BLIAQ Newsletter. Upcoming Events. A Prayer for the New Year

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1 Edition 118 February 2017 BLIAQ Newsletter Buddha s Light International Association of Queensland, Australia Chung Tian Buddhist Temple 1034 Underwood Road Priestdale QLD 4127, Australia Website: ibaq@chungtian.org.au Ph: Fax: Upcoming Events 11 February 2017 Lantern Festival 19 February 2017 Buddhist Class Term 1 5 March 2017 Clean Up Australia Day 11 March 2017 Great Compassion & Repentance Service BLIAQ Seminar 16 March 2017 Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Dharma Service A Prayer for the New Year Oh great, compassionate Buddha, another year is apt to bring spring breezes, a new year is finally coming down to the world again. The toll of temple bells, the new calendar on the wall; everything indicates that all things change from old to new, once a new year begins again. Oh great, compassionate Buddha, at the beginning of the New Year I will regard everything in the future as a today that is new-born, and everything in the past as a yesterday that is past I would like to express my wishes; at the beginning of this New Year, I wish for: Harmony in the family and happiness at home; contentment in life and the performing of good deeds to help the world; stability in emotions and dignity in character, the elimination of bad habits and advances in moral culture; determination in doing things and compassion in treating others; smoothness in career and health in body and mind; improvement in cultivation and increase in wisdom and understanding; prosperity in Buddhism and the liberation of all beings; steadfastness in society and happiness in people; peace on earth and universal rejoicing. Oh great, compassionate Buddha, in the New Year please bless me: That every word I say be compassionated kind and encouraging; that everything I do be liked by most people and beneficial to the masses; that every intention I have be a blessing to others and a transfer of merits to them; that every action I take be beneficial to the nation and of assistance to the world; that I be willing to contribute my own body and mind to society; that I be willing to share everything I own with others. I pray to you, Buddha, please bless and support me with your compassion; allow me to share in the suffering of others, allow me to promote the well-being of society. Oh great, compassionate Buddha, I vow to participate and serve in the activities of temples and other place that teach Dharma; I vow to progress unadulteratedly, with determination, to cultivate and uphold the discipline and forms that remove the trials of life. Oh great, compassionate Buddha, please give me strength, allow me to progress unadulteratedly, without idleness, on the way to enlightenment, and to never complain or regret. Please give me faith; allow me to be able to subdue evil obstruction on the way to truth, and to benefit both self and others. Oh great, compassionate Buddha, the New Year is a pervasive, new spirit. Allow me to start everything anew; oh great, compassionate Buddha, allow me to start everything anew.. Venerable Master Hsing Yun Page 1

2 New Year Greetings New Year Greetings As a new year comes round, everything looks new and afresh. This year, the Venerable Master wrote The Rising Dawn of Fame as the New Year blessing to wish everyone prosperity and rising fame. I hope that in the New Year, what we say are compassionate and encouraging; what we accomplish give people gaiety and joy; what we think are for the benefit of others; what we do are to help the country and the world to get better. Everybody can be diligent and industrious on the Bodhi path without regret. On the way of learning Buddhism, may all obstacles be overcome and may we be able to mutually benefit self and others. Thanks to you all for your enthusiastic support and assistance to Chung Tian Temple in the propagation of Dharma in the past year. On this New Year s Day, I specially send my New Year greetings to you that Every sound of Buddha s name is a blessing to you, and every lotus flower is an adornment to the lotus platform. The singing of Buddhist hymns gets rid of affliction, and every light in the mind clears away ignorance. In the New Year under the Buddha s blessing, may you be wishful in everything, enjoy peace at any time and be able to learn and contemplate the Dharma with diligence. May all sentient beings happily seek for the ultimate bliss and convince that the practice of Buddhism results in boundless merit of purity. May all sentient beings go away from Hinayana vows and aim at the Bodhisattva practice to attain the Tathagata s ultimate liberation and perfect wisdom. Venerable Chueh Shan, Abbess of Chung Tian Temple Dear Members: Auspicious greetings! As this is the New Year, first I would like to wish everybody a Happy New Year with auspicious fulfillment of your wishes. Thanks to the wisdom of the Venerable Master in advocating Humanistic Buddhism, and promoting The