Ari Bhöd’s mission of preserving and transmitting the precious legacy of the Tibetan Nyingma lineage tradition is reliant upon you. We are a humble organization with a single pointed focus to uphold the benevolent vision of our late teacher and founder the Venerable Lama Chödak Gyatso Nubpa Rinpoche. Lama Gyatso’s far-reaching vision included preserving and making accessible the profound teachings and rich practices of the Nyingma Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Daily we strive to accomplish this by accumulating merit and building wisdom, by nurturing our retreat center and our practices. We draw much inspiration from the example of Tibet’s sacred culture of peace that has been kept vital and effective through more than fifty generations of lifelong practitioners and lineage masters. The ceaseless efforts and aspirations of Lama Chödak Gyatso Nubpa have established Ari Bhöd/ Pema Drawa as a genuine place of Practice, Peace and Pilgrimage.
Due to the direct blessings of this generations greatest lineage masters, Ari Bhöd provides an authentic, consecrated and sacred space for solitary retreat.
“While we are accumulating merit through building (supporting) Ari Bhöd/ Pema Drawa, we must also build up wisdom—we must be models for others. This means that, for example, when people speak to you they are not tossed back into confusion, but glimpse freedom. We become an igniting force, so that they realize that they too can make the commitment to come to this stage—to the practice.”
–Lama Chödak Gyatso Nubpa (1951-2009)
Ari Bhöd/ Pema Drawa operations are staffed by volunteers, and funded solely by donation. This consideration makes it vital for our community and friends to take a serious interest in and responsibility for supporting Ari Bhöd through the commitment of your annual membership donation so that we may endure to benefit present and future generations.
LEVELS OF MEMBERSHIP MANDALA OPPORTUNITIES:
DHARMA KING/QUEEN
Patron Membership Donation of $2,400.00per year ($200.00 per month)
SUPREMELY KIND MOTHER
Benefactor Membership Donation of $1200.00 per year ($100.00 per month)
OFFERING THE MANDALA
Family Membership Donation of $600.00 per year ($50.00 per month)*
WANDERING YOGI
Friend of Ari Bhöd Membership Donation of $500.00 per year ($42.00 per month)
HERMIT
Individual Membership Donation of $250.00 per year ($21.00 per month)
HUMBLE PILGRIM
Senior | Student or Ari Bhöd Volunteer Membership Donation of $120.00 per year ($10.00 per month)
UNCONTRIVED CONDUCT
One time or monthly gift of any amount to benefit our Membership Program
MEMBERSHIP DONATIONS SUPPORT:
All membership contributions will be directed to our annual operating budget, to cover the many costs associated with the projects, events, publishing and programs of Ari Bhöd, and the day-to-day facility, ceremonial and administration & operation costs of Pema Drawa, supporting our 475 acre retreat center in the Tehachapi Mountains.
Member benefits include:
- Discounts for all Ari Bhöd events
- Short and long-term retreat cabin privileges at Pema Drawa
- Annual year-end membership gift
- Assistance with coordinating traditional practices and ceremonies for the deceased and cremains (before and after death)
- Invitations to special member only events
- Opportunity to join in the merit of supporting this program with others to benefit present and future generations
Signing up for Ari Bhöd membership is easy just click the PayPal link next to the membership program of your choice. Once you sign up, you don’t have to do anything else. You can change or cancel your gift at any time.
If you would prefer to call the office to designate your pledge do so at 661-221-8156. Or you may submit a check by mail you may designate “membership” in the “Memo” section:
Ari Bhöd
1085 Voyager Drive
P.O. BOX 1299
Tehachapi, CA 93581
Ari Bhöd is a is a 501-(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates through a core group of both full-time and seasonal volunteers, diverse in culture, age, skill, and life experience, unified by the motivation to preserve this endangered cultural and spiritual tradition and engage in its legacy of peace.
All membership donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law, and come with the benefit of knowing that you are helping to preserve, in a living environment, all essential aspects of this endangered world heritage so that it remains a source of benefit for future generations of Tibetans and non-Tibetans alike.
Thank you for your consideration, commitment and support.
May Wisdom and Compassion Flourish!
*All immediate family members are extended member benefits