Wednesday, December 30, 2009

A New Year Message by Ven. Sanghasena

Dear dhamma friends,

As the New Year is about to knock at the doors, before it enters your life, I wish you all a very good beginning of the year 2010. May it brings you all enormous joy, happiness, contentment, prosperity, good health and real peace of mind.

Dear friend, in the novel year, let our lives be;-
A source of happiness for those who are unhappy,
A source of water for the thirsty,
A source of food for the hungry,
A source of healing for those who are ill,
A source of light for those in darkness,
A source of companionship for those who are lonely,
A source of protection for those without protection,
A source of help and friendship for all in need,
A source of crutches for those with broken limbs,
A source of parental love and care for the orphaned,
A source of shelter for the homeless,
A source of asylum for those who have no safe place,
A source of warmth, of real love and compassion for those who are abandoned in the coldness of war and hatred.

May each moment of the New Year give you and your near and dear ones real happiness, real peace and real harmony.


With best wishes for a very happy and prosperous New Year 2010


Yours truly
Bhikkhu Sanghasena

Monday, August 31, 2009

Letter from Bhante Sanghasena > Search for Sis Jennie Cheong in Ladakh

Dear Charlie,

First of all please accept my sincerest condolence on the unfortunate and sudden demise of our sisters in dhamma Late Tan Guat Gnoh, Late Ang Ee Lee, Late Lee Ah Yem and our missing sister Jennie Cheong. It has shaken our consciousness and definitely all of us will take a very long time to overcome this grief. We are still in a state of shock and despair.

We are very sorry; we couldn’t share many emotions when you had to leave Ladakh with an utter sense of deprivation and sadness. When I came to see you off at the airport, my emotion charged with a great despondency. I had no words in my mind to share with you that would have equated your sadness at that moment. I still cannot believe that we are having such a harsh moment to experience. What we anticipated a pleasant trip, turned into a fearful nightmare. I am feeling deeply sorry for what has happened with our departed dhamma sisters and their grieving families.

Though we all had a tough time to live through, I deeply appreciate the state of equanimity and courage that you had maintained during that phase. You had taken more than half of my loads on your own shoulder. I shall ever remain grateful to you for your supports. I can imagine the hardships that you had to go through in the entire process. I don’t know how to thank you for all your helps, the state of mind that you maintained and the heavy responsibility that you took to manage everything in that distressed situation. Please accept many many thank from the depth of my heart.

On the 26th, 27th and 28th of this month we had arranged for a very special Puja and Merit Sharing Ceremony in our campus for our departed sisters and for sister Reena’s and the driver’s speedy recovery. A condolence meeting was also held on the 28th along with the prayer and merit sharing sessions. On the same day robes and alms bowls were offered to the members of the Sangha in the name of the departed sisters especially Sister Julie. The other gifts from the Malaysian devotees were also distributed and the merits were offered to the departed ones. We had also arranged for special Pujas in various monasteries in Ladakh for all of them. And we are praying day and night to find Sister Jennie at the earliest.

We have also decided to build a small Stupa on a very nice site in the campus in the memory of our departed sisters. Our prayers will continue for them and we do hope our sincere efforts and prayers will be answered soon.

Regarding Sister Jennie’s search operation, we had approached the top civil authorities in Ladakh to get resourceful helps from the Indian Army in the search operation. They agreed to pass on the appeal, but their response has not been as prompt as we expected. And today we have approached to them to pressurize the India Army in this regard yet again.

I have heard that the Malaysian embassy has sent an appeal letter to the Indian Ministry of Defense to render help in the search operation of Sister Jennie. I guess it would be really helpful in intensifying the operation from the Army’s side if we can get a copy of that appeal letter. Thus, I have requested Mr. Paul in this regard to try and get a copy of that letter to us.

At our own level we are trying all efforts to find Sister Jennie as soon as possible. The Mahabodhi search teams from Leh and Tingmosgang branch are continuing the search with sincere prayers and efforts. A group of 30 volunteers have spread out in various regions in search for her in the last two days but unfortunately they still couldn’t trace. Never the less the search is still on. The police from the Khalste stations are also continuing the search in all the possible areas.

