The Brooking Street Bugle

Issue No. 119 (New Series)
ISSN 1321 - 1463

Publication Date: 30 January, 2005

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

Weekly Theravada Teachings on Monday Evenings

Venerable Vimalananda and Venerable Upatissa from the Sakyamuni Buddha Vihara in Berwick continue 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

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.

Our current Abhidhamma studies are based on "The Essence of Buddha Abhidhamma" by Dr. Mehm Tin Mon. 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.

Life Skills Workshop for Youth

The first life skills workshop for youth was held at the Centre on Saturday 29 January, 2005.

Seven participants aged from 12 to 18 discussed the aims of the group, and held discussions based on materials on "The Ten Rules for Being Human", expressing your emotions, the "Awareness Wheel" and letting go. Participants identified fear as the major obstacle to their personal progress.

The next workshop will be held at 1pm on Saturday February 19.

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.

Sogyal Rinpoche's Melbourne Visit

Sogyal Rinpoche, author of "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying", will give a public talk at the Dallas Brooks Centre, 300 Albert St., East Melbourne, on Friday evening, February 6, 2005, at 7.30.

According to the flyer for the event, "At each public talk, Rinpoche offers teachings that are practical and directly personal. In one evening he gives a complete teaching that conveys the essence of the living wisdom tradition of Tibet.

Tickets are $25 or $25 concession, and can be booked though Ticketek on 132 849 or purchased at the door. The doors and bookshop open at 6pm, and attendees are requested to be seated by 7.15pm.

To receive the complete teaching, please be flexible with your time at the end of the day.

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 current visit of Dr. Nida Chenagtsang to Australia 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.

Please refer to the white folder labelled "Coming Events at Other Centres" for further details about these 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.

Directors of the Centre
Anita M. Hughes, RN Div 1
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

Joint Treasurers
Peter Boswell CPA and David Igracki

Financial Controller
Peter Boswell CPA

Assistant Treasurer
Frank Carter B.Ec.

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, Architect (UK), BBlgs
Assistant Manager, Local Area Planning & Asset Management
Paul Tyrrell
Joint Managers, Occupation Health & Safety
Anita Hughes R.N. Div1
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
Evelin Halls B.A.
Pennie White B.A. Dip. Ed.
Assistant Editor Buddha Dhyana Dana Review
Julian Bamford B.A. App. Rec.

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
Julian Bamford B.A. App. Rec.

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

Assistant Producers Buddhist Hour Broadcast
Julian Bamford B.A. App. Rec.
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

Sumi-e Program 2005

Dates for sumi-e classes for 2005 with Master Andre Sollier are:

19 February, 19 March, 22 April, 21 May, 18 June, 16 August, 17 September, 15 October, 19 November, 10 December

Each sumi-e class commences at 10am and runs until 3pm 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 10am.

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.

New Webmasters in Training

We have two new webmasters in training, Travis Heenan and Alec Sloman. On 16 January Evelin started to teach Travis how to upload the weekly radio script and archive.

Alec will be trained how to upload audio files onto our website, as well as other files.

Thank you to Travis and Alec who are happy to learn and help with our websites to make the Buddha Dhamma available for many beings.

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.

The 2005 Chan Program is uploaded on our website www.bdcu.org.au. You can find it by clicking on the link "2005 Chan Painting Program" on the home page.

Thangka Painting Classes

Thangka painting classes are held at our Centre every second 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.

The next class will be held on January 30, 2005. Please contact Anita M. Hughes for details on 9754-3334.

Christmas Day 2004 Flower Stall

Thank you to Members and Devas who helped on our Christmas Day 2004 Flower Stall.

$1070 profit was raised for the Centre through selling 147 bunches of posies, roses and carnations. This was an excellent result, exceeding our profit goal for the stall of $850.

Next year we would like to run two stalls open from 8.00 am until 1.30pm to focus our efforts on the most profitable time of the day.

We could expect to make $1600 profit provided the weather is suitable.

Please let Frank know of any suitable locations for roadside stalls you may spot when driving in the City of Whitehorse.

Five Precepts - Pancasila

The following is taken from the article "The Five Precepts ­ Panca Sila" by Maha Upasaka U Nu, published in "The Young Buddhist 1982", the annual journal of the Singapore Buddha-Yana Organisation (SBYO) and reproduced in the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Newsletter No. 14, May 1984.

"The beneficial results of refraining from taking another beings life:"

The Person who vigilantly and steadfastly observes the Precept of refraining from taking another being's life reaches the world of Devas on his (or her) death. When he (or she) expires in the world of Devas, and is reborn in the world of human beings, he is endowed with the following qualities.

