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Monthly Newsletter of Losang Dragpa Center
April 2007
Welcome the Golden Child-
Phuntsok Rinpoche
to Malaysia
I
n a remote valley of the Himalayan
mountains, surrounded by huge
rocks with fresh water streams
flowing into it, a white snowy
wonderland during winter, which
quickly changes into a green garden
carpeted with tiny yellow flowers in
spring, lies Tsum. The valley, quite cut
off from the outside world, with horses
as the only form of transportation
and walking long distances being a
normal everyday routine, the people
of Tsum live extremely simple and basic
lifestyles.
With not much distraction from modern
entertainment and facilities, the
people devote their life to spiritual
practice, such as Buddhism.
Nothing unique or special about this
valley, which is probably a typical of
the valley in the Himalayan mountains
except for the discovery of a golden
child making the return of a holy man,
in this valley of Tsum.
At age 3, this golden child was
discovered after a series of search and
examination. They boy, born to the
family of Ahpey was recognized as
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
the unmistaken reincarnation of the
late Great Mahasiddha Geshe Lama
Konchong. Given the name Tulku
Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche, the young
boy was ordained in India in year
2006, by His Holiness the 14th Dalai
Lama.
The late Geshe Lama Konchog was
a highly realized master, who was so
simple and humble in character, that
only a small number of people knew
about His greatness. Passed away in
October 2002, Geshe la’s realization
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~ April 2007 ~
was made known to the whole world,
when thousands of relics were found,
after His cremation.
Under the guidance of our precious
Guru Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche,
the search for His reincarnation
started soon after. Geshe la’s heart
attendant, Geshe Tenzin Zopa was
at the centre of the search for this
golden child. We are thus very
fortunate to be able to invite Phuntsok
Rinpoche and Geshe Tenzin Zopa
to visit Malaysia from 14th-18th April.
Let us all welcome the arrival of the
golden child on 15th April at LDC.
In conjunction with the visit, LDC will
be organizing a PUBLIC LECTURE on
THE TRADITION OF REINCARNATION:
FINDING THE GOLDEN CHILD PHUNTSOK RINPOCHE by Geshe
Tenzin Zopa In LDC on 15th April
evening.
Please bring your family and friends to
participate in this very special event.
Many of us know Geshe Tenzin Zopa
through his strong devotion to our
precious guru, Kyabje Lama Zopa
Rinpoche and as heart attendant
to the late Geshe Lama Konchog.
Geshe la, however, has his own mind
that probably many of us has yet to
discover about him.
stern teacher to many young monks,
an experienced translator to his
teacher and many high lamas and
also as a sponsor to his monks’ hostel
and monastery. Back in his home
at Kopan Monastery, Geshe la was
the fundraiser of the 1000 Buddhas
Relics Stupa erected at the back hill
of Kopan Monastery. He is currently
the project director for Tsum Valley
monastery and nunnery. And of
course, he will still take a keen role in
guiding and overseeing the physical,
mental and spiritual needs of Tulku
Phuntsok Rinpoche, as he is growing.
From the little that we heard from
his teacher and friends, Geshe la is
known in Sera Monastery as a top
debater in Buddhist philosophy, a
In addition to all the above roles that
he has taken on, Geshe la is also
experienced in giving consultation to
people in need. His observation in
Geshe Tenzin Zopa is new
Resident Teacher of LDC
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
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~ April 2007 ~
invoking the holy beings’ guidance
has benefited many people who
are suffering. He gets along well with
children and has great sympathy
for people who are less fortunate.
He is a well trained ritual master,
not only familiar with a wide range
of prayers, but also knowledgeable
from the preparation stage until the
completion stage for each prayer
session. Geshe la not only leads very
well in chanting, he is also known
for his performance in Lama Dance.
Geshe la speaks fluent English,
Tibetan, Nepali, Hindi and a little
Mandarin.
