jul/aug 2014

MIC (P) 057/02/2014

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Benefiting Sentient Beings! “Wow, Wow, Wow! Thank You, Amitabha Buddhist Centre is a centre for the study and practice of , based on the tradition of ABC Family!” (Part 1) Tsong Khapa, in the lineage of Lama and our Spiritual Director, Kyabje Lama Zopa . th fter months of build-up and anticipation, our magnificent Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s special message to ABC students on our 25 anniversary is featured in our OUR VISION of Amitabha Buddha In His Pure Land was finally unveiled at very own documentary, “Thank You, ABC Family!” We are pleased to present an edited transcript Learn to Be Happy ACelebration 2014. Behind the scenes, extensive planning went into of Rinpoche’s warm greetings and precious advice. Part 2 will be featured in our Sep/Oct issue. Courage to cherish all preparing the thangka for its inaugural display at the Aljunied open ground. The Wisdom to see the truth task was spear headed by our president Tan Hup Cheng with highly capable hands- Faith in Buddha’s peace on help from a volunteer, Lim Yeow Heng. Follow Our Four-fold Path Lama Yeshe, my guru, kinder than all Amazing! Amazing. Really, really The centre giving to sentient beings, A steel scaffolding structure 60 feet high formed stable support for the thangka. Inspire the numberless past, present, future fantastic! Then not only developing to people, so much opportunity to Connect A sturdy canvas was then mounted on the front of the scaffolding to act as a receive a direct human body or even th buddhas, and fulfilling of course, ABC but helping many projects, Learn windshield. On the afternoon of 8 May, the thangka was raised up and secured the pure land. Amazing, amazing. onto the frame with the aid of strong ropes and many helping hands. Finally, a His Holiness Chenresig’s holy especially Kopan, the needs of Practise Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! custom-made sheet of clear plastic was hoisted up to cover the thangka, affording wishes; then little me—“Mickey Kopan, and many other projects— protection from the elements. Mouse”—“Mickey Mouse’s” wishes. FPMT. Thank you very, very, very, Amazing! Amazing! SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR And fulfilling all the sentient beings: very, very, very, very much. Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche The thangka was the centrepiece of our Vesak festivities from 10-13 May. It could hell beings, numberless hell beings, The next one is, introducing the be seen from the trains zipping across the Aljunied MRT station. Thousands of hungry ghosts, animals, human Unbelievable, unbelievable, , true suffering: RESIDENT TEACHER visitors, passers-by and the whole neighbourhood got to see it. It was also featured beings, suras, asuras, intermediate unbelievable, unbelievable, what is samsara and the nature of Khen Rinpoche Chonyi in the newspapers including the Straits Times. Just by its transient appearance, state, numberless beings. As in unbelievable, unbelievable… The suffering? Not only suffering of pain we fulfilled the great purpose of benefiting countless sentient beings. We cannot numberless, for example animals, ABC family enjoying so much good but the suffering of change, which PRESIDENT measure its success by the usual profit-cost ratio. In the scheme of things, is more difficult. All the samsaric Tan Hup Cheng the mere sight of a giant Buddha transcends all worldly convention. numberless ants, numberless fish, results, happening more and more, 2 numberless what else, cockroaches, and then outside, different people pleasures have their own nature of 3 suffering. Then the next one is more SPIRITUALPROGRAMME COORDINATOR What would Lama Zopa Rinpoche say to our accomplishing his wish? I imagine and then numberless shell animals— who receive much benefit, who see Ven. Tenzin Gyurme it might go something like: “Wow, wow, wow…!” Our Amitabha Buddha thangka wow, wow, wow—numberless frogs! much progression. They enjoy, they difficult, among those more difficult contributes to Rinpoche’s vision for FPMT centres to have prominent displays of Fulfilling their wishes. Amazing, rejoice, enjoy so much. Thank you ones to understand, but is the most CENTRE MANAGER holy objects for the benefit of the whole world. For more about this, read “Fulfilling amazing. Amazing! Amazing! very much, so much, SO, SO much! important to actualise: nature of Koh Zi Yen Rinpoche’s Vast Vision”, page 11. Amazing! Really, really, wow, wow, suffering together with renunciation wow, wow, wow, wow… So, that is Just to mention, the centre benefiting from that. So, the pervasive Office staff th Speaking of Rinpoche’s vision, I thank everyone who attended the 25 anniversary what you have been doing, the ABC sentient beings, to not be reborn compounding suffering from where Administration - Alicia Lee movie premiere on 7th June, and everyone who helped me create the two movies. A family. in lower realms, by introducing suffering of pain, suffering of change Operations - Denis Kwan year ago, I had no clue I was going to be involved with “movie making”. Period. One comes from. Introducing that, then retail - Serene Tan karma, the shortcomings of negative year on, there somehow seems to be a growing YouTube collection! Chief among realising how samsara is in the nature them is the message that I, with Hup Cheng’s support, had specially requested from My numberless thanks, and ‘big karma, such as the ten non-virtues of suffering, trying to see that. Lama Zopa Rinpoche for ABC students. My idea was for Rinpoche’s interview heart’! Numberless ‘big heart’ to and so forth, which is cause for the OFFICE HOURS to be included in the 25th anniversary video that the Exco had assigned me to ALL my ABC family! It started and lower realms, then suffering