This is the third consecutive year. ShabdaMonthly Newsletter of Losang Dragpa Center KYABJE LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE! We Welcome the return of

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1 ~ May 2007 ~ Shabda 1 ShabdaMonthly Newsletter of Losang Dragpa Center May 2007 We Welcome the return of KYABJE LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE! Shabda would like to recall for the benefit of members many endearing anecdotes of life with our Guru from different people and perspectives. From these anecdotes, you will realize what a special Guru he is. A day with Rinpoche is a mixture of joy, satisfaction, bliss despite some hardship when our sleeping hour still sees us in the gompa listening to teachings or breakfast is served at noon, while tea time is replaced with lunch. This is the third consecutive year Rinpoche will be visiting LDC! Aren t we extremely blessed that Rinpoche is able to spend some time with us every year, when there are hundreds of Rinpoche s Centers around the world inviting Rinpoche, and Rinpoche s projects that require His attention, matters that relate to Rinpoche s Gurus, students, friends, families etc. Well what is our hardship when we realize that Rinpoche starts His day while everyone is fast asleep. It is usual for Rinpoche s secretary (Ven.Roger) and attendant to be on call at late night ready to respond when Rinpoche presses the button on His table, and before the melody of the door bell ends, Rinpoche s attendant is right there ready to serve Him! Any news? is the signal for Ven.Roger to mention all the relevant things that are happening, from request, problems, deaths, illnesses, all over the world. Often when Ven.Roger is talking, LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

2 2 Shabda ~ May 2007 ~ Rinpoche has the BBC on the TV or the Animal Planet station. Lions stalking their prey when they are about to rip the neck out of a deer, Rinpoche changes the channel. He can t bear to watch. The channel is constantly being changed because the animal world seem to be all about eating each other in the most horrific ways. yet Rinpoche keeps trying to watch but can t quite do it. Rinpoche doesn t speak in the morning. When He needs something to get done, He will write on note paper and pass on the message to His attendant. Rinpoche starts his day by making Dzambala water offering and Preta offering. As Ven.Roger said, It doesn t matter how busy things get, if a sentient being appears in front of Rinpoche, He always stops and has all the time in the world for that being because Rinpoche only thinks of the being there right in front of Him. Be it an insect, a worm or an ant, Rinpoche never lets a single tiny being pass by without saying a prayer to benefit it. Rinpoche starts His teaching, puja, initiation or any program only when the time is right. And it is Rinpoche s practice to end the program by leading everyone in a long dedication, which once included, Please pray, while you re not asleep, to have lots of sleep! and also, While you always pray to have the right conditions to practice Dharma, you do have the right conditions but you don t practice - and then laughed and laughed. Rinpoche often finishes His evening program in early morning when dawn is about to break, or even after that, and ends with For those who are still not dreaming, you can leave! Rinpoche s travel arrangement can change at any time. Ven.Roger has to continue to remind Rinpoche (after 27 years of serving Rinpoche) that it is time to get in the car to catch the flight. Many times Rinpoche was right that the flight will be delayed, but Rinpoche was never wrong even when He missed the flight. Oh, is it time to go?, Rinpoche asked after He had done a slow, thorough and extensive puja for Maitreya Project and a sick student prior departing to the airport. We might need to do a puja for the airline! Ven. Roger responded when they had just missed the flight. The next morning Rinpoche found out that one of His gurus was giving a major initiation the next day, which Rinpoche could now attend - Rinpoche commented how convenient! LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