The Mahadbohi Tingmosgang branch had called for an emergency meeting yesterday and they have formed a “Search Team” to intensify the search process further for the next one week. We have also sent posters of Sister Jennie, with an appeal to inform at the earliest, to Leh town and many villages, especially towards the regions where people can possibly find her.

We have also made repeated announcements in the local radio news so that more and more people can join hands with us to look for her at various places. We shall try every way out and will make all possible arrangements required in this operation.
And regarding sister Reena, we are constantly in touch with sister Bee and Mr. Sonam in Delhi to enquire about her health progress. We leant from them that Sister Reena is fine and getting better. Mr. Sonam and Gurmet are there in Delhi to give any help that she and her family require.

Yesterday the rest of the Malaysian guests left for Delhi. We were very sad that we didn’t have sweet memories to send with them. All the members of the Devachan family were really heart broken to send them with such harsh experiences. But our Malaysian friends were so encouraging and strong minded that they boosted our hopes and determinations. They also collected donations for the suffering driver and his family before leaving. It was really touching and all were moved by their gesture. I must say we really feel proud and fortunate to have such friends like you all, around us. And they also expressed that they would love to visit Ladakh and Mahabodhi again in the future. It was very kind of them to show such enthusiasm and interest in continuing the friendship and understanding with Mahabodhi. I am grateful to all the members of the Malaysian team, to have shared their emotion, wisdom and co-operation in the hour of sadness. And thank you once again for your help and concern.

I shall update you soon as things develop.

Yours in Dhamma,
Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena


Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre
Devachan, P.O. Box # 22, Leh - Ladakh 194101, INDIA
Ph: +91-1982-264372 Mobile: +91-9906902025, +91-9419178667
www.mahabodhi-ladakh.org

Update from the Ladakh Tragedy

Funerals for sis Julie Ang and sis GG Tan was held on 29th Aug 2009 and the funeral for sis Lee Ah Yem was held on 28th Aug 2009. Sis Reena is recovering in Apollo Hospital in Delhi accompanied by her family members. Sis Jennie Cheong is still missing and efforts have been amplified to search for her, including giving out posters to the villagers living along the Indus River.

Click here and here to view the funeral updates and some photos taken by Nalanda Buddhist Society.

Below is email from Bro. Lee KH currently in Ladakh sent on 31st Aug 2009 >>

Dear Bro. Charlie,
The search for Sis Jennie is till going on -
30th. Aug. 09.
V. Nagasena together 5 members of MIMC equiped with the walkie talkie you brought and about 100 copies of the posters set out to paste at stragistic location of villages along the Indus. They will try also to hire two rafts to again check and look out at the two sides of the Indus river at the likely stretches to locate the body. (We understand the police had enlisted some assistance with two rafts on the 25th Aug. to scout along the two banks).
At the same time the police from Khaltse and the members of Mahabodhi Tingmosgang Mngmt.continue wih their search.
They MIMC search team stayed back in Tingmosgang for the night after calling of the search when darkness fell. Still no good news has been received so far.

31st Aug.09 ( Merdeka Day)
Today An Executive member of the Ladakh Hill Autonomous Authority came to MIMc to discuss with Bte. Sanghasena on the next course of action. The meeting is still on.
Will update on the status in the atfernoon as soon as fresh information is received.
Meanwhile progress on the water supply project No. 1 (2008) and drip irrigation for orchard project No. 2 (2009) has come to a halt due to the Holiness Dalai Lama's visit, and during your group's visit and compounded by the tragic accident. Two friday meetings have been missed to-date.It is my intention to finallise everything within whatever is available that is reasonable to put them together the accounts and impending project costings for presentation.

