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Home , Golden Light Sutra

may/jun 2015

MCI (P) 078/02/2015

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Celebrate the Buddha’s Enlightenment The Best Way to

Amitabha Buddhist Centre is a centre Celebrate Day for the study and practice of , based on the tradition of Tsong Khapa, in the of Lama Thubten Yeshe and our Spiritual Director, Kyabje Lama Zopa . Vesak Day falls on 1st June this year. What is the significance of Vesak and what is the most

OUR VISION To all TASHI DELEK readers and meaningful way to celebrate the day? Here is how Khen Rinpoche Chonyi explained Learn to Be Happy ABC members and friends: “The Significance of Vesak Day” at Vesak Celebration 2014. Courage to cherish all Wisdom to see the truth May your celebration of the Buddha’s day Faith in Buddha’s peace of birth, enlightenment and be oday is Vesak Day, the day remember that this is the best way to therefore Buddha said do not create Follow Our Four-fold Path Inspire blessed and wish fulfilling! Buddha came to this world. celebrate Vesak Day. It is the best way any negative action. Whatever we Connect TToday is the Buddha’s birthday. to repay the Buddha’s kindness. It is suffer, unhappiness, suffering, pain, Learn Today is the day Buddha became the best way to repay your parents’ everything, sickness, comes from our Practise fully enlightened. Also, today is the kindness. If you like Buddha then own negative actions in the past. day Buddha showed passing into always remember the advice. Buddha th hether it is Vesak Day or the Saka Dawa 15 as observed on the parinirvana. Three things happened gave very simple advice to everyone. Then Buddha advised: ”Accumulate SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR Tibetan lunar calendar, make this a meaningful occasion to pay Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche on this day. perfect virtues.” Whomage to the Buddha in thought and deed. If you find yourself Buddha said: “Do not create any in need of information or inspiration for your practice, then look no further RESIDENT TEACHER Buddha is reminding us that we have negative action.” Because we want happiness, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi than the articles featured in this issue. From “The Best Way to Celebrate to take and we also have to therefore all the happiness, all the Vesak Day” by Khen Rinpoche to “Eight Good Reasons to Celebrate Vesak die. Once you take rebirth you have That was one advice he gave to us. good fortune comes from virtuous PRESIDENT with Us”, you will find the ideas and answers right here. to die. In between, we must do good Why did he say that? It is because actions. Therefore Buddha said if we Tan Hup Cheng things. This is what Buddha said: all the negative actions brings only want that, we must create virtuous 2 th 3 The Annual General Meeting on 25 April may not be an event that stirs up we take rebirth and we have to die. suffering. You don’t want suffering so actions. SPIRITUALPROGRAMME excitement, but still, as a registered society that has entered its 26th year, the COORDINATOR Therefore we must do good things protocols of the AGM function to ensure our continued existence. And who during the period of life. Ven. Tenzin Gyurme are the ones who quietly helm the centre and keep it running on a smooth and steady track? For the benefit of those who don’t have a clue, the members CENTRE MANAGER Vesak Day is all about that. Always Koh Zi Yen currently serving in ABC’s Executive Committee are: remember that we took rebirth and President Assistant Hon. Secretary we have to die one day, so therefore, Office staff Tan Hup Cheng Tan Chun How do virtuous things. When you are still Administration - Alicia Lee First Vice-president Treasurer alive, when you are healthy, when you Operations - Denis Kwan have everything within you, must do retail - Serene Tan Ven. Tenzin Drachom Lee Whye Yee Second Vice-president Assistant Treasurer good things. That is celebration of Benny Soh Toh Su Fen Vesak Day. OFFICE HOURS Honorary Secretary Committee Members Open daily except Mondays Sandra Chen Vincent Koh, Ng Swee Kim, Today is the day to remind oneself Tuesdays – Saturdays: Wee Geok Hua to practise virtue, remembering 10.30 am – 6 pm Buddha, to remind oneself to do Sundays: 10 am – 6 pm Ven. Tenzin Gyurme, as Spiritual Programme Coordinator, and Koh Zi Yen, as some virtuous action. Today is a (Hours extended to 7.30 pm when the Centre Manager, also sit in board meetings. special day because it is the Buddha’s evening sessions are scheduled) birthday. It is also the day Buddha got “The Heart of Our Happiness”, our Silver Jubilee commemorative video that enlightened. Because of the power of the Buddha, so whatever you AMITABHA BUDDHIST CENTRE documented ABC’s development through 25 years, can be viewed at last on our 44 Lorong 25A Geylang YouTube channel. The YouTube version has been slightly re-edited with new make, whatever you pray, your virtues Singapore 388244 opening and closing theme tracks (a surprise!), keeping the entire production become a million times greater than Tel: 6745 8547 Fax: 6741 0438 original and all in the “family”. The first cut that was screened at last year’s 25th on a normal day. Once a year we www.fpmtabc.org anniversary celebration featured music for which a required public performance have just this one day. Make sure on [email