How cool! A great way to spread Dharma plus raising funds for Dharma to grow and survive. An unintimidating way to reach out to many unsuspecting and sophiscated New Yorkers.
A week ago Monday, Khen Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist monk, blessed Lisa Fox’s new store, LF8, in the East Village. Ms. Fox promotes artisans and designers like Natalie Chanin, whose handmade garments and home goods are sold under the Alabama Chanin label.
Each month, new work and workshops will be featured among staples like vintage lighting by Luddite Antiques, jewelry by Kiki Smith, pillows from Alabama Chanin and dukar wheels (these look sort of like woven crosses) from Mr. Rinpoche’s monastery in Ladakh, India.
Mr. Rinpoche explained that he can tailor a blessing to be long, medium or short. Ms. Fox and her store received the short one, which took about 15 minutes. Monks chanting, if you’ve never heard them, sound sort of like the growling of friendly bears. At the end, a basket of rose petals was passed so that the guests could throw handfuls. Soon, the floor was blanketed in deep fuchsia and red drifts. LF8 is at 80 East Seventh Street (First Avenue). Information: 646-861-2837 or lf8elevate.com.
