February 2011

Welcome to our 2nd newsletter for 2011 - we invite you to read on to learn more about what's happening in the life of His Holiness.

'A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life'

In June His Holiness will be presenting teachings over two and a half days in Melbourne based on the text by Shantideva 'A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life'. For His Holiness, this text is the primary source of most of the Tibetan Buddhist literature on the cultivation of altruism and the Spirit of Awakening. For many of us this reading and the concepts therein can be complex to interpret and achieve through reading in isolation and without guidance. In presenting this summary of the text we hope it assists in preparation for those who have already purchased tickets to His Holiness teachings and for those that haven't quite yet decided on whether to attend, the opportunity to explore further prior to purchase.

Over the ten chapters, Shantideva, an eighth century Indian Buddhist monk, presents a thematic structure based on the six perfections of generosity, ethical discipline, patience, zeal, meditation, and wisdom, which provide the framework for the Bodhisattva's path to enlightenment.

The chapters focus on the six perfections in the following way.

The first three chapters, The Benefit of the Spirit Awakening, The Confession of Sin and Adopting the Spirit Awakening discuss the benefits and motivation of the way of life, laying the foundation for the perfection of generosity.

Chapters four and five, Attending to the Spirit of Awakening and Guarding Introspection discuss the implementation into daily life and thus address the perfection of ethical discipline.

Chapters six, seven and eight present The Perfection of Patience, The Perfection of Zeal and The Perfection of Meditation. In particular chapter six presents contemplations designed to counteract hatred. Chapter eight, without context, presents the cultivation of altruism in what may be interpreted as an misogynous manner due to its base as a teaching from one male to another. However when considered without gender it is the discussion of attachment, gratification, honor and wealth and the embracing of all beings male and female with love and compassion.

In the ninth chapter The Perfection of Wisdom presents the primary exposition that all phenomena are devoid of intrinsic nature and exist only by the power of conceptual imputation.

The concluding chapter, Dedication returns to Shantideva initial theme of generosity and the Spirit of awakening and dedicates the work for the benefit of all sentient beings.

It is now only 3 months until His Holiness presents this teaching!

We hope that if you haven't already purchased your tickets you'll take the opportunity to book now and take advantage of the final availability of early bird prices. We also have copies of the text for purchase to enable you to prepare for this special teaching by His Holiness.

For EARLYBIRD Teaching Tickets book before March 31...

For your copy of 'A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life'

His Holiness Named One of Top 25
Political Icons

The 6th February marked the 100th birthday of the late U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Few political figures in recent memory have matched the Gipper's charisma or enduring appeal although there are other world leaders whose legacies have stood the test of time and the Dalai Lama is one of these. To countless Tibetans, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a spiritual leader and a head of state in absentia. But to people around the world, Tenzin Gyatso is not only the greatest and most public advocate for Tibetan rights and the virtues of Tibetan Buddhism, but for interfaith tolerance and peace as well. For decades - and from exile since 1959 - he has worked to resolve tensions between Tibet and the People's Republic of China. And like Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. before him, the Dalai Lama has done so in a manner defined by nonviolence and tolerance. In 1989, he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

The Dalai Lama's humility has endeared him to presidents and religious leaders of several countries, affording him the opportunity to raise awareness and drum up support for Tibet on a global scale. His 1998 book, The Art of Happiness, sold more than 1.5 million copies in the U.S. and made him a New York Times bestselling author for nearly two years.

Full List of Top 25 Political Leaders:

Mohandas Gandhi, Alexander the Great, Mao Zedong, Winston Churchill, Genghis Khan, Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Adolf Hitler, Ernesto "Che" Guevara, Ronald Reagan, Cleopatra, Franklin Roosevelt, Dalai Lama, Queen Victoria, Benito Mussolini, Akbar the Great, Lenin, Margaret Thatcher, Simón Bolívar, Qin Shi Huang, Kim Il-Sung, Charles de Gaulle, Louis XIV, Haile Selassie, King Richard the Lionheart and Saladin

Source - www.dalailama.com

An Online Conversation with His Holiness

This month, His Holiness engaged in a conversation with students in Jodhpur, India Question: What are you views about the empowerment of women? His Holiness: It is the need of the time. Physically, men are made to be stronger than women so they have ruled the world but still it is education, through which the women can rub shoulder with them and prove that they are no way weaker or inferior. However, education without sensitivity is useless.

