Tsog Offering on Dakini Day

There will be a tsog offering, meditation and prayer to the 21Taras on Tuesday April 1 (Dakini Day) at the Foundation House, 6.30 - 8.30 pm. Everyone is welcome.

Hatred and Forbearance

There is no evil equal to hatred, and no spiritual practice eqal to forbearance. Therefore one should develop forbearance by various means, with great effort.(1)

One's mind finds no peace, neither enjoys pleasure or delight, nor goes to sleep, nor feels secrue while the dart of hatred is stuck in the heart.(2)

The person who realizes that hatred is an enemy, since it creates such sufferings as these, and who persistently strikes it down, is happy in this world and the next.(6)

Therefore I shll destroy the food of this deceiver, since this hatred has no purpose other than my murder.(8)

ไม่มีความชั่วใดเหมือนกับโทสะ และไม่มีตบะใดเหมือนกับขันติ ดังนั้น เราจึงควรฝึกฝนขันติด้วยวิธีการต่างๆกัน

จิตจะไม่พบความสงบ ความพอใจ หรือความยินดีใดๆ ไม่สามารถจะหลับลงได้ หรือไม่มีความมั่นคง หากลูกดอกแห่งโทสะยังเสียดแทงจิตใจอยู่

ผู้ที่มองเห็นว่าความโกรธเป็นศัตรู รู้ว่าความโกรธก่อทุกข์เช่นนี้ และยืนกรานที่จะข่มมันให้ได้ จะมีความสุขทั้งในโลกนี้และโลกหน้า

ดังนั้น ข้าฯจะเอาอาหารของผู้หลอกลวงนี้ไป เนื่องจากความเกลียดนี้ไม่มีจุดหมายอื่นใดนอกจากจะสังหารข้าฯ

(Source: Shantideva: The Bodhicaryavatara by Kate Crosby and Andrew Skilton)

Don't Let Anger Ruin Your Beautiful Memories

When a person is angry at someone, he tends to think only about the negative side of that person. It's like in the whole world there is no one who is as wicked as this person. When he does this, he breathes in the breath of anger, which can easily turn into resentment. When he breathes out, he lets go the air of hatred which pollutes the environment. Both breaths harm his entire being and put him in great suffering, just like the suffering of hell beings who are afflicted by the torments of extremes of cold and heat.

When we are angry, it's important for us to learn to calm the agitated mind down. Instead of focusing only on the negative side, he should remember all the kindness that person has done to him. He also should think that all beings have faults. The person who makes him angry is no exception.

Some practical advice: go to the sea, sit there watching the ocean and waves after waves. Sit there until anger subsides. Watch endless waves which come and go. Meditate on the four immeasurable thoughts. Think of all beings with loving kindness, yourself and the person you are angry with included.

Water element will comfort angry soul. Vastness of the sea will remind us of boundless space and countless number of beings who need love and do not want suffering.

Update on Green Tara Malas

Areerat has offered 1,500 baht for the mala with pearls. Anyone who is interested in making contribution, please contact us or send me a comment. We shifted the last date for auction to April 20. We'll make an announcement at the foundation house.

Interesting Seminar

Today I attended a seminar on Tibet-Taiwan and Olympics organized by the Chinese center, Asian Studies Institute, Chulalongkorn University. They invited me to talk on the present situation of the Tibetan people. I accepted the invitation because I think it's important to provide information on Tibet to the Thai public and media. We know so little not only about Tibetan but also about other nationalities in China. Many people don't even know what a lama is. Any monk with red robe is considered a lama, which is not correct.

Professor Virasak of the Faculty of Political Science did an interesting analysis of the situation. To him, the unrest that just happened wouldn't affect Olympics but instead brought out another problem related to Tibetan-Han relations, as evidenced from a number of negative comments given by Han Chinese. He raised the problem of the increasing number of Chinese bars and prostitutes in Tibet, which upset Tibetan Buddhists.

