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[This version: 30 July 1993]
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(Originally this text was a Mac MsWord 3 file using "ANUIndian" font to
handle diacritical marks).

SAKYA LOSAL CHOE DZONG
CLEAR MIND QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER No 6

November 1990 - January 1991                                     

NEWS                               NEWS                           NEWS                                         
1. The centre thanks Susie Servante for cooking delicious meals for all the
courses we have held and those people and organizations who have donated books
for our library.  Thanks to those who have kindly responded to our appeal to
join our membership and subscription.  Due to the inflation of printing and
postage, the centre will be unable to send newsletter to those who have not paid
the subcription unless it is sent as soon as possible before the next issue.
This is the last reminder.

2. The centre coincidentally received a statue of Mahsiddha Virpa from India,
which we ordered early this year as Lama Choedak finished his thesis on the
origin of Lamdre Tradition in India. The life of Virpa is the central theme of
Lama'ss thesis since Virpa is the transmitter of Lamdre lineage. We will soon
arrange to have the statue consecrated so that it can be placed on the centre's
altar.  A copy of Lama's thesis will soon be available in the centre's library.

3. Lama Choedak and his wife, Mirabelle announces the birth of their lovely son
Sherab Gyatsho.  He was born on the 29th of August, 1990. To welcome Sherab, all
members are cordially invited to an informal lunch to be held at their residence
on Saturday, 10 November at 1.00 pm. Please confirm before 7th November if you
can come.  Phone 2952151.

4. The members and friends of the Sakya Losal Choe Dzong will have a year end
shared social dinner to be held on Sat. 1, Dec. 7.00 pm. at the centre.  As we
have come to know each other through our common interest in Buddhism, it is a
good idea to get together. Please bring a plate.  As there will also be a short
general  meeting at the end of the evening, all members are requested to attend.

An Introductory Course on Buddhist Meditation

At the request of some friends of our members, Lama Choedak will be conducting
an Introductory course on Buddhist meditation on Saturday, 24 November, 1990.
This is the fourth time that this course has been offered by popular demands.
It is suitable for both beginners and old students as it gives an opportunity to
find peace and happiness within ourselves by developing the discipline of
calmness and awareness.  The course will be interspersed with short sessions of
guided meditation, instructions and discussions.  It begins at 10. 00 am and
finishes at 5.00 pm.  It costs $50 and $40 for members and concession.  A
vegetarian lunch and refreshments will be provided.  While another year is
coming to an end, try to develop some worthwhile spiritual discipline by
learning how to meditate properly with a teacher.  There is no religious
obligation attached in attending this course. Bookings are prefered. Phone
2951038 or 2952151.

Second White Tr Annual Retreat

The second annual White Tr retreat is now confirmed to be held at Birrigai
Recreation Camp where the first retreat was held.  This retreat is primarily for
those students who received White Tr initiation from Her Eminence Jetsun
Kushola in October 1989, but Ven. Gyalsay Tulku Rinpoche may be able to come to
give the initiation and lead the retreat if there are new students who wish to
take part in this retreat.  Please contact Lama Choedak if any of your friends
wish to do the retreat and receive the initiation.  This practice is benefecial
and powerful to revitalize one's spiritual energy and it removes all the
obstacles you may otherwise face on the path.  This retreat will be held
together with a Buddhist retreat organized by A.C.T. Buddhist society in two
separate groups.  There may be some joined sessions in the evenings with the
other group if convenient, but there is enough space for two groups to be
independent of the other group. Meals will be served together. The retreat
starts at 7.00 pm on Fri. 14, Dec. and finishes on 5.00 pm Monday. The Eight
Mahyna precepts will be observed on Saturday and Sunday which includes noble
silence until lunch time and fasting after mid day. The cost will be no more
than $15-20 per day including meals depending on the number of participants.  So
please place your bookings as early as possible by filling the form.