Question: How are you able to be so humorous despite leading a life marked by struggle?

His Holiness: (Smiling) It is my secret. I attribute this virtue to positive thinking, which never allows any pessimism to take over my persona. I am referred to as a 'living demon and counter revolutionary' by those who hate me but still I keep going unfazed and unrattled."

Question: What is your view on other religions?

His Holiness: It is important have a vision of equal respect for all the religions and not only towards one's own, which otherwise infuses biasness and kills the compassion. Knowledge of religion never comes just by offering prayers, flowers and rituals to the god in any temple but by dedication to the humanity and gaining knowledge as much as possible.

Australian Public Conversations with His Holiness on Happiness, Life and Living

Tickets to the Public Conversations in Canberra,
Melbourne & Perth on sale NOW!

NEWS FROM DHARAMSALA

New Chinese law aimed at wiping out Tibetan identity?

A new Chinese law which would come into effect next month banning reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and other Buddhist monks in Tibet is aimed at wiping out the Tibetan identity and its rich culture, said exiled Tibetan government based here on Monday.

The new law which stipulates Buddhist monks in Tibet to seek permission from Chinese communist regime for reincarnation has been ironically described by Chinese state administration for religious affairs as an important move to institutionalize management of reincarnation.

However, the de facto Prime Minister of Tibet Samdhong Rinpoche, speaking to TOI said that the new Chinese law coming into effect next month framed to ban reincarnation of Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Lamas was not surprising and unexpected at all. He said that China had been for a long time engaged in working out various methods and formula to finish the two major Tibetan religious institutions-Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama. He said that these two institutions are very important for Tibetans.

He said that the new Chinese law was nothing but a ploy to take control of Tibetan religious institutions. He said that China was perhaps waiting for the departure of the Dalai Lama as it believed that his departure would resolve the problem of Tibet itself.

Rinpoche said that China believes that by choosing its own Dalai Lama as it did in the case of appointing its own Panchen Lama with the new law coming into force would help them to control Tibetans living in various parts of the world including here (Dharamsala) which was not the case at present.

The de facto Prime Minister of Tibet said that it was wishful thinking on the part of Beijing to believe that if the Dalai Lama leaves the scene it would make things easier for it (China) to control the Tibetan struggle and movement for its cause as per its own convenience. He said that the Tibetan issue creates lot of pressure on China at global level, a fact though not accepted by Chinese. He said that Tibetan struggle could not be stymied with one individual (Dalai Lama) not on the scene as it was struggle of a nation.

However, he said that departure of the Dalai Lama would defiantly have a significant bearing on the Tibetan struggle as it could make Tibetans especially youth agitated and could resort to violent means owing to lack of leadership.

About the Karmapa monastery issue, he said that if huge haul of foreign currency including Chinese Yuan had been accumulated illegally must be investigated thoroughly to extract t the truth about it. He said that he believes that Karmapa staff had been responsible for the money found to be kept at monastery in illegal manner. Regarding suspicions being raised about Karmapa being Chinese agent or spy, he said that he (Karmapa) was not so smart and competent to indulge in such sort of activity. When asked that how the Karmapa managed to run away from Tibet (China) in dramatic circumstances in January 2000, Rinpoche said that he (Karmapa) he took advantage of snow while escaping from there.

Source: TOI

Man of Compassion & Wisdom
Photo Exhibition

Ama Jetsun Pema at the Man of Compassion
& Wisdom Photo Exhibition

The Dalai Lama's younger sister, Ama Jetsun Pema was in Brisbane this month for the festival of Tibet. While at the festival, Jetsun Pema visited the Man of Compassion & Wisdom Photo Exhibition and was moved by many of the images - some of which she has never seen before!

Ama Jetsun Pema, her husband Tenpa Tsering and His Holiness' representative in Australia, Sonam Dagpo viewing the Man of Compassion & Wisdom Photo Exhibition

Upcoming locations for the Photo Exhibition

Cyclone Help in FNQ

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who reached out and donated to Terri Bruce's request for school supplies for those who lost everything in the recent Queensland floods. Due to such an overwhelming response, all the schools in the area have all the supplies they require.

Terri has suggested that if anyone has any school supplies that they still wish to donate, then there are several schools in North Queensland that also need help after the devastating effect of Cyclone Yasi.

