Business Report From Norman Dill, Director of Finance

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This year, 2009, has been a very good year for Ligmincha. We have made significant efforts to save money. In April we moved our Charlottesville center and administrative offices to our Serenity Ridge retreat center, thus saving Ligmincha the monthly rental expense for that space. We paid down a significant amount of our mortgage — just under $50,000 — for the recently completed second dorm wing. This means that donations have paid for more than half the cost of the new wing, bringing the total amount now owed to $600,000. As well, we refinanced the loan on the second dorm wing at a substantial savings.

Because of the enormous amount of professional volunteer work done for Ligmincha Institute, we have very low operating expenses and have been able to invest money to improve the buildings and grounds at Serenity Ridge. The generous support of the sangha has enabled us to create the wonderful setting we have now. Further support will be used to improve our kitchen and dining facilities and eventually to expand the teaching hall.

When you donate to the development of the Serenity Ridge retreat center, 100 percent of your donation goes to expand the retreat center. Our administrative and operating costs are covered by retreat fees. Please consider a year-end gift to Ligmincha Institute of any size to support Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche's vision of a dynamic Bon Buddhist retreat center in the West.

To donate by Visa, Mastercard or American Express, go to Ligmincha.org and click on “Donate” or use the link below.

To donate by check, please make your check payable to "Ligmincha Institute" and in the memo field, indicate where you would like us to direct your donation — for example "Retreat Center Development," "Lishu Institute" or "General Donation." Mail your check to:

Ligmincha Institute
554 Drumheller Lane
Shipman, VA 22971

I would be glad to discuss our finances with any interested sangha member who would like more information.

Norman Dill
Director of Finance