October 2009 Dear Friends, We are only five weeks out from His Holiness's visit and as the momentum builds here in Australia, His Holiness continues to deliver teachings and his wisdom on how to live a more compassionate and meaningful life around the world. His Holiness has just returned to Dharamsala after an almost three-week tour to the United States and Canada, where he delivered several teachings, public talks, and took part in dialogues on peace and education.

His Holiness delivers a Teaching in Washington DC.

In both the countries, His Holiness is a popular public icon and enjoys a huge public following.

On his return to Dharamsala, His Holiness gave a Buddhist teaching, at the request of around 1000 Taiwanese devotees, at the Main Tibetan Temple.

The four day teaching covered The Diamond Sutra, Geshe Chekewa's Seven Point-Mind Training and Tsongkhapa's The Three Principal Paths.

Over 4000 devotees, including more than 1400 foreigners and some 1500 Buddhist monks and nuns, attended the teachings. Many waved their hands in joy and others were seen folding their hands in deep reverence as the 74-year old spiritual leader arrived at the teaching venue.

Speaking in Tibetan through a Chinese translator, His Holiness extended greetings and thanked the Taiwanese and other devotees for coming all the way to hear his teachings.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to see many of you again and I want to say thank you for coming all the way here," the Dalai Lama said before he commenced the teachings.

How fortunate are we that rather then having to travel to India to receive teachings from His Holiness, he makes the effort and travels to us.

Please, do not miss this special opportunity.

Bodhicitta - Awakening the Mind to realize ones own potential!

Awakening the Mind Teachings

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said, 'empathy is the basis of compassion. Compassion is the basis of Bodhicitta and Bodhicitta is the principal cause of realizing one's Buddha potential - the optimum evolutionary state for all living beings'.

The only Teaching His Holiness will be giving during this visit to Australia is Awakening the Mind, Nagarjuna's Commentary on Bodhicitta.

All sections of seating have excellent viewing lines to the stage and His Holiness and whilst there are still excellent seats available in all ticket types, these are selling fast.

Ticket prices to the Teachings increase on the 1st November and are for the full two days of teachings, so ensure you take the opportunity of purchasing at Earlybird Prices and be apart of this remarkable event.

This year's Teachings will offer attendees the opportunity to browse and pick up information from the many stalls in the foyers of the Entertainment Centre.

We have had an overwhelming response for stalls for this year's event so you will have plenty to see and enjoy during the lunch break.

Back again this year will be an amazing exhibition of Buddhist art from Norbulingka Institute, with works never seen before here in Australia.

Visit the book shop where you will be able to buy the just released 'Art of Happiness in a Troubled World' by His Holiness or sign up and support the work of the Australian Conservation Foundation. Obtain information from the many Buddhist Centres from around Australia that will be represented, or learn more about the Daylesford Dharma School. There will also be a wonderful photography exhibition showing images from Tibet by several photographers such as Tim Roodenrys and Shane Marden, author of the book 'Child of Tibet' and the fabulous Tenzin Choegyal will once again entertain us with his inspiring music.

Further information regarding the program will be released throughout November but we can tell you that back again will be the Question and Answer area where you can speak to a Sangha member and obtain clarification about the teachings, guided meditation and a special panel discussion after the teachings on the first day. And on the stage in the main arena will be the Jade Buddha. The Jade Buddha for Universal Peace is the largest Buddha ever carved from gemstone quality jade. The Jade Buddha itself is 2.7 meters and weighs around 5 tonne. It sits on an alabaster throne of 1.4 meters which takes its total height to over 4 meters.

The Jade Buddha on display in Brisbane earlier this year.

The size and beauty of this Buddha make it a wonder of the world.

A special gift for every person who attends the Teachings.

Sounds True is an independent multimedia publishing company that embraces the world's major spiritual traditions, as well as the arts and humanities, embodied by the leading authors, teachers, and visionary artists of our time.

In support of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to Australia, Sounds True have created a very special meditation program as a gift for all attendees to the Awakening the Mind Teachings.

Sounds True has a library of more than 600 titles featuring some of the leading teachers and visionaries of our time. Their mission is to find teachers and artists who serve as a gateway to spiritual awakening and to produce, publish, and distribute their work with beauty, intelligence, and integrity.

This very special package has been put together just for you – as a thank you for attending His Holiness teachings. Purchase your ticket now and get your free download of The Power of Meditation.

For those of you who have already purchased a ticket to the teaching, visit the Awakening the Mind Teaching page on our website and follow the link.

This is a meditation program to awaken kindness, courage and wisdom. Enjoy!

Sydney Public Talk - Our Future,
Who is Responsible?

Our Future, Who is Responsible?

The face of the Dalai Lama will be watching over Sydneysiders for the next month as several billboards were erected last week. The shot above was taken during the install of one at Darling Harbour, right beside the Sydney Public Talk venue, the Entertainment Centre. It is amazing seeing him in such large format – truly wonderful. His Holiness's visit this year is based around Responsibility. Who do you think is responsible for our future? In these trouble times, now more than ever, we need to listen to His Holiness speak about Responsibility.

Visit www.ticketmaster.com.au and do not miss this chance to hear the Dalai Lama speak about this important topic.

Our Earth, Who is Responsible?
Hobart Public Talk

We are happy to announce that Don Henry, Executive Director of the Australian Conservation Foundation will join His Holiness at the Hobart Public Talk, Our Earth, Who is Responsible?, just prior to traveling to Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

In the 1980s, Don Henry campaigned for the protection of Moreton Island, Great Barrier Reef Islands, the rainforests of North Queensland and Cape York.