protected] licence had been obtained. Now, we are pleased to share “The Heart of Our Vesak Day you create some virtuous Happiness” with the public at www.youtube.com/user/ABCFPMT action. It is extremely important to Then Buddha said the third line: celebrate Vesak Day, to create virtues Therefore, try to make even a small “Subdue your mind.” as much as possible. When you are offering. One thing that is good to healthy, when you are not sick, when remember, as Buddha mentioned Subduing your mind means to be you have all the opportunity, then in , even if you make one light a kind person, a loving person, a you must create virtue as much as offering, by remembering Buddha, Eight Good Reasons to good-hearted person. What is the possible. when you make one light offering, reason for being good-hearted? That you create so much . The result is because if you are good-hearted, Vesak Day is about how Buddha of the merit is even when you get loving and caring, you can give so got enlightened. He put up with so enlightened, Buddha mentioned, Celebrate Vesak with Us much happiness to other sentient much hardship for the practice. He you won’t complete experiencing the beings. By doing that, you become even sacrificed his own life for other result of that good karma. Therefore the happiest person in the world. sentient beings. He manifested as your coming here and making a different animals, as a tiger, a turtle, small offering to a holy object, like Sponsor and Dedicate Whenever you celebrate Vesak Day, it a deer. He manifested in different for example, offering to Amitabha is good to remember these three lines: forms and sacrificed his life for other Buddha, is extremely fortunate. Pujas sentient beings. He put so much Always be happy and joyful. Whatever Five different pujas will be held over “Do not create negative actions effort into helping others. Through you make as offering, create a sense of the three days, conducted by Khen Create perfect virtues this practice he became enlightened. joy and happiness always. Rinpoche and monks from Kopan Subdue your mind.” Vesak Day is to remember Buddha’s Monastery of Nepal. Each of the life, how he became enlightened. Transcribed and lightly edited by pujas relies on a specific deity and Remember this on Vesak Day Remembering that, we should try to Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim from an invokes their respective qualities: especially, but on normal days, you practise as much as possible. audio recording of a talk given by • Puja for the swift fulfilment should also remember this advice Khen Rinpoche, in English, on “The of one’s wishes and try to live as much as possible Today is a special day so even if you Significance of Vesak Day” at Vesak according to the advice. It is extremely make a small light offering, you Celebration 2014. • Yamantaka Pacifying Fire Puja to important to remember the advice create numberless merits because eliminate obstacles in daily life. This is how we should of the Buddha’s enlightenment. • Namgyalma Puja for long life • Medicine Buddha Puja and Vajravidarana Purifying Ritual for good health and purification 4 What Is Merit and How to • White Dzambhala Wealth Deity 5 Puja to generate abundance and welcome to sponsor any of the pujas infant Buddha, applying gold leaf Accumulate It? prosperity and to dedicate the merits towards to a statue of Buddha, presenting one’s own wishes and aspirations. tokens to the 21 Taras, as well as the n one way, merit and virtue creates merit. If it becomes an The collection of merit results in offering of oil lamps, lotus candles, As the pujas are performed in relation are the same. In general, virtue accumulation, then something the Form Body. The collection of fresh flowers and fragrant incense to is virtuous karma, for it is a is left on the mental continuum. wisdom results in the Truth Body. to the merit field of the Buddhas, Make Skies of Offerings I Numerous opportunities are at the entire merit field. cause of happiness. The fruitional Whether it is accumulating the For it to be an accumulation or the vast merit is created and further effect of virtue or virtuous karma collection of merit or accumulating collection of merit, what has to compounded with the prayers hand to pay homage to the Buddha is happiness. As such, it is called the collection of wisdom, the mind happen and what we need to do is being done by the who hold with an array of offerings. These Circumambulate Holy virtue or virtuous karma. That is of primary importance because to make sure that a real impression, the ordination vows. Everyone is include the offering of bath to the Objects thing which results in suffering is something has to be left on the a real imprint, is left on the Our magnificent 50 by 30 foot non-virtue or non-virtuous karma. mental continuum. continuum. I would think that the of Amitabha Buddha Pure meaning of the word accumulate Land will once again form the As for accumulating merit, I Whether it is accumulating here in the phrase “accumulate the centrepiece at our Vesak event. It is would think that refers to doing prostrations or doing , for collection of merit” means doing said that anyone who merely sees something to accumulate merit and there to be a real impression or for something over and over again such the image of Amitabha accumulates then an imprint is left in the mind. something to be left on the mind, that a real impression or an