The start of 2007 bring much. ShabdaMonthly Newsletter of Losang Dragpa Center SPECIAL YEAR OF 2007

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1 ~ February 2007 ~ Shabda 1 ShabdaMonthly Newsletter of Losang Dragpa Center February 2007 SPECIAL YEAR OF 2007 Celebrating Chinese New Year & Tibetan Losar On 18th February!! The start of 2007 bring much auspiciousness when Chinese New Year falls on the same date as Tibetan Losar (New Year). The karmic results multiplying days starts from the first day of Losar to the fifteenth day. In the past, Lord Buddha was challenged to a competition of miracles with six great Hindu teachers who represented the six schools of Hinduism. Lord Buddha accepted the challenge when He realised many of them will be subdued and achieve liberation, and for the benefit of people in future who will be inspired to practice as a result of His manifestation. In front of over a hundred thousand Buddhists and Hindus, Lord Buddha held a toothpick, put it on the ground and it changed into a wish fulfilling tree decorated with jewels. The next day, the Buddha manifested two more wish fulfilling jewels. On the third day, when the king set aside the water with which he just washed the Buddha s feet, the water became a pool with eight qualities of water and it healed whoever drank or touched the water. On the following day, the Buddha emitted golden light from his mouth for people to see the beings of the six realms being liberated. The Buddha also transformed energy for everyone to become clairvoyant. The LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

2 2 Shabda ~ February 2007 ~ Buddha manifested a huge body until the Brahma realm came under his chin. One day the Buddha was not visible but the sound of His voice was heard everywhere. Up till the fi fteenth day when the Buddha defeated the six Hindu teachers, many people were subdued and became Buddhist to follow the teachings of the Buddha. On these 15 days of the year, Tibetan Buddhism Monasteries perform extensive prayers and teaching and numberless devotees from the Tibetan community and from all over the world would gather at the monasteries to pray. Extensive offerings to the sangha community and virtuous deeds will be performed to accumulate merit. Teaching on the Twelve Deeds of the Buddha is especially emphasized to Buddhist at this time. Recitation of all prayers and holy texts are conducted by thousands of sangha. It is the very special occasion of the year to enhance our merit accumulation. Whatever action we create at this time is multiplied by one hundred million times, as cited by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. It is therefore vital for us to participate in as many virtuous deeds as possible throughout the 15 days of the New Year. Losang Dragpa Center will be organizing Guru Puja on the fi rst day of New Year as it is usually conducted in the monastery. Incense Puja will be offered to all the holy beings and local deities on the second day of New Year, Medicine Buddha Retreat for healing and purifi cation starts from 26th Feb & complete on the Day of Miracles, 3rd March. Finally we welcome the lion dance to the 3:30pm on 18th February, 2007! Many of you have sent in requests for the sangha to do prayers in your houses during the New Year period. Please contact Ven.Dechen to arrange a suitable day and time. We welcome the following new members who joined us. 1.) Mr.Khaw Hock Soon 2.) Mdm.Cheong Moh Yen 3.) Mr.David Lim 4.) Mr.Chua Shang Tze 5.) Mr.Phan Meng Keong 6.) Mr.Ong Lai Hock 7.) Mr.Kerry Ong Kah Hee 8.) Mr.Puah Haien Chung 9.) Mr.Lye Kam Weng 10.) Mr.Sand Lee 11.) Mr.William Khoo Siew Ming Words of Wisdom for February A compassionate person is the most powerful healer, not only of their own disease and other problems, but of those of others. A person with loving kindness and compassion heals others simply by existing. ~By Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche~ LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

3 ~ February 2007 ~ Shabda 3 LDC NEWS Precious Events in Year 2007 Year 2007 will be another year to fully utilize our time and energy to continue serving dharma to our utmost capacity. This year with the start of Chinese New Year and Tibetan Losar, we have extensive prayers in the Center to celebrate the New Year. Our precious Guru Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche is visiting LDC on 21st May 4th June. However, as Rinpoche will be visiting Singapore Amitabha Buddhist Center before coming to Malaysia, the Exco has decided to hire a bus for everyone to go down to Singapore to celebrate Wesak Day with our precious Guru. More details will be posted to you in due course. September is the time to organize our yearly Million Lights Offerings Event with Kopan Monastey s Khenrinpoche Lama Lhundhup, whilst in November marks our dinner fundraising for LDC and in December we will have Choden Rinpoche visiting our Center again. We hope the above highlights of the year set the motivation for everyone to prepare our time and energy to fully immerse ourselves in these special events with highly qualified lamas. Regular activities at the Center continue with prayer sessions and weekend teachings, the Young People Program & the Senior Wellness Program. A teenage program as well as Dharma classes in Mandarin will be introduced. Please stay in touch with our programs, you can also join in our egroup (fpmtldc@yahoogroups.com) to get the most up to date information about our activities through circulation. LDC s First Resident Geshe - Samlo Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Recovering December 2006 brought us the news of Geshe la being diagnosed with second stages cancer after many months of discomfort at the left side of his cheek. Upon consulting several doctors and Geshe la s teacher, Geshe la underwent a major surgery in January 2007 to remove the tumor. The surgery was successful. Geshe la is now recuperating in hospital. Geshe la however has to continue radiotherapy treatment for a short period of time. Geshe la is well taken care of by his doctor and student Geshe Deyang, Ven.Jangchup and Chonyi la. Many of us here who knows about Geshe la Geshe Kelsang & Ven Michael LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