LDC is indeed very fortunate to have
such a talented teacher to guide
us. Geshe la not only possesses so
much knowledge, he also shows
a keen interest to learn Chinese
astrology and improve his command
of English. Extremely kind hearted
and skillful in interacting with people,
Geshe la’s sociable nature brings to
him many friends from all around the
world.
Despite Geshe la’s potential to
obtain the highest doctorate degree
in Buddhist philosophy, Kyabje Lama
Zopa Rinpoche who has recognised
Geshe la’s ability to benefit many
people has requested the monastery
to grant him the second doctorate
degree on Buddhist philosophy, so
as to enable him to graduate this
year and come out to the world to
help many other beings. Let us give
the warmest welcome to Geshe la
and to celebrate his graduation
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
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after 15 years of studies in Buddhist
philosophy! A welcoming party will be
held after the arrival of Geshe la, stay
in touch on the date and time!
Wor ds of Wisd om
for Apri l
Another powerful factor
in healing is pure morality.
Whether or not they have
realizations, those living
in pure morality have
much power to heal. You
do not necessarily have
to be a monk or nun;
for example, if you live
a pure life by abstaining
from the ten non-virtuous
actions, you can benefit
others. Your prayers have
much power to eliminate
disease and other
obstacles and to bring
success. If someone has
become crazy because
they are possessed by a
spirit, you can order the
spirit to leave the person;
and because you are
living a pure, truthful life,
the spirit has to listen to
you and obey you.
~By Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche~
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~ April 2007 ~
LDC NEWS
Golden Light Sutra
We have recently printed the new
edited version of The Golden Light
Sutra. It is in hard cover and printed on
golden paper with a ring binding. For
a sponsorship of RM10.00 you can get
a copy from LDC Dharma Shop!
The Golden Light Sutra, according to
Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche:
‘This text is very precious; it brings
peace and happiness and is very
powerful to stop violence. It gives
incredible protection to the country
from violence etc. By hearing this text,
one’s karma gets purified.
This text increases success and,
especially for leaders like kings or
presidents, brings success in guiding in
virtue, the path to happiness. If anyone
has problems-if one is dying or dead;
if the devas have turned against one
and nothing is working; if, merely by
expressing oneself, one’s friends, loved
ones, husband, wife, family members
and even servants get angry with
one; if one’s wealth declines or if one
has harm from black magic or spirits,
with bad dreams or fearful things
happening-then one should wash, put
on clean clothes and with a peaceful
mind listen to the transmission of this
text. Then all will be pacified. Anyone
who hears it creates much merit and
is highly admired by the buddhas.
In whichever country this is taught,
the whole country benefits. The king
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
of that country doesn’t get attacked
and disease is eliminated, everyone
is happy and the country becomes
harmonious; there are no quarrels. The
king gives religious freedom and is always
protected by the devas. It is especially
good to be read in places where there is
a lot of fighting. As well, there is prosperity
and rains come at the right time.
Anyone who keeps, memorizes or
contributes to this text exceeds the eight
worldly beings and all their wishes get
fulfilled. Buddha told the four guardians
to make offerings and serve this text,
and always protect the people who
memorize or even just read it. The four
guardians acknowledged they would
protect those who read it and would
help and fulfill all their wishes.
Memorizing or making offerings to
this text is like making inconceivable
offerings to Buddha. Enlightenment
will never be reversed within anyone
in whose ear these holy words are
spoken; the life will always be directed
toward enlightenment and one will
never fall back. There is no question
if you memorize the text. The deva,
Hamachiwa Pala, told Buddha that
she will protect the bhikshu who recites
this text and he will receive all that is
needed: property, a stable mind and
so forth. Whoever even tries to read
or understand this text will experience
the comfort and happiness of devas
and humans for 100 billion eons; fame
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~ April 2007 ~
and perfect crops; and will become a
buddha. The earth goddess definitely
will help even if only one chapter or
one bodhisattva’s name is mentioned;
she will protect those sentient beings
who even read and try to understand
one verse (four words), and will fulfill
their wishes. Those sentient beings who
hear only one verse will never go to the
lower realms. The Buddha told the earth
goddess that even if a person hears only
one verse, they will be born in the deva
realm. Further, the Buddha told the
earth goddess the non-virtuous karma
of the person who hears even one verse
will be eliminated and they will achieve
enlightenment.’
