Hello Everyone!! Its Vic here 2 tell u some great news!! the yad2 is having its first event!! please come and support the event and join the fun :D
When: 21st October 2006 Where : Lords Subiaco What : social and friendly basketball game for youths Why : To have fun and meet heaps of people!TIme: 2pm to 4pm Cost : ~$5 pp
Please let either me or Lay Yoke know if you're able 2 make it
PLease RSVP to Victor at (speed_sprinter@hotmail.com) or sms/call (0401406417). Alternatively you can contact Lay yoke at karope34@hotmail.com or 0422 574 624
SPRING is coming and its time for the everyone to come in to actions!
so what is spring feast? FOOD FOODFOODFOOD FUNFUNFUN!
When? 5th October 2006 [Thursday]
Where? Guild Village UWA
Time? 6pm- 9pm
For? UBC havent join Spring feast before and Ser Ley decided to give it a try this year So is mainly to create bonding with the rest of the clubs in UWA, raise fund for YAD (if we profit), to gain experience and basically is for us to have FUN FUN FUN!!
What are UBC up to? Thanks to Esther's Mum, We are borrowing her "Ice-Kacang" machine to sell ICE KACANG & JELLY DRINKS
$$$$? Ice Kacang - $3.50 Jelly Drink- $ 3.00
Helpers are needed, please contact EJ on eejuen_leong@yahoo.com or 0423059862
We've got a few upcoming events - come along or volunteer to help - we'd love to see you there! [BLIA YAD]
Father's Day A celebration of Father's Day. Bring your family and friends along (and of course - your dad!).
What: Dinner, Performances and Games Date: 1st Sep 06 Time: 6:30pm - 10pm Place: FGS Temple, 280 Guildford Rd, Maylands Cost: Free! RSVP: Ga Vin at gavin@mosaic.net.au / 041 326 3366 (Three) to let us know who is coming so that we can make sure we have enough food
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Multifaith Community Service Working together with Muslim, Christian and Buddhist groups, Multifaith Community Service events are held as joint events between a number of religious organisations to promote interfatih dialoge. This time, we're clearning bush near a mosque and helping out at a Catholic primary school if you have time to come along and help.
What: Interfaith community work to build meaningful dialogue Date: 2nd Sep 06 Time: 8:30am - 3pm Place: Hepburn Mosque, Padbury (64 Walter Padbury Blvd) and Padbury Catholic Primary Cost: Free RSVP: Carl Ong at ong.carl@gmail.com / 0433 207 025 (Three) to arrange transport
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Wedding Renewal Ceremony If you have some time on the 9th of September, we'd love to help from you. We're looking for volunteers to help out at the BLIA wedding renewal ceremony. Volunteers for this event are needed between 1-4pm to help run some stations.
What: Volunteer work helping out at a Buddhist Wedding Renewal Ceremony Date: 9th Sep 06 Time: 1-4pm Place: FGS Temple, 280 Guildford Rd, Maylands Register: Please contact Ga Vin if you're free to help! (gavin@mosaic.net.au / 0413263355)
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Charity Dinner As part of the wedding renewal event, there will be a charity dinner on the evening of the 9th of Sep to raise funds for the BLIA Love and Care group. Proceeds go to a number of charity organisations and activities. In the past this has ranged from the Salvation Army and Mission Australia, to aged care homes. What: Volunteer work helping decorate the dinner venue, and performing various tasks on the night Date: 9th Sep Time: 9am - 12pm / 6pm till late Place: Perth Town Hall Register: Please contact Ga Vin if you're free to help! (gavin@mosaic.net.au / 0413263355)
For more information, visit: http://bliawayad.blogspot.com/ Or Contact Ga Vin Lee, contact details as above.
This is the link to my blog that I put the clips for my dad's birthday, I'll use it for the Fathers Day presentation too, but with a bit more modification.
Regards, Carl
There's an Interfaith Community Service Event again on this coming 2nd Of Sept. Please read the details from the poster, or contact either Gavin or Me (Carl) if you can make it.
On the evening of the 19th of August, the Love & Care Group and YAD joined forces to raise funds for the homeless, through Mission Australia’s Winter Appeal.
The Mission Australia Winter Sleepout is a yearly event held to raise funds for Mission Australia’s Winter Appeal. Each participant raises money by asking sponsors to donate some money for them to sleep outdoors in the cold.
This year we were almost rained out by the heavy storms that rolled in across Perth. With the rain stretching through the day, we were almost at the point where we decided to go indoors for shelter. With masking tape, canvas and cardboard boxes though, we managed to set up a shelter (with only a few holes!) that would keep us warm through the night.
Together, we shared food, made a candlelight offering and prayer, and kept each other warm through ghost stories and discussions. Even with a cold, rainy and dark evening, our warm hearts were bright enough to light up the night!
For more information, or to make a donation to the Mission Australia Winter Appeal, please contact Ga Vin Lee, YAD President at gavin@mosaic.net.au / 041 326 3355.
The following article comes from Sports Illustrated and is by Rick Reilly.
Please read the story first and then view the video clip to see images of the father and son in action.
