JamchengLhakang News

Jamchen News Jamchen News
August-November 2006
Tsarchen Choeling (SIBA) Consecrated

by His Eminence Chogye Trichen
I N SIDE
T H IS ISSUE :
Teachers
Tour dates
SIBA program
Useful words
13
Art & Buddhism
14
Reflections
16
Calm Abiding
17
Events
18
Recent events
20
Presidents report 22
Three Deities
27
Committee
29
Quotes
30
Buddhist Terms
31
Dates
32
Jamchen News is
produced
by
Jamchen Buddhist
Centre,
a
nonprofit association
set up to further
the
study
and
practice
of
M a h a y a n a
Buddhism
as
taught
by
the
Tsarpa lineage of
the Sakya School
of
Tibetan
Buddhism.
2 Jamchen News
Visiting Teachers
His Eminence Choegye Trichen Rinpoche
Born in 1920 in the Zhalu Kushang family of Tibet, Rinpoche is the 26th
abbot of the prestigious Nalanda Monastery in Tibet and is the 18th in the
lineage of Chogye Trichens. Recognized by the 13th Dalai Lama,
Rinpoche is a teacher of the present Dalai Lama, HH Sakya Trizin, HH
Dudjom Rinpoche, Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and
Lama Choedak Rinpoche. Spending most of his time in deep meditation,
Rinpoche is regarded as the modern day manifestation of past Indian
Saints such as Mahasiddha Virupa. As head of the Tsarpa sub-school of the
Sakya Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, Rinpoche has founded two
monasteries in Nepal and continues to shine as the beacon of Buddhist
precepts, meditation, compassion and knowledge.
His Eminence will come with an entourage of six monks including
Choegye Shabdrung and Gar Shabdrung Rinpoches and will arrive at
SIBA on Monday September 4th. Those who come for the first week will
have the extraordinary opportunity to be in Rinpoches presence.
Rinpoche has been known to give spontaneous four hour teachings and
whilst at SIBA he will conduct a daily Mahakala Puja all the while remaining in meditative absorption. It is an illuminating experience to be in his
presence.
His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche

His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche is the eldest precious son of His
Holiness Sakya Trizin and Heir Apparent to the Sakya throne. He was
born in Dehra Dun, India in 1974. After completing ritual studies at
Sakya Centre, His Eminence studied at Sakya College under the tutelage
Jamchen Buddhist Centre, Melbourne www.jamchen.com.au info@jamchen.com.au
Jamchen News 3
Visiting Teachers
of the late Khenpo Migmar Tsering. During this time he excelled
amongst many and became learned in Buddhist philosophy and dialectics.
From his noble father, His Holiness Sakya Trizin, He received Lamdre
Lobshe, Tshogshe, Collection of Tantras, Collection of Sadhanas as well as
The Golden Dharmas of the Sakyapa tradition. He has also received many
empowerments from His Eminence Choegye Trichen Rinpoche. Having
completed a number of Vajryana retreats, His Eminence has taken active
teaching roles for some years now. His Eminence will come with an entourage of two monks.
Mr Dorjee Choephel
Mr Dorjee Choephel is a Tibetan scholar and traditional thangka painter
who is currently residing in Australia. He has a Diploma in Fine Arts
(Thangka Painting) from the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies,
Varanasi, India. Dorjee has excellent English which allows him to
communicate effectively with his students. He will be teaching Tibetan
Language and Thangka painting daily and will also assist with the study
group. He will be at SIBA for the three months.
Mail: Jamchen Buddhist Centre, PO Box 356, Balwyn, Vic. 3103. Call (03) 9857 3612
4 Jamchen News
Tour Dates 2006

His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche
* NB: All dates subject to change
4-11 Sept
Tsarchen Choeling (SIBA), East Gippsland
11-14 Sept
Sakya Dolma Choeling, Sydney
14-17 Sept
Sakya Losal Choe Dzong, VRC, Canberra
18-19 Sept
Khacho Yulo Ling, Cairns

28 Sept 2 Oct
Sakya Dolma Choe Ling, Eastwood
2 Oct
Central Coast Meditation Centre, Gosford
3-5 Oct
Sakya Tharpa Ling, Sydney
6-7 Oct
Khacho Yulo Ling, Cairns
9-10 Oct
Rongton Buddhist Centre, Brisbane
11-12 Oct
Serling Arya Tara, Gold Coast
13-15 Oct
Tsechen Thubten Choeling, Adelaide
16-18 Oct
Sakya Yigah Choeling, Whyalla
19-20 Oct
Sakya Choekhor Lhunpo, Melbourne
21-22 Oct
Jamchen Buddhist Centre, Melbourne
23-26 Oct
Khenpo Dorjee, Auckland
27-29 Oct
Phuntsok Choeling, Napier
30 Oct 1 Nov
Sakya Droton Ling, Dunedin
3-30 Nov
Tsarchen Choeling (SIBA), East Gippsland

Teaching Retreat on Bodhisattvacharyavatara
1-3 Dec
Sakya Losal Choe Dzong, Canberra
4-8 Dec
Kyegu Buddhist Institute, Sydney
Jamchen News 5
SIBA Program Sept - Nov, 2006

