Newsletter of PhenDheLing Tibetan Buddhist Centre Vol 50 October / November / October 2016 Continuing extracts from ‘My Spiritual Autobiography’ by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 2009. Personal Reflections, Teachings and Talks collected by Sofia Stril-Rever, Translated by Charlotte Mandell. I can see into the humblest souls. My family lived in a very remote region. Sining, the capital of Amdo, was the closest town, but it took three hours by horse or mule to get there. Our village was very poor, and it’s only thanks to my older brother, who was recognized when he was very young as a reincarnate lama from the great monastery of Kumbum, that we had a little more than other people. I have always rejoiced in my modest origins. If I had been born in a rich or aristocratic family, it would have been hard for me to share the concerns of the simple people of Tibet. continued over... 2 Those years of my early childhood in Takster had a profound effect on me. They allow me to see into the humblest souls, to sympathise with them, as I try to make their living conditions better. I had many brothers and sisters; my mother brought sixteen children into the world, only seven of whom survived. It was my older sister who helped my mother in childbirth when I was born, since she was already eighteen. We were very close, and there were many joys in that harsh life. My parents were small-scale farmers but not, strictly speaking, peasants, since they rented a plot of land and tilled it themselves. Barley and buckwheat are the main grains of Tibet. My family grew them, along with potatoes. But many times all the year’s efforts were ruined by strong hailstorms or drought. We also had a few animals, which were a more reliable source of income. I remember our five or six dzomos, which my mother used to milk. As soon as I was able to stand on my feet I would go with her to the stable. In the folds of my robe I would carry a bowl, and she would pour milk, still warm, straight into it. We also had a herd of about eighty head of livestock, both sheep and goats, and my father almost always had one or two horses, sometimes three, to which he was very attached. In the region, he had the reputation of knowing how to take care of horses and even curing them on occasion. Finally, my family raised two yaks, which are a gift of nature to mankind, since they can survive at an altitude of over ten thousand feet. We also kept hens for their eggs, which I was in charge of gathering from the chicken coop. I often amused myself by climbing up to the nest-box, where I liked to perch and cluck like a hen! To be continued.
Transcript
Newsletter of PhenDheLingTibetan Buddhist Centre
Vol 50 October / November / October 2016
Continuing extracts from ‘My Spiritual Autobiography’ by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 2009. Personal Reflections, Teachings and Talks collected by Sofia Stril-Rever, Translated by Charlotte Mandell.
I can see into the humblest souls. My family lived in a very remote region. Sining, the capital of Amdo, was the closest town, but it took three hours by horse or mule to get there. Our village was very poor, and it’s only thanks to my older brother, who was recognized when he was very young as a reincarnate lama from the great monastery of Kumbum, that we had a little more than other people. I have always rejoiced in my modest origins. If I had been born in a rich or aristocratic family, it would have been hard for me to share the concerns of the simple people of Tibet.
continued over...
2
Those years of my early childhood in Takster had a profound effect on me. They allow me to see into the humblest souls, to sympathise with them, as I try to make their living conditions better. I had many brothers and sisters; my mother brought sixteen children into the world, only seven of whom survived. It was my older sister who helped my mother in childbirth when I was born, since she was already eighteen. We were very close, and there were many joys in that harsh life. My parents were small-scale farmers but not, strictly speaking, peasants, since they rented a plot of land and tilled it themselves. Barley and buckwheat are the main grains of Tibet. My family grew them, along with potatoes. But many times all the year’s efforts were ruined by strong hailstorms or drought. We also had a few animals, which were a more reliable source of income. I remember our five or six dzomos, which my mother used to milk. As soon as I was able to stand on my feet I would go with her to the stable. In the folds of my robe I would carry a bowl, and she would pour milk, still warm, straight into it. We also had a herd of about eighty head of livestock, both sheep and goats, and my father almost always had one or two horses, sometimes three, to which he was very attached. In the region, he had the reputation of knowing how to take care of horses and even curing them on occasion. Finally, my family raised two yaks, which are a gift of nature to mankind, since they can survive at an altitude of over ten thousand feet. We also kept hens for their eggs, which I was in charge of gathering from the chicken coop. I often amused myself by climbing up to the nest-box, where I liked to perch and cluck like a hen!
Twice a month, based on the lunar calendar, the practice of tsog offering / Guru puja is done. It is a commitment for those practicing tantra to restore and reaffirm their vows and pledges. However, anyone and everyone is welcome to attend this ritual of making extensive offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, thus accumulating the positive energy needed to progress along the spiritual path. Everyone is welcome to attend.
