DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

Dear ##firstname##,

Monday 10^th December was International Human Rights Day and also the 23^rd Anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Around the globe, Tibetans and their supporters came together and raised their voices about the grave situation in Tibet.

In India, at Drepung Loseling Monastery, His Holiness gathered with the largely Tibetan audience attending his 14day 18 Great Stages of the Path (Lam Rim) Teachings and thanked all there for their support for Tibet and the Tibetan cause and explained the formation of the Tibetan government in exile.

His Holiness has said previously, "unless freedom comes to Tibet, then Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet is impossible." So please, do all you can to help improve the situation in Tibet.

During his speech on the 10^th December, His Holiness then went on to say that wherever we look around the world, most people do not pay attention to the inner self but rather continue to make advancements in technology and other material items.

It has now been proven by scientists that good health equals a calm mind but still, to bring peace of mind, training of the mind is still very much lacking in modern education and the world at large.

His Holiness and Tibetan's are promoting secular ethics to promote human values, compassion and inner peace. We have so much to learn from them.

Before heading to DLM His Holiness was once again very busy in India. He inaugurated a conference on Yoga in education and spoke about religion and science at Christ University in Bangalore and was interviewed in Kerala, where he attended the 80^th annual Sivagiri Pilgrimage.

During the interview he said, “I always say that India is a living example of the possibility of all religions living together in harmony, an example that others could learn from. And for us Tibetans, India is our guru. One great master observed that although Tibet was known as the Land of Snows, until the light of wisdom arrived from India, Tibet remained in the dark.”

On arrival, His Holiness was granted a formal welcome in which his feet were bathed and sprinkled with flowers, before being led to pay his respects at the samadhi or tomb of Sree Narayana Guru at Sarada Mutt, the Temple to the Goddess of Knowledge and at Vaidik Mutt, where Guru Dev met Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi and others.

ONE VOICE Video

2013 Beyond Religion's ONE VOICE video was released last week with much interest.

Many well known Australian's appear in the video with the core message from the Dalai Lama that We Are All The Same.

Please help share this video far and wide. All involved gladly gave of their time to make it happen and have an enduring and heartfelt connection to His Holiness.

FESTIVAL OF TIBET - Now in its 5^th Year

Have you ever attended the fabulous Festival of Tibet? If not, this is your chance to do so.

The Festival of Tibet celebrates the Tibetan way of life and was founded on the principles of compassion and non-violence whilst also addressing the issues that continue to threaten the future of Tibet.

Held over five days, the Festival will offer a packed program of workshops, performance, forums and exhibitions. The 2013 Festival will also include a major highlight with a presentation by Venerable Thupten Ngodrup, Tibet's State Oracle and principal protector of the Dalai Lama. There will also be the Australian premiere of the new documentary, Olo, The Boy from Tibet.

Presented by the Brisbane Powerhouse and Tenzin Choegyal, all proceeds raised go to the Tibetan Children's Village in Dharamsala, India

So book your holiday in Brisbane and immerse yourself in Tibetan Culture - you will not be disappointed.

Wednesday 30^th January to Sunday 3^rd February 2013

Brisbane Powerhouse

Visit www.festivaloftibet.com.au for further information.

CHRISTMAS STOCKING FILLERS

Want to give a gift to friends and family that will benefit them? For great Christmas ideas, visit our shop and check out the Dalai Lama items available. Books and DVD's - all featuring His Holiness - are available and if ordered before Friday 14^th, will be received by you in time to fill the stockings at Christmas.

Two special items which are in limited supply, are the 2013 Dalai Lama in Australia Desk Calendar and the insightful video about His Holiness's UK visit, Road to Peace.

2013 DALAI LAMA CALENDAR

The A-Frame Desk Calendar includes beautiful images of His Holiness taken during past visits to Australia and important dates such as the Dalai Lama's birthday, school holidays, Buddha's day of Birth and Enlightenment and importantly, the dates of the Dalai Lama's 2013 Beyond Religion visit to Australia. Only $15, anybody would appreciate having one for their office or home.

ROAD TO PEACE DVD

Screened to sell out audiences around Australia in October, Road to Peace was recorded during a visit to the UK by the Dalai Lama and is a beautiful and insightful film which sets out to share a more personal insight into this amazing man, his unique philosophy and to show first hand how engaging and accessible he truly is, to everyone he meets.

All who watch this film are inspired by the Dalai Lama's central message of Universal Responsibility, Peace and Compassion. Get your copy on DVD for $20.

JEWEL LAMP: A Praise of Bodhichitta TEACHINGS

Pre Early Bird pricing now ends January 2013

Due to finish on 31^st December, Pre Early Bird pricing for the 2013 Teachings, has now been extended through to 31^st January 2013.

Ticket prices start from a low $144 for attendance at all sessions over the two and half days. Use the 'time to pay' option to secure your seats and save money on this early bird pricing.

'Time to pay' is a great way to be present at the Teachings, allowing you the time to pay off your tickets over 5 months rather then in full. Coupled with the extention of the pre Early Bird pricing, this is a wonderful and profound opportunity to receive this Teaching from His Holiness.

Following on from his last Australian Teachings, The Bodhisattva's Way of Life and being one of his favorite Teachings, the Dalai Lama has suggested that Khunu Rinpoche's verses should act as a reminder of the importance of compassion.

Don't miss out on this precious opportunity.

TULKU'S TAILS

Tashi Delek everyone,

I love this time of the year. You see, because I live in a happy and loving home, I get somewhat spoilt at Christmas time. My mum's, my grandmothers and my cousins spoil me rotten with loads of pressie's and yummy food. I am of course very grateful for this and do sometimes wonder how I ended up here in such a loving environment but Mum says it's my karma and that I give so much more then what I take, meaning I try to help others in the best way that I can like HH's advises us to.

But not everyone is so lucky here in Oz.

During the Dalai Lama's visit in June 2013, he will be visiting his and my good friend Rev. Bill Crews at his Exodus Foundation and Loaves n Fishes Restaurant in Ashfield, Sydney. When there, HH will be enjoying lunch with Rev. Crews and speaking to many of the homeless people that the Exodus Foundation help every day of the year.

Christmas Day, Bill and over 250 volunteers will be opening the doors to over 3000 people for lunch. Some of us from the DLIA team are helping Bill on Christmas day when they will once again provide a loving and caring environment for the forgotten people. These people don't normally have much to smile about so to enjoy a hot lunch together and share gifts around, is a highlight of their year.

This Christmas you can help Bill and his team to make Christmas Day in 2012, a beautiful and memorial experience for the many dispirited people who will share and enjoy the day at Exodus, by offering donations of toys and other gifts for the poor and needy. Each person who has lunch at the Exodus Foundation will receive a gift so there are many items needed.

Bill told me they need presents for guests aged 1 to 100 years old - toys, toiletries and chocolates - anything you can offer - it doesn't have to be big nor expensive as all will be gratefully received. Visit http://www.exodusfoundation.net/htm/exodus.htm?latest_news&xmas_12_dropoffs

to see the locations for drop off of gifts. Thanks guys for any thing you can offer.

I hope you all have a loving and compassionate Christmas wherever you may be and I look forward to catching you next year - the year HH returns to OZ J

Tulku

IN CLOSING

All at Dalai Lama in Australia wish you, your families and friends a very happy, safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year and we look forward to seeing you all in 2013.

In metta, The Board of Dalai Lama in Australia and Team DLIA