September
This is the suggested program for His Eminence Chogye
Trichen Rinpoche. He is a great realized Yogi and does things
spontaneously. People travel across the world just to be in his
presence.
4th:
arrives at SIBA
Welcoming Ceremony on his Arrival
5th & 6th : Preparation and prayers
7th:
On this day His Eminence Chogye Trichen
Rinpoche will conduct the traditional consecration
ceremony, which will be held on the full moon on the 440th
auspicious anniversary of Tsarchen Losal Gyatso (15021566).
Tsarchen Guru Yoga Empowerment
The key to introduce, transmit and realise the nature of the
mind is through receiving the Guru Yoga
empowerment from a realised master. This special
empowerment is according to Jamyang Khyentse Wangpos
pure vision of Tsarchen Losal Gyatso.
Hevajra Empowerment/Blessing and Teachings.
8th:
There is no prerequisite for this empowerment/ blessing.
Commitments are dependent on His Eminence, but there
will not be a big commitment.
9th:
Official Opening Ceremony at 2pm
10th:
Kurukulle Empowerment:
Kurukulle is for protection, transformation and power
activities. Practising Kurukulle will enhance ones
6 Jamchen News
relationships with others and help one to achieve

respect and support from relatives, friends,
superiors and subordinates. It will enable one to
accomplish the activities of a worldly nature as well
as Liberation. Commitments are dependent on His
Eminence, but there will not be a big commitment.
Running at the same time is the Hevajra Retreat
4th 10th:
Hevajra Retreat
Lama Choedak Rinpoche.
Cost: $540 (full) or $480 (memb/conc)
Starts 7pm Monday until 5pm Sunday
NB: Only for those who have received the Hevajra
Empowerment.
October:
29th Sep Tenth Annual Calm Abiding Meditation
8th Oct:
Retreat
Lama Choedak Rinpoche
Calm Abiding meditation will help you become relaxed, focused and peaceful. It enables you to identify the real causes of unhappiness and recover from
stress, anxiety and tension. Meditation is a tool that
helps you remove undesirable old habits, improve
self-confidence and add a touch of dignity and sacredness to your life. With practice, you will be
able to integrate a sense of calmness into everyday
activities and transform negative situations into
something positive.
Cost: $800 (full) or $720 (member/concession)
Early Bird Rate: $40 discount if book before 31st
August with full payment. Starts 5pm Friday until
5pm Sunday week
13th 15th: Thangka Painting with Mr Dorjee Choephel
Jamchen News 7
Thangka painting is a traditional Tibetan Buddhist

art, unique to its culture. During this course one
will learn the fundamental techniques and materials used in Thangka painting. One will learn basic
drawing of traditional Buddhist motifs, icons and
various Buddhas and Deities.
20th 23rd Nyung-Ne Fasting Retreat
Inspired by the Gelong-ma Plamo, the Nyung-Ne
practice is a powerful purificatory practice based
on the meditation of 1000-Armed Avalokiteshvara
conjoined with fasting. One will receive the empowerment and teachings and participate in practice sessions which will also include prostrations
and noble silence. Rinpoche will conduct all practice sessions from the recently completed English
translation of the Nyung-Ne Drub Choe text. Cost:
$220 (full) or $200 (member/concession)
Starts 5pm Friday until 5pm Sunday
November:
3rd 5th
Teachings The Bodhisattvas Way of Life
The Bodhisattvas Way of Life is a famous Buddhist
masterpiece by Shantideva. It covers essential
teachings on altruism, mindfulness,
generosity, tolerance, meditation,
compassion and wisdom.
8 Jamchen News
November continued:
10th -12th Hevajra Cause Empowerment
Hevajra Cause Empowerment admits one into the
Vajrayana path and ripens the mind stream. This is a
cause empowerment and enables you to do a short
sadhana. The commitment will be teacherdependent.
Numbers are strictly limited, so preference will be
give to those who book early unless one is Hevajra
initiative.
17th -19th
Vajrapani Empowerment and Teachings

Four Armed Vajrapani practice is an important
practice to generate fierce compassion of the
enlightened mind and to overcome inner and
external obstacles. To be able to do this practice
one has to receive the empowerment and
teachings.
24th 26th
Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony
As one is inspired to live the way of the Bodhisattva, it is

important to seal this with a firm commitment by transforming ones wishes into vows in front of a great master. The benefit
of Bodhicitta is much greater with the blessing of the vows to
Jamchen News 9
practise it.
The cost of these weekends is $230 for two nights and $250 for
three nights. The weekends will run from Friday 5 pm until
Sunday 5pm.
The Three Month Program
The three month program includes all of the above plus:
His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche teaching on weekdays
the Bodhisattvacharyavatara from the 3rd 30th November.
The first five chapters will be taught during November in a
retreat setting. His Eminence will give a morning and afternoon
teaching session.
There will be a daily program when there are no major retreats
or teachings going on and aspects of the daily program may run
in conjunction with the major retreats/teachings:
Tibetan Thangka Painting
Green Tara Puja and Ngondro practices
Group Study of Sakya Panditas - Illuminating the Sages

Intent
This will be facilitated by Ven. Rinchen Choesang
(who studied this text with the Most Ven.