for an Open daily except Mondays produce. The interview was recorded on 21st January this year in Sera Je Monastery developed through 25 years up to incredible length of time. It can We have been suffering in samsara Tuesdays – Saturdays: with the invaluable assistance of Ven. Kunsang and Ven. Gyurme. now, up to today. Wow, wow, wow, even be possible, the good karma, from beginningless . Without 10.30 am – 6 pm what a development. SOOo long. only with vow—I’m just knowing that, being hallucinated Sundays: 10 am – 6 pm Rinpoche spoke for over an hour. His message was filled with such warmth and Many years. Butterfly Avenue. giving an example—one precept, with that, samsara is a beautiful (Hours extended to 7.30 pm when delight towards all of us. It deserved its own video. It deserved to be shared. It That’s the past. SOOo many years! two precepts, three precepts, five park, as Panchen Losang Chökyi evening sessions are scheduled) deserved to be fully heard and without delay. It so happened to be a busy period Thank you very much. Continue precepts, complete upasika vow, Gyaltsen mentioned in the “Lama in March and not the wisest time to call for voluntary help for this sort of thing. your dedication. Continue your then eight precepts, that causes Chöpa”. The toilet or the beautiful Relying entirely on myself to do what I felt was the right thing, I ventured into park, samsara is a beautiful park. AMITABHA BUDDHIST CENTRE unfamiliar territory and made my own movie. study. Continue your study and higher rebirth. Refuge in karma, I 44 Lorong 25A Geylang putting effort to develop the explained, which is cause to achieve Total hallucination. This is what 388244 “Thank You, ABC Family!” was made in just one week, thanks to a MacBook, centre, the conditions, to receive higher rebirth, a direct human happens. So far, oceans of suffering Tel: 6745 8547 Fax: 6741 0438 iMovie, the Help Menu, and many fervent prayers to Rinpoche. Thank you all for teachers, and then sentient beings to rebirth and so forth, also pure of hell beings, hungry ghosts, www.fpmtabc.org watching my very first DIY movie. I couldn’t thank Rinpoche enough for taking receive teachings. Making all that, land—unbelievable, unbelievable, animals, human beings, suras, [email protected] the starring role! For those who missed the premiere, the video can now be viewed developing all that, better and better, unbelievable opportunity. asuras, intermediate beings, suffering on YouTube. With great pleasure, Part 1 of the edited transcript is featured right and better and better. Amazing! on and on, up to now, numberless here from page 3-5. times. That is still not free. That is reality. That is factual. So life is filled wa’, but it means ‘tsol-me nyong-wa’, wow, wow, to achieve enlightenment. ALL the three times’ happiness, all with hallucination. without effort. It should be like Then learning about enlightenment, came from Buddha. Sorry, I just said that, but Rinpoche said ‘tsol-me kyi cessation of all those obscurations, Buddha. Guru is Buddha as well. So teaching true cause of suffering, nyong-wa’ first and then afterwards completion of all the realisations, Because I mentioned guru, I’m not karma and delusion, and then, ‘tsol-che nyong-wa’. It’s not like that: ‘sang-gye’! You have all the qualities, talking about myself. You can think cessation of suffering, and true path, ‘tsol-che’ first, then ‘tsol-me’ after. omniscient mind and what else? of His Holiness and others. the antidote to the cessation of those ‘Tsol-che’ is with effort. By reasoning Infinite compassion towards sentient sufferings, and then true path, wow, with quotation [Rinpoche meant beings, then perfect power. You have You are able to work for numberless wow, wow, wow. All the extensive scriptural citations], then your mind all the qualities to help sentient sentient beings of each realm and subjects, what you are learning, feels that. But when you don’t use beings. Under qualities, perfect able to liberate them from lower using—amazing, amazing. Amazing! reasons or quotations then you don’t quality of understanding, perfect realms and gradually bring them Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! feel. Only when you do, you feel. quality and compassion, perfect to full enlightenment. So amazing, That’s ‘tsol-che nyong-wa’. ‘Tsol-me’ is power, quality of action, wow, wow, amazing, amazing, until every Learning that, and then giving without using quotations. If you just amazing. single sentient being is brought to opportunity to us and to sentient feel, constantly, then that’s ‘tsol-me’. enlightenment. You continue to beings, through the centre, to Then you are able to, like one work for sentient beings. That is achieve cessation of suffering, Then Rinpoche asked him to sun, one moon in this world that amazing. Not just only practising , blissful state of peace meditate on . The monk, arises then reflects without any Paramitayana, which takes three for themselves. By teaching true his name is “Mao Zedong”. His head motivation. Reflects in all the countless great eons to complete the suffering, basic path, higher training is like Mao Zedong’s head. He is oceans and in all the water dew, merits of wisdom, merits of virtue, lifetime of degenerated times. You are graduated path to enlightenment. of morality, higher training of very famous in debating, so famous river, anything which is not covered, the cause of dharmakaya, rupakaya. able to achieve full enlightenment, Not only learning that, but you concentration, wisdom, amazing, in Sera, Ganden, Drepung, in the six reflects everywhere! There is only There is a quicker way, to enlighten ‘dor-je chang kyi go-phang’, the unified learn philosophy, all those important amazing, amazing, amazing… Wow, monasteries. He is from Sera Mey, one sun, only one moon, but reflects sentient beings, free them from state