JAN-MAR 2014 kagyud buddhist centre 38 GEYLANG LORONG 22, SINGAPORE 398695 TEL +65 6749 1103 EMAIL: [email protected]

z Schedule Precious Chigshe Kundrol 4/1 White , Green Tara (Sengdeng Nagkyi Drolma) and Tara who moves the 3 z realms of the Universe; Empowerment 4 to 26 January 2014 6/1 Kuru Kulle and Auspicious Tara who fulfills all purposes; 43 PEACEFUL AND WRATHFUL DEITIES 7/1 The great mother Paramita and Chigshe Kundrol is a text Umbrella, , Ushnisha Vijaya; originally composed by the Vajrapani, Kurukulle etc. 8/1 White Umbrella and Ushnisha Jvala; 9th Wangchug Participants can choose 9/1 The Five Vidya Queens and Parna Dorje. It translates as, which deity they would like Shavari; "Understand one, all is to receive the empowerment 10/1 Maritse and Dvaza Agra Keyura; liberated". This means that for. 11/1 White Sarasvati, Orange Manjushri doing one practice maintains with Consort and White Manjushri; a pure relationship with all We will provide all the 12/1 Manjushri Namasangiti, Lion's Speech others. This text is a participants with a booklet Manjushri and Manjushri Arapatsa; collection of almost one to introduce all the different 13/1 Lion's Roar Manjushri and Lord hundred sadhanas of deities and it would also Amitayus; peaceful and wrathful contain the supplication, 14/1 Avalokiteshvara and ; deities, empowerment texts and dedication 15/1Wrathful Vajrapani and Vajrapani; and histories. It is an prayers for the practice of 16/1 Conqueror of Vajrapani and important yet very rare text each deity. Vajra Vidarana; renowned among Karma Kagyud masters. This is a rare and truly 20/1 White Vajra Vidarana and White precious tantric treasure that Acala; From 4-26 Jan 2014 in our Shangpa will be 21/1 Blue Acala and Wrathful Bhurkunkuta; centre, Shangpa Rinpoche transmitting for the very first 22/1 Green Wrathful Bhurkunkuta and will be giving time. With such good karmic Mahabala; empowerments of 43 conditions, we sincerely 23/1 Wrathful Amrita Kundali and the peaceful and wrathful invite you to these auspicious Destroyer of Obstacles; deities, such as Green Tara, teaching and . 24/1 Red Hayagriva with Four Retinue and Ushnisha Vijaya, White Black Hayagriva; 25/1 Red Hayagriva of Drubgyal Tradition, Dates: Please refer to the Schedule on the left. Secret Hayagriva of Kyer Gangpa Tradition and Black Hayagriva with curly matted Sat & Sun 1st Deity 3pm-4.30pm, 2nd Deity 5pm-6.30pm, locks; 3rd Deity 7.30pm-9 pm; 26/1 Black Yamantaka, Red Yamantaka and Lion Face . Mon - Fri 1st Deity 7.30pm-9pm, 2nd Deity 9.30pm-11 pm

MCI (P) 118/06/2013 KKBC GRAND FUND-RAISING DINNER 18 JAN SAT DATE: Our centre is organising a Grand Fundraising Dinner on 18 January 2014 18 JAN 2014 Saturday. We cordially invite you to join us at this new year grand fundraising dinner which aims to raise funds to build a new centre to benefit more (SAT) practitioners.

Venue: HIGHLIGHTS of the dinner include: Singapore Expo, ✴Unveiling of our new centre’s interior design; Maxatria Garnet Room, Level 2 ✴Inviting sponsorship for , , 1000 Buddhas, and other components of the building;

✴Auction of precious items to raise funds for the new building. Dharma articles such as calligraphy by HH 17th Karmapa , and other items donated by our Time: abbot and devotees will be put up for auction; and 6.30pm to 10pm ✴Performances to herald in the new year. Ticket Prices: We are sincerely looking forward to your support. Save the $80/$100 per date to join us for a lovely dinner with our abbot seat or Shangpa Rinpoche filled with cheers, fun and $800/$1000 per merits in the new year! We are very pleased to announce table that Sang Sang Rinpoche, abbot Ticket booking of Lhundrup Choling Monastery in starts now, make Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, will also be joining us! your booking early to avoid disappointment! Thank you for your support!

