Programs Focus Group Small Group Reports 6/23/12

Question 1: What do you feel you need to help your practice grow now and in the coming years? More retreats - personal ones Able to do 1 long personal retreat per year Need ways to help those who cannot do long retreat now to stay oriented toward doing it. Concern about loss of SCOL for retreat use Like weekend retreats where there is no time off work Loved 1-3 night classes Reading groups Sitting groups between Sundays Just enough organizational work to feel involved but not over burdened Group activities to motivate me to dig deeper in study and practice Youth oriented activities, ways to engage w/o teaching formally: activism, singles, children visits & programs by Lama Tsang Tsing, etc. Context setting advance teachings by Lama Michael post Mahamudra 6th yr. +

supported personal retreat

work nights; Sat. activities good personal sitting @ KCC even with key does not feel available

Keep emphasis on lineage masters at KCC Advanced practice sessions and teachings Q&A is critical: the primary place for teaching and practice support A structured presentation of the overall practice path w key steps along the path Staying on track with 3 yr retreat project Opportunities for interaction w sangha members through volunteering, committees, social activities Access to readings & practice paraphernalia via library, bookstore, etc. Engagement with the center creates opportunity to encounter & interact with lineage/dharma masters More training in vajrayana practices Peer level practice, interaction & mutual support Ability to do 1 month & personal/group retreat Mahamudra seminar Inspirational events Short retreats - especially when they follow class on same topic Access to teachers, Q&A, 1 on 1 contacts Maintaining the sangha for sits, Q&A, streaming Uncertainty of what is needed from not knowing practice evolution Concern about having the teachings commandeered by the mundane Let go of high organizational expectations for programs, teacher interviews, SCOL, etc. Accept more limited KCC offerings Opportunity for 1 year or longer retreat Fewer KCC obligations The lama. Being appreciated in whatever level of practice one is at. Accuracy of speech. The connection with the lama; no more resources needed

part of the path; opportunity for merit; bring people to the dharma

outside teachers, pilgrimages Concern about shortage of teacher resources during long retreats

Have what I need at this point. Want to know more fellow practitioners--do things together The lama. The teachings. Long retreat. Time to dedicate to my practice. Blessings of the lineage and sangha The lama connection & support. More vajrayana support. Existing programs, lama guidance, a growing sense of community One on one mentoring. Need another person or persons to check in with me at times or regularly Challenging to translate years of retreat into speech. Want opportunity to do that. Retreats are expensive. A graceful system of having/providing assistance is needed. Cohort group(s) organized by KCC or individuals with similar experiences to meet monthly and 2x/yr. with lama. Teachers are not always available so peer group would be a help. Question 2: Are the program and activities aspirations in the mission and vision statements being fulfilled for you personally? Weekday evening schedule does not fit me Want 1 taught retreat/yr for long time practitioners What practices may 3 yr retreat grads bring back and want to do. Which of these may be/will be appropriate to share with the sangha? Want to get inspiration from returning long retreatants--not just from teaching but from lay discussion groups, etc. Might like to join a group doing a vajrayana practice other than Chenrezig Want to see more outward focused activity such as helping the hungry or offering support for the dying What KCC is doing works well More sangha led groups might feed energy into Sunday Q&A sessions KCC does well lineage to life Personal flare ups in organizational work occur especially with building project KCC does well in creating an environment for the average person especially in the Q&A with openness and humor KCC is doing pretty well with life transitions and celebrations Want more support for each other around end of life/death/grief issues and ceremonies for those who have passed away. KCC has good resources for this. Want an observance for the Buddha's b-day Want birth observance and help for the new mother and family Urban center is needed. Time is good now. Concern about wording of bullet 4 of the vision. Let the dharma be the context of our lives rather than visa versa Can feel unsupported if there is too much to do Agree with vision statement but each aspect does not have to be fulfilled all the time We have an enormous wealth of practices right now. Would like more support for life transitions. Some people are excluded due to the building architecture. We need to be really careful about what we want in the future.

