The Buddhist Hour Radio Broadcast Archives

A BULLETIN OF NEWS AND COMING EVENTS FROM 19 MARCH 1999 TO 11 APRIL 1999 TO KEEP MEMBERS AND FRIENDS INFORMED OF CULTURAL CHANGES.

This year's motto: Stay Primed in '99

1. PREFERRED NOMENCLATURE
Five Day Meditation course is termed Five Day Bhavana Course. In our nomenclature we use Pali without diacritical marks because the Pali expression is better than the English meaning.

2 SUMI-E CLASSES
Sumi-e classes are currently on hold until further notice. Andre has painted 8 Buddhas with instructions in the event that Andre is unable to teach classes, John D. Hughes will take the classes.

3. CH'AN CLASSES BY JOHN D. HUGHES
The second Ch'an class for 1999 is scheduled for Sunday 28 March 1999. Contact Julian Bamford on (03) 9756 7477 to register and obtain further information.

4. TEACHINGS

4a. Prajna Paramita Teachings taught by John D. Hughes continue every Tuesday commencing at 7.30 pm for one hour.

Lyne Lehmann presented Members with a photocopy of the image of the Prajna Paramita Deity and the Prajna Paramita Mantra.

A Prajna Paramita image has been ordered and will be at the Centre next week.

4b. Regular Teachings continue every Monday and Friday evening from 7.30 pm onwards.

4c. THE LARGE SUTRA ON PERFECT WISDOM, translated and edited by Edward Conze.

The Books have arrived! Anyone wishing to order a copy of the book or collect their order, please contact Lyne Lehmann on 9754 2161.

5. SUITE 11 - STORAGE FACILITY TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN TEN STAGES

We gain by preserving our records and assets against deterioration from weather, fire and theft. This is an example of being cost conscious and full-grown in responsibility.

Expeditious retrieval times help psychological accessibility. If a Member has to search too long to see if we have something on site, the thwarting that arises from a boring search means a Member might give up the search, or worse still, waste money by buying what we already have on site. For example we have seven packets of Gravox in the kitchen.

Individuals must be able to recognise his or her need for assets, be willing to seek information about existing assets, and be able to convey his or her need to a second person (the specialist who knows where the asset is stored and the condition and quantity of the assets in store) when necessary.

The information specialists who know where the different assets are stored are to be publicised from time to time.

FITOUT AFTER LOCKOUT STAGE

This Storage facility is being built on the Eastern side of Suite 10. It will be equipped with metal wall units and dexion metal shelving.

Overall, Stuart Amoore is responsible for Suite 11 OH&S.

The East wall will be devoted to storage of computer parts under the supervision of Rodney Johnson.

The North wall will be devoted to Archives of financial records supervised by Pam Adkins.

The West wall will be devoted to John D. Hughes Archives supervised by Anita Svensson.

The South wall will be developed to store plant and equipment such as plates, cups, umbrellas, signs and flags used for Ceremonies from time to time supervised by Brendan Hall.

The central aisle will be provided with double-sided dexion shelving. What will be stored there is yet to be determined, although it is most likely that it will hold merchandise for sale.

No inflammable materials or lung irritant materials which are a danger to OH&S will be stored within the facility. The building will be kept locked all at all times so that the contents are covered by insurance.

The next stage of building will be to lock-up with aluminium foil and villa board outside cladding.

The future stages will include electric wiring, (after we have three phase power). Cement sheeting over the villa board followed by internal lining with fibreglass and plasterboard will increase the fire rating.

The final stage will include placing dexion shelving in the middle of the floor for extra storage space.

Work completed on Suite 11 as at 21 March is to Stage 5.

Stage 1. Site cleared and prepared.

Stage 2. 20 Stump holes dug to 500mm depth
Offerings of fragrant perfumes, yellow chalk and flowers made to Nagas of this place.
Stumps positioned and cemented into place.

Costs: Purchase of stumps $206
Hire of cement mixer $ 34
Cost of cement $ 36
Cost of gravel $ 38
Cost of sand $ 45

Stage 3. Bearers and joists nailed on top of stumps.

Costs: Purchase of bearers $ 64
" of joists $100
" ant caps $ 6
" nails $ 13
" drills $ 5

This completes stage 3.

Ajarn Manivong visited our Centre and John D. Hughes invited him to inspect the work to date. He made no comment which means everything is proceeding in the correct order. Ajarn offered us some suitable doors for Suite 11. These were picked up on Sunday 14 March.

Stage 4. Starting 19 March and continuing 20 & 21 March
Nailing on the hardwood flooring.

Costs: Purchase of hardwood $466
" nails $ 4

Stage 5. Erecting the wall framing.

Costs: Purchase of pine framing $293
" nails $ 7
" door jam $ 23
" door hinge $ 3
" screws $ 3
" reinforcing $ 20

Stage 6. Building roof framing. Jeff Radford cannot come to help us - we will have to do this ourselves.

