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The four days of free health camp was successfully held
The four days of free health camp was successfully held at Namo Buddha, Thrangu Clinic. It was organized by Sibu Namo Buddha Buddhist Society, Malaysia. The specialist doctors of Abdomen and liver, skin and STD from Kathmandu city were hired for the camp. They also brought medical equipment as well for the camp. According to the record, more than thousand lay people came for checkup. Along with the medicine, the patients were offered souvenirs, a paper stated about the Bodhichitta practice.
The free camp sponsor, Namo Buddha Buddhist Society also offered meals to sangha who are staying for summer retreat, dedicating to all the people. Every morning, Green Tara puja and evening Medicine Buddha puja were at the clinic shrine hall so that it may benefit those people who are not feeling well and pray that all the people may be freed from any kind and illness and suffering.
On the last day of the camp, the resident lama, Master Lama Ngawang and Mdm. Kelline Ng offered souvenirs and thanked all the staff of the clinic, managing director Lama Yonten and Jamyang Dorje for their great effort to organize this camp. The sponsors are very much pleased and hoping to help in near future, too.
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The Wonderful Retreat
The 3rd Sibu Namo Buddha Retreat, Malaysia, Sibu Namo Buddha Buddhist Centre, Malaysia organized a three-day Mahamudra preliminary retreat from 21st to 23rd of Nov. 2010 ( From Sunday to Tuesday) . Thre retreat took place at Saratok Buddhist Retreat Centre. The Venerable Tulku Damcho Rinpoche leaded the retreat with the resident master of NBBS, The Venera ble Master Lama Ngawang, and 4 other Lamas from Nepal. Thare ware also 21 disciples who have shown great faith and devotion in 3 jewels –Buddha, Dharma, and Shanga participated in this wonderful preliminary retreat.
All the participatants of the retreat shared the common saying that " Even though we possess the precious human bodies, it is, somehow, due to our busy life styles, schedules , and lock of motivations ect., still very difficult for us to practice Dharma. This time, we have chance to practice Dharma for three days. We feel that we are extremely fortunate to have this opportunity to be in the Mahamudra preliminary retreat. "
The Venerable Tulku Damcho Rinpoche requested all the participants to cultivate Buddhicitta mind, and follow the profound path of Mahamudra Linage Masters. He said that “the prelimiinary teaching of Mahamudra is the stepstone for Samatha and Vipashana mediations.” He expected that all the retreatants in the near future will be able to gradually practice Samatha and Vipashana mediations. He also indicated that it is important to obtain lineage gurus's blessing to facilate our pratice without obsticles and hindrances. He advised all retreatants to make strong aspiration and supplications to the Kagyupa's lineage gurus's for the success of the retreat and future practices .
This year's retreat was located at Saratok. It is a tranqual and peaceful area. It is full of fresh air, and nice envirements. It is a very ideal place for retreat. There were English and Mandarin translations available for both English and Mandarin audiences during the retreat. All the particiaptants ware very happy and greatful for such a wonderful opportunity to praictice Dharma with The Venerable Tulku Damcho Rinpoche, The Venerable Master Lama Ngwang , and other 4 lamas from Nepal.
Questions and Answers
The following questions ware asked by Mr. Wong Ah Shui, and they ware also commonly asked by publics. Therefore, the resident master of NBBS, The Venerable Master Lama Ngwang, was given some clarifications on some doubts.
Q. “Why is the retreat fees only Rm.50/- for a three- day retreat? “
Ans. : “Actually, you are right. The air-ticket fares for The Vernerable Tulku Damcho Rinpoche and Lamas, lodging, and food etc. cost more that RM115o/-. However, If NBBS sets a high admission for the retreat, then some of the students will not be able to afford to join the retreat, and their opportunity to learn and practice Dharma will be deprived, particualarly for this very important, very initial, and foundemental buddhist ( Vajrayana ) learnings at Sibu. NBBS is lucky that it received finacial assistance from our Dharma sponsors ,and NBBS itself also is able to absorb some expenses. As “selfless “ is the root of budhist teachings, it is very important that NBBS is able to put others' needs out front, and live up to Buhha's expecation to regard others more important than ourself . Therefore, NBBS decided to accommendate the needs of the publics. “
Q. “But people often think that “high admission “ may bring more blessing and the teaching will be more powerful than the one cost little. Do you think people will have strong faith and devotion in NBBS's retreat ? “
Ans. “Many years back in Varanasi, India, when Buddha gave teachings to others, he didn't take any fee at all. So, NBBS wants to follow Buddha's trandtion and open sthe gate of Dharma for all regardless of who you are and what you do. That's why for this retreat, NBBS just symbolically collects small fee for food supply for retreatants. As long as NBBS is able to sustanin itself, in the future, we hope to be able to continue to service Dharma for all regardless of your condisitons. And the thinking that a Dharma teaching cost high fee means it is more powerful and has more blessing is an illusionary mistake. Simply, the Buddha's blessing is coming from your true faith and devotion . The greater faith and devotion you have for 3 jewels, the greater the blessing you get from 3 jewls- Buddha, Dharma, and Shanga. “
Mr Wong : That's good. I want to attend next year's retreat with NBBS. Thank you. Tashi Delek!