1.having no physical defects or deformities:
2.being proportionate in physical stature and form;
3.being swift in movement;
4.having well proportioned feet;
5.having a pleasant figure;
6.gentleness;
7.cleanliness;
8.courage;
9.strength;
10.ability to speak well and smoothly;
11.being the object of affection and regard by others;
12.having a united following;
13.not having a rough brutal body;
14.being free from harm at the hands of others;
15.not being subject to death by others' weapons;
16.having a large retinue;
17.having a beautiful golden complexion;
18.having a handsome appearance;
19.being free from disease and illness;
20.being free from anxiety and grief;
21.being able to associate with loved ones always; and
22.being long-lived.

Panatipata

"The bad results of taking another being's life": The person who takes another being's life will be reborn in one of the four lower planes of existence on his (or her) death. If he (or she) should later be reborn in the human world, after suffering in those lower planes, he (or she) will have a short life, and may even die soon after birth.

Adinnadana Veramani

The following is taken from the article "The Five Precepts ­ Panca Sila" by Maha Upasaka U Nu, published in "The Young Buddhist 1982", the annual journal of the Singapore Buddha-Yana Organisation (SBYO) and reproduced in the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Newsletter No. 16, February 1985.

"The beneficial results of refraining from taking another person's property:" The person who vigilantly and steadfastly observes the precept of refraining from taking another person's property reaches the world of Devas on his (or her) death. When he (or she) expires in the world of Devas, and is reborn in the world of human beings, he (or she) is endowed with the following qualities:

1.having great possessions;
2.having untold wealth and riches;
3.having wealth that does not deteriorate;
4.being able to obtain quickly any possessions desired;
5.having riches that cannot be taken away or destroyed by inimical elements;
6.having noble wealth and position;
7.being chief or leader everywhere;
8.not experiencing any lack or unavailability of anything;
9.having a peaceful, unperturbed life.

Kamesu Micchacara

The following is taken from the article "The Five Precepts ­ Panca Sila" by Maha Upasaka U Nu, published in "The Young Buddhist 1982", the annual journal of the Singapore Buddha-Yana Organisation (SBYO) and reproduced in the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Newsletter No. 12, September 1983.

"The beneficial results of refraining from committing adultery, or from carnally knowing maidens still under guardianship": The person who vigilantly and steadfastly observes this Kamesu micchacara Precept reaches the world of Devas on his (or her) death. When he expires in the world of Devas, and is reborn in the world of human beings, he (or she) is endowed with the following qualities:

1.having no enemies;
2.being the object of affection and regard by all others;
3.being able to obtain food, beverages, clothes and ornaments readily;
4.being able to sleep well and peacefully;
5.being able to wake up in peace and comfort;
6.being from from falling into the four lower planes;
7.being free from the state of a eunuch;
8.being free from gusts of hot anger;
9.being given to fair and just actions;
10.having a fresh and happy face;
11.being able to enjoy comfort and well-being;
12.being free from physical defects and deformities;
13.having a sound and healthy appearance;
14.not being assailed by doubts and suspicions;
15.having no anxiety or worry;
16.being able to live in calm happiness;
17.having no dangers, or threats, or harm;
18.being able to associate with loved ones.

Kamesu Micchacara

"The bad results of committing adultery or carnally knowing maidens still under guardianship:" The person who breaks this Precept of Kamesu Micchacara, may on his (or her) death, reach one of the Four lower planes of existence, and after that, if he (or she) should be reborn in the human world, he (or she) is liable to have many enemies, so that all who meet him regard him with hostility.

Musavada Veramani

The following is taken from the article "The Five Precepts ­ Panca Sila" by Maha Upasaka U Nu, published in "The Young Buddhist 1982", the annual journal of the Singapore Buddha-Yana Organisation (SBYO) and reproduced in the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Newsletter No. 13, December 1983.

"The beneficial results of refraining from speaking falsehood:" The person who vigilantly and steadfastly observes this Musavada Precept reaches the world of Devas on his (or her) death. When he (or she) expires in the world of Devas, and is reborn in the world of human beings, he or she is endowed with the following qualities:

1.having an open-hearted and radiant appearance;
2.having sweet and faultless speech;
3.having even and white teeth;
4.being not too fat;
5.being not too thin;
6.being not too short;
7.being not too tall;
8.having a body that is pleasant to the touch;
9.having a fragrant mouth like the sweet smell of a lotus;
10.being listened to with regard and esteem by others;
11.having a significant and impressive way of expression;
12.having a soft, thin, red tongue like a lotus petal;
13.being free from disappointment of failure;
14.being free from shocks and alarms.

