The Wisdom Age Newsletter of Drogmi Buddhist Institute A Tibetan Buddhist Centre in the Sakya Tradition Issue 22 May & June 2015 C O N T E N T S Page 1 Recent Earthquake in Nepal Page 2 Saga Dawa (Wesak) Program & A Note from the Committee Page 3 Upcoming Fundraiser Workshop, Shedra News, Dr. (Ven) Tenzin Bhaye Visits Sydney & July Retreat to Uluru Page 4 March Kuching Malaysia Teaching Visit ས ཆ མ ར ང འབ ང བའ བར ཆད ཀ ས ས ལ ས གཡར པ འཇ ག ལ ཐ ག པའ ཚ ཡ ད གཉ ས ཐ ཚ མ མ ད པར གས ལ བ ཐ བས ཨ ར ན དཔའ བ ག ད དང ལ ན པ ཡ ས འབ ང བ རང སར ཞ བ ཐ ཚ མ མ ད ཨ ར ན པད འབ ང གནས ལ གས ལ བ འད བས བསམ པ ལ ན ག ས འག བ པར བ ན ག ས ར བས International Sakya Nepal Relief Fund While we pray for all who lost their lives and send our heartfelt condolences for those who lost their loved ones, I ask that you take time to offer your support to those affected by the recent devastation in Nepal. During this critical time every hour or minute counts; the people of Nepal, including men, women, children, young and old, are in need of clean drinking water, food shelter and protection from the potential health hazards that will soon follow as the monsoon season starts in that part of the Himalayan Region. Our dear monks and nuns are on the various sites where the earthquake hit hardest. Page 5 April Teachings at Nyima Tashi Buddhist Centres in New Zealand & Blue Mountains, Sydney Shamatha & Mindfulness Retreat, Hevajra Study Weekend & Khacho Yulo Ling Buddhist Centre, Cairns Page 6 Images of His Eminence Kyabje Luding Khen Rinpoche & Pilgrimage Announcement E: info@drogmi.org T: +61(02)8005 1757 www.drogmi.org OM AH HUM VAJRA GURU PEDMA SIDDHI HUM OM AH HUM VAJRA GURU PEDMA SIDDHI HUM OM AH HUM VAJRA GURU PEDMA SIDDHI HUM When obstacles arise in earth, water, fire and air, to threaten these illusory bodies of ours with destruction, With no trace of doubt or hesitation we pray: Oh Guru Rinpoche, with the goddesses of the four elements, You will harmonise the elements into their natural state - of this we have no doubt. To the Lotus born guru of Orgyen we pray. Grant your blessing so all our wishes be spontaneously fulfilled! d Khenpo la has requested that we please recite these prayers for the people of Nepal and the world at this time. Please join me in supporting the ones who need the most at this very critical time. - His Holiness the Sakya Trizin Please find the link to His Holiness the Sakya Trizin s Nepal Relief Initiative below: http://mnsakyacenter.org/sakya-nepal-relief-fundsnrf/ A very young student of Khenpo la s in Malaysia drew this of him during the last teaching visit, March 2015.
Saga Dawa Program at DBI (Wesak) Begins on 19 May 2nd Annual 24 Hour Mantra Recitation Marathon: Compassion, Purification, Healing & Tara mantra s 7:30pm Friday 12 June to 7:30pm Saturday 13 Saga Dawa is the fourth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar, this year falling between 19 May and 16 June. It is the holiest time of the year for Tibetan Buddhists. The middle of the month, the full moon day, is the most important. On that day the fruits of one s karma (actions) are said to increase one billion times or more. It is the day that Tibetan Buddhists celebrate the birth, awakening, and death of the Buddha and is known as Saga Dawa Düchen, this year falling on 2 June. During this month, it is a good time to practice Dharma and make offerings to the shrine. Khenpo la recommends one to be vegetarian as much as possible during this month. At Drogmi Buddhist Institute, we will be celebrating this wonderful month with a number of activities to which you are most warmly invited to attend. Between 19 May to 16 June, you are invited to sponsor a lamp offering of 100 candles to be offered at the DBI centre. These offerings will be made each day during Saga Dawa, and you may sponsor as many days you wish. Please let us know if you wish to sponsor a particular day. As in past years, you may light and make offerings personally, or request the centre to offer them on your behalf. Sponsorship is $20 and can be made at www.drogmi.org or at the centre. Saga Dawa: Tuesday 19 May, 7:30pm Lamp offerings and Vajrasattva Practice to mark the beginning of Saga Dawa. Saga Dawa Düchen: Tuesday 2 June, 7:30pm Lamp offerings and Buddha Shakyamuni prayers for Saga Dawa Düchen. Friday 12 June at 7:30pm to Saturday 13 June at 7:30pm The centre will hold the 2nd Mantra Recitation Marathon to mark the completion of Saga Dawa. Om Mani Padme Hum In this world every one of us experience endless suffering, caused by our delusion and karma. This all originates from our self - grasping mind. The most powerful medicine or antidote to this is the great compassion. Avalokitsevara - the Buddha of Compassion, embodiment of all the Buddha s compassion. His mantra is made up of Six Syllables - the mantra of Great Compassion. Reciting this mantra is of immense benefit to oneself and countless sentient beings. There is a tradition of the Tibetan monasteries and