Understanding the significance of a Buddhist Shrine

It is our human nature to keep precious things in a safe place when we have
them. We can tell ourselves what are the most important objects we own by
examining where and how we keep them.  For a practising Buddhist, an image or a
drawing of the Buddha and other Buddhist symbols are important objects which
enhance his faith and remembrance of the teachings.  The time and effort
required to keep the shrine clean and replenished with flowers and other
offerings is considered a skilful activity to focus one's mind in the spiritual
practices. It will be more than interesting if we can realize the reason why we
arrange and keep our things around the house reflect our state of minds.   It
appears that things can and have meanings as much as our minds can project upon
them.  We are not going to tell our children that  their toys are not real and
have no significance. Your 15 year old Holden may seem unreal when you see your
friend's  new sports car. When you walk into a Buddhist shrine, you can tell
that your heart-felt devotion or lack of it, is expressed through your body
language.  Just as all objects have some kind of power or influence to our
minds, the serene Buddha image and nicely arranged flowers and aromatic incense
cause our minds to reflect within ourselves in the deep meditative
concentration.  The positive impact of seeing a Buddha image on our minds cannot
be underestimated.  The Buddha images are purposely consecrated and blessed to
radiate the spiritual power and  blessings so that whoever happen to see them
experiences the positive feeling through the medium of the statue.  As long as
our minds are dependent upon sensory objects, it is important to have
appropriate objects conducive to our minds.  A Buddhist would find it inspiring
and motivating to see a Buddha image, which helps him to remember the qualities
of a Buddha and his teachings.  He or she  shows  devotion by bowing down, offer
flowers and light a candle or two before taking a seat to meditate.  Bowing down
purifies pride and cultivates humility.  One cannot meditate properly if one
cannot let go off such negativities.  The shrine enables us to remind ourselves
to surrender all the negativities in order to feel peace, serenity, tranquility,
freedom and light.  Keeping the shrine clean represents the sanctification of
our spiritual self and acknowledges the purity of an enlightened being.  In
Tibetan Buddhist shrines, many water bowls are arranged on the altar to
cultivate its manyfold qualities, fluidity, continuity, universality and purity
in our practice and faith.  Flowers, candles, fruits and incense are brought as
offerings to the Buddha  and they give us an opportunity to practise generosity
and test our understanding of the Law of Karma.  When you come to attend a
session, rearrange the offerings on the altar, clean the water bowls and fill
them with fresh water [start from left to right], remove  withered flowers and
old fruits and light a candle before you take a seat. You will be surprized with
the difference it makes to your meditation.  While you are doing these, you can
pray your wishful thoughts in the following manner: Water: May I and others
cultivate pure and continuous faith in our spiritual practices!  Flower: May my
heart blossom with the gift of love and compassion so that I can share it to
others and grace them with happiness! Incense: May all the negative vibrations
accumulated due to my selfishness, ignorance, greed and hatred be purified by
the aroma of  the practice of morality! Light: May the light of understanding,
faith, awareness and wisdom illuminate the darkness of confusion, mistrust and
all defilements! Perfume: May the aroma of unshakable faith and confidence have
the ability to please anybody who come in contact with me! Fruit: May I be able
to satisfy the needs of sentient beings by sustaining the mind with the abundant
food of meditation and wisdom!  Now, you can practice this when you go to the
centre next time or  visit a temple, or you can perhaps rearrange the Buddha
image in your house to enrich the spiritual vibration around your house.


SPIRITUAL CALENDAR NOVEMBER - JANUARY 1991

Fri. 2, Nov. Full-Moon Precept Day and Green Tr Pja, 5-30 am. Fri. 9, Nov.
Sixteen Arhat Pja to celebrate Anniversary of Buddha's Descent from heaven,
7.00 pm. Mon. 12, Nov. Vajrayogin Tshog Day. Sun. 18, Nov. White Tr Practice
Group, 7.00 pm. Sat. 24, Nov. An Introductory Course on Buddhist Meditation, 10
am to 5.00 pm. Tue. 27, Nov. Vajrayogin Tshog Day. Sat. 1, Dec. YEAR END SOCIAL
DINNER, 7.00 pm. Please Bring a plate to share. Sun. 2, Dec. Full-Moon Precept
Day and Green Tr Pja, 5-30 am. Tue. 11, Dec. Vajrayogin Tshog Day and also
Tsongkhapa's Anniversary. Fri. 14 to Mon. 17 Dec. White Tra Second Annual
Retreat at Birrigai Recreation Camp. Sun. 23, Dec. White Tr Practice Group,
7.00 pm. Thu. 27, Dec. Vajrayogin Tshog Day. Sun. 30, Dec. Lamdre Guru Pja to
celebrate the Anniversary of Sakya Paita Kunga Gyaltshan, 10. 00 am. Please
Bring a plate of food, candles and incense for the ceremony. Mon. 31, Dec.
Full-Moon (New Year Eve) Precept Day and Green Tr Pja, 5-30 am. Thu. 10, Jan.
Vajrayogin Tshog Day. Sun. 20, Jan. White Tr practice Group, 7.00 pm. Fri.
25, Jan. Vajrayogin Tshog Day.

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APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION FORM
Treasurer, Sakya Losal Choe-Dzong, Center For Tibetan Buddhist Studies,
P.O. Box 3430, Manuka,A.C.T. 2603 Australia
Name......................................................
Addres........................................................                                                  
Ph.....................[h] ............................[w] 
      I enclose my membership fee  $ 50.00   I  wish to subscribe the Clear Mind
Newsletter   $ 15.00
      Register me for the workshop on "Introductory Course on Buddhist
Meditation" $ 50, Conc. $40.
      Register me for the Second Annual White Tr Retreat $60 (Approximately].

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SAKYA LOSAL CHOE DZONG
CENTRE FOR TIBETAN BUDDHIST STUDIES,
P.O. BOX 3430, MANUKA, A.C.T. 2603
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