3 ~ May 2007 ~ Shabda 3 Being born in a typical Sherpa family, from the village of Solu Khumbu in Nepal, where potatoes serve as the best food in their life, Rinpoche is a big fan of potatoes! Once when Rinpoche had a potato dish in a restaurant, He could not wait to ask Ven.Roger to take a photo of it, after He created some design on the table with the potato! Never letting a chance of creating merit slip by is a big part of Rinpoche s day. Rinpoche s food offering easily takes up to hour after the food is served hot on the table. It is normal for the attendant to heat up the food again when Rinpoche finishes His offering prayer to all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, holy beings and holy objects such as statues, stupas, scriptures etc offered in India, Nepal, Taiwan, USA, Malaysia, Singapore and all around the world, and to all the beings in higher realms and lower realms of the past, present and future, and finally to seal the merit by dedicating it with understanding or realization of emptiness. Whew! Rinpoche looks after His students from life after life. Mani, the dog, lives in Rinpoche s house in California. Recently Mani was awakened at 1:30am by a western nun holding a phone to her ears Rinpoche had phoned wanting to talk to Mani, and to recite various mantras and prayers to her. Mani is said to be a student of Rinpoche in a previous life, but this life she is born as a dog. Recently in Taiwan, a few dogs belonging to Rinpoche s Center were lost, but when Rinpoche visited the Center, the dogs returned. Once during the teaching, Rinpoche mentioned that they were His students before. Whenever Rinpoche travel overseas, Rinpoche always carries with him prayer wheel, relics, extensive Tibetan prayer texts and tons of holy objects. Rinpoche is always willing to pay the excess fee for His over-weight luggage at the airport. Although Rinpoche s student has offered to scan all Tibetan texts into the computer so it is easier for Rinpoche and His entourage to carry around, but it seems Rinpoche s preference is to take with Him seven big suitcases wherever He travels! Rinpoche is also very artistic and creative when it comes to art. Rinpoche s trade mark signature is a smiling face sign with His name. Rinpoche also draw beautiful deities and horses. Rinpoche s great compassion brings to him a special creativity to write mantras on the horns of goats and on the shell of turtles when liberating them. Rinpoche s car is full of mantras to benefit everyone who sees it, or insects and flies who touch it. Rinpoche also writes mantras on bird cages to make sure the birds are safe. Rinpoche has a famous mantra cap that just by seeing or wearing it, a hundred thousand negative karma gets purified. Shopping with Rinpoche can be most fun. Wherever Rinpoche goes, the people around show their fondness for Rinpoche, treating Rinpoche with smiling faces and warm gestures. When LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

4 4 Shabda ~ May 2007 ~ Rinpoche goes to the seafood section in the supermarket, He can t help but to chant mantras and blow on those seafood lying on trays. One time when Rinpoche and Ven. Roger needed a cab to go to a place, Rinpoche and Ven.Roger stood on opposite sides of the street to try to hail a cab. Ven.Roger wasn t having any success, and looked over to see that Rinpoche was successful in getting cabs except that Rinpoche was giving them Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche s program in Malaysia & Singapore 9th 20th May, Singapore to the other people waiting in the queue! His tireless work for all sentient beings, His great compassion, the wish fulfilling jewel, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche is a rare enlightened being in this degenerate time, liberating our deluded mind to set us free from infinite suffering, and showing us the proper way to ultimate liberation. Let us all welcome the return of our beloved Rinpoche to Malaysia! 21st May 3rd June 2007, Malaysia 23rd May Teaching and 21 Tara LDC, PJ 24th May Tara LDC, PJ 25th - 27th May Tara LDC, PJ 28th 29th May Teaching & Medicine Buddha CGC, 157, Kelawai Rd, Penang 31st May Oral transmission on Golden Light LDC, PJ 1st June Kasih Hospice PJ 2nd June Tea with Rinpoche for LDC members LDC 3rd June Long Life Puja for LDC, PJ 9th May Public Ngee Ann Kongsi (97 Tank Road) 11th May Ksitigarbha initiation; ABC, 44 Lorang 25A, Geylang 12-13th May Lha Gyalma Commentary Great Medicine Buddha ABC, 44 Lorang 25A, Geylang 16th May preceding talk on Ganden Lha Gyalma Commentary Paldon Lhamo ABC, 44 Lorang 25A, Geylang 17th May preceding talk on Ganden Lha Gyalma Commentary Amitayus Long Life ABC, 44 Lorang 25A, Geylang 19th May Opening of ABC s new ABC, 44 Lorang 25A, Geylang 20th May Long Life ABC, 44 Lorang 25A, Geylang ** Rinpoche will travel to Australia after Malaysia LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