nunneries conducting uninterrupted pujas for three days or more. Everyone is encouraged to participate by attending the centre in three hour blocks at a time, to recite the four mantras. Food and refreshments will be provided over the 24 hour period of recitations. For those who cannot attend the centre at this time, due to distance or any other reason, you can also participate by nominating a time you will recite the mantras uninterrupted at home: you can do this by skyping into the centre or just by letting us know you will recite at a given block of time. Please let us know by return email info@drogmi.org the times you are available to participate in this very special event. We hope to see you at DBI during this very special time! An Important Message from the DBI Committee Since the beginning of this year the committee has had the great fortune to be tasked with establishing a permanent home for Khenpo la and Drogmi Buddhist Institute. The committee will be updating members and friends on the progression of this goal. We believe this is possible by the end of this year, as we encourage all of you to be part of this very significant time in supporting our teachers Turning the Wheel of Dharma in Australia. To have such a teacher as Khenpo la, with His complete pure, gentle and compassionate wisdom-like qualities, here amongst us, is the greatest of opportunities to learn about the precious Dharma and deepen our own positive qualities. Please help us in this goal. 2 Drogmi Buddhist Institute www.drogmi.org www.facebook.com/drogmibuddhistinstitute info@drogmi.org (02) 8005 1757
Upcoming Winter Events, Fundraisers, Continuing Shedra Classes, Retreat & Workshops at DBI A Few Spaces Available for ULURU RETREAT with Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe TIBETAN SOUP COOKING With Lama Kalsang Above photo of Term 1 Richmond Shedra Term 2 Richmond Shedra will commence 6 July, as in Lawson, Blue mountains commences on 8 July. Renowned Doctor of Tibetan Medicine Dr. (Ven) Tenzin Bhaye In Australia For the First Time 4-8 June Following the success of his magnificent momo making workshops, Lama Kalsang will now teach us how to make decisions and nutritious Tibetan soups. If you have ever longed to make your own Thenthuk and Momo-Thuk, come and join Lama la for some seriously fun cooking and consuming. When: Saturday 16 May 11am - 2pm Where: 25 Dalmar Street Croydon Cost: Adults $40 / Children $25 Bookings essential by Thursday 14 May for catering purposes. www.drogmi.org / 02 8005 1757 www.facebook.com/drogmibuddhistinstitute SYDNEY SHEDRA TERM 2 In the first few weeks of Term 2, Sydney Shedra, commencing 9 July, Khenpo la will complete his teachings on Recollecting the Triple Gem. He has completed teaching on the Qualities of the Buddha and will complete teachings on the Qualities of the Dharma & Sangha. Dr. Tenzin Bhaye will be conducting an intensive program of events in Sydney, by invitation of the Tibet Office of Canberra. Drogmi Buddhist Institute in association with Drogmi Health Institute will be assisting in the coordination of the Sydney visit of his Australian tour. This visit will coincide with the visit to Australia by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Dr. Bhaye is one of His Holiness private physicians. These events will include lectures at a few Natural Therapy Colleges in Sydney as well as a few of the Complimentary Medicine Departments belonging to the Universities. He will be presenting a Public Talk, a half day workshop at Drogmi Buddhist Institute, and then to the Blue Mountains hosted by Nyima Tashi Buddhist Centre. There will be a Fundraising Banquet Dinner and lastly a visit to Sakya Tharpa Ling. At each of the lecture/workshop events Dr. Bhaye has so kindly offered to do half hour private consultations including tongue and pulse techniques, possible acupuncture if there is time, talk over any ailments / diseases one may be experiencing and will provide Tibetan medicine if required. We will have a scheduled and complete program within the upcoming week so you Bookings and payments for the retreat do need to be made by 5 June, and there are a few valuable spaces still available. For further information on this retreat please don t hesitate to contact Ann on 0403 779 099 or email the centre at info@drogmi.org Khenpo la emphasises that as Buddhists, it is extremely important that we know about the Three Jewels. Upon completion of this subject Khenpo la will dedicate the remainder of Term 2 on the teachings by Nagarjuna Precious Garland. won t miss out! 3 Drogmi Buddhist Institute www.drogmi.org www.facebook.com/drogmibuddhistinstitute info@drogmi.org (02) 8005 1757
Khenpo la s annual teaching visit to many wonderful Centres in Kuching Malaysia, March 2015. The Bodhi Path Kuching Kagyu Centre, Kuching Sakya Association, Kuching Buddhist Society and Tsechin Samten Ling. A most heartfelt thanks to all the Kuching Centres, for the hard work put in to promote the Buddhadharma, which benefits so many people in your community. 4 Drogmi Buddhist Institute www.drogmi.org www.facebook.com/drogmibuddhistinstitute info@drogmi.org (02) 8005 1757
