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HOSPICE of MOTHER TARA Buddhist Meditation and Healing Centre 18 Clifton Street Bunbury WA 6230 t: 9791 9798 w: www.hmt.org.au e: [email protected] Rebuilding the Chenrezig Gompa after the Earthquake Extracted from the FPMT website, 8 December, 2015 Kopan monastery is the original home of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa in the early days of the FPMT. It has always housed the famous November course which has led many students on the pathway. January - April 2016 COMING EVENTS 9 FEBRUARY Losar & Lama Yeshe Day Graduates of this course are now the backbone of the FPMT centres for both teaching and administration. 22 FEBRUARY Day of Miracles The Chenrezig gompa at Kopan Monastery is one of FPMT’s most precious destinations. Since the early days of the organization, this gompa has been a place for new and seasoned students to engage with the Dharma, strengthen their practice, and connect and reconnect with Dharma family old and new. The gompa was severely damaged in the April 2015 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks that struck Nepal. Due to a very kind benefactor, a team of engineers from Taiwan flew to Kopan to professionally evaluate the structural damages to buildings. Based on their advice, the entire Chenrezig gompa was pulled down and is being rebuilt. The Chenrezig gompa was severely damaged due to the earthquake but is now being rebuilt. Many donors generously came to Nepal’s aid through the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund which was set up by FPMT International Office immediately following the earthquake as a way to help raise funds for both short-term relief needs and long-term rebuilding plans. Huge thanks to all who have contributed to the rebuilding efforts in Nepal, and please rejoice in the rebuilding of this gompa so that it can benefit students far into the future. To date the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund has been able to contribute US$235,400 in initial aid relief and US$608,000 in grants for rebuilding efforts. FROM THE DIRECTOR HMT is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition founded in 1975 by two Tibetan Lamas, Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche. Big celebrations! We were able to host Venerable Namgyel in our newly completed residence during November and December, with the kitchen renovations coming together at the very last minute. Many thanks to everyone who helped with the work that has gone into it and funding the renovations. Special thanks to Fran Steele for her generous donation toward to the cost. We were hoping to start the external painting over the summer break, but have put this on hold until we can organise volunteers to do the painting and funding to complete the task. We have come a long way since we purchased the building 2 years ago, entirely through the generosity of people offering both money and time. We are particularly grateful to those who have contributed to the Building Fund over a long period of time, beginning when we first received the advice to move from Lama Zopa in 2009, as well as our kind benefactors who have given substantial interest free loans or sponsored the renovations. My heartfelt thanks go to the following people: Stephen Fuller, Fran Steele, Glynis Jeffery, Lobsang Namgyal, Jodie Berryman, Kevin Woodward, Ed Cawdell, Beth Golden, Therese Smith, Paul Kersten, Peter Huxtable and Jean Curtin. The next funding project will be a fence around the property to give security and privacy as well as create a quiet garden space. The purpose of all this is to preserve the Buddha’s teachings here in Bunbury according to the advice and guidance of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The above people have contributed greatly to this. Wishing everyone a fruitful and happy 2016. Julie Julie Halse, Director P A G E O N E 27 FEBRUARY Animal Blessing Day FEBRUARY Geshe Sherab talks on compassion MARCH Ven Dekyi teaching at HMT APRIL Ven Lhundrup teaches at HMT Reciting The Kshitigarbha Mantra Lama Zopa Rinpoche recently advised students to urgently do certain practices to help mitigate upcoming devastating and catastrophic