Costs: Not determined

Stage 7. Aluminium foil and Villaboard are to be on exterior of walls.

Stage 8. Place galvanised iron sheeting and gutters on roof. Guttering to be plumbed to water tank.

Stage 9. Fit door jam, door and locking mechanism, and install air vents.

Stage 10. Build steps (this constitutes completion of lock up stage).

Stage 11. Fitout Dexion and steel wall shelving units. Install fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.

6. SUITE 12 - THE NORTHERN PAVILION
The next building stage will be the Northern Pavilion which is a Ceremonial Platform and a place where Members will dine alfresco. It will contain a small display space under glass where products will be offered for sale or displays such as paintings or photographic exhibitions will be mounted from time to time.

7. THE CARAVAN WILL BE MOVED TO BE RIGHT-ANGLED TO THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY TO ALLOW MORE CAR PARKING IN THE DRIVE

8. OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY
On Thursday 18 March 1999 John D. Hughes took possession of his very own 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary Second Edition. Mr Nick Prescott accompanied him on this great expedition. The Deva of the Oxford Dictionary has ageed to visit Suite 2 and help our Members in scholarship.

9. HELPING FUTURE STUDENTS
Birds ought to be fed regularly and welcomed. In their next life, they are likely to be born Human and come as students to this Centre. Some persons who were Humans last life became attached to our Heavenly Dhamma Buddha garden because they visited the Centre occasionally when they were alive as Humans and generated a wish to spend more time here in this garden of peace.

We wish that they be born Human once more next life and come and learn the Dhamma here at this Centre.

We must concentrate on offering food and non-alcoholic drinks to visitors to satisfy the first level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

A complex set of factors enable students to come here to practice. Present Members must do everything they can to ensure they are not defeated by their merit as they obtain those things which satisfy the first level of needs as defined by Maslow. By their Kusala actions, Members obtain sufficient food, warmth and shelter as satisfiers - for lifetimes.

We must encourage students who come here to develop the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, that is:

Mindfulness;
Investigation of Dhamma;
Persevering Effort;
Rapture;
Calm;
Concentration;
Equanimity.

10. APPOINTMENT OF NEW LIBRARIANS
Vanessa MacLeod has agreed to take the responsibility for the position of Librarian. All Members should make the effort to catch up on the backlog of indexing of books and journals and offer to help her.

In the future, it is intended to expand the area available for storage of books in the Library in Suite 1.

11. 5-DAY BHAVANA COURSE - 2 April 1999 to 6 April 1999.

11a. John D. Hughes will teach the Seven Enlightenment Factors.

11b. Sukhavati Puja. On the third day of the April Bhavana Course Francisco is performing a Sukhavati Puja, Sunday 4 April at 9.30 to 11.30 am and 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm.

11c. A General Committee Meeting of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd is to be held on Saturday 3 April 1999 at 2.00pm.

12. SUNDAY 28 MARCH 1999, DANA OFFERING TO OUR PATRON
Ajarn Chanphy Panyano Manivong will visit our Centre for his birthday. Members to offer lunch (dana). Ajarn is one of our Patrons.

The theme Ajarn will teach on his 79th Birthday is:
WORKING WITH OUR TASK UNITS IS NOT POWER, IT IS RESPONSIBILITY.

13. FRAUDULENT ATTEMPT TO ENTER AUSTRALIA BY BANGLADESH CITIZEN
On Thursday 18 March 1999 at 11.19 am we received a facsimile from facsimile number +61 2 9369 5245. The fax was a copy of a letter that JDH had supposedly sent to the Venerable Bipulananda Sraman on 28 January 1999, inviting him and Dr. Mutsuddy to stay at our Centre in March 1999 for a seminar program.

JDH did not send this letter. The Centre's letterhead and JDH's signature appeared on the letter which requested visas for the two above mentioned persons to enter Australia.

We had sent a letter to Ven. Phra Biplab Barua, Thailand tentatively suggesting that he might visit our Centre in September 1999.

Our action consisted of contacting the Department of Immigration to inform them of the incident and request advice. We spoke to Barbara Gale at the Department who advised on what actions were necessary.

A letter explaining the situation was drafted and sent to Venerable Phra Biplab Barua, Thailand
Australian Embassy, Thailand
Department Of Immigration, Melbourne, Australia
Chinese Embassy, Canberrra, Australia
World fellowship Of Buddhists Headquarters, Thailand
B.L.I.A. New South Wales, Australia
Dr.Gayatri Mutsuddy, Chittagong University, Bangladesh

14. FUNDRAISING
Photocopier repairs

We have two photocopiers that need repair.

Xerox Model 1025.

We have had the Xerox copier for about 6 years and in that time it has not been serviced. The copy quality produced by this machine has gradually deteriorated over the last two years.