Gives inroad into real fouah? practice opportunities

Have a process/plan that moves forward

The mission/vision aspirations are being fulfilled. Happy to support what we have. More connection to Tibetan lamas coming to the U.S. We have too many program! Would like a visiting teacher one time a year. Questions about retreat: 3 month, 6 month possible? Flexibility in terms of discipline Would much like late 2012 or Jan-Feb 2013 retreat Need more end-of-life teachings and teachings on the basic practices of death No commemorating entry into or going out of long retreat such as an announcement on the listserve NVC training would help Question 3: The connection between long retreat and KCC The retreat facilities are spectacular except for the concurrent part. Want more facilities at SCOL for use while the long retreat is happening. Need a physical connection between the sangha & SCOL during long retreats. SCOL income helps KCC. Work to use SCOL well between long retreats Retreats produce lamas Writings and teachings come from experience in retreats There is a ripple or multiplier effect in manifesting bodhichitta Part of personal practice path -- a key step for some Not a question. Propaganda? Advocacy? Don't know the connection Expectation that some teachers will come from long retreat Knowing that others are practicing in depth will support personal practice There are only a few who have done long retreat so far. In 20 yrs., after 50% of the sangha does long retreat, we will be better able to draw on their experience and have more teachers. There seems to be less confusion in those who have done long retreat. Those who have done long retreat have given a path to follow. Deeper resonance. It's everything; it's crucial. Our lama always speaks form experience and clarity. It is the only way to transmit the Shanpa and Karma Kagyu lineage. Need for people to see why long retreat is beneficial. They will be inspired when they see how they personal benefit. Without long retreat there will be no KCC Learn about long retreat and to appreciate it Long retreat needs an on-going context It would be a big mistake to put all eggs in the 3 yr. retreat basket--the culture does not value the rest of it. Question 4: How important for you are programs suggested in the January SWOT? How would you see yourself being part of them? Teach mindfulness in the outer community Want to help give back to the wider community personal cabins, rental of the lama cabins when not in use, tent retreats w platforms Do connecting activities with long retreatants and their friends/families We benefit from Lama Michael's retreat from actions of retreat graduates from actions of community running retreats a gathering to watch people entering or leaving long retreat would be inspiring. Without support people may drift away

Want more social events such as: bowling, meet at a pub, hiking/walking group, movie nights. Empower sangha members to just do it! Connection with people on or who have been on long retreat can support lay practitioners who won't be doing long retreat. The teachers we long to see have done a lot of long retreats. If a person wishes to do long retreat, KCC is the best support possible. Having done long retreat, longer retreats like a month a year have a strong appeal. After retreats KCC programs have more meaning. All are important Supporting end of life practices Support during life challenges Programs for children and families Social engagement is already happening at the personal level now. More organized engagement can flow from this as resources become available Proposed ideas good but be careful not to have core teachings commandeered by the mundane A class/workshop/retreat based on Ponlop Rinpoche's book Mind Beyond Death. Invite him to come and teach. Sitting groups on other days and/or remote places Book study groups with trained leaders to correctly present the dharma Opportunities to hear how others do their practice Teen program Additional programs need not be organized formally be KCC. Support groups or other programs could grow organically by interested sangha members. Happy to support others who want more. Want more on death and dying. Need to resist over compartmentalizing programs. Would support death and dying group. Could be burdensome to add more except would support death and dying group. Not relevant to me. Too small a space right now to have more programs. New people would need to step up Maybe leader training. Other Provide better support for teachers including clarity about succession and enlarging teaching resources What would the container look like for yogins who practice full time? After 1-3 year retreat, how will the few who want to practice a lot be supported?

ways to connect, bond, interact; peer to peer appointments

Program Focus Group 6/23/2012 Individual Written Responses to Questions

1. What do you feel you need to help your practice grow now and in the coming years? a) Good examples. Accuracy in speech. Teachers who say what they mean, do not manipulate, do not misspeak or exaggerate. Teachers who acknowledge Ive been there and done that,--like Bill. Do appreciate being included and appreciate/connect with our Lama.

