The Brooking Street Bugle

Issue No. 117 (New Series)
ISSN 1321 - 1463

Publication Date: 23 November, 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

Katthina Ceremony at the Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara (Temple)

The Katthina (Robe) Offering Ceremony for the Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara (Temple) was held on Sunday 31 October. The Vihara is located in Homestead Road, Berwick.

The Katthina ceremony was blessed by participation of twelve members of the Sangha from the Sri Lankan and Burmese traditions.

The celebration began at approximately 9.15am with a walking procession by families and friends of the Vihara many of whom were dressed in traditional white. The procession commenced at the old butter factory and travelled along Homestead Road for approximately one kilometre to the Temple.

Many of the children were dressed in costume with some carrying traditional Sri Lankan parade decorations. Two children paraded in elephant costumes to represent the annual parade held in Sri Lanka, during which time the Buddha's tooth relic is carried by one of the elephants.

The cloth for offering to the Sangha for the Robe was carried on a polished metal tray by many persons who would take turns in carrying the offering of robe material. The robe was protected by a material palaquin held above the robe on four poles each held by four carriers.

The Katthina Ceremony began at approximately 11.00am with chanting and then offering of dana to the Sangha.

Offering of the robe material to the Sangha was followed by offering of gifts by devotees.

The ceremony involved chanting of blessings by the Sangha.
Following completion of the offering of food dana, deveotees were invited to eat the blessed food together in the garden.

The sewing of the robe by devotees began quickly following the ceremony. Once completed in the afternoon the robe was offered to the sangha and a selected monk in a special ceremony.

In attendance from our Centre were our President Mr Julian Bamford and Vice President Fundraising Mr David Ley. Flowers and Dhamma dana including the Buddha Dhyana Dana Review were offered to the Abbot of the Temple Venerable Vimalananda on behalf of our Abbot Mrs Anita Hughes, our Directors and Members.

Photographs of the Katthina ceremony and celebration will be loaded to our website at www.bddronline.net.au.

Weekly Theravada Teachings on Monday Evenings

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

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

3. Coming Events

Chinese Medicine Classes with Dr. Jane Zhang

We are delighted to announce that Dr. Jane Zhang is teaching Chinese medicine at our Centre. The first class was held on Sunday 21 November 6.00pm, beginning with dinner and informal questions and answers. Please contact the Centre on 9754 3334 for details of the next class.

The URL for Jane's website is:

www.bdcu.org.au/buddhistdoctor.html

We are most grateful to Dr. Jane.

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 "Mahamudra" 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 who wish to do so will do an Abhidharma Exam during our December Bhavana Class on Tuesday evening 28 December 2004.

The Exam will be on "How Karma Works", Level 1 on Abhidharma (Higher Knowledge), as prepared by Geshe Michael Roach.

We are currently in revision mode.

We will proceed to Abhidharma Level 2 titled "Death and the Realms of Existence" starting the first Tuesday evening in January 2005.

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 to continue to provide our Temple for future students so that they can learn the Buddha Dhamma for at least the next 500 years.

Tibetan Medicine Tour 2004-2005

The Dzogchen Community of Namgyalgar, in collaboration with the Medical Department of the Shang Shung Institute in Merigar, is pleased to announce the next visit of Dr. Nida Chenagtsang to Australian and Singapore between December 2004 and February 2005. Dr. Nida will be conducting a range of courses on Tibetan medicine, including Mantra Healing as well as Dream Analysis. For inquiries and registration, contact Dammika Mills on 07 4055 3677, or email at: taracitta@iig.com.au.

White Tara Meditation Retreat with Lama Choedak Rinpoche

The Annual White Tara Meditation Retreat with Lama Choedak Rinpoche will be held in Canberra from 25-30 January 2005.

White Tara represents the feminine energy of the Buddhas. She is said to have originated from the tears of the deity Avalokiteshvara, when he wept about the extent and intensity of the suffering experienced by all beings. Students who receive the empowerment and undertake the practice of White Tara will increase their spiritual vitality, intensify their capacity for compassion, and overcome fears including the fear of death.

