The Brooking Street Bugle

Issue No. 113 (New Series)
ISSN 1321 - 1463

Publication Date: 25 August, 2004

Published and Printed by the Chan Academy Australia.
Chan Academy is a registered business name of the
Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
A.C.N. 005 701 806 A.B.N. 42 611 496 488
33 Brooking Street, Upwey, Victoria 3158 Australia
Telephone and Fax: +61 3 9754 3334
E-mail address: wbu@bdcu.org.au
World Fellowship of Buddhists Regional Centre
Associated Institution of the World Buddhist University





Lifetimes of Learning
and the cultivation of Friendliness, Practicality, Professionalism,
Cultural Adaptability and Scholarship

Our websites:

www.bdcu.org.au
www.bddronline.net.au
www.bdcublessings.net.au
www.bsbonline.com.au
www.buyresolved.com.au

Editor: Leanne Eames, B.A., M.A.
Assistant Editor: Anita M. Hughes, RN Div 1

Chan Academy Australia
Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. Disclaimer

As we, the Chan Academy Australia, Chan Academy being a registered business name of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd., do not control the actions of our service providers from time to time, make no warranty as to the continuous operation of our web site(s). Also, we make no assertion as to the veracity of any of the information included in any of the links with our web sites, or any other source accessed through our website(s).

Accordingly, we accept no liability to any user or subsequent third party, either expressed or implied, whether or not caused by error or omission on either our part, and member, employee or other person associated with the Chan Academy Australia, Chan Academy being a registered business name of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.

May You Be Well and Happy.

The Purposes of this Publication

The purposes of this publication are to:

Inform Members and others of coming events.

Report on monitoring of current activities and policies.

Help Members and friends understand the benefits of using technology in our organisation for Teaching Buddha Dhamma.

Write in a style recognisable by those who use English as a second language.

Provide glossaries and definitions for key terms used for teaching Buddha Dhamma.

Improve, report and develop cash generating activities to promote Buddha Dhamma.

Show examples of Buddha Dhamma education within our five styles of cultivation in action.

Provide timely advice on Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S).

Declare, celebrate and record scheduled Buddhist educational events.

Provide accurate information via our websites on how we educate on Buddha Dhamma legally in Victoria, Australia.

Provide opportunities for Buddha Dhamma activities and ceremonies.

Assist our globalisation of Buddha Dhamma education policy.

Provide text for our online version of the Brooking Street Bugle at www.bsbonline.com.au.

Index

1. Glossary
2. Sangha News
3. Coming Events
4. Company Structure
5. Keynote Opportunities
6. Appeals and Special Projects
7. Current Research and Development Interests
8. Information Technology News
9. Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)
10. Corporate Governance & Reporting (CGR)
11. International Dhamma Activities (IDA)
12. Local Area Planning & Asset Management (LAPAM)
13. Members' News
14. Funds Appeal
15. Photographs
16. Transferring of Merit

Copyright Provisions

The Brooking Street Bugle is for free distribution. It contains Buddha Dhamma material and is provided for the purposes of research and study. It is also published online with colour photographs at www.bsbonline.com.au. Brooking Street Bugle On Line is a registered Business Name in the state of Victoria. Permission is given to make printouts of this publication for free distribution only with acknowledgements of the source, Australian Company Number ACN, Australian Business Number ABN and publication address. Please keep it in a clean place.

"The gift of Dhamma excels all other gifts".
© 2002, Copyright. Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.

1. Glossary

2. Sangha News

Teachings by Monks from Shakyamuni Buddha Vihara

Venerable Vimalananda and Venerable Upatissa from the Shakyamuni Buddha Vihara in Berwick continue to give Dhamma teachings from the Suttas and guide meditation at our Temple every Monday evening from 7.30pm. Please arrive by 7.15pm.

We thank the Venerables from the the Shakyamuni Buddha Vihara for their ongoing teaching program.

3. Coming Events

Chakra Samvara Puja

Master Francisco So will conduct a Chakra Samvara Puja at our Centre on Saturday 4 September 2004.
Time: 9.30am - 11.30am and 1.30pm - 4.00pm
Documents: Sukhavati Ritual and Chakra Samvara Tantra.
Suitable offerings are flowers, round fruit, round biscuits and dark grape juice.


