These summaries are provided to inform interested supporters and friends of the Peaceful Land of Joy Meditation Centre about recent issues discussed at TBS directors’ meetings.

Melbourne directors meet four to six times a year. After each meeting a summary will be posted on the Community Information page on the Society’s website with a link from regular newsletters and communications. You may wish to bookmark this link on your browser.

27 August 2022

Updates from June meeting

• Retreat team update on short retreats– the first of the new short retreats (1 day) was held last weekend. It had a good turnout and positive feedback

• Les thanked us for the invitation to lead the 2022 Yamantaka retreat but he had prior commitments

• Dharma study group – on Fundamental Potential; Plans are progressing

Developing the 2023 calendar

The events team is hoping to settle the 2023 calendar early. As well as covering off on everything in Geshe la’s program set out in the Inner Constitution, the aim is to include new elements, or different ways of doing existing things, provided there are people willing to support them

There was some discussion about:

• the pros and cons of 1 day retreats

• the fact that there is a sizeable gap in intro classes between August and November

The events team will circulate the draft calendar to other teams for one month’s review and an opportunity for those teams to suggest dates for their proposed program of events. The aim is to have a draft calendar for the next meeting.

Summer Retreat

It was agreed to request Les to lead a summer retreat on the subject of Path to Enlightenment in January 2023 (around the week of the Australia Day holiday)

Director IDs

Directors were reminded that under a new government requirement they need to organise themselves an ASIC Director ID by November. The new obligation applies to individual directors and not to TBS as a whole. However, Jean will circulate the information to directors as a reminder

Possible Geshe Doga teaching

Venerable Geshe Doga of Tara Institute has responded positively to our request that he give a White Tara long life teaching or initiation at the centre. The timing is yet to be determined and the initial suggestion that the session occur at the end of the year might not be possible owing to Geshe Doga visiting India. Tara Institute will get back to us. Martin will call the office and check if we have not heard in the next week.

Next Community meeting

There was some discussion about the date of the next Community meeting which coincides with election day. However it was agreed that it’s probably the best date given other TBS events on adjacent weekends 

22 October 2022

Calendar 2023

Final draft is ready and will be circulated for comment to the various teams in next two weeks.

Donation to Denma Khangtsen, Sera Je Monastery, India

Request from Denma Khangtsen (Geshe-la’s college) for donation to repair wall damaged in monsoon. To date, $3600 has been donated by donation from the TBS centres and some students A letter and bank transfer will be organised.

Temple repairs

Painting required in some areas. Matthew has indicated he is very happy to do the painting. Chris and Matt will produce a priority list and identify what needs to be purchased.

Fundraising cookbook

The TBS cookbook is coming along well, and currently being checked. An email will go out to our general database advertising the cookbook for sale at the Enjoyment shop, plus link to a webform. Deb Di Meo was thanked for her efforts in bringing the cookbook idea to fruition.

Ven. Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Phende teachings

Ven Kensur Rinpoche had been invited to come to Australia by Vietnamese students who asked if they could bring him to the centre. At short notice, we requested that he give a teaching of advice to Australian students on the following Sunday afternoon and invited everyone to attend.

This was a wonderful event, with lots of good feedback and when the teachings went longer than expected the planned afternoon tea was converted to an impromptu dinner that all of the attendees were invited to attend. The teachings were very close in style to Geshe-la’s teachings. Thanks to Michael, the Events team, Sox and Mani etc for organising and supporting the visit.

We will contact the organiser to thank them and express how much we enjoyed it, and advise that if Rinpoche comes to Australia again, we would be very happy to welcome Rinpoche back to the TBS again for teachings.

Organised group visits to TBS and external services provided by TBS

We are often requested to host various groups at the TBS, or to provide services externally to the TBS (e.g. Buddhist funerals). Sometimes we are given a donation, and sometimes not but the centre and/or the individuals involved sometimes incur expenses in responding to these requests (that they are usually happy to bear themselves).

It was decided that standard words should be developed for providing to groups when our services are requested (onsite or at another venue) by organisations, groups, or individuals, such as schools, community groups, funeral companies etc, so that they understand that the centre is a volunteer organisation and that its ongoing activities depend on community support. It would depend on the context – e.g. may not be appropriate to request a donation for individuals who are suffering and in difficult circumstances.

Suggested that wording could include mention that we are a not-for-profit organisation and that a donation would be appreciated to cover costs etc. A guideline could be provided regarding suggested donation amount, such as we give to garden groups ($5 per person including afternoon tea). It would be up to the individual/s, group, or organisation as to whether they donated, and how much.

Water drainage at front of temple

Water runs down the front temple paths when it rains. Tim would like to dig a shallow spoon drain) on front temple lawn This would channel water down the drain rather than allowing it to run down the paths.

Next meeting: Saturday 17th December 2022 at 1.30pm