LDC needs your help!
There are plenty of chores and tasks
to be carried out at LDC. As a spiritual
centre we need volunteers to help out.
So if you have spare time and are not
sure what to do or where to go, LDC
welcomes you to offer your voluntary
services and enjoy great benefits from it.
1) Everyday we need volunteers to
help to arrange over 80 water
bowls on our main altar in the main
prayer hall. Making water offerings
to holy objects bring to us a very
peaceful and clear mind, due to the
direct dependent arising of the
water’s nature of clarity and
cleaniness. The coolness in water
brings us the benefit of staying pure
in ethic. Water is healthy and
delicious, and when making such
clean water offering to sacred
beings, it helps us to enjoy food
deliciously, free us from physical
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
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and mental ailments and continue
to stay healthy. Water also soothes
our throat and by making water
offerings, we will come to have
pleasant speech. The softness of water
brings to us a gentle mindstream. Its
odourlessness symbolizes the water
offering practice purifying our negative
karma.
You can spend your spare time in a
most meaningful way by participating
in our water offering practice.
Please call William at 03-7968 3278
NOW to arrange your time to come
to LDC to do water bowls offerings.
2) We also would like to invite people
who has interest in offering meals
to the members of the sangha at
LDC. You can choose to bring
your home-cooked food, or you
can cook at the Center here, or you
can bring the sangha out for a
special treat. Getting to know how
to serve the sangha now will help
you to serve better when high lamas
visit the Center. Please sign up with
Shirley at 03-7968 3278 immediately!
3) Over the years, as LDC expanded,
books and furnitures in the Center
also increased rapidly. We are now
looking for a storage space to keep
our dharma books & furniture which
we occasionally use during LDC’s
public events. If you have a
warehouse or storage space to
spare to keep some of LDC’s items,
please contact Ven.Osel @ LDC,
03-7968 3278.
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~ April 2007 ~
LDC Puja sponsorship
Every month LDC conducts pujas
according to the advice of our precious
guru Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Following the Tibetan calendar, we do
five different pujas such as Tara Puja,
Medicine Buddha Puja, Protector Puja
and Two Guru Puja every month. For
each puja, we arrange offerings of food
and flowers on altars to offer to the
particular deity.
Puja is a ceremony in which prayers
are offered to the Buddhas and holy
beings to request their blessings or help.
Traditionally in a monastery, monks and
nuns perform prayers for the long life,
health and success of their teachers,
friends, benefactors, and all living beings
and for world peace.
Pujas are also performed to avert or
clear three kinds of obstacles: worldly,
inner and secret obstacles, conditions
which prevent us from achieving our
worldly and spiritual goal. Pujas are also
performed for general success in all
activities, for the sick and dying, and for
the deceased.
For people who are busy with
commitment in life, we have made it
convenient for you to participate in our
puja, without your physical attendance.
For every puja conducted in the Center,
you can be the sponsor to make the
puja easy and possible for other to
attend. Dedications will be made at the
end of every puja for those who have
contribute financially, materially and
physically.
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
Please make your sponsorship
to LDC office and leave your
dedication with William or Shirley.
Tara Puja
RM 120
RM 240
dedication for 6 months
dedication for 12 months
Medicine Buddha Puja
RM 120
RM 240
dedication for 6 months
dedication for 12 months
Protector Puja
RM 120
RM 240
dedication for 6 months
dedication for 12 months
Guru Puja
RM 240
RM 480
dedication for 6 months
dedication for 12 months
Annual General Meeting
To get updated on the Center’s
yearly performance, please attend
our Annual General Meeting which
will be held on 21st April, 10:30am
at the Center. It will be followed by
a gathering to get to know old and
new members.