October: 10, 25November: 9, 23December: 9, 23
Time: Please arrive at 6.45pm for a 7.00pm start. Cost: By donation Offerings of food or flowers are welcome
Guided Meditation on Tuesdays
Visualisation meditation is a unique Tibetan Buddhist technique to develop concentration, to purify your negative energy and to enhance your positive energy.Buddha and Green Tara meditations are held on alternate sessions at the Centre. Everyone is welcome to attend.
October: 18November: 1, 29December: 13
Time: 7.00pm. Cost: By donation
4Dharma Teachings, continued
General Meditation on Sundays
Genla will be teaching meditations based on compassion, respect and happiness. These meditations will include techniques such as focusing on the breath and visualisations.All welcome: Suitable for both beginner and more advanced students.
October: 16December: 18
Time: 10.00am. Cost: By donation
Sunday Meditation at Gidgegannup
Morgan has kindly opened her house to hold meditation sessions at 54 Waterford Drive, Gidgegannup.
The meditation will be led by Ven. Thupten Lodey. Genla will teach meditations based on compassion, respect and happiness using techniques such as focusing on the breath and visualisations. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Please join us for morning tea afterwards. Any queries please call Morgan on 9574 6186 / 0439080586
October: 30November: 13December: 11
Time: 10.00am. Cost: By donation
6 Membership
Thank you to everyone who renewed their membership subscription to Phen Dhe Ling Tibetan Buddhist Centre. Members are the heart of the Centre: without members there would be no Centre and there would be no reason for our precious teacher, Ven. Thupten Lodey, to stay here. Thank you so much for creating the cause for him to stay!
Julie Richmond, Treasurer
5Dharma Teachings, continued
Teaching Nagarjuna's “Letter to King Satvahana”(Continuation)
Nagarjuna (1st - 2nd century A.D.) wrote his celebrated poem Letter to a Friend as a letter of advice to his friend King Gautamiputra/Satavahana.
This advice gives a concise and comprehensive introduction to the entire path and practice of Buddhism. It guides both householders and the ordained onto the path leading to liberation and enlightenment. The instructions are of special interest to those who wish to take up spiritual activity while continuing to live and work in society; they are meant
to convey the whole meaning of the Dharma to the ordinary person in a language and style that are easy to understand.
Despite its short length (only 123 verses), it covers the whole Mahayana path with unusual clarity and memorable imagery; thus it is widely quoted by Tibet's great masters and scholars in the many commentaries they have written on the Buddhist path.
October: 27November: 3, 10, 17, 24 Time: 10:00am
Cost: By donation
7Special Events,
Please come and support Phendheling Buddhist Centre for a movie night fundraiser. Light refreshments provided and great company guaranteed! We will be showing a film called Zingaro Loungta (Wind Horse).
“Bartabas stages his very own dream of Tibet, and that of the monks, master of a haunted moment in which meditation gets the better of action”
“Broaching a subject in Tibet, even only in imagination or thought, makes you immediately stand taller. By making use of such a world, reproducing it via sudden intuitions and transfigured scenes, Bartabas accomplishes has worked a new wonder.” André Velter
Doors open at 6.30pm and the film will be shown at 7pm then we will be serving light refreshments after the movie. Tickets will be $20.00 each & can be purchased at the door.
Date: Saturday 1st OctoberPlace: Hamilton Hill Memorial HallCnr Rockingham Road & Carrington Street, Hamilton Hill
8Special Events
Phendheling Busy Bee Sunday 2 October 08:30 - 11:30
If you can spare some time Genla would like help with clearing shrubs and pruning trees as there is a street verge pickup, please bring your garden tools.
Annual General Meeting Sunday 23 October 11am
All members are welcome to attend the AGM. For any items or agendas that you would like to be raised at the meeting, or nominations for positions held at the centre you must forward them in writing to the secretary (Alison) no later than 17th October, Please send to P/O Box 160, Hamilton Hill 6963 or to: [email protected]
Lhabab Düchen Buddha decent from 33 Deva realm Lhabab Düchen, is one of the four special days in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. It falls on the 22nd day of the ninth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar, and marks the anniversary of Buddha Shakyamuni’s descent from the god realm to earth. The Buddha’s mother, Queen Mayadevi, had died six days after his birth.
When Buddha became enlightened, he saw that his mother had been reborn in the desire god realm known as The Heaven of Thirty-Three (Skt. Trayatrimsha) as a result of her pride. At the age of 41, Buddha manifested in this god realm to give teachings to benefit the gods there and to repay the kindness of his mother by liberating her from conditioned existence through spending the three summer months of that year teaching her the Dharma. He was then exhorted to return by Maugalyayana, his close Arhat student, and after a long debate managed to return. It is said that the gods created a stairway made of beryl, gold and silver which the Buddha descended. He arrived in the town of Kashi (modern-day Varanasi). This is considered to be one of the eight great deeds of the Buddha.We believe by doing positive actions and Dharma practice on this day our merits are multiplied millions of times.
