1. All footwear to be removed prior to entry in to Gompa (shrine room), and placed neatly onto shoe racks provided to one side away from the entrance.  Hats are to be removed.
2. All phones and electronic devices to be switched off or turned to silent mode prior to entry.
3. Appropriate clothing to be worn in Gompa – no revealing or high/low cut garments.
4. Monks and nuns (Sangha) who attend Dharma events are to be treated with utmost respect at all times.  They rarely ask for anything; graciously and humbly accepting without judgement, whatever is offered to them.  Ensure that front row seating is made available for them, even if we need to move all other positions, and offer them food and/or drinks when appropriate.   During breaks, it is kind to offer them seats rather than leave them to stand.
5. It is appropriate to stand when a Lama enters the room, turn to face his direction with palms together and head bowed, sitting only after the Lama is seated.
6. Prostrations:
   • Three are made when one first enters the shine room, and are directed to the front of the shrine (usually where an image or statue of Shakyamuni Buddha is placed)  as symbol of the surrender of oneself to the truth of the teachings, and the desire to benefit all beings.
   • Three are made only after the Lama has done so, and seated for teachings.

   If one is unable to bend to the floor, short bows with hands folded and head bowed is acceptable.

7. The acceptable posture for practice is to sit cross-legged on a cushion on the floor. (If this is not possible because of physical problems, one may sit on a chair at the back of the room).
8. Great respect is shown to holy objects, therefore Dharma books and puja texts should not be put on the floor, but on a table, cushion, or placemat provided. Dharma books, texts and images should not be stepped over. This includes any deity image.
9. Do not lie down in the shrine room.
10. Legs are not to be stretched out towards the altar, deity image and/or the Lama, as this is a sign of disrespect. If possible, legs should be covered with a scarf or shawl.
11. Silence whilst teachings/practice is underway.  If one must talk, please be mindful and be very brief and quiet.
12. No photographs to be taken during an empowerment, practice or without the teacher’s permission.
13. Generally respectful behaviour is to be shown to all who enter the shrine room, and to one’s Dharma brothers and sisters.
14. Please ask permission from a Committee member, before removing anything from the Shrine room.
15. Please do not enter a Lama’s room without permission.
16. When entering or exiting the property, or outside the Gompa during any teachings or events, quiet speech is to be observed.
17. We appreciate that animals are deserving of compassion and it is good for them to meet the Dharma. However, please do not bring your pets into the shrine room or Centre buildings to avoid flea infestation, parasites and /or animal hair sensitivity problems, as this can affect the Lamas and others at the Centre. Please ensure that your pets are leashed and supervised while at the Centre and do not injure or annoy others. Legally declared companion animals (guide dogs) are of course exempt.

May your Dharma path be smooth and free of obstacles.  May you quickly attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.