earthquakes in California, Nepal and around the world. According to Rinpoche’s observations, these practices should be completed by February 2016. Please text mantra recitation numbers to Julie 0400 660 074 or email [email protected]. Numbers will be sent in each Sunday. All the information required is @ www.pacifyearthquakes.org 18 Clifton Street Bunbury WA 6230 t: 9791 9798 w: www.hmt.org.au Teachings e: [email protected] January - April 2016 DEALING WITH NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: ANGER, JEALOUSY, MISERLINESS, OBSESSIVENESS GESHE SONAM with Venerable Dekyi Mondays, 7.00 - 9.00 pm 7, 14 and 21 March Cost: $18/$15 members & concessions Each month we are very blessed to have Geshe Sonam join us at HMT. Geshe Sonam is the resident teacher at Hayagriva Buddhist Centre and he brings many years of learning and debating to our centre. We all wish to act with calmness and kindness to family, friends and others. Sometimes the reality is that we get angry, feel mean, stress out unnecessarily about our possessions or become jealous of our colleagues. Buddhism offers ways to rethink our perspective on these emotions so that we can become more like the kind self we have the potential to be. Venerable Dekyi is a lively and experienced teacher who can give us the perspective of the Buddha and relate that to her own experience as a mother, wife and businesswoman. THE 37 PRACTICES OF A BODHISATTVA with Geshe Sonam Mondays, 7.00 - 9.00 pm 29 February, 28 March, 18 April Cost: $18/$15 members & concessions DISCOVERING BUDDHISM: PRESENTING THE PATH Geshe continues his teachings from this text, which sets out the ways to approach life so that we can work well for the benefit of others. It is fine to join in even if you haven’t been to previous teachings. with Venerable Dekyi Thursdays, 7.00 - 9.00 pm 25 February, 3, 10 and 17 March Cost: $18/$15 members & concessions GESHE SHERAB Plus Saturday Workshop 19 March, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm Cost: $65/$55 members & concessions Compassion and loving kindness for others make us happier. We see this when people like Glen McGrath or Rosie Batty lose someone and then they make this an opportunity to help others. It gives life and loss meaning to care for others. Some have this capacity naturally, but we can also work with our minds to increase the natural levels of kindness and compassion. Buddhists have been doing this for many centuries and scientists have now shown that these techniques work. Geshe Sherab will give a series of talks on compassion over 4 days in February. Public Talk: Growing Kindness For Well Being Friday 12 February, 7.00 pm Methods for Developing Compassion and Kindness Weekend Saturday 13 February, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm and Sunday 14 February, 10.00 am - 1.00 pm Includes teachings on Tong Len and seeing all beings as mothers The Perfection Of Compassion: Finding Infinite Altruism Monday 15 February, 7.00 pm Costs All Teachings: $165/$150 members & concessions Evening Only: $18/$15 members & concessions Sat/Sun Only: $140/$130 members & concessions This is a study unit developed for students who wish to go deeper into Buddhist teachings and philosophy. The Buddha created a pathway involving study and meditation to help all of us overcome suffering and find a state of perfect happiness and kindness. This topic summarises the steps on that path. VENERABLE LHUNDRUP Venerable Lhundrup is a senior teacher at the Atisha Centre and resident monk at Shedrup Ling Monastery in Bendigo. He is well recognised as a meditation leader. Venerable Thubten Lhundrup, was ordained by Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 2003 and received gelong vows with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2004. Venerable Lhundrup first attended Buddhist teachings with Geshe Doga in 1995 at Tara Institute in Melbourne and moved to Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery in 2002. He spent 2005 in Darjeeling, India studying Tibetan language and 2014 in McLeod Ganj pursuing further studies. Venerable Lhundrup is the author of “Practical Meditation”. DISCOVERING BUDDHISM: HOW TO MEDITATE with Venerable Lhundrup