Tickets Booking Hotline: 6749 1103

Expo MRT Station is behind Hall 6 Building Fund for New Centre Our centre is reliant on donations to continue its daily operations and to organize events for devotees’ spiritual advancement and welfare. The current centre was actually a bungalow that was bought and transformed into the Buddhist centre it is today. With the passing of the years, the condition of the building has deteriorated and the current facilities are not sufficient to adequately support the needs of our growing dharma family in Singapore and neighbouring countries. Hence, the launch of a building project to tear down the existing premises and to construct a new centre building on our current land. All donations are a contribution to the turning of the wheel of Dharma, and are all used for the purposes of propagating the Dharma. Over the years, the building fund has been increasing though at a very slow rate. We need to raise S$6 million to complete this vision of a new 5-storey building. We need about $4 million to even start building and we have currently collected less than half of this amount. We hope that all Dharma brothers and sisters can help to make our dream closer to reality- every cent counts and really will be greatly appreciated! BUILDING FUND DONATION BUILDING FUND DONATION TICKETS COIN CANS Building Fund Donation Tickets at $10 per ticket Encourage your family members to do a good or $100 per book are available at our centre. deed a day by dropping spare coins and notes There is a dedication slip on each ticket for the into our building fund donation coin cans and sponsors to write their accumulate good merits. Please call 6749 1103 or dedication and dedication visit our centre to register and acquire a donation names. When the monks do coin bank today. When your donation coin can is their prayers, all the sponsors full, kindly return it to our centre. Together, we and those they dedicated their CAN rebuild and improve the centre to benefit merits to will receive the more dharma brothers and sisters. Sincerely, we blessings for their dedications to be fulfilled. aim to greatly enhance this vajra home to propagate the Buddhadharma for all sentient You may sign out a book to help us to get people beings. to sponsor for the donation tickets. Please contact our centre at 6749 1103 for more details. Never underestimate the power of small gifts. According to the Vaccha Sutta, "Even if a The rewards of giving according to the person throws the rinsing of a bowl or a cup into Dananisamsasutta, "These are the five rewards of a village pool or pond, thinking, 'May whatever generosity: One is dear and appealing to people animals live here feed on this,' that would be a at large, one is admired by good people, one's source of ." good name is spread about, one does not stray from the rightful duties of the , and with the break-up of the body at death, one reappears in a good destination, in the heavenly worlds." Vajrakilaya by Sang Sang Rinpoche ABOUT SANG SANG RINPOCHE In 1959, Sang Sang Rinpoche was born to Mr. Pasang and Mrs. Tsering Yudron. His birth was accompanied by extraordinary signs and from a very young age, he clearly remembered his previous life and recited texts in meditative posture, through having awakened good karmic imprints. Due to these extraordinary feats, his parents informed Dhephuk Rinpoche, who consulted H.H. the 16th Karmapa and Trushik Rinpoche. They all agreed to enthrone him at Senge Phuk in Solukhumbu in 1965 as the incarnation of Tenzin Chodar. Lama Tenzin Chodar was a hidden yogi and a close disciple of the previous Trulshik Rinpoche, Kunzang Tokdol Dorje. Lama Tenzin Chodar was also the father of the present Trulshik Rinpoche.

ABOUT VAJRAKILAYA Vajrakilaya, a wrathful manifestation of the Buddha-Mind Activity is a significant deity who transmutes and transcends obstacles and obscurations. The Secret Essence Sadhana of Vajrakilaya is a well-known practice discovered by the Terton Chogyur Lingpa. Vajrakilaya is one of the main of the and , though he can also be found in other schools of . This practice removes all inner, outer and secret obstacles, especially concerning our own Dharma practice. It destroys all negativity and disturbing emotions. We are very honoured and fortunate to have Sang Sang Rinpoche giving the empowerment, oral transmission and guided instructions on this practice. Please join us in this precious teaching.

DATE TIME PROGRAMME

17 Jan (Fri) 7.30pm-10pm Vajrakilaya Empowerment and Oral Transmission

19 Jan (Sun) 10am-10pm Vajrakilaya Guided Instructions and Group Practice AN INTERVIEW WITH SHANGPA RINPOCHE WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF BUDDHISM? The essence of Buddhism is achieving wisdom not only to the worldly sense but also more importantly beyond worldly. It is wisdom that allows a person to be fully awakened from the sleep of ignorance. To understand the essence of Buddhism, one needs to understand in both relative and ultimate ways. Relatively, every appearance of phenomena is interdependently arising and does not truly exist as it is. So the relative appearance lacks the essence of phenomena and is nothing other than emptiness in nature. That appearance is the relative truth and that emptiness nature is the ultimate truth. In the relative truth, we develop every good quality to overcome our bad habitual defilements. The selfless loving and kind attitude is the primary and important practice of Buddhism. That loving attitude is not just for temporary relief of the suffering of others. It is actually a total uprooting of it. For that, we need to develop the wisdom and ultimate ability in order to relieve the suffering of sentient beings. There are so many different ways and methods to practice. Yet, the ultimate purpose is the same. Many different countries practise Buddhism and thus it is assimilated according to different languages, cultures and traditions. This may create some confusion to some people as they think Buddhism is vastly different due to the outer appearances and languages. From my personal understanding, Buddhists of the world follow the same principles and everyone abide by the teachings of Lord Buddha.