Three Acts of Goodness & Four Offerings to purify the human mind and enhance the harmony of the Australian multicultural society. Thanks to the temple and all BLIAQ members for their effort and dedication over the years to enable the temple and BLIAQ to be recognized by the local government and the general public. In the next three years, I hope that we can continue to develop team spirit in recruiting more members, strengthen the courses of practice and enable BLIAQ to become more prosperous and members to cultivate bliss and wisdom, actively supporting the temple and propagating the Dharma to establish a Pure Land on earth. May you all have the Rising Dawn of Success and May Everything Go Perfectly Well! Stephan Chang, President of BLIAQ Picking up, letting go If we live our lives in continuous pursuit of desire, then we are fearful and hurt when we do not get our desires. In the hustle and bustle of life, we can learn from Master Budai. Although he carries a big sack, he is always at ease as he understands when to pick up and when to let go according to the circumstances. Learning to pick up and let go is just like packing and unpacking a suitcase before and after a trip. Having the wisdom of knowing when to let go is to live in peace without materialistic desire. It is also to have a dharma body that lives past death Venerable Master Hsing Yun (from 365 Days for Travelers) Page 2

3 Generosity Generosity is a very important virtue. Coupled with patience, it is basic to all social activity. Generosity is that virtue which reaches out to others, while patience is that which allows us to tolerate the unkindness with which we may be met. The Buddha said that the six most important virtues of a bodhisattva are generosity, restraint, patience under insult, diligence, concentration, and wisdom. Once during the time of the Buddha there was a woman who was very poor. She went to Katyayana and explained her plight and asked him what she should do. Katyayana said that she should stop worrying because he knew of a way to change her situation. The woman begged him to tell her what it was. Katyayana said, Sell your poverty to others! Sell it? the woman asked. If people bought poverty, why soon there would be no poverty in the world! And who would want to buy someone else s poverty anyway? Katyayana said, Sell it to me. The woman said I don t know how to sell it. What should I do? Katyayana said, All you have to do is be generous to everyone. That is the way to sell poverty. You see, he continued, in your last life you were never generous with anyone. You horded everything and never gave anything to anyone. So now you are poor. If you can learn to be generous, you will see that your situation will quickly change. When he was finished speaking, the woman realized that Katyayana had indeed told her the truth. In just a few moments she had learned how to eradicate her poverty, as well as to be a good bodhisattva, which was more important. This realization says a bodhisattva is generous and equal minded toward both friend and foe. Some might wonder how a poor woman is supposed to be generous. Isn t generosity something that only rich people can practice? The answer to this question is no. Generosity is a deep state of mind that is based on the recognition that the wellbeing of others is fully as important as our own. There are many ways to practice generosity not just one. We can be generous with our time, with our wisdom, with our skills, with our willingness to listen to others, with encouragement and so on. Material generosity is important, and no Buddhist temple would ever have been built without it, but is not the only way to give. Buddhist sutras generosity recognize three important kinds of generosity: material generosity, emotional generosity, and the generosity of helping others learn the Dharma. Each of these forms of generosity is two-sided. On the one side our generosity helps others, while on the other side it helps us. Properly practiced, generosity teaches us to be compassionate towards others, large minded in our view of the world, and unattached to our own possessions or points of view. Though generosity begins on the material plane, it almost always rises above that. Messages from new BLIAQ Presidents and Leaders I became a Buddhist about 3 years ago during this time I have gained the following Buddhist stages along my path. I took refuge & the 5 precepts at Chung Tian on the 2/11/14 quickly followed by the Short Term Monastic Retreat at Nan Tian in December. In October 2016 I travelled to Taiwan for our annual international BLIA conference whilst there I gained my Bodhisattva Precepts. At our annual AGM last year I was elected president of the BLIAQ Chung Tian branch this was a such a honour and pleasure. My main goals in my term as president is to grow our membership and ramp up our fund raising for our branch and most importantly promote Humanist Buddhism in our local community. I want to increase Aussie attendance in the temple. Even today