Kindness You Can Wear

November 14, 2025

Dear KCC Sangha,

I regularly join KCC meditation practices on Sunday from my home in Oslo, Norway and it is such a pleasure to send some items to KCC for fundraising. The wool mittens are based on traditional Norwegian “Selbu” patterns, but obviously with a Buddhist twist. The sweater is a traditional Icelandic pattern with Icelandic Lopi wool. So, wash them gently – either by hand or on the wool cycle in your machine and use soap for wool or silk.

I grew up in Rye, NY and went to college in Massachusetts. When I graduated, I followed a dream I had had since I was about 9 years old and moved to Norway. That dream started when I read a children’s book about Norwegian children helping the resistance during WWII: Snow Treasure.

25 years ago, after holding Buddhism at arm’s length since college, I finally connected with Karma Tashi Ling (KTL) in Oslo. Like KCC, KTL was founded by Kalu Rinpoche, and Lama Changchub, our leader, grew up in the monastery in Sonada.

KTL is fortunate to have nearly yearly visits from either Ringu Tulku or Khandro Rinpoche, and many others. We have a retreat center about 10 miles to the east of Oslo in the forest, and our fabulous nun, Ani Chökyi lives there. She has translated several important texts to Norwegian, not least the Ngöndro and Lojong texts.

I hit a bit of a “dry spell” with meditation that lasted for about four years. Two years ago, I thought I better “shape-up”, so first I went to two summer retreats at our center. Then I searched the Internet for something with structure that would keep me on track – and that is how I found KCC. Lucky me! Why do I need KCC, when I have such a great Sangha? I live on the “wrong side” of Oslo so it is not easy to get to KTL or the retreat center – it can take up to two hours each way with public transportation. So being able to log onto KCC is perfect for me.

I love to knit and it is such a pleasure to donate some items to help support KCC.

For the Dharma,

Suzanne

You will find the red-white HRI mittens, the blue-green TAM mittens and the sweater (approximately a Women’s Large) for purchase by donation in the KCC bookstore.