of Vajradhara, ‘kha-jor yan-lag texts. wow, wow, amazing! Whatever but very, very famous in debating, everywhere, which is not covered. oceans of samsaric suffering. To be dun-den’, having seven qualities, opportunity it gives us, we give so expert, and everybody knows Working for sentient beings. more quickly enlightened, then you embracing and so forth. Tantra has Without studying, it’s like a dark opportunity to others, sentient “Mao Zedong”. He has a head like Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, practise tantra. great skill, the reason why you can room at night, dark, you can’t see beings, to achieve, wow, wow, wow! Mao Zedong, so he is called “Mao wow, wow, wow—numberless hell achieve enlightenment quickly. The anything. As you bring light, as The liberation free forever from Zedong”. Nobody knows he is a beings, numberless hungry ghosts, Even by practising lower tantra, highest tantra has greater skill than the sun shines in the country, in oceans of samsaric suffering—wow! meditator. At night, at two o’clock, numberless animals, numberless you can achieve enlightenment in the lower tantras. this world, in the room, when light Wow! WOW! WOW, WOW, WOW! he goes to meditate somewhere, human beings, numberless suras and one year. No sorry, in one life… I comes, by studying Dharma, by somewhere there in some forest. asuras, intermediate state beings. said one year! One life. Then by This is what we are learning, the studying philosophy, the extensive 5 4 Not just blind faith, by studying He goes to meditate at night and at Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. doing long life practice, able to live method. And also the centre is teachings, the Basic Program. Then all this. Really, it is not just blind five o’clock he comes back home. for a thousand years, then achieve enlightening, like a dark room, there is also hoping, the Master’s faith: you just believe. You don’t He spends daytime like any other Manifesting impure in whoever has enlightenment. Then even much by bringing light and dispelling Program, or wishing to start? It’s believe you go to hell! Not just like ordinary monk. But only at night, impure mind, manifesting pure form quicker, to free sentient beings darkness, dispels ignorance and like light lighting your heart, like that. So, study about the paths. By he goes to meditate. to those who have pure mind. The from oceans of samsaric suffering, then brings the light of Dharma to you have an extra eye opened, the seeking the essence of Buddhism, arya beings, sambhoghakaya, even bring to enlightenment much more sentient beings. Wow, wow, wow— wisdom eye opened. It’s incredible, great compassion, that which makes So when he meditated on bodhicitta, the lower , nirmanakaya, quickly, then you practise maha- amazing, amazing. incredible, incredible. to actualise bodhicitta and enter into he could feel tears coming out, the amazing, amazing. Not only like His annutarayoga tantra. There are four: the Mahayana path, and then next hairs of his body stood up. That Holiness, in monk form, or in the kriya tantra, charya tantra, annutara Not only sutra, tantra, so extensive Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s message was transcribed to achieve ‘kyon kun-sä yon-ten kun- means that he has realisation. It shows form of Chenresig, not only that, tantra, maha-annutarayoga tantra. like the Pacific Ocean, deep and and sub-titled for the video, “Thank You, ABC den’, cessation of all the mistakes, the feeling, not just bodhicitta, the numberless. Then you are able to Then you can achieve enlightenment Family!” by Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim and further wide, but condensed in lam-rim, the edited for this article. completion of all the realisations, feeling, suffering of sentient beings. guide sentient beings. Wow, wow, within one brief life, within one brief ‘sang-gye’. Then you have FULL Like you’re suffering, feeling, need wow. Wow! Numberless, numberless, qualities, omniscient mind, and you to save, need to help them. You feel numberless! Even manifest as river, can have compassion toward every the responsibility to help sentient manifest as mountain, manifest as SINGLE sentient being! beings. Like a mother whose son bridge, all kinds, can you imagine, fell in the fire, how the mother feels. to benefit sentient beings? Even Last night I met Sera Mey lama, She wants to jump into the fire. the bodhisattvas can do it, why Watch the Movie Woser Rinpoche. We had a talk. He Whatever capacity she has. So here, not Buddha? No question. Even th is from Mongolia. He mentioned the hairs from the body all stand manifest as metal. Manifest as ‘chai’. “Thank You, ABC Family!” made its big screen debut on 7 June, together with “The Heart Of Our Happiness”, th one monk who achieved bodhicitta. up, really! Just the word bodhicitta Manifest as candy. a documentary commemorating ABC’s 25 anniversary. Some 130 members and students, old and new, watched He asked the monk—they are very expressed in words, it’s not like that. the movie premiere together with Khen Rinpoche and ABC Sangha. close friends—whether he had We experience happiness from bodhicitta or not. The monk said Excellent teachings, learning beginningless rebirth now and in Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s message, “Thank You, ABC Family!” can now be viewed any time on our YouTube yes, he has bodhicitta. He had, “Abhisamayalankara Karika” and so the future, samsaric happiness, and channel, at www.youtube.com/user/abcfpmt even though Rinpoche put it in a forth, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. beyond our samsara, the ultimate different way, ‘tsol-che kyi nyong- ‘Don dun-chu’ – “Seventy Topics”, happiness and full enlightenment. also by teaching the graduated stages mind has also got to change. So we of the path to enlightenment, one