13th Namo Buddha Retreat (Guru Yoga) – 1st to 5th November 2010

Dear Dharma Brothers and Sisters,

Please be informed the 13th Namo Buddha Retreat will be held in Kathmandu, Nepal. The dates are fixed on 1st to 5th November 2010. The Sadhana will be Guru Yoga. Those who are interested to join this Retreat are advised by V.V Thrangu Rinpoche to start the Ngondro Four Foundations Practice to achieve more benefits.  We have made reservations with Royal Nepal Airlines for 20 seats @RM1,725.00 (group fare bookings and subject to change) leaving on 28th October 2010 and returning 8th November 2010. The Retreat fees, as usual, is RM1,000.00 which will be used to cover food and lodging at Namo Buddha Monastery and travelling to and fro Boudha, Kathmandu to Namo Buddha Monastery. If time and circumstances permit, we will try to organize pilgrimage visits to some of the holy sites in and around Kathmandu. The detail programme and itinerary will be announced later to all confirmed participants shortly before departure.

The reservations are on a “first come first serve” basis. Those who are interested are requested to give your name and contact numbers (telephone/hand phone numbers) to John Leong (Mobile : 017-8716993; Office : 603 90589788; email : sothi88@streamyx.com). Kindly deposit RM300.00 for payment towards the bookings with the airline to the following account:-

Leong Khai Yan
EON Bank, Sri Petaling
0671-11-000099-6

Kindly fax your bank in slip to 03-90588566 for confirmation of reservation.

With Metta,
John Leong
(Organising Chairman Namo Buddha Retreat)
Secretary
TDSPJ  

3rd Malaysia Kagyu Monlam – Note of Appreciation from the Organising Chairman

As the volunteers in maroon uniform walked up the stage in unison amidst spontaneous applause from the floor, I realised no word could be more heartwarming and reassuring than the hard earned recognition for the work they did all so quietly but with concerted effort. I am extremely proud of them. Yet, I must apologise; I had almost denied them of that opportunity to receive the token of appreciation from our beloved Thrangu Rinpoche, being too concerned about keeping with the scheduled timetable, a serious career sickness residing in me.  In fact there were more volunteers than what met the eyes – not less than fifty, I am sure.

It all started about thirteen months ago, when we were entrusted by the International Kagyu Monlam to undertake the 3rd Malaysia Kagyu Monlam in Kuala Lumpur. I took up the challenge and became the Organising Chairman without even having the chance to consult Lama Chodrak, the CEO for International Kagyu Monlam.  Most of our getting-to-know-each-other was via e-mail. Despite my lack of good health at that point in time, I was urged on by our resident monk Lama Lodro and the TDSPJ President John Fam.

I had the pleasure to talk to many people who had given me much precious advice, among them the previous organisers from KKDS Negeri Sembilan and KKBS Johor Bharu and many others who had attended the previous Kagyu Monlam. I had also approached the ex-committee members of TDSPJ and many other people to lend their hands, in view of the possibility that His Holiness the Karmapa might accept our invitation to grace the event. That opportunity to host His Holiness did not materialise.

We convened on the average one meeting per month, not that many at the start but more frequently as we got closer to the occasion. I am glad that the TDSPJ CEO Lama Lodro and all the subcommittee group leaders attended all the meetings with very few absentees.   I have to admit this was the most difficult and challenging project I had ever handled. The uncertainties that bothered us right from the beginning prevailed until even a day before the Monlam. We had to be contented with some wild guesstimates.

Somehow, we found that they differed only slightly from the actual happenings, thanks to the blessings of the Triple Gem. The lodging problem was half solved when Chris Lim, a perpetual grand sponsor of Dharma activities, came forward to offer free accommodation at the Hotel Summer View for the Sangha members. I wish her all the best in her future undertakings.

My greatest worry was the proceeds, fearing we could run into deficit and incur losses for our centre.  The Venerable Lama Lodro was adamant that the Kagyu Monlam must be a success at all costs. Nevertheless, my worry was unfounded. I am truly regretful for casting even the slightest doubt over His Holiness the Karmapa’s promise to give His blessings to all the International Kagyu Monlam events.

I am grateful that I was not the busiest person and able to oversee things during the Kagyu Monlam, simply because all the group leaders were able to act on their own. They clearly knew their roles, functions and responsibilities and carried out their duties gracefully with assistance from volunteers. I notice some of these volunteers continue to forge lasting bonds among them even till today.

On the other hand, had I designated one person as the floor manager, I would not have had to liaise so often with Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (CAH) concerning trivial matters, such as dealing with the technician and security guards in the operating of the air conditioning system, opening and shutting of the rear gate and maintenance of toilet cleanliness, etc. I certainly have more to learn.