imprint vast merits and collects positive So I would think accumulating for karma to be accumulated, as is is left on the mind. That is the imprints. Even greater is the merit merit means that. mentioned in the lam-rim, it has to meaning of “to accumulate”. that one accumulates by offering to be done with strength and it has to and circumambulating a holy object. In the discussion in the lam- be done over a long period of time. From the transcript of Basic Program: Join us in our nightly procession rim, there are three or four Then a real impression, something “The Sublime Continuum”, Lesson 6 of circumambulation with light possibilities or permutations is left on the mind, an imprint. (26 February 2015) taught by Khen offerings, where one will benefit between karma that is created and This applies to whatever merit or Rinpoche in Tibetan and translated not only from circumambulating karma that is accumulated. In the virtue you are accumulating. into English by Ven. Tenzin Gyurme. Amitabha Buddha, but all the holy case of accumulating merit, one objects that will be on-site. the second evening, Khen Rinpoche text with gold ink, an incredibly will give a preliminary explanation meritorious activity and a great on “Taking Refuge and Five practice for where even Precepts” before the refuge-taking children can get involved. ceremony. Mandarin translation will be available. Sponsor Mini Last but not the least, we will Take Precepts be launching a new series of our It is said that the best way to please popular Kadampa at Vesak the Buddha is by our practice. Celebration 2015. 800 miniature What more virtuous practice than stupas will be available for to live by the Buddha’s precepts of sponsorship. Each 13-centimetre adopting virtue? On Vesak Day tall stupa contains microfilm itself, Khen Rinpoche will confer rolls bearing thousands of the the Eight Mahayana Precepts before Four Dharmakaya Relic , dawn. Besides taking these one-day mantras so powerful they can vows, there is also the opportunity purify the heaviest negative to take the lifelong commitment of karma (see the next article, “Four Buddhist refuge and the Five Lay Powerful Mantras”). To sponsor Precepts at a ceremony held in the and take home one or more of evening, with Khen Rinpoche as the these stupas that symbolise the Refuge Master. Buddha’s holy mind, is auspicious Receive Auspicious personal blessing on this auspicious occasion. indeed at Vesak. Blessings Engage in Practice There will be daily blessing sessions Take part in the unique activity For details of our Vesak Celebration for the public by our resident teacher Hear the programme turn to the back page. Those who would like to hear the of tracing the sacred words of the and the abbot of Kopan Monastery Buddha. Visitors can sit down at our and Nunnery, Khen Rinpoche Buddha’s teachings can attend the talks to be given by Khen Rinpoche Sanghata Sutra Tracing Stall with Geshe Chonyi. All visitors, including traceable copies of the holy Sanghata family pets, can come to receive a each night. The first is about “How to Obtain a Good Rebirth” while on Sutra and inscribe passages from the 6 7 Four Powerful Mantras An explanation by our Spiritual Director and Guru, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, on the inconceivable benefits of filling stupas and statues with the Four Dharmakaya Relic Mantras. “The Four Dharmakaya Relic and so on. These very special way, there’s unbelievable benefit. It Mantras (Stainless Crown Pinnacle, mantras give unbelievable power. If makes it so easy for sentient beings Secret Relic, Stainless Beam, and you have put these mantras inside to purify negative karma and reach Ornament of Enlightenment) a statue, then devas will come to enlightenment. are a sacred relic. They are the worship that holy object three times highest relics of Buddha, relics of a day. Also, if you circumambulate a stupa the Dharmakaya. Other relics, the even one time that has these mantras ones that we normally see, such By putting these mantras inside a inside, it purifies the negative karma as relics of the robes or parts of stupa, then even a bell that is offered that causes you to be reborn in all Buddha’s holy body, are secondary to the stupa brings unimaginable the eight hot hells. All the eight hot relics. These four mantras are the benefit. For example, all sentient hells, from the lightest down to the highest relic. After I learned about beings who ever hear the sound of unbearable, the heaviest suffering the unbelievable benefits of each that bell, their negative karma gets hell realm—the negative karma of these mantras, then I had them purified. They are liberated from that causes you to be born in all the written down and then, we printed the lower realms. Their negative eight hot hells is completely purified many. These are normally what we karma gets purified, and they by going around a stupa with these should put inside stupas, statues, receive a good rebirth. So, in that mantras inside just once.” They are not actually birds. They That is one of the causes for you the cause to be born in Amitabha are actually manifestations of the to go to that place. Just having .” Buddha. In reality, it is Buddha. this thought, just having this wish Whenever the birds make noise, it of wanting to go that place is not You single-pointedly dedicate your How to Be Born in makes the very pleasant sound of the enough to be able to