Monthly Vol.

4 October, 2012

NEWSLETTER

KARMAPA INTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST SOCIETY

B-19/20 Qutab Institutional Area New Delhi 110016

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H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapas speech on the K.I.B. Society's Inauguration - 11 march 2012 At Karmapa International Buddhist Institute, New Delhi
Good evening. I am extremely happy to be here today, to witness the auspicious opening of KIBS, the Karmapa Buddhist International Society. Genla (Prof. Sempa Dorje) had already mentioned more or less the main purpose of it, so it is quite clear. First of all, around 50 years ago, there was not that much of a need of an international base; a platform or a place to study such as this international institute, because Buddhism was very much well tucked in behind the Himalayas. The main source of Buddhist activities was always within the monastic sangha, as Genla mentioned. So there was no real need but basically, there was a gap. Nevertheless, the good thing about this 21st century is that these two worlds have come together and there are many exciting things to look forward to and it had already happened, is happening, and it will. We can prevent 2012 (the predictions of the end of the world), although we are living in it. Realistically, I think it has also been the wish of my predecessor ever since he had set foot here in India, to have a proper institute. Of course at that time initially, it was like those institutes that existed in Tibet. But later on, with wider activities around the globe and seeing the interest in Buddhism around the world, his visions became larger. It was always one of his visions and dreams to have an international institute. That is one thing. Secondly, I think it is also the continuation of that motion, the momentum that was carried out by none other than my teacher, His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche. After all these years, it was finally realized. And it is something that we should all celebrate, be happy about and rejoice. The Buddha Dharma, the knowledge that we have that was passed down from Buddha Shakyamuni until now is the pinnacle or the essence of education, the final education. This for example, is just one start; we have to envision more and more of this in the future. If we can do that, not only have we fulfilled the wishes of our predecessors, but also the wishes of the great Bodhisattvas and the great Buddhas. And we have also fulfilled our own wishes. That is why I think it is great and something to really rejoice about. I hope that it was clear and inspiring for all of you. It really is, for me. The moment I knew of it, the moment I found out when I was informed by Mriti about its approval, it was a very happy occasion due to the previously mentioned reasons. So, I hope that conditions will be there in every way. I wish, pray and aspire that all the positive conditions will come together for each and every one of you, and I hope that you or others will be able to support KIBS in whichever way. Once again, thank you very, very much. Karmapa International Buddhist Society B-19/20 Qutab Institutional Area New Delhi 110016 www.kibsociety.org Email: info@kibsociety.org

From the desk of the Editor

Greetings! We here at KIBS hope that this finds you in the best of your spirits! The past month has been a very busy month for us. Right from making preparations for the Translation course to serving students to the best of our abilities, we have been working round the clock. This has been one of the main reasons due to which we couldnt publish our newsletter in the previous month. However, you dont have to worry as all the activities of September have been covered in this edition. We regret any inconvenience or confusion caused because of our delay in updating you as to whats going on at KIBS! Another important point that we wish to draw your attention to is that Professor Sempa Dorje has to go to Banaras on the 7th November for a period of three days for urgent official work. As a result of this, he will not be able to take classes on the 8th and 9th of November. Therefore, we have drafted a new schedule for these two dates which you will find below under the section KIBI news. We whole heartedly welcome all of the participants of the Meditation Course and our honored guests to KIBI in the month of November. Full of festivals and celebrations, we assure you that this month, here in India, will bring liveliness and beauty in your lives. The grand festival of lights - Diwali is celebrated during this month in India. Diwali is the time where you will be witness to wonderful fireworks that lighten up the whole city and a celebration of the belief that good triumphs over the evil in the end.

We pray and aspire for your safety and long and healthy lives with conditions ripen to do the Buddha Dharma. Do remember, in all your troubles that happiness is just a step away