I will be leaving MIMC 2 to 3 days earlier (likely on 12th.Aug. 09 ) by road to Delhi to board my flight back to KL on 15th. Aug.09.
Sukhihotu.
Leekh.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Three Malaysians Killed In Road Mishap In Kashmir

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=435667
By: Ramjit-->
By P.VijianNEW DELHI, Aug 25 (Bernama) -- Three Malaysian tourists died in Ladakh, Kashmir, when the vehicle they were travelling in skidded and plunged into the Indus River on Tuesday.The Press Trust of India (PTI) reported that the three victims, Angee Lee, 52, Lee Ah Yem, 59, and Tang Guat Gnoh, 54, died on the spot.Another passenger, Lin Bee Wong, 47, was injured and admitted to a nearby hospital.Meanwhile, police are still searching for another Malaysian, Cheon Swee Chuan, 42, who is missing in the mishap.The local driver of the vehicle was also seriously injured.The accident happened in Leh, one of the largest districts in Ladakh, located about 450km from Srinagar, capital of Jammu and Kashmir.-- BERNAMA

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Thank You Letter from DDVW


Heartfelt Thanks from Ven. Sanghasena

Warmest greetings from Mahabodhi Ladakh. I sincerely hope this finds all of you in the best of physical, mental and spiritual health. I arrived back to Devachan safely and am now immersed fully in the various summer actives.

On behalf of all the staff, students and members of MIMC, I would like to express my heartfelt grateful thanks to each and very honorable members of BGF, the members of the MDL, and everyone else, including the group of performers for the significant and grand program you have organized.

Under the chairmanship, proficient leadership and guidance of Datuk Dr. Victor Wee, the Malaysian desk for Ladakh and the BGF, have worked very hard to make the fund rising program ‘Compassion in Action’-Dinner a magnificent success. The speeches by Datuk Dr. Victor Wee, his brother Mr. Lee Lee Kim and others, and the Dhamma songs and music performed by various groups were most inspiring and encouraging, I am sure they touched the hearts of the audience.

My sincere thanks to Mahaupasaka Charlie Chia for his continued help and support in organizing the event and liaising with various groups right from the beginning and for his wholehearted support for such a grand event. I also wish to express my deep appreciation and thanks to all of you for organizing my talks in KL, Penang, Kuching and Singapore. I greatly enjoyed meeting so many devoted Buddhists and in sharing some words of Dhamma with them. I am grateful for the opportunity given to me to present slides about Ladakh and the spiritual and humanitarian activities of MIMC. I do hope they are satisfied with my Dhamma talks and our missionary works.

Our staff and students were thrilled to watch the video films and the photographs so nicely prepared by Bro. Peter Tan (offical photographer) and Bro.Lim Teik Leong (official videographer) of the fund rising dinner program. They requested me to convey their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all of you for the profound compassion, love, the time and the vigorous efforts you put in to organize such a grand and wonderful fund raising event.

We will be showing the film and the photographs to more of our members in our forthcoming yearly General Body meeting.

The unreserved wholehearted financial, moral and spiritual support extended by you all, is a great inspiration to me and my fellow staff to carry forward our mission and vision - to bring smile and beauty on the faces of less fortunate children, and confidence and dignity in the hearts of more underprivileged people and more specifically to the visually-impaired children, the differently abled people, the destitute elderly, the sick and the infirm, the deprived children from economically marginalized families of far flung villages and the novice Monks and Nuns.

I wish that all the people of the world draw inspiration from the devout Buddhists of Malaysia. If they could show concern to each other like the Malaysian Buddhists do, the world would be totally different, no one would be suffering from poverty, illiteracy and exploitation, and this very earth would become a heaven.

But, alas! This planet has become a battle field and human lives are in chaos, misery and fear. The root cause of all these misfortunes, as Lord Buddha said, is greed, hatred and ignorance. And no other religious teachers have explained as precisely and clearly as the Buddha, the ways and means to overcome these miseries and achieve ever lasting bless of Nibbana. We the Buddhists, particularly those who are blessed with all the necessary conditions to practice like the Malaysian Buddhists, are indeed most fortunate ones. Having realized this, let us redouble our efforts for our own further progress as well as to share with others who are deprived of this precious teaching of compassion and wisdom taught by our Lord Buddha.

The creation of Devachan campus would not have materialized without your continued patronage, good-will and generous support. Therefore our staff, students and members are sincerely striving to create a beautiful and harmonious space here at the Devachan campus; spiritually enlightening, mentally peaceful, culturally rich, environmentally harmonious and globally focused for all our supporters, sponsors and friends and for the benefit of all the lovers of peace and seekers of truth right across the world. We have been able to create a simple guest house called "The Mahabodhi Global Family Guesthouse" in the campus. We extend a humble invitation to all our supporters, sponsors and friends to come and visit Ladakh and to be our guests and friends here at the Devachan campus. You will then have an opportunity to see and experience directly what we have managed to achieve through your generous donations and support. Our team of staff, students and members will take immense pleasure and joy in serving you and in making your stay at Devachan truly memorable and meaningful.