There's certainly a need to understand and love one another. From the religious point of view, all beings have been our mother before. Whether they are Tibetan or Chinese, deep down they share the same basic needs and the only thing they want is happiness. Hatred wouldn't do any good. I remembered Jamyang Sakya Dagmola's speech in one of the interviews. The interviewer asked her whether she wanted to go back and live in Tibet, she said no. To her, everywhere can be considered home. Everywhere we go, we meet the same kind of people who don't want suffering and seek only happiness.

Special Event on "Beloved Tara"

Gods and asuras with their crowns
bow down to Your lotus feet;
Liberator from all problems,
Mother Tara - homage to you!

เหล่าทวยเทพและอสูรต่างนอบน้อม
แด่พระบาทบัวของพระองค์ด้วยเศียรเกล้า
พระผู้ทรงช่วยให้พ้นจากปัญหาทั้งปวง
พระแม่ตารา - ขอนอบน้อมแด่พระองค์

The 1000 Stars Foundation is pleased to invite everyone to attend a special event on "Beloved Tara" at the foundation house on Sunday April 20, 2008, 1.30-5.30 pm.

Schedule:

The film and the talks are in Thai.

1.30-2.00 pm Film on Tara
2.00-3.00 pm "Who is Tara, How Tara Differs from Mundane Deities, and How to Worship and Meditate on Her?" by Dr. Krisadawan Hongladarom
3.00-3.30 pm "Songs to Tara by Indian and Tibetan Devotees" by Dr. Soraj Hongladarom
3.30-4.00 pm Discussion and tea break
4.00-5.00 pm Group practice: Making Offerings, Prayer and Meditation
5.00-5.30 pm Tantric dance as an offering to Tara by Thanapol Virulhakul

There is no registration fee. Please bring vegetarian snacks to share with one another. A copy of Tara prayer book in Tibetan and Thai will be distributed at the event. Contributions to the Tara Great projects at the Tara Khadiravana Retreat Center in Hua-Hin, namely the Tara Great Stupa for Peace and Harmony and Vasutara Dharma pavillion (meditation hall) are welcome.

Please email Worawanna (worawora@gmail.com) for reservation.

พระแม่ตาราเป็นพระโพธิส้ตว์แห่งความเมตตากรุณา ทรงเป็นที่รักและปฏิบัติบูชาของชาวทิเบต มองโกเลีย และชาวพุทธทั่วโลก คนไทยเริ่มรู้จักพระองค์มากขึ้นเรื่อยๆ ด้วยตระหนักเห็นความสำคัญของการปฏิบัติบูชาพระองค์และให้ความรู้เกี่ยวกับพระองค์ มูลนิธิพันดาราจึงจะจัดงานพิเศษ
"ตารา พระผู้เป็นที่รัก" ที่บ้านมูลนิธิ วันอาทิตย์ที่ 20 เมษายน 2551 เวลา 1.30-5.30 น.

กำหนดการ

1.30-2.00 pm ภาพยนตร์สารคดีเกี่ยวกับพระแม่ตารา
2.00-3.00 pm "พระแม่ตาราคือใคร ต่างจากเทพทางโลกอย่างไร จะปฏิบัติบูชาและนั่งสมาธิกรรมฐานถึงพระองค์อย่างไร"
รศ. ดร. กฤษดาวรรณ หงศ์ลดารมภ์
3.00-3.30 pm "บทสรรเสริญพระแม่ตาราโดยพระอาจารย์อินเดียและทิเบต"
รศ. ดร. โสรัจจ์ หงศ์ลดารมภ์
3.30-4.00 pm เสวนาและพักน้ำชากาแฟ
4.00-5.00 pm การปฏิบัติร่วมกัน: การถวายเครื่องบูชา สวดมนตร์และนั่งสมาธิ
5.00-5.30 pm การแสดงนาฏยศิลป์ตันตระเพื่อถวายเป็นพลีแด่พระแม่ตารา (ธนพล วิรุฬหกุล)