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I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay for their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots.
But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.
Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars -- all in the same day.
Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. on a bike. Makes taking your son bowling look a little lame, right?
And what has Rick done for his father? Not much -- except save his life.
This love story began in Winchester, Mass., 43 years ago, when Rick was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.
"He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life," Dick says doctors told him and his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. "Put him in an institution."
But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was anything to help the boy communicate. "No way," Dick says he was told. "There's nothing going on in his brain."
"Tell him a joke," Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a lot was going on in his brain.
Rigged up with a computer that allowed him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? "Go Bruins!" And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the school organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, "Dad, I want to do that."
Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described "porker" who never ran more than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he tried. "Then it was me who was handicapped," Dick says. "I was sore for two weeks."
That day changed Rick's life. "Dad," he typed, "when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!"
And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.
"No way," Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then they found a way to get into the race officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the qualifying time for Boston the following year.
Then somebody said, "Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?"
How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick tried.
Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii. It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you think?
Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? "No way," he says. Dick does it purely for "the awesome feeling" he gets seeing Rick with a cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together.
This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best time? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992 -- only 35 minutes off the world record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the time.
"No question about it," Rick types. "My dad is the Father of the Century."
And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries was 95% clogged. "If you hadn't been in such great shape," one doctor told him, "you probably would've died 15 years ago."
So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life.
Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass., always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day.
That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.
"The thing I'd most like," Rick types, "is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once."
On the 1st of September, we're going to be having a Father's Day Celebration at the Maylands FGS temple. One and all welcome! (Bring your family and especially your dad)
The night will include dinner, presentations/entertainment, games and prizes and it's all for free!
If you knew a woman who was pregnant, who had 8 kids already, three who were deaf, two who were blind, one mentally retarded, and she had syphilis; would you recommend that she have an abortion?
Read the next question before scrolling down to the answer of this one.
Question 2:
It is time to elect a new world leader, and your vote counts. Here are the facts about the three leading candidates:
Candidate A: Associates with crooked politicians, and consults with astrologists. He's had two mistresses. He also chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day.
Candidate B: He was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in college and drinks a quart of whiskey every evening.
Candidate C: He is a decorated war hero. He's a vegetarian, doesn't smoke, drinks an occasional beer and hasn't had any extramarital affairs.
Which of these candidates would be your choice?
Decide first, no peeking, then turn next page for the answer.
Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt Candidate B is Winston Churchill Candidate C is Adolph Hitler
And by the way, the answer to the abortion question: If you said yes, you just killed Beethoven.
Pretty interesting isn't it? Makes a person think before judging someone. Remember amateurs built the ark - Professionals built the Titanic.
One of the Buddhist Temples in ancient China was very small, but there were a lot of lay followers coming into make offerings, to listen to Dharma lectures, and to perform religious rituals. The Temple needed financial support from the villagers for expansion. One day, a lay follower brought in a bag of 50 gold coins and gave it to the Buddhist Monk in charge, theVenerable Shing Chu. The Monk took the money and, without saying anything, attended to other matters. The donor was very unhappy, because in ancient China, 50 gold coins were a lot of money, enough to support n ordinary family for several years - and the Buddhist monk simply took the donation without saying anything, not even a "thank you". So he followed the monk and said, "Your venerable, there are 50 gold coins in the bag which I have just donated to the temple. "Yes, I know," replied the Monk, "you have just told me earlier." The lay follower could not stand any longer. "But, I am donating 50 gold coins today, " he raised his voice and said loudly. "It is a large sum of money. How come you don't even acknowledge my donation nor even say,'thank you'?" By this time, both of them were walking pass by the Main Buddha Statue in the temple. The Monk replied,"You donate money to the Buddha, why do I have to say "thank you"? You make donations to create good merits r yourself and to make yourself happy. If you consider such donation as a business transaction, then I will give you a 'thank you' note on behave of the Buddha so that you can take it home with you.
Ajahn Brahmali gave a fascinating talk last Friday night at Nollamara Buddhist Centre. He spoke about the history of Buddhism, both Mahayana and Theravada traditions, as well as about identifying the actual words of the Buddha through the comparisons of sutras from both traditions.
One of the insights that came from this talk was the idea that the teachings of the Buddha are essentially a personal hypothesis. Through your own practice, you can test each Buddhist concept yourself and come to your own realisation.
For those of you who couldn't make it, you can download the talk here at the BSWA web site.
A long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered.
Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible.
Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying. Then he asked himself, "Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself."
The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health , time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love.
One day when we look back , we will realize that we don't really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed.
Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition . Life is definitely not about work! Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life. Life is a balance of Work and Play, Family and Personal time. You have to decide how you want to balance your Life. Define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts. Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human existence.
So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature. Lifeis fragile, Life is short. Do not take Life for granted. Live a balanced lifestyle and enjoy Life!
now that i have my email up and running at work, i can down to doing some REAL work, like sending out important emails like this.
This week we will travel down to nollamara temple (the "home" of ajahn brahm) and attend their dharma talk.