Founder's Day Celebration 9 September 2004

06.00 am Buddha Dhamma Chanting
07.00 am Breakfast
09.30 am Arrival of Members of the Sangha and Guests
10:00am Offerings of Gifts to Sangha Members
10:30 am Welcoming note and Request of Members of the Sangha to give Precepts and Triple Gem refuge

Speeches on our five styles:

Julian Bamford: Friendliness
Frank Carter: Practicality
Pennie White: Professionalism
Leanne Eames: Cultural Adaptability
Evelin Halls: Scholarship

11:00am Dana Offering of Lunch to Sangha Members in our Hall of Assembly
11:30 am Lunch for Guests served in Dining Hall
12:00 pm Ceremonial procession and blessing for the John D. Hughes image, Circumambulation of Stupa and Founder's Day 2004 Group Photograph
1: 00 pm Freeing of White Pigeons
2:00pm Opening of Chan Art Exhibition

Chan Paintings by Master John D. Hughes
Demonstration of Chan Painting by Melba Nielsen
2:30 pm Auction of Chan Paintings

Chan Paintings by Master John D. Hughes

3:00 pm Rest and Garden Tea Party
6:00 pm Dinner for Guests
8:00 pm Bhavana Meditation

All are welcome.


New Buddha Dhamma Teaching Program

We invite Members of the Sangha to come to our Temple to give Dhamma talks on Monday and Friday evenings as part of our Buddha Dhamma Teaching Program for 2004. Classes commence at 7.30pm.

We thank the Venerable Sangha for blessing our Temple, and Members and Friends and accepting our request.

May the Buddha Dhamma be taught at our Temple.

Members and students are welcome to attend and are requested to bring suitable offerings such as flowers, daily necessities and books as dana for the Sangha.

On Friday evenings from 7.30pm teachings are held from the Mahayana tradition. Sessions so far have included the playing of videotaped teachings of the late Master John D. Hughes on the Prajna Paramita (The Perfection of Wisdom) We are currently listening to the CD series "The Diamond Cutter" by Geshe Michael Roach. Please feel free to invite other Buddha Dhamma Teachers in the Mahayana tradition to come and give Teachings on Friday evenings.

Students and Members are invited to bring suitable offerings such as flowers, food, water, paper, and Buddha Dhamma texts as offerings.

We thank Mrs. Anita M. Hughes for initiating this program of Buddha Dhamma teachings at our Temple.

May Anita M. Hughes be well and happy.


Abhidhamma Classes

Abhidhamma classes continue every Tuesday evening at 7.30pm. Chanting takes place in our Hall of Assembly prior to the class at 7.15pm. All Members and Friends are welcome.

Beginning on Tuesday 4 May 2004, we have been studying the correspondence course of "How Karma Works" - Abhidhamma level 1, taught by Geshe Michael Roach.

The course material was downloaded from the Asian Classics Institute website at URL www.world-view.org by Peter Boswell, and Peter and Evelin compiled the material into folders donated by David Igracki. We will do the complete Abhidhamma course Levels 1 and 2 over the coming months. The course also includes readings, homework, quizzes and a final examination.

Classes are free of charge.

Students are requested to bring suitable offerings each week to the Abhidhamma Teachings, including flowers, Basmati rice and two reams of Reflex A4 paper. Recycled paper is not suitable as it jams in our printers.


Coming Events at Other Centres

We have a white folder titled "Coming Events at Other Organisations".

Persons who are interested in these events can find the folder in the Sariputta Room, shelf next to PC1A.

Some coming events at other organisations are also published in the Brooking Street Bugle and uploaded onto our websites.

It is suggested that all Members keep track of what is happening at other organisations so that they know which are the important events to attend.

This will also help us to step up our PR programs. We want continue to provide our Temple for future students so that they can learn the Buddha Dhamma for the next 500 years at least.

Calm Abiding Meditation

Lama Choedak Rinpoche will lead the Eighth Annual Calm Abiding Meditation Retreat from 1-10 October, 2004, at the Virupa Retreat Centre, near Queanbeyan.

For information, call the Tibetan Buddhist Society on Canberra on 02 6238 2088 or 02 6258 0452

Please refer to the white folder labelled "Coming Events at Other Centres" for further details about this and other events.

4. Company Structure

Our Company Office Bearers and Management Team
(as of 7 August 2004)

Founder
The late John D. Hughes Dip. App. Chem. T.T.T.C. GDAIE

Resident Practitioner
Anita Hughes R.N.Div1

Abbot
Anita Hughes R.N.Div1

Assistant Abbots
Julie O'Donnell
Evelin Halls B.A.
Peter Boswell C.P.A.

President
Julian Bamford B.A. App. Rec.