reach that place. merit for that cause. If that happens Dharma. Everything is encouraging You must have another cause to in your life, I think if you live your you to practise. Also mentioned, in reach there. So Buddha Shakyamuni life like that, definitely you can go to the pure land there are very, very mentioned in the sutra called Amitabha Pure Land. Amitabha Pure Land beautiful water ponds with different “Piling of the Jewels” that one must types of lotuses. But the lotuses are remember Amitabha Buddha all the As I gave in the example, in this not small. They are very huge lotuses, time. Also, one must remember what world you have the strong wish to different types of lotuses. Each of the Amitabha Pure Land looks like. You go to a very beautiful place: “I must Our magnificent thangka of Amitabha Buddha Pure Land will be on display once again for Vesak lotuses gives so much radiant light. must remember this again and again go.” Celebration 2015. Besides being a spectacular specimen of traditional , the tapestry Miles of light come from the lotuses. in your mind on top of the wish to This is how it is described. Of course go there. After that the second cause, After that if you want to go there is an actual portrayal of Amitabha Pure Land. What, or where, is this pure land and why is it there is much more detail, but this is the important cause to get there is you must have money, you must important to us? Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi provides valuable insights in this discourse. a rough idea of what Amitabha Pure to accumulate merit as much as save money. You save money to go Land looks like. possible, accumulate virtuous merit, there: “Whenever I have money, I as much as possible. In our daily make sure I will save up to go to that There are many different beautiful life, remember Amitabha Buddha, place.” f you were to in this world, not with palaces. In Amitabha Pure Land, remember Amitabha Pure Land, ask the question, different types of trees, there are only human beings and then collect the merit, such as doing So then, with whatever money you Iwhere is like what we have in god beings. Of the six realms there prostrations, making offerings to save, you will reach that place. It is the Amitabha Pure Land, this world—a very, very are only two, human beings and god Amitabha Buddha. same thing here, going to Amitabha how to go there, and beautiful place, very realm, in Amitabha Pure Land. Pure Land. When you live your why do you need to smooth place. It even Think of Amitabha Buddha in front life like that, thinking of Amitabha go there? In Buddha describes what kind How to Go to Amitabha of you, then generate the motivation Buddha all the time, thinking of Shakyamuni’s text, of trees they have. All Pure Land? to get enlightened quickly to Amitabha Buddha, always having the he said, in one of the the trees are made of benefit sentient beings, and think: strong wish to go to Amitabha Pure The next question, how to go , the sutra called diamond, jewels and “Therefore I am going to make Land, then whatever good things there? How to go to Amitabha Pure “Piling of the Jewels” crystals. What we call prostrations to Amitabha Buddha.” you do, whatever you do is for that. Land? One of the causes is you 8 he mentioned what expensive stones, what If that happens, then at the time of 9 must have strong desire, you must Amitabha Pure Land we see in this world, That’s one thing. Think of Amitabha death, before you die, you are able have a strong wish, you must have is. Also in Buddha’s all these expensive Buddha all the time, then do to see Amitabha in that moment. At strong intention, you want to go to teachings, ‘tengyur’, stones like coral, ruby, prostrations, as many as possible. the time of death you are able to see Amitabha Pure Land. The very first in the same sutra, he diamond, gold, silver, all That is one way to create merit. Amitabha. It is mentioned, you will thing is one must have this idea: “I mentioned there is the trees are made like Second, make extensive offerings: be able to see Amitabha Buddha and want to go to Amitabha Pure Land!” another pure land, that, it is mentioned. by remembering Amitabha Buddha all his entourage. You will be able to Akanishtha. Actually Even on the trees, all the in front of you, then make extensive see and be able to develop single- Amitabha Pure Land is such a nice there are so many precious trees, there are offerings. It is also important to pointed faith in Amitabha Buddha. place, beautiful place, where you can pure lands. Each of a lot of different kinds of think of loving kindness, to always You die with single-pointed faith practise Dharma, where you can get the Buddhas has their ornaments—necklaces, meditate on loving kindness. in Amitabha Buddha. Then you are enlightened. Such a wonderful place own pure lands. bracelets. Whatever definitely able to go to Amitabha so, “I must go there, I want to go ornaments you like to Another important practice is Pure Land. there.” Where Is have, you can get from purification practice. While the trees. Whatever you remembering Amitabha Buddha, How do you take rebirth in Amitabha You must have this strong wish all the like, just by wishing, do prostrations, make offerings, Amitabha Pure Land? There is no time. It is the same thing for example Pure Land? you can get from the visualise that nectar comes from father or mother. There are no as, in this