For information, call the Tibetan Buddhist Society of 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.

Dekhung Gyaltsey Rinpoche Australian Tour, 2005 ­ Mahamudra Retreat

Recognized by His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, Venerable Dekhung Gyaltsey Rinpoche is a senior teacher of the Karma Kagyu Tradition and is well acquainted with all the Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Rinpoche has studied and practiced Tibetan medicine and Chinese acupuncture and is a highly respected healer. He is tireless in his dedication and commitment to benefit others. This will be Rinpoche's 4th visit to Australia where his relaxed and very approachable style has endeared him to many.

Venerable Dekhung Gyaltsey Rinpoche will lead a 10-day Mahamudra retreat at Karuna Sanctuary, a peaceful, beautiful bush setting in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. Short walks lead to cliff tops overlooking the valley and nearby waterfalls.

Rinpoche will transmit the "Moonbeams of Mahamudra" text, one of the main meditation manuals used by Kagyu masters over centuries to guide them through the simple yet subtle and often misunderstood path of Mahamudra. His Holiness the 16th Karmapa selected this text to be translated and taught to western practitioners.

The course will be in retreat format, with periods of silence, two teachings per day, group meditations, private interviews with Rinpoche and time for relaxation and/or personal study or practice.

Cost: Full 10 day retreat $850 (accommodation, meals and teaching)
Daily rate $110 (accommodation, meals and teaching)
Teachings only $50 per day (no meals)
Concessions available

For further details, contact Ame Tan on 0418-442143 or email at: ametan@pnc.com.au

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.

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

President
Julian Bamford B.A. App. Rec.

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.
Fundraising
David Ley

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

Chan Academy 2004 Spring Raffle

The Chan Academy 2004 Spring Raffle was drawn on 16 November 2004 by Celestina Guiliano.

The winner of the first prize $600 Christmas Hamper was Noel, with Ticket Number 0289.

The winner of the second prize of 2 free classes in Sumi-e or Chan painting was Anne, with ticket number 0365.

We thank Members for contributing goods towards the $600 Hamper and to those Members who sold tickets over the three months of the raffle.

Frank Carter contacted the winners on 17 November.

The total number of tickets sold was exactly 900, raising $1800 profit for our Temple. This is the most profit we have made from a raffle so far.

The next raffle will commence on 21 November 2004 and be called the Chan Academy 2004 Summer Raffle. The first prize will be $500 of plants and the second prize 2 free classes in Sum-ie or Chan painting.

Please help make this raffle our best ever.

Temple Attendance

Evelin Halls has now gained employment from Mondays to Fridays, and will no longer be at the Centre on weekdays during the daytime. We thank Evelin for supporting our Temple in this way, and encourage other Members to fill in their names for regular time slots to person the Temple.

Please write your name into the roster book and help to encourage others to do the same. The roster book is located near the telephone in the entrance.

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.

He is currently teaching students to paint the traditional methods and styles of this ancient art. The date for the last class for the year is:

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 contact the Centre on 9754-3334 for details of the next class.

Thangka Painting Classes

Thangka painting classes are being held at our Centre every Saturday evening, commencing from 7.30 pm. 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

Life Story of Master Andre Sollier

Over the past few months, Master Andre Sollier has detailed the story of his life in private meetings at his home and Satsuma Dojo in Mitcham, Victoria.

This special project was intitiated by a request in response to which Master Sollier kindly gave his permission for us to write the story of his life, including memories of his time with John D. Hughes and the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.

In his autobiography, Master Sollier talks about his childhood in France during the years of the second world war, his work as an illustrator and painter in Denmark and Sweden, travels to the East and his years in Japan.

He tells of his years in Japan during which he studied Sumi-e, Karate, Archery and Ikebana, and of his move to Australia where he met our late Teacher John D. Hughes, teaching Sumi-e at the Chan Academy Australia for almost two decades.