Devachan belongs to all !! It is yours ! we are eagerly looking forward to the pleasure of welcoming you to Devachan! A great sage said, " This opportune physical form is worth more than a wish granting gem, you only gain it once. So hard to get, so easily destroyed!" Another sage said "No self deception could be worse, after obtaining such an opportunity, then not using it for virtuous end, nothing could be blinder".

It is indeed very fortunate that we have been able to cultivate such a gracious association with one another in this lifetime, and we are truly blessed with the opportunity to work together and offer some virtuous service. May our friendship, rooted in nobility, grow ever stronger! Pray:

May you all be healthy, happy and peaceful.
May all of us be blessed with the necessary conditions to continue our mission of creating peace in the hearts and smile on the faces of more and more people.
May all our words, actions and thoughts be a constant source of inspiration as we seek to dispel misery and ignorance far and wide until our very last breaths have been taken!
May the darkness of hatred and violence disappear from every heart, every house, every nation, every continent and every corner of the world!
May the light of pure love shine in every heart, every continent and every corner of the world!

Once again I, on behalf of all the staff, students and all the other residents of the Devachan campus, express my sincere thanks and gratitude to all of you for and the many opportunities I got in sharing my Dhamma talks at many different places. My heartfelt gratitude to all those who spared their valuable time and energy and so enthusiastically participated in the fundraising event.

May you be well and happy.

May the Buddhas and Boddhisattavas bless you and your family members.

Thank you so much.

With very kind regards and much metta.
In the Dharma,
Bhikkhu Sanghasena.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Congratulations! Ven. Sanghasena conferred Doctor of Philosophy by Master Hui Hai

It was truly a miraculous twist of event for Ven. Sanghasena, when he arrived at BGF from Singapore at night on 31st May 2009. What we thought was an informal reunion between two old friends, turns out to be a conferment ceremony of the honorary degree to Ven. Sanghasena by Master Hui Hai, Chancellor of the Darma Buddhist University (大马佛教大学 - 慧海法师) for his selfless humanitarian works. We can now address him as Dr. Bhante Sanghasena eh? It is indeed joy and happy moment for all the members, staff and students of MIMC and its supporters through out the world. Present were Datuk Dr. Victor Wee, Mr. Charlie, members of Buddhist Gem Fellowship, and honorable staff from Dharma Buddhist University, Malaysia.

Pictures from the Charity Dinner on 24 May 2009

Photographer > Peter Tan

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Compassion In Action Dinner - Updates

A record number of 115 dinner table tickets sold!

Donation amount received RM90,000++ to date!

Sadhu for being part of this miracle... see you on Sunday, 24th May 2009 for the Dinner at Sunway Convention Centre! (Inside Sunway Pyramid)

Miracles begin in the mind. What began as an idea in the mind of Venerable Sanghasena has now become a miracle in Himalayan Ladakh. That idea which was mooted more than 25 years ago has today blossomed into reality, nurtured by sheer persistence and compassion by the monk who started it all.

Who would have thought that one monk could do all the work that would require the resources of a town council. He built residential schools for poor students, hospital and mobile clinic for the sick, monastery and nunnery for the training of monks and nuns, home for the aged and physically and mentally-challenged children, and started programmes for communal harmony, youth development, emergency relief and environmental preservation.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Venerable Sanghasena visit to Malaysia/Singapore :: 16th May - 1st June