world, if you want to go to In Buddha’s sutra it trees. When you see the Amitabha Buddha into our own parents in Amitabha Pure Land. You a particular place, you would like to also mentions that millions of universes away. It is trees in Amitabha Pure selves, purifies all our negativities. take rebirth inside the lotus. From go to some country, you say: “Oh, from our world in the western not possible to go there with an Land, immediately just by seeing Here, the idea is to collect merit as the lotus you appear in Amitabha this country is beautiful! I want to direction, many continents, aeroplane, with a rocket to that pure or touching the tree, you feel great much as possible, having this wish Pure Land, born from the lotus itself. go!” universes, many thousand universes land, too far. bliss. When the wind moves in the to go to Amitabha Pure Land, and away, is Amitabha Pure Land. trees, the sounds becomes music then accumulating merit as much as It is also mentioned in the sutra You must first have this wish. You Buddha mentioned that. In the There, in the land called Amitabha to your ears, becomes very, very possible to go there. At the end, you that having done a lot of practice, must hear that this place is nice. sutra, it describes what Amitabha Pure Land is where Amitabha pleasant music from the trees. Also dedicate whatever merit you have wanting to go to Amitabha Pure After that you must have this wish, Pure Land looks like. It is very, very Buddha lives. That place is a very it is mentioned, in the trees there collected. You strongly dedicate for Land, but you develop some kind of “I want to go there.” far away from this world, many beautiful place, not with high and are many different types of birds, that: “All this merit I collect becomes doubt, “Oh, maybe I can or cannot different universes, thousands, low, the kind of hills that we see different beautiful types of birds. go to Amitabha Pure Land.” to hear every different type of sound, then I think this is the best place able to hear million kinds of distant to go. Also, it is not that difficult Born from an extremely sounds, able to hear that way. Also, to go to Amitabha Pure Land. It you have miraculous power when is not difficult. As I mentioned, beautiful, superlative lotus you take rebirth in Amitabha Pure always remember Amitabha Buddha Land. You can manifest in many day and night. Whatever you do, Putting Our Prayers In this joyful land, the different types of bodies and you offerings, prostrations, helping can travel to different types of pure others, making light offerings, always Buddha’s magnificentlands where you are able to receive remember Amitabha. Make offerings the teachings. to Amitabha Buddha, then while into Action , remembering, chanting his name, Buddha mentioned: ordinary having single-pointed devotion to he charitable spirit of helping others was out in force once again at May I receive a prediction beings like us can go to Amitabha Amitabha, whatever you see, think JINPA for Our Community, ABC’s food distribution project, held Pure Land. It is mentioned that it is Amitabha Pure Land. You can Ton Saturday, 4th April. 186 volunteers, comprising members with of my awakening in Amitabha Pure Land there are train in this way. Then really at the friends and family in tow, had a field day loading up, driving and delivering many ordinary beings. There are time of death, you will immediately basic groceries to 247 needy homes across the island. Directly from the Buddha also many who have entered the see Amitabha Pure Land in your path, like hearers, solitary realisers mind. With that devotion, when This marks the third year and the fifth JINPA food drive that we have Amitabha. and , in Amitabha Pure you wake up after death, you will be organised in conjunction with the Chinese Development Assistance Land. It is also mentioned that once in Amitabha Pure Land. Council (CDAC). Our efforts in coordinating this project and the you take rebirth in Amitabha Pure enthusiastic support of the volunteers and those who donated to the fund – King of Prayers Land you will never take rebirth It is as simple as that. Just do good demonstrates our common desire to reach out to the less fortunate, to have in the lower realms. You will never things in your life, don’t create much the opportunity to put compassion and generosity into practice. take unfortunate rebirths from then negative karma, but create virtuous on. Also, once you take rebirth in karma as much as possible. Whatever When interviewed, one participant said: “As Buddhists, we normally pray Even if you have some doubts, still Amitabha Pure Land there is no action you do, always dedicate: for all sentient beings to be well and happy. By taking part in the JINPA it is mentioned, you are able to take suffering. It is mentioned that there “May I be born in Amitabha Pure charity drive, we actually have the chance to put our prayers into action. And the feeling is great! I often feel shy to offer rebirth in Amitabha Pure Land. is no suffering at all in Amitabha Land and quickly get enlightened to help to strangers so, participating in the drive helps to break the barrier. And I believe that with familiarity, it helps build It is mentioned, having collected Pure Land. help numberless sentient beings.” up the confidence in me to approach more strangers in the future.” so much merit and thinking of Amitabha Buddha, but still you have But