Newsletter #05,
31 July 2003

A Dhamma inspired community in the heart of Petaling Jaya
52, Jalan BU 11/16 Bandar Utama 47800 Petaling Jaya.
012-3297309, 012-3070931

 

Dear members of BUBS, friends. 

Greetings once again...to start off this newsletter, we present here the Wesak speech by our president Mr Tan Buck Soon at the launch of our Wesak 2003 celebrations at the Centre.

Venerable members of the Sangha, YB Tan Sri Datuk  Dr. K.S.Nijhar, member of Parliament, kawasan Subang, YB Dato' Lum Weng Keong, Selangor State Executive Councillor and State Assemblyman for Bukit Lanjan, Datin Lum, Mr Lee Kim Chuan, Chairman Bandar Utama Residents Association, Mr Ananda Fong, Organising Chairman of the Wesak celebration, members of the press, fellow members, friends of the Dhamma, ladies and gentlemen.

I am pleased to address you once again on the morning of Wesak. This is a special day, for Wesak, which falls on the full-moon day in the month of May commemorates three of the most important events in the life of our Lord Buddha. What are these events? In was on a full moon day at this time of the year that the Prince Siddhatta was born in Lumbini Garden in the area that falls within modern day Nepal. On his 35th birthday, also on the full moon day of Wesak, he achieved Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. And again on this anniversary, he passed away at Kusinara in India. It is to remember these great events in the life of our teacher that we celebrate Wesak. So it is a joyous occasion for the birth and enlightenment of our teacher has resulted in our great heritage of the precious Dhamma, but we also celebrate Wesak with a degree of solemnity for it is on this day that The Buddha passed away. So it is not a day for drunken parties and dancing but a day of joyous and grateful remembrance of our Teacher

This year we have adopted the theme “Step Towards Peace” for our celebration. This theme was chosen as our humble effort to spur our friends, the society we live in and all mankind to make that important step towards Peace. As Buddhists, we understand that Peace and Happiness comes into our life, not as a gift from any god or divine power, but through our own efforts. What good is prayer for peace? Which god can grant us the peace that we all seek, if man himself does not make the effort? In war, both sides of the conflict will loudly proclaim that their god is behind them and make their prayers. After centuries of war and conflict, it should become obvious to any person that the achievement of Peace does not come as a result of prayer but as a result of our own actions. In the Dhammapada verse 4, the Buddha is quoted as saying:

“He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me” in those who harbour such thoughts, hatred is not appeased.
“He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me” in those who do not harbour such thoughts, hatred is appeased.
Hatred never cease through hatred in this world; through love alone they cease. This is an eternal law.
The others know not that in this quarrel, we perish; those of them who realise it, have their quarrels calmed thereby.

As Buddhists, we hold they key, the answer to humanity’s quest for peace. Alone, among the world’s religions, Buddhists shine as an example of those who can find calm and peace in a restless world. But there are many in this world who, afflicted by the poisons of greed, hatred and delusion cannot see what is so obvious to us. It then becomes our mission to bring the Dhamma to them. We do this not for ourselves alone, but for the benefit of others, for the benefit of the world and for the future of the children of today.

I would like to ask the members of the Bandar Utama Buddhist Society, and our friends here today to include in your life’s mission to bring this message of enlightenment to society and to the world. The message of the Dhamma is timeless. Just as it was needed during the time when the Buddha walked the earth, the Dhamma continues to be desperately needed today. Please don’t keep this treasure to yourselves but go forth, and make the effort to share it with others.

Thank you.

1. Society Matters

1.1 Humanitarian fund
During the last half year, the Humanitarian Fund Sub-committee made the following allocations: 

Many members had made contributions of food and /or handicrafts for sale at our Sunday counter and the proceeds from the sales were donated to the Fund.  Members also made individual contributions to worthy causes they visit.  For example in March, members visited and made a small contribution to the Independent Living and Training Centre in Rawang, an NGO which teaches vocational skills to the handicapped.  The Welfare sub-committee has also been active visiting hospitals and members who are ill, for chanting, sharing and dedication of merits.  This is a rewarding activity for all who are involved.  The Society urges more of its members to involve themselves and possibly to from a "chanting group" for this specific purpose.  If you are interested, please contact T K Teoh at 012-329 2368 for details.

1.2 Production of CD for free distribution
Many of you may recall the tremendously successful talk by Ajahn Brahmavamso held in Kolej KDU in December last year.  Well, his talk has been reproduced in audio CD format for free distribution.  Naturally, we were unable to print the names of the donors on the CD, so we take this opportunity to say a big "Thank You" to all who contributed towards this project.  There are many more copies of this CD available and members are encouraged to collect them from the Centre and gift it to friends.  We think it makes an excellent introduction to Buddhism to those who are as yet, unfamiliar with the Dhamma.