The final draft of Master Andre Sollier's life story is at the editing stage. Leanne Eames is currently assisting with editing and writing of the draft. When completed the life story will be published with photographs in our online journal the Buddha Dhyana Dana Review at www.bddronline.net.au

Knox Interfaith Group

Phil from the Knox Interfaith Group has requested we send two representatives to give a Buddha Dhamma discourse, Monday 6 December 2004 at 7.30pm. Phil's contact number is 9887 0619.

We can use slides, handouts if we like.

May all beings realise Buddha Dhamma.

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.

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 our two white tents and colourful blessing flags. Goods for sale include Chan prints, gift cards, plants and secondhand goods.

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 31 October 2004 generated the following returns.

Profit $150.21, Raffle $66, Bangladesh Stand $12.50

The sales team for the day was Julian Bamford, David Ley, Xiou Yen, Julie O'Donnell and Frank Carter.

The Camberwell Market Stall held on Sunday 21 November October 2004 generated the following returns.

Profit $119.25, Raffle $51, Bangladesh Stand $20.55

The sales team for the day was David Ley, Xiou Yen, Melba Nielsen and Frank Carter.

Next week the market stall will be at site number 108.

Temporary Camberwell Market Stall Site Change

The Camberwell Market Stall site will change for three weeks in the next month.

On Sunday 14 November 2004 the stall will be located at site 30 at the top end of the market. The stall will be located at a different site for the weekend 21 November.

Details of the other site locations will be sent via email next week.

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.

7. Current Research and Development Interests

8. Information Technology News

Computer Upgrades

During the months October and November 2004 most of the computers at the Centre are being upgraded and loaded with Windows 98 operating system.

PC1A and PC7A were upgraded on Saturday 7 November and PC16A was connected to our LAN 2.

Computers PC4, PC13A and our LAN server are still to be upgraded.

PC4 will be upgraded in about 2 weeks and the LAN 2 server will be done soon after by John Watson.

The work to be done on the LAN is that John will add a third computer in the LAN cabinet. This computer will hold the LAN 1 hard drive and be accessable on our PC's as a new drive (additional to the I:/).

A CD storage rack has now been fitted in the walk in wardrobe with shelf size suitable for CD's and cassettes. Archive CD's from our digitization project will be stored there and other CD's can be kept there as well.

We thank Vladimir who has done most of the upgrade work on our computers as a volunteer.

PC1A Software Loaded

PC1A

1. Today our Access database has been loaded and is fully operational. Just click on the Access desktop icon to open database.

2. Word is loaded. Shortcut is on desktop.

3. The VET version 10.59 has been installed.

PC13A Upgrade

The upgrade of our fleet of PC's continues this week with Vladimir preparing two more new PC's for installation at the Centre next week.

One of these will be for Abbott Anita Hughes' personal use.

This machine will be connected to LAN2 and will have all the original files from John D. Hughes' PC10. It will be a Pentium 11 400 Mhz computer with 128 MB RAM and an 8 GB Hard disc and CD Rom.

The second computer will be installed as PC13A in the Chan Hall. This machine will be set up for burning CD Roms and will have a 30 GB Hard disc onto which Paul Tyrrell and Frank Carter will load the digitised Teachings of our Teacher John D. Hughes.

Members will be able to bring their own blank CD's, scan through a menu of many Teachings given by John D. Hughes and other Teachers, then burn ones they wish to listen to themselves, or wish to burn to give as offerings to others.

It is possible that eventually the full collection of John D. Hughes' Teachings will be available for Members to browse through and copy on PC13A.

Many of these Teachings will also be available to download from the Internet.

This will enable us to transcribe the spoken Teachings so that they can be placed on the LAN and searched using ISYS. Members can do this transcribing from their PC's at home if they wish.

We thank Vladimir for his generous help in installing these new PC's.

LAN1 Access

The LAN 1 file system will soon be viewable and usable from the PC's connected to LAN 2.

LAN 1 will appear on these computers as another drive. Similar to selecting the I:/ to view LAN 2 files Members will select the new drive to view LAN 1.

PC13A will then be connected to LAN 2 and the original LAN 1 Fileserver will be shutdown.

Frank Carter delivered the new computer which will be used for the LAN 1 file system to John Watson for preparation. It should be installed in the next 2 weeks.