This machine was put aside about 6 months ago as Peter Boswell donated his secondhand Canon copier to the Centre.

Canon Model NP 1318The copy quality began to worsen untl it was decided to replace it with our original Xerox copier.

What to do next?

As we have an ogoing requirement for good quality photocopying at th Centre our Knox FM Radio Broadcast Team Members decided to fundraise in order to purchase a good quality secondhand machine for about $500.

Coincidentally, our fax machine has been producing copies that show similar defects as the two photocopiers output.

Recently Frank arranged to get the fax machine serviced and it turned out the problem could be solved quite simply and cheaply. (Normal fee $60, in this case Frank knows the service company manager and he kindly did the job for the cost of the replacement parts being $26).

By talking to a number of photocopier repair companies it seems likely that the same fault is common to each of the three pieces of equipment (i.e. the drum cleaning blade is worn). We obtained a number of quotes for the on-site repair of our two photocopiers based upon the information described above.

An appointment has been made for Friday 26 March at 9.00 am with David of A1 copiers, 18 Sharrow Road, Mitcham, Phone: (018) 038 929, 9874 1814.

He has quoted us a price of $190 to service both photocopiers and replace the cleaning blade on each. The service includes several basic maintenance procedures that will further improve the copy quaity of our copiers such as, for example, cleaning the optics.

This solution offers us the likelihood of ending up with one good quality copier for our use, together with a second machine as a backup unit (for the total outlay of $190).

At the worst case, if one of the two machines still did not give perfect copies after the service it would, at a minimum, give significantly improved copy quality due to the work done.

The $500 being fund raised can fully pay the service costs together with providing the Centre with a lot of money to fund the ongoing consumables and paper costs of photocopying.

Please note: Both copiers will still need new dry paper to be used at all times as they are very sensitive to paper moisture content.

Other fundraising is needed for:

a. Financial support for Publication of the Buddha Dhyana Dana Review

b. Chocolate drive
A chocolate drive is currently being run. Boxes of 40 king size Caramello Koalas and Freddo Frogs are available to sell. The chocolates sell for $1 each, and the Centre gets 50c. Each box gives us $20 profit. We have 30 boxes to sell and will raise $600 for the Centre. There are only a few boxes left. Please contact Arrisha Burling for your box on HM: 9754 3432 or WK: 9634 3591 or mobile 0407 314 763. Please return your money in the gold envelope with your name, date and the box number to the large Dana box.

c. Movie night
Don't see Star Wars without us! Star Wars ­ Episode One is being released this year. Jlian Bamford and Arrisha are organising a Fundraising viewing and international supper at a Palace Cinema, which will take place when the film opens. At least 20 people are required to secure special ticket prices. Please commit to coming and bringing all the Star Wars fans you know.

d. The Buddha Dhyana Dana Review Sponsorship Team
An opportunity exists for person to financially support the production and distribution of the BDDR. The cost of each issue is AUD$4,000.00. We envisage that the Team will donate a regular amount of money towards each issue. Each supporter will receive acknowledgment for their support in the BDDR and a Certificate of Appreciation for their generosity. Please contact Anita Svensson for further details.

e. Calendar sales
Please sell calendars and give as gifts to your family and friends. Special Member price is $40.00 only!

f. Padmasambhava Flags are for sale at $8.00 each.

15. JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER 3RD "TREASURES OF ASIAN ART" EXHBITION AT THE NATIONAL
GALLERY OF VICTORIA

John D. Hughes and Nick Prescott attended the exhibition on Tuesday 16 March 1999. It has many excellent treasures of Asian Art including Buddha and Bodhisattva figures. Works in the exhibition date from the 6th century and represent 13 different Asian nations and a wide range of cultures.

It is recommended to all Members to visit this exhibition which is open until 10 May 1999 at the National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. Exhibition admission fee is $6.00 for adults, $4.00 concession, $3.00 for children and family $15.00.

Gallery hours: 10.00 am ­ 5.00 pm daily
Website: www.ngv.vic.gov.au
Information: Phone 9208 0203

16. NEW LETTERHEAD

This has been re-designed by P. Jackson, and is now available for use.

17. MEMBERS' GOODWILL VISIT TO MONGOLIA W.F.B. REGIONAL CENTRE

Three Members, Julie, Jocelyn and Vanessa are to visit the Mongolian W.F.B. Regional Centre.

18. THE BUDDHIST LIBRARY YOU ARE LOOKING FOR

John D. Hughes has proposed that the next W.F.B. Conference in Sri Lanka considers how to co-ordinate and globalise Buddhist libraries.

May all beings be well and happy.

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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, or a member, employee or other person associated with the Chan Academy Australia (Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.)

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Permission is given to make printouts of this publication for FREE DISTRIBUTION ONLY. Please keep it in a clean place.

"The gift of Dhamma excels all other gifts".

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