have to make sure that our activity can accumulate a vast amount of of listening to the Dharma becomes In Print from the Past good karma, a vast amount of , the Dharma. So it is important that 11th Anniversary of the Basic Program a vast amount of virtue. whatever knowledge we gain as we listen to the Dharma becomes a We are going to engage in the study Dharma practice. The Basic Program was launched in [Laughter.] I understand because topics I didn’t like. But when I of the Buddhadharma, starting with lam-rim ABC on 2nd August 2003. Here is a all the people are busy working. It’s completed my studies, then I liked the . But, of course, in the The sign or indication that one reprint of Geshe Chonyi’s advice to the different from how we study in the them all. Even those topics I didn’t end, whether we are able to subdue has received or listened to many very new Basic Program students at the monastery. We do study full-time. like were useful for me. our minds through the teachings teachings, one becomes subdued inaugural session. The last time we had a meeting of the is up to the individual. Whether and disciplined. And the sign of in Holland, they mentioned We have nine or eleven topics to one is successful or not, is up to the having meditated on the teachings, “We planned to teach this Five Year it’s very difficult to start the Basic complete in the five years. Some topics individual. an indication of that is that one finds Basic Program two years ago. I was Program in a city centre, because are quite difficult. So you don’t have that the afflictive emotions in our asked to teach this. So I said, “I need people are busy. There was some to be discouraged at that part. But So, if at the time of listening to the own minds becoming weaker. at least 25 people to sign up. If 25 discussion. The final decision was to have to continue. Don’t stop there. I teachings, using what we have heard, people can sign up for me, then I start teaching and then see how it mean, for lam-rim, not easy but not we should use that information and The purpose of us listening and will teach that. Otherwise, if nobody goes. that difficult. Maybe next year’s topic compare it to the state of our mind receiving teachings on the Dharma, in signs up, then it’s difficult. So I also may be more difficult. End of the to see if we are acting in accordance the context of the Five-Year Program, don’t want to sign up!” Somehow, it It is a difficult topic. But to really year, may be easy. So I mix them up with the Dharma. And if we are as we move on with time, as we go not, then we should change our through the different teachings, it couldn’t start. understand Buddha’s teachings, we like that. When you feel it’s difficult, We are going to start studying mind for the better, in accordance is important if we discover if there must study. Otherwise, there is no don’t stop there. Have to continue. If the graduated stages of the path with what is taught. So if we listen are any faults we need to rectify. We This year, Rinpoche came and asked way to understand. So if we have stop there, then, that is the last. to enlightenment of lam-rim and to the teachings in such a way, then should attempt to do so, whatever again to start the Basic Program. interest in Buddhadharma, we should the lam-rim is a teaching, which definitely there will be success in bad behaviour, whatever unsuitable Then somehow, we started this Basic study; we have to study. Read the biography of Lama Atisha. contains the essence of the subject changing our minds. way of doing things, all the negative Program. Then more people than Look at Lama Tsong Khapa’s matter coming both from sutra and aspects of ourselves. We should try expected showed up—I think there Also, it is good to attend class biography. He studied from young, tantra, and condensed now into the On the other hand, if we listen to weaken them. As it is said, an are 75 people now. regularly. We only have classes twice from 17 to 36 or 37. He did study, lam-rim. And the lam-rim is taught to the teachings, in the same way indication of having received more a week so try and come for every extensive study. Even His Holiness, and written in such a way that it is 7 6 as we listen to a normal lecture in teachings is that one becomes more I am happy that many people show class. Also, make the time to read the he studied. So when you look at to enable us to subdue our minds. It the outside world or listen to the disciplined, more subdued. up here. Not only that, I would like book, like half an hour. Make your all the great masters, they studied. is primarily aimed at that purpose. news, then, instead of benefiting people to continue, if possible, for own decision, for example: “From Without study, I think, nobody gets Also, the tradition of the lam-rim the mind, there is the danger that In order for that to happen, each and five years. If not, at least, at the end 10-10.30, I am going to read this realisations.” comes forth from the two trailblazers, the knowledge of Dharma might every one of us has to put in effort. To of the five years, if I can complete lam-rim book.” Make as if you were the two great masters, and increase certain afflictive emotions engage in the study of Dharma, one with 15 to 20 people I can help those doing office hours. So it’s helpful Geshe-la then spoke in Tibetan: Nagarjuna. people to complete their studies, then if you make this kind of discipline “So, as it is said by the great Lama in our mind. There is a danger that needs interest and determination.” our pride might increase, we might I am happy with that. I think, at yourself. It’s good to make that way. Tsong Khapa: at the beginning, engage One can understand, by listening to be jealous of other people. In order The original article was published in “Update”, least, maybe 20 people can complete Otherwise, you will never