Annual Fundraising Letter

December 6, 2008

Dear Dharma Friends and Supporters,

We have had another successful year! Dharmakirti College provides a comprehensive, progressive and systematic course of study for serious practitioners and future teachers. We have experienced significant growth during the year, especially in our online classes, which have more than doubled in enrollment. To continue our efforts and enhance our program development, we need your support. As the end of the tax year approaches, please consider making a generous contribution to Dharmakirti College at www.dharmakirti.org. Your support goes towards helping us with activities such as these offered during 2008:

•  eCollege online classes: Survey of Tibetan Buddhism, Chenrezig, White Tara, Natural Liberation, and Ngondro
• College courses in Tucson: Survey of Tibetan Buddhism, Natural Liberation, Ngondro, Chakrasamvara, Kalachakra, and Introduction to Dzogchen
• Summer workshop: Tibetan Language
• Reading transmission of Dzogchen Kalachakra from Khenchen Paljea Dorjee Rinpoche
• Dharma Talks: A new series of public talks on basic Buddhism principles and practices, third Thursday of each month.
• Friday noon meditation hour at the Little Chapel of All Nations.

In addition to a full schedule of Tucson and eCollege classes beginning January 11, we have the following scheduled empowerments, teachings and other activities scheduled:

• Public Talk on Peace and Letting Go of Attachment; Tsa-Lung-Tigle Retreat – Yogi Lama Gursam (January)
• Dzogchen Kalachakra empowerment, 7-Line Prayer of Padmasambhava, Vajrakilaya empowerment and practice, Yeshe Lama empowerment, transmission and pointing-out instructions, Treasury of Dharmadhatu transmission, LOSAR celebration with Khenpo ceremony and Three Roots transmission – Tulku Khenchen Paljea Dorjee Rinpoche (February)
  

We also appreciate the hard work of Loren Taylor with our web site and online courses, Ruth Pancoast, Katherine Vigil, and Jim Rutke each helping with teaching and leading practices, Naomi McCarthy managing our publicity, Warren Deming helping with technology and other activities, as well as many other volunteers who encouraged and supported our numerous teachings and activities. We rely entirely on volunteers to keep our operating costs as low as possible. We are a nonprofit organization that relies exclusively on individual contributions to make these offerings possible. We have no other source of support. A monthly pledge or one-time donation would be greatly appreciated, enabling us to continue our teachings, retreat land payments, and development activities. Thank you for your generosity! May it benefit of all sentient beings!

Sincerely,

Dr. Dean Pielstick
Khenpo Drimed Dawa
President & Treasurer