By Adrienne Chan
On Saturday, November 9, 2013 Sakya Monastery and five Tibetan families (H.E. Zaya Rinpoche, Thinley Gyatso, Nyima Choedar, Chime Tenzin, Lungtok) hosted a formal dinner to honor H.H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya Rinpoche for his lifelong devotion to sharing the Dharma. Proceeds from the dinner were dedicated toward the Monastery’s new roof. A silent auction was also held at the dinner to raise funds to replace the leaky roof. Our dinner event was held at the Nordic Museum. It was a sold out evening! Kathleen Ramm and her staff transformed the main museum hall into an elegant dinning room with white table cloths, silverware, gold rim place settings, wine/water goblets and floating candle center pieces. Adding to the ambience, Bill Sternhagen played classical piano throughout the evening.
While wine and scrumptious Indian hors d’oeuvers (made by Phurbu and family) were served, guests mingled and participated in the Silent Auction organized by Marilyn Harris and her team of volunteers. Some auctioned items included a Buddha picture donated by Dagchen Rinpoche, calligraphy by Ven. Tulku Yeshi, a thangka donated by Ven. Khenpo Jampa, gift certificates, carpets, jewelry and many other wonderful items. The Silent Auction was a resounding success!
In the museum’s kitchen, Tse Dolkar, Atsuko and many others helped to prepare a delicious Indian dinner for all of us to enjoy, followed by the the Mexican dessert “tres leche” cake, a creamy delicious treat.
After dinner, we experienced the best moment of all. We viewed a 20 minute film entitled “Our Precious Guru and his Monastery”. Coren Lindfield created and narrated an incredible documentary honoring Dagchen Rinpoche. The film incorporated testimonials and photos of Sakya Monastery past and present. As one guest mentioned, the film almost brought her to tears. At the conclusion of the movie, Dagchen Rinpoche received a standing ovation.
Following the movie, speeches were made by Nyima Choedhar, David Spiekerman and Thinley Gyatso. A Tibetan musical interlude was provided by Thondup Dorje, Tsering Yangchen and Nyima. A Lifetime Achievement award and a huge bouquet of flowers were presented to H.H. Dagchen Rinpoche. On behalf of H.H.J.D. Sakya and the Sakya Phuntsok Phodrang family, H.E. Dagmo Kusho read a thank-you speech and Dagchen Rinpoche offered katags to members of the organizing committee.