4 4 Shabda ~ February 2007 ~ have been praying for Geshe la s quick recovery. We have even received offerings of expensive, high quality herbal medicine to pass to Geshe la. We greatly appreciate everyone s concern toward Geshe la. However we would suggest it would best to offer financial support if you would like to make an offering. For an update on Geshe la s situation, you can check with Ven.Dechen or Ven.Osel at LDC. Thank you. RINPOCHE Assigns Maitreya Project In Bodhgaya To M.K.Sen Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche has appointed M.K.SEN, Deputy Director of LDC to take charge of the 150 ft Maitreya Project in Bodhgaya and his wife Ming Tsuan to assist him. The announcement was made at the special prayer session held on the Maitreya Project site on Tuesday 26th December 06, attended by all participants of the Maitreya Retreat held at the Root Institute, Bodhgaya from 26th to 31st Dec 06. This great news was made known to the LDC Exco by our Director, Lillian Too. She said that all members of LDC should rejoice that MK has been asked by Rinpoche to undertake this extremely important project that would benefit millions of sentient beings. In congratulating MK, the Exco has given him the assurance that LDC would render every assistance in ensuring the success of the Project. MK said that he and Ming are deeply honoured and privileged to have been singled out by Rinpoche to undertake this treasured project of His Holiness and Rinpoche. In accepting the appointment, MK said he recognises the enormity of the assingnment and the very heavy responsibilities it carries. He assured Rinpoche that he would do his very best to fulfill this important vision of His Holiness and beloved Rinpoche. Officials of FPMT, who were responsible for the Project previously flew into Kuala Lumpur on 12th Jan 07,to brief MK on the status of the Project and to handover the responsibilities to him. MK had made a detailed statement on the Project during a meeting at LDC after Medicine Buddha Puja on 2nd Feb 2007 for all members of LDC who may wish to offer their help and assistance. He hopes that members would extend a helping hand for a project that brings enormous merits to all sentient beings for now and the future. Mahayana Magazine Mahayana Magazine was very well received by participants who were given a copy during His Holisness the 14th Dalai Lama s Teaching at Varanasi, the Maitreya Retreat with Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Root Institute and the Meditation course in Kopan Monastery. A copy of the magazine was also offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama when some of our members visited His palace in Dharamsala. The beautiful pictures and rich information touched the hearts of thousands of readers. Our readers are LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

5 ~ February 2007 ~ Shabda 5 already looking forward to the next issue of the magazine. Our heartfelt appreciation to Lillian and her team who worked so diligently to accomplish this project for the benefi t of everyone. February Program Highlights This Medicine Buddha retreat is a retreat for healing our mind. Bacteria, viruses, spirit harms, disturbing thoughts, stress and so forth may act as external conditions for disease, but disease itself has no external cause. The cause of disease is in the mind or we could say, it IS the mind. Therefore curing disease through external means is not the best solution; the solution or the healing has to come from within: transforming our mind. Healing our mind is crucial, because otherwise our problems, which are beginningless, become endless. We may use medicine or some other external means to heal a particular HH Dalai Lama is reading our MAHAYANA magazine Dharma Program 6-day Medicine Buddha Retreat for Healing & Purifi cation/ Feb 26 March 3: disease, but the disease will return unless we heal and purify our mind. This is the purpose for doing this retreat. If you are interested, please register with William at (03) or LDC office at: ldc1@streamyx.com. Places are limited, please submit your name to William BEFORE Feb 17, Tentative Retreat Schedule 5 sessions a day (Taking the 8 Mahayana precepts is COMPULSORY for full-time retreat participants): 6.00am - 8:30am: Morning prayers, taking 8 Mahayana LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

