Letters from the Editors and the Director

Wonderful Summer Retreat, Happy 20th and Thank You Rinpoche!

Hi Everyone,

This issue of Voice of Clear Light is dedicated to Polly Turner, who is retiring as Ligmincha's Director of Communications (and associate editor of VOCL). Our gratitude for her leadership, teamwork and friendship is huge and continues to inspire us to work together in our shared devotion to the Bon teachings and our teacher, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. Thank you so much for your bright and shining light, Polly!

• Everyone at Ligmincha would like to thank all who contributed to or participated in our summer fundraising auction for their generosity. We shared a fun-filled afternoon together looking at and bidding on the many beautiful items offered, including calligraphy by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, malas and other ritual items.

• Many international sangha coordinators attended the 20th Annual Summer Retreat at Serenity Ridge. What a beautiful and powerful sangha we all share! You can view images of a gathering for international members held during the retreat. See photos

• Serenity Ridge also saw celebrations, practices and offerings for the long life of H.H. the Dalai Lama in honor of his 77th birthday. View photos 

• Khandro Tsering Wangmo, wife of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, became a U.S. citizen on July 4, 2012. Congratulations, Tsering! View photos taken during the ceremony at Monticello and at the celebration at Serenity Ridge  

In Bon, 

Aline and Jeff

***

With Gratitude to Polly Turner


Polly TurnerI have had the privilege of working together with Polly Turner over the years on many projects at Ligmincha Institute. Polly stepped down as Director of Communications at the end of June but will continue to be actively involved in supporting Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and Ligmincha in numerous ways.

Always lending a helping hand, Polly officially came onto the Ligmincha Council as the volunteer Co-director of Communications (with Mary Ellen McCourt) in late 2006. When Mary Ellen stepped down in 2010, Polly led Ligmincha's communications in ways that have supported and continue to support Rinpoche, Ligmincha Institute and the worldwide sangha.

Polly's most visible and widely felt contribution has been setting up and supporting Rinpoche's worldwide live webcasts. Polly was determined to figure out a way to make this happen and continued to do the necessary research until it manifested. Now we all benefit from her ongoing efforts in our ability to watch live and recorded webcasts of Tenzin Rinpoche's teachings.

Other areas where we have felt Polly's presence are her volunteer work in creating and updating the Ligmincha Institute at Serenity Ridge Facebook page; overseeing and writing much of the editorial content on our current website; supporting the editors in the writing, editing and production of Voice of Clear Light; writing Ligmincha's ads; setting up and supporting our local email list; assisting in email announcements to retreat participants and our local sangha; conceiving and initiating a process for soliciting volunteers; and helping to coordinate Rinpoche's local public talks.

Although Polly is stepping down as director, her influence and style will continue to be felt. She has laid a strong foundation from which Ligmincha's communications will continue and grow.

With great thanks and appreciation to Polly for all that she has done,

Sue Davis-Dill

Executive Director, Ligmincha Institute