Directors of the Centre
Anita M. Hughes
Evelin Halls B.A.
Julie O'Donnell
Secretary
Anita Hughes RN Div 1.

Assistant Secretary
Julie O'Donnell

Treasurer
Peter Boswell CPA

Financial Controller
Peter Boswell CPA

Assistant TreasurerS
Frank Carter B.Ec.
David Igracki

Vice Presidents
Corporate Governance & Reporting
Evelin Halls B.A.
International Dhamma Activities
Pennie White B.A.Dip.Ed.
Local Area Planning & Asset Management
Frank Carter B.Ec.
Assistant Manager
Local Area Planning & Asset Management
Paul Tyrrell

Manager Occupational Health & Safety
Anita Hughes R.N.Div1

Joint Occupation Health & Safety Manager
Frank Carter B.Ec.

Fuel Manager
David Igracki

Catering Manager
Leila Igracki

Chief Information Officer
Leanne Eames B.A. M.A.

Librarian
Anita M. Hughes R.N.Div1

Assistant Librarian
Julie O'Donnell

Editors Buddha Dhyana Dana Review
Julian Bamford B.A. App. Rec.
Evelin Halls B.A.
Pennie White B.A. Dip. Ed.

Editors Longhair Australia News
Julian Bamford B.A. App. Rec.
Leanne Eames B.A. M.A.
Evelin Halls B.A.
Pennie White B.A. Dip. Ed.

Editor Brooking Street Bugle
Leanne Eames B.A. M.A.

Executive Producer Buddhist Hour Broadcast
Pennie White B.A. Dip. Ed.

Producer Buddhist Hour Broadcast
Pennie White B.A. Dip. Ed.

Assistant Producers Buddhist Hour Broadcast
Julian Bamford B.A. App. Rec.
Peter Boswell C.P.A.
Evelin Halls B.A.
Leanne Eames B.A. M.A.
Lainie Smallwood B.A. Business, B.A. Comm.

Director of Abhidhamma Teachings
Evelin Halls B.A.

Assistants of Abhidhamma Teachings
Leanne Eames B.A.M.A.
Pennie White B.A. Dip.Ed

Manager Enterprise Technology
Evelin Halls B.A.

IT Development Engineer
John Watson Senior CTS Engineer

IT Technical Support
Kamfatt Lin B.Sc (Eng),MCP, CNA, MCSE, MCDBA

5. Keynote Opportunities

Teach English to Korean Nuns in Rowville

If you would like to teach English to two Korean Nuns, Dae Wol Sunim and Sang Hoo Sunim, who have recently come to Australia and are currently staying in Rowville, please contact Chung Suk Lee on 9690-3575, or contact the Nuns' residence directly at 9759-5430. The Nuns are currently residing at 179 Karoo Road, Rowville.

BDDR articles

We need to document the following significant events:

Celebrating Parents Day (someone who attended the event and is happy to write it down)
Buddha Dhamma talks given by Venerable Monks and Nuns at our Centre (persons who attend the events)

We need to document Buddha Dhamma events so that we can continue to upload Buddha Dhamma texts onto the Buddha Dhyana Dana Review.

Evelin is happy to help if you have any questions.

Temple Attendance

Evelin Halls is currently attending the Centre every Monday to Friday during the day time. We thank Evelin for supporting our Temple in this way.

New Food Roster

Instructions from our Chief Deva 20 August 2004:

To prepare a new Food Roster. The new roster is printed and is currently located on the big Dining Hall table.

Our aim is to have dinner ready for Anita and the children EVERY night, and for persons that may come and need to eat and drink.

The Food Roster provides space for Members to insert their names. You can be food supplier and/or cook.

Although at present dinner is the main concern, persons are encouraged to offer breakfast and lunch if they can to help our Teacher Anita and to generate merit, good health and blessings for all beings.

Sumi-e Program 2004

Visiting Master Andre Sollier is teaching the Japanese art of sumi-e at the Chan Academy, 33 Brooking Street, Upwey Vic 3158 Australia.

Commencing Saturday 28 August, he will teach students to paint the traditional methods and styles of this ancient art. Dates are as follows:

4. Saturday 28 August 2004
5. Saturday 25 September 2004
6. Saturday 23 October 2004
7. Saturday 20 November 2004
8. Saturday 11 December 2004

Each Sumi-e class commences at 10.00am and runs until 3.00pm with a one hour break for lunch. Students are welcome to bring food for lunch, and flowers for offering to the Teacher.

Students should arrive at the Centre by 9.30am to be seated in the hall ready for the class to commence at 10.00am.