IS IT SUFFICIENT TO DO SHAMATHA MEDITATION ONLY? OR BOTH SHAMATHA AND VIPASSANA MEDITATION SHOULD BE PRACTISED TOGETHER IN ONE SESSION? Meditation is essential for every Buddhist practitioner and there are many methods of meditation. In Vajrayana, meditation can be associated with very profound methods of practice and through that, one can develop both Shamatha and Vippassana . That is to say Yidam meditation has the essence of both Shamatha and Vippasana meditations. One can also develop the total realisation of truth and enlightenment. Generally, one can embark in meditation by Shamatha meditation to calm the mind and thus make the mind pliable. It is like taming a wild elephant to make it adjust to the working conditions as we please. This can be achieved with Shamatha meditation. Subsequently, one can train in Vippasana meditation to see the truth of phenomena and self. This can lead to realisation and thus eventually, enlightenment will take place. Therefore, we need to learn both forms of meditation though Shamatha should precede Vippassana. It is like a clear lamp in the still air. The windless state is the non-conceptual state of Shamatha and the illuminating lamp is Vippassana that brightens everything. It is important to engage an experienced teacher who can guide you in the meditation steps and stages. It is certainly not advisable to read some books on meditation and then immediately try to meditate without any teachers’ guidance. One will not progress well in this way. So always engage a teacher who possesses the true transmission and who is also meditates. With the correct advice, one will progress well like a waxing moon and be able to achieve both Shamatha and Vippassana successively without hindrances. Prayers and Count down to 2014! Welcome the new year in a meaningful way! 31st of Dec 2013 is Day (29th of the lunar month). Karchung Rinpoche will be leading us in the Mahakala Monthly puja from 8pm to 10pm followed by lamp offerings and circumambulation with Tengyur and Kangyur Texts, Aspiration Prayers and Eight Auspicious Prayers from 10pm to 12 midnight. We will have a new year’s celebration with food and drinks together afterwards. All are welcome! Date: 31 Dec 2013 Tue Time: 8 pm to 12 midnight Venue: Our centre Registration Fee: $5 members/ $10 non-members About Karchung Rinpoche The current Karchung Rinpoche is the incarnation of the previous Karchung Lama. Karchung Lama left (the traditional seat of Karmapa) and later entered a centre in Tsurphu. He was in the same batch of retreat practitioners as Lama Kunkhyab Rinpoche. Lama Kunkhyab mentioned that Karchung Lama was exemplary in diligent practice. None of their fellow friends could surpass him in terms of diligence in practice. Dropon Deyak Tenzin was his retreat master. During the retreat, he slept only an hour and the remaining waking hours were dedicated to full practice. He had taken a vow to avoid consumption of meat, garlic and even salts. Back in the old days, animals transported heavy loads of salt on their backs for long periods of months. Out of deep compassion for the animals, Karchung Lama like many practitioners made the determination to avoid salt. After he had completed the three years retreat in Tsurphu, Karchung Lama continued practising in isolated places like mountains and huts without exposing himself much to the public. Throughout his life, he devoted his time solely to spiritual practice. As a result, he was unknown to many people. He had fled to India after the communist invasion. In India, he stayed in Sikkhim near the . He lived humbly in a simple shelter and continued with his practice. Eventually, he attained great realisation and upon his death in Rumtek Monastery, there were plenty of auspicious signs such as the appearance of a beautiful rainbow. His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa also regarded the late Karchung Lama as a great practitioner. The second Karchung Tulku was born in Ladakh and his childhood life begun there. He attended a Tibetan school in Ladakh and later in Dharamsala where he completed his basic education. As a child, he did not like to eat meat. Each time his parents tried to feed him with meat, he would invariably fall seriously ill or mishaps would befall him. He simply did not like eating meat since young. From his early years as a child, he did not wish to live the life of a layman. He was a rebellion in the eyes of his parents and teachers. They could not understand his frustrations and his intense wish to become a monk. In the end, his parents succumbed to his pleas and allowed him to be ordained, thus fulfilling his deep desire to lead the life of a renunciant. After his ordination, Karchung Tulku’s behaviour changed and he became very gentle and well mannered. At the age of 13 years, Shamar Rinpoche recognised him as incarnation of Karchung Lama by sight and personally declared this immediately. Shamar Rinpoche was not requested by anyone at that time to search for the incarnation of the past Karchung Lama. Shortly after the recognition by the 14th Kunzig , the young Tulku was sent to Jangchub Choeling Monastery in Pokhara, Nepal for his training in Buddhist education under the care and guidance of our abbot Shangpa Rinpoche. In Pokhara, he completed his study at the Vikramashila Buddhist Institute. Thereafter he entered into a three and a half years retreat in Ngedon Palbar Ling Retreat Centre. He is a fully qualified Rinpoche capable of teaching and guiding practitioners in the authentic Buddhist teachings, particularly in transmitting the traditional methods of the Karma Kagyud teachings. Chinese Lunar New Year Prayers and Celebration We welcome the Chinese Lunar new year of the Wood Horse in 2014 with a series of prayers and gatherings. On the eve of Chinese new year i.e. 29 Jan Wed, we will conduct a Mahakala puja to clear away the obstacles from the previous year and open the way for the arrival of the auspicious new year! On the first day of Chinese new year 31 Jan, our centre will conduct Lhasang Puja, raise lungta and offer long life prayers to His Holiness 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje, our supreme leader of Karma Kagyud lineage. Zambhala Puja will be conducted on the second day of Chinese new year 1 Feb Sat. Devotees may bring their personal wealth vases (from all traditions) to the centre to recharge. Registration of your personal wealth vases will be done on the day itself with a nominal administrative fee of SGD5 per vase. On 9 Feb Sun, we invite you to join us for a Chinese new year steamboat lunch with our abbot Shangpa Rinpoche and members.

