Finishing Touches for Our Chenresig Statue Good Bye TASHI DELEK

Transcription

1 nov/dec 2015 MCI (P) 078/02/2015 Finishing Touches for Our Chenresig Statue Good Bye TASHI DELEK 1

2 Amitabha Buddhist Centre is a centre for the study and practice of Mahayana Buddhism, based on the tradition of Lama Tsong Khapa, in the lineage of Lama Thubten Yeshe and our Spiritual Director, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. OUR VISION Learn to Be Happy Courage to cherish all Wisdom to see the truth Faith in Buddha s peace Follow Our Four-fold Path Inspire Connect Learn Practise SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche RESIDENT TEACHER Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi PRESIDENT Tan Hup Cheng 2 Geylang. Now in closing, we offer a glimpse of what s to come 3 SPIRITUALPROGRAMME COORDINATOR Ven. Tenzin Gyurme CENTRE MANAGER Koh Zi Yen Office staff Administration - Alicia Lee Operations - Denis Kwan retail - Serene Tan OFFICE HOURS Open daily except Mondays Tuesdays Saturdays: am 6 pm Sundays: 10 am 6 pm (Hours extended to 7.30 pm when evening sessions are scheduled) AMITABHA BUDDHIST CENTRE 44 Lorong 25A Geylang Singapore Tel: Fax: centre@fpmtabc.org Dear readers of TASHI DELEK, This Nov/Dec 2015 issue comes with a gentle flutter of change. After supplying a continuous bi-monthly flow of reports on the news and events at Amitabha Buddhist Centre for nine-and-ahalf years, this will be the last TASHI DELEK newsletter. Since the first TASHI DELEK came into print in May/June 2006, we have produced a total of 58 issues of the ABC newsletter in this format: a one-colour A4-sized stapled bulletin, mostly 16-page issues, printed on wood-free paper, published six times a year and mailed out to members and friends who care to subscribe. In keeping up with the pace of technology, the magazine was soon made available as a PDF download on ABC s website, which then evolved into a full-colour e-edition from May/June ABC started its newsletter tradition from the early Nineties with black and white copies. There wasn t really a fixed name for it. Before TASHI DELEK came about, it was simply called Update. TASHI DELEK came into being while ABC was still on rented premises at No. 3 Lorong 15 Geylang, back when our numbers were less, the space was a lot cosier, and the way things were run were, well, simpler. And that was how TASHI DELEK emerged. The editor of the newsletter then was Fiona O Shaughnessy. We both attended the first Basic Program, and I would contribute the occasional article to the newsletter. While chatting one day she mentioned something about a new design for the newsletter. Somehow, I suggested that the newsletter should have a proper title and what about calling it Tashi Delek, that friendly Tibetan salutation? Fiona was all for it and so, TASHI DELEK was born. The inaugural issue of TASHI DELEK was printed in maroon and featured the New ABC Centre on its cover. Then, hopes were high about moving into our address at No. 44 Lorong 25A - the unveiling of our Thousand-Arm Chenresig statue. Editing this newsletter is a voluntary contribution from people who are members of ABC. When Fiona was ready to pass on the duty in 2008, she had a word with me about taking her place. I declined, due to other priorities at the time. In the end, it was Lim Cheng Cheng who took on the post for three years. And since 2011, there is me. Lest you think it is the end of the newsletter, fret not. Transformation is at hand and very soon, I look forward to introducing you to a new incarnation - TENDREL. Coming to you from January 2016, TENDREL will be a quarterly publication bearing a fresh new look. Our very talented designer, Kennedy Koh, who was instrumental in the original design of TASHI DELEK back in 2006, is still on board with me as we go forward with this new collaboration. Tendrel is Tibetan for dependently originated. Do continue to follow us as we bring you the news and developments at ABC in our new cycle of existence. My heartfelt thanks to the many who have helped me to keep TASHI DELEK spinning along these last few years: the photographers, story contributors, office staff, Kennedy Koh for your creative input and hard work, the Executive Committee and the Venerable Gyurme, for quietly trusting me to do the job. Here once more, is TASHI DELEK for the benefit of all. Please enjoy. Yours truly, Tenzin Tsultrim Finishing Touches for Our Chenresig Statue Slowly but surely, our Thousand-Arm Chenresig statue is taking shape as some of its parts arrived in Singapore in mid-september, sent over in two enormous crates from the artists studio in England. The artists also arrived at the same time and have already begun the final phase of artwork and construction. Peter Griffin, one half of the husband and wife team who created the statue, is here to see to the concluding stages of its development. Huang Chun- Roo from Taiwan is assisting with the detailed work of gold-leafing the statue, including the lotus seat and many arms of Chenresig. At our invitation, both Peter and Chun- Roo, who are long-time