Musavada

"The bad result of speaking false-hood:" The person who utters false-hood is extremely likely, on his (or her) deathbed, to reach the four lower planes of existence, and after that, if he (or she) should be reborn in the human world, he (or she) will be subjected to unjust allegations and may be held responsible for others misdeeds.

Surameraya Majjapamadatthana Veramani

The following is taken from the article "The Five Precepts ­ Panca Sila" by Maha Upasaka U Nu, published in "The Young Buddhist 1982", the annual journal of the Singapore Buddha-Yana Organisation (SBYO) and reproduced in the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Newsletter No. 11, May 1983.

"The beneficial results of refraining from taking intoxicants:" The person who vigilantly and steadfastly observes this Surameraya Precept reaches the world of devas on his (or her) death. When he (or she) expires in the world of Devas, and is reborn in the world of human beings, he (or she) is endowed with the following qualities:

1.being mindful of anything that is to be done at a given time;
2.being endowed with intelligence and intellectual power;
3.being always alert at all times;
4.having initiative and enterprise to meet all contingencies;
5.being industrious;
6.being free from deafness and dumbness;
7.being free from madness;
8.being free from shocks and alarms;
9.being free from oppression or restriction;
10.being free from a hateful attitude toward others;
11.being free from grudge and envy;
12.having always truthful speech;
13.being free from rough and futile speech and from back-biting;
14.being aware of the gratitude owed to others;
15.being able to make return for the favours of others;
16.being generous and charitable;
17.having Moral Practice;
18.being fair and just;
19.not being given to anger;
20.having a sense of decency and a dread of evil;
21.having true belief;
22.being in a noble or worthy state of life;
23.being wise;
24.having discretion and judgement as to advantages of any situation or question.

"The bad results of taking intoxicants:" The person who takes intoxicants is extremely likely, on his (or her) death, to reach one of the four lower planes of existence, and after that, if he (or she) should be reborn in the human world, he (or she) is liable to suffer from madness, or psychopathic complaints, or he (or she) may be a deaf and dumb person.

Decorate Your Homes for Vesak 2005

The following email was received recently, and we would like to share its contents with our readers:

Dear Friends/Venerables,

Decorate Your Homes for Vesak 2005

Vesak is the most important event of the year for all Buddhists around the world. For Vesak people build lanterns and hang lines of lights and lamps in and around their homes. Sadly, the situation in Australia is quite contrary to this and at most Vesak decorations are only visible in temples during this important time.

During the Christmas season, Buddhist children take part in decorating their homes according to Christian traditions, but they do not decorate their homes during Vesak. Given this situation our children will never get a true understanding of the meaning behind Vesak. If parents took part and encouraged their children to get involved in decorating their homes as they do during Christmas, the children would begin to understand the value of Vesak, and this would also pave the way for them to better understand Buddhist principles.

The coming New Year brings a great opportunity for the Buddhist community in Australia, and we ask that all Buddhists decorate their homes for Vesak with lights, lamps and Vesak lanterns, especially with decorating lights becoming half-priced straight after Christmas. This will allow everyone, including non-Buddhists, to participate and enjoy Vesak celebrations. Happy Vesak!

Ven Bhikku Wimalananda
Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara
Homestead Road, Berwick.

6. Appeals and Special Projects

Religious Youth Group visits our centre for working bee

On Sunday 23 January over 40 young volunteers and team leaders from the Religious Youth Service attended our centre for a working bee.

The Religious Youth Service (RYS) works for world peace through inter religious action. It was founded at The Assembly of the World's religions in 1985, as a call for religious leaders to unite and demonstrate the beauty, power and effectiveness of selfless service to those in need.

The young volunteers who attended our Centre as part of a RYS camp were from Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, Solomon Islands and France.

Our member Travis Heenan also participated on the Religious Youth Camp. The site of local RYS camp is located in Bartley Rd Belgrave South. Thank you to Travis for his work in enabling and helping to co-ordinate the group's visit to our temple

The visit to our centre was part of their program of learning about different religions by volunteering their time to help the various religious organisations.

The working-bee began at about 8.00am with the arrival of the first group.

Meeting in our village square our President Julian Bamford welcomed the volunteers and providing them with an overview of our Centre, its history, and the great blessing they give us in coming to help.

The volunteers were then briefed by our Vice President of LAPAM (Local Area Planning and Maintenance) Frank Carter on the projects we had planned for them and allocating of the tasks.