5 May Program Highlights ~ May 2007 ~ Shabda 5 Wesak Celebration, 1st May 2007, Tuesday, 10am onward Wesak Celebration in Malaysia is scheduled on 1st May Here at LDC we will be doing prayers to Shakyamuni Buddha, Incense Puja, Bath Offering and Tea Offering. In addition, Geshe la will give a short teaching relating to the Buddha. There will be free lunch served to the public. The program will start from 10am onwards. Please bring your family and friends to attend prayers on this special occasion! Eight Verses of Thought Transformation by Geshe Tenzin Zopa, 5th, 12th & 19th May 2007, Saturday, 4 5:30pm The first teaching by Geshe la started on 21st April which he began by explaining that while he is sitting slightly higher than everyone in the gompa, it is not because he has the qualification or merit to do so but it s because whatever word that he is going to express is DHARMA and so in respect the Dharma, Geshe la has no choice but to sit on the high throme, although he feels very uncomfortable. While some people feel tired of studying Lam Rim The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, and want to learn something else other than Lam Rim, Geshe la clarified that every Teaching of the Buddha is Lam Rim. Even the text of Thought Transformation is also Lam Rim. All the eighty-four thousand Teachings of the Buddha are Lam Rim, regardless if it is just a short verse or a few volumes of Teaching, it is all showing the stages of the path to enlightenment. The purpose of learning Buddha s Teaching is to subdue one s mind. As long as one cannot subdue the mind, we cannot say we have been in Dharma for so long. Subduing the mind means subduing one s delusions. Up until today we have been habituating ourselves with delusion. We have been meditating and reminding ourselves of the sadness in the past. Reminding is meditating, to be familiar with the object is also called meditation. We do so much meditation on delusions, we are surprised to know those people who have done 20 years of meditation whom we labelleds great mahasiddhas, but in fact we can become greater meditators too - a great meditator on delusion! Why is it so easy for us to give rise to attachment? It is because we have gained realization on attachment. We meditate, we perform and we apply it in our daily lives. If we can be so successful in this part, why can t we be successful on the Dharma part? The answer is because we are not applying it in our daily life. We study so much and we don t apply it, it s completely wasted! We are allowing delusions to enjoy our life! LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

6 6 Shabda ~ May 2007 ~ As long as we do not subdue our mind, we are not practcing Buddha s teaching. So now you ask yourself, whether you are qualified to say you are practicing Buddha s teaching? From the time you took refuge up until today, you should count the number of actions which subdue your mind. Even if it looks like you are practicing dharma, but in the end, if delusion subdues your mind, it is either that you do not have enough effort or you had applied the wrong method. There is nothing wrong with the teaching. To start introducing the Teaching on Thought Transformation, Geshe la skillfully started from different angles to emphasize the importance of this teaching. Geshe la said that this teaching is quite straight forward although he is concerned that people might feel it is a bit too much! Geshe la then further explained that setting the motivation to invoke the blessings from the Buddha, holy beings & lineage gurus is a big part in our practice, as without a proper motivation and depending only on the action and conclusion cannot bring a complete set of merit for practicing Dharma. Neither can relying only on motivation, but without actual action and conclusion bring about a better practice. Thus the importance of the three actions together: motivation, actual action & dedication will magnify the practice of Dharma. After explaining the benefits and importance of studying the teaching, Geshe la gave a short introduction on the author, Geshe Langri Tangpa, who composed the Eight Verses of Thought Transformation. As there was insufficient time to explain the verses but to mark an auspicious start of this teaching, Geshe la concluded the session by reciting the first verse: Being determined to accomplish, The highest welfare of all beings, Who excel the wish fulfilling gem, I shall constantly hold them dear. The Presentation of Buddhist Tenets by Geshe Tenzin Zopa, 6th, 13th & 20th May 2007, Sunday, 6-7:30pm Geshe la began the teaching by emphasizing on the importance of studying, contemplating and meditating on Dharma as without the practice one of these three, there will not be any realization. Studying philosophy is not something other than Dharma practice. Philosophy is also dharma teaching. Philosophy itself is Dharma. It is just the matter of whether one applies it into practice or not. Philosophy teaches us a very deep level of theory in dharma, that s how Buddhist scholars get into deep understanding of Dharma. Buddhist philosophy goes into the very details, very elaborateaspects of Dharma. It covers every single phenomenon, although it doesn t really hit at our ego you might think that it is out of the field of practicing Dharma because Dharma teaches LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

