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Nepal Earthquake Appeal Fundraising Dinner and Auction
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The Nepal Earthquake Appeal
Fundraising Dinner on 20 June was
a great success with over 50
people attending and over $4,000
raised for Nepal.
With the Gompa transformed into
an attractive dining area, people
perused the display of auction
items as they arrived while taking
in the aroma of the appetizing
food. The evening began officially
with a warm welcome by
Rinpoche, reminding us of the
important cause we had gathered
for and expressing gratitude for
the overwhelming support for the
people of Nepal.
After entrees were served, a slide
show including video footage and
photos of the aftermath of the
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Nepal earthquakes gave a sobering
account of the situation in Nepal.
People were then invited to bid on
items for the silent auction before
enjoying a delicious main course
consisting of a variety of Indian
and Nepalese dishes that were
generously prepared by friends of
Nalandra. Conversations flowed as
people appreciated their good
fortune and capacity to be of
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benefit to the victims of the
earthquakes.
The auction saw many eager
bidders contributing their
generosity, enthusiasm and
humor, adding an element of
entertainment to the evening.
Thanks to Pauline for preparing
and hosting the auction, to Julie
for her vibrant ad hoc assistance,
and to Rikki for his unorthodox
bids that stimulated bidding as
well as much laughter.
Following dessert and drawing of
the raffle and door prize,
Rinpoche expressed thanks to all
for their contribution to the cause
and for a fun evening. He thanked
and blessed with katags all those
who helped to make the evening
Nalandra News August 2015, ISSUE 3
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
2 New Courses – Vajrayogini and Tibetan Language Course 2 Tibetan History Course with Dr Di Cousens
3 A Gift of Dharma from Hōjun Futen 3 Nalandra’s new teacher
4 What’s on at Nalandra 4 Support Nalandra
Andrew Kinsella and Julie Marrington were the highest bidders for a book featuring many
beautiful images of female deities
Return to: Australian International Vajrayana Buddhist Institute 1F Ailsa Street Box Hill South, Victoria, Australia 3128
What’s on at Nalandra VAJRASATTVA RETREAT
HE Zim’og Rinpoche 30 Oct – 2 Nov 2015
Vajrasattva represents beginningless purity. A foundation yoga encompassing the blessings of thousands of Buddhas. With mantra & meditation on this lord, you help many beings & heal relationships.
Beautiful bush setting at Brahma Kumaris Frankston.
Book Now. Early bird rates available until 29 August.
Phone: 0449 996 492 Website:www.nalandra.org Email: [email protected] www.facebook.com/AIVBI
SUPPORT NALANDRA – All contributions welcome Nalandra depends upon community support to help keep its doors open so that many people can benefit from the precious teachings of Lord Buddha through Zim’og Rinpoche. There are many ways you can help. Please see our website or contact us for more information.
Choose from several options and receive discounts on courses, teachings & retreats. Annual subscription due 1 Sept. ! Benefactor……..$240 ! Friend of Nalandra......$150 ! Family……..$120 ! Concession…...$80
Suggested donation for teachings $20/$10
subscribers/concession
Ongoing Weekly Activities:
Mondays 7:30-9:00pm Tibetan Language (Stage 1) Course With Chemi Lhamo
7 September – 26 October Wednesdays 7:30-9:00pm Vajrayogini (Naro Khacho)
29 July – 9 September (excluding 19 and 26 August) Saturdays 10:00-12:00 Meditation followed by a practice (such as Vajrasattva, Green Tara, Vajrapani, Avalokiteshvara)
Special Events and dates to remember:
Padmasambhava Tsok 25 Aug, 23 Sept, 22 Oct 7th Annual Animal Blessing October Vajrasattva Retreat 30 October - 2 November Pilgrimage to India & Nepal 28 Jan – 21 Feb 2016
Please join our mailing list in case of changes to the program – see contact page on our website
Suggested donation for Teachings $20/$10
subscribers/concession Meditation $10/$5
Nalandra is an inspiring place to study Dharma and practice meditation. Our mission is to promote peace, non-violence, religious and social harmony, to relieve the suffering of animals, and to preserve and extend the teachings and practices of Tibetan Buddhism.
SUBSCRIBE
Nalandra Padma Retreat Centre The people of the Banodhi temple are thrilled to have found their long lost guru and plans for construction of the Padma Retreat Centre are underway. See the full update in the next newsletter.
Lorem Ipsum
Vajrayogini (Naro Khacho) With HE Zim’og Rinpoche VI
Wednesdays 7:30-9:00pm 29 July – 9 September 2015 (excluding 19 and 26 August)
Vajrayogini is a representation of complete buddhahood in female form. Classified as Wisdom or 'Mother' Anuttarayoga Tantra and belonging to the Chakrasamvara collection of Tantras. In this particular form she is a special teaching passed down from the lineage of Naropa through to the Sakya School. This has arisen from special requests and to prepare the way for retreats. Prerequisites include having received a Vajrayogini initiation or other close high initiation. Prior attendance at Rinpoche’s Kalachakra Tantra class will also be taken into account.
Tibetan Language (Stage 1) Course With Chemi Lhamo
Mondays 7:30-9:00pm 7 September – 26 October 2015 Cost: $150/$120 subscriber/conc.
