June - FPMT Losang Dragpa Centre

Shabda
~ June 2006 ~
Shabda
1
Monthly Newsletter of Losang Dragpa Center
RINPOCHE’S BIG SMILE SENDS
RIPPLES OF BLESSINGS
June 2006
Our most precious holy guru, Lama
Zopa Rinpoche has come and gone.
For a beautiful ten days we all felt his
divine presence, his love, his kindness
and his great wisdom. Each of us
was touched in different ways. Many
shed tears of purification and of joy
as we felt Rinpoche’s embracing
compassion reaching deep into
our hearts. In His three nights of
teaching, Rinpoche taught about
Emptiness –sending words of wisdom
flowing through a jam packed
gompa.
LDC was very happy to welcome
many Dharma friends from
Singapore’s Amitabha Buddhist
Center, like us an FPMT affiliated
Buddhist meditation society. LDC’s
own members showed up in strength
and there were also many new
members from around the Section
17 area of PJ where many Buddhists
live.
Rinpoche shared some powerfully
potent words of wisdom with us
explaining how important it is to
rejoice at the attainments and
realizations of our Dharma brothers
and how equally important it
was to curb anger, impatience
and attachment. So much merit
accumulated by good Dharma
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
Lama Zopa Rinpoche at KLCC
deeds can be so easily lost in a
moment’s anger. Rinpoche’s words
of wisdom sent ripples of healing
energy through the gompa and few
noticed the passing of hours.
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Shabda
~ June 2006 ~
There were many highlights that
marked Rinpoche’s visit but all
agreed it was the Long life puja
for Rinpoche which touched the
hearts of one and all the most
– the wonderful chanting led by
very own Geshe Deyang and Ven.
Tenzin Zopa – and so beautifully
accompanied by the sweet voices
of our resident ‘dakinis’ our resident
nuns Ven Osel and Ven Dechen. The
accompanying drums were handled
by our resident translator Ven Ang
Losang who was also responsible
for creating the Mandalas in the
gompas. The stunningly beautiful
altar offerings and flowers were
arranged by Emillie Lee and Juanita
Lee.
Ven. Tenzin Zopa also trained five of
our members’ daughters to perform
the Dance of the Five Dakinis from
the five Buddha fields – everyone
gasped with admiration at the
appearance of the dakinis who,
according to ritual comes down to
earth to help entice our lama to
return with them to Pureland. Happily
our prayers appease and distract
the dakinis who thus leave empty
handed and our precious lama
continues to be with us.
The grand finale was LDC’s offering
of the dance of the 21 Taras
– wow ! Led by Mother Tara herself
– Juanita Lee and her beautiful
Taras performed the Dance to lyrical
and melodious music that sang the
praises to the 21 Taras. It was surely
a day to remember and at the end
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
of it Rinpoche said with a broad
smile on his face .. “ Well so much
bribes I have to agree … “ That was
incredible news for us. It means our
guru was very pleased indeed with
the puja. Actually so were all of us
in that gompa attending the puja
that day. The line of people patiently
queuing to make offerings to the
guru at the end of the puja was the
surest sign that everyone had made
the most heartfelt prayer to our lama
.. “Please lama stay with us forever
until we reach Enlightenment for the
sake of all beings. Rinpoche please
come to LDC Malaysia, again and
again…”
We welcome the following
new ordinary and life members who
joined us in May 2006.
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)
6.)
7.)
8.)
9.)
10.)
11.)
Alan Chan Chee Ming
Eric Gan Kok Yeow
Liew Chiap Hong
Ong Gaik Sing
Woo Chee keong
Sharon Ann Woo
Angie Tan Ah Kiw
Tan Cheong Hock
Flora Tan Joo Hua
Boyce Teoh
Low Mee Wah
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~ June 2006 ~
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LDC NEWS
WESAK Day
The three days event was held
successfully. Many of us could
have benefited through writing
the Sanghata sutra, long life sutra,
offering gold coins to the 21 Taras,
bathing the Buddha, all night long
chanting mantra, turning the wheels
with millions of mantras, flower and
light offerings, releasing mantra ballon
and not forgetting the 100 thousands
of lives which were liberated at the
animal liberation on the second day
morning.Many among us may not
have had the most perfect motivation
by being at the event or doing any
of the acts of Buddha offerings, I am
specifically referring to myself! In my
heart I believe the Buddha would
let us receive at least a little of his
showers of blessings! We might not
have been able to thank each and
everyone for all the love and kindness
bestowed on us and the Center for
receive all the blessings of the Triple
Gem and be able to generate the
thought of NO NEED in your mind.