read the in extensive listening of the teachings the teachings of the graduated stages for the teachings to be Dharma, the Sep/Oct 2003. The above excerpt has been re- their studies, so that they can teach book, just come and listen here, don’t of the Buddha; in the middle, try to of the path to enlightenment, and edited. at other centres. That is Lama Zopa do your homework, then you cannot see all the teachings, scriptures and Rinpoche’s wish to start the Basic learn much. commentaries as instructions for Program. practice and then, in the end, strive Understand that all the topics are not and put in the effort, day and night, Happy 15th Anniversary, All these topics are not easy topics. It’s easy. Some parts are easy, some parts to actualise those teachings, and at the called the Basic Program but it’s not are not easy; like when we are going end, one should dedicate whatever Khen Rinpoche! really basic. There are quite difficult shopping, there are some interesting merit one has accumulated for the We are getting together for a double celebration topics. The Buddha’s teachings are things, some are not interesting. Also flourishing of the Buddhadharma. with Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi – very profound and also difficult to with the teachings when you feel it’s 15th Anniversary at ABC & Birthday understand, not that easy. Even for very difficult, you don’t understand. Je Rinpoche Lama Tsong Khapa myself, I have studied 17-18 years Then you think, “What is this?” always dedicated whatever roots Saturday 19 July, 6 – 9 pm at ABC full-time, but still, I don’t know much. When I was studying, it was also like of virtue and merit created for the Buffet dinner and special surprises in store… that. flourishing of the Buddhadharma. So your part in studying is just twice So we should follow his example and Register at our office by 3 July a week. Just come here and listen, There were many different debate dedicate the merit for the flourishing Per person: $15 / free for children aged 12 & below and put the book back in the drawer. topics. Some topics I liked, some of the Buddhadharma. of devotion to the teacher and his that they return to Earth; so on the and others—the Dharma wheel disciples, the honour all the people twenty-second of the ninth month, of Marklessness, his intermediate were showing to the Sangha had they descended to the city of Kasi teaching. How Shakyamuni become so great, it was turning into (Varanasi) on a ladder made by a hindrance to the Dharma. To stop the gods, some going on foot and At Vaishali, he turned the Well- this, and to establish in the vision of some by magical powers. This gave Proportioned Dharma Wheel, his Buddha Turned truth his mother Mahamaya, who abundance of joy to the eyes and final teaching. In addition, in other had been reborn as a god—for to minds of limitless people, and sowed places he taught inconceivable establish his parents in the vision of in them the seeds of liberation. entrances into the Doctrine, the Wheel of Dharma truth is one of the ten deeds every Seeing the various thoughts people in accordance with disciples’ Buddha must perform—and for had at that time, he told them dispositions, thoughts and latent many other reasons besides, he went how samsaric perfection (such tendencies. As explained by Ngawang Päldan, author of the Shakyamuni Buddha Puja text to the Heaven of the Thirty-Three. as being a god) is valueless, and There he consented to pass the rains what is important is to be heading To establish thus in maturity residence on the Armoniga rock towards liberation. For innumerable and liberation such countless, hen he went to the Seat of Thereupon the earth shook in six food in this and ate, pronouncing under the Pariyatrakovidara tree disciples, he flung wide the gates of measureless, numberless disciples, Enlightenment at Vajrasana ways, and out of it rose the earth some auspicious verses. with 8,000 , Shariputra, and liberation, with the three vehicles. divine, human, and other, could be (Bodhgaya). Obtaining some goddess Sthavara as far as her navel. others. the act of no one else but a buddha. T Then he went to Vulture Peak. durva grass from the boy grass seller With folded palms, she said, “Great After that, on repeated and fervent Svastiga, he spread it out as a seat Being, it is so. I have perceived it requests by Brahma Shikhin and When the rains residence was With inconceivable miracles, An excerpt from the “Shakyamuni Buddha over, he went up level by level as such as making the earth shake Puja” text by Ngawang Päldan of Urga, and sat on it cross-legged. just as you say. In fact, you yourself others, he agreed to turn the translated by Martin Willson, originally are the witness for the whole world, Wheel of Dharma. He went to the far as Akanistha (highest heaven in six ways and filling hundreds published in 1988 by Wisdom Publications, Beams of light radiated from between including the gods,” and then she Rsivadana Deer Park at Varanasi. of the Realm of Form), benefiting of realms with rays of light, he reprinted by FPMT Education Services in his eyebrows, making all the abodes disappeared. There he turned the Wheel of the infinite gods. On the request of turned for innumerable disciples— 2013. of the maras tremble. Aware of this, Doctrine of the Four Truths, with the monks, Maudgalyayana begged bodhisattvas, hearers, gods, nagas, Mara the Evil One (their chief) Then many daughters of Mara twelve points in three cycles, to his approached the bodhi tree with displayed numerous cunning tricks, first five disciples and 80,000 gods, an innumerable host of maras and half uncovering their faces and maturing and liberating them. rained weapons upon his body; but so forth; but by concentration on by the power of his concentration on foulness he magically transformed Then he matured and liberated