Chemi Lhamo is a native Tibetan speaker from India who migrated to Australia in 2008. She served for many years with the Tibetan Government’s Department of Information and International Relations and is experienced in teaching Tibetan on a voluntary basis. Chemi is passionate about preserving the rich culture and literature of Tibet and is keen to share her native language with us. Over eight weekly classes, the course will introduce the Tibetan alphabet, grammar and vocabulary. It will include a conversational approach to support sentence construction and written language suitable for Dharma students.
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such a success, and encouraged
further fundraising initiatives.
The event was conceived by
Heather Morris who wished to
multiply her contribution by
donating her resources toward an
event that would also inspire
others to give what they could.
This is a great example of how
one’s generosity can become a
seed that germinates in the minds
of others to multiply the merit. A
big thanks to Heather for planting
this seed, and together with
Kelsang for coordinating the
event with the many tasks
Tibetan History Course with Dr Di Cousens
Dr Cousens’ strong Buddhist
background brought valuable
perspectives to the material. In
addition to comprehensive course
notes, unique and beautiful books
and maps were shared. There was
ample time for questions and
discussion. A truly engrossing,
thought provoking and enjoyable
course which helped complement
Buddhist teachings. Nalandra
thanks Dr Cousens for her
scholarship and generosity in
sharing her extensive
knowledge, insights and
treasures with us. We
aspire to extend the
series at a future date.
Prue Lamont
Nalandra is delighted to introduce a
new teacher and senior student of
Zim’og Rinpoche, Hōjun Futen, who
will teach meditation and
introductory courses.
Hōjun is an ordained monk in the
Sōtō Zen tradition and works as the
coordinator of Prison and Healthcare
chaplaincy for the Buddhist Council.
After more than 25 years studying
and practicing initially in the
Theravadan and then Mahayana Zen
tradition, Hōjun completed three
years training in Japan to receive the
rank of "Osho" or high priest, which is
the rank required to be an abbot of a
Japanese Zen temple.
In 2015 Hōjun visited Nalandra and
under Rinpoche's guidance flew to
Malaysia to receive the priceless holy
Lamdre teaching with H.H. Sakya
Trizin over four weeks which included
Vajrayana monastic precepts.
Hōjun is a symbol of the synthesis of
two phenomenal paths and has an
accessible style of teaching and
guiding meditation with great clarity
and compassion. We are truly blessed
by his vibrant presence and extend a
warm welcome to Hōjun.
A 21st Century Practice
“One of my favourite practices that I give to prisoners to help them in
their spiritual development is an extension of loving-kindness. In formal
meditation sessions we finish off with sending our love, compassion and
wish for a life of joy to benefactors (family), friends, acquaintances and
enemies. Later when they are back in their units to further train
themselves in equanimity I ask the men to sit down and watch the news
or a current affairs program and then to practice loving kindness to
everyone they see in the program regardless of the concept presented to
them, whether the person is a hero, victim or villain. I ask the men to
forget about what they think the story of the person’s life is but to
simply see them as existing in this world of suffering and that this alone
is reason enough for us to give them our compassion.
This practice came to me in a meditation I had on the Buddha’s teaching
of the four racehorses.”
New Courses
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A Gift of Dharma from Hōjun Futen
Nalandra’s new teacher
Nalandra presented ‘Before the
Dalai Lamas: A History of Ancient
Tibet’ from March to May. Over
four fascinating lectures, Dr Di
Cousens, a Tibetologist with a PhD
in Himalayan Studies introduced
Tibet’s early royal period from the
seventh century until the coming of
Atisha in the eleventh century. The
lecture topics were: ‘Before
Buddhism came to Tibet’; The Early
Kings of Tibet and the Advent of
Buddhism’; ‘The Adoption of
Buddhism and State
Sponsorship’ (which
included the role of
Padmasambhava) and
‘The Intermediate
Period and the New
Schools’.
involved. Thanks to Valerie and
Margaret who worked hard behind
the scenes throughout the
evening, to Jeannette Leon and
Nicole Moustakis for their
contribution to food preparation,
and to Suat Koay for generously
donating equipment.
There were many others who
deserve thanks for their
assistance of various kinds in the
lead up and on the night, most of
whom are captured in the photo
above. Thanks to those who
attended the event, contributed
items for auction or sale, and
placed bids and/or purchased
items. Thanks to Rinpoche for
supporting and compering the
evening. The money was donated
to Oxfam for it’s reputable
charity status.
Michelle Menzel
(Left to Right): Kelsang Zimwock, Tanya Poynton, Adam Richards, Prue Lamont, Valerie Wilson, Jack Van Buuren, Chime Zimwock, Zim’og Rinpoche, Michael McNamara, Heather Morris, Rikki Obrien, Michelle Menzel, Margaret Agacy, Pauline Gallagher, Kristina Baskys.
Greg Cottrell and Rikki O’Brien deep in conversation during the evening
Can you sponsor our newsletter? Each newsletter costs $230, and we aspire to obtain Adobe Indesign to efficiently produce quality hard copy and electronic newsletters. Sponsorship enables Nalandra to continue providing low cost teachings and fosters the merit of generosity.
Please contact the editor: [email protected]. Thanks to Brian Gleeson, a long time supporter of Rinpoche and Nalandra, for sponsoring this newsletter. May he flourish in Dharma.