at our English Chanting I am seeing more and more new Aussie faces this is so pleasing for me. I plan to call regular branch meetings to discuss strategies to obtain these goals. We will be very active as a branch in the following temple activities. The temples cultural day and of course Chinese new year. I look forward to the annual Buddha s birthday festival where once again our branch volunteers will be well represented. Chris Cox, Chung Tian Branch President Thanks to all the Venerables for their guidance to YAD over the years that allowed us to develop our Bodhi seeds in Chung Tian Temple, the Home of Wisdom Life. Thanks to all the teachers and elders for their care and help to YAD for many years to enable us to grow strong. Thanks to all the YAD members for their mutual understanding and tolerance to make us become a family of love and friendship. I hope that I can serve more for the temple and YAD this year. I further wish that with our joint efforts, we would be able to participate more actively in various activities organized by Chung Tian Temple and Fo Guang Shan so as to propagate the Dharma to benefit more young people and to support Buddhism. Liu Mei-Yu, YADI Division Leader Page 3

4 Venerable Master Hsing Yun encouraged BLIA members to establish the character of Humanistic Buddhism. Since the Dharma is mainly based on human, Humanistic Buddhism is the original intents of the Buddha. No matter what faith it is, it must be able to help people to deal with life problems before it inspires people to rely on it automatically. In the next two years, we look forward to invite more members to join, and to enhance interaction and understanding through our vitality and positive attitude in activities. Let us join the community, walk into the crowd and serve the public to contribute to a better society. Let s be active and proactive together. Judy Lin, South Branch I President 18 years ago because of our acquaintance with the former Branch President Alan Chiou, my family came to Chung Tian Temple and was exposed to Humanistic Buddhism. A few years later, I took refuge under Venerable Master Hsing Yun, and ever since then, the Venerable Master has become my spiritual Master and Chung Tian Temple, my Home of Wisdom Life. I also brought Humanistic Buddhism into my family, my work and life. Accompanied and cared by the Venerables of the temple and South II Branch brothers and sister, we were able to grow strong. Thanks to the temple and BLIAQ for their tolerance, and South II Branch members for their encouragement and support, I hope that I would be able to lead the Branch to promote its business and strive to create a cohesive force of members. Ariel Tseng, South II Branch President I am grateful to my grandparents who brought me to Chung Tian Temple to learn Chinese when I was small. When growing up, I participated in the ANZBYC and then entered YAD. Starting from a small volunteer, a team leader to YAD II Vice Division Leader, I feel honored to become the YAD II President. I am grateful to the members who took me to YAD and their enthusiasm ensured me that YAD would be my second home. I would also like to thank Venerable Miao Xin, other Venerables, uncles and aunts who enabled me to study Buddhism in the temple and share experiences. I hope to encourage more young people to join YAD. By implementing the Three Acts of Goodness, we can work together to spread the Dharma to the whole world. Winston Boon, YAD II President Thanks to you all for your care and support of the Loving Care Group over the years! Thanks to the effort and hard work of the previous Presidents! As good affinity brings good luck, the achievement of each social charitable activity brought harmony to the community. Thanks to everyone s support, with fear I accept the post of the Loving Care Group President. In my term of two years, I hope that you would be kind to give me advice so that with team work, we can benefit society with our loving care like sweet dew and actualize the spirit of unconditional kindness and compassion. Through the promotion of charitable activities, let us cultivate both bliss and wisdom, implement the Three Acts of Goodness & Four Offerings, and widely make good affinities, spreading joy and warmth everywhere. Karan Chi, Loving Care Group President Because of the Queensland flood, I was able to expose myself to the right views and right understanding in Chung Tian Temple. All the way with the compassionate advice from the Venerables, the study of Buddhist class and Sutra class, and the supporting conditions of BLIA Newsletters, various publications and devotees, I was able to find the reliance for my Buddhist study and acquire a deeper understanding of the Dharma. Buddhism stresses on Dependent Origination and the Nature of Emptiness; the Law of Cause and Effect. Knowing these, I was in great joy like getting treasures. Therefore, with the thanksgiving heart and repentance, I accept the post from the West Branch. I am going to use the Sutra Spoken