b) More field for experiences beyond formal practice. Regular group meditation and personal application/guidance. More of this-intimacy/knowingness, struggle and focus on goal and personal reflection. c) Some relief from the pressures I feel in my various roles here at KCC. I need to not add anything else. I get so busy with this stuff, I dont do dharma stuff. Possibly invite teacher to come for nonresidential retreats since our own may be less [next word is illegible, possibly-] available. d) Continued weekly group Sangha practice with resident Lama or other core teachers; Opportunities to do short retreats throughout the year, plus longer ones (10 days to 1 month). Special focus classes, one-on-one time with resident Lama. e) Teachers support and more clear support and encouragement to become involved from the leaders of the Sangha, not an attitude of we dont need the help you can give! f) Financial support. Lama Michael and the Kagyu/Shangpa teachings. Time--long retreat--space to dedicate myself even further. The blessings of the lineage. The support of [illegible possibly-] our Sanpha. g) An urban center that provides more space for a variety of programs and opportunities for social connection i.e., getting to know one another. h) Bottom line, I feel the program committee does a fantastic job. Every teaching I have attended has been poignant and valuable to me. I wish I could attend more retreats and events with my connection with Thrangu Monastery and the fact that 12 step work is central to my path, I get spread pretty thin. Some of the most important and helpful things to me are: Lama Michaels availability to me for private interviews ( I check in with him 2-3 times a year and have found him to be extremely helpful in helping me work out what I get from Thrangu Rinpoche in my daily practice and life). The Q&A times after puja (the teachers are challenging and seem to be able to answer questions in a way that works for newcomers and oldcomers at the same time. All three of the teachers have given me new resources and gems to chew on). In the past the Shamata, Tonglen Chenrezig and Mahamudra retreats were crucial to my growing path must be continued. The winter individual retreat was especially meaningful to me. I was sorry I couldnt do it this year. Guest teachers are great. I love hearing Lama Sara Harding, Ken McLeod, Thrangu Rinpoche, Alan Wallace. I would love to see us invite Karl Brunnholzl or some others from Seattle. Maybe even Lama Tashi Dondrub from Toronto. I dont know Khenpo Tashi at Thrangu Monastery but he may also be a resource. I hope this is helpful. i) The opportunity to do at least one month of retreat every year. A one month cessation of all KCC business initiatives and meetings every year would make this easier for others to do the same. A supportive environment for teachers that includes clear and effective management of operations which would allow more focus on practice and direct teaching activities. A clear approach to communications to the Sangha that does not require management by teachers including a clear set of materials for newcomers, greeters, robust and clear web materials, standardized announcements of activities and events that does not depend on teachers to instigate and manage. More training in elements of vajrayana practice that are beyond the scope of what are included in Chenrezig. This would include Mahakala instruction and other elements of practices that could be done on extended personal retreat. More retreat and study support for practitioners with 6 years or more in the Mahamudra program or equivalent level of practice experience with Mahamudra instructions. A carefully and gradually nurtured peer support system for practitioners beyond the beginner stages. Long term connection to Bokar Rinpoche is the most significant support for my practice now and in the future. The opportunity to connect to Bokar Rinpoche was entirely dependent on KCC and the level of engagement with KCC over the preceding 10 years. Ongoing connection to masters of the lineage to refresh inspiration is important. This refreshing takes some

time, so this is not just inviting teachers for quickie tours of KCC with a couple of large public teachings. That is a help but an extended period like the environment of the Mahamudra seminar with Bokar Rinpoche is best. Community discussion and dialogue often ignite interest in new dimensions of practice and provide fresh challenges for contemplation and insight practice. Doing 1 yr retreat. 2. The mission and vision included a number of aspirations related to programs and activities. Are these aspirations being fulfilled for you personally? a) Mostly. I may be missing something, but is a childrens program mentions in the statement? I would say that the scope of this project might be a distraction. I would recommend not expanding it until we move to a new center.--It has pained me to see long-time practitioners and a woman without legs being excluded from group practice because of limitations in architecture. b) YesIn a way. As I move into teaching in kids program, support and interest. Nourban space constraints for new cushions boulder uphill c) I think the intention is always there but often we can feel isolated or unsupported when there are so many demands on our time. d) They are fulfilling to me at the present time. However, I do wish there was a dynamic childrens program of some kind for older kids and teens and somewhere to do it. I have some sadness about not including and exposing my kids to the Dharma at KCC. e) Yes and noSometimes and sometimes not! I feel discouraged and do not wish to discuss my feelings and needs in public anymore! f) Would like to see some (next word is possibly) more connection w/ (possibly) our lineage (possibly) coming here. g) Yes, they are. h) I would like more programs reflecting the variety of needs for the Sangha as it grows. i) I find that there is not much support for vajrayana practice in general. The path leading to long retreat is not so clear. Need clearer steps in study and practice to support individuals that might become interested in longer retreat. The three turnings programs help create a framework for study and practice at various levels. The community support at KCC feels a bit ragged. Some of this is because we are stretched so thin by a mismatch between level of activities and projects and our ability to manage these projects and effectively engage the community in getting the work done. The feel of the community is one of our biggest assets and it feels like the community could be worked with more effectively. Concurrent use of SCOL for short and long retreat appears to be off the table for the foreseeable future. Part of this is lack of $ but a lot is lack of vision for a living community at SCOL to support retreats and keep a continuous practice going. The current urban center is an obstacle to a number of program opportunities. Larger space could make concurrent practice sessions possible. It could also allow for more informal use by study groups, book groups, parent groups etc. 3. Lama Michael recently said, If long retreats hadnt happened, we wouldnt be here at all. What kind of connection do you see between long retreats and the benefits you receive at KCC? a) In a nutshelllong retreat/lineage/teachings. Thats it.