students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, have taken up residence at ABC in order to complete this precious statue over these few months. The core sections of the statue, comprising the eleven faces, the main arms and the body, are expected to arrive in November after Denise Griffin, who is the statue s principal designer, has put the finishing touches to her craft. Our president, Tan Hup Cheng, said the installation of the Thousand- Arm Chenresig statue will be ABC s crowning event. Some may wonder at the fuss over making a statue that seems of moderate stature compared to other holy objects seen elsewhere. This statue has been created from following the exacting advice of our most precious guru, Lama Zopa Rinpoche. As Hup Cheng explained in our Sep/Oct 2015 newsletter, it has taken years of painstaking research and close consultation with Rinpoche to arrive at this point. Should there be any debate as to why Rinpoche needed to have such specific requirements about the rendering of this statue, it might help to understand the particular cause and effect relationship from producing holy objects. In a recent Basic Program class on Dharmarakshita s text, Wheel of Sharp Weapons, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi touched on the subject of making holy objects while commenting on Verse 38: It is mentioned in the lam-rim that erecting holy objects like constructing statues of Buddha and making offering of garments to the statues of Buddha are also causes for achieving a pleasant, good body. So, if one does make a statue of Buddha or a holy object, or one does commission a holy object, it is important to do it properly. The statue or the holy object must be made properly with the proper proportions, dimensions, measurements and so forth. The final product should be appealing to people, so that when people look at it, it is very appealing. That is important. If you achieve that, then that becomes a cause to have a good body in the future. You already know that there is the practice of making tsa-tsa s, images of the Buddha, using clay or plaster. What I personally think is that the

3 number is not the emphasis. It is the quality that is important, mainly for the reasons that we have looked at so far. So, the quality should be the priority. It should be made well such that the final product is appealing to people. When people look at it, it leaves a positive impression on the people. should use the best materials. If you think about it, erecting a holy image, an image of Buddha, using clay or plaster versus using gold, which do you get more merit from? It is quite clear and if you can do it well, then just by doing one, it can be the cause to get a good body in the future. So, it is important to make holy objects properly with the proper measurements, proportions, dimensions and not missing anything out. Sometimes you see that people make holy objects or tsa-tsa s and when you look at the final product, the eyes are missing, the hands are missing, or the hands and the legs are out of proportion or crooked. There are deformities in the product. It said that these are causes to be born in the future with incomplete sense faculties, sense powers or missing parts in the body and so forth. So, one has to be very careful. Let s all rejoice for the immense effort and care that has been invested into the making of our Thousand- Arm Chenresig statue that exists not just to create positive future results 4 for one person or a group of people, and comfortable at the 5 With regard to the material for the holy object, according to one s ability, one should use the best materials. If you can afford it, you but is born out of the guru s pure wish to benefit all sentient beings, which is the all-encompassing prayer of Arya Chenresig. Closure for Works on Level 2 The works to install our Thousand-Arm Chenresig statue on our main altar on Level 2 will be in progress over the next few months from the week of 5 th October. Throughout this period up to January 2016, it is likely that the Level 2 prayer hall will be temporarily closed to accommodate the installation in its various stages. While we try to minimise disruptions, this means that some of our regular events will be reorganised or postponed. For instance, classes may be held on Level 4 instead of Level 2. Due to space constraints, our year-end JINPA for Our Community event (usually held in November) will be postponed. We recommend that all visitors check the notices that will be posted at Level 1 concerning the programme of the day and assigned venues before proceeding to any class or event. We apologise for any inconvenience caused at this time. Our facilities at Levels 1 and 4 will be open as usual. We do welcome everyone to continue to visit us while we attend to the completion of our Thousand-Arm Chenresig statue. Here is a peek into How to Help Your Loved Ones Enjoy Death and Go Happily to Their Next Rebirth Lama Zopa Rinpoche s advice on how to prepare for death. Wh e n suddenly one day one of your loved ones dies and you don t know what to do to help, you ll feel so confused, so lost. Recently a Buddhist