Nyima Tashi Kagyu Buddhist Centre Auckland New Zealand Khenpo la was asked to teach as one of the first of many great events held at this new centre. He taught on The Seven Points of Mind Training - Developing an Awakened Heart. Khenpo la provided instructions on how to re-examine all of our relationships - to family and friends, enemies, and strangers - to gradually transform our responses to whatever life throws our way. Hevajra Weekend Studies with Inge Riebe We had another excellent weekend of teachings with Khenpo la. He taught on Parting From the Four Attachments, primarily a Sakya teaching, which I was not familiar with. However, like the schools of Tibetan Buddhism, it offered the same teachings yet in a slightly different arrangement. This was very helpful, to hear Khenpo la present these teachings from another angle. What stood out for me was the clarity with which Khenpo la presented each set of what we need to part from. Starting with the path of small motivation, of thinking of creating the conditions for a good fortune rebirth, up to the great motivation, the Mahayana motivation of fully awakening oneself in order to bring awakening to others. Khenpo la s depth of teaching reminds us of how little we really know, which is humbling. At the same time he shows nothing but faith in our own ability to accumulate and clarify our own knowledge and our own understanding. His kindness and encouragement are gentle and clear: if we take the time and make the effort to study, explore the teachings, and practice them in our lives, we can do it. Camille One of the attendees stated that what Khenpo was saying was so strongly relevant and hitting the mark on our hearts. It was so clear and concise it felt like I was hearing the dharma for the first time." Thank you so very much Khenpo la for travelling and sharing the precious teachings with us all at Nyima Tashi Buddhist Centre Blue Mountains. Shamatha & Mindfulness Retreat Held April 2015 Thank you so very much to Inge for sharing her humble and deep knowledge / experiences of being in her six month Hevajra Retreat with His Holiness the Sakya Trizin. She was able to clarify, truly inspire and guide us deeper into our practices. We look forward to our next study group time together. Khacho Yulo Ling Buddhist Centre Cairns QLD Khenpo la gave a public talk on the Friday evening on The Four Immeasurables Loving Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity. The full weekend teachings were on Nagarjuna s Letter to a Friend Part 2. Despite its short length (123 verses), it covers the whole Mahayana path, combining a practical approach to daily conduct with a theoretical exposition of the different stages leading to enlightenment. Khenpo has gone through the text and commentary helping us to gain a greater understanding of the path. Thank you Khenpo la for sharing these most profound teachings. The New Nyima Tashi Buddhist Centre Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains NSW At the beginning of Day 2 of the Shamatha and Mindfulness Retreat, Khenpo la lead sangha members in making light offerings and prayers for all those deceased in the recent earthquake in Nepal. Sangha members prayed for those injured and affected by this terrible event, that they find some comfort during this time. Nyima Tashi Buddhist Centre is part of the Tibetan Buddhist Master the late Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche IX s network of Centres. 5 Drogmi Buddhist Institute www.drogmi.org www.facebook.com/drogmibuddhistinstitute info@drogmi.org (02) 8005 1757
His Eminence Kyabje Luding Khen Rinpoche During His Most Recent Visit to Australia December 2014 - February 2015 A few more images so kindly shared by member, Jayne of Kyegu Buddhist Institute during His Eminence s most recent visit to Australia hosted by Drogmi Buddhist Institute and Kyegu Buddhist Institute jointly. These images were of one of the many empowerments His Eminence gave, this being of the Vajrayogini Blessing. Once again the committee of DBI would like to extend our most heartfelt thanks and gratitude to His Eminence for visiting and leading a very successful program of teachings and empowerments around the country, completing with a most powerful Black Mahakala Puja all day at Drogmi Buddhist Institute. PILGRIMAGE to India 2016 Khenpo la will lead another Pilgrimage November - December 2016. We will keep you updated through email, our website and newsletter as more details are available. An extraordinary experience and a must to do in this lifetime and in particular with your most precious teacher guiding you the whole way... 6 Drogmi Buddhist Institute www.drogmi.org www.facebook.com/drogmibuddhistinstitute info@drogmi.org (02) 8005 1757