6 6 Shabda ~ February 2007 ~ precepts, group recitation of 6- session Guru Yoga, prostrations, actual Medicine Buddha practice session, brief dedication. 9.00am am: Prostrations, Medicine Buddha practice session, brief dedication am -12noon: Lunch break 12noon pm: Personal practice/ karma yoga (water offering, Dharma discussion, etc.) 2.00pm pm: Prostrations, Medicine Buddha practice session, brief dedication 4:30pm - 6:30pm: Prostrations, Medicine Buddha practice session, brief dedication 7.00pm - 8:30pm: Prostration, Medicine Buddha practice session, tea offering to protectors, final dedication prayers. Important Notice: - Full-time retreat participants: please inform William as to whether you d like to stay at the Center during the retreat period. Whether you are staying at the Center or not, please make a minimum donation of RM 250 (per person) to LDC office to cover the cost of offerings, electricity, food & drink etc. for the entire retreat. - Those of you who can t join the full retreat: please note that the daytime sessions are strictly for the full-time retreat participants only, however the last session of the day (evening 7-8:30pm) is open to anyone who may want to participate. LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

7 ~ February 2007 ~ Shabda 7 Young People Program Bake a Cookie for the YPP A wonderful smell of freshly baked cookies filled the Gompa. The tantalizing aroma led us to the dining room and the kitchen. Lo and behold, there were close to two dozen children, some covered in flour, some in deep concentration deciding their cookie decorations, other rolling out dough, and still others trying to elbow their way through to get a piece of the action. In the background, we could hear the aunties telling the children to be patient and that everyone will get their turn. It wasn t until someone shouted that there were cookies to sample that the attention shifted to the kitchen. Like bees to honey the children scrambled straight toward the cookies. Chomping happily, they went back to tackle the cookie dough. The baking coincided with a very auspicious day, it was the day that Lord Buddha descended from the God Realm of Thirty-three. The children were told to offer the cookies to the Buddhas in the Gompa and rows of colourfully decorated cookies remained as the main offering for the special Puja that evening. 28th January Benefit of pilgrimage Slide presentation of the Pilgrimage to Bodgaya and Varanasi. 4th February Art and craft Making Chinese New Year Cards. 11th February Benefit of making Offerings to the Less Fortunate Baking cookies to offer to orphanage. 25th February Visit to Orphanage Distribution of goodies bags and entertainment programme. 6th March Importance of Mantra recitation Making Malas. 11th March Drawing good deeds in a poster for display during Wesak Day. 18th March Team building / leadership training. 25th March Advanced Flower Arrangement. LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

8 8 Shabda ~ February 2007 ~ Our Glorious Report Pilgrimage to India India Pilgrimage 2006 was a great success and full of fun and joy! The group of 50 people from Malaysia and Singapore were accompanied by Ven. Charok Lama Rinpoche, Ven.Nyima Tashi, Geshe Tenzin Zopa and most importantly we had our precious guru Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche stay in the same hotel. The next day after arriving Varanasi we had a few hours in the early morning with Rinpoche at the Ganges River, doing prayer & liberating fishes. A few times at night we performed the Guru Puja with Rinpoche in His hotel room until the early hours of the morning. And of course attending His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama teaching on emptiness and bodhicitta was simply a great blessing showered on us. His Holiness, at the great assembly, praised our precious guru saying, Lama Zopa Rinpoche not only has faith and conviction in me, he also carried out and accomplished my wishes. recalling all the qualities of His Holiness and His holy works. Rinpoche read it out loud in front of the great assembly. However due to Rinpoche s speed reading, His Holiness did not catch all the words and asked Rinpoche to pass Him the pages so he can go through them again. At the moment when Rinpoche passed the paper to His Holiness, the intimate interaction between the two high lamas brought a tear to the geshe, sangha and the great assembly. The pilgrimage also included visiting to places like the Enlightenment Stupa at Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Vulture Peak & Nalanda Monastery. More details of the personal account on this pilgrimage will be posted in our next issue of Mahayana Magazine. On the last day of the teaching, Long Life Puja was offered to His Holiness. Rinpoche composed seven pages of praises Geshe Zopa with LDC members at Nalanda Monastery LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

9 ~ February 2007 ~ Shabda 9 Choden LDC, Dec 2006 Choden Rinpoche is giving relic blessing at LDC Choden Rinpoche s attendant, Geshe Tseten la, was very surprised to see Rinpoche s broad smile on face just before leaving the Center to the airport. Geshe Tseten la told us that he has never seen Rinpoche smile so much as Rinpoche is usually quiet and serious. LDC committees request to Rinpoche to return in 2007 has received a positive response with a promise to stay a month longer. Maitreya Relics LDC, Nov 2006 Over a thousand people visited the Center throughout the 5 day Relics Exhibition at LDC in November Many people who have mental and physical problem found it helpful just by circumambulating the relics and having the relics bless their crown. On the last day of the exhibition, we were so fortunate to have Choden Rinpoche holding the relics to bless the audience, who attended the Maitreya Puja in the evening. LDC members at Relic tour in LDC Visitors at Relic tour in LDC Choden Rinpoche LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