Student fees are $66 per class (including GST) with all painting materials supplied.

Payments should be made in cash or cheque made payable to Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.

For bookings please telephone Mr Julian Bamford on 0400 267 330 or call the Chan Academy Australia on 03 9754 3334.

Chan Painting Teachings

Melba Nielsen is teaching the basics of Chan Painting to those who wish to learn. Class participants are learning to paint the Four Friends - bamboo, chrysanthemum, plum blossom and the orchid.

Please see Frank Carter for further information if you are interested in learning Chan Painting with Melba Nielsen, or telephone the Chan Academy on (03) 9754-3334.

Thangka Painting Classes

Thangka painting classes are being held at our Centre every Saturday evening, commencing at 7.30 pm. The class currently consists of six participants, and subjects include Green Tara, Vajrasattva and Padmasambhava. Members are enjoying learning the techniques of thangka painting, guided by senior Members and referring to some of our library resources on this subject, as well as the joy and the merit of this activity. Please contact Anita M. Hughes for details on 9754-3334.

6. Appeals and Special Projects

Nutrimetics Shower Gel Fundraiser

Our Nutrimetics fund raiser continues.

A box of six Botanicals Refreshing Shower Gels (Can also be used as bubble bath) comes in six different fragrances--Lime Fresh, Blueberry, Melon and Cucumber, Dewberry, Tangerine and Strawberry--and can be purchased for $30 per box or $5.50 per item.

The Nutrimetics boxes are stored in Suite 4.

Chan Academy 2004 Winter Raffle Drawn

The Chan Academy Winter Raffle was drawn at the Centre by Director Evelin Halls on 17 August 2004.

The first prize of $600 of plants and garden products was won by Terry (ph: 9809 2261) with ticket number 370.

The second prize of $150 of plants was won by Gloria Free (ph: 5457 3287) with ticket number 548.

The total funds raised by this raffle was $1186.

The first prize will be delivered to Terry the week following the raffle draw. An advertisement will be placed in the Age on 21 August announcing the prize winners.

Camberwell Market Stall

Thank you to the Chief God of Wealth and all other Devas and Devatas and Members who help us with the Camberwell Market Stall.

This is an important fundraising and PR activity, attracting prospective buyers with the two white tents, colourful blessing flags, flowers, display of Chan prints and gift cards and well presented array of goods for sale.

Thank you to the Chief God of Wealth and all other Devas and Devatas and Members who help us with the Camberwell Market Stall.

The Camberwell Market Stall held on Sunday 1 August 2004 generated the following returns.

Profit $NIL, Raffle $48, Bangladesh Stand $14.70

The sales team for the day was David Ley, Peter Boswell, Frank Carter and Evelin Halls.

The Camberwell Market Stall held on Sunday 8 August 2004 generated the following returns.

Profit $110.50, Raffle $120, Bangladesh Stand $17.50

The sales team for the day was David Ley, Julian Bamford, Peter Boswell, and Frank Carter.

The Camberwell Market Stall held on Sunday 15 August 2004 generated the following returns.

Profit $NIL, Raffle $158, Bangladesh Stand $17.00

The sales team for the day was David Ley, Julian Bamford, Peter Boswell, and Frank Carter.

Thank you to Julian Bamford and David Ley for the excellent support you give the Camberwell Market Stall each week.

Thank you to the Chief God of Wealth and all other Devas and Devatas and Members who help us with the Camberwell Market Stall.

Storage of Camberwell Market goods

Thank you to our neighbour Mavis, who has kindly provided storage space for our market stall goods.
Would Members and friends please look for another suitable location to store these goods off site. Please contact Frank Carter.

Upwey Shopping Centre Stall

The Chan Academy Australia will hold a regular market stall at Upwey shopping centre.

If any members would like attend, donate craft goods or busk at the stall please advise Lenore. Please pass all those beautiful winter scarves you have been knitting on to Lenore.

Upwey Market Stall goods are stored at 11 Brooking Street, Upwey, Victoria 3158.

7. Current Research and Development Interests

8. Information Technology News

Information Technology Systems Maintenance and Development Plan

Our IT Management Team Operational Plan, 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005, is currently being drafted. The plan will provide a 12 Month Operational Plan for the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005.

New Fax Machine

A Canon L770 plain paper fax machine was donated to the Centre on 5 August by Frank Carter.

The previous fax was having paper jams and will be checked to see if it can be fixed,

The new fax is worth about $150 for our asset register.

