the organisation
In my mind, to help many other people as much as I can is what in my own mind I very much like. Then there is this special occasion with this goal, and this group in which I know some of them. Lama Jigme Namgyal is very very close to me since we were of young age, like a brother, we studied with the same Rinpoche, he is a very very good man. So to help Lama Jigme’s group in this special occasion is my main goal.
Wouter Valentin supports Lama Thupten Tsultrim in India with organising and planning train tickets and accommodation.
As the project secretary I’m having the overview of all the communication and PR. Concrete this means that I’m communicating with the participants, with those who will not join, but would like to be and stay connected, the media, and that I’m taking care of all the administration tasks. At the same time I’m supporting the project leader with his task of organizing and keeping the overview in all the activities.
My motivation of taking such an effort has to do with my personal and indestructible conviction that there is a way to seek and find happiness in the world. An opportunity for everyone, but only possible if people step up and use their wisdom faith and power in a positive way. By taking my own responsibility and act upon what I believe in, I hope that I can inspire even a single person to do the same.
This trip and project gives me the unique and most precious opportunity to deepen my own spiritual practice and understanding to become a good human being. At the same time I see this as a rare and very auspicious opportunity to share positive energy with the world. My personal focus will not be on my own gain, not on the once that will join the Buddhatrip and Kalachakra, but on those who don’t have the circumstances to join.
As the treasurer of the Golog Support Foundation, my main role in the team is to support the financial administration for the trip. I am very thankful to be able to help the organization of the buddhatrip in this way. Furthermore, I am also very interested in the Kalachakra initiation and all that comes with the organization of such a trip.
What inspires me to be part of the Golog Support community is to really help the people of Golog. I it is so rewarding to see that so many projects can be started overthere and that the small things we do from here really make a difference there! By helping with the organization of the buddhatrip I hope to help further enlarging the Golog Support community, its branding and the amount of projects that can be done in Golog.
My main role in this team is creating the website for the buddhatrip and the Kalachakra, editing photos and placing texts about this huge adventure online. I’m also responsible for the social media marketing of this website. I feel great to participate on this project because there are so many factors we have to think of. On a small level as well as on larger scale, that’s a big, big challenge. It’s nice for the stay at home people and those who are interested in this project to stay connected. We hope to put some footage online by then!
What inspires me most is that we can do some really good stuff for the people over there and at the same time grow spiritually from this trip. I’ve been to large events but this will definitely be the biggest of them all. I am looking forward to be part of that, that feeling of connection and such energy must be very special I guess. At the same time I’m aware of all the difficulties this trip can bring on so many levels… The challenge is to constantly tune in with yourself, the people around you and the surroundings. To accept things as they come and enjoy every moment. Wow! : )
“A compassionate motivation is the foundation of spiritual practice, like a seed.” ~ Dalai Lama
That’s why I really like to help Golog Support. One of the seeds. May lots of other seeds follow.
My role will be a very practical one. I will take care of the practical information and needs for the participants. My motivation comes from my own experience as a traveler. I would like to share my knowledge and experience with the other people that will join this trip. I have the wish that my experience will have an positive effect on the Buddha trip.
There are several things in this project and the Buddhatrip that inspires me a lot. First of all that I can be part of this trip together with my Father, who never travelled outside Europe before. I’m confident that this will be a very special trip for us that will deepen our relationship. Another thing is that I consider it very special to travel with our teacher Lama Jigmé and the Sangha to Bodhgaya, the place where the Buddha reached his enlightenment, and that this trip will be focused on spiritual practice. The last thing that inspires me, is the opportunity to share this trip with other groups as well.
My responsibility is to look critically to all the practical things you need as an participant to be well prepared for the Buddha trip. For example, things like: visa, vaccinations, safety, packing list tips, staying in contact with everyone back home, etc.
This project has a special meaning for me because the Buddha trip is a long time wish come true. I don’t have any expectations or a special goal, but a very strong feeling that I have to go for it. It will certainly bring me new experiences. At the same time it think it’s a great challenge to organize this trip for eachother and with eachother. Especially with the unique opportunity to receive the Kalachakra initiation of HH the Dalai Lama, and make some steps forward on our spiritual path.
I am Sandy van Yperen and I find it very special to contribute to a trip like this. Three fantastic, almost magical elements will come together:
1. Bodh Gaya: The place where Buddha Sakyamuni reached his enlightenment under the bodhi tree, the place where the descendant of that samen tree still grows;
2. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the emanation of the Buddha of Compassion: Chenrezig;
3. the Kalachakra initiations His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give. Which are, according to Tibetans, the most important teachings in life someone can receive.
Besides that, we’re accompanied by our own root teacher, Lama Jigme Namgyal, together with our own sangha brothers and sisters! For sure this is a what they call a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience!
As the projectleder I turned lama Jigmé’s wish into a concrete concept and project plan. Now my responsibility is to overview all the activities during the different stages of the project.
As you could read in the lesson of the father of lama Jigmé made quite a powerfull impression which I remember very clearly. For this reason I feel very privileged with this assignment, and I hope to execute it as good as possible. My greatest wish is to serve everyone who wants to connect with it, in my best possible way.
Copyright © 2011 Golog Support Foundation. Special thanks to Michael Huang and Sandy van Yperen for making their photos available.