The group divided into three teams, each member choosing the task they wanted to work on. The tasks were:

1. Painting - Team One: painting the second external coat on the new kitchen dining hall.

2. Painting - Team Two: painting the decking of the Golden Pavilion with timber protective decking oil.

3. Fire Risk Reduction: weeding and removing leaves and wandering dew from the garden.

4. Wood Store: sorting and restacking of building materials.

5. Gardening: Removal of weeds and prunings (two loads of garden waste were carted to the tip by our members).

More RYS members arrived later in the morning and a third group arrived in the early afternoon.

The volunteers and their team leaders worked together and with our members, Frank Carter, David Igracki, Julian Bamford, Celestina Giuliano. two loads of garden waste were removed to the load tip.

Refreshments and lunch were prepared by Julie O'Donnell, Anita Hughes, Xiao Yen, David Ley.

At the conclusion of lunch in the garden, the visit was completed with a talk about the Buddha Sakyamuni from his time as a prince and how he came to become a Buddha. Anita then presented Bodhi leaves for each volunteer and team leader.

Following group photographs on the Golden Pavilion in front of the Buddha Rupa, the volunteers gathered in small groups to reflect on their time at our Centre.

We thank them all for their generosity of time and energy and the harmony and willingness they practised in helping others. We thank them all for the selfless work they did in completing all the painting of the buildings and work in the garden as planned.

We wish them all well and welcome them all to visit again and again.

May they be well and happy.

APPEAL - LET US HELP TSUNAMI VICTIMS IN SRI LANKA

Dear Friends,

LET US HELP TSUNAMI VICTIMS IN SRI LANKA

To help and relief those who are in grief is a thought of Bodhisattvas. We have now got an opportunity to practise this good thought and earn more merits for our future happiness.

The most devastated and helpless people in Sri Lanka are seeking help from others. They have lost their parents, children, relatives and their beloved. Their entire livelihood is destroyed by the TSUNAMI impact. Please open your generous heart and give these people a hand in their struggle for survival. For immediate relief we are sending money to our main temple in Colombo to distribute food and medications among those poor people. You can send your donation to :

Buddhist Vihara Victoria Inc,
125, Homestead Road,
Berwick, Vic. 3806,

OR deposit in our account.:

SAKYAMUNI SAMBUDDHA VIHARA TSUNAMI RELIEF FUND,
BANK: WESTPAC- KEYSBOROUGH BRANCH
ACCOUNT NUMBER: BSB: 033380
ACCOUNT NO: 259639

May you all be happy,

With Metta,

Bhikkhu Wimalananda

APPEAL - A REQUEST FROM THE WORLD BUDDHIST COMMUNITY

Well over, two thirds of the coast line of Sri Lanka is hit hard and every 1 in 20 people are homeless out of 20 million people in this Island. Just speechless. A train was found with about 1000 bodies in it. One village is gone with 1500 villages. There are so many parents without their kids, kids without parents. 70% of the victims are Buddhists. We are still in shock.

However we are setting aside our emotions and trying to help the victims. We need medicine, dry food, and on top of all drinking water in short term. Long term we are planning to help the homeless. There is no concept of insurance among these poor folks. They have lost everything. I do not need to go on as you may have seen in the news as Sri Lanka is the worst hit and the death toll is over 40,000 and still rising. There is lot more we can do to help them.

If you are willing to help us please make whatever your donations by going to www.karunalanka.org, an NGO that we are actively involved. All of your donations will go directly to the victims and all the administration costs will be born by us. Also you can donate via Paypal (to helplanka@karunalanka.org).

https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=helplanka%40karunalanka.org&no_shipping=0&no_note=1&tax=0&currency_code=USD

Will keep, everyone who is interested, posted. Also please do not hesitate to forward this to anyone who may be interested.

Herewith we have attached the plan of the proposed house that we will going to build. Each house will going to cost US $.1500/=. Our target is to build at least 500 houses.

With the blessings of the Dhamma!
Mahinda Karunaratne
Chairman
Karuna Trust

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 white tents and colourful blessing flags. Goods for sale include Chan prints, gift cards, plants and second-hand goods.

The Camberwell Market Stall held on Sunday 2 of January 2005 generated the following returns.

Profit $181, Raffle $84, Bangladesh Stand $24.

The sales team for the day was David Lee, Xiou Lin, Julian Bamford, and Frank Carter and Alec Sloman.

The Camberwell Market Stall held on Sunday 9 of January 2005 generated the following returns.

Profit $146.75, Raffle $144, Bangladesh Stand $13.50.

The sales team for the day was David Lee, Xiou Lin, Julian Bamford, and Frank Carter, Alec Sloman and Lainie Smallwood.

The Camberwell Market Stall held on Sunday 16 of January 2005 generated the following returns.

