DOCSLIB.ORG

Download The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Download The 1 2 Dedication and Appreciation This memoir is dedicated to the wellbeing of my two sons, Genou and Justin Lepani and my grandchildren: Jasper, Finlay, Stevie and Iris, in the face of the difficult challenges facing our society and Mother Earth and all its lifeforms, and to the work of Regenerative Songlines Australia and its vision of a network of projects that are multidisciplinary, including regenerative economies, societies, ecological stewardship and design practices to transform the dominant industrialised society, economy and culture of Australia, towards regeneration and restoration, so that we can live and thrive within bioregional ecological limits and planetary boundaries. It is also dedicated to the continued role of the ancient wisdom cultures of First Nations peoples and the Vajrayana of Tibet in shaping the future of the world. I would also like to express my appreciation to my dharma teachers, Sogyal Rinpoche and the many masters from whom I received teachings through him, and to Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche, whom I met in New Zealand and with whom I travelled to Tibet in 2004. I would also like to thank my many dharma friends over the years, particularly my lifelong friend Inge Riebe, Susie White and Celeste Croteau who have been staunch dharma friends in my later years, to the many friends in the Rigpa sangha, to Keith Rowan and Tim Lewis my dharma friends in New Zealand, to Volker Denks through whom I was able to research the life and times of Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodrö, to Patience Hook my dear friend from my Stanwell Park days who has given me invaluable advice on the actual writing of the memoir, and provided me with a living personal link to the enduring mystical tradition of Christianity. I would also like to express my gratitude to the late Tjilpi Bob Randall and to the Elders and new generation of First Nations intellectuals and creatives who are helping me understand the rich and important heritage of Australia’s First Nations knowledge systems. 3 Table of Contents Dedication and Appreciation ...................................................................................................... 3 About the Author ............................................................................................................................. 7 Preface ................................................................................................................................................ 9 1: The Dakini Calls ....................................................................................................................... 17 2: Across the Colonial Divide .................................................................................................... 35 3. Life in the Third World and Return to Australia ........................................................... 47 4: Perception and Reality .......................................................................................................... 71 5: I Want You to Dance ................................................................................................................ 81 6: Encountering the Vajrayana with Sogyal Rinpoche ..................................................... 95 7: Guru Yoga—the Mystical Path ........................................................................................... 113 8: Parallel Perspectives ............................................................................................................ 129 9: Wisdom Journeys ................................................................................................................... 141 10: Times with Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche ...................................................................... 159 11: Retreat and Its Fruits ......................................................................................................... 177 12. Towards Regenerative Living ......................................................................................... 191 Footnote References .................................................................................................................. 203 © Call of the Dakini, 2021 About the Author Barbara Lepani is a sociologist of technological innovation, who has also been a student-practitioner of the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition of Tibet since 1985, when she met and took Sogyal Rinpoche as her heart teacher, her guru. She lives in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Over the years she was closely involved with Sogyal Rinpoche’s Rigpa international organisation of dharma centres and groups, attending Australian retreats and international retreats in Lerab Ling, Rigpa’s international retreat centre in the L’Engayresque area of the south of France. Captivated by the Vajrayana knowledge system to which Sogyal Rinpoche introduced her, and through reading the life stories of many of the great masters of this tradition, dating back to the time of Padmsambhava and Yeshe Tsogyal in 8th century Tibet, in the early years Barbara was closely involved in transcribing the recordings of teachings at retreats. She later trained to become a Rigpa instructor, helping groups of students engage with and explore the meaning of the teachings and the relevance to their lives. Barbara later became the National Study Director for Rigpa Australia, and worked on the development of a new international curriculum for Rigpa student-practitioners, under the direction of Sogyal Rinpoche and his senior student, Ian Maxwell. Between 2006 and 2009, Barbara entered into a three-year retreat in the Dzogchen tradition of the Longchen Nyingtik, during which time she undertook the traditional intensive practices of the tradition, studied Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and received teachings from many of the great masters of the tradition, including: HH. Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Mingyur Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Orgyen Topgyal Rinpoche, Garchen Rinpoche, Tenga Rinpoche, Jetsuun Kushog Chimey Luding, Kyabjé Taklung Tserul Rinpoche, Phakchog Rinpoche, Alak Zankar Rinpoche, Khenchen Pema Sherab, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, Samdhong Rinpoche, Lodi Gyari Rinpoche, Khenpo Namdrol and Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel. After returning to Australia, Barbara continued to follow the Buddhist path as a simple student-practitioner, moving to live in the majestic natural environment of the Blue Mountains, part of the extensive Blue Mountains © Call of the Dakini, 2021 World Heritage Area west of Sydney, with an aspiration to live the truth of the teachings in her daily life and activities. Barbara grew up in regional Queensland, moving to live in Sydney in her early twenties, where she met and married fellow university student, Charles Lepani from the Trobriand Islands of PNG. She worked as a sociology teacher and policy analyst in PNG, returning to Australia in late 1878 to work in the government, community and university sectors. She undertook a MA in Science and Technologies Studies, before working at the University of Wollongong’s Centre for Technology and Social Change, and the Australian Centre for Innovation at the University of Sydney. Between 2002 and 2005 Barbara lived in New Zealand, supporting the work of Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche with whom she travelled to Tibet in 2004. After returning to Australia in late 2009 at the end of her three-year retreat, in 2010 Barbara took up as position as a Visiting Fellow at the ANU, working on a history of East Tibet, Tulkus, Tertons and Turmoil 1855-1955 (unpublished) before taking up a career as a policy analyst in the Commonwealth Public Service. In 2015 Barbara moved to live in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, and in 2017 she retired from the Australian Public Service. As coordinator of the Blue Mountains Creative Arts Network’s Wild Mountain Collective, Barbara is active in her local community with a passion for promoting the integration of ancient wisdom, including that embodied in First Nations Knowledge systems and Vajrayana Buddhism, with the insights of the sciences of complex systems and ecologies, and through her recent work with Resilient Blue Mountains, a local community organisaiton. 8 Preface Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal Fearless Lady of Lotus Light Hear my plight Fill my heart with your blessings Opening it into the vast expanse. I was almost forty years of age when in 1985 I first encountered the idea of the dakini through the life story of the eighth century Tibetan tantric yogi and spiritual adept, Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal.1 She is regarded as the supreme human embodiment of the dakini principle, of which the outward expression is the dance of the elements, and which is frequently represented in a dancing female form, her right leg tucked against her vulva. ‘Her’ inner ‘secret’ expression is the realisation of limitless dynamic awareness. At the time when the Tibetan Empire controlled large areas of Central Asia, Yeshe Tsogyal abandoned her life as one of King Trisong Detsen’s queens to become a spiritual disciple and consort of the great tantric mystic, Padmasambhava. A foundational figure in the establishment of Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet during the eighth and ninth centuries, Padmasambhava is known as Guru Rinpoche, precious teacher. Legend has it that the dakinis sang Guru Rinpoche into being on a lotus flower on Lake Dhanakosha in Oddiyana, a small kingdom thought to be in the Swat Valley of Pakistan, on the ancient Silk Road to China along which the Buddhist teachings travelled from
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Decontextualization of Vajrayāna Buddhism in International Buddhist Organizations by the Example of the Organization Rigpa
    grant reference number: 01UL1823X The decontextualization of Vajrayāna Buddhism in international Buddhist Organizations by the example of the organization Rigpa Anne Iris Miriam Anders Globalization and commercialization of Buddhism: the organization Rigpa Rigpa is an international Buddhist organization (Vajrayāna Buddhism) with currently 130 centers and groups in 41 countries (see Buddhistische Religionsgemeinschaft Hamburg e.V. c/o Tibetisches Zentrum e.V., Nils Clausen, Hermann-Balk- Str. 106, 22147 Hamburg, Germany : "Rigpa hat mittlerweile mehr als 130 Zentren und Gruppen in 41 Ländern rund um die Welt." in https://brghamburg.de/rigpa-e-v/ date of retrieval: 5.11.2020) Rigpa in Austria: centers in Vienna and Salzburg see https://www.rigpa.de/zentren/daenemark-oesterreich-tschechien/ date of retrieval: 27.10.2020 Rigpa in Germany: 19 centers see https://www.rigpa.de/aktuelles/ date of retrieval: 19.11.2019 Background: globalization, commercialization and decontextualization of (Vajrayāna) Buddhism Impact: of decontextualization of terms and neologisms is the rationalization of economical, emotional and physical abuse of people (while a few others – mostly called 'inner circles' in context - draw their profits) 2 contents of the presentation I. timeline of crucial incidents in and around the organization Rigpa II. testimonies of probands from the organization Rigpa (in the research project TransTibMed) III. impact of decontextualizing concepts of Vajrayāna Buddhism and cross-group neologisms in international Buddhist organizations IV. additional citations in German language V. references 3 I) timeline of crucial incidents in and around the organization Rigpa 1. timeline of crucial events (starting 1994, 2017- summer 2018) (with links to the documents) 2. analysis of decontextualized concepts, corresponding key dynamics and neologisms 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Mt. Kailash Pilgrimage Kora Grand Tour
