Kunzang Odsal Palyul Changchub ChölingCenter of Tibetan Buddhism:

Annual Report 2014

theBuilding

Vision

2014 ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF

CONTENTSWelcome

2Letter from our

Spiritual Director

3Mission Statement

and Values

4Organizational Structure

4Highlights of 2014

6Building the Vision

16KPC Worldwide

18Financial Summary

20Conclusion

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WELCOME

W elcome to Kunzang Odsal Palyul Changchub Chöling (KPC) — “Glorious Dharma Continent

of Absolute Clear Light” — a Buddhist center and hub of compassionate activity in the Palyul lineage of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo under the guidance of H.H. Penor Norbu Rinpoche. Jetsunma was the first Western woman to be enthroned as a lineage holder in Tibetan Buddhism. Located just outside the nation’s capital in the Maryland countryside, KPC has been operating since 1988.

2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Letter From Jetsunma Ahkön Norbu Lhamo — Spiritual Director

I t is important to stop for a moment

and remember why it is that we come here to KPC. Why is what we do important? Why is this place im-portant? It is simple. We are here for sen-tient beings. We are here to benefit sentient beings in any way that we can.

KPC is our great bless-ing and home. The Stupas are here. We have the 24-hour, 7-day-a-week prayer without ceasing, so there is always someone here to pray for you. That’s because of Bodhicitta (the Great Com-passion). So this is the main place that can offer loving concern to sentient beings that need it. This is a place to have Bodhicitta in our hearts, to remember sentient beings, to lift ourselves up in that way so you can lift up others. The world is filled with suffering and we have to think of a way to clear it out.

This Bodhicitta is very hard to accomplish because there is nothing in our world, in our country, in our planet that really, that naturally, reminds us of this Great Compassion. Practices are offered at KPC for people to learn that are simple and yet offer a way to bring Bodhicitta into their life and the lives of others in a regu-lar way; in a daily way. KPC offers a place to

help remember and to keep compassion in our hearts. What could be more important?

KPC is part of the lineage of Palyul in the Vajrayana tradition. This tradition goes on and on and on. Our center is the best opportunity that we can possibly have. To have the Palyul retreat center in New York connected with KPC in Maryland — the largest Palyul Center in the West — is amazing. His Holiness Karma Kuchen, the head of the lineage, has said this himself. That is why this temple is so important. That is why it will remain so very important into the future and why we must be certain it lasts.

Everywhere Palyul is growing. Other centers are popping up and I will be traveling to see them; in Arizona, in California, in Australia and in Mexico. I am going to encourage them to do what has been done in Maryland, which is to offer a place that will benefit beings and to try to get 24 hour prayer going. That will be a great happening.

Over the next several years the current temple building must be replaced. That is our immedi-ate future and I hope you all will help. Every-thing gets old over time and that is the case here. This needs doing so this great family remains together from the beginning going onward with no stoppage.

Jetsunma Ahkön Norbu Lhamo Spiritual Director, Kunzang Odsal Palyul Changchub Chöling

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2014 ANNUAL REPORT

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

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MISSION STATEMENT AND VALUES

Mission StatementOur Mission is to alleviate suffering through compas-sionate activity in the world by umaking Buddhist teachings available u offering a place of spiritual refuge inclu- ding sites of pilgrimage and prayer u offering prayers and spiritual practices to those in need u nurturing the com- munity beyond our boundaries u caretaking the natural environment under our custodianship

Spiritual Director: Jetsunma Ahkön Norbu Lhamo

Board of Trustees: Claire Waggoner (Director)

Gonpo Yeshe (David Williams) Ani Dawa (Sylvia Dellamula)

Ani Karen Cox Ani Tenzin Wangmo (Jane Bathgate)

Holly Christofferson John Pelletier

Wib Middleton

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KEY PROGRAMS

Spiritual Director

Board of Trusteesincludes President,

Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer

Operations CommitteeFacilities, Communications,

Events, Volunteers,Outreach

Other office bearersas designated

Nurturing and Partnering

with our Communities

Preserving Sacred

Architecture: Stupas

Protecting Our

Natural Environment

Making Buddhist Teachings Available

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2014 ANNUAL REPORT

HIGHLIGHTS of 2014

Making Buddhist Teachings Available

T raditional Dharma teachings of the Buddha are continually offered at KPC, both at large public events and through smaller instructional programs, such as classes in Foundational

Buddhist Thought and Stabilizing the Mind meditation classes.