KIBS News
The KIBS charitable activities such as free distribution of wheel chairs, is still going on in full swing. Monthly, a minimum of two to three families with disabled people, approach KIBI to get the wheel chairs. KIBS has invited more staff to KIBI to enhance its activities in various fields. KIBS has also raised funds to support under privileged students and vulnerable families. Auditorium, student rooms and class rooms are ready to be used. Repairs to any damages have been done. New edition Buddhist Canons of Kangyur and Tengyur are now available in the KIBI Library. Meanwhile, some other important dharma books are also being ordered from Tibet. Ven. Tenzin Thinlay has been appointed as the official Librarian. A very recent development that has taken place is that KIBS official website www.kibsociety.org is now launched and ready to be accessed. All information regarding courses and other development and notices about KIBS will be updated on this website. Your suggestions and complaints about the same will be entertained. We request you to please go through the website and give us a feedback. KIBS Academic meeting was held on 8th October, 2012 at KIBI. It was resolved to get KIBI affiliated to the prestigious Delhi University and the Kalimpong Diwakara institute to the Sanskrit University, Banaras. The respective authorities of the institutes concerned are in talks with authorities at KIBI and the Kalimpong Diwakara Institute about the same. The number of donors in the 1000 Donor Project has reached 420 donors courtesy Hong Kong and Singapore Dharma friends. How you have made a difference: Installation of new water tanks and water filters, updating the Room infrastructure, procurement of new meditation cushions, repairing the electric generator etc has been done with the help of money that you have generously donated to the 1000 Donor Project. Zeno Lee, our dharma friend from Singapore has graciously sponsored for 20 beds for student rooms.
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Devotees from Taiwan have contributed 20 bed mattresses to KIBI. This donation was organized by Lama Dorje Phuntsok. Recently on 27th October, a special program was conducted to celebrate Kunzig Shamar Rinpoches Birthday, which was attended by about 100 devotees and students. HH Karmapa along with the rest of the audience made aspirations and prayers for Kunzig Shamar Rinpoches long life and the well being of all sentient beings. The prayers were followed by cake cutting and singing of the birthday song. Students and devotees offered khata and later a dinner party was held in honor of the occasion.

KIBI NEWS
The students are hereby informed that, formally, the meditation course ends on 5th December 2012, however KIBI is offering an extension of stay till 7th December, the kitchen will also remain open on these two days. The Translation course has been very successful and beneficial by far. The opening ceremony of the Translation Course was graced by the presence of HH Karmapa Trinlay Thaye Dorje, Prof Sempa Dorje and Prof Lokesh Chandra. For those of you who missed it, here is a brief account of the dignitaries speech on the opening ceremony: Friends who have come here for the occasion of the translation course, which is a course for learning and understanding the importance of, in general, the translation of the languages that have helped in understanding the meaning of Buddhism. I really wish that this course in the future will continue for a very very long time and through this that we will be able to develop and bring awareness all over the world starting from here in this nation where actually Buddhism was born.

- HH 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinlay Thaye Dorje

We can give answers back to science for giving that we need communication inter religious talks between different religions. So what is the foremost problem that one faces communicating with the other religious sects and understanding their scriptures is that of language. So thats why we need translation to provide the solution to the problem. Therefore, translation is good and is essential. - Professor Sempa Dorje

This course celebrates 13 centuries of Tibets efforts to transvalue human lives. The creation of a script was I think a major step in the whole idea of how to create a nation, how to create an identity, how to endow that identity, not only in terms of geography and State, but also in terms that it transcends both these categories. Beyond space and time is a category from which many things evolve. Translation, I really dont want to call it translation, to me it is transcreation, something like the Buddhist term of paramita. There are six paramitas, of course there are many other categories of paramitas but there is one paramita which has never been given an identity or a name thats transcreation. I would like to advice these young translators present here that if you face a situation when the texts dont speak, you will have to make the silence speak. - Professor Lokesh Chandra

The Translation Course can be broken down into three components that broadly made the course i.e. the Workshops, the Classes and the Guest Lectures. The highlights of the same are as below:

Workshops: The following workshops were held during the course:Translation workshops: Under the supervision of Prof Sempa Dorje, Tibetan, English and Chinese workshops were conducted. Under the guidance of Khenpo Karsang a Chinese translation workshop was carried out whereas the English translation workshop was led by Lama Tony Duff.

