As we are coming to the end of 2010 and moving into 2011, there are more challenges we need to face. Whatever challenges we face, be they material, physical or spiritual. let us remind ourselves that we need to live in the present moment and connect with our basic goodness of love and compassion.

The future is unpredictable, transient are all component things, work out your deliverance with heedfulness. With this attitude, we can truly make good use of our time and our life, and be happy in whatever we do, for ourselves and for others.

May the blessings of the Triple Gem be upon you and your family. We wish you all long, happy, healthy lives and prosperity in the year to come. May all obstacles be warded away.’

Whilst celebrating Vesak in the traditional manner, in your own way, please remember to recollect the great virtues or qualities of the Buddha and to reaffirm your faith and commitment to the Triple Gem.

The Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha are the real refuge. They have liberated countless beings from all forms of sufferings. They provide a source of great solace in times of need – when we grieve for the lost of wealth and/or loved ones, when we are in pain or stricken with fear and anxiety in time of danger etc.

As we live in these times of great change and uncertainties we need to reaffirm out faith and develop greater devotion so that our faith and confidence in the Triple Gem is truly established and unshakeable.

This can only happen when we are committed in the practice of the noble Eightfold Path. As we practice and realize the Dhamma, our faith and confidence will grow.

The element of faith and confidence will condition the mind to become stronger. We all need the strength of mind, with calmness and clarity, to face the many challenges of our time and to be of greater service to others.

May the Blessings of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha be with you all always.

May all beings be well and happy.

With metta,
Bhante

Wish you all a very happy and prosperous Lunar New Year.
Please take this opportunity to bring all your loved ones to the Dhamma.
Be kind, generous and have pure love for all.
Be humble and respectful to your elders.
Appreciate all the goodness of your friends, your colleagues at work - whether employers or employees - they will all be happy to listen to you and
follow your Dhamma ways.
May the Blessings of the Triple Gem be with you always.

As we approach the new calendar Year of 2009, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you about the New Year resolutions.

You must have heard people talking about it. But what are the resolutions to make and how to make them?

Before you make your resolution for the New Year, please recall to mind of the good things you've done throughout the year 2008.

When you recall an action or an event which is good or wholesome you'll feel some joy & happiness in your hearts. That's how you'll recognise a good or wholesome action.

Try to recall of at least 3 of such actions or events which you participated. The practice of contemplation of virtues or merits is called SILĀNUSSATI. This will help to establish in you a sense of confidence in cultivating good or wholesome qualities. When you develop this skill you will find it very useful, especially when you are feeling somewhat low and depressed. The contemplation of virtues or merits will help to uplift your spirits and get out of your negative state of mind.

Opening The Door To Communal Support

Aloka House @ Dana 1, the new home of Aloka Foundation, opened its doors to communal support when it was officially opened on Sunday, 21 December 2008.

More than 700 guests at the official opening ceremony were treated to an unconventional lunch – one that was communally prepared offsite and pre-packed in takeaway stainless steel containers that were to be taken back by the individual guests to be washed for their own re-use.

Thirty families were involved in the cooking of the lunch in their respective homes, resulting in an offering of 30 types of lunch preparation at the ceremony held at the Dana 1 commercial development off Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang.

It was a radical move. Unconventional, yet community oriented. And yet it had great environmental effect. Not a single scrap of rubbish was left behind at the boulevard of Dana 1 after the tents came down after the ceremony! No styrofoam boxes or paper cups. Not even napkins strewn all over the place. There was no need for a clean up after the event and the boulevard was as it was before.

It too has a long term environment consciousness effect! The stainless steel containers begged to be re-used to pack food with a sticker that says: Take me along wherever you go. I will bring you food and good fortune.

With such a start, the new Aloka House is set to be a nucleus of communal support and also a centre for the promotion of emergency readiness.

Venerable Mahinda, the Founder and Spiritual Director of Aloka Foundation, said the new Aloka House will be a centre for the community to come together and support one another. It will be a centre to promote humanitarian services among the Buddhist community that will also at the same time, reach out to other religious and service organizations in times of great change and uncertainties when it is imperative to harness the goodness of peace-loving people for mutual good.

The new Aloka House comprise one block of shop office plus top floor space spread over two shop offices in the Dana 1 commercial development by Puncak Dana Sdn Bhd. They have been offered rent free to Aloka Foundation by kind benefactors.

“We now have a big meditation hall (on the top floor) for practitioners to come together daily and practice diligently in the cultivation and purification of the mind,” said Ven Mahinda.

“In addition, the additional space allows us to house the offices of Aloka Foundation and also ALERT (Aloka Emergency Readiness Team).”

Since its formation in late 2007, ALERT has chalked up commendable progress is creating awareness of the need of emergency readiness. The new Aloka House will further enhance the efforts of ALERT to develop a network of communities that is physically, psychologically, and spiritually-strong in facing and managing crises, and able to extend a helping hand in times of need.

“With the new facilities, we will be able to better prepare the community to confront and manage crises and importantly, fill a vacuum in crisis and disaster management in this country with most organizations focusing their resources on response, relief, and rehabilitation activities, rather than public awareness and education.”

Ven Mahinda said with the magnanimous offer of this premises, Aloka Foundation is now better positioned to achieve greater progress in its promotion of spiritual, educational, welfare and humanitarian activities for the welfare and happiness of the many, regardless of ethnicity, creed and belief.

“This will help us reach out to the haves to help the have-nots and we need the generous support and participation of the public to fulfill this aspiration,” added Ven Mahinda.

Aloka Foundation is on the threshold of exciting times as it is launching another major project  – an eco-holistic health and spiritual sanctuary called Mitraville at the foothills of Mount Kinabalu near Kundasang, Sabah.

Amidst the tranquil and peaceful setting, the identified 23-acre site 3,820 feet above sea level will be ideal for a sanctuary for the cultivation and farming of one’s mind and health. It will have facilities for health, healing and recuperation, organic farming and meditation.

Ven Mahinda is confident that Mitraville will be an exemplary project that will create facilities and opportunities for global and corporate participation so as to effectively harness skills and potentials for the welfare and happiness of the many.




                                Buddha Image in Shrine Hall