Details as follows 30th june Friday @ The Buddhist Society of WA (Inc) Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre 18-20 Nanson Way Nollamara WA 6061 meet there at 7.15
If you need a lift, or ANYTHING at all im here to help email or call 0421 605 422
-peace out, love and all that stuff nam
having trouble comparing yourself to everything? - "Hell was OK, until some wise guy went to heaven and came back"
The 24th of June marked a Multifaith Community Event which brought together youth groups from 3 separate religious faiths to build dialogue and cooperation between them.
Building Bridges: A Multi-Faith Community Service Event was organized by the Religious Youth Service, Australian Islamic Council, Carmelite Monastery, the Loreto Sisters, and Fo Guang Shan Temple.
The Event was opened by the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, the Hon. Tony McRae MLA, who gave a very positive message of togetherness.
This was followed by interfaith prayers delivered by Imam Jalil of the Rivervale Mosque, Reverend Sanderson Austin of the Maylands Spiritualist Church, and Reverend Yao of Fo Guang Shan Temple. Reverend Rick McInerheney, the Chairman of the Universal Peace Federation Australia, chaired the opening ceremony.
Attendees of the event included Mr Rahim Ghowry, the President of the Australian Islamic Federation and Mr Angelo Natanni, the WA State Director of the Family Federation for World Peace.
The aim of Building Bridges was to encourage and promote meaningful dialogue between people of various religious and cultural backgrounds through working side by side in community service.
During the day, participants worked together to clean up an extension building for the Rivervale Mosque, pulling weeds, cleaning walls, and mopping floors to work together for a common cause. The hard work was followed with a Halal lunch at the Mosque for all participants, and a talk by Imam Jalil to provide a better understanding of Islam.
The Muslim, Christian and Buddhist participants later visited the Carmelite Monastery to speak with the cloistered nuns within its walls. This was followed by a visit to Loreto Convent, with a tour by the Loreto Sisters. Participants ended the day at Fo Guang Shan Temple, taking part in a Buddhist prayer and a question and answer session.
Religious Youth Service was a project developed at the 1985 Assembly of World Religions to foster respect, cooperation and understanding among religions. The project has been organizing community service with members of all faiths for over 20 years, involving over 5000 volunteers in more than 37 countries.
...On a field trip with the students, I listened to a professional trainer describe how he had taught African crested cranes to stop landing on his head and shoulders. He did this by training the leggy birds to land on mats on the ground. This, he explained, is what is called an "incompatible behavior," a simple but brilliant concept.
Rather than teach the cranes to stop landing on him, the trainer taught the birds something else, a behavior that would make the undesirable behavior impossible. The birds couldn't alight on the mats and his head simultaneously.
At home, I came up with incompatible behaviors for Scott to keep him from crowding me while I cooked. To lure him away from the stove, I piled up parsley for him to chop or cheese for him to grate at the other end of the kitchen island. Or I'd set out a bowl of chips and salsa across the room. Soon I'd done it: no more Scott hovering around me while I cooked.
I followed the students to SeaWorld San Diego, where a dolphin trainer introduced me to least reinforcing syndrome (L. R. S.). When a dolphin does something wrong, the trainer doesn't respond in any way. He stands still for a few beats, careful not to look at the dolphin, and then returns to work. The idea is that any response, positive or negative, fuels a behavior. If a behavior provokes no response, it typically dies away.
In the margins of my notes I wrote, "Try on Scott!"
It was only a matter of time before he was again tearing around the house searching for his keys, at which point I said nothing and kept at what I was doing. It took a lot of discipline to maintain my calm, but results were immediate and stunning. His temper fell far shy of its usual pitch and then waned like a fast-moving storm. I felt as if I should throw him a mackerel...
Pope Benedict XVI met with visiting Master Hsing Yun (星雲法師), founder of Taiwan's Buddha's Light International Association, on Wednesday in a general audience at St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican.
During the meeting, Benedict XVI expressed his best regards for the Taiwanese and said he would pray for them. The pope also said that he would visit Taiwan if the chance arose.
For those of you that weren't able to make it to the talk by Ven. Dr Yifa on the 12th of June (2006), you can now download the talk from this link in mp3 format. Please note that the file size is 113MB so I hope you have broadband!
Thank you so much to Clive for recording and hosting this file.
One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?" "It was great, Dad." "Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked. "Oh yeah," said the son. "So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father. The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them." The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are." Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have. Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends! This was passed on to you to help you refresh your perspective and appreciation. "Life is too short and friends are too few."
Our quest for the truth and ultimate realization continues. This week will see us return to the Buddha's Bliss temple in Willetton to learn more about the Heart Sutra. The explaination of the beginning of the sutra is of the most important and one that should not be missed.
Details as follows: Location: 21 Woodthorpe Drive, Willetton Time: 7.15pm
for transport or questions "look to my coming on the first light of the fifth day, at dawn look to the east" or email or ring 0421 605 422, whatevers easier.
"I havnt slept for 10 days,..... because that would be tooo long"
ONE DAY YOU ARE GOING TO DIE!! but if you're lucky someone might be there to help you through it, but just remember that they are only there because they are willing!! here's your chance to be that willing someone!