LDC’s first resident Geshe,
Geshe Kelsang’s present
condition
Ms. Yap, one of LDC’s senior members
and Geshe Kelsang’s students, went
to Mangalore, India, in late February
to visit Geshe Kelsang. At that time
Geshe Kelsang lived in a rented
apartment near Manipal Hospital
together with his three students:
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~ April 2007 ~
Geshe Tenzin Deyang (LDC’s previous
resident Geshe), Ven. Jangchup and
Ven. Chonyi.
After a successful major operation to
remove the turmour on His left cheek
in January, Geshe Kelsang underwent
radiotheraphy 5 times a week (MonFri) for a 1-month period. After His last
radiotheraphic treatment last week,
Geshe Kelsang and His students have
now returned to Sera Monastery.
Geshe Kelsang’s doctor is very pleased
with His state of recovery. According
to Ms. Yap, Geshe Kelsang’s physical
condition is so much more better than
those who went through the similar
treatment in the hospital, even though
He sometimes complain of pain caused
by the ulcers in His mouth (the doctor
has given Him medication to heal the
infection), stiff muscles on His face and
nausea upon waking up in the morning.
Geshe Kelsang’s blood pressure has
always been good and His meals
now consist of mainly a soft diet i.e.
soup and porridge due to the ulcers
developed in His mouth. Because of this
Geshe Kelsang has lost a considerably
lot of weight and has become
physically weaker, but He is always in
very good spirit.
Geshe Kelsang doesn’t talk much
due to the ulcers in His mouth. He
communicated with Ms. Yap and His
students by making hand gestures,
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
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and only when His gestures are not
understood will He speak.
Geshe Kelsang said that His three
students have looked after Him
extremely well and He is very happy.
He also, again and again, expressed His
gratitude to His students in LDC for their
concern and support. He told Ms. Yap
that He “sometimes misses His students
in LDC”.
Hence this is a short and most recent
update on our Genla - our most
precious and beloved Geshe Kelsang,
who had benefitted LDC so much for 5
years in the past (1999-2003) especially
in setting LDC’s foundation on Dharma
and without which, we really would not
have been able to accomplish what
we have today at LDC.
I’m also sending you the mobile
numbers of Ven. Ngawang Jangchup
(+91-9845-099-759) and Ven. Chonyi
(+91-9880-055-081), so that you can call
one of them to show your concern and
love to Geshe Kelsang. They’ll swtich
their mobiles on loud-speaker so that
Geshe Kelsang can hear your voice
and one of them will translate your
message to Geshe Kelsang.
If you want to call them, please note
that KL is ahead of Bylakuppe (where
Sera Monastery is located) by 2 1/2
hours i.e. if it is 8pm in KL, their time
is 5:30pm afternoon. Thank you very
much!
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April Program Highlights
Lam Rim Discussion by Ven.Ang Losang
April: What’s Wrong With My Life?
Many people think they have a
wonderful spouse, perfect kids, well-paid
job, perfect good health and physique;
they are smart and competitive, they
own bungalows and expensive cars,
they are the object of envy. And they
cannot come to term with the idea of
“seeking liberation”.
What is this liberation all about?
What is it that we are trying to break
away from?
Why are these seemingly pleasurable
and absolutely desirable experiences
deem worthless and without essence?
What is it that undermines all these socalled “perfect and happy life”?
April 8
April 15
April 22
April 29
Working with the Cause of All
Tribulations (work against
delusions with skills)
Peaceful Death & Happy
Rebirth (about death & rebirth)
Discovering the Truth of Our
Life (about the 12 links)
The Meaning of Life (path to
liberation)
Video screening night by
Ven.Ang Losang
A new program will be introduced to you
in the month of April. On every alternate
Wednesday night, Ven.Ang Losang
will have a screening from a collection
of videos. Be it a video featuring the
teaching of the late Lama Yeshe, or
Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, or a movie
produced by famous actor or actress in
Hollywood, it will be a fun way to learn
dharma from video screenings.