On May 13, 2010 KhenchenThrangu Rinpoche arrived to Sibu
KhenchenThrangu Rinpoche was welcomed to Sibu by Lama Ngawang and members of the Namo Buddha Buddhist Society. Upon arrival at the airport, he was presented with a bouquet of flowers and then taken to the center, where he was served the traditional Tibetan welcome of saffron rice and tea. He spent the afternoon at the center relaxing, and went out to dinner with members of the center in the evening. The meal, sponsored by Mme. Loo, was attended by 36 people, and concluded with the Resident Master Lama Ngawang offering a cake to all the sponsors in thanks for their generosity.
On Friday afternoon, Rinpoche gave Karma Chödrön the novice vows of a nun at the Center. Although Rinpoche has given vows all over the world, this is the first time he has done so in Malaysia, and it is very auspicious that this occurred in the center.
Lhagug Tsegug Puja conducted
The grand Lhagug Tsegug puja held from 11 to 13 December 2009. Venerable Lama Ngawang, The resident master of the Namo Buddha Thrangu Dharma Centre in Sibu, Sarawak, East Malaysia; the President, the Vice President and members of the centre organized a three-day Zambhala prayers, the summoning of the life force energy prayers (lha gug/tse gug), Medicine Buddha prayer, and teachings about the past, present and future life. To facilitate easy reading for the devotees, the Sibu Centre used the LCD projector to display prayer texts for the Dorje Chang Thungma, the butterlamp prayer, the cutting of the ignorance prayer, Medicine Buddha prayer, the Long-Life Prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness the Karmapa and the Very Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche, the short version of the pure land prayer and the dedication prayers for the wellbeing of all sentient beings and for world peace. The centre also arranged for a Chinese translator for the three-day teachings.
At 7.30pm on the first day of the teaching, the President, members of the centre and the devotees welcomed Trulku Damchoe Rinpoche with the recitation of the eight auspicious prayers and lighting of butterlamps followed by lighting of lamps by the resident master and members of the Centre.
After the lamp offering, Tulku Damcho Rinpoche gave a teaching on the importance and benefits of the lamp offering prayer and the practice on the cutting of the ignorance (Chod) to approximately 200 devotees.
Then, lead by Trulku and the Sangha, all the followers dedicated the merits towards the clearing of the obstacles of all the famine, wars and suffering of the world and to lead all sentient beings towards enlightenment.
On the second day, Trulku Rinpoche explained about the Karma Kagyu lineage and the importance of the faith and bond between the teacher (guru) and student. In the evening, a prayer to summon the life force (lha gug/tse gug) was performed followed by a teaching on the Medicine Buddha prayer and the method of its accomplishment.
On the third day, after the praise to the Triple Gem, Trulku Rinpoche gave a teaching on the Intermediate Stages of the Death (bardo), for example, near-death experiences, the natural bardo, and the bardo of becoming. In the evening, the summoning of the life- force and the long life prayers were conducted. After the prayers, devotees were made to determine the level of their life-force energy by picking up white and black stones from milky water. Picking up white stones represents strong life-force energy and vice-versa for black stones. The devotees then bathed the statue of the Zambhala, the wealth deity, for prosperity.
Finally, the resident lama, who is also the Resident Master of the Sibu Centre offered a white scarf (Khata) and gifts to Trulku, members of the Sangha and devotees who have come from afar. The members of the Sibu centre and other devotees also made similar offerings to Trulku and the Sangha. This concluded the three-day teachings.
JANGCHOK PUJA CONDUCTED
The Jangchok Puja which was held on the 23rd August, 2009, took place at Wisma Huawen Du Zhong (Sibu Medical Hall) had completed solemnly. The puja was supervised and conducted by Ven. Master Lama Ngawang and Lama Ngodup. The offerings of candles, fruits, flowers, rice, vegetables, biscuits, candies and water were presented during the puja. As usual, layman and their friends and relatives put their names on the Jangchok plaque of living. Lamas blessed them and removed their obstacles. Layman also put the names of their deceased relatives on the Jangchok plaque for the passed away. Lamas prayed and help released them from sufferings. This year there was a large Jangchok plaque for the passed away specially for those were killed due to the 8-8 hurricane in south Taiwan. A large lamp was lit all day to comfort and salve them from hell.
The puja began at 2:00pm all the disciples and committee members were gathered to chant the lamp offering prayer in both Tibetan and in Chinese while lamp offerings were presented. Then the Green Tara Puja started and followed by Mahakala puja. After the evening super Resident Lama addressed a welcome speech, then the Jangchok puja continued with the Ksitigarbha Puja for the deceased to be liberated and reincarnated in pureland and Amitabha puja for all sentient beings long life, and always living in Dharma peace.
Finally the Sang puja, the offerings of rice, vegetables, fruits, biscuits and candies were burnt out and the whole shanga and Buddhist chanted “Om Ma Ni Ped Me Hung” and “Om Ta Re Tu Ta Re Tu Re Soha” and “Om Ami Dewa Hri”. As a conclusion, Ven. Lama Ngawang gave his blessings to all the Dharma brothers and sisters, and passed his great compassion down to everyone, which brought the donation box for 8-8 hurricane in South Taiwan, was almost full.
Resident lama, thanked all the members, president for being successfully organizing the program and his special thank is given to the Chinese translator Lotsawa Michel from Bintulu for attending and helping our yearly Janchok puja.