LAN PLAN - news

On 6 August 2004 John Watson visited our Centre.

He is happy to continue to help with our LANs and accepted his nomination to be our IT Development Engineer. We would like to thank John for his ongoing support!

Today, three immediate areas to be addressed were identified by John:

1. LAN1

LAN1 has no secure backup. John Watson suggested that move all LAN1 data onto a new server that he can build. John can copy all LAN1 data to the new server (via direct cable connection) and have this data available on all our LAN machines. ISYS would be a suitable retrieval program to instal on LAN2.

If we email John with our request, he will email us back and specify what machine would be suitable as new server.

2. LAN2

LAN2 is working well and has proven to be robust. The only problem is that when we add new email users, they can send and email to "all", but don't receive from "all". John knows how to fix it, it is a specific command line that he has got.

3. Moving of our LANs to the Sariputta Room

This needs a specific plan that includes cabling. Also, John has mentioned that from Windows 2000 onwards, Windows has become more network friendly and some problems that previous Windows versions had don't occur anymore (such as some missing drivers).

John likes to be contacted via email for any requests we may have. Please refer to our internal LAN for his email address.

Crimping a cable

PC14A in the Library is fully configured to run on LAN2. However, due to its damaged LAN cable it cannot connect.

We need someone who knows how to crimp a LAN cable to please replace the damaged cable as we urgently need more LAN machines available for Members to use.

9. Occupational Health and Safety News (OH&S)

Kitchen shelves

As the kitchen shelves have no doors, please take care to cover them when painting or sanding in the Dining Hall to protect their contents.

10. Corporate Governance & Reporting (CGR)

Colour Code: Red
CGR Manager: Pennie White
CGR Vice President: Evelin Halls
CGR Task Unit Members: Julian Bamford, Peter Boswell, Frank Carter, Leanne Eames, Lenore Hamilton, Lisa Nelson, Lainie Smallwood, Anita Hughes, Amber Svensson.

CGR Task Unit Responsibilities: Adhere to legal requirements of corporate affairs; accounts; communicate with Federal, State and Local government departments; organise GST payments; supply Australian Tax Office with Business Activity Statements; provide timely managerial information to ensure profits are made; provide quarterly Profit and Loss Activity Statements; arrange for the audit of accounts at a professional level to meet the Statutory requirements of the Gaming Commission of New South Wales (NSW).; arrange General meetings and maintain statutory minutes for these meetings; monitor and adhere to Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) policy; provide first aid facilities; organise attendants for staffing the Centre; correspondence; schedule events for our Teacher; structure new databases and train persons to maintain them; train personnel to operate CGR functions; refreshment supply; fund and organise Dana for the Sangha visiting the Centre; create goodwill with our neighbours; and with local newspapers to advise the community of upcoming events.

President's Annual Report
For period 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004

Written by Julian Bamford BA, and presented at our Annual General Meeting, held on 7 August, 2004, at 2pm.

Thank you to Our Founder John David Hughes

I will begin this President's Annual Report by saying thank you to our Teacher and Founder the late Master John D. Hughes, for your life's work in establishing a place where the Buddha Dhamma can be taught, preserved, practised and realised.

In the words of our Abbot, Mrs Anita M, Hughes, it is a rare opportunity to meet the conditions to learn the Buddha Dhamma. This opportunity exists at this Temple because of your work this life and in your past lives.

Today's Annual General Meeting is significant in many ways and we join with all Buddha Dhamma practitioners and students in the world and in the heavens to celebrate the founding day of this Temple, a sattadevamanussanam, a Temple for Humans and Gods.

Thank you John D. Hughes.

In August 2003 Master Ru Sun, Abbot of Yun Yang Temple in Narre Warren held a special Dharma Ceremony titled the 'Earth Store Bodhisattva Puja' for the good health and long life blessings for our Teacher, John D. Hughes.

On 29 November 2003 our Teacher and Founder Master John David Hughes passed away after a long illness.

On 6 December 2003, the Funeral Celebration of Master John D. Hughes was held at out Centre. The Funeral Celebration was blessed by many Monks and the funeral service was guided by Master Ru Sun of Yun Yang Temple in Narre Warren and attended by many students and friends of the late John D. Hughes.

Over this past year Members practised Chan in caring for their teacher during his illness and with diligence and persistence they maintained our Buddha Dhamma Centre.