Profit $24.85, Raffle $80, Bangladesh Stand $11.55.

The sales team for the day was David Igracki, Leila Igracki, Julian Bamford, Frank Carter and Alec Sloman.

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 23 January 2005 generated the following returns.

Profit $51.50, Raffle $80, Bangladesh Stand $20.90.

The sales team for the day was David Ley, Xiou Yen, David Igracki, Leila Igracki, Peter Boswell and Alec Sloman.

Valentine's Day Flower Stall

A suitable site has been found for our Valentine's Day Flower stall which is being held on Monday 14 February 2005.

The manager of the Mobil Service station located at 619 Boronia Road, Wantirna has given us permission to use an area of their front lawn which runs along Boronia Road for the stall.

The Managers name is Stacey and the phone number of the petrol station is 9738 1155.

Fortunately the site is on the North side of Boronia Road which is the side most traffic returning from the city and inner suburbs use.

In past years we have run our Valentine's Day stalls from about 12.00 noon until about 7.00 pm.

If you are interested in helping on the Valentine's Day stall please advise Frank Carter.

Other sites are still required for our Easter and Mother's Day Flower Stalls.

Donation of A4 paper

Members intending to donate A4 paper please note that the paper needs to be Reflex brand.

Recycled paper and other brands such as Officeworks cause paper jam problems when used in our laser printers.

The photocopy machine can use any brand without problems.

7. Current Research and Development Interests

JDH Digitisation Project

The Digitisation Paper on digitisation of the John D. Hughes Collection of audio recordings is currently being developed. See the Information Technology section for details.

Information Communication Technologies at the WBU

Ms Pennie White will be reporting on the research hconducted at the World Buddhist University on their use of Information and Communication Technologies.

8. Information Technology News

Installation of our LAN1 Fileserver to our Computer Network

John Watson, who built our LAN 2 Network, attended the centre on 21 December 2004 to install a new file server to our existing LAN.

The purpose of installing a new fileserver is so that we can access our original LAN 1 files from all our networked computers.

When completed we will have both LAN 1 and LAN 2 servers accessible on our network and both can be searched by ISYS.

VET Update

The following computers now run the latest VET including updates as of 27 December 2004:

PC1A , PC7A, PC16A, PC4, Digitisation PC

All other computer will be updated with the VET shortly.

Next VET update due 27 March 2004

It is recommended to update our LAN machines at least every 3 months with the latest update files.

Next VET update due: 27 March 2004

PC13A, PC5A and PC15A have also been updated with the latest VET - now we have all computers running the latest VET.

NOTE: Our Internet machine automatically updates itself whenever we are online.

PDF files for our websites

We can now easily create PDF files by using the PDF converter supplied with the OpenOffice.org software.

We will make PDF files for the web, as this is very much a web standard. Also, PDF files print very well.

However, PDF files are at least 3 times larger than HTML files. For this reason, we will only turn shorter documents into PDF files. For example, the Lumbini Report as uploaded on our new Volume of the BDDR Online, Vol. 15 No. 1, loads quickly and looks good as a PDF file. Larger publications, such as the Brooking Street Bugle, are not suitable for PDF conversion, as large PDF files take too long to download.

Broadband Internet Connection

We now have Broadband Internet Connection, which aids greatly the uploading of our audio and pdf files.

Lotus Word Pro

Lotus Word Pro was installed on 16 January on PC13A so that Lotus files (lwp files) can be read.

Please remember that Lotus was installed to enable access to old files. Please do not to create any new Lotus files as these cannot be read by many programs.

You can save Lotus files as Rich Text Files (rtf files), which is the standard.

New Firewall Installed on PC4

Vladimir has installed a Firewall on our PC4 as protection against various intrusions such as some viruses, trojans and attempts to steal or read information off our PC.

The product is called Kerio Personal Firewall. We are able to use this product at no charge because we sent an email to Kerio requesting free use as we are a not for profit organisation. Kerio sent back an email allowing us to use their product for free.

The Firewall is usually not visible to the PC user although when first installed it has a pop up window which you may see.

This window comes up when the one of the programs we use attempts to go online to get information or upgrade itself. Vet is one example.

The Kerio popup asks will the user allow this program to access the Internet and will the user allow the external site to send its information back to our PC.

Accepting the exchange is treated as permanent permission for that program to access the Internet through the Firewall. We will find we have a number of programs which prompt this pop up window.

If the popup comes up please check the request and see if it is acceptable. If in doubt please check with Frank.

WinZip on PC1A

We have a registered version of WinZip loaded on PC1A.
Our other registered WinZip program is on PC4.

(We have two WinZip licences).

