Deer Park's Unique Contribution
While a growing number of Tibetan Buddhist centers across the United States and in the Midwest offer study and meditation programs, Deer Park does so under the guidance of a resident monastic community. As such, Deer Park is uniquely positioned to provide an experience of this integral part of the Buddhist path, and to teach by its example as well as by its words.
“It should be understood that wherever the monastic lifestyle exists together with the sincere practice of the prescribed monastic activities, there the Buddha’s teaching abides. Likewise, it should be understood that wherever the monastic lifestyle does not exist or exists but without sincere engagement in the prescribed monastic activity, there the Buddha’s teaching has perished."
"The demarcation between the existence and non-existence of the Buddha’s teaching should be based on whether or not followers of the monastic tradition (ordained sangha) exist and whether or not, among the collection of the holy Buddhist teachings the Vinaya teachings (the prescribed monastic rules and activities) exist.”
~ A passage from the Vinaya Sutra (the Buddha’s explanation of the monastic life) as quoted in a commentary by Gendun Drup, the 1st Dalai Lama.
Activities
There are a wide range of Deer Park activities, reflecting the many interests of its members and the spirit of the Buddhist idea that a diversity of methods can be used to promote the welfare, mutual understanding and happiness of living beings, and to encourage people's moral and spiritual growth.
We are a religious community with a nucleus of monks following the traditional Buddhist monastic discipline, pursuing study and religious practice. Our lay members participate in religious services, and in the study of Buddhism on an ongoing basis. Religious teachings are given by one of our several resident monks and by eminent visiting teachers.
We support the preservation and furtherance of the rich and ancient Tibetan culture, the cause of Tibetan freedom, as well as the needs of the Tibetan diaspora. To this end, we have sponsored educational and cultural programs, such as Tibetan dance, drama, and musical performances, and the multi-media tour of the Sera Chay monks. We have also worked to raise awareness of Tibet in Wisconsin, have organized the very successful plan to resettle Tibetan refugees in the Madison area, and have closely cooperated with this thriving local Tibetan community to coordinate events of mutual interest. A separate but affiliated organization works to advance the goal of Tibetan independence and human rights.
We wish to reach out to Christians, Jews, Muslims and members of other faith communities for a dialogue to help us recognize our areas of common concern as well as to understand our differences of philosophy and belief. Deer Park members have been actively involved in local interfaith organizations, and clergy from other faiths have participated in our celebrations and discussions. We are continuing this tradition with interfaith seminars and other events.
Teachings on the graduated path to enlightenment are offered on a weekly basis as well as occasional Tantric teachings for more senior students.
Each Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. to noon Geshe Sopa, or one of the resident geshes, offers religious teachings. A special worship service, the Jorcho puja, is given monthly at the beginning of these Sunday teachings. There are also teachings given by different teachers on most Thursdays from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
On the 10th day of the Tibetan month, the Lama chopa puja is offered with tsog (food sharing) at 7:00 p.m. and on the 25th of the Tibetan month, the Vajra Yogini worship is held, with tsog, at 7:00 p.m.
In addition, worship services are held annually on Wesak, the anniversary of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and Parinirvana (May or June); H. H. the Dalai Lama's birthday (July 6); the anniversary of the death of Tsongkhapa (December); and on various other occasions. Special intensive courses and retreats are also held at regular intervals.
There are a wide range of Deer Park activities, reflecting the many interests of its members and the spirit of the Buddhist idea that a diversity of methods can be used to promote the welfare, mutual understanding and happiness of living beings, and to encourage people's moral and spiritual growth.
We are a religious community with a nucleus of monks following the traditional Buddhist monastic discipline, pursuing study and religious practice. Our lay members participate in religious services, and in the study of Buddhism on an ongoing basis. Religious teachings are given by one of our several resident monks and by eminent visiting teachers.
We support the preservation and furtherance of the rich and ancient Tibetan culture, the cause of Tibetan freedom, as well as the needs of the Tibetan diaspora. To this end, we have sponsored educational and cultural programs, such as Tibetan dance, drama, and musical performances, and the multi-media tour of the Sera Chay monks. We have also worked to raise awareness of Tibet in Wisconsin, have organized the very successful plan to resettle Tibetan refugees in the Madison area, and have closely cooperated with this thriving local Tibetan community to coordinate events of mutual interest. A separate but affiliated organization works to advance the goal of Tibetan independence and human rights.
We wish to reach out to Christians, Jews, Muslims and members of other faith communities for a dialogue to help us recognize our areas of common concern as well as to understand our differences of philosophy and belief. Deer Park members have been actively involved in local interfaith organizations, and clergy from other faiths have participated in our celebrations and discussions. We are continuing this tradition with interfaith seminars and other events.
Teachings on the graduated path to enlightenment are offered on a weekly basis as well as occasional Tantric teachings for more senior students.
Each Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. to noon Geshe Sopa, or one of the resident geshes, offers religious teachings. A special worship service, the Jorcho puja, is given monthly at the beginning of these Sunday teachings. There are also teachings given by different teachers on most Thursdays from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
On the 10th day of the Tibetan month, the Lama chopa puja is offered with tsog (food sharing) at 7:00 p.m. and on the 25th of the Tibetan month, the Vajra Yogini worship is held, with tsog, at 7:00 p.m.
In addition, worship services are held annually on Wesak, the anniversary of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and Parinirvana (May or June); H. H. the Dalai Lama's birthday (July 6); the anniversary of the death of Tsongkhapa (December); and on various other occasions. Special intensive courses and retreats are also held at regular intervals.
Learning resources
The Deer Park collection, developed from the bequest of Prof. Robinson's Buddhist Studies library as well as other generous gifts, includes many original Tibetan texts in traditional woodblock prints and modern formats, books on Tibet and Buddhism in English and other European languages, and a complete set of audiotapes of teachings that have been given at Deer Park over the years. All works are available for consultation, and many can be lent out.
Financial Support for Deer Park Buddhist Center and Monastery
Deer Park’s routine activities are supported entirely by donations from our students and friends. With typically five to seven resident monks in residence, the current annual cost to provide food and a small stipend for the monks; to clean and maintain the temple, stupa, two houses and grounds; to provide audio-visual materials and equipment for classes; and to accommodate occasional guest teachers, is approximately $120,000.00 per year.
About one quarter of our current donations come through a pledge system. Pledges are very helpful to us for purposes of planning, and we encourage anyone who wishes to offer regular support to join the pledge system. We are very grateful to receive cash or check donations of any amount.
The Deer Park collection, developed from the bequest of Prof. Robinson's Buddhist Studies library as well as other generous gifts, includes many original Tibetan texts in traditional woodblock prints and modern formats, books on Tibet and Buddhism in English and other European languages, and a complete set of audiotapes of teachings that have been given at Deer Park over the years. All works are available for consultation, and many can be lent out.
Financial Support for Deer Park Buddhist Center and Monastery
Deer Park’s routine activities are supported entirely by donations from our students and friends. With typically five to seven resident monks in residence, the current annual cost to provide food and a small stipend for the monks; to clean and maintain the temple, stupa, two houses and grounds; to provide audio-visual materials and equipment for classes; and to accommodate occasional guest teachers, is approximately $120,000.00 per year.
About one quarter of our current donations come through a pledge system. Pledges are very helpful to us for purposes of planning, and we encourage anyone who wishes to offer regular support to join the pledge system. We are very grateful to receive cash or check donations of any amount.
Treasurer’s General Information on Donations to Deer Park
For inquiries about donations and finances, email inquiries to:
Mike Atkins, Treasurer at [email protected]