Khenchen Appey Rinpoche in Nepal) and Mr.
Dorjee Choephel.
10 Jamchen News
Tibetan Language You will receive daily classes on the fundamentals of Tibetan language, grammar, reading and translation. As one of the most important languages to deepen ones
understanding of profound Buddhist teachings and concepts,
being able to read in Tibetan can greatly boost ones practice.
Lama Choedak Rinpoche will also teach on the Holy Mahayana Discourses.
This will be taught in an ongoing way throughout the three
months, when other teachers are not teaching (i.e. when His
Eminence Ratna Vajra is not teaching) or major events are taking
place.
This is one of the major teachings given by Maitreya to Asanga,
Mahayanasutralankara is one of the oldest sacred texts
studied in the monasteries. This is the text that inspired many
early Tibetan authors i.e. Sakya Pandita, Gampopa, and Tsongkahapa to write their classics. Teachings on this root text will be
given on the basis of Rongtons famous commentary.
Prices:
To find prices for various activities over the three month period
for SIBA go to web link http://www.sakya.com.au/training/
documents/pricesschedulethreemonth.p
Accommodation:
Jamchen News 11
All accommodation will be shared in motel units or cabins with

bunk beds.
Please bring your own bedding (pillows will be provided).
Delicious vegetarian meals will be provided with access to tea
and coffee. Note: If you have any specific dietary requirements
please bring any specific foods you may need.
Please bring torch, alarm clock, outdoor shoes, slippers, warm
and wet weather clothing and all personal gear.
*NB. Mobile phones dont work at SIBA so dont rely on them
for your alarm clock.
If you bring your own tent you get a reduced rate of $5.00 a
night
There are swimming holes for warm weather.
Lots of places to go on bush walks
There is a large organic garden
Transport:
Driving directions on website:
www.sakya.com.au/locations/Tsarchen%
12 Jamchen News
20Choeling?TsarchenChoeling.html
The Charter buses are running on the 8th, 28th of September and
the 3rd November.
Return buses are leaving on 11th of September, 9th October, and
1st December.
They leave Melbourne 10am, from the Savoy Park Plaza, 630
Little Collins St, Melbourne CBD. The bus for the return
journey will depart from SIBA at 4pm on Sunday and drop you
to the pick up point. The cost should not exceed $160 return.
To book this email us on transport@sakya.com.au
To keep updated on the transport check:
www.sakya.com.au/locations/SIBA/Transport.html#TMR
Take the V-line train/coach (which runs daily to Bairnsdale)

then catch the Buchan Bus to SIBA which only runs on Mon,
Wed, and Friday. Or you can organize a pick up from SIBA
which will cost $25.00 per trip. Pick ups wont take place on
the charter bus days.
Jamchen News 13
Useful words
Guru
Indian term for a teacher, particularly a religious
preceptor. This term occurs in Vajrayana particularly
among those schools of tantra
that emphasize
personal transmission of mystical knowledge from

teacher to disciple.
Guru Yoga
A devotional meditative practice in which ones
root teacher or guru is identified as the quintessence
of all Buddhas. The student then forms an identification with the guru by meditating on his own and the
gurus emptiness and visualizes himself as of the
same fundamental nature. Through this practice it is
believed that all the virtuous qualities of a Buddha
can rapidly be transmitted to the adept.
Thang-ka
A Tibetan scroll-painting which generally uses
gouache on a cotton canvas and depicts various religious topics such as the Buddha, episodes from his
lives, tantric Deities, mandalas, Buddhist scholars
and saints. The paintings are normally framed with
three bands of fine sild brocade and can be rolled up
for transport.
Directly
taken
from:
Keown,
D.,
(2003)
Dictionary of Buddhism.
Oxford University Press.
14 Jamchen News
Art and Buddhism

My life as a botanical artist and
since we are often hindered in our
teacher requires me to spend long
lives by the mud of hatred, miserli-
hours caught up in observation of
ness, greed and so on and perhaps this
flowers and their structures in order to
stops us from blooming into our true
capture intimate portraits of their
selves.
beauty. I have found over the years

that meditation mixed in with these
sessions relaxes my mind and body
and allows me to maintain my
concentration for long periods.
It also allows me to remain
calm and peaceful. I find this
state is important and generates
a mutually beneficial relationship with
my students.
A little while ago I was reading a
book on Zen, where the author used
an analogy relating a forest to the
In the garden I see constant examples of cause and effect, interdependence or dependent origination.
That all phenomena, including
us, are caused by previous actions.
A flower depends on a seed,
water, the sun, fertilizer and
the gardener to complete the cycle.
Each opening bud tells us the
garden is reborn and the cycle of birth
and death starts again.
Sangha, or community of students of
I am constantly reminded of the
Buddhism. As the trees protect each
impermanence of all things the
other so the Sangha protects us. This
need to finish a painting before the
made me think of other connections
bloom dies is with me constantly.
between my days in gardens and with
This changing phenomenon has also
flowers, it seemed a good place to
taught me patience, for while I know
start. We are aware of how the lotus
the flower will die, I must hasten
grows up from the muddy bottom to
slowly. I must be accurate in detail
emerge in the air as a truly beautiful
and colour. Contemplating a flower,
flower. We can relate this to our lives
says Abbot Phra Meo, is a way of
Jamchen News 15
Art and Buddhism

reaching understanding. But the true
Buddhist should be aware that the
beauty of the flower is also a potential
distractionit is therefore important
not to limit ones consideration to colours, forms and their scent. Flowers
May the Dharma light your path.