12th Throne Holder of the Palyul lineage – His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche – teaching at KPC Maryland.

Jetsunma Ahkön Norbu Lhamo at Rigdzin Dupa Tsog Bum

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Visiting Buddhist Teach-ers Bestow BlessingsKPC has had the great fortune of regularly hosting Buddhist teachers since 1988 and con-tinues to offer weekly medita-tion classes, DVD teachings from Jetsunma’s teaching archive and programs for

children. Classes on a range of topics and on-line teachings were offered. In addition, we visited schools, and universi-ties and schools have toured KPC.

In 2014, KPC was honored to receive the following visiting teachers:

u His Eminence Dragmar Khentrul Rinpocheu Khenpo Tenzin Norgeyu Lopon Pem Tsheri SherpauLopon Damchoe Wangmo

Just under 500 people took the opportunity to hear these visit-ing Buddhist teachers at both KPC Maryland and Arizona.

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Master Pem Tsheri Sherpa teaching at KPC Mary-land on Bodhicitta (the Great Compassion).

Khenpo Tenzin Norgey teach-ing on the 7-line prayer of Padma-sambhava from the throne at KPC in Maryland.

Adam – a KPC Monk – offering a blessing scarf to His Eminence Dragmar Khentrul Rinpoche at teachings hosted by KPC in Sedona, Arizona.

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Prayer Vigil for Peace The Shrine Room is the site of the 24-hour-a-day Prayer Vigil uninterrupted since 1985, dedicated to peace in the world and to the end of suffering for all beings. Since

One of KPC’s ordained counting prayers using beads (mala) during prayer vigil at KPC Maryland.

inception, participants in KPC’s prayer vigil have offered 260,000+ hours of continuous prayer and have honored over 100,000 prayer requests from people worldwide.

In addition, prayers continue to be offered by those who visit our Prayer Room. KPC also

Lopon Damchoe Wangmo, the first Western woman to have completed the rigorous 9 year

Shedra training program, teaching on the importance of lineage at KPC Maryland.

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A visitor lights an offering candle during Vietnamese

New Year at KPC Maryland.

Members of the community gather in the KPC Mary-land Prayer Room to chant prayers dedicated to the end of suffering.

Milestones of Prayer and Compassion in 2014

John — a KPC community member — holding the 24 prayer vigil at KPC Maryland for his allotted 2 hour shift – in the early hours of the morning.

provides a place for people to meditate. People visit for brief and more extended periods of time. The prayer room is open 24 hours a day.

u Every day, 365 days of the year, a total of 8,760 hours were offered by members of the KPC community in the Prayer Room in Poolesville, Maryland.u The Online Mantra for the World prayer project commences, inviting people throughout the world to make prayers for the end of the

Ebola Virus epidemic in West Africa, and incurable diseases ev-erywhere: 3.5 million mantras were pledged. u KPC in Sedona coordinated the Mai-treya Buddha Relic Tour, with over 1,500 attendees and help from 100 volunteers.

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2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Preservation and Dissemination of a Spiritual Legacy

KPC Ordained (monks and nuns)

participating in prayer at KPC

Maryland.

Audio Visual Archive

KPC Maryland is an impor-tant site of preservation of Tibetan Buddhist teachings in the West. Since 1983, KPC has been committed to preserving an audio-visual archive of Ti-betan Buddhist teachings that have been bestowed by Jetsun-ma and many revered teachers in Tibetan Buddhism, some now deceased. Thousands of hours of audio, video, and

u The Annual Prayerful In-tention Day was held on New Year’s Day at the Amitabha Peace Park, Sedona Arizona.

u The 10th Anniversary of the Amitabha Stupa was celebrated in a Day of Gratitude.

u One of KPC’s nuns visited Australia to give teachings.