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

Hazards Identified­ Potential and actual

Seal the main house roof from possums and rats.
Refit the wire mesh around the underside of the main house.
Extend the retaining wall at the East end of the Chan Hall.
Repair the sensor light at Suite 10A
Remove the metal strips on steps leading up to the kitchen dining room.
Prune the rose bush in the driveway.

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 25 February, 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.

Photographs of visit by Venerable Ajaan Plien Panyapatipo

Photographs of the visit by Ven. Ajaan Plien Panyapatipo from Thailand to Bodhivana Monastery, Warburton, have been loaded to the BDDR Vol 15 Issue No.1 on www.bddronline.net.au and www.bdcu.org.au.

The digital photographs were taken on 19 December at the Installation ceremony of the new Buddha Rupa Image.

In attendance from our Centre were Anita Hughes, Julie O'Donnell, Julian Bamford, Alec Sloman, Frank Carter, Andrew Pilskalns and Lainie Smallwood.

There are 20 digital images loaded in two pages.

Photographs of Ven. Ajaan Plien Panyapatipo's visit to Sanghaloka Forest Hermitage on 21 and 22 December 2004, have been loaded to the Buddha Dhyana Dana Review Online - Vol 15 No.1 at www.bddronline.net.au.

The 26 photographs were uploaded in two pages.

Pictured in the photographs taken on 21 December is Ven. Bhikkhu Upatissa from Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara. Also included are Lenore Hamilton and Andrew Pilskalns from our Centre.

Pictured in the photographs taken on the 22 December are Andrew Pilskalns, Julie O'Donnell, Celestina Guilliano and Alec Sloman.

The photographs were taken by Julian Bamford.

The photographs have also been loaded to BDDR Online mirror site at www.bdcu.org.au

New BDDR Volume 15 Issue No.1 on the web

A new volume of the BDDR Online is uploaded on our website at: http://www.bdcu.org.au/BDDR/bddr15no1/bddr15no1.html.

Table of Contents (as at 5 January 2005)

Photographs of the Installation Ceremony for the new Buddha Rupa Image, Bodhivana Monastary, Warburton, Victoria Australia. In attendance was Ven. Ajaan Plien Panyapatipo from Thailand.

Report of the 2nd World Buddhist Summit, Lumbini, Nepal, 30th November to 2nd December 2004, by Mr. Peter Boswell, Delegate from Chan Academy Australia

Photographs of the 2nd World Buddhist Summit, Lumbini, 30th November to 2nd December 2004

Greetings from the Venerable Achariya Bhikkhu Karuna Shastri and the Members of the International Brotherhood Mission

Appeal for Funds - How You Can Help our Centre

The merit of this edition of the Buddha Dhyana Dana Review is dedicated to the Founder John D. Hughes, deceased 29 November 2003, and his wife Anita M. Hughes.

Our Websites - Creating Gateways for Buddha Dhamma Online

Document created by Anita M. Hughes and Evelin C. Halls 12 January 2005

NAMO TASSA BHAGAVATO ARAHATO SAMMASAMBUDDHASSA

Introduction

The aim of our websites is to ensure our message/products reach a large range of persons.

We want to reach persons of varied kammic dispositions.

Our six websites create gateways for persons with different kamma to contact the Buddha Dhamma, just as, for example, our projects are designed to provide merit making opportunities for persons with varied skill sets. Our Centre runs on a system of gateways. Once persons reach a certain level of understanding (built with merit, intention etc.) they are able to access certain areas at the Centre. Each website also acts like this, like a gateway for that person to the Buddha Dhamma.

John D. Hughes has said that he will reach his next million students via the Internet. We want to continue his vision.

Currently we have six websites, five sub-websites, and one hotlinked website.
We could say that we have 12 websites altogether.

Website Addresses (URLs)

Our six main website addresses (as stated on our brochures) are:

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

Our five sub-website addresses are:

www.bsbonline.com.au/longhair
www.bdcu.org.au/scw
www.bdcu.org.au/buddhistdoctor
www.buyresolved.com.au/johndhughes
www.buyresolved.com.au/museum

We have one hotlink to the Australian Libraries Gateway:
http://www.nla.gov.au

Description of our Websites

"Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd." at http://www.bdcu.org.au

This is the Centre's first website launched in 1998. This black and white site provides the visitor with an overview and general information about our Centre including the John D. Hughes Collection ­ a multilingual Dhamma reference library. This website also contains 101 Suttas from the Anguttara Nikaaja.

To do: regularly update company information, coming events and classes.