loving kindness, they turned into a them to be aged and decrepit. Thus infinite gods and human Let’s celebrate Wheel 8 rain of flowers. he scattered the hosts of maras, and beings, including successively 9 many of them generated the thought his five close disciples; Uruvilva Turning Day together! Then Mara the Evil One said, “Ho, of Supreme Bodhi. Kashyapa, Gaya Kashyapa, Nadi Thursday 31 July 2014 young Prince! Get up and rule your Kashyapa, Shariputra, and Maha kingdom! With merits like yours, After that, he entered the Space- Maudgalyayana; and 250 of their how could you win liberation?” Pervading Concentration, and entourage. • Golden Light Sutra Recitation, as dawn broke on the fifteenth 1.30 pm Shakyamuni replied, “If you, Evil (Full Moon) of the Vaishakha The fame of this deed spread One, could become lord of the month (April-May), he manifested across the surface of the world. • Shakyamuni Buddha Puja with Desire Realm through one transitory the attaining of . King Shuddhodana heard about 1,000 Offerings, 7:30 pm offering, why should I not be able Thereupon the gods scattered flowers him and invited him repeatedly to to win Supreme Enlightenment knee deep, the earth shook, and all Kapilavastu. Accordingly, he went “Turning the precious Wheel of Dharma, through making countless transitory realms were filled with light. to Kapilavastu and established many You disciplined beings very difficult to tame, offerings?” hundreds of thousands of Shakyas, And fixed disciples in the three liberations, Then, for many reasons such as to including Shuddhodana and his four Possessor of the ten powers – homage to you!” Mara answered, “You are the witness make people understand the rarity brothers, and innumerable other that I have made one transitory of the Dharma and to let requesters gods and human beings in maturity According to the Vinaya text, “Treasure of Quotations offering, but who is a witness that gather vast merits, for seven weeks he and liberation. and Logic”, all virtue accumulated on this auspicious day you have made countless ones?” manifested indifference, not turning is magnified by 100 million times! Some sutras further the Wheel of Dharma. At Shravasti, he showed the Great mention that the merit increases by ONE BILLION In reply, the touched the Miracle and defeated the six tirthika times! earth with his right hand and said: Two merchants, Trapusa and teachers, maturing and liberating Bhallika, offered him food, and the 90,000 of their followers and To commemorate the First Turning of the Wheel of This earth is the dwelling of all beings, Four Great Kings (the guardians of countless other gods and human Dharma, join us in venerating the Buddha with meaningful practice and prayers, and strongly dedicating the vast oceans Moving and fixed alike, without bias. the four directions) offered him four beings. of merit for all our holy and ordinary wishes to be fulfilled. It is my witness that I do not lie. stone alms bowls, which he magically Take it as my witness in this matter! transformed into one; he put the Then he saw that through excess Contribute to extensive offerings for the Shakyamuni Buddha Puja – Collection starts 16 July / Drop off cash donations at our office Fulfilling Rinpoche’s Vast Vision Benefiting “My wish is for the big centres in FPMT to have these large . This is a way to leave imprints for all these people [who see them], for enlightenment.” – Sentient Beings! Lama Zopa Rinpoche, March 2007 ur magnificent 50 x 30 ft. thangka of Amitabha “Wow! Wow! Wow!” OBuddha In His Pure Land, is the spectacular result of honouring hink of the thousands of people in Singapore and countless sentient beings who received the amazing benefits of the holy wish of our precious guru Vesak Celebration 2014—through our prayers and dedications, our wide range of opportunities for people to pay and Spiritual Director, Lama Zopa Thomage to the Buddha, to make offerings, listen to the teachings, or even just to see or hear about our four-day Rinpoche. For many years, Rinpoche festival held from 10-13 May. Giving so many sentient beings the opportunity to create merit. Rejoice! has encouraged and advised the centres in the FPMT to make super-sized thangkas, which can be displayed on festival days at their centres. Rinpoche feels that this is a very easy way for people and other sentient beings to collect positive imprints by merely seeing such powerful holy objects.

Rinpoche personally instructed ABC’s Executive Committee to create a gigantic thangka of Amitabha Buddha in early 2011. Producing the enormous tapestry was no mean 10 feat. We are extremely fortunate 11 that all the perfect conditions came together to manifest this exquisite five-storey high thangka in time for our 25th anniversary, and to unveil it on an auspicious occasion—Vesak Celebration 2014.

Our Amitabha Pure Land thangka joins a growing number of large thangkas being made and displayed at FPMT centres around the world that are fulfilling Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Bonding with Our vast vision. Neighbourhood A video showing the raising of our Amitabha Buddha thangka on 8th May 2014, can be BC took part in a community As invited participants, ABC had viewed at http://www.youtube.com/user/ event organised by the an information booth set up at the abcfpmt Geylang Serai Inter-Religious exhibition with a poster display and A st Confidence Circle (IRCC) on 31 free distribution materials. Khen May 2014, aimed at “strengthening Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi together networks of trust and understanding” with our president Tan Hup Cheng, within the constituency. The all-day led our team of representatives at this seminar and exhibition was hosted by Saturday event. Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and involved participation from ABC also contributed a write-up the different religious groups around about our history to a book published Geylang Serai. by the organisers that promotes “Heritage in Harmony”. Join Our Prayer Celebration Our Hayagriva For His Holiness the Relying on Tara On His 79th Birthday Traditionby Lama Zopa Rinpoche Medicine Buddha Puja with 1,000 Offerings Sunday, 6 July 2014, 2.30 - 4.30 pm In our tradition, the Most Secret Hayagriva puja stands out Let’s celebrate His Holiness’s 79th birthday with heartfelt prayers relying for its lively fanfare and elaborate on the Medicine Buddha merit field. According to the Medicine offering rituals. It was among the Buddha Sutra, prayers made to Medicine Buddha are powerful for forceful pujas that ABC organised in success in all aspects of life, and certainly for the highest aspirations in 2003 to counter the SARS epidemic the Dharma to be fulfilled. in Singapore. Since then, we have continued to organise the Most Dedicate the skies of merit accumulated for all to be auspicious for Secret Hayagriva puja as one of our His Holiness, for his enduring long life, pristine health, and the annual prayer events. spontaneous fulfilment of all his holy wishes. For a consecutive year, ABC is having Let’s also dedicate for our precious guru and Spiritual Director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, for his long and healthy life, for a three-day prayer festival of Most all his holy wishes to be fulfilled, especially for the Project in India and the far-reaching projects and activities Secret Hayagriva from 26-28 July. of the FPMT throughout the world. It is indeed propitious to be able to offer the blessings of Most Secret Hayagriva to all our members, tradition. 9. Through our founders, Lama students and benefactors. 5. The founder of Sera Je Monastery Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who were both from Sera Je, 100 Torma Offerings in , Kunkyen Lodrö Rinchen 13 12 What is so special about performing Sengge, received the entire lineage Amitabha Buddhist Centre at Ullambana this puja? Here are 10 things to know: of Most Secret Hayagriva from developed a connection with the his father, a Nyingma lama. His Hayagriva practice. Prayers of Joyful Giving 1. Most Secret Hayagriva is a father’s dying wish, was that he 10. Prayers to Most Secret Hayagriva on the 15th day of the 7th month manifestation of Chenresig/ preserve and uphold the lineage. are extremely powerful for Avalokiteshvara/Guan Yin. 6. Incredibly auspicious omens dispelling obstacles, especially Sunday, 10 August, 2 pm Hence the notable quality of the relating to Most Secret Hayagriva those to do with spirit harm, Performed by Khen Rinpoche & ABC Sangha is compassion, emanating appeared to Kunkyen Lodrö and heavy sicknesses such as in a wrathful aspect to control Rinchen Sengge while he cancer, leprosy, paralysis, and skin A joyful festival that originated at the time of the Buddha, heavy obstacles that arise from the was exploring land to build a diseases. Ullambana was celebrated on the 15th full moon day cumulative negativities of sentient monastery. He established Sera Je of the 7th month, the day when the Buddha’s ordained beings. Monastery on the very site where Find out more about The Most Secret disciples completed the Rains Retreat. The Ullambana 2. As a deity of highest yoga tantra, it those signs appeared. Hayagriva Prayer Festival on the back page. Sutra describes the great act of generosity that the Buddha’s disciple, the Maudgalyayana, performed on this day to is to be distinguished from other 7. Most Secret Hayagriva is therefore free his mother from rebirths in the lower realms. From these origins, Ullambana is an occasion to practise generosity to aspects of Hayagriva. Because the special protector deity of Sera all sentient beings. it is from highest yoga tantra, Je Monastery. 600 years later, the Watch our short video, “Most the practice conforms by tantric original shrine is still worshipped Secret Hayagriva—Protector During the 100 Torma Offering Ritual, prayers are performed to invoke the blessings of the wealth White and commitments. in Tibet. And Dispeller Of Harms” Yellow Dzambhala, while specially blessed dough balls are offered to the 12 types of guests, from the transcendental (the on YouTube at www.youtube. 3. It is NOT just a Tibetan deity. 8. The lineage of Most Secret Three Jewels and deities) to the worldly (including spirits and hungry ghosts). com/user/abcfpmt. Our mini The practice of Most Secret Hayagriva continues to be fully documentary on our Most Hayagriva was originally revealed preserved by Sera Je Monastery in All are welcome to take part in this practice of generosity for the benefit of the 12 types of guests. Secret Hayagriva puja has to the Indian master, Nagarjuna. south India. A special Hayagriva already garnered over 3,700 How to Donate: 4. It was part of a series of eight committee performs the pujas all views since its launch on 27th transmissions of major deity year round. Every year, the entire • Donations to the puja are voluntary / Any amount is welcome July 2013. www.fpmtabc.org practices that were later revealed to monastic community of Sera Je • Offer your donation and/or dedication through our office or online at , who introduced undertakes a retreat of the deity. • Opens on 11 July / Closes on 10 August, 2 pm the practice to Tibet into the jul 2014 aug 2014