Presenting a series of Dhamma sharing by Venerable Sanghasena >>

Sun 17 May, 9.00am > Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
Sun 17 May, 1.15pm > Subang Jaya Buddhist Association
Sun 17 May, 8.00pm > Mudita Buddhist Society, Klang
Mon 18 May, 8.00pm > Kinrara Metta Buddhist Society
Tue 19 May, 8.00pm > Sungai Long Buddhist Society
Wed 20 May, 8.00pm > Buddhist Maha Vihara, Brickfields
Thur 21 May, 8.00pm > Nalanda Buddhist Society, Serdang
Fri 22 May, 8.00pm > Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple, Sentul
Sat 23 May, 8.30pm > Buddhist Gem Fellowship
Sun 24 May, 9.00am > Shah Alam Buddhist Association
Sun 24 May, 7.00pm > "Compassion-In-Action" Dinner
Mon 25 May, 8.00pm > FGS-BLIA, SS3
Tue 26 May, 8.00pm > Mahindarama Temple, Penang
Wed 27 May, 8.00pm > Kuching Buddhist Society
Thur 28 May, 8.00pm > Kuching Dhamma Vihara
Sat 30 May, 8.00pm > Singapore Buddhist Library

Monday, March 23, 2009

Letter from Buddhist Gem Fellowship


DINNER “COMPASSION IN ACTION”

Dear Friends in the Dhamma,

Warm greetings from Buddhist Gem Fellowship and Malaysia Desk Ladakh. As the Chairman of the Joint Organising Committee of the above function, I would like to extend an invitation for you to join us for dinner with Venerable Sanghasena from MIMC Ladakh as follows:

Date/Time: Sunday 24 May 2009 at 7.00 p.m.
Venue: Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre (1&2)


The main objective of the Dinner is to raise funds to support the exemplary work undertaken by Venerable Sanghasena at the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) Ladakh. The venerable had worked tirelessly in live-transforming projects in Ladakh. The campus he established is a virtual oasis in the sparse arid landscape outside Leh, the capital of Ladakh. He built schools for underpriviledged children in several places in Ladakh, monastery and nunnery for the training of monks and nuns, home for the aged and visually impaired, hospital, vocational training for youths, meditation facilities for international practitioners, and many more. Young children from destitute families in isolated villages now have the opportunity of studying in MIMC’s top performing schools, and some of whom had graduated from university.
Be a part of this Compassion in Action and help to transform lives in the Himalayas. MIMC needs funds to complete some of the building projects as well as to operate the campus activities. By buying or helping to sell the tickets, you will help to contribute to the much needed funds for these projects and activities.
  • You can purchase a few tickets/tables for your family members, friends and even your staff. As the date of the dinner has been set two weeks after Wesak, it would be a lovely way to practice generosity taught by the Buddha by supporting this worthy and meritorious cause. Tickets are priced at RM500, RM300 and RM200.
  • You can opt to make some contribution if you are unable to attend the dinner.
For your convenience, we are enclosing a reply slip. We look forward to your generous support to enable the Buddha Dhamma to flourish. Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact -
  • Doris Choong : 012-311 0294
  • Elaine Low : 013-352 7662
  • Dolly Teoh : 019-356 8879
Thank you. May the blessings of the Triple Gem be with you and your family.

Yours sincerely,

Datuk Dr Victor Wee
President
Buddhist Gem Fellowship

Monday, March 16, 2009

COMPASSION IS OUR MINISTRY

He blazed a trail for others
Where there was no path to follow
A wilderness in the mountains
Becomes an Oasis of Love

Miracles begin in the mind. What began as an idea in the mind of Venerable Sanghasena has now become a miracle in Himalayan Ladakh. That idea which was mooted more than 25 years ago has today blossomed into reality, nurtured by sheer persistence and compassion by the monk who started it all.

Who would have thought that one monk could do all the work that would require the resources of a town council. He built residential schools for poor students, hospital and mobile clinic for the sick, monastery and nunnery for the training of monks and nuns, home for the aged and physically and mentally-challenged children, and started programmes for communal harmony, youth development, emergency relief and environmental preservation.

You, too, can be part of this miracle. You can help by giving your support in the form of donations or pledges.

For more information, visit
www.mahabodhi-ladakh.blogspot.com

Date >> 24th May 2009 (Sunday)
Time >> 6.30pm
Venue >> Sunway Convention Centre
Theme >> Compassion in Action :: Transforming Lives in the Himalayas
Dinner tickets >>
Gold RM5,000 Silver RM3,000 (per table)
Get your tickets from -
Sis. Elaine Low +6013 352 7662
Sis. Angie Ng +6012 712 0210
Bro. Charlie Chia +6012 289 3887

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Story of Dechen

DECHEN ANGMO
KUKSHOW (KARGIL DISTRICT)

Dechen Angmo came from Kukshow, one of the most backward and isolated villages in Kargil district of Ladakh. Half of the population is Buddhist and the other half is Muslim. To this day, Kukshow has no access roads or electricity. There is still much that needs to be done for the development of this area. There is only one government school, and education is given extremely low priority.

