The Lumberjack student newspaper
Resident teacher Ven. Khenpo Ugyen Wangchuk at the Ewam Ku Sum Ling school of Tibetan Buddhism in Kneeland, CA. Photo credit: Robert Brown

Local Buddhism School Consecrates New Buddha Statue

A local Tibetan school is hosting several upcoming events in Humboldt, which includes the consecration of a Buddha statue and culminates in a weekend intensive with special guest teacher, Gochen Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche.
Translate

By | Robert Brown

“The statue we are unveiling is known as the second Buddha,” resident teacher Ven. Khenpo Ugyen Wangchuk said.

The statue will be consecrated at a special ceremony held Thursday, Oct. 5, from 9:00 am. until 11:00 am. at the Ewam Ku Sum Ling school in Kneeland.

Gochen Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche will be teaching a weekend mind training intensive called Yogi Dharmarakshita’s “The Peacock’s Neutralizing of Poisons,” transcending ego interference to discover true happiness at the Arcata Veterans Hall Saturday, Oct. 7 and Sunday, Oct. 8 from 10:00 am. until 4:00pm.

Gochen Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche is the founder and spiritual director of Ewam International Centers, which has several locations around the world. He was born into one of the oldest families in Tibet and was recognized in early childhood to be the reincarnation of the Gochen Tulku.

“Rinpoche was captured in Tibet and imprisoned for 10 years by Chinese soldiers,” the owner of Kneeland Ewam Ku Sum Ling school, Amri Padme said. “It turned out to be his greatest opportunity and a positive experience because he was imprisoned alongside several other master teachers that shared their wisdom and practices with him. He also learned how to have compassion for the soldiers that captured him.”

Resident teacher, Khenpo Ugyen Wangchuk is an advanced level monastic originally from Bhutan and has studied Buddhism since the age of 7. He received a Master’s degree in Buddhist Philosophy from the Nyingma Institute Taktse. In 2006, the title of Khenpo was conferred upon him, which is the equivalent of a PhD.

“All Tibetan teachings are about mind training, the transformation of the mind, the true nature of the mind,” Ven. Wangchuk said. “How we can change our mind from difficulties and suffering and reach true happiness.”

Ven. Wangchuk offers teachings for free on a variety of practices in many different places from Trinidad, Mckinleyville, Arcata, HSU, and Kneeland. At some gatherings, the teachings are more basic. At the school, people that have been practicing Buddhism for 10-15 years come in order to go deeper into more advanced teachings.

“In the Western world people are focused on material things bringing happiness,” Ven. Wangchuk said. “Material things will not bring inner happiness, and ends up creating suffering.”

Buddhism originally started in India and spread to many different countries such as Sri Lanka and Thailand, which created the common teachings. It then spread to Korea, Japan, China, and Vietnam, creating the uncommon teachings. When Buddhism reached Tibet, the Vajrayana teachings were created, becoming the most advanced level in Buddhism.

“The Vajrayana teachings help to transform the ordinary mind into the extraordinary mind,” Ven. Wangchuk said. “The mind is the king of our life, whatever our mind thinks and believes, our bodies will follow. The mind is the leader of everything.”

“There is a teaching for everything,” Padme said. “There’s a different teaching for every individual really, that’s the really beautiful part about the Vajrayana tradition. Some people might not like ritual type practices, some might have a hard time just sitting on a cushion and meditating. For every type of person, there is a different practice that will more attract them and be more beneficial to them, so there’s something for everyone.”

Anyone interested in attending any of the events being held this week can go online to http://www.EwamKusumLing.com or call (707) 599-4997. In addition to the upcoming classes being offered, there is a free Shamatha group meditation at the Arcata Veterans Hall every Thursday from 6:00-6:50 pm.

“I’ve been practicing Buddhism for close to 15 years,” Attorney Paul Warner said. “The meditation practice and Buddhist view really assist with gaining a center of awareness and not becoming distracted by all of the worldly concerns. It’s a paradox, we think we have to stay busy and be on top of things, but sometimes just making space and taking time and centering, things flow much more easily.”

“I used to have to go to Colorado, Southern California, or Leggett for teachings,” Warner said. “Now we have a local center here in Humboldt which is really nice.”

Share This Post

More Stories

Nina G uses comedy to start conversations

During the virtual comedy event held by the SDRC, Nina Ghiselli tells her story and emphasizes the importance of student disability resources within schools.

It’s not just the Capitol Police

As the world watched from their televisions on January 6, we witnessed scenes unfold before our eyes that were, to many, unimaginable: supporters of President Trump swarmed the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building, then proceeded to break in and

The San Jose State University Football Team Comes to Humboldt

On a day’s notice from administration, the SJSU football team spends a week and a half in Humboldt practicing because their county did not allow it. Students react to their presence on campus in the midst of a pandemic. Directed

Homelessness in Humboldt, CA

This is the first trailer of a homeless documentary created by HSU students. We have spent months filming and will continue to film throughout the next year. Follow the heartbreaking stories of the homeless community around Humboldt county and the

Thrifty Arcata

Taking a tour of the local thrift shops in Arcata during the COVID-19 pandemic. Directed and produced by Skylar Gaven.