We thank most of all with our hearts
our most precious root Guru Kyabje
Lama Zopa Rinpoche who so kindly
officiated the opening of our new
center and wonderful teachings and
advice given to us throughout his
presence in Malaysia. His presence
at the event was truly wonderful as
he led us through pujas and mantra
chanting which made the center
resonate with the presence of
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas from the
ten directions.
Notice:
Dharma Discussion with Young
Tulku Reincarnate Lama - Charuk
Lama Rinpoche in LDC on 13th
June 2006 at 7.30pm. Please
bring your family members and
friends to LDC to meet Charuk
Lama Rinpoche.
this great happening, may we just
say that, having the Buddha inside
our heart, and having participated
in any way your have done, may you
W or ds of W isd om
fo r Ju ne
“You don’t need to obsess over the attainment of future
realizations. As long as you act in the present with as
much understanding as you possibly can, you’ll realize
everlasting peace in no time at all.”
~By Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche~
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
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Shabda
~ June 2006 ~
“The Venerable Tara is the female
aspect of the Buddha.”
By Beh Chian Tyng
Never in my life have I dreamt of
with the
portraying the beautiful, and the
Tara Dance
immortal. Until one day, when I was
was truly
asked to be part of a sacred dance
memorable.
of divinity. The dance of the 21 Taras.
This holy
dance that
The friendly breeze was blowing upon
has been
my face as I sat comfortably in my
passed on for
chair, elbow crutch in hand. The rest
generations
of the audience sat around the open
was
space, waiting in anticipation of what
performed
would come next. I had done quite
right in front
a bit of walking that very day and
of me! Every Tara had her own
my bad ankle (the result of sloppiness
personality, and I admired the
and lack of mindfulness while trotting
way each of them played their
down the stairs) felt as if it had been
characters with much emotion and
damaged beyond repair. However,
sincerity. I knew this mesmerizing
the serenity of the environment in
dance would be etched in my
Kopan Monastery made me forget
memory forever.
about the pain and most of all,
somehow gave me peace within. I
On the plane back to Malaysia, I
was enjoying my surroundings when
was still replaying the dance in my
a flash of green captured my eye. My
head. When almost as if she read my
attention was immediately focused
mind, Auntie Juanita turned to me
upon the ‘center stage’, where two
and said, “I’m putting together the
aging, but beautiful women clad in
Tara Dance for Rinpoche on Wesak
green robes lead twenty-one others
Day when he visits KL. Would you
(in multi-colored costumes) into a
like to be a part of it?” I could feel a
neat U-shape in the middle of the
smile spread on my face as I nodded
open area. The crowd hushed as the
happily as a response. I was excited
slow, enchanting music began to play
of being given the opportunity to
over the speakers. My first encounter
dance for my Guru.
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
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~ June 2006 ~
Shabda
Practice was on every Thursdays and
most enthusiastic applauder after
Sundays, and all twenty-one of us
every Tara finished her solo.
5
were frantically trying to remember
our dance moves, posture and
On the big day itself, we managed
mudras. Auntie Juanita, our true
to turn the meeting room into a
Mother Tara, had all twenty-one
messy, tornado-hit dressing room.
children to take care of, making
Make-up kits, costumes, jewellery
sure our costumes were ready,
were strewn all over the table and
positions right, our dance perfect.
chairs. Everyone was trying to get
The amount of energy she had was
into their costumes and to look their
unbelievable. I would say she was the
best in their individual styles. Until at
perfect portrayal of the green Tara,
last, when we heard the signal for us
and to even watch her dance was
to grace the audience, each Tara
tremendously inspiring.
obediently lined up in the respective
positions, ready to present their Guru
Time flew by so quickly and before
the gift of dance.
we knew it, it was Wesak Week.