Dechen joined MIMC in the year 1992, at the tender age of 5 years old. She is among the 25 girls who make up the first batch of students in MIMC. She came from a very poor family, and in this remote region in Ladakh, girls are neglected and most end up staying in the house to do household chores. Her father was a farmer, while her mother takes care of the household. She has an elder brother who is married and has a family of his own, and a younger sister who is studying in the government school. In MIMC, Dechen was given the opportunity to learn different skills. She excelled in her studies, and was chosen as the most deserving child to pursue higher education. Through full sponsorship from MIMC, she studied and graduated from Bangalore University with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc). She studied Math, Physics, Computer Science, English and Hindi.

Dechen aspires to further her studies in Malaysia, and intends to make full use of her knowledge and skills to contribute to MIMC. She wants to use her capabilities to help MIMC to uplift the standards of education and give opportunity to more poor Ladakhi people a chance for education, social change, and development.

Story of Tashi

TASHI YANGZOM
ZANSKAR

Tashi Yangzom hails from Zanskar, one of the most remote and inaccessible villages in Ladakh. Zanskar is counted as one of the most backward villages of Ladakh with no proper facilities like road, electricity, health centre, and the people do not have access to proper nutrition. It remains cut off from the rest of Ladakh during winter due to heavy snowfall and the roads remain blocked the whole winter. The only mode of transportation left is the chaddar road which permits the people to track on the ice, and reach for the isolated place, which is definitely not a safe walk back home. Since it is one of the underdeveloped villages, we find very few educated people from this region.

Tashi Yangzom comes from a poor family, supported by her father, one elder and one younger brother. Both of them are still studying. Her mother died when she was just a toddler. Since then her father has been the sole bread-winner, taking care of the family.

From the year 1992, Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) has been actively engaged in helping the masses. MIMC started the foundation for the girls’ hostel and has been taking in students and taking care of them by providing modern education along with all other necessities. Word of MIMC’s work reached Zanskar, and Tashi applied and was selected to reside and study in the school. She has been selected, taking into account her devastated family life just after her mother's death. Since then she has been in MIMC and is one of the 25 girls in the first batch of students.

Tashi had since completed her secondary schooling from Mahabodhi Residential School and was one of the best students of the class. She is known by her classmates and teachers to be dedicated, diligent, and obliging. She was then sent to Bangalore, one of the modern cities in India by MIMC to further her studies, where she completed her degree course in life-sciences. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree. She has excelled academically, and is a dedicated student with an altruistic heart. Tashi is now actively involved in helping MIMC through whatever ways she can. She aspires to render her services and as she aptly puts it, “to help Mahabodhi Society for the uplifting of education and betterment of society”.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Sponsorship for Tashi and Dechen's Education in Malaysia

On behalf of the Malaysian Desk Ladakh, may I take this apportunity to reach out to our Malaysian Friends of MIMC Ladakh or any Malaysians who would wish to donate towards the following good cause -- Education Fund for two Ladakhi girls -- Tashi Yangzom & Dechen Angmo.

Education: 2 years Education for a Diploma course in Tourism and Hospitality In Taylor's University College. Dato' Loy Teik Ngan has kindly consented to award two scholarships in Taylor's University College for the two girls which covers for the tuition fees and miscellaneous fees.

However, the following is a breakdown of the other expenses for the two years>
Expenditure:
Monthly cost of living = RM 500 each X 2 students X 24 months = RM 24 000
Room rentals = RM 500 X 24 months = RM 12 000
1 way air fare = RM 1,800 each X 2 students = RM 3 600
Entry Fee = RM 2, 000 each X 2 students = RM 4 000
Total = RM 43 600

How to sponsor?
A bank account is open under "Buddhist Gem Fellowship - MIMC"

1. If you wish to contribute in cash:
Kindly bank in your donations to the following: Malayan Banking Bhd. Account no: 514721-114121.
We will appreciate if you could keep your bank slip and sent a scanned/ photocopy of the slip to us (Malaysia Desk
Ladakh - Donations, c/o: No.3 Jalan USJ 2/5C, UEP Subang Jaya, 47600 Subang Jaya) for record purposes.