On the other hand, when misfortune has
befallen us and shattered our lives, we
look around trying to pin-point others as
the culprit of all our troubles. We might
then be satisfied with finding a scapegoat,
but we’ll not even come close to resolving LDC has a collection of videos including
our problems from their root.
Kundun, which tells the biography of His
Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The Cup
“What’s wrong with my life?” you might
is about the different aspects of life in
think.
a Tibetan Monastery and a surprising
one is that monks are big fans of World
Come to this series of teaching and
Cup! An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore
you’ll find out.
talks about global warming. Seven
Years in Tibet and Little Buddha and also
Topics to be covered in April:
teachings on Guru Devotion by Kyabje
April 1
Developing the Thoughts of
Lama Zopa Rinpoche etc etc will be
Yearning for Liberation
screened.
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
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~ April 2007 ~
If any of you has any interesting movies
which you would like to share with our
members and friends, please bring it to
Ven. Dechen at LDC.
Guided Lam Rim Meditation
(on the Small & Middle
Scopes) by Ven. Ang Losang
on MAY 6 (Sun), 4:00-5:30pm.
As a revision on what has been covered
in this first series of teaching for the last
two months, Ven. Losang will lead the
students in an one and a half hours
guided meditation to recapitulate the
essence of Lord Buddha’s advice on
the Small and Medium Scopes of the
graduated path to Enlightenment (Lam
Rim).
We welcome the regular students of
Ven. Losang’s class to come and refresh
your understanding on the first two
scopes of the Lam Rim teaching, as well
as those who’d like to experience firsthand a meditation during when you’ll
be meticulously guided by the teacher
through the steps of the Buddhist path.
Mandarin Class by Ven.
Dechen
April 6: Finding A Spiritual Guide
依師之道
Some people say, “I learn Dharma
through reading a lot. There is no need
for a Teacher.”
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masters Lama Atisha and Lama
Tsongkhapa (– both were emanations
of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom)
– placed the practice of finding and
devoting to a spiritual guide at the
root-level of the Buddhist Path and
called it the “foundation” of all good
qualities.
Don’t you want to know the reason?...
April 13: You are Your Own Platinum
Card 您是自己的白金卡
Unlimited expenditure, privileges
program with exclusive amenities,
special upgrades and unforgettable
adventures, complimentary admission
into exclusively fine hotels and resorts
and so on and so forth – such are the
privileges of a Platinum Card holder.
And now the Buddha is saying, “YOU
are your own Platinum Card.”
How, and in what way?!
Well you’ve got to come to this class
and find out.
April 20: Entering the Threshold of
Buddhism 跨越佛教的門檻
Most people have become or
considered themselves “Buddhists”
without realizing that they have,
actually, NOT become a Buddhist.
What’s the big deal, you ask.
Some say, “I take refuge in the Three
Jewels but I do not take refuge in a guru. Well, it’s not a big deal if you do not
want to take your Buddhist practice
It’s idol worship.”
seriously. But if you do, you will want
to know exactly what makes you a
Whether you think the same or not,
there is a reason why the great Buddhist Buddhist, and what makes you not.
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
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April 27 & May 4:
Of Fate and Karma 命運與業果
Almost always the most complex and
intriguing part of the Buddhist teachings,
KARMA tells us the WHY when things
happen instead of HOW – the “scenario”
of events which often lead us to forming
the wrong opinions and conclusions
which subsequently causes much
unnecessary suffering and misfortune in
our life.
By understanding the rules of karma and
karma in its manifold aspects, we can
begin to unwind the many queries of life,
if not all.
New Dharma Courses
by Geshe Tenzin Zopa
We have TWO very interesting NEW
Dharma courses to offer to you by our
very own English-speaking resident
Teacher - Geshe Tenzin Zopa!
