Date: March 2nd, 1997 Author: Patricia Schaffrick, Alexander Preß Source: KKBN
It took more than one and a half years to overcome all obstacles, because, in the former communist, and now again socialist country, the laws of land ownership are very difficult and complicated.
At the same time it took the local center in Varna two years to get a registration as a Karma Kagyu Yoga Union. The uprising orthodox church of Bulgaria, in alliance with their former surpressors, the socialist party produced a repressive law against religious minorities, which left very little space for a legal existence as a buddhist group.
As everybody probably knows from the newspapers, Bulgaria is at the moment in deep crisis. The economy has totally broken down, there is a tremendous hyperinflation, prices and rents are increasing steadily while at the same time the salleries are reduced and not being paid anyway. Traveling through the country we met high educated people with jobs, who however had to sell their furniture to buy food for their families.
Under these circumstances it is really admirable that there are a few idealists to spite of all difficulties with enough surplusenergy, to work for the development of the Dharma. For them it is a great joy, that with the new land they are now able to arrange the first larger dharma course with Lama Ole in Bulgaria. Everybody is kindly invited to take part. Through our joint work and the meditations with Lama Ole the new land will be blessed and the seeds for future growth will be laid. The main work necessary is cleaning up the place and erecting a fence. After work your strained bodies will have the chance to relax in one of the hot springs nearby or swimming in the Black Sea.
The course will take place from June 18th till June 22nd. During that time there are always cheap flights to Varna, ask in your local travel agency. And very important, please bring tents, sleeping bags and your own crockery!
For further information please contact us. Here is our new address
Patricia Schaffrick and Alexander Preß
Winterstr 5, D-22765 Hamburg, Tel/Fax: +49-40-39901225
email: 101761.3504@compuserve.com
Copyright © 1997 Karma Kagyu Buddhist Network