As Director of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland and the editor of Wildlife Australia he succeeded in generating grassroots support for conservation among both rural and city people.

He has served as a Commissioner with the Australian Heritage Commission, President of the Australian Committee for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the Moreton Island Protection Committee and in 1991 he was awarded a Global 500 Environment Award from the United Nations Environment Program.

There is a direct correlation between Don, ACF and the message that His Holiness has been delivering regarding climate change for many years now.

His Holiness has said, 'concern for the environment is not necessarily holy, nor does it always require compassion. We Buddhists express compassion for all sentient beings, but this compassion is not necessarily extended to every rock or tree or house. Most of us are somewhat concerned about our own house, but not really compassionate about it. We keep it in order so that we can live and be happy. We know that to have happy feelings in our house we must take care of it. So our feelings may be of concern rather than compassion'.

'Similarly, our planet is our house, and we must keep it in order and take care of it if we are genuinely concerned about happiness for ourselves, our children, our friends, and other sentient beings who share this great house with us. If we think of the planet as our house or' as "our mother - Mother Earth - we automatically feel concern for our environment. Today we understand that the future of humanity very much depends on our planet, and that the future of the planet very much depends on humanity. But this has not always been so clear to us. Until now, you see, Mother Earth has somehow tolerated sloppy house habits. Now, human use, population, and technology have reached that certain stage 'where Mother Earth no longer accepts our presence with silence. In many ways she is now telling us, "My children are behaving badly," she is warning us that there are limits to our actions'.

Many of the earth's habitats, animals, plants, insects and even microorganisms that we know as rare my not be known at all by future generations. We have the capability and the responsibility. We must act before it is too late.

Tickets to this remarkable event are selling fast – do not miss out!

10th December 2009 -
A 20th Anniversary

The people of Melbourne are very fortunate to have His Holiness in their beautiful city on the 20th Anniversary of his receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Help us make Thursday 10th December a memorable day for His Holiness and join us at the new Melbourne Convention Centre for the day.

First up join us for the Nobel Peace Prize celebration breakfast, held in association with the Australian Tibet Council and Amnesty International followed by the Public Talk, World Peace, Who is Responsible?

Rove McManus will host the pubic talk in the afternoon, whilst for the breakfast His Holiness will be in the company of other leading human rights advocates and opinion leaders and will speak about the importance of justice in the lasting resolution of conflict.

'When we rise in the morning and listen to the radio or read the newspaper, we are confronted with the same sad news: violence, crime, wars, and disasters. I cannot recall a single day without a report of something terrible happening somewhere. Even in these modern times it is clear that one's precious life is not safe. No former generation has had to experience so much bad news as we face today; this constant awareness of fear and tension should make any sensitive and compassionate person question seriously the progress of our modern world'. His Holiness the Dalai Lama

At present, great seats in all ticket prices are still available but both events are sure to be sell outs. Secure your tickets now.

Tulku's Tails

Tashi Delek! Dear Friends, Mum tells me its only five weeks till His Holiness comes. How long exactly is five weeks? I don't understand human time at all. I mean, just how many days walking and sniffing is that? All I know is that I can't wait till he gets here and I am secretly hoping he might like to take me to the park one day and I can introduce him to all my friends – how cool would that be? Mum also tells me that the chances of that happening are 100 to 1 but I live in hope.

The office has been buzzing – everyone is so busy and there has been lots of people coming and going – I am enjoying the pats and new smells but there are times when I just want to relax, like I got the chance to do with my cousin Eli recently.

But I take my work very seriously too and this month I wanted to share with you something from His Holiness about Responsibility.

In line with his visit to Australia this year, His Holiness has said, 'I am sure that many people share my concern about the present worldwide moral crisis and will join in my appeal to all humanitarians and religious practitioners who also share this concern to help make our societies more compassionate, just, and equitable. I do not speak as a Buddhist or even as a Tibetan. Nor do I speak as an expert on international politics (though I unavoidably comment on these matters). Rather, I speak simply as a human being, as an upholder of the humanitarian values that are the bedrock not only of Mahayana Buddhism but of all the great world religions. From this perspective I share with you my personal outlook that, universal humanitarianism is essential to solve global problems, compassion is the pillar of world peace, all world religions are ready for world peace in this way, as are all humanitarians of whatever ideology and each individual has a universal responsibility to shape institutions to serve human needs'.

Gee, I get the sense he knows what his talking about - I hope I get a chance to go to one of the many events when he is here - or better still, he takes me for a walk in the park.

Big licks, Tulku

To Share

Experience the Second Level of the Dalai Lama Renaissance, now available on DVD. Dalai Lama Renaissance Vol. 2: A Revolution of Ideas Receive an exclusive 15% discount by visiting http://www.dalailamafilm.com/dvd2/

WOMEN OF TIBET: A QUIET REVOLUTION is now available in Australia on DVD. This extraordinary film was awarded a 2009 Emmy® for Historic/Cultural - Program Special. http://www.womenoftibet.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61

Take a few minutes to watch this clip – it is sure to put a smile on your face http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jedd2FiZTqM

And don't be the only one without one - grab your official visit shirt now – these are only available on line and will not be available at the events during the visit. www.dalailamainaustralia.org/pages/?PageID=70

Many blessings until next month.

Dalai Lama in Australia Ltd Board of Directors
Lynn Bain, General Manager & the full team at DLIA