Thursdays, 7.00 - 9.00 pm 31 March, 7 and 14 April Cost: $18/$15 members & concessions Plus Saturday Workshop 16 April, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm Cost: $65/$55 members & concessions VENERABLE DEKYI After living in the Solomon Islands for many years and raising a family, Venerable Dekyi became a nun in 1993. She was resident teacher at Vajrayana Institute in Sydney for five years and for a year at Kadam Sharawa Centre in Gosford. Venerable Dekyi was a visiting teacher at Hayagriva Buddhist Centre before travelling to Tushita Meditation Centre India where she was the resident teacher for a period. She resides at Kadam Shawara Institute on the NSW central coast. Find us on Facebook for all things yoga! Search “Tara Yoga Bunbury” P A G E Discovering Buddhism is a structured course of 14 units, designed to give a complete overview of the Buddha’s path to enlightenment. This unit deals with techniques of meditation and the problems we encounter. It can studied as part of the series or as a separate unit by those who just wish to know more about Buddhist meditation. Readings are suggested and a certificate is available for those who complete the whole unit. Continued on page 5 Many Thanks! The HMT Committee would like to gratefully acknowledge all those who made financial and practical contributions to support the establishment of our new premises. We would also like to acknowledge Julie Halse. As Director, Julie has put in an enormous amount of time during the purchase and renovations of the Centre. Her ability to take on that responsibility with a pleasant demeanour and good nature has been invaluable. It is not an easy job and we appreciate it! T W O 18 Clifton Street Bunbury WA 6230 t: 9791 9798 w: www.hmt.org.au e: [email protected] January - April 2016 JANUARY 2016 MON 4 TUES WED THUR FRI SAT SUN 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 Guru Puja 2.00 pm 11 18 Healthy Mind/Healthy Body 10.00 - 11.15 am Prayers for the Deceased 7.30 am Guided Meditation 5.45 - 6.30 pm Medicine Buddha Puja 2.00 pm 19 20 Guru Puja 2.00 pm Healthy Mind/Healthy Body 10.00 - 11.15 am 21 22 23 24 28 29 30 31 Guided Meditation 5.45 - 6.30 pm 25 26 27 Healthy Mind/Healthy Body 10.00 - 11.15 am Guided Meditation 5.45 - 6.30 pm FEBRUARY 2016 MON 1 TUES 2 Term 1 commences WED 3 THUR 4 FRI SAT SUN 5 6 7 Healthy Mind/ Healthy Body 10.00 - 11.15 am Guided Meditation 5.45 - 6.30 pm Guru Puja 2.00 pm 8 15 9 10 Losar & Lama Yeshe Day Light Offering & Chenrezig Practice 7.00 pm Healthy Mind/ Healthy Body 10.00 - 11.15 am 16 Teachings with Geshe Sherab The Perfection Of Compassion: Finding Infinite Altruism 7.00 pm 22 Day of Miracles Precepts Time TBA 11 12 13 14 Public Talk with Geshe Sherab Growing Kindness For Well Being 7.00 pm Teachings with Geshe Sherab Methods for Developing Compassion & Kindness 10.00 - 4.00 pm Prayers for the Deceased 7.30 am 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 Healthy Mind/ Healthy Body 10.00 - 11.15 am DB Teachings with Ven Dekyi Presenting the Path 7.00 pm Guided Meditation 5.45 - 6.30 pm 17 Teachings with Geshe Sherab Methods for Developing Compassion & Kindness 10.00 - 1.00 pm Guru Puja Home Practice Healthy Mind/ Healthy Body 10.00 - 11.15 am Guided Meditation 5.45 - 6.30 pm 23 Guided Meditation 5.45 - 6.30 pm 29 Teachings with Geshe Sonam The 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas 7.00 pm P A G E T H R E E Animal Blessing Day 10.00 am - 12 noon 18 Clifton Street Bunbury WA 6230 t: 9791 9798 w: www.hmt.org.au e: [email protected] January - April 2016 MARCH 2016 MON TUES 1 8 7 Teachings with Ven Dekyi Dealing with Negative Emotions 7.00 pm 14 15 Teachings with Ven Dekyi Dealing with Negative Emotions 7.00 pm 22 21 Teachings with Ven Dekyi Dealing with Negative Emotions 7.00 pm THUR FRI 3 4 Healthy Mind/Healthy Body 10.00 - 11.15 am Guru Puja 4.00 pm Guided Meditation 5.45 - 6.30 pm DB Teachings with Ven Dekyi Presenting the Path 7.00 pm 9 10 11 Healthy Mind/Healthy Body 10.00 - 11.15 am Guided Meditation 5.45 - 6.30 pm DB Teachings with Ven Dekyi Presenting the Path 7.00 pm 16 17 Healthy Mind/Healthy Body 10.00 - 11.15 am Guided Meditation 5.45 - 6.30 pm DB Teachings with Ven Dekyi Presenting