    MT. KAILASH PILGRIMAGE KORA GRAND TOUR Tashi delek! Tibetan Guide Travel Tours is a small travel agency based in Lhasa. We always work hard and take responsible for our clients by using local services as much as possible. Of course we use Tibetan drivers and tour guides. Who are experienced, have rich knowledge about Tibetan culture and also excellent attitude. We are confident that you would not be disappointed if you choose our services letting us show you our mother land. Proposed itinerary Day 1: Lhasa arrival [3650m] Upon arrival in Lhasa you will be welcomed by your English-speaking Tibetan Guide and Tibetan Driver who will bring you to your hotel. Acclimatization to high altitude: please, drink lots of water and take plenty of rest in order to minimize altitude sickness. Overnight at Shambhala Palace or House of Shambhala Hotel, which are a Tibetan style hotel located in Lhasa city center (Barkhor) Day 2: Lhasa sightseeing We begin visiting Ramoche Temple, built in honor of the image of Jowo Rinpoche that Chinese princess Wencheng brought by marrying Songtsen Gampo, the first king of Buddhist doctrine and who unified the Tibetan empire in the 7th century. Thereafter, we continue with Jokhang Temple, the most sacred monastery in Tibet. It was also founded in the 7th century by Songtsen Gampo. Later you can explore the surrounding Barkhor old quarter and spend time walking around Jokhang Temple following pilgrims from all over the Tibetan plateau. In the afternoon we go to Sera Monastery, one of three great universities of Gelugpa Sect. We will attend the debating session of the monks.
    [Show full text]
  • Kids Helpline Symposium 2016 15 September Help Seeking by Children and Young People: Past, Present & Future
    Kids Helpline Symposium 2016 15 September Help seeking by children and young people: Past, Present & Future Kids Helpline (KHL) first opened its phone helpline to children and young people 25 years ago. On the first day of opening, 3,200 young people called Kids Helpline. 25 years of providing counselling and support has seen more than 7.5 million contacts responded to nationally. Over the years we have made remarkable achievements and seen changes not only in why kids contact us but also how they do this. In 1991, the internet did not exist the way we think of it today. In today’s world kids no longer go online they live online. Young people’s help seeking pathways and preferences over the last 25 years have constantly evolved – socially, culturally and technologically. KHL responds to these changes through innovation and service delivery. We believe it’s important to share this knowledge as it can inform ongoing service development, including the Australian mental health reform process. No other organisation in Australia provides what KHL does with extensive contact with young help seekers. This gives KHL a unique insight into the help seeking behaviour of children and young people. We have invited topic experts to contribute to discussion about the past, present and future of help seeking by children and young people. We invite you to join us to help Australia continue to provide services that are supportive, child-focused and responsive. Panel Host: Megan Mitchell, National Children’s Commissioner Megan is Australia’s first National Children’s Commissioner. Her appointment marks a significant step in the protection of children in Australia with the rights and interests of children, and the laws, policies and programs that impact on them being top of the Commission agenda.
    [Show full text]
  • THE GROUND BENEATH HIS FEET an Artist's Sacred Sojourn In
    THE GROUND BENEATH HIS FEET An Artist’s Sacred Sojourn in Western Tibet Modern life has made us busy every waking hour. The pervasive running out of time has become a sport befitting the strongest of urbanites. Success is measured by the ability to stay on top and we find purpose for our daily existence in the order and accumulation of things, which make us too preoccupied and anxious in the first place1. Then all of a sudden some tragic event with irreversible consequences turns everything on its head and shakes up the security of this hard‐earned status quo at its foundation. The void left in the aftermath creates an opening for a new vision to emerge in the mind’s awareness. It is often a desire for a more peaceful and spiritually focused way of being. The thought of this newfound horizon becomes so overwhelmingly vivid, and the urge to reach it so profound, that one takes in stride to make it a reality—above all else. Such a seismic shift catapulted Arthur Liou in search of something greater than life—he became a pilgrim on a quest. The vision to embark on an epic spiritual and creative journey into the Himalayan Mountains was triggered by the mysterious voice of a Tibetan singer heard in a bookstore in Taiwan. The soulfulness of her voice resonated deeply within his grieving heart, sparking an inner inkling for the distant land it came from. Not long after, a Buddhist monk friend showed him a photograph of Mount Kailash: the image looked astonishingly familiar to him despite having never been to this remote part of the world.