7 ~ May 2007 ~ Shabda 7 to subdue one s mind, but while learning philosophy which is about the existence of phenomena, the name and categories of different phenomena but in the end the whole picture of philosophy is to make us understand the deeper levels of Dharma. Given the example of karma. There are many categories of karma. Each and every karma can be defined by our every single action which can be fine tuned to our every single flow of thought. By understanding the theory of karma, one should be alert in our everyday life on the importance of only practicing virtues and avoiding nonvirtues. Geshe la then introduced the composer of the Buddhist tenets which we will be studying Jetsun Chokyi Gyaltsen, who is the manifestation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. He gave a brief run through of the four Buddhist schools and also briefly touched on the definition of being a Buddhist and Buddhist tenet proponent. Geshe la also gave a taste on the fun and significant part of debating. It is to help polish our understanding and sharpen our minds and even sometimes it is permissible to be a bit aggressive, in order to clear our doubts thoroughly. The Four Seals of Buddhist tenet: 1. All functioning phenomena are impermanent 2. All contaminated aggregates are suffering 3. All phenomena are empty and selfless 4. Nirvana is peace What is the meaning of impermanence? Products? Contaminated aggregates? Although the definition for impermanence is momentary changes? yet what does it mean by momentary? How many types of momentary changes? Gross and subtle changes? Gross of the gross & subtlest of the subtle changes? The first day s teachings on Buddhist tenets saw many students in the class looking worried, yet when they left the classroom, a student commented, Having Geshe Tenzin Zopa here with us, at least I can see a chance to reach enlightenment. Guided Lam Rim Meditation (on the Small & Middle Scopes) by Ven. Ang Losang, 13th MAY 2007, Sunday, 4-5:30pm. As a revision to what has been covered in this first series of teaching for the last two months, Ven. Losang will lead the students in a one and an half hour guided meditation to recapitulate the essence of Lord Buddha s advice on the Small and Medium Scopes of the graduated path to Enlightenment (Lam Rim). We welcome the regular students of Ven. Losang s class to come and refresh your understanding of the first two scopes of the Lam Rim teaching, as well as those who d like to experience first-hand a meditation during when you ll be meticulously guided by the teacher through the steps of the Buddhist path. LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

8 8 Shabda ~ May 2007 ~ Dharma Cinema with Ven. Ang Losang 2nd May The Cup 16th May Little Buddha 30th May Gandhi 6th June Inconvenient Truth 20th June Himalaya Dharma class in Mandarin by Ven.Dechen May 4 OF FATE AND KARMA Almost always the most complex and intriguing part of the Buddhist teachings, KARMA tells us the WHY when things happen instead of HOW - the scenario of events which often lead us to forming the wrong opinions and conclusions which subsequently cause much unnecessary suffering and misfortune in our life. By understanding the rules of karma and its manifold aspects, we can begin to unwind the many queries of life, if not all. May 11 DECODING THE CIPHER OF LIFE In Buddhism we assert that there are past, present and future lifetimes, and we believe our present rebirth as human beings is not going to be our last incarnation. How does birth first take place? What happens after death? When I die, which part of me continues to move onto the next life? What do birth and death have to do with my current situation anyway? The Buddha has, for more than 2,500 years ago, offered us the answers to many of these queries which we have long pondered in our mind. And in this class, we ll learn the Buddha s way to develop some insight into the unknown part of ourselves. May 18 BECOMING THE CHILD OF BUDDHAS It is said that a lion cub may be small and tender, it is nonetheless the future king of all the animals. A crown prince may be young and inexperienced, yet he hold as subjects all those living in his kingdom, as he will one day rise to sovereignty. Likewise, it is said that when one develops bodhicitta - the altruistic intention to achieve perfect awakening in order to benefit others - the earth quakes, all the thrones of the Buddhas shake, and all the worldly gods and humans fold their hands in respect. One becomes a supreme object for the offerings of gods and humans, and one outshines the Hearers and Solitary Realizers. One becomes the child of all Buddhas - a Bodhisattva. It is said that countless beings in the past have developed bodhicitta, many are working toward developing bodhicitta at present, and many more will practice to become a Bodhisattva in the future. You - can learn to become a Bodhisattva too. LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

