Dear members of BUBS, friends.

Usually the month after Wesak, we would all be tired out.  There will be such a relief that all the frenetic activity of the last few months is over and everyone would just like to lie back for a while. This year, we had no such luck, as just as the Wesak season ended, we were back in action at the Buddhist Culture and Arts Festival in early June. So now that that has ended, we can get back to our usual routine of running a busy city based Buddhist Centre.  That should keep us just as busy.  But it is all taken in stride.  Some one put up a poster at the Centre which says “Working for BUBS is not a duty, it is a privilege”.  It is a good reminder. In our modern, fast paced society, there are very few opportunities to do something truly good for society.  Serving BUBS, however, enables us to use a little part of our lives for a purpose greater than ourselves.  It is a rare opportunity cherished by those who give their time and service.

1. Society Matters

1.1 Progress of approvals for new center

On 9 May, we received the Building Plan approval from the local council.  We are now in the process of awarding the contract for the sub-structure work.  Things are moving along quite smoothly and we hope this will continue until completion of the building. We are also planning to have the ground breaking later this year.

1.2 Dhamma Aid Cambodia

Our outreach project Dhamma Aid Cambodia got off to a good start in the first half of this year.  In the first 6 months, we printed and distributed 6,500 copies of “Good Question, Good Answer” to the Cambodian public.  We also printed 5,000 copies of Gihi-patipatti (Practice for Lay-people) for the National Inspector of Buddhist Education. These books will be used by students in the Buddhist High Schools in the capital Phnom Penh as well as in the provinces.  We also provided scholarships for four monk students presently studying Buddhist subjects at the Preah Sihanouk Raj University.   We have received many emails from Cambodian teachers and others expressing their thanks and gratitude for this project. 

1.3 Welfare and Outreach Team

In May, Bro Yip who heads the Welfare sub-committee set up a welfare team to support members in times of sickness and bereavement.  This also allows members to express and their compassion towards those in our community. More members are needed to form the teams so please call Bro Yip at 019-2315515 if you wish to participate in this noble and meritorious work.

2 Visits by Monastics

BUBS continues to be blessed with visits by several monks who share their wisdom and inspire us.

In January, we were visited by:

Ven Kobutsu Malone

An American Rinzai Zen monk, the Ven Kobutsu Malone together with his son, also an ordained monk,  gave a talk on “Heaven and Hell”. He used the occasion to relate his numerous experiences while teaching the Dharma in prisons in the USA.  He served as chaplains to several prisoners on death row.  This is the first visit to BUBS by monk trained in the Japanese Zen school.  The visit was arranged by Bro Kooi Fong who met them through the Buddhist Channel, the website which Bro Kooi Fong operates.

Bhante Aggacitta

Bhante Aggacitta of the Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary, Taiping is a familiar teacher for BUBS members.  He talked on “Taking Refuge, Facing Crisis” and elaborated on the merits of taking refuge in the Three Jewels as described in the Velama Sutta and how we can use their power to help us in times of crisis.

Ven Sangharatana

We were happy to meet and get to know Ven Sangharatana, an engaging and humourous monk from Sri Lanka who is very active in Dhammaduta efforts and social work in his native country and among the Dalit Buddhists of Maharashtra state, India. The venerable also served as a lecturer in the Buddhist and Pali College in Singapore for several years.

In March, we were visited by:

Luang Por Liem Thitadhammo

Luang Por Liem Thitadhammo and eight other monks of various nationalities visited BUBS for a dana.  Luang Por ( a Thai honorific which means Venerable Father) succeeded the famed Ajahn Chah as the abbot of Wat Pah Pong , the monastery in Korat province, NE Thailand and the fount of the international forest sangha.

Ven Santagavesaka

A British monk, ordained by the Ven Pa-auk Sayadaw of Myanmar stayed at BUBS for several days in March, allowing members to offer dana. He does not normally give public talks but had informal discussions on various aspects of the Dhamma after the danas.

Bhante Kassapa

Bhante Kassapa is the founder of Rockhill Hermitage, a study and meditation center for students of various nationalities situated on a mountainside in Sri Lanka.  He gave a talk titled “Healing the Mind through Meditation” at BUBS.

Ven Tejadhammo

In April, Ven Tejadhammo of the Association of Engaged Buddhists, in Sydney visited us as part of his Wesak tour and gave us a talk titled “How To Develop Spiritual Friendship”.

3. Special Events & News

3.1 Movie screening – The Secret, 11 Feb

We got to see the movie everyone was talking about. The Secret, described as a self-help film, uses a "Documentary film" format to present the "Law of Attraction". This law is the "Secret" that, according to the tagline, "has traveled through centuries to reach you." The film features short dramatized experiences and interviews of a "dizzying dream team of personal transformation specialists, spiritual messengers, feng shui masters, and moneymaking experts". As put forth in the film, the Law of Attraction posits that people's feelings and thoughts attract real events in the world into their lives, something reflected in the first verses of the Dhammapada and with parallels to the law of kamma.