“8 Verses of Thought
Transformation” on APRIL
& MAY - all Sundays, 67:30pm!
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
Composed by the Kadampa
master Geshe Langri Tangpa over
eight hundred years ago, this mindtraining text which consists of eight
short verses contains the extremely
profound teachings on the means to
transform and transcend the adverse
circumstances we face every day
into something uplifting and positive.
These verses stimulate inner reflection,
offer us insight into the development of
genuine loving kindness, compassion
and a sense of commitment to achieve
a greater degree of inner peace within
ourselves in this aggressive and violent
world.
The Eight Verses of Thought
Transformation explains the
Paramitayana practice of method
and wisdom: the first seven verses deal
with “method” - loving kindness and
bodhicitta, and the eighth deals with
“wisdom”.
Note: This course is suitable for students
of ALL levels.
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~ April 2007 ~
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Brief biography of the author,
Geshe Langri Tangpa :
Geshe Langri Tangpa (1054-1123) was
widely respected throughout Tibet as
a holy person and was recognized
by many great meditators as an
emanation of Buddha Amitabha.
Although others regarded him as
special, he was always humble and
viewed others as more important
and worthy of respect. Completely
indifferent to wealth, status, and other
worldly attainments, for many years
he was very poor, living almost like a
beggar. Inwardly, however, he was
engaged in the practice known as
“accepting defeat and offering the
victory to others” - happily accepting
whatever difficulties and adverse
conditions he encountered, and
offering his happiness and good
conditions to others.
Geshe Langri Tangpa always
maintained a very stern, unsmiling
expression that he was nicknamed
“Grim Face”. His assistant once told
him: “People are calling you ‘Grim
Face Langri Tangpa’. When they
come to receive blessings from you,
it would be good if you could smile
sometimes and speak gently to
them.” Langri Tangpa replied: “What
you say is true, but I find it difficult
to find anything in samsara to smile
about. Whenever I see someone I
think of their suffering, and instead of
laughing I feel like crying.”
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
It was due to his deep compassion
for all living beings that Geshe
Langri Tangpa found it difficult
to smile. It is important not to
misunderstand this. Langri Tangpa
was not unhappy; his compassion
and other spiritual realizations
protected him from ever feeling
depressed and caused him to
experience great joy. However,
he saw clearly that there is no true
happiness in samsara, and that
confusing worldly pleasure with real
happiness serves only to bind us more
tightly to samsara. His stern manner
challenged people to confront their
actual samsaric situation and to enter
into spiritual paths.
Langri Tangpa rarely laughed. On
one occasion Langri Tangpa was
meditating in a cave on a hillside
overlooking a river. It was mid-winter
and the river was completely iced
over. A traveling potter was crossing
the river, but, laden with pots, he kept
slipping over and breaking them. As
the potter knew that Langri Tangpa
was somewhere up on the hillside,
whenever he slipped he would call
out “O Langri Tangpa, Grim Face!” in
much the same way as people in the
West say “O God!” or “O Jesus!” in
similar situations. Langri Tangpa heard
him and thought it was so funny that
he started laughing.
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On another occasion, after Langri
Tangpa had been offered a large
piece of turquoise he saw a mouse
trying to steal it from his meditation
table. Unable to move the stone,
the mouse went away and returned
with four other mice. The first mouse,
which was the smallest, lay on its
back, and the other mice pushed
the turquoise onto its stomach.
They each took one of its legs, and,
pushing and pulling, managed to
drag the turquoise to their mouse
hole. However, when they got there
they found that the stone was too
large to fit through the hole, and so
they had to leave it behind. Langri
Tangpa found this so amusing that
he laughed out loud.
Geshe Langri Tangpa was also a
great scholar and practitioner. His
main practices were exchanging
self with others, accepting
defeat and offering the victory,
and bodhicitta. By teaching
these practices to others he
“The Presentation of Buddhist
Tenet” on APRIL & MAY - all
Saturdays, 4-5:30pm!
