SIBU NAMO BUDDHA BUDDHIST MONASTERYPROJECT

诗巫南无布达佛寺筹建计划书

尊圣的第十七世大宝法王噶玛巴邬金钦列多杰

最尊贵的第九世堪千创古仁波切

Namo Buddha Buddhist Society SibuLot 1721, Block 9, Seduan Land District, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia

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Since the Buddha developed all the qualities of meditation to the utmost stages, he was able to reach enlightenment. He did this to demonstrate that all sentient beings also can reach enlightenment. Once of the

main points of the Buddhist philosophy is to show us that Buddhahood is not something to be found outside ourselves. Rather, it is something we can achieve by looking inside.

The Buddha turned the wheel of the Dharma three times, meaning that he taught in three different ways. The first turning of the wheel is called the Hinayana, which consists of the teachings on the Four Noble Truths, Meditation, and developing an understanding of the emptiness of self. The second turning is called Mahayana, which involves the study of

BUDDHISM & KAGYU LINEAGE

3the emptiness of phenomena and practicing the bodhisattva path. The third turning is the Vajrayana, which involves the understanding that everything, while empty, is also pervaded by Buddha nature.

From the Buddha to his principal disciples, to their disciples and so on, the turning of the wheel of Dharma continued from generation to generation. In the 9th century, Buddhism came to Tibet when King Trisong Detsen invited Guru Padmasambhava and Khenpo Bodhisattva Shantatrakshita there. Since that time, many lineages developed in Tibet, the main ones belong the Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug.

The Kagyu Lineage was brought from India by Marpa in the 10th century and continued through the activities of his principal student Milarepa, the great yogi. Milarepa’s main student, Gampopa, passed the lineage on to many student, the foremost being Düsum Khyenpa, the 1st Karmapa. The lineage of Karmapas, successive

4reincarnations of Düsum Khyenpa, protected and expanded these teachings in an unbroken line down to His Holiness, the 1st Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje.

Tibetan Buddhism, and particularly the Kagyu Lineage, is built on the foundation of the Hinayana, the first turning of the wheel of Dharma, and the renunciation of samsara. Based upon that, and seeing the suffering of all sentient beings, it includes many skillful means to alleviate that suffering, both for oneself and for others, which is the Mahayana, the second turning of the wheel

of Dharma. Finally, the ultimate path taught in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition is the Vajrayana, the diamond-like vehicle, which teaches the methods for attaining liberation in this very lifetime through directly seeing the nature of mind.

Through the blessings and teachings of the Kagyu forefathers, this lineage has both an extremely powerful monastic and lay tradition. From this point of life, whether in a monastery or driving to work.

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Thrangu Rinpoche was born in Kham in 1933.

At the age of four he was formally recognized by the Sixteenth Karmapa and the previous Situ Rinpoche as the ninth incarnation of

the great Thrangu tulku. Entering Thrangu monastery, from the ages of six to sixteen he studied reading, writing, grammar, poetry, and astrology, memorized ritual texts, and completed two preliminary retreats. At sixteen, under the direction of Khenpo Lodro Rabsel, he began the study of the three vehicles of Buddhism while staying in retreat.

At twenty-two, Rinpoche received full ordination from the Karmapa. When he was twenty-seven he left Tibet for India at 1959. He was called to Rumtek, Sikkim where the Karmapa had his seat in exile.

At thirty-five, Rinpoche took the geshe examination before 1500 monks at Buxador

monastic refugee camp in Bengal and H.H. Dalai Lama awarded him the degree of Geshe Lharampa. On his return to Rumtek he was appointed the Abbot of Rumtek monastery and the Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist studies at Rumtek. He has been the personal teacher of the four principal Karma Kagyu tulkus: Shamar Rinpoche, Situ Rinpoche, Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, and Gyaltsab Rinpoche. Because of his vast knowledge of the Dharma, Rinpoche was appointed by H.H. the Dalai Lama to be the personal tutor for the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa.

Since 1976, Thrangu Rinpoche has begun giving authentic Buddhist teachings extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. Rinpoche has now taught in over 25 countries, and in 12 of them there are around 7 monasteries and 20 centers. He is especially known for making complex teachings accessible to Western students. Thrangu Rinpoche is a recognized great master of Mahamudra meditation.

Very Venerable the Ninth Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

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Vajra Master Ngawang was born in 1966, at Dzongkha, a small village in the northern Tibet, near the birthplace of the Great Yogi Milarepa. His parents Chimé and Sangchok have extreme faith in

Buddha, Dharma and Shanga, so, they sent him to a monastery and become a monk at his age of 7. That was the time of Civil Revolution in China, Vajra Master Ngawang found that it was very difficult to practice Dharma and rituals, to attain his aim of Boddhi input, he moved to Nepal. At his age of 15, he entered Thrangu Monastery, Namo Buddha and received his Dharma Teaching as well as the practice training.