3.2 Chinese New Year and Chap Goh Meh

This traditional occasion is celebrated at BUBS with a Puja and offerings to the Buddha.  This  was followed by chanting of parittas ( protective suttas) and a Dhamma sharing session. The fifteenth day of the Lunar month, known as Chap Goh Meh was celebrated with a pot luck dinner, organized by BUDDY, our BUBS Youth Group.

3.3 Recycling for Charity, 25 March and 24 June

The BUBS youth, BUDDY organized two recycling projects that collected a large amount of recyclable stuff from members and friends.  Proceeds from the sale of this event went to a benefit of a charity working with HIV positive people and our building fund.

3.4 Annual Pattidana/Cheng Beng, 1 April

Pattidana is a ceremony where we make merit and dedicate them for the benefit of departed relatives and friends.  Should they be aware of our actions they would rejoice in our good merits. For beings born in more unfortunate realms, these merits are particularly precious as it may help to alleviate their condition and allow them to take a more fortunate rebirth.

3.5 Blood Donation campaign, 14 April

As in previous years, we had a Blood Donation campaign in the run-up to Wesak. This year, the campaign was held in The Atria Shopping Mall and about 150 persons donated their blood.

3.6 Wesak, 1 May

Wesak came early this year as under the decision of the World Fellowship of Buddhists we celebrated the event on the first full-moon day in May.  Unlike previous years where we had a Food Fair to raise funds for the new building, this year we had an open house serving free food.   Not that we had no further need of funds, but we thought that for this year we would raise funds through dana, thereby giving people the great opportunity to exercise generosity this Wesak.  Thus, at the Wesak celebrations, we launched the Pledge and Sponsorship program, allowing members and friends to sponsor specific items or structures in the building.  Donations of amounts of RM1,000 and above would be recorded on a engraved plaque to be put up in the main shrine hall of the new building.

We are happy to note that we received about RM75,000 on Wesak day itself.  Just 2 months after Wesak, most of the items have been sponsored raising almost RM1 million for the Building Fund.  If you wish to sponsor the remaining items available, please contact Sis Kim See at 012-2832317

3.7 Buddhist Culture and Arts Festival, 6-10 June (“BCAF”)

Initiated by our Spiritual Advisor Ven Saranankara, the BCAF was jointly organized by 50 local Buddhist organizations to showcase and popularize Buddhist artistic expressions and culture.  Held at the Mines Convention Center and opened to the public free of charge, the event drew sizeable numbers and media publicity over the period.  The event also raised funds to defer costs and we assisted in this by running a massive oil lamps stall.

4 Future Activities

4.1 Discovering Buddhism in You, commencing 11 July

This is a 6 week introductory course starting on 11 July.  It will be held on every Wednesday evening and is aimed at introducing the very basics of Buddhism to those new to the religion. Members and friends are welcome. Please call Bro Jeff Low at 012-3353803 for more information.

4.2 Educational trip to Deerland Park and Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary in Lanchang, Pahang on Sunday, 19 August.
The Dhamma School is organising a fun filled educational trip to Deerland Park and Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary in Lanchang, Pahang. The cost is: RM80 per pax and covers transport in an air conditioned bus, entrance fees, lunch and dinner. The activities include viewing deer and honey bears, fun on the Flying Fox and lunch with Orang Asli. At the Elephant Sanctuary, we'll be able to feed and bathe the elephants.  Reservation is on a first come first serve basis and confirmed with payment which is not refundable but transferable.  The closing date for registration is Sunday July 15th.  For further details, please contact Sis. Pat Boey: 017-8731002 or Sis.Loon Kee: 016-2120628

4.3 Dhamma School - Special Interest Group (SIG)
The Dhamma School will be forming 2 SIGs to cater to our Dhamma School students of all ages who are interested to enhance their personal skills through active participation.  The special interest groups are :-
a. Drama & Music
b. Chanting
The groups will meet on every Sunday (except during holidays) from 10.30 am to 11.00 am. There is no fee and interested students are required to register their names at the Sunday counter by 12 noon on 8 July 2007. For more information, please contact Sis Pat Boey at 017-8731002 or mail her at boeyks{ at }streamyx.com or Sis Poh Liew at pohliew_lau{at}hotmail.com

4.4. Fellowship Retreat at Fraser's Hill, Friday 31 August to Sunday, 2 September .
A back-to-nature retreat, led by Bro Charlie Chia, will be held at the Silver Park Resort, Fraser's Hill.  The activities will include a Nature Walk, Qi Gong, Meditation, Herbal Healing Talk, Dhamma Talk, etc.  The cost: is RM250 per person, inclusive of accommodation, buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, 2 tea breaks and supper, but excludes transport.  This will either be by car pooling or by coach (cost to be determined).  Registration is open until 15.7.2007 and on a first come first served basis. Registration is on full payment which is not refundable but is transferable. Please Contact: Dr Oon Hong Geok :012-3131617,Bro Charlie Chia (012-2893887) for more details.

In the meantime, members are friend are encourage to join us in our regular activities, our Sunday Pujas, and meditation on Thursdays and Fridays.

Thank you

We are happy to note that member participation and support of all our activities have grown. It has become increasingly difficult for the editor to keep track of all those who have contributed towards the various activities.  So we take this opportunity to thank all the members and friends who have given of themselves. Thank you very much.