student of mine told me that this is what happened for her when her father died unexpectedly. That made me think that knowing how to help others at the time of death is such important to have. Preparing for Death Our Greatest Gift to Others education As you get older, you ll definitely hear about people dying your family will die, your friends will die (your enemies too!) so you will need to be prepared to help. This doesn t just apply to people who work with the dying; everyone should learn to know how to help. Helping our loved ones at the time of death is the best service we can offer them, our greatest gift. Why? Because death is the most important time of life: it s at death that the next rebirth is determined. By providing the right support, the right environment, you can help your loved one die peacefully, with virtuous thoughts, and thus have a good rebirth. The Spiritual Needs Are Paramount We need to deal with the physical needs of our loved ones at the time of death, of course, but the spiritual needs are paramount. To die with a happy mind, a peaceful mind, that is a spiritual concern. Some people are prepared for it but most are not, because they never think about death. How to Help? Buddhist teachings explain that the best spiritual practitioners are joyful when they are dying, as if they re going home to see their family after a long absence. Less accomplished practitioners are happy time of death and are fully confident that they will have a happy rebirth. And even the least accomplished practitioners die without worry or fear; death does not bother them at all. Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism has so many powerful methods to help people before they die, while they are dying, and even after death. There are two aspects to helping a dying person. Help your loved one be peaceful First, the most important thing is to help the person prepare psychologically so that they die with a positive and happy mind. To die without anger or clinging is vital for a happy death and a good rebirth,

4 and so that should be foremost in our thoughts when we are around a dying person. The help we give can result in a better rebirth and a swift path to attaining all realisations and eventually enlightenment. This gift is absolutely priceless, more valuable than universes full of wish-granting jewels. Practices that help And second, there are many spiritual practices that can be done before, during, and after death that can help your loved one die well and receive a perfect human rebirth or rebirth in the pure realm of a buddha. I will explain what to do at each stage. You don t need to think, Oh, I don t know what to do. Remember, as a Buddhist, the foundation of all the practices is refuge: relying on Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. At the time of death, for example, with strong faith you could visualise Buddha above the head of your loved one and pray strongly that they purify all their negative karma immediately and achieve a good rebirth. Even if you don t know any other practices, other sophisticated things, this would definitely help. Helping Those Who Can t Understand As for babies and small children or a person who has lost their capacity to understand because of coma or dementia animals too there is not much that they themselves can do. The least we can do is help them be peaceful and thus die with a happy mind. But not only that. Receiving benefit from many of the practices in chapters 13 through 18 doesn t depend upon the person s or animal s understanding: merely hearing the sounds of mantras, prayers, and teachings or seeing holy images will leave positive imprints on their mind, which can activate virtuous karmic seeds at the time of death, allowing them to receive a good rebirth. This is our precious gift to them. Before You Help Others at Death, You Need to Prepare for Your Own Death Before you can help someone else you need to learn how to prepare for your own death. If you look at your mind and how much attachment you have, I think you will see that there is a lot of work to be done before you face death, and this is true of almost everybody. Have you freed yourself from attachment to your possessions? To your loved one and friends? To your career and reputation? Could you separate from your body happily tomorrow? Write It Down! So write down what you want to practise at the time of your death, how you want to die. Write it down in your diary right now! Whether you die gradually or suddenly, you When you know how to die with full need to know this. Otherwise, when confidence that you won t be reborn death comes, or when the doctor tells in the lower realms, that definitely you that you have cancer, you will you will have a good rebirth, a good have no time to prepare, and because future; that death is just change, that of attachment to this life you ll panic. you re leaving this old, sick body You will have no renunciation, only 6 for a new, healthy one then you 7 grasping at this life. At the time of death it ll be like, You mean you didn t prepare anything? Nothing? You don t know what to do? You