it is mentioned that in Amitabha We all can practise in this way. A team of three volunteers also shared their experience: “We were told not to expect much from the beneficiaries as some 10 some doubt, “Oh, can I go or not?” Pure Land, the ordinary beings might Always meditate on Amitabha might not be in a good state of mind to receive us. It was a good reminder that the people we were delivering to are in 11 have delusions. Attachment may be Buddha and recite his name, then need of some cheer in their lives. And we did indeed manage to see some cheerful faces and that made our day. Those You can still take rebirth in Amitabha possible there, but not strong like dedicate your merit in that way. whom we did not cheer up, we were thankful that they gave us a chance to serve. Giving is not always easy at first but Pure Land, but you will be inside what we have here. The attachment This is quite easy to do if you wish doing more will help us get better at it.” the lotus for five hundred years, it is is not powerful at all but very, very to go to Amitabha Pure Land. Here, mentioned. For five hundred years weak. It mentions that if a man sees you must understand, some people you don’t have the opportunity to a goddess in our world there will be might think that just by praying and hear Dharma. You are inside the attachment, but in Amitabha Pure thinking, one can go to Amitabha lotus. Land the attachment will be reduced Pure Land. That is not possible. immediately, not increase but be There must be a cause. One must reduced immediately. When you have good heart, must practise virtue Prayers for Our Therefore, not a single doubt, you should have this single-pointed take rebirth in Amitabha Pure Land, and avoid non-virtues as much as belief: “I am sure, Buddha said our delusions are not powerful but possible. Then with your wishes, that when I die, I did practice, so I very, very weak. Therefore, once you your prayers, you can go. But if Founding Father will definitely go to Amitabha Pure are reborn there you don’t create you don’t practise, create so much Land.” much negative karma. You don’t negative karma, just wishing to go to mitabha Buddhist Centre offered prayers and expressed deepest create powerful negative karma Amitabha Pure Land, I think that is condolences on the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, joining in the Then you are able to go to the pure there at all, only virtuous karma. So impossible. national mourning of Singapore’s founding father and first Prime A rd th land, immediately able to take then, in that pure land you become Minister. Mr Lee passed away on 23 March. On 24 March, the Basic rebirth inside the flower. enlightened. Transcribed and edited by Ven. Tenzin Program class was cancelled and a prayer session was promptly arranged Tsultrim from an audio recording of with more than a hundred people in attendance. Khen Rinpoche led prayers focusing on “Confession to the 35 Buddhas” and “King of Prayers”. What Is Life Like in When you take rebirth in Amitabha “How to Be Born in Amitabha Pure Pure Land, our life will be infinite— Land”, a talk given in English by In consultation with Khen Rinpoche, these prayers were deemed most Amitabha Pure Land? infinite life span there. It is a Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi in May beneficial. A Guru puja held on 29th March and a recitation of the Golden Then what happens? Immediately wonderful place to go! If you don’t 2014 at Amitabha Buddhist Centre’s Light Sutra during the merit-multiplying lunar eclipse on 4th April were also you have so many different types of have confidence in your future life, Vesak Celebration 2014. dedicated to the late Mr Lee. power: your eyes can see every single when you have to die, believing in type of atom, your ears have power future lives, that you will take rebirth, follow what Lama Zopa Rinpoche when Ven. Tenzin Namjong from Kadampa stupas. Hup Cheng offered would like.” That’s how my decisions Sera IMI in generously 25kg of semi-precious gemstones. I were made! presented the stupa with three blood included twelve sets of the Kangyur relics of Shakyamuni Buddha, three and Tengyur nano disc sets available The Stupa That The eight smaller stupas and hairs from H.H. 16th , at ABC. auspicious signs around the pedestal and a piece of yellow robe from the came from Garrey’s workshop at previous Ling Rinpoche. Ven. Sarah One of the ingredients required was the Garden of Enlightenment. The Thresher also generously sent over soil from the houses of holy and rich Tara Built crates of stupas, rolls of mantras small statues, stones, twigs and earth people. I shared my dilemma with and auspicious signs from Nepal from holy places she had been to Denise Macy, centre director of Land and Australia arrived October to in Bodhgaya, , Rajgir, and of Medicine Buddha, who is building November 2014. Maratika, and blessed rice from His a replica of the Mahabodhi Stupa In the courtyard of a family home in central Singapore now stands a gleaming life-sized stupa of the long-life deity, Holiness the . Friends there. She kindly sent me a package Namgyalma. The golden 1.6 metre tall stupa is surrounded by eight smaller white Enlightenment stupas. This The courtyard we have is quite and family made generous offerings of mixed soil she had received from unique collection of holy objects belongs to Tara Melwani, ABC member and Coordinator for FPMT centres