9 ~ May 2007 ~ Shabda 9 Jenang on Tara Subsequent permission is the literal translation of Jenang. Receiving Jenang on the deity Tara will allow you to receive the pure lineage of this practice. For every practice that we do, apart from putting in our individual effort, we definitely require shower of blessing from our guru, the deities, lineage master and all holy beings. While receiving Jenang we not only receive the lineage and blessing from this practice, it also allows us to visualize ourselves as the deity Tara that boost our practice, and bring us into the actual enlightened state of Tara in a quicker way. A 3-day non-residential Tara Retreat with Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche 25th, 26th & 27th May 2007, Friday, Sunday, 6am onward Retreat is open to 70 people ONLY due to space limitation. Priority will go to members of LDC! Please our Office Administrator William Foong at willfoong@hotmail.com or call LDC at (03) to register NOW to avoid disappointment. Registration will be closed on May 18 (Fri). Tara Retreat Schedule: (ALL retreat participants to arrive at LDC at 6:10am) 6:30-8:00am Lama Choepa 8:00-8:30am Rest & prepare offerings 8:30-11:00am Tara Retreat #1 session 11:00-12noon Lunch 12noon - 2:00pm Rest & cleaning up gompa & water-bowl offering 2:00-4:00pm Tara Retreat #2 session 4:00-4:30pm Rest 4:30-6:30pm Tara Retreat #3 session 6:30-7:30pm Rest & light dinner 7:30-10:00pm Tara Retreat #4 session & Dedication Participants of this Tara retreat will be charged: LDC member = RM per head Non-LDC member = RM per head This is to cover the expenses incurred during the retreat period such as air-con usage, electricity, vegetarian meals, tea, retreat materials and the general maintenance of the Center. LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

10 10 Shabda ~ May 2007 ~ Our Glorious Report Phuntsok Rinpoche s visit to LDC Despite the initial plan of a quiet and private visit to Singapore, it turned out to be a hectic and tiring stay there. However, on the arrival of Phuntsok Rinpoche to Malaysia on 14th April, we could see Rinpoche was still full of energy with various facial expressions that made everyone around him admired his special qualities. The public and news reporters called in non-stop to LDC to check the program of Phuntsok Rinpoche. Early in the morning before his arrival to the Center, reporters were already waiting at the front gate with the public lining up to welcome the Holy Child. Cameras clicked and videos flashed non-stop, when the car door was opened and out stepped the Golden Child. Holding to the hands of his attendant- Ven. Lhundup, Phuntsok Rinpoche walked into the gompa while blessing everyone in the line. Together with Rinpoche his father Ah Pey, aunt Ven-Denzom and uncle Geshe Tenzin Zopa are part of entourage. When approaching the throme of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Phuntsok Rnpoche pointed at the picture and said, I miss him! Offering of katas and blessing the altar is the tradition when a lama first arrive at a Center. Our Center Director Lillian subsequently offered a Mandala, a statue, dharma text, stupa and cash offerings to formally welcome the arrival of Phuntsok Rinpoche at LDC. LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