ไม่เก็บค่าลงทะเบียน ขอให้ผู้มาร่วมงานนำอาหารว่าง (มังสะวิรัติ) มารับประทานร่วมกัน ทางมูลนิธิจะแจกหนังสือสวดมนตร์พระแม่ตาราซึ่งมีบทสวดมนตร์ภาษาทิเบตและภาษาไทย ขอเชิญชวนทำบุญในโครงการพระแม่ตาราที่ภัทรกัลป์ตาราขทิรวัน อำเภอหัวหิน จังหวัดประจวบคีรีขันธุ์ ซึ่งในช่วงแรกประกอบด้วยการก่อสร้างพระศานติตารามหาสถูปและศาลาปฏิบัติธรรมวสุตารา

Green Tara Malas

Jamie Reinhardt and Maneethorn Dokmail who ran the Shambhala center in Bangkok gave two beautiful Green Tara malas (beads) to the Foundation. Here are their kind words:

Hi Kris and Soraj

These two malas are a donation to/for fundraising for the stupa. THe suggested price or donation amount is 1260 baht or more per mala. The first one is Indian jade with freshwater pearl marker beads and quartz crystal guru bead. The tassel is silk on both. The second one is Indian jade with opalite markers and a jade guru bead. I hope these will help raise money for the project. I thought they would be good for Green Tara practice .

In the vision of the dharma,

Jamie & Tu

___________

Thanks in advance to anyone who wants to make contribution to the stupa by buying these malas. They are for auction from now till the end of this month. Please email worawora@gmail.com.

Sarn Pandara Newsletter

The new Sarn Pandara Newsletter arrived yesterday evening. We apologized for a great delay after a year. Anyone who wants the newsletter is welcome to pick it up at the foundation house. We'll appreciate it if volunteers will take some copies for distribution at temples, hospitals and other places where there may be interest.

Salute to Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage gives you an opportunity to be with nature.

This is the time you will:
Walk on treasure earth,
Drink treasure water,
Are touched by treasure wind,
Experience treasure heat,
And be with treasure air.

When you go out in the open space with free spirit, you experience luminous mind, which has been there from the beginning.

Street becomes your home.
People whom you meet become your family and friends.
Stray and wild animals become your pets.
Faith and devotion are your food that gives you strength and nourishes your soul.

This is time for unconditional love to express itself beyond limit. This is time to reflect on the real meaning of peace, which is no where but in your own mind.

Waveless Sea

Learn to be with your emotions. Don't get upset when things go wrong. Don't be sad or disappointed when a plan is not realized. waves are a natural element of the sea. Emotions are like waves. They come and go. After they go away, the sea is as calm as before. Let us be like a baby whose mind is pure and clear just like waveless sea.

Toward Peace

"The Stupa is for peace; Tara is for compassion. That's all we need."

There's a story about our foundation and peace in the Nation yesterday.

Please Call Me by My True Names

Jick sent me this poem by Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh:

I am the mayfly metamorphosing
on the surface of the river.
And I am the bird
that swoops down to swallow the mayfly.

I am the frog swimming happily
in the clear water of a pond.
And I am the grass-snake
that silently feeds itself on the frog.

I am the child in Uganda, all skin and bones,
my legs as thin as bamboo sticks.
And I am the arms merchant,
selling deadly weapons to Uganda.

I am the twelve-year-old girl,
refugee on a small boat,
who throws herself into the ocean
after being raped by a sea pirate.
And I am the pirate,
my heart not yet capable
of seeing and loving.

I am a member of the politburo,
with plenty of power in my hands.
And I am the man who has to pay
his "debt of blood" to my people
dying slowly in a forced-labor camp.

My joy is like Spring, so warm
it makes flowers bloom all over the Earth.
My pain is like a river of tears,
so vast it fills the four oceans.

Please call me by my true names,
so I can hear all my cries and my laughter at once,
so I can see that my joy and pain are one.

Please call me by my true names,
so I can wake up,
and so the door of my heart
can be left open,
the door of compassion.