歡迎光臨我們的中心。我們希望您能愉快地參加我們中心舉辦的課程和各種活動。為了讓您能在這樣一個傳統的佛堂裏倍感舒適，我們為您提供一些相關的佛堂禮儀。

1. 敬請脫掉鞋帽進入佛堂， 鞋子可放在門前的鞋架上。
2. 請將手機和電子設備關閉或調校為靜音。
3. 請穿著合適的服裝進入佛堂， 避免暴露的過於高或低的剪裁。
4. 時刻恭敬參加法會的出家眾。他們無所求， 謙遜無分別地接受供養。請保證第一排的位置留給出家眾，在適當的時候，供養他們食物和飲料。在休息時， 請他們坐在椅子上。
5. 站立，面向喇嘛，雙手合什，頭稍垂低，恭候喇嘛進入的佛堂，待他們上座後才就座。
6. 禮拜：第一次進入佛堂， 請向著壇城（釋迦牟尼佛像的方向）做三個禮拜， 代表著對諸佛菩薩的恭敬，和利益眾生的發心。上課就座前， 在喇嘛做完禮拜後，請跟著做三個禮拜。在不適宜跪拜的情況下， 雙手合什亦可。
7. 適合的坐姿是盤坐在坐墊上，身體不適應的， 也可坐在後面的凳子上。
8. 恭敬法寶，不可隨意把佛教書籍， 法本， 法相放在地板上 或跨越。請把佛教書籍， 法本， 法相放在桌子或坐墊上。
9. 請不要躺在佛堂裏。
10. 隨意把腳伸直對著喇嘛，佛像是不禮貌的行為。不得已的話，可用圍巾等蓋著腳。
11. 共修和說法的過程中是禁語的。必要時，請小心簡要和保持安靜。
12. 在灌頂，共修的過程中和未經老師許可的情況下禁止拍照。
13. 禮敬金剛兄弟，和每一位進入佛堂者。
14. 未經委員會成員同意， 不可隨意移動佛堂裏的物件。
15. 未經同意，不可進入喇嘛的房間。
16. 在舉行開示和法事期間，佛堂外也請保持安靜。
17. 讓動物們聽聞佛法是慈悲的行為。但為了避免動物的虱子，和毛發過敏等問題對喇嘛們以及其他信眾造成影響，請勿把你們的寵物帶進佛堂和中心的室內。在中心範圍內，請用皮帶系住您的寵物，並看管好，以免弄傷或騷擾他人。向導狗等有所例外。

祈願您在法道上精進努力障礙盡除，為利益無量無邊的眾生早日成佛

Karma Samten Choeling 委員會

Vesak Day is the holiest day in the Buddhist calendar and a day of great significance.  It is a day to celebrate the birth and enlightenment and commemorate the passing into mahaparinirvana of our great sage, Shakyamuni Buddha.

For Buddhists around the world, it is a time to reflect on Buddha’s infinite wisdom, limitless compassion and relentless effort to alleviate the suffering of all beings. It is a timely reminder that we too have the “Buddha nature” or the innate potential to attain enlightenment. It is clear this path to enlightenment takes great determination and diligence but it is without doubt the foundation of a better world for all of us

This year, Vesak Day falls on Saturday, 5 May 2012.  The committee of Karma Samten Choeling invite all of you to join us at the Centre on Vesak Day between 1pm to 6pm for light offerings and some refreshments.  We will be holding a Chenrezig practice at 4pm instead of the usual Mahakala practice.

We look forward to sharing and celebrating this wonderful Vesak Day at the Centre with you.

We wish you and your family good health, great happiness and another year filled with wonderful Dharma activities.  May you continue to walk the Dharma path to liberation and may you attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.

Yours with metta,
Albert Loo

President on behalf of
The committee of Karma Samten Choeling

2012衛塞節年

吉祥如意法友們。

在佛曆中，衛塞節是一個最殊勝而意義非凡的日子，是紀念偉大的釋迦牟尼佛的出生，成道證悟和涅槃的節日。

在這時刻，全球的佛弟子們都來憶念佛陀無盡的智慧與慈悲，竭盡全力以減輕衆生的痛苦的功德。同時提醒我們每一個衆生都有佛性和天生具有證悟的能力。爲達到證悟，以堅定的決心與不懈的勤奮努力去修行，無疑是讓我們擁有更美好的世界的基礎。

今年的衛塞節是在五月五日， 星期六。Karma Samten Choeling 委員會誠邀各位在當天的下午1—6時來我們中心點燈祈願。我們將會提供茶水和點心。在4時，將以觀音法的共修來圓滿衛塞節的慶祝活動。

我們期待著在中心與您一起慶祝這個特別的衛塞節。

我們衷心地祝願你與你的家庭成員身體健康快樂，法喜充滿，堅定地走在修行道上，爲利益無量無邊的衆生而證悟。

Albert Loo
Karma Samten Choeling委員會會長

This event will be held in the Concert Hall, at The Concourse Concert Hall, 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, New South Wales, over three magical days from 29 September 2012 to 1 October 2012.