11 ~ May 2007 ~ Shabda 11 The original plan for our YPP kids to play a game with Phuntsok Rinpoche had to be replaced with a song offering to Rinpoche as the gompa was packed with people, leaving no space to lay out the game plan. The flow of the crowd was continuous with everyone lining up to receive blessings from Rinpoche. The morning session ended with Rinpoche releasing mantra balloons into the air with the kids. In the clear blue sky one can see the balloons flying towards the clouds as though dragons and Nemo are also enjoying the beautiful sunny day with Rinpoche. When the Nemo balloon was released from Rinpoche s hand, Rinpoche said that when Nemo reach the sky, it will become a dragon, then when the dragon descend onto the earth, Rinpoche will then fly! A member stand next to Rinpoche quickly requested Rinpoche to please stay on and not leave us behind while the dragon can always stay in the sky and not descend. Highlights of Phuntsok Rinpoche s afternoon was a lecture on The Tradition of Reincarnation by Geshe Tenzin Zopa, translated into mandarin by Ven.Dechen. People filled up the center, from the gompa, dining room, Dharma shop out to the tents set up at the garden to hear the lecture. Despite the heat on that sunny afternoon, an estimated 1200 people had come to this special event at LDC. The event concluded by Phuntsok Rinpoche going around the garden and gompa was blessing the public. Among the many people, Rinpoche specially noted a sick person on a wheel chair and wanted to see and bless the sick person personally. While the crowd slowly dispersed, many still stayed behind hoping for another chance to meet the Golden Child. Although it was a very short visit of Phuntsok Rinpoche to LDC this time, it was however sweet, meaningful, and had benefited so many newcomers. We have recorded the whole account of Phuntsok Rinpoche s vsit to LDC with the lecture by Geshe la. Anyone who wishes to obtain a copy of the DVD, please contact LDC Dharma Shop. LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

12 12 Shabda ~ May 2007 ~ 10th Annual General Meeting on 21st April 2007 The meeting was called to order at 11am at No.1 Jln 17/21F, PJ once the quorum was achieved. Center Director Lillian started with her report for the year which talked about the dharma program in LDC, as well as outside, given on the request of the public. There was a change of LDC resident teacher but it didn t interrupt our program too much, as our ever helpful deputy president MK Sen had assisted in getting the visa approval so smoothly and quickly for our newly appointed resident teacher Geshe Tenzin Zopa. The year was also marked by visits of high lamas such as Khenrinpoche Lama Lhundup, Choden Rinpoche and Charok Lama Rinpoche. Public event such as Million Lights Offering at Chinese Assembly Hall and Maitreya Relics Tour at LDC brought many newcomers to dharma and to the Center. Printing of free distribution books also benefited many who just walked in to participate in our events. The Pilgrimage to India Varanasi and Bodhgaya was again ever so successful and a joyous experience for everyone. The LDC Dharma Shop under Emillie s able leadership made an amazing amount to cover 1/3 of our Center s monthly expenses! It was thus agreed that the dharma shop should expand in the room behind our Tara altar. Community services such as Young People Program, Senior Wellness Program, Flower Circle and Tsa tsa workshop under the guidance of Juanita Lee, assisted by Datin Khoo and Emillie Lee, was ever growing in popularity and demand. Mahayana Magazine received excellent comment from all our readers. While working on the second issue of the magazine, we are also waiting for the approval of KDN in order for us to sell the magazine in all bookshops across the country. The report ended with the director expressed her heartfelt and sincere thanks to her exco member and LDC sangha. Treasurer Lee Chung Han made his report on the financial statement for year 2006, as audited by Ernst & Young. The meeting concluded by the members unanimously electing the following people into the New Exco for year 2007: LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