Just by sitting there you could make a huge difference in someones life (ie no effort accept turning up!!). Want to be a kinder person, someone who is willing to give, well here is your chance!!
YADs trimonthly blood donation is happening again this wednesday, and if you thought you too scared to do it yourself, well come join a whole bunch of other whoosies and do it together.
Details: St johns on wellington street (oposite pier st) Time: 6.00pm wednesday night onwards
Need to bring: your healthy body (must be more than 45kg) and drink at least 2-3 litres of water during the day prior to coming in.
Just rock up come up stairs, and there will be someone there to greet you!
any questions please ring esther 0421 211 618. or email me.
ahem ... I mean Dear dharma friends (or the term from the conference "Brothers and sisters of the Dharma")
In continuing our months of excursions, this week we will be attending the Dhama Class at the Buddha's Bliss Mission in Willetton. They also hold a meditation class followed by a dharma class with this weeks topic on the HEART SUTRA. Details as follows...
We will be meeting there at Time: 7.15pm Friday -(class runs till 9.30) Address: 21 Woodthorpe Drive, Willetton
IF you need a lift or have any questions, you know what to do. email or 0421 605 422
The heart sutra - "If it is the first time you read Heart Sutra, you may find that it is difficult to understand because its way of thinking is different from the traditional ones. Therefore, you should be open-minded, and think deeply and carefully. The Heart Sutra reveals the entire secret of truth of the universe and life. Don't miss it, otherwise you'll regret it."
HEART SUTRA ------------------------------------ When Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is practising the profound Prajna-paramita, He sees and illuminates to the emptiness of the five skandhas, and Thus attains deliverance from all suffering.
Sariputra, matter is not different from emptiness, and Emptiness is not different from matter. Matter is emptiness and emptiness is matter. So too are sensation, recognition, volition and consciousness.
Sariputra, the emptiness character of all dharmas, neither arises nor ceases, is neither pure nor impure, and neither increases nor decreases.
Therefore, in emptiness: there is no matter, no sensation, recognition, volition or consciousness, no eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, or mind, no sight, sound, scent, taste, tangibles, or dharma, no field of the eye up to no field of mental consciousness, no suffering, no cause of suffering, no ending of suffering, and no path, no wisdom and also no attainment. Because there is nothing obtainable.
Bodhisattvas through the reliance on Prajna-paramita Have no attachment and hindrance in their minds. Because there is no more attachment and hindrance, There is no more fear, and Far away from erroneous views and wishful-thinking, Ultimately : The Final Nirvana.
Therefore, realize that Prajna-paramita is the great wondrous mantra, the great radiant mantra, the unsurpassed mantra, and the unequalled mantra.
It can eradicate all suffering, and It is genuine and not false. Therefore, utter the Prajna-paramita mantra - Chant: Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhisvaha!
The 2006 International Buddha's Light Young Adult Conference will be held at Fo Guang Shan in Kao Hsiung, Taiwan, from Aug. 3, 2006, to Aug. 6, 2006.This year's conference will be co-organized by the BLIA YAD Chung-Hwa Regional Subdivisions led by Ven. Man Chien.
For those of you interested in attending, this is a rare opportunity to get to know YAD dharma friends from around the world (and also to visit Taiwan!). For more information, please contact Ga Vin on 041 326 3355 (Three) or at gavin@mosaic.net.au.
It’s a reality with Building Bridges: A Multi-Faith Community Service Event, organized by the Religious Youth Service, Australian Islamic Council, Carmelite Monastery and Fo Guang Shan Temple.
The 24th of June marks this Multifaith Community Event which will bring together youth groups from 3 separate religious faiths to build dialogue and cooperation between them. The goal of Building Bridges is to encourage and promote meaningful dialogue between people of various religious and cultural backgrounds through working side by side in community service.
This multi-faith event aims to provide an opportunity for its participants to gain an understanding and respect for others’ cultures and beliefs. By performing service projects at a mosque and temple, participants experience working in harmony with other religious groups, thus promoting peaceful cooperation, inter-cultural and inter-religious harmony.
Muslim, Christian and Buddhist participants will travel to visit three religious centers in a full day event. Activities on the day will include talks by leaders of each religious order and community service by participants at two of the religious centers.
Religious organizations that will play a part will include the Rivervale Mosque/ Islamic Centre, the Carmelite Monastery (Nedlands) and the Fo Guang Shan Temple (Maylands).
Participants will start the day at 8:30am at the Rivervale Mosque on the 24th of June and will end the day at the Fo Guang Shan Temple in Maylands. Lunch and refreshments will be provided through the day.
Religious Youth Service was a project developed at the 1985 Assembly of World Religions to foster respect, cooperation and understanding among religions. The project has been organizing community service with members of all faiths for over 20 years, involving over 5000 volunteers in more than 37 countries.
For more information, or to find out how you can attend, contact Fazida Razak (Religious Youth Service) on 0409 297 420/94432496 or Carl Ong (Buddha’s Light International Association Young Adult Division) on 0433 207 025 before the 18th of June.
I got this from the internet, when I browse randomly. This is from YAD London, if not mistaken...some of their performance during Buddha's Birthday Celebration.
