~ October 2007 ~ Shabda 1 ShabdaMonthly Newsletter of Losang Dragpa Center October 2007 GESHE LA REPRESENTS VAJRAYANA COUNCIL AT MEMORIAL OF CHIEF REVEREND DHAMMANANDA At a memorial for Chief Reverend Dhammananda held at the Brickfields Temple, Geshe La represent Vajrayana Council at Memorial of Chief Reverend Dhammananda. Geshe Tenzin Zopa was given the honour to represent the Vajrayana Council comprising 40 Tibetan Buddhists Centre to give a lecture. Geshe Tenzin Zopa has the distinction of not only being a qualified scholar of Buddhism but has a good strong command of English, hence a most appropriate choice for the occasion.
2 Shabda ~ October 2007 ~ ~ October 2007 ~ Shabda 3 Here we attach a short excerpt from Geshe la s lecture on The Importance of Compassion and Wisdom in Our Daily Life: Buddha dharma is in the manner of three points: 1) overall it is a religion, 2) which qualify by philosophy, and 3) which also qualify by being a science, and when applied in our daily life, it becomes our lifestyle also. So Buddha dharma is not something merely respected by blind faith. Buddha dharma has the reason and benefi t that it can be actualized as the fruit, and it makes sense even by applying it in such ordinary beings like us. It is able to eradicate suffering and causes of suffering, then obtain the state of cessation by cultivating the right advice of Buddha, which is the Path and Ground. Without cultivating true love, there is no way one is able to sacrifice being selfish, no way that we can eradicate the self cherishing mind. Without cultivating compassion, no way we are able to achieve the purpose of practising Dharma which is for others. For people who would like to learn about this teaching, it is being transcripted and posted onto our website at www.fpmt-ldc.org. Words of Wisdom Only when everybody is united then the Center can really fl ourish. With less problems, you can benefi t so many sentient beings. Life is very short. We don t live even a hundred years, so it is most important for us to remember, in our everyday life, every moment in this world, many healthy people die suddenly. Not only people with cancer will have danger to die, many people do die before those who have cancer. ~By Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche~ August and September Review Sixteen Arhats Long Life Puja In appreciation of the great kindness of our precious Guru Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche advising LDC to make a sum of contribution to a project of Gelek Rinpoche, 10 monks of Gelek Rinpoche came to LDC on 9th August to perform one and half hour puja of the 16 Arhats dedicated to the long life of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Geshe Tenzin Zopa, all sangha members, committee, staff, members and friends of LDC. During the Buddha s time, these 16 Arhats made a promise to the Buddha that during degenerate times, they will protect the life of dharma practitioners and they will look after the sangha community and fl ourish the teachings of Buddha. Extensive offerings were arranged in LDC gompa for this special occasion. Delicious tea and light snacks were served to all the sangha. It seemed like the warmnth of LDC has somehow captured the hearts of all sangha and participants as even though it was meant to be a short prayer session, it ended up a few hours longer. It was nearly midnight when we bid farewell to all the monks who had been so kind to do prayers here in LDC. We were also informed that after the monks returned to their monastery in South India, they also performed special prayers with all the sangha, dedicated to Rinpoche and the Center. Geshe-la gives Dharma talk to Shah Alam Buddhist Society Geshe La, in his talk about Life after Life Infinite Compassion for all Beings, gave an introduction to Buddhism which he felt was important as without the proper understanding of the Four Noble Truths and karma, there is no way one can understand about reincarnation and the signifi cance of why high lamas return to guide the deluded sentient beings, after their passing away. With an audience of over 60 participants who were mostly from the Theravadan and Chinese Mahayana sects, Geshe la completed his talk on the preliminary teaching. When he was about to begin the talk about the Tibetan tradition of reincarnation of high lamas the time was up and everyone had to leave. However his affi nity with everyone there has generated the cause to meet again in another gathering to share this aspect of the interesting teaching. The Society has requested Geshe la to come back again in the near future. Buddha show in LDC Director Lillian Too s Resident Nearly 300 Buddha statues were invited from Bangkok and descended at the residence of our Center Director Lillian Too. The Buddhas in varied sizes, with different postures and hand mudras, LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM
4 Shabda ~ October 2007 ~ ~ October 2007 ~ Shabda 5 bring different vibrations to people who lay eyes on them. On the morning of 24th August, Lillian invited Geshe la to do a massive consecration in her house to mark an auspicious start for the 3-day Buddha Show. Guests invited from all over Malaysia, as far as Singapore, came to view this breathtaking exhibition on Buddhas. On the 3rd day of the exhibition, most of the Buddhas had been invited home by many who attended. The few left will be displayed during the Thousand Offerings Event at the Chinese Assembly Hall. It is indeed amazing to have this rare opportunity to share with everybody the magic of the Buddhas. From the sale, Lillian managed to raise RM150K to build a Guest House in Kopan Monastery for LDC Members Ven.Dechen leads Nyung Nay in Indonesia on 4th & 5th August A sanctuary, surrounded by nature backed by a small hill was chosen by the students of Potowa Center in Jakarta to do Nyung Nay over a weekend in August. A place like a little Kopan was how Ven.Dechen described the sanctuary when she arrived at the retreat site. More than 40 participants joined the first Nyung Nay. A few requested to leave the retreat as the hardship of abstinence from food and water was difficult to accept. However due to the advice and encouragement from Ven.Dechen, many of them made it through the complete retreat. After returning from Indonesia, Ven. Dechen went to Kopan Monastery in Nepal for a month to do her personal retreat on Lama Tzong Khapa Guru Yoga during which she accumulated 110,000 times of the praises to Lama Tzong Khapa, in short, Mitzema. Her retreat was completed with a Fire Puja assisted by Khenrinpoche and the tantric ritual monks of Kopan Tantric College. A good cause for us to rejoice that LDC sangha is not only self-sustainable yet also a beneficial resource to assist other Centers who are in need of help. Geshe Chonyi Assist in Prayers for the Deceased Our heartfelt gratitude to Geshe Chonyi from Amitabha Buddhist Center in Singapore who had been so kind to come all the way to LDC to assist the prayer for deceased in Sec 17, Petaling Jaya, during the seventh month of the ghost festival in Chinese culture. In the absence of Geshe Tenzin Zopa who had to return to Nepal to complete an important task, LDC invited Geshe Chonyi to help us at this important event. Medicine Buddha Puja, Medicine Buddha Jangwa and Sur offering were performed on the first and second night of the event. It was the first time ever in this festival that Sec 17 has a Buddhist master perform a Buddhist ritual on the occasion. Although the actual number of people who came and sat through the prayers were not many, but the broadcast of the prayer was surely heard by many of those who live in the vicinity. All the residents, patrons of coffee shops, hawker stalls and even just the pedestrians who were passing by the street would have definitely received an imprint in their mind to meet the teachings of Buddha very soon. Many, many thanks also go to LDC members who had come forward to help in setting up the altar and arranging the table for Geshe la and sangha. It is due to the tireless service of members of the Center that you have made it become so easy to share dharma with others. Thank you very much! Thousand Offering Event The Thousand Offering Event of year 2007 under the leadership of our Center Secretary, Stanley Ng will be held once again at the Chinese Assembly Hall from 28th September to 30th September 2007. No doubt his experience and skill, apart from his great kindness, humble and compassionate nature has won many volunteers. Members have found the organizing structure of our 6th year Thousand Offerings Event smooth and engaging. Although at the first meeting with the head of each committee, Stanley has emphasized that he is not the leader to give command but only to help get things organized for the event and to help everybody, one can see the cooperation that everybody gave for this event, making the work a cohesive and joyful effort. As ninety-nine percent of the expenses were sponsored before the event, all donations throughout the 3 day event will be net income. Rejoice! All the donations will also be shared among other charity organizations.
6 Shabda ~ October 2007 ~ ~ October 2007 ~ Shabda 7 Senior Wellness The Senior Wellness group meets every Tuesday of the month at Centre from 2.30pm to 5.00pm. There is no meeting in the month of October because of the activities that is going on in the Centre. The next meeting is 6th November 2007. Students and LDC member bring joy... 14 August 2007 The LDC Senior Wellness members were delighted on 14th August when Ms Tan San Hui, a 14 year old student from the Garden International School visited LDC and volunteered her service that afternoon to do a Spa Hand Treatment for them. They were fascinated as she mixed finely ground oats, mango yogurt and honey to a creamy consistency, and than spread these with a brush from the fingers upwards to the elbow and wrapping the hand with a cling wrap for 5 minutes. When the mask was later removed and the hand rinsed, all were surprised at how moist soft and fair their skin were. They were so impressed with the result that they copied the formula for the mask. The second interesting event that day was a demonstration of the preparation and the baking of mini cheese tarts by LDC member May Choo. Everyone loved the wafer thin pastry and cheese fillings, which easily melted in their mouths. The afternoon tea continued with lots of fellowship, fun and laughter particularly when they started to compare their glowing skins after the earlier Spa session. The senior members has shown a lot of keenness to contribute to the Thousand Lights Offering Event from 28th September to 30th September 2007 and decided that they would like to share their favourite recipes with any interested visitor at the Community Service Booth (YPP and Senior Wellness). So make a beeline for the Booth for some delicious recipes. We would like to encourage members and friends who has something to share with the Senior members to come forward and volunteer their service, to contribute to an interesting afternoon and bring lots of joy to the Senior members. Showing concern for a fellow member 4th September 2007 The mood of the members were rather sombre when they found out that one of their fellow senior members, Madam Ho (87years old) was in hospital with a life threatening lung failure. The gathering talked about the compassion of Chenrezig and how she always showered kindness to those who were sick and in need of