Ordained Community of Monks and Nuns

KPC is distinctive in the U.S. for having a large community of ordained (monks and nuns). KPC cur-rently has 38 monks and nuns.

thousands of photographs of Buddhist teaching events are archived and stored at KPC.

In addition, KPC disburses these archived teachings, receiving numerous requests from both students and teachers.

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2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Nurturing and Partnering With Our CommunitiesA Diverse Community

K PC is dedicated to and participates in interfaith and intra-faith events in the surrounding community. Integral to KPC’s values are its work in caring for both humans and animals.

KPC also provides food for those in need, support for the homeless, bereavement support and prison support programs.

Bagged lunches being made at KPC Maryland

and distributed to the homeless in Montgomery

County Maryland.

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Feeding the Hungryu As part of the ongoing Hunger Initiative Project, and with the support of the Manna Food Bank, KPC Maryland members made 4,500 bagged lunches for the homeless in Montgomery County.

u Nine Thanksgiving meals were offered to Western Up-per Montgomery County Help (WUMCO) by KPC members.

Teaching 0utreachIn 2014 members of KPC’s outreach and teaching com-munity spoke at:u Bethesda-Chevy Chase High Schoolu Howard Community Collegeu National Institutes of Health (Spiritual Ministries and the Pain and Palliative Care Team).u Magruder High School

Prison Outreach In addition there is the ongo-ing commitment to prisoner support for over 20 years:

u At least 720 prisoners have been visited over the lifetime of

Teaming up with Young People

the Prison outreach program.

u Over 600 prisoners’ letters have been responded to over the lifetime of the Prison out-reach program.

225 Poolesville High school and George Washington Uni-versity students participated on four different days to help with gardening, clearing and

cleaning on the 72 acres of grounds in Maryland.

u These volunteers cleared non-native invasive weeds,

2014 ANNUAL REPORT

cleaned indoor areas flooded by severe storms, removed debris, cleared trails, built and rebuilt bridges.

u They also tended the many gardens planted to provide beneficial habitat for birds, bugs, butterflies and other wildlife, and worked together

Freshman Uni-versity Students

volunteering their time at

KPC Maryland.

Involvement in Community Activities

KPC Board Members Gonpo Yeshe with Ani Tenzin Wangmo participating in an Interfaith prayer service for Ebola relief in West Africa, organized by the Faith Community Advisory Council (Montgomery County) in Bethesda, Maryland.

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to maintain this sacred place of refuge open to all.

Individual KPC Board Mem-bers participated in commu-nity civic life:u Executive Committee membership on the Faith Community Advisory Coun-cil (Montgomery County), including working with the Montgomery County Execu-tive.u Co-Chaired the ‘Neigh-bors in Need Working Group’ (Montgomery County) incor-porating the areas of Hun-ger, Health Care, Aging and Prison outreach.u Membership on the Mont-gomery County Faith Com-munity Working Group.u Members of a spiritual care network to lend support dur-ing disasters and other emer-gencies.u Part of the Faith Leaders

Response Team (Montgomery County) — responding to criti-cal events.

u Co-ordinated with the City of Sedona for the Internation-al Day of Peace.

2014 ANNUAL REPORT

A commitment to animal welfare continues

Rigdzin Zeoli, Director of the

Garuda Aviary, educates young and interested

on-lookers about parrots with

Damara — a Hyacinth Macaw

friend — listen-ing in on his

shoulder.

Jetsunma has spear-headed activities includ-ing rescuing hundreds of abused dogs and exotic companion parrots. KPC is home to the Garuda Aviary, one of a handful of lifelong sanctuaries in the USA. Its flock consists of more than 50 parrots that are sup-ported by over a dozen volunteers.