A light for his Buddha Dhamma work titled "A Funeral Celebration of Master John D. Hughes Commemorative Volume of the Funeral Ceremony and Celebration of Master John David Hughes, Born 9 September 1930 Died 29 November 2003 - Well Played Sir Well Played - A Life Well Spent" was lovingly created by his wife Anita and forwarded to bless many friends and organisations in Australia and overseas.

We say thank you with great joy to our Abbot and kalyanamita friend Anita Hughes for her devotion to John, to our Temple that he created and to your love and wish that all living beings may come out of suffering.

May you become fully enlightened for the benefit of all living beings.

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu.

We are committed to implementing and maintaining the projects which our Founder planned for our Centre that it will last as a Buddha Dhamma Temple for five hundred years.

We thank our many Noble benefactors for their compassion and wisdom in helping and providing guide to us in our work for the Buddha Dhamma.

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu

Thank you and well done to all our Members and friends who gave support 24 hours per day for 5 months caring for our Teacher John Hughes during his illness and supporting Anita Hughes through this time, preparing for and conducting the Buddhist Funeral Ceremony for him and the time since.

Thank you all for your Super-ordinary efforts.

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu.

Celebrating Our Peak Events

During the past year our Members have been involved in many meritorious projects lending a helping hand to other Buddha Dhamma organisations, as well as producing publications, reports and information for our websites for our Buddha Dhamma friends around the world.

We attended public talks by visiting Dhamma Teachers including His Holiness Sakya Trizin, Sogyal Rinpoche and Venerable Chan Master Sheng Yen. We participated in the Buddhist Foundation of Victoria's "Health & Healing: The Buddhist Perspective" Symposium 2003 and in 2004 our Members helped with the National Buddhism Conference "Engaging Buddhism" held at Victoria University.

Buddha Dhamma Education and Study Programs

Our Abhidhamma students entered the second of our nine year study program and in 2004 commenced study of How Karma Works from the Asian Classics Institute as taught by Geshe Michael Roach.

Weekly study class of the Diamond Cutter Sutra, also taught by Geshe Michael Roach and downloaded from the Asian Classics Institute at http://www.world-view.org began in 2004.

In 2004 a weekly program of Buddha Dhamma teachings and guided meditation commenced guided by visiting Monks from the Shakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara Sri Lankan Temple in Berwick.

Our Standing Committee on Education of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. and held its first meeting.

One of Members visited the World Buddhist University and World Fellowship of Buddhists in Bangkok Thailand in 2003 for her Masters Thesis on "Information Communication Technology and the World Buddhist University".

In 2004 we commenced a weekly program of Thangka Painting Classes.

Chan Academy

Chan painting classes recommenced at our Chan Academy continuing the practise established by our Founder with visiting Chan Teacher Melba Nielsen (B.A.).

Visiting Sumi-e Master Andre Sollier has been teaching at the Chan Academy for over 15 years and in 2003-2004 taught 7 painting classes with the theme "The Seven Factors of Enlightenment". In 2004 he began a series of classes teaching the traditional techniques and style of Sumi-e.

We are committed to the living preservation of Chan in the world for future generations.

We plan to hold a Chan art exhibition on the occasion of Versak celebrations in 2005.

Commitment to Ongoing Fund-raising Projects

We raised over $9,000 for the year from our weekly stall at the Camberwell.

Flower stalls held on peak celebration days generated in excess of $3339, while raffles raised $4203. We thank the many commercial plant nursery who have donated over $2,500 of plants as prizes for our Chan Academy Australia Raffles.

Collections this year for the Dhammarajika Orphanage in Bangladesh, initiated over 20 years ago by our late Teacher, resulted in $1873 dollars sent from public donations at our weekly market stalls and shopping centre collection boxes.

Our Public Relations Program

We have maintained our Public Relations activities through the year and estimate that we have reached in excess of 5,000 people.

Our PR projects include our Dhamma classes, Chinese New Year visits to our Temple, weekly Buddhist Hour radio broadcasts, fund-raising stalls, attending conferences events, networking with other Temples and organisations and published press releases.

We added a tenth website to our online presence this year creating http://www.edharma.org, a Buddha Dhamma e-learning resource.

Metered site visits for our 10 websites were around 10,000 hits for the year and we estimate in excess of 50,000 visitors since inception of our first website.

Publishing Projects - Online and in Print

We published 22 Issues of The Brooking Street Bugle in print and online including five Special Editions.

Our weekly Buddhist Hour Broadcast on Hillside FM Radio 88.0 entered its sixth year of broadcasting with over 330 scripts uploaded to our website http://www.bdcublessings.net.au

Two Volumes totalling seven issues of the Buddha Dhyana Dana Review have been loaded online.