Date Time Chinese New Year Programme at KKBC

29 Jan 8pm - 10pm ★Mahakala Puja Wed

31 Jan 10am - ★Lhasang Puja (“Riwosangchod” Incense offerings to universal deities) Fri 12noon ★Raising LungTa ★Khatak Ceremony ★Long Life Prayers to His Holiness 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Trinley Thaye Dorje and all other Gurus

1 Feb 2pm - 4pm ★Zambhala Puja Sat Devotees may bring their personal wealth vases (from all traditions) to the centre to recharge at an administrative fee of $5 per vase

9 Feb 12noon - ★Chinese New Year Steamboat Lunch with Rinpoche and Sangha members Sun 2pm $15 members or $20 non-members

ShangpaFebruary Rinpoche will be teaching Teaching two important topics Topics in February 2014. SIX ORNAMENTS AND SEVEN POINTS OF MIND TWO SUPREMES TRAINING RETREAT In the 14th century, the Tibetan Canon The Seven Points of Mind Training is a famous underwent a final compilation and the Tibetans instruction on 'mind training' brought to by divided the sacred texts of Buddhism into two Lord Atisha and written down by broad categories of Kangyur "Translated Words" Chekawa. The seven points are: or works said by the Buddha himself and Tengyur or "Translated Treatises", or assigned 1. The Preliminaries to Mind Training; commentaries, treatises and works 2. The Main Practice of Training the Mind in (both and non-Mahayana). ; In addition to texts attributed to Shakyamuni 3. Transforming Adversity into the Path of Buddha and other Buddhas, the Tibetan Canon Awakening; contains a number of commentaries or shastras composed by Indian authors. The compassionate 4. Applying the Practice Throughout One's noble masters produced shastras that contain Whole Life; explanations of the teachings of the Buddha so 5. The Measure or Signs of Proficiency in Mind that more may understand Buddhism. Training; The 6 Ornaments 6. The Commitments of Mind Training; and and 2 Supremes are considered of 7. The Precepts of Mind Training. paramount Chekawa's original text was not arranged into importance these seven points. This was done later by his amongst them. disciple, Sechilphuwa Ozer Shyonnu (aka Chökyi The 2 Supremes Gyaltsen) (1121-1189). are and The Seven Points of Mind Training is a skilful , means of practice. Whatever our practice is, this founders of the mind training consists of advice which will mind-only and definitely deepen it. All tantric practices at whatever tantric level (be it charya, kriya, , or schools anuttarayoga), do not have real significance respectively. The without mind 6 Ornaments are training. Such Aryadeva (Mind- training is essential only school), and Dignaga (famed for any tantric logicians), Vasubhandu (prolific Buddhist scholar), practice, since it Gunaprabha and Sakyaprabha (prominent ensures the removal exponents of the ). of obstacles along the path.

Dates: 8 (Sat); 9 (Sun); 15 (Sat) and 16 Dates: 22 (Sat) & (Sun) of Feb 2014 23 (Sun) Feb 2014 Time: 2pm - 4pm & 4.30pm - 6.30pm Time: 3pm - 5pm Marpa & ’s Anniversaries MARPA THE GREAT TRANSLATOR

Milarepa's lama was Marpa, a.k.a. 'Marpa the Translator,' whose guru (teacher or lama) was , who's guru was, in turn, . (1012–1097), sometimes known fully as Lhodrak Marpa Choyki Lodro or commonly as Marpa the Translator, was a Tibetan Buddhist teacher credited with the transmission of many Vajrayana teachings from India, including the teachings and lineages of . Due to this the Kagyu lineage, which he founded, is often called Marpa Kagyu in his honour.

