Last weekend we completed our third annual Papermaking event on Khandroling with Sheryl Jaffe and members joined by a few talented local artists. Slowly our circle is widening. Beginning with our first WALKABOUT (See slide show) in the summer of 2012 on the land identifying plants for optimal papermaking, each year we return to our original inspiration—the land of the dakinis for sustenance and community.
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[Rhoda, Madeline and Paul dive in]
Set up was easy with our new Ez-Up tent and the screen tent Nary Mitchell, farm manager, set up for us.
[Sheryl showing us her collection of hand-made papers for inspiration]
[Dara, a Tibetan translator, showing us the Tibetan Alphabet]
[Sheryl and Brenda adding cooked Knotweed to the Critter--a tough beat. In the end out came the blender to breakdown the fibers further].
[Sheryl’s exquisite selection of handmade paper using natural fibers]
RECENT
NEWS
DZAMLING
GAR contacted us about participating in an
international portfolio of interesting Dzogchen Community projects to present
to their local government in
Spain. Dzamling Gar is the seat of the Internatlonal Dzogchen Communtiy founded
by Choegyal Namkhai Norbu. We are proud to be a part of the Dzogchen Community
which you can read about here although it is not necessary to be a part of it
or even interested to participate in our programs.
Here is
what we wrote:
Khandroling Paper Cooperative was founded in 2012 at Tsegyalgar East as a community activity endorsed by Choegyal Namkhai Norbu who said: “The project you are proposing seems very interesting. I think it will be successful and become very useful for all our Dzogchen Community.”
The Paper Cooperative routinely gives demonstrations and workshops throughout our region partnering with a variety of organizations. Members of the cooperative participate according to their interests and skills including a program that recycles sacred texts. Historically speaking buddhist teachings and handmade paper traveled together from the 2nd century until today. We are a part of that tradition. For further information past and present visit:http://www.khandrolingpapers.blogspot.com
As
Sheryl pointed out, it’s an awesome realization that the oldest dated document
on paper is the Buddhist text, The Diamond Sutra found at Dunhuang. To read more:
***
We
are now officially signed up for our third Swatch Book. Jacqueline will make the pulp
for our third year in a row. The swatch books are an international book of
sample papers made by papermakers which include their recipes. To visit our
2012 book, click here or for our 2013 book, click here. In both instances, she made the pulp on the Khandroling
land itself –once in retreat where she had beat the kozo outside Rinpoche’s
cabin in the rain.
***
During the retreat with Choegyal Namkhai Norbu July 16-20, 2014 at the Mohawk School, Sheryl gave a marvelous demonstration and presented Rinpoche with the beautful festschrift album made by her husband Walter using fibers from every continent he visited.
Photo by Jacqueiine Gens of Choegyal Namkhai Norbu and Sheryl Jaffe
The several workshops are in development for 2015.Ful descriptions and details will be available early in 2015. As an homage to our
Tibetan inspired roots, this year we will emphasize aspects of the culture
in relation to paper. Dates and details will
be announced in early January. As ever, we operate by donations so don’t stay
away because of a lack of funds.
We also appreciate donations to sponsor guest faculty workshops like Tashi Mannox who taught us Tibetan Calligraphy in April 2014.