There, he learned the liturgies and rituals

along with other aspects of performing pujas and practicing. He studied Sutras, Tantras, and traditional sciences with Khenpo Ngedon Rinpoche, with his efforts; he made it a successful completion. He received the Great Empowerment of Kalachakra, the Bodhisattva vow, and teachings on Entering the Action of a Bodhisattva (the Bodhicaryavatara) from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Likewise, from the Lord of Refuge Kalu Rinpoche, he received the empowerment and transmission of the Treasury of the Discoveries of the Awareness-Holders (Rigdzin Terdzö) along with 40 Tulkus, Lamas and a sangha of 500 monks. He received empowerments, transmissions, and instructions from several important Lamas of the Sakya, Geluk, and Nyingmapa schools.

After that, Vajra Master Ngawang completed the traditional three-year, three-month, three-day retreat of the Karma Kamtsang (Kagyu) lineage at Namo Buddha,

A Brief Biography of Vajra Master Ngawang (the resident master of the centre)

7Nepal, one of the most holy places where once our Teacher the Lord Buddha in previous lives offered his body to a starving tigress, in case to save the cubs. During the retreat he learned the practices of Mahamudra, instructions, śamatha and vipaśyanā from Retreat Master Sonam Rinchen. He studied Tantra and practiced the common and uncommon preliminaries thoroughly. He received the teaching of Six Yogas of Naropa and the empowerments, transmissions and instructions from his root guru, the Precious Lord of Refuge V.V Thrangu Rinpoche.

When the retreat ended, he remained in the monastery as a Vajra Master, disciplinarian, a counselor to the monastic Sangha. In order to propagate the genuine Buddhist Dharma to various countries, in accordance with the wish of the Lord of Refuge Thrangu Rinpoche, he starts his propaganda in Dharma by giving teaching to the student oversea. He gives instructions to Dharma groups and students on kindness and compassion, the refuge

vow, empowerments and transmissions. He continues to give spiritual training, discourses how to realize in everyday life the quintessence of Vajrayana Buddhism.

Vajra Master Ngawang wishes to accumulate all his merits and dedicate them to salvage all sentient beings from misery by giving them the Joy of Dharma. He performs life-stocks release ceremonies, visits elderly home with gifts and fruits to those seniors. He blesses those suffering difficulties and having obstacles, releases them from sorrow and helps them overcome their pains by rituals services. He inspires people around him with his great compassion and encourages them to practice Bodhicitta, the only way to be awakened.

Vajra Master Ngawang is now the Resident Vajra Master of Namo Buddha Buddhist Society in, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia, where he brings love and joy to the community.

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In 2006, a Buddhist centre was founded in Sibu, Sarawak, to spread and develop Buddhism and the Karma Kagyu tradition in particular. It was named Sibu Namo Buddha Buddhist Society by V. V Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. One of my disciples sponsored the centre, and has also since completed the preliminary practice for Mahamudra.

From that time onward, many people have benefitted and received the rich blessings of the Buddha’s teachings; and I now have numerous disciples far and near.

Malaysians are multi-cultural good people. The members of the centers treat me respectfully and are very co-operative and kind helping at the centre with full dedication.

The government of Sarawak has graciously granted us a piece of land to build a monastery in Sibu. We are all very thankful to the government for showing us their great generosity; respecting the practice of all

religions even though Malaysia is a Muslim country. We aim to build a Buddhist monastery whereby we have engaged an architect, Mr James Sie together with an engineer, Mr Hwang Lee Siw who has offered for their free services in drafting and submission of their drawings to the relevant local authorities for approval. Hence, on behalf of our Society, I humbly request sponsors to support and help our undertaking either in kind or effort.

We would be most happy to accept any monetary help; small or big; or in way of providing the cost of purchase of building materials or by way of other means of contribution would be greatly appreciated.

May we all be blessed with the presence of both His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje and the Very Venerable 9th Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche to grace our opening ceremony.

Warmest Wishes

A Letter from Vajra Master Ngawang about the Construction of a New Monastery

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Sibu Namo Buddha Buddhist Society was established in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia on November 3, 2006, with the great blessings and generosity of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa OgyenTrinley Dorje and the Very Venerable Ninth KhenchenThrangu Rinpoche. Since then, our Society has been very active with many different dharma activities. It organizes programs on special days and has invited rinpoches, lamas, and khenpos to perform various prayers and give dharma talks and blessings to all Buddhists. This has been very beneficial. We have also started Sunday classes.