1.3  Society T-Shirt
 We have just launched our Society T-shirt in 2 designs - A collared T-shirt and a roundneck design.  Both T shirt designs carry our new logo.  They are priced at RM15 and RM10 for the collared  and round-neck version respectively.  Members are encouraged to purchase these T-shirts for use during society gatherings, etc, They can also be used for the Dhamma school too.  So please wear these T-shirts as a tangible indication of your support for the Society and to express our unity in BUBS.

1.4 Donation towards monasteries/new Buddhist centres
The Society is the main sponsor for the 2003 Kathina at the Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary ("SBS").  the sponsorship amount of RM10,000 was donated by many members and friends of the Society.  Once again "Thank You".  The Society will be visiting SBS in Taiping for the Kathina ceremony.  So watch out for our announcements. 

In addition to the above, the Society, on behalf of its members, donated RM2,000/- to the Pa Auk Monastery, Myanmar to assist in funding the purchase of a pick-up truck, and RM6,680 to the newly set-up Nalanda Buddhist Society of Sri Serdang.  

2. Regular Activities update
Our regular activities continue to be well received.  The Dhamma school consistently receives requests for new students even as we are bursting at our seams with our present student roll.  The Sunday Puja  also serves to attract many new members, as it is a focal point of inspiration and expression of  faith and devotion to the Three Jewels.  The speakers at our Sunday Pujas covered a range of topics.  Bhante Aggacitta held a very interesting Question and Answer session with us early in the year. Special mention should be made of the study of the Mangala Sutta led by Tan Ho Soon during the month of March. Now, not only are we skilled at the correct pronunciation of the Pali verses, we have also learnt how to receive life's highest blessings through the skilful practice of this important sutta.  For three weeks in April and May, Uncle Vijaya also took us on a humorous trip through the Jayamangala gatha.

2.1 Dhamma School
To further improve upon the efficiency of the School, the management sub-committee of the Dhamma School has been formed under the principal Kim See with the following staff:

Admin & Registration - Chew Chin
Human Resource - Pat Liew
Material Resource Development - Siew Swan
Food & Refreshments - Loon Kee
Student Counselling - Chuai Peng
Co-curricular activities - Ming Tzyy & Lee Yen

If you would like to help in any of the above areas, please contact the appropriate person.

A children's' Dana was also held on 13 April, allowing children to make their personal offerings to the monastic community, represented by our patron, Ven Dr K Sri Dhammananda.  

3. Special Events & News

3.1 Chap Goh Meh Celebrations (15 February)
As in previous years, Chap Goh Meh nite was celebrated with warm fellowship, and lots of food and fun.   There were lively songs and dance performances by the Dhamma School Children, the BUBS Teens Choir and Ladies Line Dancing Group. A special guest appearance was made by ‘The Munsters’ who sang several evergreen songs.  and the night ended with everyone happily partaking in the delicious New Year cakes and goodies brought by the members.

3.2 Chanting classes (March & June 2003)
What was conceived as classes to instruct our members in chanting, developed into much more under the skilful tutorship of the popular Dhamma speaker Tan Ho Soon.  Through the month of March, Ho Soon led the participants in the chanting of the devotional stanzas from our Puja book.  He also took the opportunity to elaborate on the meaning of these stanzas.   And then for another 4 weekly sessions in June, Ho Soon very kindly led the chanting cum sutta study class into the Karaniya Metta Sutta.

3.3 Foreign Monastic Visitors
 During the period, the society was blessed with the visit and instruction of several monks.

3.4 Vipassana meditation course ( March 2003)
James Ong of the Selangor Buddhist Vipassana Meditation Society, and a meditation teacher of many years, conducted a weekly instructional sitting over a period of 6 weeks, beginning in June.  About 30 persons attended this course.  After the course, about half of the participants expressed their enthusiasm and promptly signed up for a week-end retreat held in Klang, also conducted by James Ong,  immediately after the course.  

3.5 Special Blessing Service (6 April 2003)
A memorial service in conjunction with the Chinese ‘Cheng Beng’ festival was held at the Centre. A monk from Sri Jayanti Vihara, Sentul, was invited to perform the service and this was followed by the offering of dana to the sangha.