Following on from our exciting month of Buddhism, this week's dharma class will coincide with the Dharma talk being held at the Perth Exhibition and convention centre. This is a free talk open to the general public and is an event in the lead up to the 4th global conference held on that same weekend. So it looks like we will be going on another excursion, YAY!! =0)
Details as follows: Where: Meet at the Perth Exhibition Centre in the city (in the lobby area where there are stalls set up to claim your conference tickets) When: 6.30pm, Fri 9th June More Information: Contact Nam Nguyen on namhqn@yahoo.com.au or 0421 605 422
PS. if you are going to the conference please remember to BRING YOUR RECEIPT so that you can get your ticket and your name badge.
If you need transport please contact Lay Yoke, or myself through email or 0421 605 422
Hope to see you all there and dont forget to bring your signed permission slips from your mommy, hehe kidding =)
There's lots of events happening in the next few weeks so stay tuned. We have a series of Buddhist talks, a couple of conferences, an interfaith day and a refuge-taking ceremony! Visit our blog for more information: http://bliawayad.blogspot.com/
Buddha's Light International Association: Young Adult Division
Buddhist Talk: Living and Dying in Buddhism Next week, we play host to Venerable Dr YiFa, who will give a talk at UWA on the 12th of June. Ven. Dr YiFa is a nun in the Fo Guang Shan monastic order with a law degree from National Taiwan University, a MA in comparative philosophy from the University of Hawaii and a Ph.D. in religious studies from Yale University.
Ven Dr YiFa will be giving a talk about Living and Dying in Buddhism.
Where: UWA - ROSS Lecture Theatre When: Mon 12 June, 6:30pm - 8:30pm Cost: Free Who: Any member of the public More information: Contact Ser Ley Lee on 0433 776 507 or chooley@lycos.com
Talks on the Diamond Sutra The Diamond Sutra is one of the most profound sutras (scriptures) in Buddhism. Deep and insightful, an understanding of this sutra provides an understanding of what Buddhism is really all about.
"All conditioned phenomena Are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow Like the dew, or like lightning You should discern them like this" Excerpt from the Diamond Sutra
Our abbess, Abbess Yi Lai will be giving a series of 2 talks on the Diamond Sutra over 2 sundays.
Where: Fo Guang Shan Temple, 281 Guildford Rd, Maylands When: 25 June, 2 July: 2-3:30pm Cost: Free Who: Any member of the public More information: Contact Ga Vin Lee on gavin@mosaic.net.au or 041 326 3355 (Please contact me if you need more info about the venue or transport arrangements as well)
Refuge and Precept Taking Ceremony From a Buddhist point of view, it can be said that we take refuge all the time. Whether it is in our house, car, girlfriend or money, it means that we are looking for happiness and security in the world around us. Buddhist thought states that we will never be truly satisfied if this is what we try to do because none of these things have any ultimate stability.
One might lose one's house, someone might steal one's car, etc., or one might be worrying about these things happening, which likewise is not leading to happiness.
Taking Refuge then, means finding something which one can truly rely on.All Buddhists take refuge in the Three Jewels, they are: the Buddha who represents the goal that we can achieve, the Dharma or teachings that will bring us to that goal, and the Sangha as the other practitioners who support us on our way.
What: 3 Refuge and 5 Precept Ceremony Where: Fo Guang Shan Temple, 281 Guildford Rd, Maylands When: 2 July 07 Cost: Free Who: The Refuge Taking ceremony is for those seeking to take the first step on the Buddhist path. The 5 Precepts are for those seeking to take up the 5 training rules. More information: Contact Ga Vin Lee on gavin@mosaic.net.au or 041 326 3355 (Please contact me if you need more info about the venue or transport arrangements as well)
Handing Down the Light: Author Visit The Author (Mrs Foo Ze Ying) of the book "Handling Down the Light - Master Hsing Yun" about the life of Master Hsing Yun, will be in Perth next month for a day. She will give a talk at the Temple on July 5th, 7.30 pm. Where: Fo Guang Shan Temple, 281 Guildford Rd, Maylands When: 5 July 07, 7:30pm Cost: Free Who: Any member of the public More information: Contact Ga Vin Lee on gavin@mosaic.net.au or 041 326 3355 (Please contact me if you need more info about the venue or transport arrangements as well)
There's a lot of Buddhist activities happening in Perth over the next few weeks. In the next month, we'll have the 4th Global Conference on Buddhism right here in Perth, the Story of Buddhism Exhibition at the Arthouse Gallery, as well as an Interfaith Day! 4th Global Conference on Buddhism
A biennial event, the series of Global Conferences on Buddhism aim to provide a unique forum at which prominent Buddhists from various traditions can present their responses and solutions to key issues of interest to Buddhists. The ensuing panel discussions prompted by questions from conference delegates are aimed at providing a stimulating, entertaining and productive dialogue that deepens the understanding of all participants.