The reason for establishing a monastery in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia, is to eliminate all obstacles and adversities, such as illness, despair, agitation, dispute, and natural disasters, and to increase the peace and prosperity of Sibu in particular as well as all

of Malaysia. In the future, young generations and devotees will also have the fortune to practice and study dharma.

Moreover, the interior and exterior design of the monastery to be built here will be designed authentically as described in the scriptures, not just following the whim of its designers. Thus, as is said in the scriptures, the faithful sponsors who contribute to it will gain inconceivable benefits such as their life force and merit increasing and so forth.

The Main Objective and Reasons for Establishing a Monastery in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia

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A monastery or temple means a place that houses representations of the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) and a place where the sangha ( monks) can study the Tripitaka ( vinaya pitaka ie discipline and moral teachings, sutra pitaka ie concentration teachings and abhidharma practice ie acquiring discriminating knowledge and wisdom) which are the three trainings of the path. In the secluded setting of a monastery, one spends all one’s time listening, contemplating, and meditating for one’s own sake and teaching, debating, and writing for others’. It is also a place where one becomes learned, venerable, and wise for the sake of both oneself and others, bringing great benefits for sentient beings and the teachings.

Monasteries and the representations are gathering places

for Buddhists as well as places for making offerings and paying reverence and homage. They are a great field for accumulating vast amounts of merit before the Three Jewels. They are also like gateways into the Dharma and places for dharma gatherings. Not only this, monasteries are the basis and wellspring of the dharma, places where it is disseminated, and proof of its long existence. They are places that encourage both oneself and others to the dharma and the primary foundation for leading oneself and others to liberation and enlightenment.

Benefit of Building and Making Contributions to the Establishment of Monasteries

12About the Statues

Inside the monastery’s main shrine hall, there will be a six-foot tall statue of the Lord Buddha in the middle surrounded by one thousand eight-inch buddha statues. The statues will be hand made in Nepal and of the highest quality. Many Buddhist texts, including the sutras and treatises, say that the benefit and virtues of making or sponsoring such statues of the Buddha are immense.

13About the stupas

Being able to build a stupa, representing the mind of the buddhas of past, present, and future, would benefit the area of Sibu and the entire country incalculably. It would subdue all misfortunes of plague, famine, and conflict and bring the good fortunes of long life, happiness, and prosperity.

Also, anyone who prostrates to or circumambulates the stupa with great faith and devotion will accumulate great merit and purify all the obstructions in the near term

and ultimately achieve the state of Buddhahood with ease. Thus it would serve as the foundation for bringing great prosperity and benefit in the short and long term.

About the MandalaThe ceiling of the main shrine will be

painted with various mandalas, or palaces of the deities, from different tantras. This will have the benefit as it would actually reflect the pure lands and palaces of all the buddhas of the past, present, and future. Not only that, when anyone who has faith just sees these palaces they make the connection and implant good imprints to be reborn in those realms. Such inconceivable benefits are described in the tantras and

treatises.

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The library will contain hundreds of Buddhist texts books, such as more than one hundred volumes of sutras and more than two hundred volumes of treatise and commentaries by great scholars. Translations of these sutras and treatises will also be available in English as well as Mandarin. We are also planning to include books of all traditions as well. There will also be one

meter statues of the Buddha and statues of Marpa, Mila and Gampopa.

It is also said that the merits of supporting the editing, production, and printing of such profound and sacred texts are beyond measure. Merely seeing or hearing these profound teachings and sacred texts also brings you great merit and accumulates great virtue.

About the Library

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As it is said in the great Vasubandu’s Treasury of Abhidharma:

The teacher’s True Dharma is two folds,In essence, scripture and realization.They are upheld only by thoseWho teach and accomplish them.Thus, the teachings of scripture are

upheld by listening and contemplating, and the teaching of realization by practicing and accomplishing them. These are the two ways of upholding Dharma.

If the teachings are not published in books, we will not have the favorable conditions for listening and contemplation. Without those, we cannot practice and accomplish realization. Therefore, these two aspects are necessary in upholding the teachings of Buddha dharma.

The Buddha himself taught the reasons for and benefits of publishing dharma texts, and great masters also taught the benefits in

treatises. To summarize them according to the great scholar Situ Chokyi Jungne, the 8th Situpa:

• ThepreciousteachingsoftheBuddhawill remain extent in the world in general and Malaysia in particular for a long time.

• Themastersof all sectswhoupholdthe teachings of the Buddha will have long lives.

• This area and everywhere in theworld will have good rains in the right season so that there will be excellent crops, and the people will be rich in Dharma, influential, well-known, and fortunate.