Classes: The following classes were conducted during the course: -Classical Tibetan classes were conducted by Joost and Slava. -Colloquial Tibetan classes were conducted by Khenpo Mirti and Kalimpong Shedra teachers. -Translation methodology of Tibetan, English and Chinese was taught by Lama Tony Duff, Rolf Scheuermann and Khenpo Karsang

Guest Lectures: The following lectures were given during the course: -Professor C. Upender Rao (from JNU) on the problems of Sanskrit and Pali textual translations (week 1) -Mag. Rolf Scheuerman (from Vienna University) on educating Buddhist translators (week 2). -Khenpo Pema Lhondrol (from Dzongsar Institute) and Acharya Sonam Bumdhen (from Bhutan Govt Monastic Institute) on the importance of Buddhist translation work. -Khenpo Karsang (from Karma Kagyu Buddhist Center in Hong Kong) on the religious history of Chinese Buddhism and its translation.(week 3)

-Acharya Karma Yeshe Sangpo (from Shantiniketan University, Kolkata) on translation and restoration in institutes of Tibetan studies in India -Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche gave essential teaching on translation methods. (week 4) -Ven Jigme Rinpoche on how Buddhist translation work has progressed in the West. It is our hope that everyone would have greatly benefitted from the course and become more enabled to understand the Buddha Dharma by breaking the language barriers that sometimes pose as restrictions in understanding texts and scriptures. Students please note that the meditation course will now be taken by Khenpo Mirti. The schedule for the Meditation Course has been changed for 8th and 9th November. The new schedule is as follows:

8th November 11:00 AM: Course Opening Ceremony - lighting lamp and teaching by HH Karmapa on the importance of meditation. 1:00 PM: 3:00 PM: 5:30 PM 6:30 PM: 9th November 7:30 AM 8:30 AM: 9:00 AM 10:30 AM: 11:00 AM 12:00 PM: Breakfast Khenpo Mirti Self study (1.-2.week) / Sojong explanation (3. week) Welcome Lunch Course Introduction by Khenpo Mirti Chenresig and Shine meditation

12:30 PM 1:30 PM:

Lunch break

4:00 PM Prof Sempa Dorjes teaching on bhavanakram (middle chapter) Guests teaching: Ven. Lama Jampa Thaye will give teachings for KIBI Meditation Course on the Fours Dharmas of Gampopa from November 20th to November 25th 2012
About Ven. Lama Jampa Thaye: Dechen is an international association of centres of the Sakya and Karma Kagyu traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Lama Jampa Thaye under the spiritual authority of Karma Thinley Rinpoche. We have centres, groups and retreat centres throughout the UK and worldwide offering a range of classes, courses and other activities. Details: www.dechen.org

**Khenpo Mriti will lead Khenpo Tserings class until his return. Due to a sudden inconvenience in his travel he is expected to arrive on the 22nd November. He will give additional teaching on the subject matter of the course. If there are any further changes, they will be updated on the official website.

UPCOMING EVENTS A SNEAK PEEK

KIBI Translator Course conclusion ceremony The farewell ceremony for the students who participated in the KIBI Translator Course (Autumn Session 2012) will take place on 4th November 2012. The details of the program have been updated on our FB page. Meditation course KIBI is offering a Shamatha meditation course from November 8th December 7th 2012. The registration for the same has already begun. The new schedule for 8th and 9th of November has been mentioned above. For the rest of the duration of the course, the schedule remains the same. More than 70 students have registered for the month long course and more than 100 for the Retreat that is a part of the course. The Kagyu Monlam The Kagyu Monlam that is conducted every year to offer auspicious prayers for the welfare of all beings will take place from 14th December to 20th December 2012 at Bodhgaya. For further details about the courses and activities please visit our KIBS FB page.
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Our website is launched, please visit: www.kibsociety.org

HOW TO REACH KIBI

The various means of Public transport to reach KIBI from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi are:

Prepaid Taxi: It is easily available, and paid for in kiosks inside Airport. These taxis are operated by various companies including Delhi traffic Police. Economy cars to luxury cars are available for hire. Somehow, reasonable price is INR 250 to 300 with Delhi traffic police prepaid taxi service. Buses and Metro: Operated by state owned Delhi Transport Corporation, available at Indira Gandhi Airport - Terminal 2 Bus Station. They are the cheapest mode of transport. Costs around INR 20. However, students will have to take connecting buses or metro in order to reach KIBI as no bus or metro directly stops at KIBI. Delhi Metro service is the latest and most convenient transportation in Delhi. The nearest stations to KIBI are Houz Khas and Malviya Nagar belonging to the Yellow Metro Line. Note: The weather in Delhi has started getting colder. For the moment it is 25 degrees in the day and 10 degrees at night.