Visitors marvel at the beauty of the flock, and learn about the plight

of abused and ne-glected parrots at

the Garuda Aviary in Maryland.

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2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Preserving Sacred Architecture: Stupas

His Eminence Muksang Kuchen Rinpoche at the Migyur Dorje Stupa in

Maryland with attendant.

One of KPC’s monks prays at Jetsunma’s Long Life Stupa Garden in the Palyul Peace Park at KPC Maryland.

Visitors learn about the enlightened qualities of a stupa at the Enlightenment Stupa in Maryland.

KPC Stupas in Maryland

T he construction of stupas date to the time of

the Buddha, over 2,500 years ago. KPC is dedicated to pre-serving this ancient and sacred form of the display of enlight-enment in the physical world.

Twenty-five stupas, monu-ments of enlightenment, grace the 65 acres of wildlife preserve, walking trails and meditative gardens in Pooles-ville Maryland.

The focal point of the Peace Park in Maryland is the golden 38-feet-tall Migyur Dorje Stupa. Jetsunma dedicated this Stupa to the eradication of diseases for which there is no known cure.

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2014 ANNUAL REPORT

KPC Stupas in Sedona

The Amitabha Stupa and smaller Tara Stupa in Sedona, Arizona during winter.

Onlookers enjoy the beauty of the land and the Amitabha Stupa in Sedona, Arizona.

Volunteers paint and repair the Enlightenment Stupa at KPC Maryland.

In Sedona Arizona, the Amita-bha Stupa graces a 14-acre Stupa Peace Park. The Amitabha

visitors alike. An estimated 25,000 people visited the Ami-tabha Stupa Peace Park in 2014.

Major Stupa refurbishment and preservation is ongoing in order to keep these architec-tural symbols of enlightened mind in good repair. u On average, 800 hours of volunteer labor is devoted every year to the care of these Stupas.u The Amitabha Stupa con-tinues to receive consistently high visitor ratings and posi-tive reviews on Trip Advisor and is awarded a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.

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Stupa Peace Park is a place of refuge and spiritual sustenance for residents of Sedona and

2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Protecting Our Natural Environment

Left: Visitors enjoying nature and the walking trails at the Palyul Peace Park, open to all, at KPC Maryland. In 2014, volunteers helped clear the trails to keep them open to visitors.

Views from Da-kini Valley near Payson, Arizona highlight the majestic beauty of the area. Dakini Valley is surrounded by the six-million-acre Tonto National Forest.

Amitabha Stupa Park Peace Trails in Sedona Arizona provide pathways for contemplation and enjoyment for all who visit the Park.

KPC is continually seeking ways to be environmen-tally sustainable. Efforts include the first construct-ed wetlands in Maryland to treat on-site waste. This innovative technology treats all waste without chemicals at KPC Mary-

land and was refurbished in 2014 after 25 years of continu-ous operation.

Volunteers replenishing the plants of the con-structed wetlands at

KPC Maryland.

W ith over 200 acres of reclaimed farmland and

wilderness, KPC in Maryland and Arizona is committed to

preserving the values of the land for the benefit of current and future generations. These lands are home to numerous

species of wildlife which are protected from hunting as part of the commitment to preserve wildlife habitats.

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2014 ANNUAL REPORT

BUILDING THE VISION

Group photo at the ‘Open Hearts - Open Doors’ celebration in the KPC Prayer Room, Maryland.

Isiah Leggett, left, Montgomery County Executive, and Reverend Kasey Kaseman, right, Montgomery County Interfaith Community Liaison, spoke at the ‘Open Hearts – Open Doors’ occasion, celebrating the renovation and re-opening of the KPC Prayer Room. KPC President Claire Waggoner is at center.

S ince 1985, KPC has opened its doors 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week to people of all faiths seeking peace and well-being.