Future plan: To update the John D. Hughes Collection Library Catalogue online

"Blessings" at http://www.bdcublessings.net.au

This site was launched in May 2000 and contains a variety of special blessings that can uplift and brighten the visitor's mind through beautiful photography and images, text, audio and video files. It contains the Buddhist Hour Radio Script Archive.

To do: upload the weekly radio scripts and all previous radio scripts

Future plans: upload Buddhist Hour radio broadcast audio files

"Buddha Dhyana Dana Review Online" at http://www.bddronline.net.au

This website is dedicated to publish the Buddha Dhyana Dana Review Online (BDDR Online), our international journal. The BDDR Online is an extended version and contains many photographs. Launched in 2001.
Note: This site is mirrored on website bdcu.org.au as it is of particular importance.

To do: Publish at least four Volumes of the BDDR Online every year

Future plans: load all previous BDDRs; create printer-friendly versions

"Brooking Street Bugle" at http://www.bsbonline.com.au

Provides issues of The Brooking Street Bugle Online (BSB Online), our internal publication. It is an extension of the printed version and contains many photographs.

To do: regularly upload new BSBs including photographs

Future plans: upload all previous BSB issues

"edharma" at http://www.edharma.org

Launched in March 2004, this is a Buddha Dharma Teaching website, especially for John D. Hughes teachings in the form of audio files, transcripts, and abstracts.

To do: load audio files and text files

Future plans: To have all digitised John D. Hughes Teachings online

"Chan Academy information and Geology Museum program" at http://www.buyresolved.com.au

Presents (1) the Chan Academy, and (2) a public Geology Museum program based on sound Buddhist principles.

Future plans have to be developed.

"Longhair Australian News" at http://www.bsbonline.com.au/longhair

Longhair Australian News is a technical publication on how we use Information Communication Technology to deliver a Buddha Dhamma mass education system to benefit many beings.

To do: prepare and upload Longhair volumes.

"Private Museum in Upwey" at http://www.buyresolved.com.au/museum

Geological Museum at Upwey. Launched in May 2002.

Future plans: photograph rocks and upload

"John D. Hughes website" at http://www.buyresolved.com.au/johndhughes

Biography, Five Trusts, The Nobbies, Winners Gain Ground

Future plans: write a book about John and provide and online version.

"World Fellowship of Buddhists Standing Committee on Women (WFB SCOW)" at http://www.bdcu.org.au/scw

Newsletter, WFB Regional Centres represented on the Standing Committee on Women

Future plans: load data for other WFB Regional Centres.

"Buddhist Doctor Website" at http://www.bdcu.org.au/buddhistdoctor

Contains information about Buddhist Medicine Master Jane Zhang and her clinic, Jane's Teachings, Letters of Reference. Launched 13 October 2004.

To do: update as requested

"John D. Hughes Collection" at http://www.nla.gov.au

A multilingual Buddhist reference library, hotlink through the Australian Libraries Gateway.

To do: update data as needed

Future plans: additional hotlink to John D. Hughes teachings (audio files and transcriptions)

We want to inform persons of new Volumes of the BDDR Online that have been started and any other significant data by emailing all persons on our email list, national and international.

We have currently over 5300 files uploaded on our websites.
All of our websites have search engines and Sitemeter visitor counters.

We need to keep our websites and possibly add more.

Future plans for new websites:

We had a request to create a site for the WFB Standing Committee on Publication and Education.
A website for Anita M. Hughes.
The kitchen god wishes to have a website that includes recipes.

May all beings be well and happy.

JDH Collection Audio Tape Digitisation Project

Members continue to transcribe and check teachings by Master John D. Hughes. An archive version is created from each tape, which is then edited for uploading onto our http://www.edharma.org website. Click on the link to "Teachings" to find the audio files in mp3 format ready for download.

The teachings are also used as the basis for our weekly radio broadcasts on the Buddhist Hour at 88.0FM.

We are currently working on Tape 6 of this series.

We are planning to load many more audio and text files of the Teachings of John D. Hughes.

John Hughes' Teachings audio files on Internet

We have eight mp3 files with John D. Hughes Buddha Dhamma teachings on our website www.edharma.org. More uploading is in preparation.

You can find the audio files by clicking on the link "teachings".

Persons can download the mp3 files onto their computers and burn them onto CDs.

You can also listen to the teachings online.

PC4 at the Centre is equipped for online listening. Just click on the particular mp3 file, and the Windows Media player will automatically open and you can hear the teachings. With our new broadband connection and the upgraded PC, the audio quality is high.

Any person who has access to the Internet with a PC set up to listen to audio files can now hear John's teachings!

Thank you to all beings, humans, devas and devatas, who have helped to make this possible. Please continue to help us.