in deep to step into from the corridor. too. Nano reels with millions and many holy places including the Southeast Asia. The Namgyalma stupa has come into being through advice that Tara received from Lama Zopa My contractor suggested we raise millions of the Four Dharmakaya houses of rich Google executives in Rinpoche. A stupa, which represents the holy mind of the Buddha, holds inconceivable benefits. That a large-sized the ground by over a foot to make Relic mantras made by a supplier California! stupa has emerged in a private courtyard is a great blessing for its residents as well as the community. What does it stepping into the courtyard to in Arizona were also put in. A set take to create a stupa of this scale from scratch in one’s own home? Tara shares her story with us. circumambulate easy from any point. of the short, medium and extensive Reflecting on the kindness of so many I showed Lama Zopa Rinpoche all sutras also went people—family, friends, Sangha— the plans during his visit, which he into it. ABC’s Executive Committee who contributed to the stupa really few years ago, our Simultaneously, I turned approved. Rinpoche also suggested generously offered twelve miniature makes me deeply feel a sense of precious holy guru to Hup Cheng [ABC’s building a pavilion over the courtyard gratitude and understanding that this Awas in the living president] for advice on to protect the stupa from the rain. stupa is really not “mine”, but that room of my home. He where to order the stupa. Renovations took two-and-a-half everyone involved since its inception started talking about the He suggested I see Khen months to complete. has helped to make the stupa what it benefits of building a stupa. Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi is. He spoke at length then personally and seek his Khen Rinpoche then arranged for walked to the courtyard, advice. Khen Rinpoche was two experienced Kopan monks, From the very start, my motivation pointed, and said it would very kind and contacted Geshe Lhundrup Sherab and Ven. and dedication for building this stupa be very beneficial to invite Ven. Tenpa Choden, Kopan Rabjor, to come to Singapore to has been single-pointedly directed to 12 a Namgyalma stupa there. I Monastery’s manager, and assemble and fill the stupa. It was the very, very, very, healthy, stable and 13 sincerely thought Rinpoche placed the order through unexpected and auspicious that extremely long lives of His Holiness was joking! In my deluded Ven. Tenpa Choden based causes and conditions came together the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa mind, only Dharma on Garrey’s measurements. for both Yangsi Rinpoche and Khen Rinpoche, for all their holy wishes centres build stupas, not The stupa order was in a Rinpoche to consecrate the stupa to be fulfilled, for the flourishing of homeowners! queue and took over a year together during Yangsi Rinpoche’s the Dharma and for the benefit of to build and complete. teaching tour [in March]. all sentient beings. It is my heartfelt About a year later, Ven. offering to them and how auspicious Roger, Rinpoche’s secretary From time to time I would I never asked anyone for anything so that it is completed in time for His and CEO of FPMT Inc., receive e-mails from Ven. I was deeply moved and astounded Holiness’s 80th birthday in July. wrote to me to say that Tenpa Choden asking Rinpoche found it strange, what materials I would like that I hadn’t written to the stupa to be built of. him to share any updates I replied: “If Lama Zopa regarding the stupa. My Rinpoche were ordering the heart stopped. I thought: stupa, what material would “This is serious.” In a flurry, I site, the size of the base pedestal and he like?” apologised profusely to Rinpoche via the size of the stupa. Ven. Roger and promised to get on He asked me too, how many precious it immediately. Ven. Roger suggested I was worried how my mother would stones would I like on the stupa? I contact Garrey Foulkes, manager react to Rinpoche’s advice about I replied: “As many as Lama Zopa of the Garden of Enlightenment inviting a stupa at home. After all, she Rinpoche would like!” at Chenresig Institute, Australia. is Hindu and I live in her house. To Garrey was very kind and extremely my immense relief and gratitude, she He also asked, how would I like the understanding of the daunting task replied that if Lama Zopa Rinpoche stupa finished? I asked him: “If it ahead and assured me that he would thinks it’s beneficial, then go ahead! were Lama Zopa Rinpoche, how look after the project for me. Garrey would he like it finished?” He replied, came up with the drawings for the fully plated gold. So I replied: “Let’s may 2015 jun 2015