Over the years our programs have grown, yet our Temple facility has not. We host Bud-dhist teachers from around the world, offer classes on Bud-dhism and meditation, prepare thousands of meals for the hungry in our community, and host prayer events dedicated to those suffering from war and natural disasters around the world. All of this has hap-pened in a building originally designed as a single-family dwelling. Over the next several years we must rebuild our fa-

cilities in order to comply with required building codes and to

better meet the goals of our charitable and spiritual programs that serve the com-munity. Phase One of the Capital Campaign has been completed with the success-ful renovation of the space housing the Prayer Room in Maryland to code — including the addi-tion of new bath-

rooms — with disability access enabling the Prayer room to resume being used for prayer, practice, classes and formal teachings. The rest of the temple complex remains inaccessible to the public. To reopen these areas we are actively fund-raising for the design and construction of the new Temple complex. This includes: Phase 2 — New liv-ing facilities for the ordained community and a community space for all who wish to come to gather; and Phase 3 — The main temple and administra-

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2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Concept Design McGraw Bagnoli Architects PLLC 2014

tion area. Any contributions offered to the Capital Cam-paign are greatly welcomed. We look forward to partner-ing on this exciting journey with people who share the values of compas-sion and world peace to serve generations to come.

The proposed build-ing concept for KPC Maryland includes passive systems de-signed to maximize en-vironmentally friendly outcomes including rainwater capture and re-use, Green roofs,

geothermal heating/cooling and solar panels for electricity production and hot water.

For more information on our campaign contact

Claire Waggoner, President, Kunzang Palyul Chöling on (928) 713-3522 or write to us at kpc@tara.org.

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2014 ANNUAL REPORT

KPC WORLDWIDE

K PC has students from all over the world who access teachings on-line either through live web-casts or

U-stream and YouTube. KPC also has a Facebook and Twitter presence which effectively began when Jetsunma began a Twit-ter feed in 2009. Jetsunma’s wish to engage with her students has led her to develop an extensive following using the handle @JALpalyul.

CentersKPC is home to six physical sites of practice in North America and Australia. Each center has different qualities shaped by loca-tion and history.

For instance Dakini Valley, in Arizona with its rugged beauty and remoteness will in the future be ideal for short- and long-term retreat for committed practitioners. KPC Maryland is a primary site of the Palyul lineage in the U.S., as well as being the home for the 24-hour prayer vigil. Maryland and Arizona offer the benefits of accessing Stupas, while all centers including Aus-tralia and KPC in California (Palyul West) provide an avenue for students to connect with visiting Palyul teachers and access opportunities for practice.

KPC in MarylandDate of establishment: 1988 Location: Situated an hour away from the Nation’s Capital, Washington D.C. The main KPC Temple and accompany-ing Peace Park is located at 18400 River Road, Maryland 20837 For more information: phone 1-301-710-6259 E-mail kpc@tara.org or visit our web-site www.tara.org

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2014 ANNUAL REPORT

KPC in ArizonaDate of establishment: 2000 Locations: Sedona and Dakini Valley.

SedonaLocation: Situated among the startling red rocks of the Sedona area, the 14 acre Peace Park is located at 2650 Pueblo Drive, Sedona Arizona 86336 For more information: phone 1-877-788-7229 E-mail amitabhastupa@tara.org or visit our web-site www.tara.org

Dakini Valley Location: At 4,800 feet above sea level, near Payson, Dakini Valley is a spectacular com-bination of rugged forested hillsides and gentle undulat-ing pasture, with a permanent creek flowing through its heart. For more information: phone 1-877-788-7229 E-mail kpc@tara.org or visit our web-site www.tara.org

KPC in California (Palyul West)Date of establishment: 2013 Location: Situated in scenic Santa Barbara. For more information: phone 1-877-788-7229 E-mail kpc@tara.org or visit our web-site www.tara.org

KPC in AustraliaDate of establishment: 2000 Locations: Students are cur-rently located in the Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria and Queensland. For more information: E-mail kpcaustralia@gmail.com or visit our web-site www.tara.org

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2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Kunzang Palyul Choling Kunzang Palyul Choling 2014 Financial Report **2014 Financial Report **