Day Retreat on Hundred Deities of the Land of Joy (Ganden Lha Gyäma) Everybody is welcome to attend Namgylama Puja which will be held at the centre on the 3rd session at 3:00pm if you can't make the day retreat.
Date: Sun 20th NovemberTime: 9.00am - 4.00pmCost: $35members / $45non-members, includes vegetarian lunch. Bookings essential: Please contact Alison on 93375845 or email [email protected] to register for the retreat
10 Special Events, continued
Lama Je Tsongkhapa Passing Anniversary Day
The anniversary of Lama Je Tsong-khapa, 1357 - 1419 AD, is celebrated on the 25th day in the tenth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar. In remembrance of Lama Tsongkhapa, Venerable Thupten Lodey will be leading a special TSOG offering at the centre.
Lama Tsong-khapa (Je Rinpoche), was one of the most famous and holy of the Tibetan
masters who successfully integrated into his life his knowledge of the Buddha’s teachings, and hisaccomplishment of true spiritual insight or realisation. As the founder of the Gelug-pa order of Tibetan Buddhism, Tsongkhapa’s presence was not only of great service in the preservation of the dharma, but also in thoroughly refining the teachings. To this day, his life and work profoundly inspire millions of people around the world. Je Tsongkhapa founded Ganden Monastery – one of the greatest monasteries in Tibet and his popular Gelugpa tradition gave rise to many others following in this same order such as is studied and practiced at Drepung, Sera, Gaden and Gyuto and Gyudme Tantric monasteries.
Date: Friday 23 DecemberTime: 7:00pm Cost: By donation. Please bring flowers or foods for offering.
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Special Events, continued
Phendheling Christmas Fete 2016
Dear members and friends, We are organising another Christmas fete this year, to be held on Sunday 4 December. Proceeds from the fete will go towards future centre projects such as hosting guest teachers.
If you can help with:
• Making jam, chutney, baked goods,• Cakes, GF and other sweet foods• Savoury finger foods• Preparing cuttings, donations of any plants • Donations of second hand clothes • Donations of other quality items that will be suitable for sale.
(No junk please)• Donations of new goods
Please contact MorganMorgan's email: [email protected]: 0438 055732 If you have a skill or talent you would like to share on the day; music, massage, hand made gifts, etc., please let us know.
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Recent Events,On Sunday 3rdJuly Phendheling Buddhist Centre celebrated His Holiness’s 81st Birthday with a great turn out of members and friends.
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The King of Prayers... Continued from last newsletter
When the moment of my death arrivesMay I remain free from the spiritual obscurations
May I perceive the face of Amitabha And transmigrate to Sukavati, the pure land of joy.
Having arrived there may I fulfil All aims of this prayer of aspirations
And benefit the countless living beingsResiding throughout the ten directions.
In the joyous mandala of Amitabha Buddha May I be reborn from a beautiful lotus
And may I their have the pleasure of gaining A pure prophecy from Amitabha himself.
... To be continued
16General News
PhenDheLing WebsiteFor general information on PhenDheLing Tibetan Buddhist Centre, including the calendar of events, please visit: www.phendheling.org.
Newsletter ContributionsIf you would like to contribute to the newsletter or have any suggestions, please forward your copy or message to [email protected] with the subject "Newsletter".
Unfavourable Days for Hanging Prayer FlagsOctober: 1, 14, 25November: 9, 20December: 6, 17
Newsletter by Email
In order to save costs and the earth’s resources we encourage you to receive PhenDheLing’s newsletter by email. If you would like to receive a pdf copy of the newsletter b y e m a i l , p l e a s e c o n t a c t t h e C e n t r e a t : [email protected].
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General News, continued
New Members
New members are always welcome at the PhenDheLing Tibetan Buddhist Centre. If you would like to renew or become a member or a friend of the centre please complete the form from http://www.phendheling.org We welcome you to create a stronger connection with the PhenDheLing Tibetan Buddhist Centre, which in turn hopes to be a benefit to you and all sentient beings.
Spiritual Consultation
Genla Thupten Lodey is available for Spiritual consultations and House Blessings (ritual cleansings), Baby Blessings, Wedding Blessings, and Funerals. If you would like to arrange a time to meet with Genla, please call Alison on 93375845 or email [email protected]
We now have new email addresses at Phendheling to make it easier for our members and friends to direct their enquires to the relevant people.Spiritual consultations : [email protected] and accounts: [email protected] and General enquires: [email protected] bookings and registrations: [email protected]