didn t plan anything. You never thought about it. You haven t had a good, strong practice of Dharma: collecting extensive merits, purifying, meditating on the path to enlightenment, planting the seeds of the path in your mind. If it s like that, at the time of death there will no difference between somebody who doesn t know any Dharma at all and somebody who does know Dharma but didn t practise. How very, very sad. So prepare now, write down now what you are going to practise, what you intend to do, then when the time of death comes you will be able to do it easily. That s very intelligent, I would say; that s the action of a very, very intelligent person. Don t Wait Until Death Comes But preparing for a happy death depends not just on practices at the time of death; a happy death depends upon how we live our life every day, every moment. Practising patience when someone is angry with us or provokes us or disrespects us, for example, is practical preparation for death. Practising like this every day protects us from creating negative karma, and that makes death lighter, less fearful. The future depends on the present. Practising every day and preparing for the time of your death is far more important than going to the hospital to check the body, because death can happen at any time even for healthy people. Today, many people have died, healthy as well as unhealthy. are qualified to help others who are dying. You will be able to explain things skilfully, according to their minds. You will create the right conditions so that it s easy for their minds to be transformed into virtue at the time of death. You will know how to help them die with a happy mind. And not only that: once you re familiar with what to do you can tell others what they can do to help you at the time of your own death. From the prologue of How to Help Your Loved Ones Enjoy Death and Go Happily to Their Next Rebirth, a handbook of advice by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. To download this FPMT e-book, visit resources_pubdl.php Huge Turnout for Death and Dying Workshop The keen interest among our members and students in the subject of preparing for death was evident at the recent seminar conducted by Ven. Sangye Khadro. Up to 200 people attended the oneday workshop on Preparing for Death and Helping the Dying on 20 th September. Ven. Sangye Khadro received a warm reception as former students and new faces welcomed her back to ABC. Venerable served as ABC s resident teacher in our formative years up till 1999, and this marked her first visit to ABC since our establishment in Lorong 25A. During her time at ABC, she The Passing of Choden Rinpoche With heavy hearts, we learned of the passing of Choden Rinpoche on 11 th September in Sera Je Monastery in south India. Rinpoche visited ABC on two occasions in 2008 and 2011, and had taught the Heart Sutra and In Praise of Dependent Origination. A number of us had made a further connection throughout taught meditation and lam-rim, and encouraged our members to participate in community service by organising visits to welfare homes. years of attending his teachings for the monks at Sera Je. Rinpoche passed into clear light meditation at his residence in Sera Je, just two weeks after a meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Delhi. He was 82. The cremation ceremony took place on 18 th September. May all be auspicious for Rinpoche s swift return for the benefit of all sentient beings!

5 How to Make Mentally Emanated Offerings A constant theme in ABC s newsletters has been the effort to offer teachings or advice from our teachers. In the old newsletters, including the early issues of TASHI DELEK, there was a regular column called Dear friends devoted to teachings or messages from Geshe Chonyi, as he was called then. The maiden publication of TASHI DELEK (May/June 2006) featured Geshe-la s explanation on verses from Shantideva s Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds that he had taught in the first Basic Program, on how to make mentally emanated offerings. Geshe-la explained how to visualise the offerings and the specific prayers to make. Those who attend our Shakyamuni Buddha pujas (there will be one on 3 rd November to celebrate Buddha s Descent from the Heaven of 33) might find these details helpful to better appreciate the elaborate offering practice that forms a major part of the puja. And, as a final nod to a decade of TASHI DELEK, we chose to give an encore to this article from the very first issue. First we have to generate the bathhouse the place where we offer a bath to the buddhas and bodhisattvas. 