January 17, 2007

Dear Sangha members:

The Houston Center Executive Council would like to invite everyone to participate in a silent auction of 4 inspiring calligraphy prints crafted by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. Please read over the history, descriptions and images, which we hope will add to their richness.

This auction is part of our continuing effort to maintain the daily functioning of this meditation center which has come to benefit so many of us. After the financial crisis of this past summer, which was narrowly averted due to the generosity of many of you who are reading this letter, we are now working to maintain a more steady flow of income so as to prevent a similar crisis in the future. It is in this spirit of gratitude and aspiration that we are offering this auction.

Anyone interested in purchasing one or more of these calligraphies may email the center with the subject line “Calligraphy Bid” anytime between now and 8am Saturday, February 17, when the auction will close. The winner will be announced at the Shambhala Day celebration.

In addition, another option has been presented. A member who wishes to remain anonymous was struck by the impression of how auspicious and uplifting it would be to see these calligraphies reside at our center, to be enjoyed by everyone. This member has made an early bid toward this effort, and is inviting everyone who would share this aspiration to send in a bid specifying that it should be added to the “Center Display” effort.

In support of this inspired idea, and with a mind of generosity, we would like to have this auction also benefit others outside of our small corner of the world. Fifteen percent of the total proceeds of this fundraiser will be donated towards the Sakyong’s effort to rebuild the Surmang monastery.

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our Shambhala Day Celebration!

Yours in Great Eastern Sun vision,

Houston Shambhala Meditation Center Executive Council

Lilly DeHaven, Community and Communication
Robyn Palmer, Finance and Administration
Jewell Wesley, Practice and Education
Maria Kennedy, Warrior
Randall Spalinger, Rusung

A Bit of Introduction and Background

In June 2002, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche visited Austin. At that time, he blessed the Austin Shambhala Meditation Center with his presence, and graciously granted a request for calligraphies. Due to his great kindness, as well as his love for the Sakyong and the greater Shambhala community, he executed four calligraphies. We know of no other extant calligraphies by this great teacher, who enthroned and is a root teacher of our Sakyong (and who is considered by some to be the greatest living dzogchen master). The Stinehour Press of Vermont (near Karme Choling) helped the Austin Center to obtain high quality lithographic reproductions of these beautiful works, which were generously donated by members of the Austin Center to the Houston Shambhala Center. Those who love the Dharma in general and Shambhala Buddhist dharma in particular, as well as those who appreciate beautiful art and calligraphy, will certainly enjoy these beautiful works.

A Word About the Calligraphies

"The purpose of the work of art is bodhisattva action."
VCTR, the Druk Sakyong, in The Art of Calligraphy, pg. 19.

His Holiness Penor Rinpopche executed 4 calligraphies in Tibetan: Hum Hum Hum (the mantra of the Sadhana of Mahamudra), Wang Thang (which means Authentic Presence), Hrih (especially for sadhakas) and lastly, Dzogchen the highest teaching and special accomplishment of His Holiness.

The calligraphies were executed on 2 different sizes of paper, medium (15" x 22.75") and medium-large (22.5" x 30"). They were executed with a dry brush, rendering a spacious and luxurious brushstroke. His Holiness did not have his "chop" with him at that time; consequently there is no emblem; instead he has signed each work in longhand Tibetan script.

These beautiful works are rendered on high quality paper by lithographic reproduction. They are available in limited quantity, and their templates were destroyed after production. The actual color of the paper utilized is a very light cream color - almost white.

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As works of sacred art by a venerated master, these calligraphies are of incalculable value as sources of inspiration and benefit to all who are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to encounter them. It is with that idea in mind that an anonymous patron of the Houston Center—upon learning of the Center’s plans to “auction” these calligraphies in order to provide much-needed financial support and assistance to the Center—has offered to support any efforts on the part of Center membership to purchase these amazing works for display at the Center itself, so that all who enter its doors may have the opportunity to be touched and inspired by these beautiful pieces.

In accordance with guidelines suggested by the Austin Center, the minimum donation (starting bids) of $50 for either the Hrih or the Dzogchen (since they are the smaller pieces) and $75 for either the Hum Hum Hum or the Wang Thang, since they are the larger ones. (and—for the entire set of 4—the suggested donation would be $200). Individuals may make personal bids for private ownership or provide support for the effort to display these calligraphies at the Houston Center and are welcome to contribute towards any single item amount—or towards the total for the entire grouping of four.

A Word About the Calligraphies

"The purpose of the work of art is bodhisattva action." VCTR, the Druk Sakyong, in The Art of Calligraphy, pg. 19.

"The purpose of the work of art is bodhisattva action."
VCTR, the Druk Sakyong, in The Art of Calligraphy, pg. 19.