Dear members of BUBS, friends.

 

As we come to the close of 2004, we had hoped to end this year with some relief from the world-wide stories of war and terrorism.  To Buddhists, the idea that man should kill one another on reasons as meagre as that of differing cultures and religious beliefs is simply beyond comprehension. Yet, even as we look for reasons to celebrate, as if to underscore the bitter reality of life, the  Tsunami disaster strikes, its first blow taking the lives of more than 150,000 across the globe. Even before the count is finalised, medical agencies are warning that the epidemics and disease that are sure to follow in its wake might take thousands more.  What are we to make of this? When Buddhists speak about the harsh realities of life, we are often accused of pessimism. Yet for millions spread across Southern Asia who are now displaced and homeless, the first Noble Truth is the undeniable reality. 

 

The Buddha has repeatedly advised those of us who are comfortable and blessed, not to become complacent but to be constantly mindful of the ever changing flux of life. By this truth, we know that the unfortunate can find relief in life, but so too can the fortunate fall into disaster, and the healthy into sickness. The Buddha's words urging us to rise from our complacency:

 

"Death carries off a person who is gathering flowers, whose mind is distracted, like a flood carries off a sleeping village.
Death terminates a person who is gathering flowers, whose mind is distracted, before one is even satiated in pleasures."

"People, other than the wise, do not realize, “We in this world must all die,” . The wise realize it and thereby their quarrel cease. "

 

~ verses from the Dhammapada

Thus, those of us who are fortunate should be reminded to ask ourselves  "Am I making the best possible use of the life I have?"

As we start a new year, let us pray that we here in this community shall continue to be blessed and that we can help to launch the great raft of Dhamma for the benefit of those floundering in the sea of pain, false views and anger.

1. Society Matters

1.1 Change in Presidency - 24 October

Mr Charlie Chia resigned as President of the Society due to work pressure and commitments in his career. His resignation was accepted with regret and the EXCO wishes to express its thanks and appreciation for his contribution and leadership over the past several months. The EXCO then unanimously elected one of its members, Mr Ananda Fong as the President.  Ananda has been an EXCO member of BUBS since its formation in 2002. He has served the Society as Principal to the Dhamma School and Deputy President.

1.2 Additional pages added to the website.

Over the course of the last six months, the website was continuously upgraded. The colour scheme of its pages was rendered uniform with our characteristic maroon colour and several pages were added or upgraded.  Among the new pages are those on our proposed new Centre, the Lunar Almanac for 2005, a page on "Buddhist Etiquette" and a log of all our past email messages. The Photo Album was also expanded with photos of our many activities. The website address: http://www.parami.org/bubs/

1.3 New moon and Full Moon Puja

Commencing in November 2004, the Society will be holding special Pujas on the New moon and Full moon days. These are the traditional days of Buddhist worship and we shall be reciting the paritta suttas during these pujas. The Year 2005 dates for these pujas are set out in our website and can be accessed through this link. http://www.parami.org/bubs/lunar.html.

1.4  Humanitarian Fund

We collected funds from the public to assist a family whose 18 month old child, Lim Pei Wen, was afflicted with cancer in her abdomen. There was optimism for her treatment but the medical costs was prohibitive.  We pray that with the blessings of the Three Jewels, she will make a speedy recovery.

1.5 Trust Library shifts

The Library has shifted to the first floor of the second house. As before, we use the Trust System - books can be borrowed by members or their family, and we trust you to return them within two weeks. The Library  now also has a magazine section and we are trying to start a Children's section.  If you could spare copies of children's Dhamma books or comics, it would be appreciated. Please contact Yu Ban at 019-2291881.

2. Regular Activities update

2.1 Dhamma School

Commencing early October, we started the process of registering students for the next school year 2005.  With the next house rented, we can now accommodate more classes and have called upon the students registered in our waiting list.  This mission of teaching the Dhamma to our younger children is extremely important. We now have the premises - the last requirement we have yet to meet is the need for more teachers or Dhamma Facilitators as we call them here.  If you wish to assist the Society in this noble effort, please contact Ananda Fong.  The Dhamma School reopens on 9 January 2005 and will be using a new syllabus compiled by the Dhamma School Management Committee.  No purchase of books will be required.  However, RM 10 per student will be collected for photocopying and for other materials distributed to the students.

2.2 Visits by Monastics

The Society was visited by several monks over the past months. Usually when we have such visits the monks will give us a talk and this will be followed by a lunch dana.  Ven Siripanno from UK but of Malaysian parentage, and training in the forest tradition of Ajahn Chah visited us in July. We were also visited by our spiritual advisor, Ven K Sri Dhammananda, Ven Sathidriya, a Sri Lankan monk resident in Melbourne, Ven Jayasaro, also from the forest tradition and for some time the abbot of the famous Wat Pa Nanachat,  and Ayya Santini and Ayya Silawati,  both Theravada bhikkhunis from Indonesia.