    [Show full text]
  • The Letter to Sogyal (Lakar)
    July 14, 2017 Sogyal Lakar, The Rigpa Sangha is in crisis. Long-simmering issues with your behavior can no longer be ignored or denied. As long-time committed and devoted students we feel compelled to share our deep concern regarding your violent and abusive behavior. Your actions have hurt us individually, harmed our fellow sisters and brothers within Rigpa the organization, and by extension Buddhism in the West. We write to you following the advice of the Dalai Lama, in which he has said that students of Tibetan Buddhist lamas are obliged to communicate their concerns about their teacher: If one presents the teachings clearly, others benefit. But if someone is supposed to propagate the Dharma and their behavior is harmful, it is our responsibility to criticize this with a good motivation. This is constructive criticism, and you do not need to feel uncomfortable doing it. In “The Twenty Verses on the Bodhisattvas’ Vows,” it says that there is no fault in whatever action you engage in with pure motivation. Buddhist teachers who abuse sex, power, money, alcohol, or drugs, and who, when faced with legitimate complaints from their own students, do not correct their behavior, should be criticized openly and by name. This may embarrass them and cause them to regret and stop their abusive behavior. Exposing the negative allows space for the positive side to increase. When publicizing such misconduct, it should be made clear that such teachers have disregarded the Buddha’s advice. However, when making public the ethical misconduct of a Buddhist teacher, it is only fair to mention their good qualities as well.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix 3D Post-Federation Unification Proposals
    3D-1 Appendix 3D Post-Federation Unification Proposals Appendix 3D provides a summary of Unification proposals that have been advocated in the years following Federation in 1901. The proposals included here reflect the collection assembled to assist the preparation of this thesis, and are by no means an exhaustive collection, but they document several historically significant findings and suffice to demonstrate that Unification and related reforms has been seriously proposed on numerous occasions since Federation, as was also the case in the decades leading up to Federation, as described in Appendix 3A. This appendix has five sections. The first, in Table 3D-1, provides a compilation of extracts from literature sources on post-Federation Unification proposals and the claimed benefits of unification. The second and third briefly summarise policies of the Australian Democrats and Australian Greens political parties which show that these parties support Unification or related government structure reforms. The fourth and fifth then describe summaries of Unification proposals and related proposals (including New States proposals) put forward in two series of events in 1997 and 1998: (1) 128 community forums conducted by the National Australia Day Council and the Australian Local Government Association in 1997 as part of the Australia Consults initiatve, and (2) 58 Local Constitutional Conventions (LCCs) conducted in 1997 and 1998 by the Constitutional Centenary Foundation in conjuction with local government organisations and 66 participating councils. The summaries included here are edited versions of summaries originally prepared in 2001. Selected Extracts on Post-Federation Unification Proposals Table 3D-1 below presents a compilation of literature extracts describing Unification proposals and the claimed benefits of such proposals.
    [Show full text]
  • SYDNEY BRANCH Vigilance and Service
    BE SURF LIF AVING ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA SYDNEY BRANCH Vigilance and Service 1907- -1957 I L. J. Cullen Pty. Ltd., Printers, 75 Canterbury Road, Bankstown / ....,,,,,,. SYDNEY BRANCH SEASON 1956/57 SURF RESCUES SURF AWARDS Club Approximate Member- Cl .... Q) , value of ship year ub o "d Farmed or CLUBS I~ ~ ..c: ;:i Club Gear ID ui Affiliated :.:::1 :.:::1 6 ·5 ~ ..c: Ul ..c: - ..c: .... -:S~ ~ Ul . £ ~ j - Q) .-::; 0 - 0 ·- C ID § .._. ~ U ~ ~ U ~ u - fa j ~ Jl ~0 ~ :.:::1 o:: .::: __ _f__ m ,_; o m ,_; o ~ o NORTHSIDE AVALON 82 2 9 3 7 180 29 35 600 62 98 1930 BILGOLA 15 2 3 1 4 24 3 - 90 13 29 222 55 40 1949 BUNGAN . ... 3 3 - 4 - 16 3 2 62 15 31 1953 COLLAROY ... ... 45 3 4 5 0 - 100 13 4 13 479 66 50 150 104 100 1911 DEE WHY .. .. .... 43 5 2 9 1 300 11 2 6 873 124 136 1000 70 110 1912 FRESHWATER 20 4 0 190 .0 3 3 967 149 73 2300 148 157 1907 3 1 19 6 - 46 7 4 400 38 37 1950 LONG REEF .. ·· ·-· 4 MANLY 23 3 3 6 - - 36 13 9 1118 165 30 700 129 133 1911 MONA VALE 21 9 - 34 4 - 6 227 30 11 700 35 16 1922 NEWPORT . ... 20 1 8 3 D 4 97 22 1 1 300 33 27 680 57 35 1911 NORTH CURL CURL 8 4 - 9 2 10 403 59 57 900 65 33 1922 NORTH NARRABEEN .