8 Buddha. born, when he walked seven steps prayer: 9 The practice of offering a bath to the Three Jewels accords with the traditions of ancient India; when we invite somebody very important to our home, we would usually wash their feet first as an act of reverence. Then we would offer scented water and a flower garland. The reason why we offer a bath to the Three Jewels is not because there is something wrong with their bodies, speech and minds, but to purify the faults of our own body, speech and mind. Next, we invite and visualise all the buddhas and bodhisattvas going to the bathhouse. However many buddhas and bodhisattvas there are in the space in front of us, we emanate the same number of replicas of ourselves making this bath offering. Or, we can emanate from our hearts offering goddesses equal in number to our guests. All this happens in the bathhouse. All the goddesses or replicas of ourselves are holding many jewelled vases filled with scented water and they offer to the holy beings who are all sitting. The whole ceremony is accompanied with offerings of music and beautiful sound. It is also said that for those of us who have difficulties listening to or studying the teachings, who keep on falling asleep, doing this bath offering is one of the supreme means to get rid of these obscurations. We dry the holy bodies with a towel made of exquisite and precious divine cloth. This incomparable cloth or towel is clean and well-anointed with scent. We can visualise that the old, discarded garments of the merit field, together with the bath offering towels, transform into light. Some commentaries say that we should visualise this light absorbing into the point between the eyebrows of oneself and all sentient beings. We can think: May I and all sentient beings achieve the qualities of the exalted wisdom of all the buddhas. Then we make garment offerings to the different aspects of the guests. For the members of the merit field who are in the aspect of fully ordained monks, we offer them the three saffroncoloured robes. For those in the aspect of the Complete Enjoyment Body (Sambhogakaya), we offer garments of different colours, shape and of very soft and subtle material. Shame is the avoidance of misdeeds on account of oneself; embarrassment is the avoidance of misdeeds on account of others. We make this prayer: May I and all sentient beings become adorned with the garments of shame and embarrassment. May I and all sentient beings always be adorned with excellent garments. Next, we offer beautiful ornaments to the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (the eight close sons of the Buddha) such as Arya Samantabhadra, Manjugosha, Avalokiteshvara, Maitreya. When we see the representations of these eight bodhisattvas, we see that they are adorned with different kinds of ornaments such as earrings, necklaces, anklets and bracelets. We think: I and all sentient beings have now achieved the perfect signs and marks of the Buddha. Make the prayer: May I and all sentient beings achieve the perfect signs and marks of the We offer different kinds of perfumes to different parts of the buddhas bodies. A buddha s body is the colour of pure refined gold, one of the holy signs of a buddha. By anointing the buddhas holy bodies we should think and pray: Due to these roots of virtue, may I and all sentient beings obtain the golden complexion of the Buddha s holy body. We offer different kinds of flowers to the merit field sitting in front of us and we visualise scattering the flowers. We offer flower garlands to those in the aspect of the Complete Enjoyment Body. In the commentary, it is mentioned that it is inappropriate to offer flower garlands to members of the merit field who are in the aspect of the Supreme Emanation Body (Nirmanakaya) because this is the aspect of non-attachment and nondesire. Therefore, we should offer them loose scattered flowers. We visualise the scattered flowers transforming into the aspects of beautiful palaces, victory banners, parasols, et cetera, instead of just falling all over the place and making a mess. In one commentary, it is said that we should make this prayer after we offer the flowers to the merit field: May I and all sentient beings achieve the seven branches of enlightenment. I think this may relate to the story of when Shakyamuni Buddha was and after each step, a flower appeared miraculously on the ground. In total, seven flowers appeared. At the end of the seven steps, the Buddha said, I am the Supreme One and I will teach the Dharma in this world. Next, we offer incense that has a very sweet aroma such that, when one comes in contact with it, it captivates the mind as mentioned in the words steals away the mind. We offer clouds of incense : we can visualise the incense smoke rising to the sky, like clouds. Visualise that it takes on the aspect of different kinds of letters (e.g. the syllables AH, HUM), vowels and consonants, as well as transforming into the aspects of the seven kinds of precious jewels that are carried by the wind to the ten directions, and offer them to the buddhas and bodhisattvas. The buddhas and bodhisattvas are pleased with this offering. Another way of doing this is according to the literal interpretation of I send forth clouds of incense, by visualising clouds of incense smoke and making this offering to the buddhas and bodhisattvas. Visualise that the incense offering has the power to remove all mental anguish or suffering of sentient beings. Immediately upon coming into contact with this offering, all their sufferings are eliminated and they are satisfied with great bliss and happiness. Those who keep pure morality are said to smell nice naturally without the need for anointment. Make this May I and all sentient beings be adorned with the beautiful scent of morality that pleases the holy minds of the buddhas and bodhisattvas. Next, we visualise different kinds of delicious foods of a hundred tastes. When we invite someone important,