the Path 7.00 pm 23 24 SAT SUN 5 6 12 13 Tara Puja 10.00 am Prayers for the Deceased 7.30 am 18 19 20 Guru Puja 4.00 pm DB Workshop with Ven Dekyi Presenting the Path 10.00 - 4.00 pm 25 26 27 Healthy Mind/Healthy Body 10.00 - 11.15 am Guided Meditation 5.45 - 6.30 pm 29 28 WED 2 Teachings with Geshe Sonam The 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas 7.00 pm 30 31 Healthy Mind/Healthy Body 10.00 - 11.15 am DB Teachings with Ven Lhundrup How to Meditate 7.00 pm Guided Meditation 5.45 - 6.30 pm APRIL 2016 MON TUES WED THUR FRI 1 SAT 2 SUN 3 Guru Puja 10.00 am 4 5 Teachings with Ven Lhundrup 3 Principal Aspects of the Path 7.00 pm 11 6 7 Healthy Mind/Healthy Body 10.00 - 11.15 am Term 1 ends Guided Meditation 5.45 - 6.30 pm 12 13 8 DB Teachings with Ven Lhundrup How to Meditate 7.00 pm 14 Teachings with Ven Lhundrup 3 Principal Aspects of the Path 7.00 pm 15 DB Teachings with Ven Lhundrup How to Meditate 7.00 pm 9 10 Medicine Buddha Puja 10.00 am Prayers for the Deceased 7.30 am 16 17 DB Workshop with Ven Lhundrup How to Meditate 10.00 - 4.00 pm Guru Puja 5.00 pm 18 19 20 21 22 23 26 27 28 29 30 Teachings with Geshe Sonam The 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas 7.00 pm 25 P A G E F O U R 24 18 Clifton Street Bunbury WA 6230 t: 9791 9798 w: www.hmt.org.au Continued from page 2 THREE PRINCIPAL ASPECTS OF THE PATH with Venerable Lhundrup Mondays, 7.00 - 9.00 pm 4 and 11 April Cost: $18/$15 members & concessions ‘Three Principal Aspects of the Path’ was composed by Lama Tsongkapa in response to a letter of request from one of his eight principal disciples, Tsako Ngawang Drakpa. It give a concise explanation of setting the determination to be free by cultivating renunciation of the attractions of this and future lives; cultivating the awakening mind of bodhichitta through the practice of exchanging self and others; and generating the profound wisdom to overcome ignorance by coming to understand dependent origination. Special Events LOSAR & LAMA YESHE DAY Tuesday 9 February Extensive Light Offering and Chenrezig Practice 7.00 pm This year, Tibetan New Year or Losar, falls on Tuesday 9 February. This day also marks the passing of Lama Yeshe, the founder of the FPMT. In 1984, twenty minutes before dawn on the first day of the Tibetan New Year, the heart of Lama Thubten Yeshe stopped beating. He was forty-nine years old. In the FPMT-world, Losar has since become Lama Yeshe Day. Join us to remember and pay tribute to the founder of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition, the international organisation that our Centre is a part of. Lama Yeshe was a great yogi and teacher, an extraordinary man who moved the hearts of thousands during his fifteen brief years among Westerners. DAY OF MIRACLES Monday 22 February, Time TBA Precepts in the early morning, followed by Shakyamuni Buddha puja and a reading of the Sanghata sutra Chotrul Düchen, the Day of Miracles, commemorates one of the four great deeds of the Buddha. It marks the end of a fifteen day period during which the Buddha performed numerous inspiring feats in order to overcome sceptics, and help increase the faith and diligence of his students. It is part of the Buddhist tradition to engage in virtuous activities and prayer on Buddha days as a way of accumulating merit. ANIMAL BLESSING DAY Saturday 27 February, 10 - 12 noon Includes morning tea Cost by donation Bring along your pets, or even some small creatures to HMT to be blessed. We will recite some mantra, introduce them to holy objects and make prayers for their fortunate life and rebirth. After the blessing, we will have tea and chai. e: [email protected] January - April 2016 LAMA ZOPA IN SE ASIA Lama Zopa Rinpoche will be offering a number of initiations and retreats in Malaysia and Singapore in the first half of 2016. Please check his schedule at www.fpmt.org if you are wishing to connect with this great lama. Lama Zopa will be doing a Medicine Buddha Retreat from 9 - 19 April in Malaysia. To attend this retreat would create powerful energy for the centre and for the student. Practices GURU PUJAS January: February: March: April: Monday 4, 2.00 pm Tuesday 19, 2.00 pm Wednesday 3, 2.00 pm Wednesday 17, Home