News that was posted to email subscribers on Wednesday, 03 March 2010

Greetings to all members and a special welcome to those who are new on our list.
Thankyou for registering your name.

Please remember that any queries about the program or BH activities can be clarified by ringing the office staff between 9:30am and 12:30 daily. The bookshop is open during office hours as well as Wednesday evening.

PROGRAM

Our dear Geshe Pema Tsering has returned safely from India. He was warmly welcomed with a morning tea at his home in Highgate.
His first block of teaching will begin on Tuesday March 9th at 7:15pm, The Heart Sutra. This was a teaching inspired by the Buddha where two great bodhisattvas proclaimed the true nature of consciousness. The sutra is said prior to teachings and encompasses the core elements of wisdom. It is said that thousands of beings rejoiced on Vulture's Peak and all its surrounds when these truths were spoken. It is still a teaching to shake the core of our being. Geshes study and internalise these truths and our own Geshe is able to speak from the heart when explaining its meaning.

The Heart Sutra 

(Prajnaparamita in Sanskrit) is taught on the 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th March at 7:15pm.
Facility fee: $40 waged  $32 concession  $28 members

Stages of the Path

Thursday 11th March 6:30-9:30pm
This is a longer course, suitable for students with some understanding of Buddhism.
Meditation 6:30-7pm   Geshe's teaching 7:15-9pm   Discussion 9pm
Refreshment breaks will be available: if students wish to eat a light meal in this time, this is quite all right.

Sundays at Buddha House

Sunday 14th March at 10:30am Geshe will teach "Nagajuna's Letter to a Friend." This teaching incorporates many aspects of the Lam Rim, the essential core teachings of the Buddhist path. Students have commented how uplifting this teaching feels to them, as Geshe's lightness and clarity opens the door to understanding. Nagajuna, a probing scholar of his time is one of the beacons of Tibetan teachers, and to listen to this text explained by our own Lharampa Geshe is a rare privelege.
The text is suitable for beginners as well as seniors students as layers of meaning become apparent as our understanding grows.
 
Please note there will be shared lunch following the teaching on Sunday 14th at noon.
Please bring vegetarian or fruit dish to share.  All are heartily welcome.

Discovering Buddhism Wednesday 17th, 24th February: 3rd and 10th March at 7:15pm

Topic: Refuge in 3 Jewels presented by the wise and mature Marika Lontis.
  Anyone is welcome to join the course and continue studying all the modules.
This is a popular series of modules as students bond together over a long period of study.

Yoga with experienced teacher Malgosia  Monday 9:15am at BH

Classical yoga focuses on mindful breathing and slow movement. Observe the difference that occurs over time as students practise ancient asanas (postures) and breathing techniques. A class for students at all levels.
Waged $14  Concessions can be negotiated with the ever-kind Malgosia. 

Advance Notice of teachings from Jampa Gendun  14th-24th April

Those students who have attended Jampa's classes know the power of studying with this profound visiting teacher. Jampa, an American monk of 17 years, studied at the Indian school of Dialectics for 14 of these years. He has taught at various centres including Lama Tsongkhap Institute in Italy, Buddha House and Chenrezig Institute, Queensland.
Please check website and newsletter for details.

Deity Practices Wednesday 6-7pm   - No fee

These practices are based on the profound techniques of tantra to quickly bring the mind to enlightenment.
Lama Yeshe said, 'Instead of seeing yourself with pity and low esteem, think that I am a Buddha! The difference is unbelievable.'
All students welcome as explanations are given weekly.

Community News

Request from Geshe-la's attendant, Anthony Sweeney
Anthony seeks assistance with  lunch preparation for Geshe. Students can offer lunch on a weekly or fornight's basis. Geshe's meals are simple but it is best to contact Anthony first to discuss what is needed. Please contact the office on 8333 2824 with your name and contact details which will be passed onto Anthony. This commitment is very special as it is an honour to cook for a high lama.

BH Dinner party last Saturday went splendidly well. Thanks to Will, Claudia, Katrin and Jo for their delicious cooking efforts, to Alecca, Jan and Aini for the marathon washing-up afterwards. And a whopping thanks to Kerri and the crew for the professional setting-up of tables that looked lovely. Thanks, you all made it happen. One young diner was overheard to say, "Hey, I could mung out on this stuff again. I don't know who made it but that's a real curry!" 

Watch this space for future dinner dates.

Needed: a volunteer with some knowledge of Desktop publishing. You don't have to be a super-geek though you will be very welcome if you are: we only require a couple of people with some knowledge and time to create a few interesting flyers! Please contact us via office phone or email and we will definitely get back to you.
 
With warm regards,
George,
BH director.