6 such as a king or minister to our home, we should offer them food and drink. In the same way, we should offer the best food and drink to all the buddhas and bodhisattvas. Make this prayer: May I and all sentient beings be sustained in future by the food of concentration. Instead of living on gross food as we do as human beings, may we be sustained by the food of concentration. Next, we offer light in golden lotus buds within which are various kinds of precious jewels such as lapis lazuli these give out light. Usually we offer butter lamps and oil lamps as light offerings. This text says to visualise a very big container, as big as the three thousand million world systems with a wick as big as Mount Meru. The amount of butter or oil is as much as the oceans can contain. When we make light offerings, we should make them in such a way as to make the offering very extensive. We can visualise five light rays coming from the butter lamp or the oil lamp, completely filling the entire space in A Happy Teacher s Day 10 the universe and offering it to all the 11 buddhas and bodhisattvas. Pray: Due to these light offerings, may the ignorance of myself and all sentient beings be eliminated and may I and all sentient beings gain the great wisdom that understands all the objects of knowledge. Next is offering an inestimable palace, which is the literal translation of celestial mansion. We first look at the practice of offering the ground. The ground is made of jewels, is very even and is anointed with sweetsmelling incense. Growing on the ground are different kinds of flowers of different colours. This is how we should visualise when we are offering the ground to all the buddhas and bodhisattvas. Dedicate the merit and pray: Due to this merit, may I and all sentient beings achieve the mind generation like the earth. This refers to the analogy of the generation of bodhicitta on the Mahayana path of accumulation. It is called an inestimable palace because it is so huge that it cannot fit into our minds. It is obviously very beautiful and made of different precious jewels. Inside, we should visualise many offering goddesses holding musical instruments, making beautiful music and singing with beautiful captivating voices. The different sides of the palace are adorned with hanging jewels. Light rays of different colours are emitted from these jewels that fill the entire space. Pray: Due to this merit, may I and all sentient beings proceed to the city of great liberation. Great liberation here means the state of enlightenment or Buddhahood. Next, we offer parasols to all the buddhas and bodhisattvas and dedicate: Due to this merit, may I and all sentient beings be free of the suffering of the heat of cyclic existence in general and, specifically, the sufferings of the lower realms. Due to this merit, may I and all sentient beings come under the protection of the Three Jewels. There is a historical account of how Brahma and Indra offered five hundred parasols made of different jewels, such as vaidurya (lapis lazuli), to the Buddha. The parasol protects us from heat. If we understand the analogy, we will understand this prayer. Traditionally, the parasol is offered to His Holiness [the Dalai Lama] and carried over him as he moves. Parasols are also traditionally offered to the Ganden Tripa, the throne holder of the Gelugpa tradition. We offer beautiful sweet and pleasing music coming from different musical instruments. This music is very powerful. Immediately upon hearing it, all the suffering of sentient beings is eliminated and their minds are satisfied. Think that the holy minds of all the buddhas and bodhisattvas are very pleased. Think that we make offerings to all the holy objects such as reliquaries and the statues, any paintings, statues or representations of the Buddha. The offerings are in the form of a continuous rain of flowers and precious jewels. We make this prayer: May this offering of flowers and jewels descend continuously upon the Three Jewels until the end of samsara. There are twelve kinds of mentally emanated offerings mentioned in this text. We should try to make these offerings as explained above, continuously. Here are some light-hearted moments captured at our celebration of Teacher s Day on 5 th September. About 110 ABC members and students, some with families in tow, gathered at the Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant at Quality Hotel to celebrate the occasion with Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi, the sangha, and teachers of our programme. The informal buffet dinner setting gave everyone a chance to catch up with Dharma friends and to show appreciation to our teachers, especially Khen Rinpoche, who has been our resident teacher for 16 years.