3. Special Events & News 

3.1 Buddhist Expo - 25 July to 28 July

The Buddhist Expo held at the Thean Hou temple, was organised by Ven Saranankara of the Sri Lanka Vihara of Sentul, for the purposes of highlighting Buddhist culture and to raise funds for several Buddhist organisations here in KL and PJ. Our Society took part and manned the tent for the lighting of lamps for the Buddha rupa. Members took shifts to be at the tent to assist in the lighting and maintaining of sponsored oil lamps. Fairly large crowds were drawn to the event held over three nights despite the limited publicity, drawn perhaps, to view the Buddha relics, Chinese calligraphy, the lighted pandal and giant lanterns.  This was one of few events jointly organised and participated by several Buddhist organisations in the Klang valley and speaks well of our mutual friendship, cooperation and common vision.  Through this event, the Society raised about RM45,000 for its building fund.

3.2 Vipassana Meditation Course - 16 Sept to 28 October

Bro James Ong, an experienced practitioner and teacher of Vipassana conducted a weekly course over a period of 7 weeks.  This course was well attended by about 35 people, many of whom gave feedback of the benefit and gratitude they felt. We are thankful to Bro James Ong for conducting this course and helping our members to deepen their practice and understanding of the Dhamma.

3.3 Moon cake Fellowship Night - 25 September

This traditional Chinese festival was celebrated at the Centre as a fellowship event with food, songs and of course moon-cakes.  The fellowship night was conducted by the Youth Group who led us in the Puja and the singing of a few up beat Buddhist songs.  This was followed by some games for the adults and children followed by a lantern procession around the Centre.

3.4 Kathina Ceremony - 14 November

The Society sent a small contingent to Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary in Taiping for its Kathina. This year around, the Kathina was sponsored by  our members Mr and Mrs Kee.  Members of BUBS also performed a Hokkien sketch which was a sequel to the one presented last year. Our gratitude to Pat Boey, Kim See, Mee Ying, the producers and  back-up singers for courageously putting up this funny episode.

3.5 Parents and Children's Workshop "A Happy Healthy Mind" - 30 November to 11 December

Held on 4 consecutive Sundays, this popular work shop was conducted by a team of clinical and developmental psychologists, Dr Teoh Hsien Jin, Ms Woo Pei Jun and Ms Cheong Sau Kuan.  In addition to this workshop, Dr Teoh and his team also conducted a half day parenting skills workshop on 27 November at the Kota Kemuning Buddhist Centre in Shah Alam.

3.6 Fund Raising event for New Centre - "The ABBA Cadabra Dinner show" - 22 December

This live performance by professional singers and ABBA impersonators from Canada was held at the Shangri-La hotel. This event was mooted by the Buddhist Gem Fellowship and co-organised together with the Dhamma Reading Room and Buddhist Wisdom Centre.  Tickets were priced at RM500 to RM180 each.  A hearty Thank You to several of our members who bought and sponsored tickets for several tables and others who helped to sell the tickets. Fifty percent of the net proceeds from this show equalling about RM100 thousand was raised and donated to our Building Fund.

3.7 "Save a Life Outing" 7 November

We combined the traditional activity of releasing captive animals destined for slaughter together with a fellowship picnic for members and children. A clever case of Releasing Two Birds with One Cage. (No, we don't use the old cliche Killing two Birds with One Stone anymore, at least not here at the Society). The parents and children had a great time with the games and all and of course, the frogs must have been just as happy and relieved to find a new, wet home at the Kiara Park.  Release of captive animals has been a practice of Buddhists for a long time as it is meritorious kamma. The benefits have been described to result in relief from diseases and prolonging one's life. It also is an act of compassion and loving kindness for the animals which otherwise would have an untimely and painful end.

3.8  Sangha Dana/Relief Aid for Tsunami Victims - 2 January 2005

It is symbolic that the first activities we hold in the year, on 2 January is a Sangha Dana for several monks including our spiritual advisor Ven K Sri Dhammananda as well as collection of Relief items in aid of the Tsunami Disaster. This two events was held on 2 January 2005.

We received a more aid than we expected, so much so that the entire house number 2 was filled with bags. fortunately many members came to help in sorting, packing and load the bags. The aid was channelled to the Sri Lanka Vihara, Sentul for distribution to Sri Lanka.

A total of RM20,250 cash was also received of which RM 6,250 was used to purchase medical supplies and sent to the Dharmagavesi Social Service Foundation in Colombo as well as to Bhante Wimala, a monk well known for his work in social service.  The balance, amounting to RM14,000 will be donated to Ven Saranankara to support other relief efforts.

It was heartwarming to note that our members not only collected and donated relief items, but also many turned up in force on that day to assist and cooperate in loading the items onto the bus and lorry to transport these items to the Vihara in Sentul. Furthermore, at Sentul, members also took part in the collective effort to load items into the containers. It was a full day of work and activity and most members only left in the evening. Once again thank you for your magnificent support and act of compassion for the victims of the tsunami disaster.

May the merit serve you as a source of happiness in this life and a cause for spiritual progress in future lives.

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To see photos of our activities, visit our photo album at http://www.parami.org/bubs/photoalbum.htm

 

Sabbe danam, Dhamma danam jinati
Of all gifts, the gift of Dhamma is supreme