Thank you to John Watson for your generous help in setting up our LAN.

We will then be able to create full backups of both LAN 1 and LAN 2 by burning a copy of each hard drive to CD Rom.

LAN2 Access

The full LAN 2 file System was backed up to CD Rom on 21 November 2004 by Frank Carter.

2 CD Rom copies were made of LAN 2 which are now stored in the Walk in wardrobe CD storage racks.

A backup copy of LAN 1 will be done during the next 2 weeks.

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

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 monthly 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.

General meetings held last Friday of each Month

The next General Meeting will be held on Friday November 26, 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, Amber Svensson, Paul Tyrrell, Celestina Guiliano.

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.

Visit to Centre by Vice Rector for Administration of the WBU

Mr. Anurut Vongvanij, Vice Rector for Administration WBU, President of WFB Youth and the Young Buddhists Association, together with his wife and 9-year-old son, were picked up at the airport on 22 November, 2004, by Members Peter Boswell and Pennie White.

Mr. Anurut and his family were invited for a dinner at our Centre on the evening of 17 November.

On Friday 19 November, Pennie escorted Mr. Anurut and his family on some sightseeing activities.

Member Peter Boswell to attend Second World Buddhist Summit

Member Peter Boswell will depart on Friday 26 November for Nepal, to attend the Second World Buddhist Summit at Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, entitled "A Symbol of Unity in Diversity ­ The Foundation of World Peace" to be held 30 November to 2 December, 2004.

Peter will present a paper at the Summit.

He will spend a day in Bangkok on his way home.

We wish Peter a safe trip.

JDH Collection Audio Tape Digitisation Project

The final stages of implementation of the John D. Hughes Collection Audio Digitisation Project are being completed by Paul Tyrrell and Frank Carter.

The remaining work to be done is :

1. Final testing, selection and purchasing of the appropriate CD's for the Archive CD's, the backup Offsite Storage CD's and the Access Copy Cd's is being done.

Members who wish to contribute money towards the purchase of the blank CD-R discs please see Frank or Paul.

2. Completion of the Operators Speed Learning Manual so that Members can be trained in the digitization and CD duplication process.

3. A "thank you" letter to Screensound Australia for the assistance and expertise provided for this project.

4. Documentation of the digitization project in a form which can be used by other Buddhist organisations to preserve their own precious collections of audio taped Dharma Teachings.

5. Publication of these instructions on the Internet for other Buddhist Groups to be able to access, possibly including a copy to Buddhanet.

Hard copies can also be produced to offer to Members of other Buddhist Temples.

Donation of CD-R's for the JDH Collection Digitisation Project

On Thursday 18 November 2004 Leanne Eames donated 450 Ritek CD-R and slim plastic cases to the John D. Hughes Audio Tape Digitisation Project.

The Ritek CD-R are a special type used for archiving which have 100 years life.

One of the uses of these CD's will be as an offsite backup copy of the JDH Teachings for storage at number 11 Brooking Street.

If anything did happen in the future to the archive copies at the Centre we would have these CD's as our backup.

Thank you Leanne for this offering which helps us ensure John's spoken Dhamma Teachings are preserved.

Any Members who wish to contribute to this project please see Paul Tyrrell or Frank Carter.

Articles for the BDDR

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.

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, Evelin Halls, 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.

New Studio and Bedrooms

Our Landlord Anita Hughes informs us that the building of the new Studio and Bedrooms (Suite 14) will commence not later than January 2005.

The building plans as prepared by David Ley and Helen and George Costas will be printed and brought up to the Centre by Helen this Friday.

Anita will apply for a planning permit in the near future.

Ground preparation for the new building will start in the New Year.

13. Members' News

Attendance at Second World Buddhist Summit

Member Peter Boswell will depart on Friday 26 November for Nepal, to attend the Second World Buddhist Summit at Lumbini. Please refer to the section of this newsletter, entitled International Dhamma Activities, for details.

14. Funds Appeal

Donations

Donations may be sent to:

The Secretary,
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.