10 10 Shabda ~ February 2007 ~ Khenrinpoche was conducting puja at Chinese Assembly Hall Khenrinpoche s visit & Million Lights Offering Event, Oct 2006 The culmination of Khenrinpoche s visit was the ever successful annual public event that LDC hosted. When Khenrinpoche Lama Lhundup lit up the first candle in Chinese Assembly hall on Friday morning, chanting in solemn voices of offering prayers were heard, bells were ringing and rice sprinkled to bless the venue and million of lights gradually radiating up the stage and hall to mark the opening ceremony of the Million Light Offerings Event, which was filled with auspiciousness and joyousness. Reporters from Nanyang and the Star interviewed Khenrinpoche on the purpose of making lights offerings, the meaning of offering kata (white scarf), why circumambulate holy object etc. A half hour interview turned into more than an hour. The day began with Incense Puja to make offerings to please all the Buddhas and Bodhisattva and local deities, followed by requesting their blessing to bring success to our event. Throughout the 3-day event, the LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

11 ~ February 2007 ~ Shabda 11 hall was packed, despite the long weekend of Deepavali and Raya. People came forward to attend the pujas, teachings, initiations, or receiving blessings from Khenrinpoche. Apart from benefiting many who have connection with the Dharma, the event also saved hundred of thousands of lives through the Animal Liberation prayers. In appreciation to Khenrinpoche s great kindness and all volunteers who made this event possible, LDC offered a Thanksgiving Dinner with the play of Story of the Buddha from our kids in the Young People s Program. We are glad to announce that from the surplus from the event, LDC is able to offer USD20, as donation to Khenrinpoche & Kopan Monastery. During the time that Khenrinpoche spent in the Center, many wonderful and meaningful things were achieved. We had members and new friends came to consult Khenrinpoche for various advice, Khenrinpoche received invitations for house blessing and pujas, statue filling and consecration. Khenrinpoche together with the assistance of Ven. Jinpa, was able to set up a Dzambala Wealth Cabinet for the Center and through the hard work of translator Ven.Tenzin Sherab, we were able to have a few day sessions to learn about the short sadhana of Yamantaka. The ever helpful attendant Ven.Kunkhen has helped make everything smooth and possible, despite the busy and tight schedule throughout their stay. Khenrinpoche s visit was concluded with a Long Life Puja on Sunday morning, followed by our offering of the Tara Dance. Students from outstation and overseas came forward to celebrate this auspicious occasion with our precious Lama. Khenrinpoche s visit to LDC this time was truly meaningful and fruitful and filled everyone with so much joy and happiness including Khenrinpoche and His entourage. We sincerely await the return of Khenrinpoche on September 2007! Khenrinpoche with YYP children LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

12 12 Shabda ~ February 2007 ~ LDC Dharma Program for February 2007 P - Precepts BP - Special Days of Lord Buddha Tibetan Full Moon Tibetan New Moon Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1 2 P Medicine Buddha Puja followed by presentation on Maitreya Project by MK Sen 7:30pm A chat with Charok Lama at LDC 7:30pm Guru Puja 7:30pm TSOG OFFERINGS Protector Puja 7:30pm 19P 20P 21P 22P 23P Incense Puja 11am 26P 27P 28P Medicine Buddha Retreat (6 days) Medicine Buddha Retreat Medicine Buddha Retreat Guru Puja 7:30pm LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

13 ~ February 2007 ~ Shabda 13 Saturday Sunday Young People 3 4 Program 10am-12pm Lam Rim Discussion w/ Ven.Ang Losang - Discovering the Precious Mirror pm Medicine Buddha Lam Rim Discussion w/ Ven.Ang Losang- Why not try Tibetan Gym pm 17P 18P Chinese New Year & Tibetan Losar Lion Dance 3.30pm Guru Puja 4pm TSOG OFFERINGS 24P 25P Tara Puja 7:30pm Lam Rim Discussion w/ Ven.Ang Losang- Who is my root guru? pm Tadyatha Om Bekhandzye Bekhandzye Maha Bekhandzye Radza Samudgate Svaha LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

14 14 Shabda ~ February 2007 ~ LDC Dharma Program for March 2007 P - Precepts BP - Special Days of Lord Buddha Tibetan Full Moon Tibetan New Moon Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1 P 2 P Medicine Buddha Retreat Medicine Buddha Retreat Dharma class in Mandarin: Buddha & Me pm Guru Puja 7:30pm TSOG OFFERINGS Dharma class in Mandarin: History of Tibetan Buddhism pm P Dharma class in Mandarin: Tibetan Buddhism in a Nutshell pm Tara Puja 7:30pm Guru Puja 7:30pm TSOG OFFERINGS Dharma class in Mandarin: Establishing one s daily practice pm LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

15 ~ February 2007 ~ Shabda 15 Saturday Sunday Day of Miracle Medicine Buddha Retreat (last day) 3 P 4 Green Tara Medicine Buddha Puja 7:30pm Protector Puja 7:30pm Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM

16 16 Shabda ~ February 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