1 2 3 1 Vesak Day 2 3 4 5 6 7 Vesak Buddha’s Enlightenment Basic Program Discovering Dharma for Meditation for Medicine and Passing Away into Celebration - Chapter 1 Buddhism Seniors 10.30am Beginners (2/5) Buddha Puja (100 Million 10.45am 2015 Merit Multiplying Day) of Sublime 10am 4pm Medicine Buddha Recitation of Golden Light Continuum Sutra 1.30pm Stages of the Path Puja 4pm 7.30pm Shakyamuni Buddha to Enlightenment Puja with 1,000 Offerings 2.30pm 7.30pm 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Basic Program Basic Program Meditation for Animal Liberation Basic Program Basic Program Discovering Animal Liberation Beginners (3/5) 10am - Chapter 1 - Chapter 1 - Chapter 1 - Chapter 1 Buddhism 10am 10am of Sublime Dharma for Seniors 10.45am Tara Puja 4pm of Sublime of Sublime Merit, Purification 10.30am of Sublime Continuum and Blessing (8/10) 7.30pm Continuum Continuum 10.45am Chinese Lam-rim 静 Continuum Stages of the Path 7.30pm 7.30pm 心静修 Stages of the Path 1.30pm 7.30pm Tsog Offering to Enlightenment to Enlightenment Tara Puja 4pm 9pm 2.30pm 2.30pm 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Basic Program Guru Puja Basic Program Meditation for Basic Program Discovering Chinese Lam-rim Beginners (4/5) – Chapter 1 of Buddhism 静 心 静 修 - Chapter 1 7.30pm - Chapter 1 10am Sublime Continuum 10.45am 1.30pm of Sublime of Sublime Merit, Purification (Discussion) 1.30pm Continuum Continuum and Blessing (9/10) Chinese Lam-rim 静 10.45am 心静修 1.30pm Stages of the Path Confession and to Enlightenment Purification 7.30pm 7.30pm Stages of the Path Confession and to Enlightenment Purification Practice 2.30pm Practice 4pm 2.30pm 4pm

14 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 15 Basic Program Basic Program Meditation for Chinese Lam-rim Guru Puja Discovering Chinese Lam-rim Beginners (5/5) 静心静修 - Chapter 1 - Chapter 1 10am 7.30pm Buddhism 静 心 静 修 1.30pm 10.45am 1.30pm of Sublime of Sublime Merit, Purification and Blessing (10/10) Continuum Continuum 10.45am Tara Puja 4pm Stages of the Path Tara Puja 4pm 7.30pm 7.30pm Stages of the Path to Enlightenment to Enlightenment 2.30pm 2.30pm 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 Basic Program Vesak Vesak Basic Program - Chapter 1 Celebration Celebration - Wheel of of Sublime 2015 2015 Sharp Weapons Continuum 7.30pm 7.30pm

TASHI DELEK editorial team Stay Connected New Classes in June Editor Photography TASHI DELEK is a free publication of Amitabha Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim Chung Qihan Buddhist Centre. “Wheel of Sharp Weapons” Discovering Buddhism (Vivian Seah) Ng Keng Yong Subscribe: Call our office at 6745 8547 Module 7 of the Basic Program commences on 30th Those who are new to Buddhism and would like an Tan Seow Kheng Online: Download our full-colour edition directly June with the mind training (‘lo-jong’) text, “Wheel of introduction to key concepts, beginning with the idea of Spiritual Programme Ven. Tenzin Tsultrim from www.fpmtabc.org Sharp Weapons”. Composed by Dharmarakshita, this rebirth, future lives and karma, can attend this series of Ven. Tenzin Gyurme Yew Kim Guan All events and dates published are up-to-date at classic text explains how to transform the mind through classes taught by Ven. Tenzin Gyurme, starting on 6th Design & Layout Joey Yu the time of printing. understanding the workings of karma, developing the June. The course will run over at least eight sessions Kennedy Koh For the latest schedule and on-going updates, mind of enlightenment, and cutting the root of ignorance. every Saturday morning. Printer subscribe to our e-mail or SMS updates, or visit Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi teaches this advanced Highlight Printing Services us online: www.fpmtabc.org OR www.face- level class in the ongoing Basic Program, which is into book.com/fpmtabc its fourth year. Join Us in Celebrating the Buddha’s Enlightenment “As dawn broke on the fifteenth of the Vaishakha month, he manifested the attaining of . Thereupon the gods scattered flowers knee deep, the earth shook, and all realms were filled with light.”

Vesak Celebration 2015 30 May – 1 June 2015 ALJUNIED MRT OPEN GROUND

Saturday 30 May 4.00 pm Tara Puja 5.30 pm Blessing for the public by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi 7.30 pm “How to Obtain a Good Rebirth” by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi 8.30 pm Light offering and circumambulation Return of magnificent Amitabha Buddha Pure Land thangka! All welcome to view, make offerings, circumambulate Sunday 31 May and receive vast merit

10.00 am Yamantaka Pacifying Fire Puja Puja sponsorship open to all! 3.00 pm Namgyalma Puja with 1,000 Offerings Up to 29 May: visit our office / 30 May 5.00 pm Blessing for the public by Khen Rinpoche - 1 June: on-site at our Vesak fairground Geshe Chonyi OR donate online at www.fpmtabc.org 7.30 pm Taking Refuge and 5 Precepts with Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi Saka Dawa 15th 8.30 pm Light offering and circumambulation 2 June 2015 AMITABHA BUDDHIST CENTRE Monday 1 June - Vesak Day 6.00 am Taking the 8 Mahayana Precepts with 1.30 pm Golden Light Sutra Recitation Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi Shakyamuni Buddha Puja with 1,000 8.00 am Bath Offering Ceremony 7.30 pm Offerings 9.00 am Medicine Buddha Puja and Vajravidarana Puja for Pacifying Sickness and Merit-multiplying day: The 15th day of Saka Dawa Contamination [Tibetan for 4th month, : Vaishaka] marks the 11.00 am Blessing for the public by Khen Rinpoche Buddha’s day of enlightenment, a most auspicious day Geshe Chonyi where all virtue accumulated is magnified 100 million 11.30 am Free vegetarian lunch times as stated in the text, “Treasure of Quotations and Logic”—and even ONE BILLION times according 3.00 pm White Dzambhala Wealth Deity Puja to some sutras! 4.30 pm Blessing for the public by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi Contribute to extensive offerings for the Shakyamuni 7.00 pm Light offering and circumambulation Buddha Puja: Cash donations can be made at our office from 14 May. 8.00 pm Final dedication of merit