Positions were right, dance moves
Rinpoche sat directly facing the
accurate... but there was still
Taras. His solemn brow was enough
something amiss. Then, at our final
to make us tremble, but his eyes
rehearsal, Mother Tara gave us these
showed such intense kindness and
few words of advice:
compassion that we felt blessed to
“Imagine yourself as the real Tara.
be under his watchful gaze even for
When you are performing, you
a second.
are the real Tara. Your grace, your
beauty, your poise is flawless. You are
Finally, when it was all over, he
flawless! The perfect and the divine.”
presented each of us with a little
gift. I knelt before him, with my head
Venerable Tenzin Zopa was most kind
bowed low, ready to offer him the
and encouraging. He told us exactly
kata and the flower in my hands.
what we wanted to hear - we were
He took the kata from me and
beautiful.
gently wrapped it around my neck,
he smiled and said quietly, “Great
Auntie Lillian, too had been very
job.” With that, I felt all intimidation
supportive from the hatching of the
melt away, and it was replaced by
idea till the final curtain, unfailing to
something beautifully indescribable
attend our rehearsals and to be the
- heartwarming love.
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
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Shabda
~ June 2006 ~
Mantra for June
ACTION MANTRA FOR
COMPLETION FOR SUCCESS
NAMO HARI DIYEH, HARI DIYAH KUMARI
GOHRI GYENDAWARI, CHENDALI MATANGHI
KALEH KALEH, Somebody’s name MORHAY HI
KARA KARA, PARTSA PARTSA, ABADAYA, MUCHAYA
Somebody’s name MARSHARMA NARYAJ SVAHA
OM BOORA BOOPAH , JWALAH JWALAH JWALI
MANA NI TAY PEE, SABAR SAMSKARA
KARAY NIJAR, TALAY TALAY, JWALAH SVAHA
I prostrate to the three Sublime ness
I prostrate to the Buddha
I prostrate to the Dharma
I prostrate to the Sangha
The ceremony of this merely
by reading all the actions will
have success without attaining
(without retreat or big number
of recitations). Brain sicknesses
(headaches) heavy rising
contagious diseases/zombies all the
spirit possessions will be defeated.
Merely by remembering all of them
will let go and will let you go. If you
are hungry, you go to town, recite
7 times then you blow on your hand
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
then wipe your face – do that and
you will find food. You can recite
on water or face cream and wipe
your face. If you do this recitation
on your tongue you will be able
to answer when there is argument
ie when others are talking about
your mistakes. Chant mantra on
leaf/flower/fruit, then whomever
give this, that person will like you
– here the zung of completion
action is completed. Means the
mantra is for success.
TRANSLATED by Lama Zopa
Rinpoche at Lillian Too’s house,
Malaysia on the 10th May 2006
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~ June 2006 ~
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Lama Zopa Rinpoche at LDC on 12th June 2006
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
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Shabda
~ June 2006 ~
White Tara
- Ming Tsuen
Red Tara - Audrey &
Sabrena
The Lee’s family
Green Tara given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
21 Taras with Lama Zopa Rinpoche
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
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~ June 2006 ~
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Offerings to Hayagriva
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Long Life Puja
Mandala House
Torma Offering
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
Lama Zopa Rinpoche,
Geshe Deyang, Tenzin
Zopa and Thubten
Lhundrup at
Hayagriva Puja
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Shabda
~ June 2006 ~
Thousand Arms Avalokitesvara
Bathing the Buddha
Giant Prayer Wheel at LDC’s gompa
Wesak Day dinner at LDC
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
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June Highlights
Teaching From Geshe Tenzin Deyang
Since our resident teacher Geshe Tenzin
Deyang’s arrival in January 2006, we had
been swamped by a series of important
and memorable events such as the
move of our Center into its beautiful new
premises in PJ section 17 in March 28,
then followed by the visit, which we had
all eagerly anticipated, of our beloved
Guru Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche whose
presence had graced the grand opening
of our new Center as well as the Wesak
event at our very own doorstep!
Now we are very please to announce to
you the commencement of our Geshela’s
TWO teaching programs at the Center on
June 3rd (Sat) and 4th (Sun)!!