It is often said that I get lost in
the garden and in my paintingsI
prefer to think I am found.
Terry M Napier.
represent impermanence. They are
Further reading, Silent rituals
sweet smelling one day, and foul and
in Gardens Illustrated by BBC pub-
withered the next.
lishing Dec-Jan, 1997-98.
Generosity is also in abundance

as friends, students and others kindly
offer me specimens or access to their
gardens.
Currently I am attempting to apply mindfulness practices more and
more. I find that being more conscious
of my body and of my feelings, of the
meditations and the objects of these
processes, that I have become more
aware of fewer judgements, of
allowing my mind to be ready for new
observations. I am more aware of the
beauty of surrounding without being
attached to it.
So, these are my views from my
journey thus far. May a flower
brighten your day and remind you.
16 Jamchen News
Reflections
The water gently flows and ripples beneath
but it is clear that it is the afflictions push-
me. My gaze is carried with the flow, the
ing to be someone, to be of conse-
sun gently peeps through the clouds and
quence. Yet out here that is not so, things
warms my form and sparkles in the water.
are just as they are. I feel a warmth (not
The kookaburras laugh in the trees as the
from the sun), I feel a stillness and a free-
trees gently wave in the wind. My mind
dom, no need to be anything because out
relaxes and wishes well for the world and
here I am just a part of it all, neither sig-
all its beings. Harsh thoughts I have had
nificant, nor insignificant. The wind blows
simply drop away and I am able to
on me. I notice the sensation on
move into the Sadhana of Chen-
my arm, so in the present, just
rezig with no need to hurry to fin-
noticing I flow with the water and
ish and few other thoughts than
I mould with the energy of the
the wish for the wellbeing for all. I
sun, I mix with the earth and I am
wish for the Long Life of all my
filled with space.
teachers and all teachers of wisdom and
TD
compassion. I know in my heart that my

place is in nature and nature is my place.
The loss of connection has been strong and
Photo: Margo Anderson
damaging. My mind unrelaxed is a dangerous mind, it is competitive and harsh to

myself and consequently to others. Even a
competitiveness to give, to be compassionate and a critique of myself if I dont. Little
understanding of balance. Little understanding of impermanence, except in a
gross and depressing way. Little compassion as the I feels drained and clings to
the idea of relaxation. The body is tight and
the mind is tight. It feels like life pushes,
Jamchen News 17
Calm Abiding Meditation Classes

Melbourne, Balwyn
Dates:
Friday October 6th 24th November
Times:
7.00 9.00 pm (note: changed time)
New Venue: Jamchen Buddhist Centre, contact Centre for address

Cost:
$50; concession available on request.
Term 4:
6 October 24 November
The Calm Abiding course involves a sequential set of teachings

and participants are encouraged to attend all 8 sessions. Bookings
essential. Please phone Jamchen Buddhist Centre on (03) 98573612. If you have attended an 8-week course or Calm Abiding
retreat with Rinpoche, you are welcome to attend on a casual basis
Belgrave
Calm Abiding meditation classes are also offered in Belgrave on
a Wednesday evening at 7.15pm and Friday morning at 9.15am.
These will start on Wednesday 11th Oct and Friday 13th Oct.
For
those who have completed a CA course, a regular support and

practice group also occurs on a Wednesday night at 6.00pm with
regular half-day meditation deepening opportunities.
Cost: $50; concession available on request.
For bookings, please contact John Julian on (03) 9754 3638 or
jjulian2@bigpond.net.au
Warrandyte
Calm Abiding meditation classes are also offered in Warrandyte
on Friday at 1.00pm 2.30 pm. These will run from Friday October 6th to November 24th. . The classes will take place at
Warrandyte Neighborhood House, 168 Yarra Street, Warrandyte.
B.Y.O. cushion. Bookings can be made through Warrandyte
Neighbourhood House on 9844 -1839.
18 Jamchen News
Rongton Study Group: The Three Jewels

Term 4: continues on from term 3, 7.00pm - 9.30pm
This series of teachings by Lama Choedak Rinpoche was given last year and
so is a very recent unit of the Rongton Buddhist Training College teaching
program. In it Rinpoche gives a rich and detailed explanation of the meaning of
The Three Jewels also known as the Triple Gem of the Buddha, Dharma and
Sangha that signify the ideals at the heart of Buddhism and which form the
central tenets of a Buddhist life.
This series of recorded teachings is suited to both beginners and more advanced practitioners as Rinpoche leads us through these core teachings to a
deeper understanding of what it is to be
Buddhist and live according to these principles.
All welcome. Cost - $8 per week ($6 members). Inquiries to Jamchen
Buddhist Centre.
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COMPASSIONATE COMMUNICATION
On 5th August 2006, John Julian led the third of four Saturday afternoon
workshops to be held during the year on Compassionate Communication. This
is based on the work of Marshall Rosenberg on Nonviolent Communication
(NVC). The workshops are grounded in Buddhist principles and emphasize
compassion as the basis for action. These principles can help us make choices
about how we might respond to others and get what we want without later
regrets about our motivations and actions.
Where: Jamchen Buddhist Centre
When:
1.30pm - 5PM
Dates:
(Participants may choose to attend one or all dates)