Work commenced on our third LAN, called PHOTOLAN, which we plan to have in operation before the end of 2004.

We presently have over 3000 photographs online.

Two issues of Longhair Australian News were published during the year and we intend publishing the three issues over 2004 - 2005.

Chopping Wood & Carrying Water - Maintaining Our Centre

In September 2003 Members began work on the constructing of the new private kitchen and dining room under the guidance of our Teacher. Over the following nine months they committed 1,084 hours or 20 hours per week to this peak project.

We relocated the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. administration offices and associated resources into the Sariputta Room.

We have created two important new positions: Assistant LAPAM Manager and Fuel Department Manager as part of our program to develop our Centre's next generation of Managers.

Future Plans and Challenges

Over the next twelve months, as well as completing the new private kitchen and dining hall, our Members will initiate a number of new projects as well as planning for future projects. During the year we will also sending delegates to participate in the next World Fellowship of Buddhist Conference.

Our Key Projects for the year include:

The building of a life-size image of our Founder Master John D. Hughes.

Commencement of construction of the new library building and meditation hall to house the Padmasambhava Image and Altar.

To preserve the John D. Hughes Collection - our Centres Buddha Dhamma materials and resources: books, audio tapes, video tapes, digital mini-disks, teaching, images, thangkas, relics, paintings, photographs, flags etc. according to the Guide to Assessing the Significance of Cultural Heritage Objects and Collections, published by the Heritage Collections Council, 2003.

--To write and implement our IT Systems Management and Maintenance Program.
--To complete the upgrade to our BDCU Database.
--To write and implement our LAPAM Cyclical Maintenance Program.
--To write and implement our OH&S
--To write and implement our Members Orientation Program.
--To write position descriptions and associated competency requirements for each officer bearer position.
--To develop the business case for holding of workshops at our Centre by the Enlightened Business Institute as created by Geshe Michael Roach.
--To increase the promotion of our Centre's new brand name Chan Academy Australia in Australia and internationally launching it officially on 9 September 2004.
--To plan for the start-up and operation of a Private Nursing Home on Buddhist principles for caring for the Aged and Dying in 2005.
--To create and maintain the John D. Hughes Museum at our Centre to provide a record of our Founders Heritage by recording his life, vision and activities.
--To continue the development of the John D. Hughes Private Geology Museum including the cataloguing of all specimens in the collection.
--To continue publishing online the World Fellowship of Buddhists Standing Committee on Women newsletters and reports and maintaining the website.
--To continue development of the http://www.edharma.org website.
--To complete our online catalogue of the John D. Hughes Collection.
--To upload over 2000 digital photographs with captions to our websites, and add captions to photos we currently have on the web.
--To create the Buddha Dhamma Online Exhibition on our e-Dhamma website for WFB Centres for WFB Standing Committee on Publications, Publicity, Education, Arts and Culture.
--To increase our Membership - to attract more Members with more time to take on our activities and projects. We also welcome international Members.
--To launch our online Buddha Dhamma photo library PHOTOLAN in 2004.
--To seek Membership of the World Fellowship of Buddhists Youth (WFBY) an encourage our next generation to participate in WFB activities.
--To establish a Children's Buddha Dhamma program at our Centre.
--To publish three issues of Longhair Australian News.
--To upgrade fire rating of South wall of Library.

Future Projects and Challenges:

--To publish a history of our Centre.
--To publish a new biography of our Founder called "Celebration of Buddha Dhamma Work - John D. Hughes 1955 to 2003" to contain the contributions of John D. Hughes, Founder of Buddhist Discussion Centre.
--To publish a history of Buddha Dhamma in Australia.
--To become more active in helping the World Fellowship of Buddhists.
--To set up a Standing Committee on Women at our Centre.
--To write executive summary's of each publication in our Library and publish these online.
--To establish an internet radio service - we have 340 one hour Buddha Dhamma radio broadcast available to go online.
--To establish a television station to broadcast Buddha Dhamma teachings. Our first step will be to investigate the possibility of running a Buddha Dhamma segment on community TV Channel 31.
--To establish an Accommodation and Conference Centre for visiting Venerable Monks, Nuns and visiting Teachers to provide teachings.
--To establish a Retreat Centre at Philip Island, Victoria.

General meetings held last Friday of each Month

The next monthly General Meeting will be held on Friday, August 27, 2004 at 8.00pm. All Members are encouraged to attend.