7 In Dharamsala with H.H. the Dalai Lama A Thank You Note from His Holiness ABC participated in the annual teaching for Southeast Asians given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, organising a group tour from 5 th to 12 th September. Although just 33 people signed up, compared to the bigger contingents of previous years, the enthusiasm to receive teachings from His Holiness was not dampened. While some of our travellers are regular participants of these teachings, others were visiting Dharamsala for the first time, like our photographer Noelle Teoh who captured the images shown here. This year, His Holiness concluded his commentary on Shantideva s Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds with the final dedication chapter. He also taught from Kamalashila s The Middling Stages of Meditation, Chapter 1 of Nagarjuna s Precious Garland and Gyalse Thokme Sangpo s The 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas. I would like to thank all my friends in the many different countries of the world for your greetings on the occasion of my 80 th birthday. I am grateful for the kind words you have expressed. As you know, my life is dedicated to the service of all sentient beings, and in particular I try to help my fellow human beings in whatever way I can. What unites all sentient beings is that we all naturally seek happiness and try to avoid suffering. Therefore, we have a collective responsibility to try to bring about the wellbeing and help them overcome their suffering. This is the basis of hope on which I make an appeal that we all work enthusiastically to promote ethical compassion and that we do our best to reduce, if not eliminate, the conflicts and violence that currently beset many parts of the world. Despite differences in their philosophical views, all the world s major religious traditions convey the same message of love and compassion. This is why we must strive to foster inter-religious harmony for the good of all humanity. In addition, to protect our natural environment we have to work together. The Dalai Lama 12 August 2015 Source: dalailama.com 12 and happiness of all living beings values imbued with love and 13 Celebrate Lhabab Duchen with Us Tuesday, 3 November 2015 Lhabab Duchen, the 22 nd day of the 9 th month [Tibetan] marks the day of Buddha s Descent from the Heaven of 33. Join us in venerating the Buddha with meaningful practice and prayers, and strongly dedicating the vast oceans of merit for all our holy and ordinary wishes to be fulfilled. Take part in practices on this merit multiplying day where all virtuous actions are strengthened by 100 million times as cited in the Vinaya text, Treasure of Quotations and Logic, and even up to 1 billion times according to some sutras: Golden Light Sutra Recitation pm Shakyamuni Buddha Puja with 1,000 Offerings pm To contribute to extensive offerings for the Shakyamuni Buddha Puja, cash donations can be made at our office. Collection is slated to open a fortnight before the event.

8 nov 2015 dec Medicine Buddha Puja 4pm Anniversary of Lama Tsong Khapa Medicine Buddha Puja 4pm Guru Puja 4pm Buddha s Descent from the Heaven of 33 (100 Million Merit Multiplying Day) Golden Light Sutra Recitation 1.30pm Shakyamuni Buddha Puja with 1,000 Offerings 7.30pm Guru Puja 7.30pm Discovering Buddhism 10.45am Stages of the Path to Enlightenment 2.30pm Discovering Buddhism 10.45am Stages of the Path to Enlightenment 2.30pm Discovering Buddhism 10.45am Stages of the Path to Enlightenment 2.30pm Guru Puja 4pm Discovering Buddhism 10.45am Stages of the Path to Enlightenment 2.30pm Animal Liberation 10am Tara Puja 4pm Tara Puja 4pm Tara Puja 4pm Animal Liberation 10am Tara Puja 4pm Guru Puja 4pm TASHI DELEK editorial team Editor Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim (Vivian Seah) Spiritual Programme Ven. Tenzin Gyurme Design & Layout Kennedy Koh Photography Stephen Ching Louise Lu Tan Seow Kheng Serene Tan Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim Noelle Teoh Printer Highlight Printing Services Stay Connected TASHI DELEK is a free publication of Amitabha Buddhist Centre. Subscribe: Call our office at Online: Download our full-colour edition directly from All events and dates published are up-to-date at the time of printing. For the latest schedule and on-going updates, subscribe to our or SMS updates, or visit us online: OR Welcoming the New Year at Jangchup Lamrim Teaching It looks like some of us will welcome 2016 together with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in south India! We have organised for a group of about 70 people to travel to Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Bylakuppe where His Holiness will continue the Jangchup Lamrim teachings in south India from 24 December to 2 January. This will be the fourth consecutive year that His Holiness is conferring the 18 Lam-rim commentaries. The group will also attend another set of teachings that His Holiness will give from December, to commemorate the opening of a new assembly hall at Tashi Lhunpo. With many of us heading to this landmark event combined with the annual holiday season, our 2015 programme will end on a quiet note.

9 Shop at ABC s store Discover a treasure of resources to support your Dharma practice Unique and inspiring products and crafts for: Your home altar top quality statues, thangkas and symbolic offerings Daily practice from gemstone malas to Dharma books and CDs Everyday living custom-designed apparel, accessories, and more Plus a range of our very own ABC-produced holy objects and innovations Come visit us at Level 4