The 2006 conference brings together an impressive group of respected ordained and lay speakers from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia, Singapore, Korea and the United States. Our invited guests will address the six sub-themes of the conference to provide a diversity of analysis, experience and opinion. These themes range from ‘Women in Buddhism’ through to ‘Euthanasia’ and the ‘Buddhist Response to Fundamentalism’
Where: Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre When: 10-11 June 06 Who: For practicing Buddhists and others interested in following this path Cost: $200 Adults / $125 Students / $150 Pensioners More information: Visit the web site or contact Ga Vin Lee at gavin@mosaic.net.au
Story of Buddhism Exhibition
At this exhibition you will see the living story of Buddhism presented through colour, sound, image, text, art, sculpture and the work and the loving dedication of many people. Buddhism is an ancient yet contemporary spiritual pathway which is growing throughout the world and practiced by many Australians.
Where: Artshouse Gallery When: 27 May - 16 June (11am - 5pm) Who: Open to the Public Cost: Gold Coin Donation More information: Visit the web site or contact Ga Vin Lee at gavin@mosaic.net.au
Interfaith Day
Together with the International Relief Friendship Foundation and a number of other community groups, YAD will be having an interfaith day on the 24th of June. As part of the event, we will visit and do some community service at a mosque and temple (our temple!) and visit a church monastery. We aim to bring together followers of each religion in order to break down the barriers between each group.
Currently, we invite expressions of interest from anyone interested in coming along to this event. We may have a limit on the numbers of people able to attend due to the capacities of each venue, so please let us know ASAP.
Where: Mosque, Church, our Temple When: 24 June, 8am - 7pm (approx) Who: Anyone! Cost: None (at present) More information: Contact/RSVP to Carl Ong (ong.carl@gmail.com / 0433 207 025 [Three]) to express your interest. Limited Numbers!
ANZBYC
Coming up soon is the annual Australia and New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference, a chance for Buddhist Youth from all the different YADs around Australia and New Zealand to get together and meet each other! This year the conference will be held at Nan Tien Temple in Wollongong, New South Wales. The temple is about an hour from Sydney.
The theme of this year's conference is "Auspicious Co-Existence" and it serves as a great excuse to... 1. Go to Sydney 2. Have fun with some fantastic people from all around Australia 3. Learn more about Buddhism (and about our international organisation, YAD) 4. Visit Nan Tien Temple, one of the largest temples in the southern hemisphere (if not THE largest one) 5. And much much more!
I've been to a bunch of these and I can say that it's definitely more than worthwhile. (Just ask me if you want to hear some good stories ;-) ) Right now Virgin Blue and Qantas have some great deals so hurry up and book!
Where: Nan Tien Temple, Wollongong, NSW When: 14 Jul - 17 Jul How Much: $160 before the end of the month / $180 after May What: Australia and New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference / "Auspicious Co-existence" For more info: Contact Ser Ley Lee on 0433 776 507 or chooley@lycos.com
If you've ever wanted to check out what YADsters on the other side of the world do, check out some of the videos put up by South Bay YAD on youtube. They've also uploaded a whole lot of images of their activities on fokti. Come on Perth people - it's our turn!
which can only mean one thing. Another "fun" dharma friday is just around the corner! =)
This week ive decided that the topic of the class will be the Diamond Sutra. It is one of the most philosophical and deepest sutra in buddhism but extremely fascinating none the less.
With descriptions such as "The ‘Diamond Sutra’ urges devotees to cut through the illusions of reality that surround them. Names and concepts given to both concrete and abstract things are merely mental constructs that mask the true, timeless reality lying behind them" and "Diamond Sutra is an important teaching to break up the ignorance of the attachments of the self (and ego) and of the Dharma" you know its hardcore =)
Anyway same time same place (FGS Temple, 281 Guildford Rd, Maylands) Meditation 7.00 - 7.20 Dharma Class 7.30 -9.00
If you need transport please contact Lay Yoke 0422 574 624 or email karope34@hotmail.com anything else contact me email or 0421 605 422
Nam
Zen Story -------------- Id like to share an experience that i had on my recent trip to thailand. In Buddhism we are told there are many reasons why we bow down to the Buddha, be it to pay respects,homage etc, another reason it to let go of SELF or of your EGO. i never fully understood this until i was at a temple in thailand in a foreign land and a foreign place. I stood there before the buddha while everyone else was bowing down and i was thinking to myself that i didnt want to do it and that i dont have to do what i dont want to, and my mind came up with all these reasons why i dont want to bow. But then i realised that these were the exact reasons why i SHOULD, because it was my EGO's way of saying that i was too good for this.
When your mind comes up with all these reasons why you shouldnt bow down, these are the EXACT reasons why you should, because it means your ego is getting too big! its hard for your ego to accept that things are bigger, grander, more holier, more worthier than it. But by bowing down you are accepting this and letting go of this notion of EGO. and so thats what i did, i got down on my hands and knees and bowed before the buddha.
Dear friends in the Dharma, On the 2nd of July, there would be a 5 precepts ceremony. Anyone who is interested in taking the 5 precepts is more then welcomed to register. But pls dun register to me! Go to the temple!
I’m just spreading the news cause I’ve finally decided to go for it. And I thought it’ll be nice if there is someone/anyone else who would take it with me.