13 ~ May 2007 ~ Shabda 13 NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR 2007/2008 PRESIDENT: Lillian Too DEPUTY PRESIDENT: MK Sen HON. SECRETARY: Stanley Ng HON TREASURER: Collyn Tan EXCO MEMBERS: Puan Sri Siew Yong Gnanlingam, Lee Chung Han, Juanita Lee, Datin Khoo Pek Ling. Emillee Lee, Lim Chip Keong, Karen Soo EX OFFICIAL MEMBERS: Resident Dharma Teacher at LDC : General Manager of LDC: Spiritual Program Coordinator of LDC: Dharma Discussion leader and Translator: By invitation President of CGC, Penang: Geshe Tenzin Zopa Ven. Osel Ven Dechen Ven Ang Losang Daniel Yeoh. Geshe Tenzin AGM Geshe Tenzin Zopa was requested to say a few words at the closing of the AGM. He said it was his first time attending such an AGM and was pleased to note it went smoothly without obstacles. In his speech, Geshe La stressed the importance of harmony in the Center which is crucial to the long life of our precious guru, as well as the development of the Center, which exists solely for the purpose of bringing benefit to others. On behalf of everyone in the Center, Ven.Dechen expressed heartfelt gratitude toward the Center Director for her single pointed devotion toward Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche that has brought about the Center s steady but strong growth and development in a short period of time. Thanksgiving AGM by Center Director Lillian Too I want to place on record my heartfelt and sincere thanx to my extremely hardworking EXCO, and also our wonderful Sangha Ven Dechen, Ven Osel and Ven Ang Losang for the amazing Dharma program of activities pujas, teachings and special activities extended to members during the year and for their sensitive and meaningful counseling work for members and friends. Also I want to thank Geshe Deyang who has left us now, but when he was with us, for being such a patient and splendid Resident Dharma teacher. LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

14 14 Shabda ~ May 2007 ~ I want to thank our dear friend MK Sen for his untiring efforts to ensure proper approvals at LDC premises and at JSL and for helping with getting visa approvals for our Geshe and for the artists. I must really thank Lee Chung Han and Stanley Ng for their very considerable behind the scenes work assisting in these matters. They are truly the stalwarts of LDC. I want to record my thanks to our darling Juanita Lee and Datin Khoo Pek Ling for so tirelessly and so successfully setting up the Community services arm for LDC and to our lovely Puan Sri Siew Yong for taking care of our Center s Publishing activities and for all her help with the media publicizing our various events. It is wonderful that we have continued putting out our regular newsletter SHABDA and our glossy magazine Mahayana, which shall be coming out twice a year. I want to thank our always generous and always smiling Chip Lim for his untiring work raising funds to help finance the expenses of running LDC. His help is truly invaluable. I want to thank our incredibly committed and hardworking Emillee Lee for her great success with our Dharma shop. Not surprising, since she is at LDC almost daily till late at night working quietly for the Center. A huge thank you! And to our always helpful Ming Siang and Edwin a big thank you for always being there to lend a hand when needed. I also want to record my thanks for our very own Shirley and William, who are definitely instrumental in ensuring LDC runs so smoothly. Most of all I want to thank all our members for all of their support and assistance during the past eleven months. It is not possible to mention everyone by name but we do know who you are and we thank you hugely. We do ask for your continued support, for your help, your strength and your prayers. I pray we will always serve Rinpoche with joyousness and with Dharma motivation, that we can successfully actualize all Rinpoche s holy wishes and dedicate whatever merit created by our collective activities at LDC to benefit all members and friends always. Lunch and Congratulations Before lunch was served to everybody, a small celebration was held to welcome Geshe la to the Center. He was presented with a chocolate cake decorated with a graduation certificate and graduation black hat. A big buffet lunch including a special dish of fried and steamed mo-mo (dumpling), curry, tomyam mee-hun and other home cooked delicious food was organised by Juanita and her team. LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

15 ~ May 2007 ~ Shabda 15 Words of Wisdom for May The most powerful purification comes when you do something that pleases the virtuous friend. This is the most powerful way to purify whatever obstacles you have to achieving realizations of the path to enlightenment or, in other words, to achieving happiness. Only through purifying obstacles, can realizations be achieved. ~By Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche~ LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