His Holiness the 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dalai Lama’s 79th 1 2 3 Basic Program Basic Program Discovering Buddhism Birthday Discovering Dharma for Seniors 10.45am Buddhism 10.45am 10.30am - Engaging in - Engaging in Dharma for Meditation for Seniors 10.30am 修行、修心、生 the Bodhisattva the Bodhisattva Beginners (3/5) Stages of the Path 活中修 Deeds 7.30pm Deeds 7.30pm 2.30pm Medicine Buddha to Enlightenment 1.30pm Stages of the Path Puja with 1,000 – Liberation in the Offerings Palm of Your Hand Medicine Buddha to Enlightenment – Puja 4pm Liberation in the Palm 2.30 - 4.30pm 2.30pm of Your Hand 2.30pm 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Guru Puja Meditation for Animal Liberation Basic Program Guru Puja Basic Program Discovering Animal Liberation Beginners (4/5) 10am - Engaging in 7.30pm - Engaging in Buddhism 10.45am 10am 7.30pm 2.30pm Tara Puja 4pm the Bodhisattva the Bodhisattva Stages of the Path Nyung Nay Retreat Deeds 7.30pm Deeds 7.30pm to Enlightenment Ullambana with Nyung Nay Retreat – Liberation in the in Progress in Progress 100 Torma (Registration Palm of Your Hand Offerings 2pm (Registration 2.30pm Closed) Closed) 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Meditation for 修行、修心、生活 Basic Program Basic Program Discovering 修行、修心、 Beginners (5/5) 中修 1.30pm - Engaging in - Engaging in Buddhism 10.45am 生活中修 2.30pm 1.30pm Basic Program - the Bodhisattva the Bodhisattva Khen Rinpoche’s Engaging in the Stages of the Path 15th Anniversary & Bodhisattva Deeds Deeds 7.30pm Deeds 7.30pm to Enlightenment Tara Puja 4pm Birthday Celebration (Discussion) 1.30pm – Liberation in the 6 - 9pm (Registration Palm of Your Hand Required) Tara Puja 4pm 2.30pm

14 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 15 Guru Puja Basic Program Basic Program The Most Secret The Most Secret Basic Program Guru Puja Discovering Basic Program - Buddhism 10.45am 7.30pm - Engaging in - Engaging in Hayagriva Prayer Hayagriva Prayer - Engaging in 7.30pm Engaging in the the Bodhisattva the Bodhisattva Festival Day 1 Festival Day 2 the Bodhisattva Stages of the Path Bodhisattva Deeds (Discussion) 1.30pm Deeds 7.30pm Deeds 7.30pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm Deeds 7.30pm to Enlightenment – Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand Tara Puja 4pm 2.30pm

Buddha’s First 28 29 30 31 Turning 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 of the Wheel of Dharma Discovering The Most Secret Basic Program 修行、修心、 (100 Million Merit Basic Program Basic Program Buddhism 10.45am Hayagriva Prayer - Engaging in 生活中修 Festival Day 3 Multiplying Day) - Engaging in - Engaging in the Bodhisattva the Bodhisattva the Bodhisattva Stages of the Path 1.30pm 9am - 6pm Golden Light Sutra to Enlightenment Deeds 7.30pm Recitation 1.30pm Deeds 7.30pm Deeds 7.30pm – Liberation in the Tara Puja 4pm Purification Ritual Shakyamuni Buddha Palm of Your Hand of Most Secret Puja with 1,000 2.30pm Hayagriva 4pm Offerings 7.30pm

TASHI DELEK editorial team Stay Connected Editor Photography TASHI DELEK is a free publication of Amitabha Mid-Year Break for Basic Program Fresh from the Press Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim Chng Peng Eik Buddhist Centre. There will be a two-week break for Basic We have printed new A4-sized full-colour posters (Vivian Seah) Subscribe: Call our office at Tan Seow Kheng 6745 8547 Program classes from 8-17 July. The Tuesday of Manjushri and the Wheel of Life for free Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim Online: Download our full-colour edition directly Spiritual Programme and Thursday evening classes will resume on Ven. Tenzin Gyurme Joey Yu from www.fpmtabc.org distribution. Copies of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s All events and dates published are up-to-date at 22 July. Khen Rinpoche will continue to teach latest book, “The Perfect Human Rebirth”, are Printer Design & Layout the time of printing. “Engaging in the Deeds of the Bodhisattva” by also still available. Browse and pick up from our Kennedy Koh Highlight Printing Services For the latest schedule and on-going updates, Shantideva. Free Distribution display at Level 1. subscribe to our e-mail or SMS updates, or visit us online: www.fpmtabc.org OR www.face- book.com/fpmtabc Once again, be blessed and protected by Purification Ritual of Most Secret Most Secret Hayagriva, the wrathful aspect of Hayagriva – Sunday 28 July, 4 pm Chenresig, Buddha of Compassion, against Come in person obstacles and harms. Contribute to the pujas and bring family and friends along. for yourself, family or business. Take part in this ceremony where sickness and contamination are purified. Khen Rinpoche and Profound Benefits of the Most Secret Sangha will perform the ritual at the closing session Hayagriva Puja ofCount our grand the prayer Mantras festival. from 12 to 31 July [Tibetan: ‘Tamdrin tsog kong’] (Wheel Turning Day) Extremely powerful against obstacles from:

Join in accumulating the mantras of Most Secret • Nagasspirit harm – cause of cancer, leprosy and skin diseases Hayagriva: • Landlord spirits – manifesting as paralysis or • A meaningful dedicatepractice forto receive Lama Zopa the blessings Rinpoche’s of thelong deity life and holy wishes • The Spirit principal harm –cause leading of to these epilepsy illnesses is one’s • Especially, to 100 million merit-multiplying day, 31 July • Recite the mantras at any time up till the negative karma, precipitated by non-human – practice entities. By relying on Most Secret Hayagriva who is texts andFor counting All Pujaslips are Sponsors available at our office in the nature of compassion, such obstacles are duly pacified.Come to Our Three-day Festival Receive precious blessed Hayagriva nectar pills and torma powder from Sera Je Monastery. Smoke All are welcome to attend any of the pujas. produced from burning the Hayagriva torma powder Elaborate offerings are presented through lively purifies illnessesSponsorship and eliminates Is Now spirit OPEN! harm. and ceremonious rituals that date back 600 years. Prayers include extensive confession practice, as Online at www.fpmtabc.org well as offerings and requests to various Dharma HowMail to donate? in a Sponsorship Form OR protectors for their swift enlightened activity. • Visit from now up to 28 July • • our office