RevenueUndesignated Donations 302,926Restricted Donations 204,712Event Revenue 29,412Other Revenue 42,865In-Kind Donations 271Total Revenue $580,184

Expenses Bank and Transaction Fees 8,682 Computer and Internet 12,269 Dues and Subscriptions 1,274 Fundraising 5,511 Insurance Health Insurance 17,231 Liability and other 7,762 Landscaping 1,423 Licenses and Permits 75 Marketing and Promotions 2,401 Mortgage Interest 41,723 Offerings and Honoraria 28,794 Payroll and related 173,987 Fees 1,723 Postage and Delivery 391 Printing and Copying 2,419 Professional Fees 138,381 Program Expenses 34,128 Property Taxes 654 Repairs and Maintenance 32,174 Service Fees 2,845 Supplies and Equipment 3,375 $572,611 Telephone and Communications 4,271 Travel 12,565 Utilities 38,553Total Expenses $572,611

Net Revenue $7,573

** Unaudited Report

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

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2014 ANNUAL REPORT

302,926 Undesignated

Donations

204,712 Restricted Donations

29,412 Event

Revenue

42,865 Other

Revenue

271 In-Kind

Donations

Total Revenue 2014

Total Expenses Below $10,000

Total Expenses Above $10,000

12,269 Computer &

Internet 35,044 Miscellaneous

24,993 Insurance

41,723 Mortgage Interest

28,794 Offerings & Honoraria

173,987 Payroll & Related

138,381 Professional

Fees

34,128 Program Expenses

32,174 Repairs &

Maintenance

12,565 Travel

38,553 Utilities

1,274 Dues &

Subscriptions1,423

Landscaping 75 Licenses & Permits

2,401 Marketing & Promotions

1,723 Fees391

Postage & Delivery654

Property Taxes4,271

Communications

2,419 Printing & Copying2,845

Service Fees

3,375 Supplies & Equipment

5,511 Fundraising

8,682 Bank &

Transaction Fees

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Financial Summary continued

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CONCLUSION

A Great Outpouring of Loving Concern

E very day people of all spiritual traditions all around the world are benefitted by KPC activities in both ordinary and

extraordinary ways. This has been accomplished thanks to the kindness of people like you.

There are many ways to part-ner with KPC. For more infor-mation on partnering please contact our President Claire Waggoner on 928-713-3522 or at kpc@tara.org.

Our avenues for direct dona-tions include:u One-time or recurring credit card and PayPal donations at http://www. tara.org/donate/u PayPal donations to: donations@tara.org

u Checks mailed to KPC, P.O Box 88, Poolesville, MD 20837u Stocks, insurance, real estate, wills (planned giv- ing): Please contact us at kpc@tara.orgWith so much to accomplish, and so many more gener-ations to come, we wish to thank all of our donors from our hearts for your kindness and continuing support.

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By this effort, may all sentient beings be free of suffering.

May their minds be filled with the nectar of virtue.

In this way, may all causes resulting in suffering be extinguished,

And only the light of compassion shine throughout all realms.

— Jetsunma Ahkön Norbu Lhamo

Visit www.tara.org

Phone: 301-710-6259

E-mail kpc@tara.org

Facebook: Kunzang Palyul Chöling – KPC Buddhist Temple

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KunzangPalyul

Street Address (Temple) – Maryland: 18400 River Road, Poolesville, MD 20837 USA

Street Address (Amitabha Stupa) – Arizona: 2650 Pueblo Drive, Sedona, AZ 86336 USA

Mailing address: Kunzang Palyul Chöling, PO Box 88, Poolesville, MD 20837 USA

Throne holder: H.H. Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, 12th Throne holder of the Palyul Lineage

Spiritual Director: Jetsunma Ahkön Norbu Lhamo

Kunzang Palyul Chöling is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization, Federal Tax ID # 52-1501476.

KPC is a Bronze-level Guide Star Exchange participant, demonstrating our commitment to transparency

through sharing information.

2014 ANNUAL REPORT