16 16 Shabda ~ May 2007 ~ LDC Dharma Program for May 2007 P - Precepts BP - Special Days of Lord Buddha Tibetan Full Moon Tibetan New Moon Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1 2 P 3 4 Wesak Celebration 10am Medicine Buddha 7.30pm Dharma class in Mandarin: Of Fate and Karma pm Dharma class in Mandarin: Decoding the Cipher of Life pm Protector Puja 7.30pm Dharma class in Mandarin: Becoming the Buddhas Child pm P 24P 25 Rinpoche s arrival to KL Teaching & Jenang on 21 Taras 7pm onward Lord Buddha s conception Tara Puja 7:30pm Tara Retreat with Rinpoche 6am onward P 1st June Rinpoche goes to Penang Penang Rinpoche gives Medicine Buddha Penang Rinpoche returns to LDC Saka Dawa Oral Transmission on Golden Light LDC 7pm onward Rinpoche with Kasih LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

17 ~ May 2007 ~ Shabda 17 Saturday Sunday Mind training pm 5 6 YPP- Singing class 10am The Meaning of life pm Tenet pm Mind training 3-4:30pm Guru Puja 6pm Flower Circle: Large Arrangement 2-4pm Tara Retreat with Rinpoche 6am onward Guru Puja 2nd June YPP: Team Building 10am Guided Lam Rim Meditation pm Tenet pm YPP: Talent time 10am Tara Retreat with Rinpoche 6am onward 3rd June 3 days TARA RETREAT with LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE MAY 25th-27th 2007 at LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Note: On May 23rd LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE will give teachings, commentary and grant Jenang Initiation to the practice of the 21 TARAS at 7pm at Losang Dragpa Center Tea with Rinpoche for LDC members only Long life puja to Rinpoche 10am@LDC No.1, Jalan 17/21F, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. For enquires, please call LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

18 18 Shabda ~ May 2007 ~ LDC Dharma Program for June 2007 P - Precepts BP - Special Days of Lord Buddha Tibetan Full Moon Tibetan New Moon Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Rinpoche with Kasih PJ Rinpoche leaves to Australia P Protector Puja 7.30pm Guru Puja 7:30pm LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

19 ~ May 2007 ~ Shabda 19 Saturday Tea with Rinpoche for LDC member only Mind training pm Sunday P 23 Long Life Puja offer to Rinpoche 10am Guru Puja 7.30pm Tsa-Tsa Class (DIY) Lam Rim pm Tenant pm 24 Flower Circle Vase Arrangement & Choosing Flowers Workshop to be led by Emillie Lee & Juanita Lee The schedule of Flower Circle activities for 2007: May 19 (Sat) - Large Arrangement (Part 1) Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm Jul 28 (Sat) - Ikebana (Part 1) Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm Aug 25 (Sat) - Ikebana (Part 2) Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm Oct 28 (Sun) - Large Arrangement (Part 2) Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm Dec 1 (Sat) - Large Arrangement (Part 3) Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm NOTE: The cost of the each class may varies depending on the fl ower that we use. We will let you know the cost when it is closer to the workshop. The schedule of Tsa-Tsa Circle activities for 2007: Mind training pm Tara Puja 6pm P 30 Lam Rim pm Tenant pm June DIY (Do it yourslef) & Chat Group July 8 -- Tsa-Tsa Workshop (Max. 20pax) Aug Gilding Workshop (Max. 10pax) Oct DIY (Do it yourslef) & Chat Group Nov Tsa-Tsa Workshop (Max. 20pax) Dec 9 -- DIY (Do it yourslef) & Chat Group Mind training pm Medicine Buddha 6pm There will be some cost involve in each of the activities. For the Tsa-tsa Workshop it is RM 20 for members and RM 30 For non-members. For gilding and DIY session we have not come up with the cost. May be can ask member to check it out later. LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

20 20 Shabda ~ May 2007 ~ CENTER OPERATING HOURS : Monday-Friday : 10:00am - 6:00pm For donations, please make all crossed cheques payable to Losang Dragpa Buddhist Society. Your donation is greatly appreciated. Thank you. LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER S : Address: No.1, Jalan 17/21F, 46400, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Eshan, Malaysia. Telephone Number: Fax Number: ldc1@streamyx.com Website: LDC S SPIRITUAL GURU : Kyabje Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche Website dedicated to Rinpoche: (look for Spiritual Director) & LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM