Bellingham Shambhala Group

Views on Dharma Hall Space Issues

The Bellingham Shambhala Group had a membership meeting on 06/07/2005at which we discussed the Dharma Hall space issues. As well, we discussed these issues at our Shambhala Council meeting on 06/12/2005. The following is a summary of the consensus of our group.

1. Our relation to the Dharma Hall

We certainly feel that we benefit from our association with the Dharma Hall. We benefit from an essentially suitable place to practice and hold programs that is conveniently located and affordable. Also, it is enriching to have an association with the various Buddhist traditions in Bellingham in this cooperative situation.

Like the other Buddhist groups, we expect our membership to grow. We also expect to be offering an increasing number of weekend programs.

2. What is problematic?

There are many times when we would like to have use of the space for more than one weekend a month. Often, this can be accommodated by trading with or using a weekend of one of the other groups. And we always have Ziji Ling, which can accommodate a smaller number of practitioners.

It is problematic that we cannot permanently decorate/enhance the main hall. The visual aspects and iconography of Tibetan Buddhism are actually an essential part of our practice of the dharma. In addition, the Shambhala view initially promulgated by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche places an emphasis on working with environment and uplifting the environment. It is a hassle often to have to place and take down our “stuff” for each program.

In terms of the space itself, obviously the handicap access issues are problematic. Also, the open kitchen often creates noise and disruption to meditation practice. The handicap access could be improved by making the second floor stair lift operational and by implementing some of the solutions Robin has been researching. It would be desirable to find some way to enclose the kitchen.

3. What are we doing to support the Dharma Hall?

We have not been as diligent as we should. We intend to present a greater emphasis on encouraging those practitioners who sit with us to become members of the Dharma Hall.

4. Mahasangha activities

We have not had a great involvement. Some of our members intend to become active with the new Bellingham Buddhist Peace Fellowship Group.

5. Programs directed to the greater Bellingham community.

We would be open to this. Especially for visiting teachers, a joint effort to publicize these programs would be a valuable activity.

6. Responsibility to the Dharma Hall

We are committed to the current Dharma Hall situation. We are also committed to the joint exploration of other space options. At this point, we feel that the current level of membership probably does not allow purchase or lease of a more expensive space. We need to grow our membership and raise funds.

At our meetings, it was the overwhelming consensus that we should seek to renew our lease in the Masonic Building for as long as possible, ideally 5 years. This would allow us to keep our expenses low and grow our membership and financial base. This longer period of time would also justify making improvements that would enhance the existing space and minimize its problems.

If the perfect affordable space should emerge during the new lease period, we feel that it would be possible without much difficulty to negotiate an early termination of the lease, in light of the heated real estate market in Bellingham.

7. Sharing a Dharma Hall with other organizations.

We are open to considering options that would not disrupt the practice of the dharma. The current sharing of space with the Aikido Dojo seems to work fine.

8. Current Dharma Hall

We favor making physical improvements to provide handicap access by getting the chair lift operational to the second floor and installing a device to provide access to the third floor, and we favor spending the necessary funds to do this. Renewal of the lease for a longer period would justify this expense.

Also, we would like to explore options to enclose the kitchen area or otherwise cut down noise from the kitchen. We would also like to acquire nicer furniture and décor for the Post Meditation Hall area to present a more uplifted appearance.

We would like to explore options to control/manage the heating system.

Prepared by Linda McPheters 06/18/2005