[Yes, the conditions are now right for me~ Sob. After six years of learning bout Buddhism the condition has arisen.]
Cause at the moment, I AM! :) A few of us have decided to go. For people who attended ANZBYC in Perth last year, James D is going to Sydney as well! And so is Kim Huat!
That makes 3 of us, and a few others who are interested but not too sure about their schedule yet... (Come on people.Lets try to get at least 5 ppl to go! Woohoo! That’ll be REALLY Cool! )
For some of you who may not know, ANZBYC stands for Australia New Zealand Buddhist Youth Camp/Conference. It is a camp/conference that YAD in diff part of Australia/New Zealand hold every year. And this year, it is in SYDNEY!
It’s a 4 days 3 night camp [I think] and at the moment the camp cost $160.
All 3 of us [James, Kim and I] intend to leave on the 12th of July and return on the 22nd of July. We r attending the post camp tour as well.
So is u can make it… JOIN US!!! :D During the last YAD Meeting, it was decided that YAD Perth Committee members going to the camp would be entitled to $200 subside fee. None committee members would be accessed on individual basis. Hopefully that would encourage more people to come.
I’m the contact person for the camp, so if you are interested… Let me know~
0433776507 chooley@lycos.com * For all Uni students. Good luck with your assignments and exams!
OK, so this happens to be one of my favourite singers in the whole world, Sarah McLachlan, but don't hold that against me! I'm posting this clip because it's one of the more meaningful music videos I've seen. Something to ponder the next time you spend a lot of money...
You may be interested to click on this link after watching this video clip. And perhaps click on this link to find out more about the concept behind the song.
World On Fire
The world's on fire its more then I can handle I'll tap into the water try and bring my share Try to bring more, more than I can handle Bring it to the table Bring what I am able
Hearts are worn in these dark ages You're not alone in these stories' pages The light has fallen amongst the living and the dying And Ill try to hold it in Yeah Ill try to hold it in
Chorus
I watch the heavens but I find no calling Something I can do to change what's coming Stay close to me while the sky's falling I don't wanna be left alone don't wanna be alone
Chorus
Hearts break hearts mend love still hurts Visions clash planes crash still there's talk of saving souls still cold's closing in on us
We part the veil on our killer sun Stray from the straight line on this short run The more we take the less we become The fortune of one man means less for some
This is a little clip that the YAD presented to all the Mothers at the FGS temple in Maylands on the 14th of May, 2006. We also presented flowers and a cake for all the wonderful mums.
On that note, Gav and I have been talking about the possiblity of running a self development course in the near future. It will be a series of workshops focused on inner work, taking ourselves on an inner journey by using artistic/expressive therapeutic techniques. It will require "closed" groups (ie the participants will need to be committed for the duration of the course and no additional members should be added to the group for that series of workshops).
Can I get a response as to how many people would be interested in something like that, and what kind of topics they are interested in addressing? (e.g. Inner child work, discovering your creativity, dealing with your emotions, creative life-planning, looking at different aspects of your life, etc etc).
There are these three kinds of Suffering (Dukkha):
The Blessed Buddha once said: Bhikkhus, there are these three kinds of suffering. What three?
The Suffering caused by painful feeling... The Suffering caused by construction... The Suffering caused by change…
These are the three kinds of suffering!This Noble 8-fold Way is to be developed for the direct experience of all three kinds of suffering, for the full understanding of them, for their complete elimination, and for their final overcoming, abandoning and leaving all behind…The Noble 8-fold Way is to be developed for ending suffering!!!
Comment:The first kind of suffering due to painful feeling, whether mental or bodily, is fairly obvious… The second suffering is things disguised as pleasure, which become suffering when falling apart… The third kind of suffering is when a pleasant or neutral object inevitably changes and decays…
Nam is still on holiday in Thailand so it's my turn again to send this week's email.
Dharma Friday ------------------
This Friday evening we have another special guest. Reverend Yao from the FGS temple will be giving us another talk this Friday so please come along and share in her wisdom (and share your own!).
What: Dharma talk with Reverend Yao Where: FGS Temple - 281 Guildford Rd, Maylands When: 7pm-9pm (we also usually meet in a nearby coffee shop for a coffee afterwards as well) / 19th May 2006 Transport: For Transport, please email or call/sms Lay Yoke Ng (karope34@hotmail.com / 0422 574 624) and state your name, address and any other details that would be important for us to know... i.e. if you need to leave early or late, get picked up earlier. We're very happy to give you a lift if you need one! Questions: If you have any questions about this event, please contact Ga Vin on 0413263355 (three) or email me at gavin@mosaic.net.au)
ANZBYC 2006 ------------------
Coming up soon is the annual Australia and New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference, a chance for Buddhist Youth from all the different YADs around Australia and New Zealand to get together and meet each other! This year the conference will be held at Nan Tien Temple in Wollongong, New South Wales. The temple is about 2 hours from Sydney.
The theme of this year's conference is "Auspicious Co-Existence" and it serves as a great excuse to... 1. Go to Sydney 2. Have fun with some fantastic people from all around Australia 3. Learn more about Buddhism (and about our international organisation, YAD) 4. Visit Nan Tien Temple, one of the largest temples in the southern hemisphere (if not THE largest one) 5. And much much more!