Tibet Trip Postponed

Due to the situation in Tibet, the 1000 Stars Foundation decided to postpone our trip to Lhasa and Central Tibet to later of this year. The new dates would be either in September or October.

We thank everyone who shared with us their concern about the situation. We hope to have the opportunity to take our Thai friends to Tibet as soon as possible.

Little Bag of Peace and Love

The 1000 Stars Foundation is conceiving a pilgrimage for peace and love from Thailand to Tibet with the final destination at Mt. Kailash in 2009. We plan to give this little bag to everyone we meet. The bag will contain a cloth depicting the Tara Great Stupa and Tara pictures, symbols of peace and unconditional love. Seeds of auspicious plants symbolizing seeds of peace and enlightenment will also be in the bag. We'll invite everyone to come to the foundation house to make these bags. More detail will be announced.

The first phase of this pilgrimage will be in Thailand and to neighboring countries.

Reflection of the Present Moment

These days we are fortunate to live our life in a peaceful environment. Even though we get angry or upset at things some time, it's not the kind of anger that leads to resentment, tension and war.

At a corner of the world a group of people who are peace-loving devout Buddhists are experiencing a situation which is like a volcano eruption. I think of them with sadness and concern. Will they be able to prostrate in front of their main temple as before? Do they still walk on a circumambulation? Do they still recite their mantra of compassion?

I pray to Tara and Chenrezig to love them even more and guard them from fear and all kinds of suffering. I pray to compassionate protectress Palden Lhamo to protect them with all her might.

May peace be restored in this beloved city as soon as possible! May a throw of stones and bullets transform into endless showers of nectar! May a fire of anger lose its power and become just an instant blow of hot air that kills no one or harms no being. May love spread everywhere destroying ethnic conflict and discrimination, eliminating anger and hatred that has accumulated for a long time. May real happiness and freedom prevail in the mind of all beings.

We'll remember the unfortunate ones with extra love and compassion and pray for their awakening in bardo.

Guru Rinpoche Tsog Offering

This Sunday March 16 is Guru Padmasambhava's Day. We will remember him, pray to him, make offerings to him and meditate on him.

In addition, we will pray to Guru Drenpa Namkha and Guru Tsewang Rigzin, the masters who lead us on the Tantra and Dzogchen path. The three Gurus are called "Chi med yab sre nam sum" Tree Deathless Father and Sons. Father refers to Drenpa Namkha. Sons refer to Padmasambhava or Padma Chungne and Tsewang Rigzin.

Drenpa Namkha means the one who remembers countless lives. Tsewang Rigzin is the one who has the power over life (i.e., he has long life). And Padma Chungne means the one who was born on a lotus.

The prayer session starts at 5 pm at the Thousand Stars House, Ladprao Soi 11. Members and the general public are welcome.

ขอเรียนเชิญพุทธศาสนิกชนร่วมสวดมนตร์ภาวนา นั่งสมาธิ และถวายเครื่องบูชาแด่พระคุรุ ริมโปเช 3 พระองค์ ได้แก่ พระเทรนปา นัมคา พระคุรุเซวัง ริกซิน และพระคุรุ ปัทมสัมภวะ วันอาทิตย์ที่ 16 มีนาคม 2551 ที่บ้านมูลนิธิพันดารา ตั้งแต่เวลา 5 โมงเย็น

ชื่อเทรนปา นัมคา หมายถึงพระผู้ระลึกภพชาตินับไม่ถ้วน เซวัง ริกซิน หมายถึงผู้อยู่เหนือชีวิต (พระผู้มีอายุยืนยาว) และปัมมสัมภวะ หรือภาษาทิเบต เปมา จุงเน หมายถึงพระผู้ประสูติบนดอกบัว ทั้งสามพระองค์มีฉายาว่า "บิดาและบุตรผู้เป็นอมตะ" เทรนปา นัมคา คือบิดา เซัง ริกซินกับเปมา จุงเนคือบุตร

ในยุคที่เต็มไปด้วยสงคราม ความขัดแย้ง เราขอพรจากพระองค์ทั้งสามได้โปรดขจัดความชั่วร้าย อุปสรรคต่างๆ และขอพรในการประทานสันติสุขในชีวิต

Yogini's Aspiration

Longchen Nyingthig's Chod Kandro Practice

Phad! I dedicate happiness to beings without exception.
May happiness spread throughout the sky!