Practice Friday 4, 4.00 pm Friday 18, 4.00 pm Saturday 2, 10.00 am Saturday 16, 5.00 pm The Guru Puja practice provides us with a unique opportunity to come together in Dharma friendship and share in the joyful and meritorious activity of offering thanksgiving to all our most kind teachers. It is also the quickest way to accumulate merit and purify negative karma. The puja text is available at HMT. Offerings of food, flowers or candles are appreciated. MEDICINE BUDDHA PUJAS January: April: Sunday 17, 2.00 pm Saturday 9, 10.00 am Lama Zopa Rinpoche is advising all the centres that it would be extremely good to practice the Medicine Buddha Puja. The Seven Medicine Buddhas made special prayers to benefit beings of degenerate ages, so the practice is considered amongst the most powerful and brings great blessings quickly. This practice purifies and heals on all levels – physical, mental, spiritual and environmental. The Medicine Buddha Puja is conducted primarily in English and is suitable for people who are new to Buddhism. This is a monthly event and all are welcome. Offerings of food, flowers or candles are appreciated. TARA PUJAS March: Saturday 12, 10.00 am The Buddha Tara embodies the wisdom and the compassion of all enlightened beings. In this ceremony, meditational prayers are offered to the Buddha Tara to request her blessings or help. Lama Zopa Rinpoche advises that there are many benefits from reciting the Tara mantra or Praise to the Twenty-One Taras and that Tara is particularly quick to grant help. This is a bi-monthly event and all are welcome. PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED By doing prayers and chanting powerful mantras for “ the animals, they receive a higher rebirth and liberation. This practice purifies immediately the oceans of samsaric suffering. For the person who liberates animals, or whoever wants to dedicate the merit to those with life obstacles, this practice helps them to obtain long life. Even if you don’t expect it, the karma will cause you to have a long life. ” Lama Zopa Rinpoche Please ensure that all animals are safely restrained for the benefit of the animal and others. P A G E January: February: March: April: Sunday 17, 7.30 am Sunday 14, 7.30 am Sunday 13, 7.30 am Sunday 10, 7.30 am Prayers for the deceased is a wonderful practice. Many people feel greatly comforted to know that so many holy and other beings are praying for their deceased loved ones. All welcome. Continued on page 6 www.hmt.org.au Please check the HMT website for updates on teachings, practices, meditation, yoga and special events. F I V E 18 Clifton Street Bunbury WA 6230 t: 9791 9798 w: www.hmt.org.au e: [email protected] January - April 2016 YOGA CLASS TIMES Continued from page 5 Yoga As we farewell another year, I am very pleased to see our yoga program continued to run strongly and successfully. In 2015, we enjoyed great support from our existing student base and this, along with a strong interest from new students to the centre, has allowed an additional two classes to be added to the weekly timetable. This brings our total offering to ten weekly classes held Monday to Thursday and this schedule will continue next year with Term 1, beginning 1 February. During the end of year break “Summer Holiday Yoga” will be held on 14, 21 and 28 January at 5 - 6.30 pm with Mo Ramsey. Please enquire for availability as space is limited. I urge you to keep up your commitment to yoga and you own wellbeing over the break and, if you are not able to attend a class with Mo, perhaps you could begin or continue with a home practise. You know your body will thank you for it! On behalf of myself and all the yoga teachers, Delphine, Judy and Mo, we thank you all for your dedication to your practise and continued support throughout the year and we look forward to welcoming you back onto the mat in 2016! Namaste, Rosemary HATHA YOGA: TERM 1 2016 Term Fee (10 wks): $140 non-members ($120 members) $100 1 hour class Class Fee: $16 non-members (casual basis) $12 1 hour class (casual) MOTHER TARA DIRECTOR: Julie Halse SECRETARY: Glynis Jeffery TREASURER: Beth Golden COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Ed Cawdell & Paul Kersten YOGA COORDINATOR: Rosemary Harding SHOP COORDINATOR: Fran Steele MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR: Hellen Claughton LIBRARY OFFICER: Juliet Harrop MONK SPONSORSHIP & MERIT BOX COORDINATOR: Sonia Burns BOOKKEEPER: Beth Golden ASSISTANT BOOKKEEPER: Vacant WEBSITE: Fran Steele & Derek Martin NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Fran Steele NEWSLETTER: Joanne Flatt NEW CLASS Tuesday 6.00 - 7.30 am Ashtanga vinyasa yoga Rosemary Tuesday 10.00 - 11.30 am Rosemary Tuesday 5.00 - 6.30 pm Rosemary Wednesday 8.30 - 9.30 am Men’s Class Rosemary Wednesday 4.15 - 5.15 pm Rosemary Wednesday 7.00 - 8.30 pm Judy Thursday 6.00 - 7.30 am Ashtanga vinyasa yoga Rosemary Thursday 9.00 - 10.30 am Rosemary Thursday 5.00 - 6.30 pm Mo Meditation Introducing ancient and simple meditation and relaxation techniques to help with emotional difficulties, stress, pain and illness for the purpose of developing increased awareness, balance, vitality and meaning in everyday life. By donation. All welcome. GUIDED MEDITATION Foundational and analytical meditation Wednesday 5.45 - 6.30 pm Take the opportunity to learn about the nature of one’s mind and to practise simple and safe techniques to calm the mind, eliminate tension and develop concentration. Analytical meditation enables us to develop insight and wisdom. Suitable for both the beginner and more advanced practitioner. By donation. All welcome. HOSPICE of SPIRITUAL PROGRAMME COORDINATOR: Fran Steele Rosemary Wednesday 10.00 - 11.15 am The HMT yoga classes run in a 10 week term. All levels are welcome. Registrations are taken for the term. You can pay on a casual classby-class basis in some classes. Please contact the office on 9791 9798 for registration. SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR: Venerable Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche 5.00 - 6.30 pm Non-beginner class HEALTHY MIND/HEALTHY BODY with Rosemary Harding, Judy Hawkesly & Mo Ramsey Monday 1 February to Thursday 7 April Buddhist Meditation and Healing Centre Monday SUNDAY MEDITATION Dharma Material HMT newsletters contain sacred images and Dharma teachings. Dharma material should be burned, not thrown out. Please cut out any pictures of holy teachers or images and return to HMT reception. At the request of Kyabje Thubten Zopa Rinpoche these images will be included inside stupas. While burning recite OM AH HUNG and visualise that the printed words absorb into AH and the AH absorbs into you. P A G E Mind caring meditation Sunday 9.00 – 10.00 am The meditations are based on universal themes like compassion, respect, mutual understanding and happiness. These sessions will include meditational techniques such as focusing on the breath, visualization and experiential themes. Suitable for both the beginner and more advanced students and practitioners. By donation. All welcome. MONK SPONSORSHIP by Fran Steele, SPC HMT continues to sponsor monks at Sera Je monastery. A donation of $120 per year will support a monk with books, medicines and other consumables during their stay at the monastery. Lama Zopa sponsors all the food at Sera Je so it is not used for food. The monks range from young children to Tibetan monks who have had to leave their home monastery and move to India. Recently I received a letter from my own monk. He was very grateful to be getting such help from someone in the west who he felt had had to work hard for that money. He referred to himself several times as a poor person. My thought was that I am happy to earn merit because spending my next life in a protected place able to study the dharma seems like a better use of my life than earning money. I was thinking he is rich. I hope he also feels that way. Our monks are supported through Good Fortune Trust, which is managed by a group of lamas who escaped together from Tibet and have been friends for many years. One of these is Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering who has been a friend of our centre for many years. Over the years Hospice of Mother Tara has made a very significant contribution to this fund. Thank you to all those who continue to support these dharma practitioners, who will become our new generation of teachers. S I X