by Buddha on the Way of Ten Meritorious Deeds as a model to review myself and further wish that the West Branch would become stronger and more united. Vivian Chai, West Branch President I am much honored to have re-elected again for the second term for President of Logan Branch by Logan Branch Committee members. I would like to thank all committee and members for their support in the past two years. I hope to encourage the environment of openness, transparency, honesty, communication, and teamwork environment. As I step into the second term I hope that I can influence the environment into a friendly and helpful team work surroundings. The benefit to lead for the second term is that I have more experience and confident also knowing the areas that needed improvement and bringing in new members and their special skills into the team and training new members and creating a productive teamwork environment. I hope that in the coming two year, we can learn together, work as a team, be more creative, practice the Buddha teachings and do more kind deeds to benefit all living beings. Kwang Hooi Khor, Logan Branch President Understanding that I have a lot to learn, I will encourage myself to do my best to fulfill the responsibility of a President. It is hoped that in the next two years, through promoting the business of the Branch, we can create good conditions to attract more members so that they have more opportunities to get close to knowledgeable people to listen to the Dharma and to cultivate bliss and wisdom. With right views and right thoughts, right mindfulness can be developed and strengthened so that one will become a happy and contented Buddha s Light member filled with Dharma joy. Wish you all have joy, peace, good luck and good health! Wang Yun-Fang, Gold Coast Branch President Page 4

5 2017 Term 1 - Meditation, Buddhist & es held at Chung Tian Temple Basic Buddhist & Meditation Class Level: Level 1 Time: 9:00am - 10:00am (Meditation) 10:10am -11:00am(Buddhist talk) Intermediate Buddhist & Meditation Class Level: Level 2 Time: 10:00am - 11:00am(Buddhist talk) 11:10am - 12:00pm (Meditation) Buddhist Book Study & Meditation Class Level: Level 3 Time: 10:00am - 11:00am (Meditation) 11:10am - 12:00pm (Buddhist talk) Advanced Buddhist Study & Meditation Class Level: Level 4(Free for BLIAQ members) Time: 10:00am -11:00am (Meditation) 11:10am - 12:00pm(Buddhist talk) Cost: $20 per term booking is required Day: Every Wednesday Time: 9.30am 11.00am Discussion Classes Time: 11.00am 12.00pm Cost: Free To book for the Buddhist classes, an application form must be completed and returned to the Chung Tian Temple s reception together with full payment at least a week prior to the course commence date. For all enquiry please contact on Tuesday to Sunday, or ibaq@chungtian.org.au or see Thank you Day: Every Saturday Time: 9.00am 10.30am Bodhi Class For Children Buddha Quotes Time: 8.30am 10.00am Teenager s Buddhist Class Ages: 3-12 years Ages: years Sunday: 10.00am am Sunday: 10.00am am Cost: $20 per term Cost: $20 per term Every 2nd & 4th child from the same family will be Every 2nd & 4th child from the same family will be free. free. Children are taught Buddhist morals and ethics The intermediate Dharma class builds on and in a nurturing environment. Lessons are backed by expands the basic foundations of Buddhist learning, aiming for a practical approach and solutions to fun activities which include: simple meditation, challenges issues faced by young people today. children s tai chi, Buddhist stories and virtues, craft activities and team-building games. Greater in battle than the man who would conquer a thousand-thousand men, is he who would conquer just one himself. Better to conquer yourself than others. When you've trained yourself, living in constant self-control, neither a deva nor gandhabba, nor a Mara banded with Brahmas, could turn that triumph back into defeat. An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind. Whatever a monk keeps pursuing with his thinking and pondering, that becomes the inclination of his awareness. There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills. Date Day Time Program 11 February 2017 Sat 10:30am Lantern Festival Bright Light Dharma Services (in Mandarin) 18 Feb 25 March 2017 Sat 1:30pm - 3:30pm Chinese Buddhist Class Term 1 (6 weeks) 19 Feb 26 March 2017 Sun 9:00am -12noon English Buddhist Class Term 1 (6 weeks) 26 February 2017 Sun 11:00am Bright Light Dharma Service (in Mandarin) 5 March 2017 Sun Clean Up Australia Day 11 March 2017 Sat 9:30am Great Compassion Repentance Service 1:30pm BLIAQ Seminar 4:00pm Elder Advisors Committee cum Directors Meeting 12 March 2017 Sun 11:00am Bright Light Dharma Service (in Mandarin) 16 March 2017 Thur 11:00am Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Dharma Service 28 March 2017 Tues 11:00am Bright Light Dharma Service (in Mandarin) Every Sunday 9:00am 9:40am English Buddhist Chanting Every Saturday 10:30am 12noon Buddhist Service (in Mandarin) Page 5