We hope we have set a good bench mark for future organisers of Malaysia Kagyu Monlam. A few highlights worthy of mention are,
•      Minor hiccup in transport did not affect the orderly putting up and demobilization of the stage and floor decoration;
•      Overwhelming attendance – counted 86 Sangha members and close to 600 pax overall attendance on the last day;
•      Highest number of Sodjong retreatants;
•      Salute to the registration team that kept updating me on the status of registration and sponsorship in real time;
•      Highly appreciated vegetarian food catering (offered free for three days by Brother Lau);
•      Remarkable kitchen management in the face of practically no kitchen facility in CAH;
•      Biggest number of lamp offerings, exceeding the capacity of the two swastikas;
•      Managed the largest logistics for transport;
•      Commended for coming up with the most orderly check-in and check-out procedures for Sangha members at the hotel;
•      Highest quantum of total collection, including Puja, Qinghai Earthquake Relief Funds, New Centre Building Funds;
•      Thanks to various supporting centres for lending us thrones, tables, chairs, cover, cushions etc;

May I take this opportunity to thank the V. V. Thrangu Rinpoche and his entourage, our resident monk – Lama Lodro, Lama Chodrak and all the Sangha members for making this event an occasion to remember for many years to come.

May the blessings of the Triple Gem be with all those who participated in the aspiration prayers for world peace and all those lay persons who contributed in cash and kind to make this a very successful event.  I must also thank the various contact persons who assisted in the registration of participants.

We like to thank John Fam and Richard Lau for capturing and editing the highlights of the event in video and photograph respectively. To view the 3rd Kagyu Monlam photographs, please click here.

I wish to take this opportunity to apologise to the people whom I might have offended inadvertently in the course of carrying out my duties.

With Metta,
Lim Shu Yun
For and on behalf of
The Organising Committee
Thrangu Dharma Society Petaling Jaya

Medicine Buddha Dedication Retreat – 4th, 5th and 6th June 2010

Medicine Buddha Dedication Retreat
Thrangu Dharma Society Petaling Jaya
4th, 5th and 6th June 2010

Thrangu Dharma Society Petaling Jaya, will be conducting a Medicine Buddha Retreat at the Center’s premises on the 4th till the 6th June 2010. Sodjong vows (eight precepts) will be administered to all participating retreatants.
For those who have taken the robes before and also who wish to be tonsured will have to stay in the Centre. Those who have not taken the robes before, and wish to take the robes for the first time, kindly contact the organizers. All those who are taking the robes have to be tonsured.
The object of this Medicine Buddha Dedication retreat is to give lay Buddhist the opportunity to come to the Buddha Dharma with pure motivation to practice the Medicine Buddha Blessings and also to dedicate their prayers taken under the Eight Precepts.
The Very Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche has on the 18th of May 2010 expressed that such practices are very beneficial, if the practice are done under proper guidance of a lama and done with pure motivations and sincere dedications to those who are sick, suffering and infirmed.
When taken under vows and promises in the presence of a Lama, a spiritual friend and or a representation of the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) such dedications and practices renders it particularly powerful. :- Patrul Rinpoche – Words of my perfect teacher.
The Retreat master is our Resident monk, Lama Lodro.
There are only 50 places available and priority will be given to those who are taking the robes.
A contribution of RM100 towards the retreat is appreciated.Organising Chairman: Bro. John Leong: +6017 871 6993

Update on Thrangu Monastery and Qinghai Earthquake


As the days pass, information from Tibet becomes more clear and detailed: twenty-three monks were killed; nine with serious injuries are in the hospital; around forty have a range of injuries that are being treated on site as best as possible. Structural damage on all the remaining buildings has been confirmed, so they will have to be taken down before reconstruction can begin.

The monks continue to search through the ruins. Many of the clay and wooden statues have collapsed but the seven large metal Buddhas reveal only minor damage. Texts are being retrieved from the institute for higher Buddhist studies, and the large Buddha statue there has been pulled out. As they move across the land of their former home, the monks walk carefully to avoid the fissures that have opened up in the earth.

In Hong Kong, Thrangu Rinpoche is conducting a course on the transference of consciousness at death and also discussing with his senior monks the next steps to take in Tibet. Under consideration is moving the monastery to a new and safer site. Whatever decision is made, financial support will be needed to reconstruct the monastery and any donations toward the project will be greatly appreciated.

VV Thrangu Rinpoche’s itinenary to Malaysia from 6 May to 19 May 2010

Date
Day
Hosting Center
Program
06 May
Thursday
Rinpoche’s arrival (ETA: 12.30pm)
Rest at TDSPJ
07 May
Friday
TDSPJ (Chinese Assembly Hall, KL)
Kagyu Monlam
08 May
Saturday
TDSPJ (Chinese Assembly Hall, KL)
Kagyu Monlam
09 May
Sunday
TDSPJ (Chinese Assembly Hall, KL)
Kagyu Monlam
10 May
Monday
KKDS Kuching
Chunti Puja
11 May
Tuesday
KKDS Kuching
Chunti Puja
12 May
Wednesday
KKDS Kuching
Chunti Puja
13 May
Thursday
Sibu Centre
Rest at Sibu Centre
14 May
Friday
Sibu Centre
Karachakra Puja
15 May
Saturday
Sibu Centre
Karachakra Puja
16 May
Sunday
Sibu Centre
Karachakra Puja
17 May
Monday
Back to KL and travel by car to Ipoh
Visit Ipoh Cave
18 May
Tuesday
TDSPJ
Rest at TDSPJ
19 May
Wednesday
Bangkok