The Grounds & Paths
(or in Tibetan: Sa-lam)
Starting on June 3rd and on all the
following Saturdays in July and
August from 6-7:30pm, Geshela will be
teaching a summary of the Grounds
and Paths of the Perfection Vehicle,
based on Maitreya’s Ornament for Clear
Realizations (Abhisamayalamkara).
It is said that of all the texts in the
Mahayana Buddhist Canon, it is in the
Ornament for Clear Realizations that the
most detailed explanation of the spiritual
paths and grounds is given. Therefore, by
gaining an understanding of this precious
text in its entirety our mind will become like
a treasure rich in qualities.
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
Ornament for Clear Realizations is a
commentary on the Perfection of Wisdom
(Prajnaparamita) texts that serves as a
support for understanding the profound
teachings on emptiness. It includes a
detailed explanation of the spiritual
paths of the Hearers, Solitary Realizers
and Bodhisattvas, together with their
clear realizations and abandonments
on the various paths. It discusses the
precepts and methods for obtaining the
meditative stabilizations, clairvoyances,
signs of irreversibility and qualities of
Buddhahood, including the 32 signs and
80 exemplifications, the four Buddha
bodies and omniscience.
Note: This class is suitable for students who
already have some foundation on the
Lam Rim teachings. For students who are
new to Buddhism OR have not attended
any Lam Rim teachings before, you may
attend this class although we would
strongly recommend that you come
to our SUNDAY session, 4-7pm, for the
Lam Rim teachings which will give you a
strong footing upon which the flower of
understanding any Dharma teachings
thereafter will blossom.
Lam Rim (or in English: Stages
on the Path to Enlighenment)
Starting on June 4th and on all the
following Sundays up to October 2006,
4-7pm, Geshela will be teaching Lam Rim
based on the famed great practitioner
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Shabda
~ June 2006 ~
Pabongka Rinpoche’s Liberation in the
Palm of Your Hand.
Lam Rim (Tib: lam “path”, rim “stages”)
is the presentation of Lord Buddha’s
teachings based on the extensions of
Lama Atisha’s root text Lamp of the Path.
When Lama Atisha was invited and came
to Tibet he was asked by the Dharma King
Jangchub O to give a complete and
easy accessible summary of the Buddhist
teachings in order to clarify wrong views
- especially the apparent contradictions
found across the Sutras and their
commentaries. Based upon this request
Lama Atisha (whose presentation of the
doctrine became later known as the
Kadampa tradition) taught what came
to be known as the Lam Rim, or Stages on
the Path to Enlightenment, for his students
later on. Later he was honored very
much for this composition by the great
Indian Pandits of his original monastery
Vikramalashila in India.
The fundamental criteria of the Lam Rim
is the tripartite division of practitioners
– persons of the low, intermediate and
great capacities - based upon the
motivation of their spiritual practice and
goal, and excluded from this division were
individuals whose motives revolve around
only material benefits within this life.
This Lam Rim text which we will be using
starts with reliance on a Guru (or spiritual
master), then followed by teachings on
the Precious Human Life and continues
with the detailed instructions on practicing
the paths of the beings of the low,
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
intermediate and great capacities.
Please bring along your copy of Liberation
in the Palm of Your Hand if you already
have one. If you do not have one, please
ask Ven. Dechen for a copy of the Lam
Rim Outline to assist you in your study of
this text (we welcome donation for the
printing of the outline).
Note: This class is suitable for students
of ALL levels and is especially highly
recommended for anyone who has
just begun to explore the wisdom of the
Buddhist teachings.
Saka Dawa Day
Saka Dawa is the anniversary
of Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth,
enlightenment and parinirvana. It is
one of the most auspicious days in the
Buddhist calendar when the effects
of actions are multiplied one hundred
million times. The 15th day of the fourth
month in the Tibetan calendar which
is 11th June 2006 (Sunday). It is also a
traditional festival for Tibetan people.
June in Tibetan calendar is Buddha
Month, so it is called “Saka Dawa” in
Tibetan.
To mark this event , LDC will organize
Shakyamuni Buddha Puja with intensive
offerings at 7:30pm in LDC. Please bring
along your family members and friends
to celebrate this auspicious day with us.
