One might think that January is a quiet time with a lot of snow and little action…
Not at the EC! The first weeks of the new year were packed with spontaneous talks and presentations, looong breakfasts and evenings with friends from all across the globe – and almost no snow. ;)

Diamond Way Buddhism in the US was the focus of three nights. Joshua and Jeremiah dug deep in their piles of pictures and memories from the times when a few very inspired and active friends in the US drove for days and nights in order to listen to a public lecture by Lama Ole or meditate together. This was the start of eight centers with a lot of members in the Heartland, the Midwest of the United States, today. To round this up, a report on Lama Ole’s recent US tour gave us an insight on the recent happenings in North America.

Roman from Melbourne made clear that driving is not really an option “down under” – the distances between the meditation groups are way too big. So as an Australian buddhist, you sometimes have to hop on an airplane to meet your friends from the next town for a weekend or listen to a travel teacher’s lecture. Breathtakingly beautiful beaches and the characteristically Australian need for one’s personal wide space have not kept Buddhism in Australia from developing impressively over the last years. In Melbourne, there are eight friends living together in one center, other centers are also growing quickly, and a beautiful retreat house at the beach for meditation was just purchased for all members of the Australian sangha to meet at.

For Europe, Karolina, Ilona and Danas gave an inspiring insight on the dynamic development of Buddhism in a comparatively small country like Lithuania. They showed that with devotion a relatively small group of friends can bring Buddhism into a whole country. Today there are four centers, and the big retreat center is getting ready for the visit of H.H. the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje.

Our new weekly movie night premiered with the fascinating travel documentary “Searching for the old Tibet” by Maria from Gdańsk and Thomas from Berlin. You’re more than welcome to come and join our movie nights in the cosy lounge!

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