11 November
SATURDAY 11 November, 2006

Compassionate Communication John Julian
We are very fortunate in having John as a Jamchen Member and senior

student of Lama Choedak Rinpoche. John has studied this form of communication with Marshall Rosenberg himself, and teaches it regularly as part of his
profession and as a gift to the community.
Cost: Jamchen Buddhist Centre members $30
Non-members $35
Jamchen News 19
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (mbsr) Program

Mobilize your mind and body to take charge of your life and
cope more effectively with stress...
World wide, tens of thousands of people have accepted this invitation. A lot
like you, theyve learned to integrate into their everyday lives the methods
developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts. Two decades of published research indicates that the majority of people who complete the course report:
Lasting decreases in physical and psychological symptoms
An increased ability to relax
Reductions in pain levels and an enhanced ability to cope with pain that
may not go away
Greater energy and enthusiasm for life
Improved self-esteem
An ability to cope more effectively with both short and long-term stressful
situations.
What is mindfulness-based stress reduction or mbsr...?
Mindfulness is a way of learning to relate directly to whatever is happening
in your life. It is aa way of taking charge of your life, a way of doing something for yourself that no one else can do for you consciously and systematically working with your own stress, pain, illness, and the challenges and
demands of everyday life.
No doubt, youve probably encountered moments of mindlessness which
is a loss of awareness resulting in forgetfulness, separation from self, and a
sense of living mechanically. Restoring a balanced sense of health and
well-being requires increased awareness of all aspects of self, including
body and mind, heart and soul. Mindfulness-based stress reduction is intended to ignite this inner capacity and infuse your life with awareness.
An mbsr 8 week course will be held at Jamchen Budhhist Centre by John
Julian starting on Monday, 9 October. John has attended training directed
by Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli and uses their format in this course.
Eleven places are available and a telephone interview is required. For
more information about this course please ring John Julian on 9754 3638.
20 Jamchen News
RECENT EVENTS
White Tara teachings: 1-3 July
On Friday night, Lama Choedak Rinpoche presented, "Death and Dying" at a
public talk at the Balwyn Community Centre. Nearly 90 people attended.
Participants were given the opportunity to add the names of those who have died
to a list for a Soor practice for the dead, which was led by Rinpoche on Saturday
night.
New Members morning tea: 22 July
Thanks to a suggestion by new member, Gerry Weston, new members were
invited to a morning tea at the centre on 22 July. In a a relaxed, social atmosphere a dozen new members shared tea and biscuits with other members.
Jamchen President, Sally Polmear warmly welcomed everyone attending, then
invited the friendly conversation to continue. For some, it was the first
opportunity to see the centre, including the Gompa or shrine room, library and
bookshop.
Festival of First Turning of the Wheel: 29 July
On 29 July, Jamchen members celebrated the holy day of Choekhor Duchen or
the First Turning of the Wheel. This is one of the four great festivals celebrating
Buddha Shakyamunis life. Jeremy Russell wrote in The Eight places of Buddhist
Pilgrimage that on this festival, Shakyamuni Buddha began the first turning of
the Wheel of Dharma and taught the Middle Way, that avoids the extremes of
pleasure and austerity, the Four Noble Truths and the eightfold path.
This festival was celebrated by members practicing the 16
Arhat Puja. At lunch everyoned brought a plate to share. Af Jamchen Buddhist Centre, Melbourne www.jamchen.com.au info@jamchen.com.au
Jamchen News 21
RECENT EVENTS
ter lunch in the gompa or shrine room, an open informal discussion followed on
the Four Noble Truths. Members were invited to talk about their favourite Noble
Truth, or to bring a good book or notes on the Noble Truths and read to others.
The day ended with a guided meditation on what we had learned together.
Compassionate Communication: 5 August

Back by popular demand, Jamchen member John Julian held a workshop on
Compassionate Communication using Marshall Rosenberg's Non Violent Communication (NVC). This approach is grounded in Buddhist principles and
emphasises compassion as the basis for action. Compassion helps us make conscious choices about how we might respond to others and get what we want,
without later regretting our motivations or actions. More than 60 people have
now learned and laughed their way together through this workshop. A number of
people have returned for a refresher. Jamchen is fortunate to offer this
workshop on four occasions this year
Out going Editor

Thank you very much to Rosey Levy Chang for all the work she has done as
editor, putting together Jamchen News up til now, and transferring as much
knowledge as she could to the new editor. WK.
22 Jamchen News
The Presidents Annual Report

T HIS
IS A SUMMARY OF ALL THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT

AT J AMCHEN OVER THE 2005/2006 YEAR . I T WAS TAKEN
FROM THE P RESIDENT , S ALLY P OLMEAR S REPORT .
Through the great kindness of our Spiritual Director, Lama Choedak Rinpoche, Chogye Jamchen Choe Dzong, Jamchen Buddhist Centre has had a rich year in the Dharma. Membership has remained steady. Currently there are 109 members. In this past year Jamchen has
been able to offer many new initiatives to its membership and the broader community.
TEACHINGS WITH RINPOCHE IN 2005/2006:
In the last twelve months, we have been blessed to have Rinpoche in Melbourne on nine occasions:
August 19-22, 2005 Nyung Ne retreat at Edmund Rice Centre, Amberley, Lower
Plenty
September 1, 2005 Public Talk Healing Relationships and Book Launch of
Healing Relationships at Glen Eira Town Hall
October 20, 2005 Public Talk Love and Intimacy at Australian Catholic University
November 23, 2005 Sixteen Arhat Puja led by Rinpoche at Jamchen
December 2, 2005 Public Talk Health, Wealth and Wisdom.
December 3 & 4, 2005 Healthy, Wealthy and Wise: 3 Buddhist practices and
their Teachings at Balwyn Community Centre
March 10-13, 2006 Calm Abiding Meditation Retreat at Alpine Ash Conference
and Retreat Centre, Toolangi.
April 27, 2006 Public Talk How to Develop Emotional Intelligence at Hawthorn Town Hall
May 12-15, 2006 Nyung Ne Retreat at Alpine Ash Retreat and Conference Centre
June 30, 2006 Public Talk Death and Dying
July 1-2, 2007 White Tara Initiations and Teachings at Balwyn Community
Centre
Other activities
At Jamchen we have celebrated Losar, Tibetan New Year of the Fire Dog on February 28,
with a Green Tara Puja followed by breakfast. For Choetrul Duechen (the culmination of the
14 miracles of the Buddha) on 23 February we had a special day of practice starting with a
16 Arhat Puja. For Saka Dawa, (commemorating the Buddhas birth, enlightenment and
paranirvana) on June 11 members gathered for a Green Tara Puja and breakfast followed by
Jamchen News 23
The Presidents Annual Report cont

the usual Sunday practices, and then in the evening a 16 Arhat Puja and the lighting of
candles. For Choekhor Duechen, commemorating the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma,
on 29 July, members gathered for the 16 Arhat Puja followed by a shared lunch and informal
open discussion in the afternoon about the Four Noble Truths.
On Monday 14 November we held a special White Tara practice for the 75th birthday of His
Eminence Luding Khenchen Rinpoche and to pray for his long life. His Eminence is one of
the three main teachers in the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and we were very
fortunate to host him and his entourage here at Jamchen in 2004
Introduction to Buddhism
For the second time, this 10 week course was run at Jamchen from 2 April 18 June with a
steady attendance of approximately 10 people each week.
Saturday Workhops
We have benefited from hearing Prof. Graham Meadows speak on Mindfulness and
Depression on October 8 and Soto Zen Monk, Seikan-san speak about the Sot Zen Buddhist
tradition on November 19. John Julian has also run three workshops on Compassionate
Communication and will run a fourth on November 11. All proceedings from these
workshops go directly to Jamchen.
REGULAR PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH OUR CENTRE:
Wednesdays: Rongton Study Group
Two units have been studied over the past year.
Life of The Buddha.
The Triple Gem.
Thursdays: Soor Practice
The Soor practice for the Dead has been run on a regular basis throughout the past year.
Fridays: Calm Abiding Meditation
The 8-week Introductory Calm Abiding Meditation Course is open to the general public.
Four courses have been run in the past year.
Additional Calm Abiding Meditation classes:

This past year has seen a continued expansion in the number of leaders and locations for
24 Jamchen News

teaching the course, including teaching the course in the corporate sector.
Regular Weekend Practices

Saturdays:
8.30 am
Four Armed Vajrapani Sadhana
Sundays:
9am
Green Tara Sadhana
10am
White Tara Sadhana
12pm
Chenrezig Sadhana
2pm
Calm Abiding Meditation
Other regular practices:

Calm Abiding Meditation Days
Vajrayogini Practice for Initiates
Green Tara Pujas
Three deities practice
Fundraising activities:
1. Garage Sale
2. Various activities to raise money for SIBA (Sakya International Buddhist
Academy).
Film nights
Silent Auction.
Healing Music Concert.
3. Cadbury Chocolates fundraiser
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
1 Events attended through MIN (Manningham Interfaith
Network)
Jamchen News 25

Open day February 28 at Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Meditation Centre,
Templestowe.
Heart Sutra teachings at Dharma Drum on May 8.
On 30 April, Sally Polmear was the Buddhist representative at the annual
Manningham Civic Service. Members of Christian, BahaI, Sikh, Jewsih,
Moslem and Hindu faiths all read out prayers for the commmunity.
On 15 May, Harmony Day was held in Manningham, organized by MIN.
Monthly meetings with MIN.
2. His Holiness the Dalai Lamas Birthday celebrations.
On July 8 Jamchen members special celebrations held by the Tibetan Council of Victoria.
3. Tibetan International Performing Arts (TIPA).
Many Jamchen members were able to attend this special performance of TIPA on July 22
which was sponsored by the Tibetan Council of Australia. It was a wonderful evening of
traditional song and dance from different regions of Tibet.
4. Seminars on Buddhism at University of the Third Age, Albert Park
Sally Polmear led three sessions as a general introduction to meditation and Buddhism at
the U3A in July/August 2006.
5. BCV (Buddhist Council of Victoria) AGM and book launch
Sally Polmear represented Jamchen at the BCVs 10th Annual General Meeting on
February 25. George Lekakis (CEO Victorian Multicultural Commission) officially
launched the book which is a profile on selected Buddhist centers in Victoria. The study
was funded by the commission. A copy of the study is available at the centre for those interested.
6. Pathways to Meaningful Living Conference, Melbourne November 200
Following the suggestion from Rinpoche that Jamchen organize a major conference with
speakers from a variety of backgrounds, plans for the conference are well under way.
With gratitude we dedicate the merit that has come from all the past years activities at
Jamchen to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, His Holiness Sakya Trizin, His Eminence
Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, His Eminence Luding Khenchen Rinpoche, His Eminence Ratna
Vajra and to our precious spiritual director, Lama Choedak Rinpoche. May they live long and
26 Jamchen News

may their wishes for the spread of the Dharma and peace for all sentient beings, be fulfilled.
May all beings be liberated from sufferings and find happiness.
Photo: Ani Tenpa