“My doctrine has two modes: advice
and tenets. To children I speak advice,
and to yogis, tenets.”
~The Lankavatara Sutra ~
Based on the idea that the Buddha
taught different things to different
people in line with their capacities,
Tibetan scholars systemized the
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
led many thousands of disciples
to enlightenment. Even the area
of Lang Tang where he lived was
blessed by his presence, such that
the local people became peaceful
and friendly and the animals and
birds lived in harmony. He also had
a special power to cure sickness
and pacify obstacles, and on one
occasion was able to protect the
lives of many people by causing
dangerous floods to recede.
Through sincerely practicing the
instructions on training the mind,
Geshe Langri Tangpa found ultimate
happiness and helped many others
to do the same. He then explained
the essence of his experience of
Dharma in Eight Verses of Thought
Transformation. Based on this text,
later Kadampa Lamas such as Geshe
Chekhawa spread the study and
practice of Kadam Lojong, or training
the mind, throughout Tibet. We should
consider ourselves very fortunate to
have met such precious teachings.
numerous trends in Indian Buddhist
thought and taught the four schools
of Tenets (Tibetan: Drub-tha) as a
means to approach the most profound
philosophical teachings via more
accessible levels.
The text that is the basis for our study of
this subject is Jetsun Chokyi Gyaltsen’s
Presentation of Tenets. It gives a brief
overview of each of the tenet system
which possesses an exposition of the
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~ April 2007 ~
three - the basis, path and result. It
also outlines the assertions on minds,
objects, the ultimate and conventional
nature of phenomena, selflessness, the
nature of attainment within each of
the schools, culminating in the tenets of
the most highly esteemed school, the
Prasangika-Madhyamika School.
Note: This series of teaching is of the
intermediate-advance level and is
suitable for students who have already
had studied the Lam Rim teaching very
thoroughly.
Young People’s Programme
Shabda
13
Yoga at LDC this April!
The 4 yoga sessions will aim to cover
the basic yoga postures. Students will
at the end of the course be able to do
the sun salutation (Surya Namaskar) on
their own, learn some essential yoga
poses and breathing techniques that
will improve their general health.
The 1 hour 15 min class will involve a
10 minutes of warming up session, 30
minutes of sun salutation, 10 minutes
of standing pose, 10 minutes of sitting
pose and 15 minutes for meditation and
relaxation.
Students are advised to bring a yoga
mat, a small towel and sport wear that
is stretchable.
1st April
Ways to Accumulate
Merits.
8th April
Singing class to improve
the mood, reduce
stress, to create a more
positive mind and to be
spiritually uplifted.
15th April
Different kinds of
offerings to Buddha.
22nd April
Getting to know Tara.
Make offering to Tara
and to learn the way
that Tara can help you
29th April
A percussion group – to
develop the children’s
musical talent and to
enhance their social
and emotional stability.
6th May
Singing class
13th May
Team Building – to
develop confidence
and to be a teamplayer.
Yoga teacher: Dr Chan Yuet Ngoh
Dr Chan is a part-time yoga teacher
and has been practicing yoga for
almost 7 years. She became a yoga
teacher in 2004 after joining a yoga
teaching training course organized
by a fitness studio. She has taught at
Dance City and is currently teaching
Yoga at Cempaka Buddhist Lodge
as well as a Jazz yoga center.
20th May
Talent time – to
showcase the children’s
talents
Dr Chan is a full time dentist and has
a clinic in Bandar Puteri Puchong.
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
We require registration for this yoga
class, so please call up LDC office to
leave your name. A minimum charge
of RM50.00 per head to cover the
teacher’s fee is required, please pay to
LDC office upon registration. Thank you.
