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: nalandrainstitute@gmail.com 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.

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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.

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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: michelle.menzel@gmail.com. Thanks to Brian Gleeson, a long time supporter of Rinpoche and Nalandra, for sponsoring this newsletter. May he flourish in Dharma.