I take on suffering of beings without exception.
May the suffering ocean dry out!

If I'm happy, I dedicate it to those who seek happiness.
May happiness spread throughout the sky!

If I suffer, I carry suffering of other beings.
May the suffering ocean dry out!

I take on sufferings of gods and demons.
May my happiness becomes theirs without exception!

Om Mani Padme Hum!


เพด! ขออุทิศความสุขให้สัตว์ทั้งหลายไม่เว้นแม้แต่หนึ่งเดียว
ขอความสุขแพร่ไปในอากาศ
ขอน้อมรับความทุกข์ของสัตว์ทั้งหลายไม่เว้นแม้แต่หนึ่งเดียว
ขอทะเลแห่งความทุกข์เหือดแห้งหายไป
หากข้าพเจ้าสุข
ขออุทิศความสุขให้ผู้ปรารถนาความสุข
ขอความสุขแพร่ไปในอากาศ
หากข้าพเจ้าทุกข์
ขอข้าพเจ้าได้แบกความทุกข์ของสัตว์ทั้งหลาย
ขอทะเลแห่งความทุกข์เหือดแห้งหายไป
ขอความทุกข์ของเทพและอสูรมารวมอยู่ในตัวของข้าพเจ้า
ขอความสุขของข้าพเจ้าแปรเปลี่ยนไปเป็นของพวกเขาด้วยเทอญ
โอม มณี ปัทเม หูม

Homage to Vasutara (Golden Tara)

Golden Tara from Guge Kingdom

Homage to Mother Tara of Earth:

Chatshal sazhi chongwe tshognam
Thamche gugpar numa nyima
Thronyer yowe yige Hung gi
Phongpa thamche nampar drolma

Homage, Mother, able to summon before her
All the host of protectors of the earth.
Moving her frowning brows, she saves
From all poverty by the sound of HUNG

Vasutara is a combination of Vasundhara "land" and Tara referring to Golden or Yellow Tara.

Her Tibetan name is Phagma Norter Drolma. She is the 11th Tara in the 21 Tara praise. She is giver of wealth and eliminates poverty by the wrathful energy of HUNG.

The word wealth here refers not only to mundane wealth but also supreme wealth of understanding which liberates beings from the poverty of ignorance.

Mother Tara Norter Drolma is able to summon all earth guardians. One of the guardians is the Goddess of Earth or Sayi Lhamo Tenma Chenmo (great firm earth goddess).

Through her love, compassion, and wisdom, all the protectors of the ten directions, the goddess of earth, the ancient gods and their followers become part of her retinue, under her control.

Translation and modified explanation from Tara's Enlightened Activity by Khenchen Palden Sherab and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal.

ชังซา ซาฉี จงเว ซกนัม
ทัมเจ กุกปาร์ นูบา ญีมา
โทรเญ โยเว ยีเก ฮุงกิ
พงวา ทัมเจ นัมบาร์ เตรอมา

ขอนอบน้อมแด่พระแม่ตารา ผู้ทรงเรียกเหล่าเจ้าที่และพระแม่ธรณี
กับบริวารทั้งหลายมาเฝ้าได้
พระพักตร์อันพิโรธสั่นสะท้านอยู่
ทรงขจัดความยากไร้ทั้งปวงด้วยอักขระ หูมฺ

พระนามวสุตารา มาจากคำว่า วสุนธรา "แผ่นดิน" ผสานกับ "ตารา" หมายถึงพระแม่ตาราแห่งแผ่นดิน หรือภาษาทิเบตเรียก "พักมา นอร์เตร เตรอมา ทรงประทานความมั่งมีและความเป็นปึกแผ่น และทรงขจัดความยากจนทั้งปวงด้วยพลังพิโรธจากเสียง หูม (ฮุง)