The Kagyu Monlam is an event steeped in history, an inspiring and beautiful event where we gather to remember the kindness of our Teacher, Buddha Shakyamuni, and to pray for the peace and happiness of all beings with whom we share this world.

This is a wonderful communal event, at which you will meet ordained members from different Buddhist lineages and traditions, as well as our brethren of many faiths. As before, we anticipate that we will welcome a wonderful gathering of Sangha members locally and from other parts of the world including India, Nepal and Sikkim.

We are thrilled to share this event of aspiration prayers with everyone.  We warmly welcome to join us at this is a wonderful and auspicious occasion to pray for the benefit of all beings and to connect with each other.

An event of this nature is not possible without financial and other contribution from the public.  It is a golden opportunity for the practice of generosity.  If you wish to make a financial contribution or offering, purchase any merchandise or be a volunteer at the event, please log onto www.kscoz.com

Please check the above website for general information, pre-Monlam and teaching programmes, latest announcements, and session times.

For further enquiries, please email info@kscoz.com.

We look forward to meeting you at the event.
The Committee of
Karma Samten Choeling.

第二屆澳洲噶舉祈願大法會

Karma Samten Choeling 欣喜地宣佈在尊勝的第十七世嘉華噶瑪巴的慈悲加持下，以及我們珍貴的上師，尊敬的德貢嘉謝仁波切的努力下，我們將主辦第二屆澳洲噶舉祈願大法會。這一盛會將在2012年9月29到10月1日這殊勝的三天舉行，地點是音樂廳，The Concourse Concert Hall, 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, New South Wales。

噶舉祈願大法會歷史悠久，是一個鼓舞人心的殊勝盛會。我們相聚在一起緬懷本師釋迦牟尼佛的慈悲，為眾生的和平與快樂而祈願。來自不同佛教傳承的成員都來參與這一共同的盛會。如首屆噶舉祈願大法會，僧侶們來自世界各地，例如印度，尼泊爾和錫金等。

我們按捺不住激動的心情期望與大家一起共同參與噶舉祈願大法會。我們熱烈歡迎各位參與這一殊勝的法會，聯手為眾生的利益而祈願。

澳洲噶舉祈願大法會不可缺少的是您的支持，這也是一個難得的機會讓我們修持佈施。如果您想以各種的形式來支持法會， 包括捐助善款，捐物和做義工，請流覽以下網址  www.kscoz.com

以上網站也可查詢澳洲噶舉祈願大法會最新資訊，法會行程和課程安排等

Losar, the Tibetan New Year, begins on  February 22.  Losar is a joyous time for everyone  in Tibet and Tibetans living  around the world.  As is the tradition throughout the world, the first lunar month is welcomed with elaborate celebrations incorporating both spiritual and celebratory activities ( e.g. Buddhist prayers, wearing new clothes and indulging in  numerous feasts).

It was said that Buddha asked all the animals to meet him one New Year’s day. Twelve animals came and Buddha named a year after each one of these animals in rotation.  He announced that the people born in a particular year would have personality traits like the animal relating to that year.  The lunar year commencing in February 2012 is the year of dragon.  People born in 2012 are believed to be brave, innovative and passionate.

Over the past year, many around the world have faced and suffered from catastrophes, natural and man-made, including floods, earthquakes, droughts and civil unrests. We pray that all beings will overcome their obstacles and difficulties and that they may continue on their spiritual paths to reach Buddhahood for the benefit for others.

We also pray for meaningful outcomes and fruitful resolutions on the matters that have plagued His Holiness Karmapa during the past year.

It had been a busy year in 2011 for the committee as our centre was fortunate enough to have 2 visits from our precious teacher Gyaltsey Rinpoche and hosted the Inaugural Australian Monlam during that period with many monks from overseas joining us in the prayers.  Now that Rinpoche has returned to India, the planning work for the new year has just begun. The new committee members who were appointed recently show much enthusiasm in planning for activities for the new year.