3.6 Wesak  (15 May 2003)
This year's Wesak theme was "Step towards Peace".  In accordance with this theme, we started our celebrations with a Blood Donation Drive held at the One Utama Shopping Mall.  The event was officiated by Mr. Dato’ Tang See Hang  and enabled  about a hundred donors to perform the meritorious act of donating blood.  During Dato's speech, he also pledged RM10,000 to our Building Fund.

Our Wesak celebrations started on the morning of 15 May 2003 and was launched by  YB Tan Sri Datuk Dr K.S. Nijhar and Dato' Ir Lum Weng Keong.  As in previous years, more than a thousand people visited the Centre for blessing services, and to join in the celebrations.  The road beside the Centre was converted into a small bazaar with our annual food fair.  All in all a sum of about RM70,000 was raised during Wesak for our Building Fund.

In conjunction with the Wesak celebrations, monks from the Brickfields Mahavihara were present to conduct a special blessing Puja for devotees and well-wishers. Parittas were recited by the Sangha to invoke the blessings of the Three Jewels for the well-being of all. After the Puja, bottles of blessed water were distributed to all present.

3.7 Dhamma school trip to Pet Century Ostrich Park (22 June 2003)
The Dhamma school organised a colourful and event filled day visit to the Pet Ostrich Farm in  Klang.  What a fun day it was for the kids - a real treat away from the routine of classes.  Not only were there ostriches, but the children also came up close and personal to pythons, monitor lizards, ponies, monkeys, birds, otters and various farm animals.  Many among the children (and parents) also had their first taste of catching fish from a drain, which of course was promptly released before the end of the day.  Subsequent to the visit, participants were treated to a sumptuous lunch followed by a visit to the home of Mr Lim to view the relics of the Buddha and his arahant disciples

3.8 BUBS Youth - Pot Luck (1 June 2003)
Joanne, Sha Lyn, Sue Anna and Colin organised a pot luck dinner gathering for the youth on 1 June.  With food fun and Dhamma games, the night enable the youth to know one another better and develop deeper friendships.

3.9 Dhamma Getaway with Sumi Loundon (5 July 2003)
Ms Sumi Loundon, the US authoress of the book "Blue Jean Buddha - Voices of Young Buddhists" as part of her Asian tour conducted a one-day retreat for about 50 teenagers from BUBS as well as another 10 from the Kota Kemuning Buddhist Society.  Held in the premises of the latter society in Kota Kemuning, the camp instructed the participants in basic meditation and mindfulness practices.  By all accounts, the camp was a great success.  In an email to Sumi, one of the participants proclaimed it was the best Dhamma camp he ever attended and thanked her for broadening his horizons!

3.10 NEWS flash - "Dhamma school student elected as school's Buddhist society president"
 BUBS is proud to inform that one of our Dhamma school students, Miss Clare Chua has been elected as the President of the Buddhist Society of SMJK Sultan Abdul Samad.  Congratulations Clare!!  May your willing leadership and commitment be an example for our Dhamma school students to emulate.  Clearly it is one of our objectives to educate our students to take on leadership roles in the Buddhist community.

4. Forthcoming Events  
Details of the following forthcoming events will be notified by email 

4.1 Dhamma School Dana - 17 August
A Dana by Dhamma School students will be held for the monastic sangha at 11.00am.  We expect Ven Saranankara from the  Sri Jayanti Vihara, Sentul to attend.  Please bring your friends along for this meritorious event. For details, contact Kim See at 012-2832317 or Loon Kee at 016-2120628

4.2 Exam Blessing Service - 23 August
In assisting our students and children of our members in preparing for the forthcoming year-end exams, a special blessing service has been arranged for this day.  Ven Saranankara has confirmed that he will be conducting this blessing at the BUBS Centre.  Going by anecdotal evidence of its efficacy, this is one event those sitting for exams would not want to miss.  For details, contact David Lai at 012-3955226, Swee Seng at 012-2077361

4.3 Kathina at SBS - 25 and 26 October
The society will be chartering several buses for members to make the trip to Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary, Taiping for this year's Kathina celebrations.  Please join us in this meritorious event as the Society is one of the two co-sponsors of the Kathina.  From the previous year's experience, the trip is a fun way for fostering fellowship and for making friends. For further details, contact Pat Boey 012-3070931or Kim See at 012-2832317

4.4 Pilgrimage to holy sites of India - 3 to 15 November
Chan Koon San, a regular Dhamma speaker at our Pujas is also a regular visitor to the holy sites of India.  He has kindly consented to lead a trip for BUBS members on a pilgrimage to the sites associated with the Buddha's life, i.e the places of his birth, enlightenment, first sermon and Parinibbana.  

 

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