House Plants Generate Peace and Meaning During the Pandemic

Three different people with the same love for plants! House plants have become quite popular these days especially since we’re all basically stuck inside during the pandemic. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but these beautiful green oxygen-makers provide more

Prop 22 represents political favoritism of money over workers’ rights

California’s passing of proposition 22 on Nov. 5 represents a frustrating history of workers’ rights being trampled by the overwhelming influence of greed in politics.  This proposition forces app-based workers to be classified as independent contractors, rather than employees. This

Remembering Evelyn Andrews 10 months after her passing

By Katelyn Dendas It has been 10 months since my friend, teammate and freshman year dorm mate, Evelyn Andrews, passed away. I don’t remember what the grief counselor said or what transpired after that Monday, but I do remember arriving

Protestors seek to defund HSUPD

Two local, activist organizations work together to stage a sit-in against Humboldt State’s police department.

Getting stuck on the Trump train

Writer Anthony Aragon details his experience of accidentally joining a pro-Trump car rally.

Justin Turner exposes the World Series to COVID-19

Justin Turner didn’t need to be the story in the wake of the Dodgers’ first World Series victory in 32 years. Instead here we are, wondering what sort of, if any, punishment Major League Baseball will decide to hand down

Four more years of fear

News Editor Carlos Holguin explains why he is worried about the next four years.

Dismal democracy

The Lumberjack editorial staff comments on America’s flawed electoral system As the world watches the United States 2020 election results, waiting for our pseudodemocratic process to churn out a new president, historically unprecedented voting methods misrepresents the reported Election Day

The Mario triple pack invokes a nostalgia attack

When I was a child, the first video game system I owned was a Nintendo 64. Among the games I played was Super Mario 64. I played it all the time and when I wasn’t playing it, I was lying

Women’s lacrosse drops their competitive season

Greta Roberts, president and player of Humboldt State University’s women’s lacrosse team, made the decision with her coach and teammates to cancel the upcoming spring season. The team decided that not being able to recruit in the fall would be

Dobby’s proposition opinions

Haven’t voted yet? Well, you’re running out of time. Here’s a quick rundown of California’s propositions on the ballot this year

Corporations buy out propositions

In a series of general and misleading advertisements, corporate backers of Propositions 22 and 23 show their grubby hands

CDOR continues virtually

The Campus and Community Dialogue On Race returns covering global justice for Black Lives.

Indigenous Food Sovereignty

Local food management practices of the Tolowa Dee-ni, Yurok and other indigenous peoples.

Humboldt State Admin attempts to discredit the Lumberjack

***A Lumberjack editorial represents both the majority opinion of the student newspaper’s editorial board, nine editors, as well as the overwhelming majority of Humboldt State University’s student body. Collectively, an editorial echos, embodies and advocates for community beliefs.*** Insensitive communications

Music of the Moment 6

21 Savage and Metro Boomin drop a classic with “Savage Mode II”

Spartans arrive at HSU despite campus concerns

***Editor’s note: SJSU football program was tested in congruence with Mountain West conference guidelines*** The Spartans have arrived and this time they’re not carrying spears or shields. Instead the San Jose State football team stepped onto the Humboldt State campus

Music of the Moment 5

After shooting Megan Thee Stallion, Tory Lanez cancels himself

Welcome to the Twilight Zone

Comparisons between episodes of the classic TV show The Twilight Zone and our own dismal reality

Music of the Moment 4

YoungBoy Never Broke Again dodges the sophomore slump with his new album “Top.”

Self-Care Cuts

Changing your hair to change your life

HSU Seaweed Farm sets sail

The first commercially-approved seaweed farm in California will be on the map.

Music of the Moment 3

For better or worse, Big Sean is likely gone for good.

More Layers, More Protection?

Humboldt State demands double masking on campus, does more layers equal more protection?

The Ethnic Studies Bill is a Blessing

Ethnic Studies will thankfully become mandatory for all California State University students – as it should be.

The Complex Interface of Humans and Wildfires

How fire suppression is a mixed bag in Humboldt County Every fire season, blankets of smoke roll over Humboldt County. Here on the coast, that’s as close to wildfires as some of us get. But our practice of fire suppression

Defund HSU’s Police Department

Incidents of racism from the former UPD Chief, past examples of excessive force from current officers and a shrinking university budget.

How Not To Be Bitten By A Kitten

Please prepare to be prey Congratulations, a baby feline has recently come into your life. If they’re anywhere from 2-18 months, they bite. They see you as prey. Because you are prey. You always have been. You always will be.

Graduating Into Uncharted Waters

HSU graduates attempt to navigate a world turned upside-down by COVID-19 In May, Humboldt State University graduated hundreds of students, as it does every year. Unlike past years, graduates didn’t get to shake hands with their respective dean and receive

HSU Cultural Center Budget Slashed

Associated Students leaves student body devastated after significant reductions in cultural center’s budget.

All aboard the plague ship

Unprecedented times are met with normalized behavior, HSU puts students and community members at higher risk after reopening campus and student housing.

Music of the Moment

The hip-hop community rallies behind the Black Lives Matter Movement

Inside the Immune System

How the body uses multiple levels of defense against foreign intruders

Catcalling Can’t Continue

Verbal harassment toward women is about control and the assertion of gender discrimination