AIBLP SNAPSHOT

November, 2009

 

 

 

His Eminence Khejok Rinpoche

Our precious Guru H. E. Khejok Rinpoche continues his teaching tour in Asia.

 

Long Life Prayer

As is customary your daily prayer tally of the Long Life Prayer for our precious guru H.E. Khejok Rinpoche and all other Holy Teachers is kindly requested.  It is customary to recite this beautiful prayer daily.  Our prayer tally is given to Lama Jamyang by February 2010.

 

 An annual Puja is performed in India for all the precious Dharma Teachers and your personal contribution is appreciated, in order to maintain or increase the 2008/9 total. 

 

Tibetan phonetics:

 

Jetsuen la mai ku tse rab ten ching

Nam kar trin lay chog chur gyay pa dang

Lo zang ten pai dron me sa sum kyon

Dro wai mun sal tag dhu ne gyur chig                         Or English:

 

May the holy teachers have a long life

May the enlightened activities be fully displayed in the ten directions

And may the brightness of the teachings of Lama Tsong Khapa

Which dissipate the darkness of migrators in the three realms, stay forever

 

Lama  Tsong Khapa Day ¨C Guru Puja Friday 11^th December 7:30pm

A special Guru Puja to commemorate the passing from this life of Lama Tsong Khapa, founder of the Gelupka tradition is scheduled for 11^th December.  This year marks the 600 anniversary of His passing, making it a very special occasion.  It is customary to offer light offerings as well as flowers and fruit and Lama Jamyang explained how Monasteries display Lama Tsong Khapa Thangkas, arrange special decorations and have open days for the population to join in the celebration.

 

Tsako Ngawang Drakpa ¨C Guru Puja  Monday14^th December 7:30pm

Lama Jamyang also explained that the month of December is special in our tradition as many high Lama¡¯s passed away during this month including Lama Tsong Khapa¡¯s heart student and founder of Dhetsang Monastery Ngawang Drakpa.  To commemorate this important date a second Guru Puja has been scheduled.

 

Annual General Meeting

The ABILP Committee wish to announce the AGM will be held on Sunday December 6^th at 15A Metella Road, Toongabbie starting at 1:30pm.  Your attendance would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

Review of 2009

At the end of a year it is good to review the changes which have occurred and take time out to reminisce.   Hindsight makes it easy to spot mistakes, however reviewing past events, also prompts us to recapture the magic of special events and once again enjoy those uplifting highlights shared with others.

 

It is ¡°others¡± who enable us to reminisce because without them, events would not take place, invitations would not be received, outings would not be planned, requests would not be made, arrangements not required, participation not necessary and without which our lives would not be as rich or fulfilled.

 

Fortunately the Toongabbie Centre activities have helped to enrich and fulfil our daily Buddhist lives.  We can look back, relive those wonderful occasions and take time to thank all of the ¡°others¡± who have helped make 2009 special.

 

2009 Started with our Precious Guru in Australia, which meant a whirlwind of activity at the Centre including visitors, requests and Teachings.   His Eminence¡¯s extended stay enabled His presence at the annual Tara Retreat thereby bestowing great blessings upon all those fortunate enough to be in attendance.

 

                   

 

H.E. Khejok Rinpoche¡¯s boundless energy and compassion ensured He spread the Buddha Dharma throughout His Teachings and Empowerments.  He oversaw for the practical needs of the Centre while welcoming and strengthening positive ties with the growing Vietnamese Buddhist Community.

 

The new Committee members were greeted with an unprecedented schedule of events and would happily admit to being overwhelmed at times by the complexity of their new roles.   Fortunately, Lama Jamyang was on hand (as H.E. Rinpoche¡¯s Representative) to help prioritise and bring to reality the many wonderful occasions which eventually unfolded.

 

Dhetsang Food Fund Foundation launched the 2009 calendar and will remain the main focus until our fund raising goal is attained.  Nothing could be more important to His Eminence¡¯s disciples than the practical provision for the future Throne Holders of Dhetsang Monastery and its¡¯ monks. 

 

We have graciously been given the opportunity to become Benefactors of the Buddha Dharma.  The amount donated is irrelevant as individuals are limited by their circumstances however it is the intention which determines if the donation fits within the lower, middle or greater practitioner¡¯s path. 

 

H. E. Khejok Rinpoche left Australia for an extensive Teaching tour of Asia and shortly thereafter Lama Jamyang announced the arrival of Geshe Thupten Tenzin from Darwin.

 

Geshela was theoretically on holidays but kindly agreed to the many requests for Teachings.  Geshela¡¯s visit coincided with The Jade Buddha for Universal Peace Sydney exhibition dates.  The Chinese Gardens in Darling Harbour was an occasion for members to socialise, visit the exhibition, share lunch and enjoy a tour of The Rocks and Circular Key.  

 

               

 

The Vietnamese Buddhist community orchestrated ¡°Jade Buddha for Universal Peace¡± and extended numerous kind invitations to Geshela, Lama Jamyang, Anilas Yangkyi and Tashi and the Toongabbie practitioners.  

 

At the request of H E Khejok Rinpoche, Geshela was our honoured guest but of course Geshela¡¯s kindness to us far outweighed anything we could offer him.  Geshe Thupten Tenzin kindly gave us, Teachings on the 4 Noble Truths, Guru Devotion, Medicine Buddha, Instructions on how to purify karma with prostrations to the 35 Confession Buddhas and presided over the beautiful Medicine Buddha 1000 Light Offerings. 

 

 

The Toongabbie Sangha enthusiastically helped drive all of the years¡¯ events, their invaluable direction, support and assistance ensuring the success of each wonderful occasion and on behalf of all practitioners and visitors to the Centre, the Committee would like to extend a warm ¡°Thank You¡± to Lama Jamyang, and Anila¡¯s Yangkyi and Tashi.

 

It would be impossible to name everyone and the roles played by those who have contributed to the continued success of the Toongabbie Centre.  We are all aware of the tremendous amount of planning and detail required to ensure the success of any occasion and the Committee wish to acknowledge your contributions and offer a very special ¡°Thank You¡± to everyone for your generosity of time, effort and financial support.  Without  ¡°Others¡± there would be no ¡°worthy causes¡± no Buddhist Practitioners, no Toongabbie Centre, no Gompa, no Sangha and no Teacher. 

 

 

However, with your support His Eminence Khejok Rinpoche has an Australian Institute of Buddhist Learning & Practice comprising a Community of earnest Buddhist Practitioners, aided and supported in their efforts by the Sangha.  It is only because of ¡°Others¡± and for ¡°Others¡± and ultimately through ¡°Others,¡± that anything mundane or supra mundane is accomplished.

 

As December draws 2009 calendar year to a close the Committee wishes all of the Pilgrims travelling to India and Nepal a safe and spiritually enriching journey.  May you return, refreshed and recharged for another New Year and ready for the challenges of 2010.

 

 

2010 will give us the opportunity to realise H E Khejok Rinpoche¡¯s goal for the Dhetsang Food Fund Foundation ¡­¡­ the good news is that we are already half way towards the final goal (world wide of 3,000,000 Yuan).  To help the Toongabbie Centre reach its¡¯ goal please remember, ¡°your ideas and suggestions are most welcome¡±