus Buddhist
Temple, Woodstock, IL, gave a speech at Chanhassen and again at the
Mankato Center. On February 7th, Bhante Sathi gave a speech at the
Minnesota State University, Mankato Student Union. Also on the 7th, the
community gave a dana offering for 10 monks at the Mankato Center. On
February 8th, Bhante Sathi gave a talk at South Central College in N.
Mankato. On February 9 the community provided dinner for a group of
Tibetan Monks staying in Mankato to create a traditional sand mandala at
the University. Bhante Sathi traveled to Grifton, Massachusetts to
conduct a retreat on the 10th, and provided an Introduction to Buddhism
class on the 22nd at North Iowa Community College, Mason City, Iowa.
In March, a retreat was held with Bhante Sathi at the Mankato Center on
the 18th. He traveled again to North Iowa Community College to continue
the Introduction to Buddhism class on the 15th. On the 29th, regular
biweekly meditation classes were started again in Northfield, MN, at the
Northfield Zen Center and Carlton College. Bhante Sathi gave a public
speech on Vipassana Meditation in Roseville, MN, on March 30 which was
followed by a one day retreat on the 31st at Chua Phat An Buddhist
Temple.
In April, Bhante Sathi gave a dhamma talk at the Northfield Zen Center
on the Buddhist Concept of Generosity. The Sri Lanken New Year was
celebrated on the 14th with Sri Lanken friends at the Center. Mary Jo
Meadows, a renowned meditation teacher, was guest speaker on the 15th at
the Center, focusing on Meditation for Life. Gustavus Adolphus College
was the site of a well attended Vesak Day Celebration on April 22nd.
Bhante Sujatha was the guest speaker and conductor of the meditation
retreat for the Full Moon Day retreat on May 3. Master Lin, a Qigong
Master, was keynote speaker for the May 5th Vesak Day Celebration held
at the UU Church in Mankato. A third Vesak Day Celebration was held May
12th at Carlton College in Northfield with ten other monks. On May 26,
Bhante Punnaji from Los Angeles spoke at Chua Phat An Buddhist Temple in
Roseville, MN, and conducted a retreat.
Bhante Mudhitha, Founder of Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara in Michigan
visited for the month of June while Bhante Sathi was in Sri Lanka.
Throughout this month Bhante Mudhitha offered regular Pali language
classes, meditation, and discussions. On June 24, Bhante Mudhitha gave a
retreat at North Mankato.
In July, two retreats were held at the Mankato Meditation Center—on July
28 and Vass Aradana Full Moon Retreat on July 29.
August saw the beginning of Tai Chi classes and the continuation of
other regularly scheduled events.
Bhante Sathi provided a one day retreat at the Chua Phat An Buddhist
Temple on Sept. 29. Bhante Punna, a resident monk of Mankato, provided a
Dhamma talk on Mindfulness after the retreat which was open to the
public.
On October 7, a thank you lunch was provided by the monks and community
at the Mankato Center to show appreciation for all the support that had
been provided over the first year at the permanent location. On the
13th, acupuncturist, Amy Zoet provided an acupuncture fundraising event
at the Center. Mary Jo Meadow returned for another guest speech on Oct.
14. Bhante Sathi provided a one day retreat on Oct. 28 at the Center.
On November 18, guest speaker Dosho Port, a Buddhist monk in the Zen
tradition, gave a talk on “Attaining the Way in Zen” at the Center. On
the same day, following the Vassana retreat, a robe ceremony was held.
In December, the first of a series of Buddhist Certificate classes
started which will run for several weeks. These classes are weekly and
held at the Center. Between December 12 and 18, Bhante Sathi’s teacher
from Sri Lanka visited, the Venerable Dhammawasa. He provided
opportunities for discussion and held a special chanting for the
community on the 16th. On December 29, a New Year’s Blessing chanting
was held. On the 31st, a New Year’s Eve retreat was held.
During the course of 2007, the newsletter “Insight: Voice of Wisdom” was
published 9 times and provided to all members of the community through
e-mail as well as placed on the Triple Gem website. Articles were
contributed from an ever-widening group of individuals. Information on
weekly classes and special upcoming events were included in each issue.
The newsletter is available all around the world and is compiled and
published by volunteers.
The website (www.triplegem.org) was maintained by volunteers and
includes a calendar which lists all regular and special events. A
typical week in December includes Morning Service on Sunday and Buddhist
Teaching Class on Sunday evening; Monday night meditation at UU,
Mankato; Tuesday Yoga; Wednesday Silent Mediation in the evening;
Thursday Insight Meditation in the evening; Saturday morning meditation
in Chanhassen. Dependent upon the week, the schedule will also include
meditations at Gustavus Adolphus, Zen Center in Northfield, and Carlton
College in Northfield. The website is a fountain of wisdom for the world
and is available everywhere internet travels.
The number of individuals receiving e-mailings or postal mailings from
Triple Gem of the North has steadily increased over the life of the
organization. The number of individuals contributing to the costs of
maintaining the Center and home for Bhante Sathi has also increased
during 2007. The number of participants present at retreats and special
events continues to increase as the peace of a Buddhist way of living
becomes better known.
Our official email address is info@triplegem.org.
We continue to be grateful for the Way, the Teacher, and the Sangha.
Submitted to the Board by Patricia Linehan
February 3, 2008
View Annual Report 2006