April 2010

Dear [firstname,fallback=friend],

As you are all aware, the earthquake which occurred in the eastern Tibetan area of Kham, in a region officially recognised by China as Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, on Wednesday 14th April, was devastating and has left many Tibetans dead, injured and without homes, food or other critical infrastructure.

On the 17th April, His Holiness spoke to the Media about the earthquake and asked for international assistance for the Tibetans struggling to recover and rebuild their lives.

You can listen to the podcast here.

His Holiness has asked the Chinese Government to consider allowing him to visit the region and offer prayers and comfort to the survivors - the location of the earthquake, Kyigudo (Chinese Yushu), lies in Qinghai Province, which happens to be where both the late Panchen Lama and His Holiness were born - but it is unlikely this request will be granted.

Here in Australia, there are many groups raising awareness and funds for the relief project by holding fundraising events. We encourage you to support these events by attending and supporting the Australian Tibetan Community, many of whom have lost friends and relatives in the quake. Listings for the various events are shown on our website under 'What's On'.

Dalai Lama in Australia and the Tibet Information Office, have launched the national appeal through the Global Development Group. So far, the response to the appeal has been very encouraging. Thank you to all who have contributed.

We still need your help to support the recovery efforts and we hope that you will, if you haven't already, consider offering financial support to assist the many thousands affected by this tragedy. Your support will go towards providing on-going assistance during the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the region.

If you wish to donate, please visit www.globaldevelopment.org.au, project number J629 or go directly to the dedicated donation page.

Please spread the word about the appeal and encourage friends and family to support also. We offer our sincere thanks to you in advance and I am sure you will join us in offering our prayers to those affected by the quake and to all Tibetans living in exile.

Global opinion poll ranks
His Holiness next to Obama

A six-country survey has just ranked world leaders on whether people hold a 'favourable or unfavourable opinion' of them. Those world leaders ranked at the top of the list were: Obama His Holiness the Dalai Lama Hillary Clinton

The Dalai Lama ranked number one on 'perceived honesty' and 'seriousness' and 'is close to people'. Click here for the results and scroll down for a country by country breakdown.

1982 - 1st Australian visit

This month were heading back to His Holiness's very first visit to Australia in 1982.

It was a very eclectic affair. His Holiness was largely unknown on the world stage. There was little if any interest politically in his visit and he was largely ignored by politicians, police and media. His Holiness stayed in a student's private home - that of George Farley - and his bodyguards were whoever looked beefy enough to stand up to being shoved by an over enthusiastic supporter. The organising body was a loose affiliation of Buddhist groups and supporters in Australia all of whom were volunteers and His Holiness taught at Kew Town Hall for several days with Jeffrey Hopkins as his translator.

His Holiness and George Farley, friends for many years, Melbourne 2009

A Conversation with His Holiness

Question: About you being the incarnation of the bodhisattva of infinite compassion, Avalokiteshvara. How do you personally feel about this? Is it something you have an unequivocal view of one way or another? Answer: It is difficult for me to say definitely. Unless I am engaged in a meditative effort, such as following my life back, breath by breath, I couldn't say exactly. We believe that there are four types of rebirth. One is the common type wherein, a being is helpless to determine his or her rebirth, but only reincarnates in dependence on the nature of past actions.

The opposite is that of an entirely enlightened Buddha, who simply manifests a physical form to help others. In this case, it is clear that the person is Buddha. A third is one who, due to past spiritual attainment, can choose, or at least influence, the place and situation of rebirth. The fourth is called a blessed manifestation. In this the person is blessed beyond his normal capacity to perform helpful functions, such as teaching religion. For this last type of birth, the person's wishes in previous lives to help others must have been very strong. They obtain such empowerment. Though some seem more likely than others, I cannot definitely say which I am.

Question: From the viewpoint then of the realistic role you play as Chenrezi, how do you feel about it? Only a few people have been considered, in one way or another, divine. Is the role a burden or a delight?

Answer: It is very helpful. Through this role I can be of great benefit to people. For this reason I like it: I'm at home with it. It's clear that it is very helpful to people, and that I have the karmic relationship to be in this role. Also, it is clear that there is a karmic relationship with the Tibetan people in particular. Now you see you may consider that under the circumstances, I am very lucky. However, behind the word luck there are actual causes or reasons. There is the karmic force of my ability to assume this role as well as the force of my wish to do so. In regard to this, there is a statement in the great Shantideva's Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds which says, As long as space exists, and as long as there are migrators in cyclic existence, may I remain removing their sufferings. I have that wish in this lifetime, and I know I had that wish in past lifetimes.

Thank you for your suggestions

We had a fabulous response to our request for suggestions on how we can do things better. Thank you to all who contributed.

Many asked for more interaction with His Holiness, stating that they really enjoyed the Question and Answer part of both the Teachings and the Public Talks. Others requested more initiations and extra time for Teachings whilst many also asked if the Public Talks could once again be free or have a small charge for the tickets.

One of the many comments received; with great humility, I feel that HH's strongest message for a western audience are his teachings on how to be happy. This is the secular conversation that engages the western psyche. In the west we have many material advantages however, we are spiritually impoverished. The conversation on how to be happy is actually the Buddha's teaching on suffering (4 noble truths) turned on its head. HH interpretation of these teachings demonstrates his skill as a Buddhist Teacher.

Next month we will be announcing the dates and the events being planned, for the June 2011 visit. In creating the schedule, we have tried to take into account all of your suggestions and will endeavour to accommodate as many as we can, although please understand, it is not always possible to do so. Once again, thank you for helping shape His Holiness's visit.

This weekend!

If your in Sydney, make sure you get along to the many wonderful events happening as part of Buddhist Festival Month. Find the meaning of life at the Mitra Conference, with Ven Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo (Cave in the Snow) and listen to Sarah Napthali, author of Buddhism for Mothers, as she explains how Buddhism applies to families.

There is also a FREE Expo where you can explore the many traditions and different ways the Buddha is celebrated and followed and engage your heart and mind in quality and interesting activities and displays as well as having the opportunity to speak with a vast array of practitioners.

Held at the Sydney Masonic Centre on Goulburn Street, Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd May, you can either register on line at www.buddhistfestivalmonth.org.au or purchase tickets at the door. Come along and participate in this wonderful weekend of Buddhism.

Next Week

Last chance to get happy ... at the wonderful, fabulous and enlightening Happiness & Its Causes Conference next week.

Being held at the Sydney Convention Centre 5th to 6th May, this unique event will offer you the opportunity to learn practical strategies to enhance happiness for yourself and others from some of the world's leading scientists, psychologists and philosophers.

Tickets still available at www.happinessanditscauses.com.au

And in closing, don't forget the Buddhist Relics Tour kicking off on the 7th May in Sydney at the Masonic Centre. Visit www.vajrayana.com.au for further info. It will then make its way to New Zealand and before returning to Australia on the 4th June in Melbourne at the Koorie Heritage Trust. From there it's on to Perth for the 11th-13th June finishing on the 20th June in Hobart. For more information, visit the 'What's On' section of our website.

With best wishes,

Dalai Lama in Australia Ltd Board of Directors
& Lynn Bain, General Manager