Welcome to the home of Venerable Yangchen
OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
Our children's visit to the Vajrayana Institute was a great day! We had 27 people in all - children, parents and grandparents. According to the Institute, we were very blessed to have Geshe Samten give us teachings as he doesn't do so for children's groups. However, he not only gave us teachings but joined us for morning tea. The Institute turned on a lovely morning tea and made our visit very special. So many children were not able to join us this time so the visit will be repeated one day next year.
We now have a few students taking their Buddhist studies a step further and attending the Discovering Buddhism Course at the Institute on a Monday night. I hope to be having a couple of Buddhist Workshops next year but the Course at Ashfield is much more detailed. A very good first step up from my Meditation Groups! Those of you who want to know more about it either contact me or speak to me at classes.
Meditation classes recommence on the week beginning Monday, 13th October:
All meditation classes are going well. Numbers are increasing at Menai a little and the children's classes are soaring especially at Engadine. Please note that all children must be booked in before they come to a class for the first time so as to avoid disappointment. I am fully booked in Level 1 (5,6 and 7 yrs) at Engadine but there are plenty of places in other Centres so please contact me if you are interested
The Meditation Classes are not a course but a casual drop-in class and can be joined at any time. Details of classes are found under "Weekly Meditation Classes".
We have had a very disruptive year because of my health and it is not finished yet! Two lots of minor surgery to go and I am off to the doctor today for tests on my ears! Because of this, we have had to cancel classes and workshops so it has been very frustrating. However, classes will continue this year until Thursday, 18th December. We will then break for Christmas and, at this stage, I am not sure when we will be resuming in 2009 but you will know in plenty of time.
Workshops coming up
(Details under "Meditation Workshops")
Why Me? Why Not!
A one-day workshop on life, death, rebirth and karma. Sunday, 26th October 2008 at Jannali CH.
What is Happiness?
What makes us happy and how do we sustain happiness. Sunday, 16th November 2008 at Jannali CH.
One-Day Meditation Retreat
A day in silence to discover our mind. Sunday, 8th February 2009 at Bundeena Snr Citizens Hall from 8 am to 3.30 pm. All food will be catered for so bookings for this day are essential. Contribution is a donation to cover the food and the hire of the Hall for the day.
Can Children Control their Emotions?
The second of our children's workshops! We will discuss anger, sadness, confidence and happiness. Sunday, 8th March 2009 at Yarrawarrah CH from 2 to 3.30 pm. For children from 5 yrs and parents.
Why Should We Meditate?
Find out why, how, when and where we can meditate.
Sunday, 29th March 2009 at Jannali CH. This workshop is essential for all students whether beginners or those who have been meditating for some time. Feedback from some students is that is very good to attend this workshop for the second time.
The Four Noble Truths
Buddha's very first teachings.
Sunday, 21st June at Gunnamatta Youth Centre.
We will have a
three day Retreat in the Royal National Park some time in either April or May 2009. Numbers are limited to 6 retreatants only and so bookings will not be taken until March next year. Approximate cost will be $120-$150. Last year the Retreat was very kindly catered for by Rudi and Keryn Bremer of Bundeena . I think Rudi would like to attend the Retreat this year himself and so we are looking for another Caterer. It would be someone who can make lunch and dinner for 7 people on the Saturday and lunch on Sunday. It would be someone who could transport this food to the cottage (2 kms from Audley) and we would attend to the heating up, serving and washing up. All will be in silence and you would be reimbursed your expenses. If you can help us, please contact me.
FREEDOM FOR TIBET:
Geshe Samten from the Vajrayana Institute is working very hard to raise money for this cause. At the moment, two documentaries are being shown at Centres all around Sydney and it has been suggested that a night be held in the Shire. At this stage, I would like to know if people would be interested in attending such an evening. It would include the showing of the documentaries and supper and the contribution would be a donation which would go to the Freedom for Tibet organization. If you would be interested in attending such an event, please let me know. It is not scheduled until 2009.
PLEASE NOTE THAT CLASSES WILL NOT BE HELD ON PUBLIC OR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS.
This is the last Newsletter before Christmas. Time goes! So please have a happy and blessed Christmas and safe holidays.
Blessings,
Venerable Yangchen
"Let Us Be Kind to One Another"