Please send any donations of school supplies to one of the following schools:

• Tully State primary School, 17 Mars St Tully 4854 QLD
• Mission Beach State Primary School, Webb Rd, Wongaling Beach 4852 QLD
• Cardwell State Primary School, Victoria St Cardwell 4899 QLD
• Feluga State Primary School, 107 Feluga Rd Feluga 4854 QLD
• Silkwood State Primary School, Japoon Rd Silkwood 4856 QLD
• El Arish State School, 28 Chauvelle St El Arish 4855 QLD
• Sth Johnson State School, East Ave, Sth Johnstone 4859 QLD

New & Used Books

The Alpha State Primary is a school in a small country town called Alpha. It was one of the first towns before Christmas to be affected by the floods and they lost their whole school library! They are desperately seeking new & used books suitable for primary through to year 10.

Please send to: Alpha State School. Milton St. Alpha 4724 QLD

Tibet's Rich Cultural Heritage Showcased at Australia's Multicultural Festival

The cultural centre of the Office of Tibet in Canberra had showcased Tibet's rich and vibrant cultural heritage at the annual national multicultural festival of Australia, winning accolades from thousands of performers and visitors from across the nation and globe. The Festival took place over the weekend of 11-13th February in Canberra and celebrated Australia's rich and vibrant cultural diversity.

The nationalities of different countries living in Australia exhibited their rich culture, food and folk dances during the festival. The embassies also participate in the event to highlight their exhibits.

This year the visitors got a glimpse of Tibet's rich cultural heritage at the Tibetan stalls.

A wide array of traditional artefacts kept in the Tibetan homes such as an altar with idols of Buddha and items used in religious offerings made of silver were put on display in a specially made tent house. Inside the tent, the wall was adorned with exquisite Tibetan scroll paintings (Thangka) on brocade, and religious and household culinary items like cups and teapots arranged on the table as customary in the Tibetan households.

A collection of traditional dances and songs from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts were screened to exhibit the dresses of Tibet.

His Holiness' representative in Australia, Sonam Dagpo said: "The visitors took great delight and interest in the Tibetan aspect of the festival. The organising committee of the Canberra multicultural festival awarded the first prize to our office for its excellence in display category. The rich flavour of the Tibetan cuisines and the melodious Tibetan folk songs and dances were also very much admired by the visitors."

Tulku's Tails

Tashi Delek everyone, It's been a big month for a l'il pup, in between going out on walks to work off my Christmas holidays kilo upload and working on my new years resolution (you remember, love and compassion for flies?). February's been full of planning for His Holiness's visit in June and getting the tickets ready for sale for the Public Conversations.

"Here I am with Tendzin Choegyal Rinpoche & Khando Choegyal"

But there was one BIG surprise … I could hardly contain my excited jumping around when I overhead my Mum confirm that the Dalai Lama In Australia office would be blessed by a visit from His Holiness' youngest brother, Rinpoche Tendzin Choegyal, along with his wife Rinchen Khando Choegyal (Tibetan Nun's Project), Kirti Dolkar Lhamo (Tibet Women's Association) and Sonam Dolkar (President of the Tibet Women's Association Australia). Rinpoche was in Australia accompanying his wife on her Australian speaking tour… he's a great bloke.

Yep last Wednesday they visited and Venerable Aileen cooked up a roast to die for, not even TCSD's new release (that's Tom Cruise Snoop Dog for you oldies) could drag me away from the scents wafting out from the kitchen. There was a lot of laughing and talking (he's a bit of a card you know) there were plenty of cuddles and I got some roast after everyone else finished lunch. He was even interviewed by a journalist from the SMH and I managed to squeeze into the photo shoot. Not a bad shot really given it was before bath day?

And there was more….I also heard my Mum talking to Rinchen and offer to be the Australian Representative for the Tibetan Nun's Project. Guess I will be hearing more about that!

So make sure you grab your tickets to one of the Conversations - these are going to be really cool - wish I could talk then I could ask His Holiness a question direct. Mmmm, now what would I ask him if I had the chance - "if I keep my new years resolution, will I get a precious human rebirth next life"?

Big licks, Tulku

Keep Up To Date

The latest news will be announced on Facebook and Twitter!

Until next month, many blessings,

Dalai Lama in Australia Ltd Board of Directors & Lynn Bain, General Manager and the Team at DLIA