help. They started to recite the inspiring phrases of Praises to Chenrezig and dedicated the prayers to Madam Ho. One member related a story of her 70 year old friend who recited the Praises to Chenrezig for about a month found that she had not only regained her health but also transformed her life by having gained more confidence and zest in her life. The members then proceeded to produce a Get Well card filled with the 8 auspicious signs for Madam Ho. Program Highlights for October, November & December His Holiness Sakya Trizin s visit to LDC His Holiness Sakya Trizin, one of the guru of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche will be visiting LDC on 3rd October at 10am. We are so fortunate to have the good karma to meet His Holiness in person. Do come along before 10am to welcome His Holiness. There will be a talk on Fostering Harmony among Tibetan Mahayana/ Vajrayana Buddhist Organisations in Malaysia by His Holiness at 11am. The session will end at 12.30pm. YPP PROGRAMME 14th October Our precious human rebirth - should we take it for granted? 21st October Practice guru devotion and receive skies of merits. 28th October We are as permanent as a water bubble! 4th November Understanding the six realm beings 11th November Are you ready for Pilgrimage to Nepal? 25th November Cherishing others - prepare for charity project in January 2nd December Sharing and caring continue to prepare for charity project LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM
8 Shabda ~ October 2007 ~ ~ October 2007 ~ Shabda 9 SPIRITUAL PROGRAMME Resident Teacher: Geshe Tenzin Zopa Spiritual Advisor : Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche Preliminary Practices For 5 evenings we will provide a simple overview of the key aspects of Buddhist practice. The classes will be Wednesday evenings from 7:30 9.00pm. on October 17, 24, 31, November 7,14, 2007. In keeping with our tradition, they are offered on a donation basis. WHY ARE PRELIMINARY PRACTICES SO IMPORTANT Doing these practices creates the merits for you to enjoy A long and and happy life Fullfi llment of your wishes Correct view Wisdom and realizations Ultimate happiness or liberation from samsara Full enlightenment to benefi t sentient beings This is possible because you have achieved a perfect human rebirth, which is more precious than all the wealth in the world. The Preliminary Practices will open the doors to understanding how YOU can create extensive merits every second of your life which will create the cause to gain incredible results. The ultimate goal of our practice from life to life is to get closer and closer to Enlightenment, which is never to be reborn in the lower realms or experience suffering, sickness, relationship problems and death. The door to all success is the PRELIMINARY PRACTICE. Preliminary Practices 1. Daily Prayers Taking refuge in the 3 jewels and generating the good heart Prostration Prayer Offerings Dedication 2. Setting up the altar How to offer water bowls, fl owers and light Meaning of different offerings How to do the hand mudras 3. Meditation classes for visualizing the deities 4. Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels Practice of Six Perfections 5. Prayers for different purposes How to make motivation/ dedications the cause for your enlightenment This programme for all level of study allow us the rare opportunity to learn from a highly trained and realized English speaking Tibetan monk - Geshe Tenzin Zopa. The teachings will be offered in English. It would be such a waste to let this opportunity go! For reservation book on-line at Email: ldc1@streamyx.com Look out for the other studies to be covered soon: 1. Purifi cation Practices 2. Practice of Tza Tza and Gold Leafi ng the Buddhas 3. The power of Sutras and Mantra 4. Pilgrimage to Holy Sites 5. Mandala Offering 6. Understanding the benefi t of different Pujas Guru Puja, Tara Puja, Medicine Puja etc 7. The six realms The Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva In the month of August, Geshe la covered the fi rst 9 verses of the 37 verses, by explaining the preliminary practices (verse 1 7) of a bodhisattva, and started the actual practice (verse 8 onward) of bodhisattva which teaches the path to be free from the suffering of lower realm, and gradually by contemplating on the suffering of samsara, one should ultimately renounce entire suffering. Geshe la will continue explaining the following verses of the actual practice of bodhisattva in the month of October and November, on every Saturday and Sunday 3-6pm @ LDC. Dinner fundraising - 2nd November 2007 A fundraising dinner night will be held at Thean Hou Temple. Program for the night will start at 7:30pm, and the most exciting part of the night will be the Dance of the 1000 Arm Chenrezig and an auction of several rare and special items. It is our wish to raise enough money on the night to cover the LDC s whole year s expense which are running at RM30,000.00 monthly. Sponsorship for the table is priced from RM2,500.00 RM30,000.00. Please contact LDC offi ce for more information. And we will keep you updated as the time get nearer to the event. For more information, please contact us at 1, Jalan 17/21 F, 46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Tel: 603 7968 3278 Fax: 603 7956 7280 Email: ldc1@streamyx.com LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER Design by WOFS.COM
16 Shabda ~ October 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: 603-7968 3278 Fax Number: 603-7956 7280 Email: ldc1@streamyx.com Website: www.fpmt-ldc.org LDC S SPIRITUAL GURU : Kyabje Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche Website dedicated to Rinpoche: www.fpmt.org (look for Spiritual Director) & www.lamazopa.com