See you at LDC !
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~ June 2006 ~
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Kasih Hospice
…… With compassion, we serve
Second Hospice Public Seminar
on May 14 2006
Over 300 people attended the
Public hospice seminar headlined
– The Power Of Compassion. At
the seminar, Lama Zopa Rinpoche
emphasized the need to have
compassion, to help sentient beings
who are devoid of happiness and in
great suffering. To do so, we must first
destroy the negative energy within
us; - anger, attachment, desire and
ignorance. When our inner enemies
are destroyed, external enemies
disappear spontaneously. When we
practice tolerance, patience, good
heart and compassion, or at the bare
minimum level, when we do not
harm others, many people will benefit
from us. There will be happiness and
peace, in our minds and others’ minds.
Rinpoche stressed that the most
important persons to help us in our
mind training are people who harm us,
and abuse us. It is through them that
we are able to apply our compassion
and patience. Rinpoche reminded us
that we must do social service with
compassion, with the selfless wish to
free all sentient beings from suffering.
The seminar was made possible
through the generosity of Datin Khoo
Pek Ling who sponsoired the renting of
the venue and others who sponsored
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
the printing of Lama Zopa and Lama
Yeshe books for free distribution at
the event.
Kasih Volunteers’ Lunch with
Rinpoche
Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited Kasih
Hospice Care office and gave
blessings to the volunteers during his
visit to Malaysia in May. Rinpoche
advised them to view patients as
wish-fulfilling jewels, as it is through
them that we get merits and benefits.
Rinpoche stressed that kindness
and compassion are basic human
qualities we all have..
Update on Kasih Hospice
Service
KHS currently has 80 volunteers
conducting regular Hospital visits. Our
home care service team, with one
doctor, 2 nurses and 4 volunteers,
have till date cared for 71 patients.
Of these, 47 (66.2 %) were Chinese,
15 (21.1%) were Malays and 9
(12.7%) were Indians. Most suffer
from cancer. We serve an average
of 20 patients at any one time,
providing them free medication and
loan of equipment to relieve pain
and symptoms, and reducing their
anxiety with emotional and spiritual
support..
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Shabda
~ June 2006 ~
LDC Dharma Program for June 2006
P - Precepts
Monday
5
BP - Special Days of Lord Buddha
Tuesday
6 PP
Wednesday
Full Moon
New Moon
Thursday
Friday
1
2
7
8
9
14
15
16
21
22
23
28
29
30
Guru Puja 7:30pm
TSOG OFFERINGS
12
13
Dharma
Discussion with
Charuk Lama
Rinpoche
7:30pm
19
20
20
Guru Puja 7:30pm
TSOG OFFERINGS
26
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
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~ June 2006 ~
Saturday
3P
special prayers with
extensive offerings
8pm
4P
Green
Gr
een Tar
Tara
a
Geshela’s teaching
on LamRim
4pm - 7pm
Tara Puja 7:30pm
10
Geshela’s
teaching on the
Grounds and Paths
6pm - 7:30pm
15
Sunday
Lord Buddha’s
conception (or birth)
Geshela’s teaching on
the Grounds and Paths
6pm - 7:30pm
Shabda
11 P
Lord buddha’s
enlightenment and
parinirvana
Geshela’s teaching on
LamRim
4pm - 7pm
Shakyamuni Buddha Puja
7:30pm
17
Geshela’s
teaching on the
Grounds and Paths
6pm - 7:30pm
18
AGM at LDC
11pm
Geshela’s teaching
on LamRim
4pm - 7pm
24
25 P
Hospice
Debriefing
Session at LDC
3pm - 6pm
Animal Liberation
11am - 12noon
Geshela’s teaching
on the Grounds
and Paths
6pm - 7:30pm
Geshela’s teaching
on LamRim
4pm - 7pm
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
Om Tare,
Tuttare,
Ture Swahah
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Shabda
~ June 2006 ~
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: [email protected]
Website: www.fpmt-ldc.org
LDC’S GURU & SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR :
Kyabje Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche
Website dedicated to Rinpoche:
www.fpmt.org (look for Spiritual Director)
& www.lamazopa.com
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
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