Jamchen News 27
THREE DEITIES PRACTICE

Three deities practice happens on the first Monday night of the month at
Jamchen Buddhist Centre from 7pm. Please ring the Centre to check that the
practice is on that night. For instance, this September, there will be a change in
date due to the visit of His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche.
The three practices together take just over an hour to do, and we have a very nice
tape of Rinpoche leading the Four Common Foundations and Parnashavari
sadhana to start us off. After this we do Jambala sadhana and finish with Manjushri sadhana.
For any of you who were inspired by these practices when Rinpoche bestowed
them on us last year, you are most welcome to come along and join in.
These practices assist us and all others in the areas of health, wealth and wisdom.
A short explanation of the benefits of these practices is given below, taken in the
main from Rinpoches notes in the preface to the sadhana text we received at
initiation.
Health
Our life is the most precious possession we have, but without health it is hard to
achieve what we wish for in life. However, health is not merely absence of ill
health. It is how one lives when healthy and how gracefully one accepts illnesses
when they arise.
Aversion, greed and ignorance are the root causes of illnesses, both physical and
mental. The practice of Goddess Parnashavari can assist people to overcome their
negative karma and bring good health.
28 Jamchen News
THREE DEITIES THREE DEITIES

Wealth
Without wealth, ones body and mind suffer due to poverty and destitution.
Many resort to wrong livelihood because of lack of food, clothes, shelter, and
medicine. It was not so long ago that Australia was colonised by convicts from
England who suffered such wants. Even nowadays in a country like Australia,
many are wealthy materially but feel impoverished spiritually or emotionally. The
practice of yellow Jambala can assist us to acquire wealth as well as empowering
us to achieve many things through generosity.
Wisdom
Lacking wisdom, any good conditions we possess like health or wealth can be
sadly wasted or even misused. All confusion, unhappiness, frustration, fear and
conflict arise from ignorance. However, ignorance is not the ultimate nature of
our minds any more than clouds obscuring the blue sky. Ignorance is adventitious
and temporary. It is a conditioned phenomenon, like a dark room which by
nature is not dark. When the light is switched on the causes and conditions
making the room appear dark come to an end and the room becomes lighted up.
Manjushri practice assists us to awaken our own discriminative wisdom; He is the
Bodhisattva of the exalted wisdom of all Enlightened Ones. He also represents
the perfection of eloquent speech, his name means gentle and glorious (speech).
MB
Jamchen News 29
Committee Members and Positions

These positions were elected at the Annual General Meeting, 13th
August, 2006.
President: Sally Polmear
Vice President: Jane Sargeant
Treasurer: Wendy Mence
Secretary: Anne ONeill
Committee member: Margo Anderson
Committee member: Sue Broderick
Committee member: Michael Chan
Election of Other Positions:
Dharma Activities Coordinator: Miora Brown
Saturday Practice Coordinator: Margo Anderson
Sunday Sadhana Practice Coordinator: Suzie Capell
Calm Abiding Practice Coordinator: John Julian
Soor Practice Coordinators: Frances Lamb and Moira Brown
Three Deities Practice Coordinator: Moira Brown
Tsog Coordinator for Vajrayogini Practice: Moira Brown
Rongton Coordinator: Wendy Mence
Jamchen Centre Coordinator: Neredah Burns
Jamchen Centre Gardener: Leesa Nicholls
Receptionist: Frances Lamb
Library Coordinator: Rod Williams
Jamchen Shop Manager: Gwenda Robb
Newsletter Editor: Wendy Knight
Sound/Recording Engineer: Simon Edwards (Assistant: Michael Chan)
Graphic Designer and Printing Manager: Peter Kent
Web-site coordinator: Rosey Levy Chang
Web-site Technical Advisor: Cam Young
Volunteers Coordinator: Margo Anderson
Publicity Coordinator: Frances Lamb
Conference Convenor: Genevieve Timmons
A big Thankyou to past, continuing and new committee member and
position holders.
30 Jamchen News
Donations and tax deductibility

Did you know that donations over $2 to the Jamchen
Buddhist Centre are tax-deductible? You may like to
consider a donation to our building fund. The aim is to
establish a permanent home (all things being relative!) for
the Centre.
Come and be involved