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14
Shabda
~ April 2007 ~
SPECIAL EVENT:
VISIT OF KYABJE LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE May 21st to June 5th
We are pleased to announce that
our precious guru Kyabje Lama Zopa
Rinpoche will visit LDC from 21st May
– 5th June 2007!
in the Tibetan calendar for being the
birthday of Shakyamuni Buddha, as well
as His enlightenment and Parinirvana
day.
In the past, whenever Rinpoche came
to the Center, He gave teachings and
initiations to the students here and we
never have time for Rinpoche to give
more indepth teachings from what
we have just been initiated into. This
year after a discussion with Rinpoche
and Ven.Roger about their program in
LDC, we decided to focus on the deity
Tara.
Kasih Hospice will organize a program
on 1st June, open to its volunteers
and LDC members as well as the
public. The morning session will be
hosted by Geshe Tenzin Zopa with the
afternoon session by Kyabje Lama Zopa
Rinpoche.
Rinpoche’s program will start with
bestowing an initiation on 21 Taras,
followed by a weekend retreat on Tara
during which Rinpoche will give oral
transmission on the 108 names of Tara,
and give us an explanation on the 8
Taras.
Rinpoche will then travel to Chokyi
Gyaltsen Center in Penang to give
teaching on the Eight Verses of
Thought Transformation. On the return
journey from Penang, we have plans
for Rinpoche to stop by Ipoh to see
the Medicine Buddha Statue.
The Oral transmission on Golden Light
Sutra will be given on the Saka Dawa
Day, which is the most auspicious day
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
On 2nd June we have a tea session for
LDC members with Rinpoche. Many of
our members work very hard to support
the Center, financially, materially and
spiritually. We would like all of you
to get an up close opportunity with
Rinpoche. Please make sure you are
available on that day!
A Long Life Puja will be offered to
our precious guru on 3rd June at the
centre. We are preparing an interesting
program after the Long Life Puja.
Watch out for next month’s newsletter
to get more details on Rinpoche’s visit
to LDC!
Meanwhile keep you finger crossed for
Rinpoche’s program in Singapore. We
might organize a group to attend the
special program in Amitabha Buddhist
Center too!
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~ April 2007 ~
Shabda
15
Our Glorious Report…
Members of the YPP brings New Year Cheers to the Orphanage.
It was a beautiful Sunday morning. However,
this was an especially exciting day as the
members of YPP were making a trip to the
Padmasambhawa orphanage in Klang.
At 10;30am, the children and adults fitted into
6 cars and merrily made their way to their
destination.
They were greeted warmly by thirty children
who resided in the orphanage. They were
very excited over what would be in store for
them. Once everyone was settled, seven of
our pretty YPP members took centre stage
and performed a special Chinese New Year
dance created by Auntie Juanita. At the end
of the dance, the girls got a hearty applause
they richly deserved.
After the dance, the rest of the children
got involved by participating in the games
prepared by members of the YPP. First, it
was the playing of the rap song – “Are we
ready to dance?”. All the kids enjoyed
clapping and laughing as the game went
along. “Passing the parcel” had the children
excitedly passing the prosperity boar
along, hoping that the music wouldn’t stop
with the package in their hands! However,
© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER
what they didn’t know, was that when the
music stopped, the holder of the parcel
would receive a special prize – a colourful
gummy yoyo.Of course, the lucky child was
pleasantly surprised with the gift.
After that, a very talented girl named
Shereen, began shaping animal balloons
for every one of the children, adding to
their already mounting delight. The kids then
enjoyed some light refreshments comprising
nasi lemak, tuna sandwiches, buns, cakes
and cookies. The fellowship continued,
with children from YPP and the orphanage
starting new friendships.
Finally, when it was time to leave, parents
and LDC members donated rice, Milo,
Ribena, mandarin oranges, foodstuff and
toys. Well-wisher Aunty Regina distributed
hats and angpows to the children. And the
children all received gift packs filled with
homemade cookies, jellies, sweets and
chips.
Contentedly, our YPP members made their
way back after a fruitful day. Tired, but
happy they were able to make the day for
so many children.
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