Born as Marpa Chökyi Lodrö, in Lhodrak Chukhyer in the southern part of Tibet, to an affluent family, he studied from a young age. Marpa first received instruction for three years at Mangkhar with Drokmi Shakya Yeshe and mastered . He travelled to India to study with renowned Indian Buddhist masters. Marpa returned home to Lhodrak and converted his entire inheritance into gold to fund his travel expenses and to make offerings to teachers.

Marpa journeyed first to Nepal where he studied with Paindapa and Chitherpa, two famous students of Naropa. Paindapa later accompanied Marpa to Pullahari, near Nalanda University, where Naropa taught. Marpa spent twelve years studying with Naropa and other great Indian gurus, most prominently Maitripa. After twelve years he set forth on his journey back to Tibet to teach and continue his dharma activities.

Marpa travelled to India and Nepal a few more times and studied with Naropa and other great teachers including Maitripa. In India, Marpa received the final teachings and instructions from Naropa. It was then that Naropa prophesied that Marpa’s lineage would be carried on by his disciples and not his family. Marpa now had received the full transmission, so Naropa formally declared Marpa to be his successor although he had other major disciples.

Upon his return to Tibet, Marpa spent many years translating Buddhist scriptures and made a major contribution to the transmission of the complete Buddhadharma to Tibet. Marpa continued to practice and give teachings and transmissions to many students in Tibet. After his second visit to India, Milarepa became his disciple. After the death of Marpa's son, Darma Dode, Milarepa inherited his lineage in full.

Please refer to next page on a brief introduction to Milarepa the great yogi. Marpa & Milarepa’s Anniversaries Milarepa the great yogi Jetsun Milarepa (c. 1052 – c. 1135 CE) is one of Tibet’s most famous yogis and poets. He was a student of Marpa Lotsawa, and an important master of the Kagyu school of Vajrayana. Born in the village of Kya Ngatsa in Gungthang province of western Tibet to a prosperous family, he was named Mila Thopaga, which means "A joy to hear." His family name, Josay indicates noble descent. When his father died, Milarepa's uncle and aunt took all of the family's wealth. At his mother's request, Milarepa left home and studied sorcery. While his aunt and uncle were having a party to celebrate the impending marriage of their son, he took his revenge by summoning a giant hail storm to demolish their house, killing 35 people. The uncle and aunt survived. The villagers were angry and set off to look for Milarepa, but his mother warned him, and he sent a hailstorm to destroy their crops. Milarepa regretted his evil ways and set out to find a lama and was led to Marpa the Translator. Marpa saw his past evil deeds and was harsh to him in order to clear his negative karma. Before Marpa would teach Milarepa, he had him build and then demolish three towers in turn. Marpa finally taught Milarepa the spiritual teachings. Milarepa then left on his own, and after 12 years of diligence, he attained complete enlightenment. He then became known as Milarepa. 'Mila' is Tibetan for; 'great man', and 'repa' means; 'cotton clad one.' At the age of 45, he started to practice at Drakar Taso (White Rock Horse Tooth) cave – "Milarepa’s Cave", as well as becoming a wandering teacher. There, he survived on nettle, leading his skin to turn green with a waxy covering. Thus, he is often depicted with a greenish hue in paintings and sculpture. Milarepa is famous for many of his songs and poems, in which he expresses the profundity of his realisation of the dhrama. His songs of realisation or doha were spontaneous and came about while he was immersed in enlightened states of consciousness.

On 15 (Sat) & 16 (Sun) March 2014, our abbot Shangpa Rinpoche will lead us in a series of dharma programme in honour of these two major figures of Karma Kagyud lineage. We welcome you to join us in these meaningful activities whilst making deeper connections with our precious lineage masters. Marpa & Milarepa’s Anniversaries DATE TIME PROGRAMME

15 Mar 3pm - 3.30pm *Introduction to Kagyupa Lineage by Rinpoche (Sat) 3.30pm - 4pm *Milarepa’s Life Story and His influence on our practice

4pm - 4.30pm *Break

4.30pm - 5.30pm *Milarepa Tsog Puja

5.30pm - 7pm * Recitation of Milarepa’s Songs in the Rain of Wisdom

*16 Mar 11am - 11.30am *Marpa’s Life Story and His Influence on our practice (Sun) 11.30am - 12pm *1000 Lamp Offerings