I've been to a bunch of these and I can say that it's definitely more than worthwhile. (Just ask me if you want to hear some good stories ;-) ) Yes flights may have gone up in price a bit but it's worth it!
Where: Nan Tien Temple, Wollongong, NSW When: 14 Jul - 17 Jul How Much: $160 before 19th May / $180 after 19th May What: Australia and New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference / "Auspicious Co-existence" For more info: Contact Ser Ley Lee on 0433 776 507 or chooley@lycos.com
New YAD Blog! -----------------
You can now visit our new YAD blog at http://bliawayad.blogspot.com/ Feel free to post your comments and let us know what you think of our events. (Apologies for the totally off-topic videos :P Totally my fault!)
Send us Feedback! ---------------------
Finally,please feel free to send myself or Nam (namhqn@yahoo.com.au) feedback on what topics you'd like to see at our weekly Dharma Fridays. Whether it's an area of Buddhist knowledge you're interested in, or an area of personal development, please let us know. We'd love to hear from you, so that we can make our Friday get-togethers more relevant to you!
And now... our Weekly Zen Story :-) -----------------------------------------
A famous spiritual teacher came to the front door of the King's palace. None of the guards tried to stop him as he entered and made his way to where the King himself was sitting on his throne.
"What do you want?" asked the King, immediately recognizing the visitor.
"I would like a place to sleep in this inn," replied the teacher.
"But this is not an inn," said the King, "It is my palace."
"May I ask who owned this palace before you?"
"My father. He is dead."
"And who owned it before him?"
"My grandfather. He too is dead."
"And this place where people live for a short time and then move on - did I hear you say that it is NOT an inn?"
Watching this video clip makes me think of how much change we've gone through in our current lifetime alone. What seemed so "cool" way back then is just plain funny now. It sure proves the saying "This too will pass".
If you're wondering what I'm talking about watch the video clip. Can't touch this! ;-)
OK OK Another Off-Topic post I know :-) I just wanted to share this. For those of you guys that love Family Guy, check out this homage to Sesame Street.
Well - since Nam is on holiday in beautiful Thailand (lucky guy!), I've been asked to send this week's email to let all of you know about this week's Dharma Friday.
This Friday evening we have invited a very special guest to run a workshop for us, Miss Hsiao-Wen Wang. Hsiao-Wen is an artist and a qualified counsellor. Her main interests are in exploring the multi-faceted healing benefits of the creative process. She's been running art therapy workshops for young people for the last 3 years, and in that vein she has graciously agreed to lead our group this Friday for a workshop on Gratitude. If you've thought about coming along to Dharma Friday and you haven't come along yet - here's your chance!
Gratitude: "Gratitude" is an important concept in Buddhism. Are you aware of the many factors that make you into the person that you are today? Do you know about all the causes and conditions that caused you to be? If your mother hadn't carried you in her tummy for 9 months, given birth to you, nursed and fed and clothed you and given you love.... where would you be today? This Friday we will be having a workshop on Gratitude, with a bit of a mother's day theme (seeing as Mother's Day is this Sunday).
What: Workshop on Gratitude with special guest: Hsiao-Wen Wang Where: FGS Temple - 281 Guildford Rd, Maylands When: 7pm-9pm (we also usually meet in a nearby coffee shop for a coffee afterwards as well) Transport: For Transport, please email or call/sms Lay Yoke Ng (karope34@hotmail.com / 0422 574 624) and state your name, address and any other details that would be important for us to know... i.e. if you need to leave early or late, get picked up earlier. We're very happy to give you a lift if you need one! Questions: If you have any questions about this event, please contact Ga Vin on 0413263355 (three) or email me at gavin@mosaic.net.au)
and now... for a trademark zen story sign-off ;-)
Just Two Words --------------------------
There once was a monastery that was very strict. Following a vow of silence, no one was allowed to speak at all. But there was one exception to this rule. Every ten years, the monks were permitted to speak just two words. After spending his first ten years at the monastery, one monk went to the head monk. "It has been ten years," said the head monk. "What are the two words you would like to speak?"
"Bed... hard..." said the monk.
"I see," replied the head monk.
Ten years later, the monk returned to the head monk's office. "It has been ten more years," said the head monk. "What are the two words you would like to speak?"
"Food... stinks..." said the monk.
"I see," replied the head monk.
Yet another ten years passed and the monk once again met with the head monk who asked, "What are your two words now, after these ten years?"
"I... quit!" said the monk.
"Well, I can see why," replied the head monk. "All you ever do is complain."
BLIA-YAD, WA is the abbreviated form of the Buddha's Light International Association - Young Adult Division of Western Australia, and we are part of a greater global Buddhist organization called Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA).
BLIA-YAD, WA is a group of youth who are not necessarily Buddhists, but have an interest in learning more about Buddhism and life. Through organizing various activities and events, BLIA-YAD, WA is actively involved in both promoting the teachings of Buddha and the fellowship among young people of today.
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