ความมั่งมีในที่นี้ไม่เพียงหมายถึงความเจริญรุ่งเรืองทางโลกแต่ยังหมายถึงความเข้าใจทางธรรมอันทำให้อวิชชาหมดสิ้นไป

ด้วยความรักและความกรุณาของพระองค์ที่มีต่อสัตว์โลกทั้งหลาย พระแม่วสุตาราทรงมีเหล่าบริวารเป็นพระแม่ธรณี (ซายี ลาโม เตนมา เช็นโม) และเจ้าที่ในทั้งสิบทิศ เหล่าเทพยดาทั้งหลาย

Tara Meditation on Visakhapuja at Khadiravana

The 1000 Stars Foundation is holding a one-day community service and two-day retreat at Khadiravana on the auspicious occasion of Visakhapuja, 17-19 May 2008.

On the 17, a team of doctors, nurses and pharmacists will be giving free medical check-up and diagnosis to local people who reside in Nong plub district, Hua-Hin and neighboring areas.

On the 18 and 19 we will pray to Buddha, recite the 21 Tara praise, recite 100,000 Tara mantra, meditate and make offerings to Guru Rinpoche.

The main purpose of the retreat is to remember Buddha on this important date and to do mind training as well as cultivate compassion.

This time we can accommodate only about 15 retreatants due to lack of space. When the Dharma pavillion is completed (around July), we'll be able to accommodate more people. At this time, we may not be able to use the Mantra stupa because of some rain and prayer flags have already been worn out.

Those who want to make merit with the medical team are especially welcome. This can be done in a day's trip. We also plan to grow young Khadira trees at this time. You can plant your own Khadira on our land.

The Foundation can help arrange the transportation. More detail will be announced.

Please reserve seats early at worawora@gmail.com.

Vasutara Pavillion to Be Built at Khadiravana

This is the picture of the Vasutara Pavillion to be built at the Tara Khadiravana retreat center in Nongplub, Hua-Hin. It is dedicated to Vasutara, one of the 21 Taras.

The building will be used as a Dharma teaching and meditation hall, venue for conferences and seminars related to spirituality, nature, environment and healthcare. It will also be used as a clinic for free medical service which the 1000 Stars Foundation is planning to offer to local people in Nongplub and neighboring areas.

We are grateful to our architect friends who designed the building and helped with the blueprints. We thank Khun Charoen for giving a positive feedback and promising to give a partial contribution.

Areerat's timely suggestion today removed problem and delay in this project. We'll go forward with the building of this Dharma pavillion starting March 15, Tara's day (the 8th of the month).

Today's Event: Talk on Tibet

Yontan took this photo of the Yarlung Tsangpo (Bhramaputra river) when we did prostration pilgrimage last year. The bank of the river became our home for 17 days.


The 1000 Stars Lecture #6 featuring Tibet went well today. I gave an overview on Tibet, which was followed by Prachawan (Jick's) reflections on her experiences of having traveled to Tibet 6 times in one year. Many newcomers came today and we had lively discussions and conversations.

I'm glad that the story of Tibet is increasing well-known. I urge all of us to help preserve this precious culture which is threatened by globalization and modern situation.

Thank you particularly to Dr. Chaithawat for giving us copies of his beautiful translation of Milarepa's songs and to Khun Wanngam for giving us copies of Buddhist prayer book in Pali with translation. The book's cover depicts a golden Bodhi leaf from Bodhigaya. It exhibits serenity and sacredness.

We received an amount of 4,000 baht in the box for donation as well as for the price of Tibetan products from our Sotara shop. We donated the whole amount to the Stupa project.

A teenage girl Sherab Zangmo made a donation of 350 baht for the Stupa in exchange for a little jewelry box. I told her that she could pay only 50 baht but she insisted that she wanted to make contribution to the Stupa project too.