12.15pm - 3pm * Animal Liberation

4.30pm - 6pm * Recitation of Marpa’s Songs in the Rain of Wisdom

7.30pm - 9.30pm * Karma Pakshi Puja * Chhotrul Duchen or the ‘Festivals of Miracles’ is one of the four major Buddhist festivals commemorating four events in the life of the Buddha according to Tibetan traditions. It takes place on the full moon (15th day) of the first Tibetan month. The first 15 days of the year celebrate the 15 days during which the Buddha displayed different miracles to increase the devotion and merits of his disciples. Butter lamps are offered to commemorate this special occasion. Amitabha Jangchog Puja Qing Ming day falls on 5 April 2014. In commemoration of the deceased, our centre will conduct Amitabha Jangchog to help the deceased in the and show them the path to Enlightenment.

Merits are accumulated through making supplications, offerings and confessions to Buddha Amitabha and are transferred to the deceased to help them in the purification of their defilements and liberation.

During Amitabha Jang Chog, the name of the deceased is written on a paper tablet and the tablet is burned in the process of the puja to symbolize purification of all the gross and subtle defilements, obscurities and negative karma of the individual by the fire of wisdom and thereby ripen their merit to be reborn in Amitabha’s pureland of Dewachen (Sanskrit: Sukhavati).

Date: 30 Mar (Sun) Time: 2pm - 6pm Amitabha Jangchog by Shangpa Rinpoche Origin of Qing Ming Qing Ming is a Chinese forest with his mother. The traditions ancestors' graves only festival to remember The Duke looked for developed into on Qing Ming. The the dead, by visiting Jie, but he couldn’t find sweeping the ancestors’ observance of Qing and cleaning grave sites him so that he ordered tombs, offering food Ming found a firm of the deceased. Often, his servants to burn the and drinks, and place in Chinese culture people will also bring forest in order to force burning paper gifts for and continued since food and drink as Jie out. Unfortunately, the deceased. Those Ancient China. offerings to the the fire killed Jie who gifts are meant to be The other traditions are ancestors. Qing Ming died in 636 BC. The received by the done by farmers who originated from a sad remorseful Duke Wen deceased ancestors in put a willow branch in story about a man ordered the villagers their realm. front of the doors or whose name was Jie not to use fire and eat Qing Ming has a gates of their houses to Zitui, a faithful servant only cold food for three tradition stretching wipe out the evil spirit. of a Duke named Wen. days (Han Shi festival) back more than 2,500 People also fly colourful Jie was so faithful that to commemorate Jie’s years. Back then, kites during day and once when Wen was in wealthy citizens in night time and put 19 years of exile, they China were holding too small lanterns in the could hardly find any many extravagant and kites so that the kites food. Jie prepared a ostentatiously expensive will flicker in the sky meat soup made from ceremonies in honour like stars. flesh of his own thigh. of their ancestors. When his lord found death. The second year These days, Chinese Emperor Xuanzong, out that Jie’s sacrifice, when the Duke went to worldwide generally seeking to curb this he promised Jie that the mountain to make welcome the practice, declared that once he became King, offerings to Jie, he celebration of Qing respects could be he would reward Jie for found the willows Ming festival as it is also his loyalty. revived, so he gave an occasion of family instructions that the day reunion. It is a unique Jie, who didn’t want after Han Shi Festival day integrating sorrows, any reward, resigned was to be Qing Ming reminisce and laughters not long after his lord Festival. Later, the two from the family. became a Duke and festivals were combined formally paid at lived in seclusion in a as one. Children’s Dharma WEEKLY PRACTICE Life of the Buddha - Bakkula 8pm-10pm Bakkula was an arahat who was very healthy and never fell sick. When he 1. Four Arm Chenrezig was born, his nurse bathed him in the Yamuna river daily. One day, a huge fish Every Wed came and swallowed him alive. A fisherman caught the fish and sold it in the 2. Chod market. A family who had no children bought it. When the wife cut open the Every Thu fish, she saw the baby and was very happy. She took care of the baby and 3. 35 Buddhas raised him as her own flesh and blood. News of this spread far and soon, his Every Sat real parents knew about it. They came asking for their baby back. The king 4. Green Tara decreed that the baby belonged to both families. He stayed half a year with Every Sun 10am - 12pm each family. Since both families raised him, Bakkula received plenty from them.