PLACES WORTH VISITING IN DELHI

Delhi is a wonderful city with a rich history and culture. It is the capital of the nation. HOHO bus service is a service operated by Delhi Tourism that covers 19 tourist destinations in Delhi. Divided into Red Route and Green Route the buses can be boarded from Connaught Place and India Gate respectively. The destinations included are Feroz Shah Kotla, Red Fort, Raj Ghat, NGMA, India Gate, Old Fort, Humanyuns Tomb, Safdarjung Tomb, Indira Gandhi Museum, Nehru Museum, National
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Museum, Jantar Mantar, Janpath, Lajpat Nagar Market, Lotus Temple, Saket Mall, Qutab Minar, Hauz Khas Village, Dilli Haat Various Packages are available and the prices range from INR 600 to INR 1000 (USD 11 to USD 19) Meanwhile in and around a 5-10 KM range from KIBI, there are various shopping malls like City Walk, DLF Emporio, Ambience and Promenade in Vasant Kunj which offer both national and international brands to shop from. Things of basic necessities can be procured from Katwaria Sarai market which is a 5 min walk from the KIBI.

KIBS Committee Members

H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Chief Patron Kunsig Shamar Rinpoche
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2nd Patron

G. Secretary to 17th Karmapa 1. Prof. Sempa Dorje 2. Dr. Tsewang Gyatso 3. Khenpo Mriti 4. Lekshey Gyatso 5. Chonyid Dorje 6. Dawa Tsering 7. Karma Tsering 8. H.P. Mauria 9.Dalbir Singh, Advocate

3rd Patron President V. President Secretary Treasurer Member Member Member Member Member

KIBS Academic Committee Members

1. Prof. Sempa Dorje Chairman 2. Dr. S.K. Das 3. Dr. Tsewang Gyatso 4. Dr. J.P. Sharma 5. Khenpo Mriti 6. Mac. Rolf Scheuermann 7. Sir. S.N. Raju Sab

Contact Details:
Karmapa international Buddhist Society Or Karmapa International Buddhist Institute B-19/20 Qutab Institutional Area New Delhi 110016 Email: Info@kibsociety.org, infokibi@kibsociety.org Office Tel: 0091-11-41087859 (9AM to 5PM) Information Tel: 0091-11-40571455 Mobile 091-8800126115

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KIBI Management:
KIBI is running under two major sections: One is Academic and the other is Administration. Academic section is headed under the Directorship of Prof Sempa Dorje, while the Administration one is handled by Khenpo Mriti. Under the KIBI Administration, five minor units have been divided: 1. Kitchen Unit 2. Hostel Unit 3. Puja Unit 4. IT Unit 5. Library and Publication Unit All Units are running under the appointed persons in charge with the help of volunteers and other staff members.

KIBS News Letter Karmapa International Buddhist Society Published under KIBI Publications Reporter and Editor: Aprajita Sharad (Tanu)

We leave this box empty for your suggestions and complaints about our management, so we can learn from our mistakes.

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Dear Students and Guests, We welcome you at Karmapa International Buddhist Institute. Since April 2012, KIBI is running under K.I.B. Society which has been recently founded by H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa.

What and where around you in KIBI What

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. H.H. Karmapas Private Residence: Karmapa Private Office: G. Secretarys Office: KIBI Admin and Director Office: KIBS Head Office: S.A.B.A Office Library: Cafeteria: (payable)* Cyber Zone: (Payable) * Meditation Hall: Information Center: Students Kitchen:(payable) Laundry service:(payable) Dining Hall: Auditorium:
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Where
3 floor, Main Building 2nd floor, Main building 2nd floor, Main building 1st Floor left side, Main Building 1st Floor left side, Main Building 1st floor left side, Main Building 1st floor right side, Main Building 1st floor right side, Hostel Line Ground floor, Main Building Ground floor, right side, Hostel block Ground floor, left side, Hostel block Information Center Basement 1, Main Building Basement 1, Main Building

H.E. Shamar Rinpoches Private Residence: 2nd floor, Main Building

17. 18. 19.

Store Room: Dormitory:

Basement 2, Main Building Basement 1, left side, Main Building

16 new fire extinguishers have been set up at every corner of the stair case of the main building, hostels and Kitchen.

NOTE: Services marked against an asterisk sign (*) are available only to students and guests living inside KIBI

Your stay is our pleasure and your care is our responsibility

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