b) None except generically. c) Strong connection, but as a householder who supports our vision, not as one who will do long retreat. d) I believe that long retreat has shaped our teachers to be who they arevery valuable transmissions of authentic dharma. I see long retreat as a huge step toward really integrating the understanding to samsara and the aspiration for enlightenment for all. e) Long retreats provide time, space to learn and grow in ways that living in the world does not and cannot do. f) I totally agree- 100%. I think embracing and supporting long retreats is crucial to the survival of KCC. g) Huge connection; I agree 100% with LMCs statement h) I appreciate the causal connection to be reflected in years to come. i) The depth of experience in extended retreat is the source of the most helpful comments and teachings at KCC. There are aspects of practice that are easy to make complicated at a beginning level where the comments of teachers with extended experience can simplify the practice in subtle but very important ways. In the long run it is the source of the qualities of the exemplars on the lineage that make them so inspiring. Having done an extended retreat, I can appreciate the teachings and practices at KCC in a new way. During Q/A the comments of individuals who have done repeated multi-week retreats or longer, are generally very helpful and add an important dimension to the dharma dialogue of the community. 4. During the SWOT in January, the Sangha raised a number of ideas for programs where the Sangha would interact and support each other more, such as: Supporting each other through life challenges, including end of life. Sitting groups, support groups, study groups, etc. led by Sangha members Commemorating life transitions Giving back to the larger community Additional programs for children, young adults and families. How important are these for you, and how would you see yourself being part of this? a) Re. sitting groupsZens have over-organized thistoo rigid. Re. additional programsmay much later- in a much larger center. The Sangha has become awfully large to implement a lot of activities and adjunct practices. b) Not important except Death support for each other. c) Sitting groups in geographic locations. Re Giving back and Additional Programswe dont need to be a missionary outreach. People will naturally gravitate to activities that embody Boddicitta. d) Respondent labeled program suggestions listed above on a scale of 1-5. Five being strongest: Supporting=5 Sitting groups=2 Commemorating=4 Giving back=4 Additional programs=5 When I am finished with schoolI could envision myself helping organize or volunteer w/ older kids program and w/ activities that help the larger community. I like the idea of KCC doing some actively engaged Buddhism. e) I am turning 65 later this year and although I expect to begin my life in terms of a profession within a few years, I know I want Sangha members to support me at end of my life, especially if Im still around the

area! Yes, Id like to see study groups and special monthly pujas, e.g. Medicine Buddha, recitation of Vajrasattva mantra, etc. Id like to be one (of a number) involved in facilitating these. It need not be exclusive to so-called proven members. We learn by doingI think I only continually am repeating myself and get nowhere. Its frustrating for me, and, it seems, to others. We do not yet have proper facilities for more childrens groupsregrettably! As for giving back to the community, I feel I do this as much as I canboth KCC community and the larger, secular community. As for support during lifes challenges Sangha members need to do this a individuals [illegible] demands and without negative comments like: You talk about your own problems all the time; whereas other members do not. f) I think this is [illegible, possibly] lovely or timely for some of the community. But is not really relevant for me except in regards to my concern for my fellow Sanpha. g) Until we move to PDX, hard to participate fully in any of these; however, both my partner and I are interested in supporting each other through life challenges and giving back to the larger community. I would also be willing to participate & lead study or sitting groups h) Very important. I have a special interest in life challenges, including end-of-life issues. I would also like to encourage interaction among various sanghas in the Portland area. i) More social activities that allow for informal interactions and developing the connections that allow for mutual support to arise more organically with less organizational effort in the long run. j) Occasional more informal book groups or study groups.

Comments Written on Context for Program Focus Group Meeting page. a) On bullet point Develop and communicate successions plans the word communicate is underlined. Next to this point or possibly next to the next point, which is Strengthen connection to the lineage responder wrote: how and to a lesser extent, why? Next to Support teachers financially: a separate fund drive for this. Next to Increase opportunities that foster Sangha interaction and provide mutual support for different life stages: Zen folks beginning 1000 Hands of Kwan Yin project (MSW in charge). Zen folks have several therapists as practitioners. Whats singing to me: Process and careful methodology in our decision-making will actually affect the goals that manifest. If were not cleare.g. if personalities are more important than method and processwe may get what we dont want in some cases, and those results may grow.