Quiz - Tick the correct answer(s) in the box provided. MONTHLY PRACTICE 8pm-10pm 1. Bakkula’s mother lost her baby to a lion. 5. Milarepa Tsog Puja 2. A lady bought the fish from the market. 15th of Lunar Month 3. Bakkula eventually reunited with his real parents. 6. Dakini Day - Chod Puja 4. Bakulla received very little from his families. 25th of Lunar Month 7. Mahakala Puja 29th of Lunar Month

W.o.W - Words of Wisdom MUDRA EDITORIAL TEAM

by Shangpa Rinpoche English Section

་མ་མིག་་མིག་ཡོར་ལ་སོགས་པ། * PHNG HUANG MENG All hallucination, mirage and illusions, Chinese Section བདེན་པར་བ་མིན་ངང་གིས་ོག་ར་ན། * CHOO QWEE LAN Are not truly established in nature, * TAH KWEE LENG

དངོས་འཛན་ང་བའང་འདི་ལས་གཞན་མེད་ན། Please note that the Even the appearances of phenomena are no different from that nature, programme is subject to change. བདེན་འཛན་་བ་བག་ཆག་ཉིད་ལས་གཞན། They are none other than the habitual view of grasping of true existence. CENTRE’S OPENING HOURS Mon to Sat - 11 am to 1 pm & 3 pm to 8 pm Sun - 11 am to 6 pm

For special occasions such as celebration of Day or teachings or special pujas, the opening hours may differ. If you are uncertain, please do call us. Telephone: +65 6749 1103 Email: [email protected] www.karma-kagyud.org.sg/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karma-Kagyud-Buddhist-Centre-Singapore

Left: Artist impression of our new centre. We need your kind and continuous support in completing this monumental project for the benefit of all sentient beings. Thank you for your generous support and meritorious help in all ways. Right: Current state of our existing centre JAN 2014年1月节目表

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 星期一 星期二 星期三 星期四 星期五 星期六 星期日

31 Dec 2013 1 2 3 4 New Year’s eve 5 NEW YEAR DAY

New Moon

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 16 17 18 19 15 Full Moon

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31 New Moon CHINESE NEW YEAR

DATE 日期 TIME 时间 ACTIVITY 节 目 LOCATION 地点 NOTES Wed 8pm-10pm 4 Arm Chenrezig Practice Our Centre 星期三 晚上八点至十点 四臂观 音修法 中心 Thu 8pm-10pm Chod Practice Our Centre 星期四 晚上八点至十点 断行法 中心 Sat 8pm-10pm 35 Buddha Practice Our Centre 星期六 晚上八点至十点 三十五佛修法 中心 Sun 10am - 12noon Green Tara Practice Our Centre 星期日 早上十点至中午十二点 綠度母修法 中心 31 Dec 2013 Tue 8pm-12midnight Mahakala Puja (29th of Lunar Month) Our Centre 十二月三十一日 晚上八点至十点 玛 哈嘎拉荟 供(农历 二十九日); Lamp offerings, 中心 （星期二） With Karchung Samantabhadra Aspiration Prayers and Eight Auspicious Prayers & circumambulation with Rinpoche Tengyur & Kangyur Texts 4 - 26 Jan Please see newsletter Chigse Kundrol Empowerment Our Centre 一月四日至二十六日 for more details. 吉谢 昆卓43位寂静及愤 怒本尊灌顶 中心 8 Jan Wed 9am-1pm Free Monthly Haircut for Thuja Home’s Please contact Aunt Nancy @ 每月的第二个星期三 早上九点至中午一点 Residents 噶玛 迦如佛教中心常月义 剪活动 94883607 for more details. 请联 一月八日 络 Aunt Nancy 94883607了解详 17 & 19 Jan 17 Jan: 7.30pm-10pm Vajrakilaya empowerment, oral transmission Our情 Centre 一月十七日和十九日 晚上七点半至十点 and teaching by Sang Sang Rinpoche 普巴金刚 中心 19 Jan: 10am-10pm 早上十点至晚上 灌顶 和口传 , 修持方法及共修。 桑桑上师 主持。 18 Jan Sat shidian6.30pm-10pm KKBC Grand Fund-Raising Dinner Singapore EXPO, Maxatria 一月十八日 （星期六） 晚上六点半至十点 新中心筹募基金晚宴 Garnet Room, Level 2 25 Jan Sat 8pm-10pm Dakini Day - Chod Puja 25th of Lunar Month Our Centre 一月二十五日 (星期六) 晚上八点至十点 空行母荟 供日：断行修法 (农历 二十五日) 中心 29 Jan Wed 8pm-10pm Mahakala Puja (29th of Lunar Month) Our Centre 一月二十九日(星期三) 晚上八点至十点 玛 哈嘎拉荟 供(农历 二十九日) 中心 31 Jan Fri 10am - 12noon Lhasang Puja (“Riwosangchod” Incense Our Centre 一月三十一日（星期五） 早上十点至中午十二点 offerings to universal deities); Raising LungTa 中心 Khatak Offering Ceremony; Long Life Prayers to His Holiness 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Trinley Thaye Dorje and all other Gurus. FEB 2014年2月节目表 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 星期一 星期二 星期三 星期四 星期五 星期六 星期日