2. If you wish to contribute in cheque:
Kindly sent your cheque under: "Buddhist Gem Fellowship - MIMC" and post the cheque to the following address:
c/o No. 17, Jalan 14/42
Taman Sejahtera
Off Jalan Kuching
51 200 Kuala Lumpur.

Thank you for your generous and kind donations.

With kind regards,
Secretariat of MDL
Sis. Siew Hua



Tashi Yangzom, 23
Zangskar


Dechen Angmo, 23
Kukshow

Friday, January 9, 2009

Letter from Bhikkhu Nagasena

Dear Sis. Siew Hua and Mei Joon,

It is very nice and happy to know that MIMC Malaysian Desk has created its own email address. I on behalf of all the members, staff, and students would like to thanks both Sis Siew Hua and Mei Joon who have been working hard .

...

The friendship between Malaysian Buddhist and MIMC had started when Ven. Sanghasena visited Malaysian first time in 1990s. During that time he met Mr Charlie Chia who been friend and supporter of MIMC since then. During the period, he has been leading many Malaysian devotees to show the activities of MIMC as well as the beauty nature of Ladakh. All the people who have visited so far went back with happily and satisfactorily. Everyone appreciates Ven. Sanghasena's works and give lots of inspiration to him as well as the members and staff of the organization.

Water Project
In 2006, Mr Charlie Chia led a group of people from Malaysia to Ladakh for pilgrimage as well as adventurous trip. In the group a very kind, compassionate, and philanthropic lady from Malaysia named Mdm. Ramona Lai was together. She agreed to support one of the most serious and long-standing needs at the campus - the Water Project.

Mdm. Ramona has very generously sponsored a very systematic and huge project to pump groundwater and distribute it across the entire campus. There are two bore wells fitted with pumps which draw a capacity of 15 Liters of water per second. Beside this, there is a reservoir of a capacity of one lac (100 thousand) gallon and Diesel Gen. Set of 100 KV to run the pumps.

Solar Water Heating Project
Irrespective of whether you visit Ladakh in summer or winter, you will soon learn the truth of the old Ladakhi saying; 'your feet can get frostbite while your head gets sunstroke'.

The suns rays fall hard and strong in Ladakh, irrespective of the season. Tapping into this obvious source of energy has helped Mahabodhi Devachan cope with a very erratic supply of main grid electricity. All of the computers in the administration block and the internet café, as well as the essential lighting in the hostels, are now connected to solar power.

By the winter of 2008, the use of solar power has been further extended to enable all the residents of Mahbodhi Devachan to have access to hot water during the freezing winter months. The improvements include 'winter proofing' the existing cold water system, to prevent it from freezing during the harshest winter months. This has proved to be a great blessing for all living at Mahabodhi Devachan, for they now enjoy the benefits of hot water throughout the winter.

All this has been made possible with the kind and generous support of our Malaysian friends, especially Mdm. Ramona Lai and Mr. Charlie Chia Lui Meng. They have very compassionately financed the solar water heating systems at various wings, including the Mahabodhi Girls Hostel, Boys Hostel, Phandey-ling Nunnery, and Jetavana Monastery, Old Aged Home, Hostel for Visually Impaired Children and the Hospital. Seven systems, totaling capacity 10,000 LPD solar water heating systems have been installed at the Devachan Campus.

We are extremely grateful to Mr. Lee, who has been here since May, and has been vigorously working on every detail of the implementation - Thank you so much Mr. Lee for your concern and your much-needed help and assistance, without which the whole project would not have materialized in such a systematic and organised way.

Our long cherished dream of a green Devachan will soon come to fruition, and we hope to have many agriculture and allied projects taking place on the campus in the years to come.

All the projects running very well despite of the fact that temperature has fallen down to -20 Degree Celsius. In such a chilling winter, the both water and Solar Water heater systems are working very well.

We all the staff, students and staff are looking forward to strengthen friendship between MIMC and members of MIMC Malaysian Desk.
With regards
Ven Nagasena