    [Show full text]
  • Tibet Saga Dawa Festival 2022 at Mt. Kailash
    Mt Kailash Pilgrimage Kora SAGA DAWA FESTIVAL 2022 Tashi delek! Tibetan Guide Travel Tours is a small travel agency based in Lhasa. We always work hard and take responsible for our clients by using local services as much as possible. Of course we use Tibetan drivers and tour guides. Who are experienced, have rich knowledge about Tibetan culture and also excellent attitude. We are confident that you would not be disappointed if you choose our services letting us show you our mother land. Proposed itinerary June 4th, 2022. Day 1: Lhasa arrival [3650m] Upon arrival in Lhasa you will be welcomed by your English-speaking Tibetan Guide and Tibetan Driver who will bring you to your hotel. Acclimatization to high altitude: please, drink lots of water and take plenty of rest in order to minimize altitude sickness. Overnight at Shambhala Palace or House of Shambhala Hotel, which are a Tibetan style hotel located in Lhasa city center (Barkhor) June 5th, 2022. Day 2: Lhasa sightseeing We begin visiting Ramoche Temple, built in honor of the image of Jowo Rinpoche that Chinese princess Wencheng brought by marrying Songtsen Gampo, the first king of Buddhist doctrine and who unified the Tibetan empire in the 7th century. Thereafter, we continue with Jokhang Temple, the most sacred monastery in Tibet. It was also founded in the 7th century by Songtsen Gampo. Later you can explore the surrounding Barkhor old quarter and spend time walking around Jokhang Temple following pilgrims from all over the Tibetan plateau. In the afternoon we go to Sera Monastery, one of three great universities of Gelugpa Sect.
    [Show full text]
  • Tibetan Nuns Debate for Dalai Lama
    PO Box 6483, Ithaca, NY 14851 607-273-8519 WINTER 1996 Newsletter and Catalog Supplement Tibetan Nuns Debate for Dalai Lama NAMGYAL INSTITUTE by Thubten Chodron I began hearing rumors the At 4PM nuns, monks, and Enters New Phase morning of Sunday, October 8th laypeople gathered in the court- that nuns were going to debate in yard. The nuns were already debat- the courtyard in front of the main ing on one side, and their voices of Development temple in Dharamsala and that His and clapping hands, a mark of de- Holiness the Dalai Lama was to be bate as done in Tibetan Buddhism, Spring 1996 will mark the end Lama. The monks have received a • Obtain health insurance for the there to observe. There were many filled the place. Suddenly there was of the fourth full year of operation wide and popular reception Namgyal monks, none of whom nuns in McLeod Gam' at the time; a hush and the nuns who had been and the beginning of a new phase throughout the U.S. and Canada, currently have health insurance. the major nunneries in India and debating went onto the stage in the of development for the Institute of and there is an ever-growing circle • Fund a full-time paid adminis- Nepal were having their first ever "pavilion" where His Holiness' seat Buddhist Studies established by of students at the Institute in trator. Our two administrators inter-nunnery debate. The fact that was. His Holiness soon came out, Namgyal Monastery in North Ithaca, confirming the validity of have each put in forty hours per the best nun debaters had^athered the nuns prostrated and were America.