1 CHINESE NEW YEAR 2

3 4 7 5 6 8 9

10 11 14 12 13 15 16 Full Moon

17 18 21 19 20 22 23

24 25 26 27 28

DATE 日期 TIME 时间 ACTIVITY 节 目 LOCATION 地点 NOTES Wed 8pm-10pm 4 Arm Chenrezig Practice 四臂观 音修法 Our Centre 星期三 晚上八点至十点 中心 Thu 8pm-10pm Chod Practice 断行法 Our Centre 星期四 晚上八点至十点 中心 Sat 8pm-10pm 35 Buddha Practice 三十五佛修法 Our Centre 星期六 晚上八点至十点 中心 Sun 10am - 12pm Green Tara Practice 綠度母修法 Our Centre 星期日 早上十点至中午十二点 中心 1 Feb Sat 2pm-4pm Zambhala Puja Our Centre 二月一日（星期六） 下午两点至四点 财 神荟 供 中心

8, 9, 15 & 16 Feb 2pm-4pm & Six Ornaments and Two Supremes Our Centre 二月八，九， 十五 和 十六日 4.30pm-6.30pm 二圣六庄严 中心 下午两点至4点； 下午四点半至六点半 9 Feb Sun 12noon-2pm Chinese New Year Steamboat Lunch with Our Centre 二月九日（星期日） 中午至下午两点 Rinpoche and Sangha members 中心 于香巴上师还 有喇嘛共享农历 新年火锅 午餐。

12 Feb Wed 9am-1pm Free Monthly Haircut for Thuja Home’s Please contact Aunt 每月的第二个星期三 早上九点至中午一点 Residents 噶玛 迦如佛教中心常月义 剪活动 Nancy @ 94883607 for more details. 请联络 Aunt 二月十二日 Nancy 94883607了解详 情

22 & 23 Feb Sat & Sun 3pm-5pm Seven Points of Mind Training by Shangpa Our Centre 二月二十二至二十三日 下午三点至五点 Rinpoche 修心七要由香巴方丈教导 中心 24 Feb Mon 8pm-10pm Dakini Day - Chod Puja 25th of Lunar Month Our Centre 二月二十四日 (星期一) 晚上八点至十点 空行母荟 供日：断行修法 (农历 二十五日) 中心

28 Feb Fri 8pm-10pm Mahakala Puja (29th of Lunar Month) Our Centre 二月二十八日(星期五) 晚上八点至十点 玛 哈嘎拉荟 供(农历 二十九日) 中心 MAR 2014年3月节目表

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 星期一 星期二 星期三 星期四 星期五 星期六 星期日

31 1 2 New Moon

3 4 7 5 6 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Marpa & Milarepa’s Full Moon Anniversaries

Marpa & Milarepa’s Anniversaries

17 18 21 19 20 22 23

24 28 29 25 26 27 30 No Mahakala group practice as we need to prepare the shrine for Amitabha Jangchog the next day. DATE 日期 TIME 时间 ACTIVITY 节 目 LOCATION 地点 NOTES

Wed 8pm-10pm 4 Arm Chenrezig Practice Our Centre 星期三 晚上八点至十点 四臂观 音修法 中心 Thu 8pm-10pm Chod Practice Our Centre 星期四 晚上八点至十点 断行法 中心 Sat 8pm-10pm 35 Buddha Practice Our Centre 星期六 晚上八点至十点 三十五佛修法 中心

Sun 10am-12noon Green Tara Practice Our Centre 星期日 早上十点至中午十二点 綠度母修法 中心 12 Mar Wed 9am-1pm Free Monthly Haircut for Thuja Home’s Please contact Aunt Nancy @ 每月的第二个星期三 早上九点至中午一点 Residents 94883607 for more details. 请联络 噶玛 迦如佛教中心常月义 剪活动 Aunt Nancy 94883607了解详 情 三月十二日

15 & 16 Mar Sat 15 Mar: 3pm-7pm; Marpa & Milarepa’s Anniversaries Our Centre 三月十五至十六日(星期六至日) 下午三点至晚上七点 玛 尔巴和米拉日巴的纪 念日 中心 16 Mar: 11am-9.30pm 早上十一点至晚上九点半

25 Mar Tue 8pm-10pm Dakini Day - Chod Puja Our Centre 三月二十五日 (星期二) 晚上八点至十点 25th of Lunar Month 中心 空行母荟 供日：断行修法 (农历 二十五

30 Mar Sun 三月三十日 2pm-6pm Amitabha日) Jangchog Our Centre 下午两点至六点 阿弥陀佛超度法会 中心 （星期日）