• Just as in an Age of Perfection, noteven the words disease, war, starvation, thieves, robbers, misfortune, or inauspicious will be heard.

• Ultimately everyone will completethe path to enlightenment and swiftly reach the state of buddhahood.

The Reasons and Benefits of publishing Buddha Dharma

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Namo Buddha is a holy place where V.V. Thrangu Rinpoche resides in Nepal; it means prostrate the enlightened one. This being the mission of doctrine from our V.V. Thrangu Rinpoche, is what Buddhist should performance from the depth of one’s minds.

In general, Malaysia is a peaceful multicultural country; most citizens are emigrated from countries around. They bring in Malaysia with all kinds of tradition, religious and life-styles. They wish to share their experience and willing to learn

others knowledge. They join hands helping Malaysia to develop a country of harmony, a community of joy and a better environment to live. The establishment of Namo Buddha Buddhist Society will answer the purpose of all the above.

Ven.Vajra Master Ngwang was appointed as our resident master, and the Society came into existence with the support of Mdm. Loo, our chairperson, who sponsored almost everything the Society needed. As a lay Buddhist, she had finished practicing all the p r e l i m i n a r i e s Mahamudra, her daily practices are Medicine B u d d h a , Avalokiteshvara

Namo Buddha Buddhist Society

17and Green Tara. She is a nice and easy going type of person and gets along well with all the members, as the members back her up with contribute to the Society regularly. All members are delighted to share the fortune of having a Buddhist Society to run the Dharma practice and activities.

Here is a schedule listed to look after your interest. All are welcome to participate.

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

Tuesday: 8:00pm, Green Tara PracticeFriday: 8:00pm, Medicine Buddha and Four-Arm KwunyinsadhanSunday: 8:00pm, Tibetan class for beginners

Once a month 8:30am to 7:00pmGreen Tara Retreat, and release of lives activity.

If you are interested in our activities and

Vajrayana Four Foundation practice, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Monthly Practice: According to the lunar calendar

1st day: Mahakala and Amitabha Buddha Practice10th day: Milarepa Puja15th day: Mahakala and Amitabha Buddha PracticeGreen Tara Retreat once every month.Free the livestock once every month.

III. Long life prayer will be chanted, Every New Year day, Lunar New Year day and Tibetan New Year day; Wesak Festival, H.H. Karmapa and V.V. Thrangu Rinpoche’s Birthday.

(Come and share a piece of cake to celebrate these special days of rejoice.)

IV. It is our honor to have V.V. Thrangu

18Rinpoche come and visit us possibly twice a year with teachings and empowerments. He shows us always the virtue of great compassion towards all sentient beings, and manifests us the way to develop Bodhicitta as well as to guide and help us to purify our minds.

The Future project of our society is to build a Shrine Hall. Building a Shrine Hall for practice is by means for living beings to plant blessings, an opportunity to worship Buddha, study Buddhism and respect Shanga as well as to cultivate precepts. Those who take part in building the Shrine Hall share the merits

- the most important rewards of another wonderful pace towards Buddhahood.

After this, Namo Buddha Buddhist Society will consider to develop a school and a clinic or a hospital as a “phase II and III” project. Ven. Vajra Master Ngawang emphasized that phase II and III are the response of the lay people, which will bring warmth, kindness and compassion to the city and add an array of light and a prospect of hope to the community. This shows the bright side of human nature is indeed the greatest accomplishment of the teaching of Buddha.

Sibu Namo Buddha Buddhist Society Committee Members

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Fundraising for our new monastery is a great project to benefit all beings. Your contribution make you in bliss, longevity and everlasting health and serenity.

Please feel free to contact us to support our new monastery. Thank you!

建寺功德普利十方，请参加这殊胜的佛行事业。

愿建寺功德主福寿永康宁，欢迎赞助，请与我们联络。谢谢！

1. President ABK Mr. Liew Kwan Hua 019 887 63012. Organizer President Mr. Sia Kie Lik 012 876 19993. Advicer Mr. Ling Hang Hing 017 222 34224. Secretory Mr. Wong Ping Sik 012 880 92235. "Singapore Mr. Ling Eedee +65 9086 4068

6. Treasurer Mdm. Leong Chew ling 012 888 55277. "Kuala Lumpur" Ms Chong 012 209 32488. "China" Lopon Sonam Rinchen 86 155 0976 53889. "Canada" Catherine Sze 1 604 782 261910. “Hong Kong” Khenpo K. Dawa 852 93003234

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NAMOBUDDHABUDDHISTSOCIETYSIBUNo. 14, 1st Floor Lorong Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman 8A1,

96000 Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.Tel: 084 220080

Email: nbbcsibu@gmail.comWebsite: www.namobuddhamy.com

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