Our First Year (2005-2006)

The first year was one of great aspirations, hard work, visits and blessings from lineage masters, and the coming together of the community through joyful celebrations. Click here for photo highlights including the following activities:

  • Official opening is celebrated at our temporary location in space offered by the Tibetan Cultural Center, Portland, OR
  • 1,000 Arm Chenrezig statue arrives, an auspicious offering from a generous benefactor
  • Maitripa Institute moves into our new space in the FPMT International Building, Portland, Oregon, and classes begin
  • The Relic Tour blesses us with a visit
  • Geshe Sopa, Director of Deer Park Buddhist Center in Madison, Wisconsin, teaches on the Heart Sutra and Gyume Khensur Rinpoche, former abbot of Gyume Tantric College in South India, bestows public teachings and classroom lectures to the first group of Maitripa Institute students
  • Lama Zopa Rinpoche blesses the new space and gives teachings and empowerments during two different visits in the founding months and the students offer a Long Life puja
  • Khensur Rinpoche and Geshe Tenzin Dorje bless the Jokhang Meditation Hall and visit the summer Mahamudra Retreat for a special empowerment
  • The Jokhang Meditation Hall takes shape: the Lama Yeshe statue is prepared and installed, the King Songston Gampo statue arrives and is placed, and the Kangyur and Tengyur (texts) are moved into the Jokhang
  • Visiting teachers over the first months include Anne Klein, PhD; Jeffrey Hopkins, PhD; Jose Cabezon, PhD; and Ven. Robina Courtin
  • Yangsi Rinpoche presides over a summer Mahamudra 10-Day residential retreat
  • The first months are celebrated with 2 special gatherings to support the vision: “From Mount Hood to Buddhahood” prayer flag practice and dinner in the spring and our first Benefit Gala later that winter
  • Community events include a Spring Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, Summer Picnic, and Winter Holiday Party