11. International Dhamma Activities (IDA)

IDA Colour Code: Yellow
IDA Manager: Evelin Halls
IDA Vice-President: Pennie White
IDA Task Unit Members: Anita M. Hughes, Julian Bamford, Peter Boswell, Helen Costas, Leanne Eames, Leila Igracki, Julie O'Donnell, David Ley, Lainie Smallwood, Kamfatt Lin, Amber Svensson, Paul Tyrrell.

IDA Task Unit Responsibilities:

To maintain WFB liaison; to maintain WBU liaison; to arrange Abhidhamma Teachings; chanting, pujas, translations; to maintain and preserve the John D. Hughes Collection; to organise audio and video recordings of teachings and events; to develop and maintain the Centre's IT systems, data warehouse, LAN and web sites; to train Members to become Webmasters; to develop e-commerce; to produce, edit, publish and distribute the BDDR and BSB, to write and broadcast "Buddhist Hour" radio scripts; to organise and teach Chan classes.

Update on our website work

Our Special Edition of the BDDR Online, Vol. 14 No. 4, that carries our Annual Reports and photos from the day of the AGM has been complete by Evelin.

The BDDR Volume 14 No. 3 is near completion. What we would like is something written about our "Celebrating Parents Day" and include photos. Please see Evelin if you can help.

Our new company structure has been updated on the bdcu.org website by Evelin shortly.

CDs with web ready photos are on the big wooden table in the Sariputta Room. Thank you to Lisa for helping to prepare photos!

Webmasters are needed to help us to upload more photos with text. We have over 2000!

All Members please help us to write articles about Dhamma activities that we can use for the BDDR. If you are worried about grammar or spelling, write anyway and you can give the text to one of our editors at the Centre who are happy to help.

If you come across any material that could be BDDR material, please give it to our webmasters.

Thank you to all who have helped with our websites and please continue to help.

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu

12. Local Area Planning & Asset Management (LAPAM)

Colour Code: Green
LAPAM Manager: Frank Carter
LAPAM Vice President: Frank Carter
LAPAM Task Unit Members: Julian Bamford, Peter Boswell, Frank Carter, Brendan Hall, Evelin Halls, Lenore Hamilton, David Igracki, David Ley, Brent Kerr, Lisa Nelson, Amber Svensson.

LAPAM Task Unit Responsibilities: To maintain and develop the buildings and gardens of the Centre; to undertake new construction works; to refurbish the Centre buildings; and to look after equipment and supplies.

Handmade Tibetan Dhamma Gifts Arrive

On Friday, 6 August, Paul Tyrrell presented to Anita Hughes a package of 9 handmade Tibetan Dhamma Gifts made by Janchup Wangmo and her father Wanchuk who lived in McLeod Ganj in Northern India.

The gifts were made for our Centre as a thankyou to Paul Tyrrell for his kind help in supporting Janchup and family through sponsorship over the past two years. Janchup is studying computer and English.

Janchup's father is a tailor by trade who specialised in making costumes for the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in both India and Tibet for many years. Wanchup now works from home and makes handmade items for several local tourist shops.

Paul first met Janchup in 2002 while visiting Dharamsala and assisting in teaching English classes. Paul lived in Dharamsala for 6 months from October 2001 and again for six months in 2002- 2003.

Paul assisted in teaching English to Monks and kitchen staff at the Zilnon Kagurling Nyingmapa Monastery.

The gifts received are:

Dhamma book covers: 3 x A4 size, 3 x paperback book size.
Shoulder Bags x 2: 1 maroon and gold, 1 tradional Tibetan design.
Wall hanging with note pockets x 2: traditional Tibetan style design.
Seven Auspicious Signs Thangka x 1.

13. Members' News

Pennie White has nearly completed her Masters Thesis on the "Use of Information and Communication Technology by the World Buddhist University". Pennie would like to thank all the Members for their support during the last few months.

We congratulate Pennie on her scholarship.

14. Funds Appeal

Donations

Donations may be sent to:

The Secretary, Chan Academy Australia,
Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.,
33 Brooking Street, Upwey, Victoria, 3158.

Please state your name/organisation, address and indicate whether or not you require a receipt.

Please make all cheques payable to "Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd."

Thank you for your kind contribution.

The gift of Dhamma excels all others.

May you be Well and Happy.

Gifts are not tax deductible.

15. Photographs

Photographs will be uploaded at a later date.

16. Transferring of Merit

We regularly transfer merit to the Mahasangha and local deities. They help us on all our projects.

We offer blessed water and food to the deities at the NAT House.