Khun Somsri, Sherab Zangmo's mother kindly embroidered the Foundation logo with the golden Tam syllable and offered to do an embroidery of the golden Vajra picture on a cloth. We can use it when we hold empowerments and Dharma teaching.

Today I also met an old friend from the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University who studied in the same class as me 25 years ago. She's coming to Tibet with the Foundation this April and is willing to offer her marketing skill to promote the Foundation's activities.

All of these gestures touched my heart deeply. I couldn't thank enough for the little efforts which have become an ocean of treasures.

Last but not least, I thank Miao for her good heart and efficient management.

Tandruk, One of the Oldest Monasteries in Tibet

Built in the 7th century AD during the reign of King Songsran Gampo, Tandruk Monastery remains one of my most favorite monasteries in Tibet. Its lineage was Nyingma but later on was transformed into Gelugpa.





The little image inside the big image is believed to be "Speaking Tara". Apart from this image, there is a special thangka of Green Tara made of white pearls. The thangka was made by Domdrempa, Milarepa's student who was Tara devotee.



Reciting Mani mantra with Tibetan practitioners during Saga Dawa (Visakhupuja) retreat (May 2007). This picture was taken just a day before I completed my prostration pilgrimage to Samye.


This April the Foundation is taking Thai people to pay homage to these sacred images at this monastery. **Anyone who can't come with us but want me to carry a khatak or rice offering, please don't hesitate to do so.**

Announcement - Stupa Blog Transferred

Discussing the Stupa project with the 1000 Stars Executive Board

I'm transferring the content from the Taragreatstupa blog to this blog so that it will be easier to update the project and facilitate the reader. A list of donors is being prepared by Miao. It will be published in our upcoming newsletter and a PDF file can be downloaded from the Stupa website (www.taragreatstupa.org).

Pictures of all the graphic work and drawings of the Tara Great Stupa can be viewed at our Foundation House. We are preparing a booklet updating the work as well as a booklet introducing the Foundation's activities. We are also publishing Khadiravana's personal story. The latter will be published free of charge by TiSunSign Travel company. Thanks so much to Dr. Bundit for introducing Khun Ying, director of the company who rejoices in our activities. And thanks to Supachok, who kindly does all the computer layout.

Our Great Stupa

This is one of my most favorite pictures of our Tara Great Stupa with rising sun and reflection in the water.

Thanks to our architects, Khun Khamnuanwit and Khun Rachen Yes, who beautifully did the graphic work. Our engineer Khun Methee is currently doing the structural analysis of the Stupa. Yes is a Sikh and Methee is a Christian. Both are great examples of those who do the service for others beyond religious boundary. The owner of the land next to Khadiravana is a Catholic. Spiritual diversity makes our project more interesting. It teaches us to be broad-minded, to engage ourself beyond Buddhist discipline and to work for the true cause of peace and harmony.

ขอบคุณทุกๆคนที่มีส่วนในการสรรค์สร้างงานคอมพิวเตอร์และงานวาดพระมหาสถูปที่งดงามเช่นนี้ คุณราเชนย์ เยสเป็นผู้ช่วยคุณจุ่น (ชลทิศ) เป็นผู้ทำภาพนี้และภาพ 3D อื่นๆออกมา โดยมีคุณเล็ก คุณกลาง คุณจุ่นเป็นผู้ควบคุม ทั้งสามคนยังได้พาคุณเมธี มาช่วยงานทางวิศวกรรม ทั้งคุณเมธีและคุณเยสไม่ได้นับถือศาสนาพุทธ แต่ทั้งสองคนได้เข้ามาช่วยงานพระมหาสถูปด้วยจิตใจที่ยิ่งใหญ่เหนือคำบรรยาย เพื่อนๆทั้งสามยังได้พาคุณคำนวณวิทย์มาให้รู้จัก คุณวิทย์ได้เข้ามาช่วยเรื่องฐานพระสถูป

Mantra Stupa Renovated

There's no other greater gift than giving mantra to the entire universe. Any being who is touched by the mantra will be freed from dullness, greed, jealousy, sorrow, anger, arrogance and ignorance.