In welcoming the Water -Dragon New Year , we remind ourselves of how grateful we are to His Holiness Karmapa and our precious teacher Gyaltsey Rinpoche for their precious guidance and their tireless effort in helping us on the path to permanent peace and happiness.   We thank them deeply for their kindness and wish them both good health and long lives.

Karma Samten Choeling wishes all members, friends, their families and all beings a happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous (dharma filled) Tibetan new year.

The Centre will open for light offerings for Losar on Sunday 19 February 2012 after that morning’s 10am practice.  We hope you can join us then and also during our regular practices through the year.

The Committee
Karma Samten Choeling

洛薩，藏歷新年是將從二月二十二日開始。藏歷新年是居住在全世界的藏族人民最隆重、熱烈的傳統佳節。按照傳統民俗，藏歷的第一個月人們會作佛教的祈禱，穿上新衣服，吃團圓飯等節日活動，洋溢著濃厚的宗教氣氛，是一個娛神和娛人、慶祝和祈禱兼具的民族節日。

據說佛陀讓十二種動物在新年的元旦來見他，這種歷法按照十二動物生肖紀年排列次序，每12年為一周期。他開示說出生在某個生肖紀年的人的個性與這個生肖紀年的動物有相似。從2012年2月開始的是藏歷龍年， 在今年出生的人會勇敢， 樂於接受新事物和充滿激情。

在過去的一年裏， 我們的世界面臨了很多自然與人為的災難。包括水災，旱災和地震以及以下民間的騷動。我們祈願眾生都能克服各種困難和障礙，能繼續堅持他們精神的修持，為利益其他眾生而圓滿佛道。

我們祈願大寶法王噶瑪巴在過去一年裏的種種違緣，最終會能圓滿的解決而有豐碩的成果。

對於Karma Samten Choeling的委員會來說， 2011年是忙碌的一年。在尊敬的德貢嘉謝仁波切的指導下，我們有幸舉辦了第一屆的澳洲噶舉祈願佛會，邀請到了來自海外的許多喇嘛一起祈禱誦經。現在德貢嘉謝仁波切回到了印度，為新的一年作計劃。他指定的新的一屆委員會，呈現出更高的熱情來計劃新的一年的活動。

在即將到來的藏歷水龍年， 我們要感恩大寶法王噶瑪巴和尊敬的上師德貢嘉謝仁波切，是他們孜孜不倦地給予我們珍貴的教導，幫助我們走上能得到永久平和與快樂的修行之路。我們深深地感恩他們的慈悲並祝願他們身體安康，永久駐世。

Karma Samten Choeling祝福所有的會員們， 朋友們以及他們的家人， 無量無邊的眾生擁有一個快樂，健康，法喜充滿的藏歷新年。

為慶祝藏歷新年的到來，我們中心將於2012年2月19日星期天供燈，還有早上十點的共修。Karma Samten Choeling誠邀各位積極參與我們的活動以及常年的共修。

Karma Samten Choeling

委員會

Happy New Year. We hope that you have enjoyed a restful Christmas break with friends and families. We have re-commenced our regular practices on Saturday 14 January 2012. We welcome you to join us at our regular practices each Saturday at 4.00 pm (for those able to do the Saturday practices) and each Sunday morning at 10 am.

We hope that the past year has been a happy and fulfilling one for you. We hope that you have escaped or been able to overcome the challenges and difficulties many experienced in the past year.

We will welcome in the year of the Dragon on 23 January 2012. We invite you to join us in the following activities at the Centre to welcome in the Chinese New Year:

The committee of Karma Samten Choeling take this opportunity to wish all of you a happy Chinese New Year.

May you and your family enjoy good health and happiness in the year of the Dragon. May you and your family experience a year filled with wonderful Dharma activities and may your Dharma practice be a fulfilling and progressive one.

We look forward to sharing our Chinese New Year celebration at the Centre with you.

All the very best to you,
Albert Loo
President
on behalf of the committee of Karma Samten Choeling