Volunteers are at the heart of how Jamchen Buddhist
Centre runs. If youd like to find out how you can be
involved as a volunteer at Jamchen (no matter what your
skills), youre very welcome to contact us. Please contact
Margo Anderson, volunteer co-ordinator, via the Centre
phone number or email address (below and below right).
Jamchen News 31
Jamchen
About Us
News
is
produced
Jamchen News is produced by
quarterly by the Jamchen Buddhist
Jamchen Buddhist Centre, a non-
Centre located in Balwyn, Melbourne,
profit association set up to further
Australia.
the study and practice of Mahayana
Articles for the Newsletter
Buddhismas taught by the Tsarpa
If you would like to write an
lineage of the Sakya School of
article to inform, to entertain or just
Tibetan Buddhism. Our honorary
to have your say - We are looking for
patron
articles on:
is
the
26th patriarch
of
Tibetan Nalendra Monastery, His
-Teachings of the Buddha
Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche
-How Buddhism has affected your
who is also the abbot of several
life.
monasteries in Nepal. Our spiritual
-Reflections on life in a Buddhist
director, Lama Choedak Rinpoche,
framework
is one of His Eminences most
-Book reviews preferably in the
s e ni o r
Buddhist framework.
an d
hi ghl y
regarded
-Courses that you have attended
students.
Members of Jamchen Buddhist
-Recipes cooked in the dharma fash-
Centre are inspired by the example
ion
set by Chogye Trichen Rinpoche and
-Interactions
Lama Choedak Rinpoche, and wish
Lamas
to support Buddhist practice in
-Interviews with different people of
Melbourne, Australia. The centre
faith.
hosts teachings, initiations, retreats
-Photos
and a comprehensive program of
Please aim your articles at a general
group
Anyone
audience so most people will under-
wishing to get more involved with
stand the concepts that you are ex-
our activities is warmly welcome.
pressing
practice
sessions.
Jamchen Buddhist Centre also

has a free mailing list, so if you
would like to be informed of coming
or
you
have
hand
(especially
had
drawn
me).
with
pictures
Contact
Wendy on info@jamchen.com.au
Submissions
close
Nov
12th,
2006 .
events, please send us your details.

For more information, please
32 Jamchen News
Diary Dates 2006

Thursday evening 19th October Teachings at Richmond Town Hall.
Hosted by Sakya Choekhor Lhunpo, Melbourne
Friday evening 20th October Teachings on Green Tara at Balwyn
Community Centre Hosted by Jamchen Buddhist Centre
Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October Teachings on Seven Point
Mind Training and Chenrezig Empowerment at Balwyn Community
Centre Hosted by Jamchen Buddhist Centre
Rinpoche in Melbourne
Friday 1st until Sunday 3rd December: Public talk/teachings at
The Balwyn Community Centre
Activities at Jamchen Buddhist Centre
Contact the centre for details
Monday nights -Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Wednesday nights - Rongton Study Group: The Triple Gem
Thursday - Soor Practice
Friday nights - Calm Abiding Meditation Classes
Saturday Vajrapani Practice
Sunday - Green Tara Puja, Green Tara, White Tara, Chenrezig, Calm Abiding
"
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placing the printed matter directly on the floor, stepping or sitting
on it, or placing food on it etc. Thank you.

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Tsarchen Choeling (SIBA) Consecrated

Art & Buddhism

His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche

Tour Dates 2006

Tsarchen Choeling (SIBA), East Gippsland

Sakya Dolma Choeling, Sydney

Sakya Losal Choe Dzong, VRC, Canberra

Khacho Yulo Ling, Cairns

His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche

Sakya Dolma Choe Ling, Eastwood

Central Coast Meditation Centre, Gosford

Sakya Tharpa Ling, Sydney

Khacho Yulo Ling, Cairns

Rongton Buddhist Centre, Brisbane

Serling Arya Tara, Gold Coast

Tsechen Thubten Choeling, Adelaide

Sakya Yigah Choeling, Whyalla

Sakya Choekhor Lhunpo, Melbourne

Jamchen Buddhist Centre, Melbourne

Khenpo Dorjee, Auckland

Phuntsok Choeling, Napier

Sakya Droton Ling, Dunedin

Tsarchen Choeling (SIBA), East Gippsland

Sakya Losal Choe Dzong, Canberra

Kyegu Buddhist Institute, Sydney

Jamchen Buddhist Centre, Melbourne www.jamchen.com.au info@jamchen.com.au

SIBA Program Sept - Nov, 2006

relationships with others and help one to achieve

Thangka painting is a traditional Tibetan Buddhist

Vajrapani Empowerment and Teachings

Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony

As one is inspired to live the way of the Bodhisattva, it is

Group Study of Sakya Panditas - Illuminating the Sages

This will be facilitated by Ven. Rinchen Choesang

(who studied this text with the Most Ven.

Jamchen Buddhist Centre, Melbourne www.jamchen.com.au info@jamchen.com.au

All accommodation will be shared in motel units or cabins with

Take the V-line train/coach (which runs daily to Bairnsdale)

Jamchen Buddhist Centre, Melbourne www.jamchen.com.au info@jamchen.com.au

personal transmission of mystical knowledge from

Art and Buddhism

since we are often hindered in our

teacher requires me to spend long

lives by the mud of hatred, miserli-

hours caught up in observation of

ness, greed and so on and perhaps this

flowers and their structures in order to

stops us from blooming into our true

capture intimate portraits of their

beauty. I have found over the years

Sangha, or community of students of

I am constantly reminded of the

Buddhism. As the trees protect each

impermanence of all things the

other so the Sangha protects us. This

need to finish a painting before the

made me think of other connections

bloom dies is with me constantly.

between my days in gardens and with

This changing phenomenon has also

flowers, it seemed a good place to

taught me patience, for while I know

start. We are aware of how the lotus