    [Show full text]
  • MARY FINNIGAN's PRESENTATION for the INFORM SEMINAR, JULY 2020 I'd LIKE to Thank Michelle for Speaking Direct, Stark Reality
    MARY FINNIGAN’S PRESENTATION FOR THE INFORM SEMINAR, JULY 2020 I’D LIKE to thank Michelle for speaking direct, stark reality truth and for being one of the eight people whose open letter in July 2017 brought about Sogyal’s fall from grace. I first met Sogyal in the spring of 1973. Along with other people who shared my interest in meditation, I found him a place to teach – a house in Kilburn, London, which we squatted in the name of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. I do not refer to Sogyal as Rinpoche. It is a title accorded to lamas in recognition of their contemplative realisation and scholarship. Sogyal was a charlatan who was never trained as a lama. But we did not know this in the 1970s. We were naïve, ill-informed, and enthusiastic. We felt lucky to be involved with a charismatic Tibetan guru, pictured left with The Dalai Lama on His Holiness’s first visit to London in 1973. It soon became obvious that our new-found teacher had an insatiable sexual appetite. He hit on virtually every pretty woman he encountered. It did not occur to us then that this behaviour was not compatible with the power imbalance inherent in his role as a lama. The late John Driver first sounded an alarm about Sogyal. John was a respected Tibetan Buddhist scholar-practitioner. I am a journalist, so after John’s alert, I applied my professional skills to finding out more about Sogyal’s background. His ascent into guru superstardom occurred after the publication of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, and his role in the movie Little Buddha.
    [Show full text]
  • ISSUE 10 Spring 2016
    Beyond the Flags ISSUE 10 Spring 2016 Surf Life Saving NSW Welcomes New President Members Honoured At Awards Of Excellence A Lifetime Of Memories As Crowdy Head Lifesaver Hangs Up Patrol Cap In The Eye Of The Storm; Coogee Club Rebuilds IRB Premiership Series Ends On A High Your local club is a proud supporter of Surf Life Saving NSW. Find a club near you. www.yourlocalclub.com.au Ad CNSW SLS-FPC 0816.indd 1 11/08/2016 3:46:15 PM WHAT’S COMING UP 15 OCT Welcome to the 10th edition of our quarterly members magazine Coolangatta Gold, Beyond The Flags. Gold Coast Firstly, I would like to thank all surf lifesavers for their efforts preparing for this season. Surf Life Saving NSW President, David Murray had the pleasure of raising the flags at Bronte Beach to 16 OCT celebrate the start of the 2016/17 patrol season. Surf Club Open Day A lot has been going on in Surf Life Saving since the season Surf Clubs in NSW ended in April. A large contingent of NSW athletes rounded off their season at the 2016 Aussies on the Sunshine Coast. There have been plenty of opportunities for our surf sport athletes to 11-13 NOV compete over winter in the IRB and Pool Rescue Competitions. Senior Performance Many of our patrolling members have been involved in the Academy emergency callout system and have responded to requests for Narrabeen, Sydney assistance during winter, and we thank them for their efforts. We’ve also welcomed two new members to the Board after our 18-20 NOV recent elections.
    [Show full text]
  • Creating a 21St Century Sustainable Society and Built Environment in Northern Australia
    Creating a 21st Century Sustainable Society and Built Environment in Northern Australia. Issues Paper for Address and W orkshop to Launch of Centre of Excellence in Tropical Design (CETD) Townsville 2 December 2004 Peter Ellyard Introduction. The launch of a Centre of Excellence in Tropical Design in Townsville is a recognition that successful and sustainable living in the tropics requires: The creation, acquisition and utilisation of tropical knowledge about the true tropics, the monsoon tropics/ tropical savannah and the tropical arid environments, ñ W hat is required to ensure that these environments are sustainably utilised for human use, and what is required for humans to live successfully, healthily and sustainably in these environments. ñ Designs and innovations which lead to the creation of the products, services and technologies which enable humanity to live successfully, healthily and sustainably in the tropics. Most of these have yet to be created, and there are wealth-creating opportunities for those who create them. Design is one of the most powerful tools humanity has to shape the future. This becomes apparent if one considers the fact that the design based professions include engineering, architecture, industrial design, all kinds of planning (including urban, land use, transport, natural resource and social planning) and production planning such as design crop rotations planning and school curriculums. Good design integrates various entities into a coherent whole, preferably resulting in synergistic outcomes while avoiding antagonistic outcomes. One of the major roles of a Centre for Excellence in Tropical Design could be to develop the design principles and practices for use by all the design based professionals who work on shaping the future of tropical environments and human settlements .
    [Show full text]