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu

Articles for the BDDR

All Members please help us to write articles about Dhamma activities that we can use for the BDDR.
If you come across any material that would be suitable for inclusion in the BDDR, please pass it along 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

Plans for the new studio and bedrooms have been submitted to council for approval.

We intend to begin this building project within the next couple of months.

Fire Refuges

Designated fire refuges do not exist in our area anymore.

However, we were advised by the local fire authority, that we have the option to go to the DRCCC, as our Centre is very close to it, even if it is not a designated fire refuge.

We were advised to listen to the local radio and read the local papers for advice. If there is a fire, we must watch out for amber drops especially on high wind days.

13. Members' News

Samanera Jay

The following is a report written by Jay Eames, assisted by his mother Member Leanne Eames, on his 3-day stay at Wat Thai Nakorn over New Year 2005. Jay is ten years old.

Jay Eames ­ Novice Monk

On December 31, 2004 to January 2, 2005, I was a Novice Monk, or "samanera" at Wat Thai Nakorn, 489 Elgar Road, Box Hill.

I arrived at the Temple at 9 am on Friday 31st for my ordination ceremony. Some of my friends and family and members from the Buddhist Discussion Centre in Upwey came along too.

First of all, everybody took turns to snip a piece of my hair, and then Ajaan Tongdeng, one of the Monks at the Temple, shaved my head.

Then I went to have a shower. Phra Boonsom (the Abbot of the Temple) checked my nails and gave me some nail clippers and then I had to clip my nails.

I went into the laundry and Ajaan Tongdeng helped me to put on my robe.

Then we had the ceremony.

First of all I took refuge in the Triple Gem.

Buddham saranam gacchami
Dhammam saranam gacchami
Sangham saranam gacchami
Dutiyampi buddham saranam gacchami
Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami
Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami
Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami

I take refuge in the Buddha
I take refuge in the Dhamma
I take refuge in the Sangha (three times)

I then took the ten precepts of a Novice Monk from my Preceptor, who was Ajaan Charat.

The Ten Precepts of a Novice Monk, or samanera, are:

1. Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
(I undertake to abstain from harming or taking life).

2. Adinnadanna veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
(I undertake to abstain from taking what is not given).

3. Abrahmacariya veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
(I undertake to abstain from any sexual contact).

4. Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
(I undertake to abstain from false speech).

5. Sura meraya majjapamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
(I undertake to abstain from the use of intoxicants).

6. Vikalabhojana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
(I undertake to abstain from taking food after midday).

7. Nacca gita vadita visuka dassana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
(I undertake to abstain from dancing, singing, music or any kind of entertainment).

8. Mala ganda vilepana dharana mandana vibhusanatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
(I undertake to abstain from the use of garlands, perfumes, unguents and adornments).

9. Uccasayana mahasayana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
(I undertake to abstain from using luxurious seats).

10. Jatarupa rajata patiggahana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
(I undertake to abstain from accepting and holding money).

(from http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/ordination1.htm, accessed 5 January, 2004)

Then I was known as "Samane" or "Samanera Jay" for the next three days.

At first I felt strange wearing the robes, because it felt so different, but I soon got used to it.

There was tons of food, because in Thai Buddhist tradition, the lay people come to offer food to the Monks every day. Lunchtime started at 11 am or so, and the food was tasty. I felt quite comfortable as a Monk all the time except for when I had to sit for a long time during the New Year's Day ceremony.

Each day felt very long, but I liked it. I slept in the hall where I was ordained on a very thin mat about a half a centimetre thick. I enjoyed sleeping in the Meditation Hall.

In the mornings I woke up and did morning chanting at 9 am with the three Monks. One morning it was just Ajaan Boonsom and I.

In the afternoons, Ajaan Boonsom gave me Dhamma lessons. He taught me Buddhist stories and the three lines to describe the Buddha's teachings:

Don't do evil, to create good kamma, or to do good, and to purify the mind.

He also taught me the five precepts and taking refuge in the Triple Gem off by heart in Pali language.

Everyone was very kind to me, especially the Monks. I am very grateful for their hospitality, and for letting me stay in the Temple. Thanks to Jeffrey Radford too for getting the children's size Monks robe that I wore. His wife Mukda gave me a book called "Everything is teaching us" by Venerable Ajaan Cha.

My stay there was something I'll always remember.

Next year, I'm looking forward to being a samanera once more.

Jay Eames.

Member receives High Distinction for Masters degree

Pennie White has been awarded the grade of High Distinction for her Masters thesis on the use of information technologies by the World Buddhist University.

We congratulate Pennie on her scholarship.

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.