Tying prayer flags brings prosperity in our lives, and removes obstacles from our Dharma practice as well as from doing business. Tibetans tie new flags over New Year believing that this will bring them healing and long life blessings.

***

New Tibetan prayer flags featuring praises to Protectress Palden Lhamo and the 18 Arhats will arrive in Thailand around of the end of April. These will be tied at the first Mantra Stupa which we'll renovate in May. The work will take about 7-10 days to complete. We'll celebrate it together at the upcoming Visakhapuja retreat on 17-19 May 2008.

The flags and the labor work for the renovation costs around 100,000 baht.
(prayer flags from Tibet: 50,000 baht, shipping charges: 25,000 baht; allowances for 4 workers and 1 supervisor: 15,000-17,000 and materials 5,000-7,000 baht).

Anyone who wants to make contributions in hanging new prayer flags and renovating our Mantra Stupa, please contact Miao. We'll offer the Mantra Stupa as a mandala to Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and particularly Protectress Palden Lhamo and the 18 Arhats.

อยากชวนเพื่อนๆและผู้มีจิตศรัทธาทุกท่านร่วมสร้างสถูปมนตร์หรืออีกชื่อว่าสถูปประภัสสร เรากำลังจะเปลี่ยนธงมนตร์ที่สถูปมนตร์องค์ที่หนึ่งใกล้ภูเขา ด้านหลังของขทิรวัณ ซึ่งป็นเขตปฏิบัติซกเช็น ธงมนตร์ใหม่ที่เราจะใช้เน้นบทสรรเสริญพระศรีเทวี (ปัลเดน ลาโม) และพระอรหันต์ 18 องค์ การผูกธงมนตร์นำมาซึ่งความเจริญรุ่งเรืองในชีวิต อายุยืนยาวและการบำบัดรักษาโรค การบูชาธรรมบาลยังทำให้เราได้มีส่วนร่วมในการกำจัดอวิชชาและกิเลสมารทั้งหลาย การบูชาพระอรหันต์จะทำให้เรามีส่วนร่วมในการเผยแผ่พระธรรมและทำให้พระพุทธศาสนามั่นคง

การผูกธงมนตร์คือการที่เราทำให้มนตร์ได้แพร่ไปในอากาศ นำพาความสุข สันติ ความรัก ความเมตตาไปสู่จักรวาล เป็นการเยียวยาจักรวาลและเป็นการมอบของขวัญที่ดีที่สุดให้แก่สิ่งแวดล้อมและสัตว์ทั้งหลาย

เมื่อสร้างเสร็จ สถูปมนตร์คือศาลาปฏิบัติธรรมที่งดงามที่สุด คือทะเลมนตร์แห่งความกรุณาและสันติภาพ

Message from Khadiravana

Kris is showing Phuyai "headman" the completed pictures and layout of the Tara Great Stupa.



Na Lerd is preparing wood for the renovated Mantra Stupa.



Kris, Na Lerd and Chang Nid (the smallest but most capable) and Na Lerd's family. Na Lerd is a devoted follower of Kuan Yin.



Na Lerd in the Foundation's pick-up truck given by my older sister Karuna Nonthiwatwanich.



The workers built temporary toilets before the Guru Rinpoche Retreat in January.

I just got back from Khadiravana. Although it's a short trip, it's always a rewarding experience. This time I had an opportunity to have a long conversation with the workers and the village headman and his family. Everyone expressed their great interest in working with us and helping us build the Tara Great Stupa. The officials at the district level also rejoiced in our project. Their great heart gave me a lot of courage. I thank particularly the workers who have worked tirelessly these past two years. Because of their skill and Khun Prachum's coordination, Khadira forest has become a little Tibet in Thailand, a sanctuary and home to many people and animals.

I made a vow on behalf of the Thousand Stars family that I will do my best to improve the quality of the workers' lives. We will do whatever we can for the sake of the people in the community and for the sake of nature and environment.