The BGF Outreach is a quarterly publication for members with information on current and past activities.

1. A bi-monthly newsletter of the
BUDDHIST GEM FELLOWSHIP
W: www.bgf.org.my
F: bgf.org.my152 March - April 2018
For members only
W: www.bgf.org.my
F: bgf.org.my
A bi-monthly newsletter of the
BUDDHIST GEM FELLOWSHIP
136 July-August 2015
For members only
OUTREAcHGrowing People, Inspiring the Future
BGF PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
PROF. DATUk SERI DR. VIcTOR WEE
Strong Appeal of Mindfulness in the West
Mindfulness has picked up strong momentum in the West. The “Search Inside
Yourself” program in Google started by Tan Chade Meng is so popular that
thousands of Google employees took his class, with many more in the long
waiting list. Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University
“Executive Mind” class offers mindfulness as essential tool for an effective
leader.
Steve Job credited his early studies of Zen Buddhism that influenced his creative
output and business practices at Apple. Aspen Institute President Walter Isaacs
on said: “Most of us could benefit from having a little more of Buddha in us
during our daily lives.”
Research Findings on Mindfulness
Over the past decades, research on meditation and mindfulness practices shed
light on how these practices affect the brain and physical and mental health.
Research at University of Utah found that individuals who are more mindful
have more stable emotions and better control over their mood and behaviour
throughout the day.
THE REAL ANGPOW (RED PACKET)
PROF. DATUK SERI DR. VICTOR WEE
Wise Words on Parents
Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay)
said: “Father’s work is enormous, huge
as a mountain. Mother’s devotion is
like the water flowing from a mountain
spring that gushes without end.
Mother’s love is our first taste of love,
the origin and source of all feelings of
love. Our mother is the teacher who first
teaches us to love, the most important
lesson in our life. Without her, we
cannot have known how to love.”
One day when Thay’s mother died,
he wrote in his journal, “The greatest
misfortuneofmylifehasjusthappened.”
He was a monk then. He said that even
when you are an adult and living away
from your mother, her death leaves
you feeling like an abandoned young
orphan.
At BGF Chinese New Year Celebration
held on Sunday 25 February, Buddhist
Education organized a Tea Offering
Ceremony for the Gem Kids/Teens to
offer tea to their parents. In my talk
to them, I said that the Tea Offering
Ceremony is very meaningful for
children to thank their parents and
ask for forgiveness. Parents can use
the occasion to remember their duty to
children and give them blessings.
The Pali word for parents is “mata-
pitaro” i.e. mother and father. It is
significant to note that in Pali, the word
“mother” comes before “father”. Parents
are considered a rich field of merit, and
children are lucky if they still have their
parents to serve.
The Buddha mentioned that children
could not sufficiently repay their
parents. Even if we were to carry our
mother and father on our shoulders for
100 years and give them all wealth of
the entire world, we still cannot repay
our gratitude to them. The only way of
repaying is to bring our parents to the
Buddha Dhamma.
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2. with your own conditions. You both are
linked through kamma. You may give
them your love but not your opinions
because they have their own thoughts.
Teach them how to value truthfulness,
kindness and compassion, and how to
make wise judgments and arrive at good
decisions.
Reflections for Parents
During the Tea Offering Ceremony, a
parent should think: “How can I be a
good parent to be worthy of the respect
and good wishes from my child who is
now bowing to me? How can I lead my
child through my own good example so
that he or she will grow to be an adult
that I will be proud of?”
Give your child your blessings. For
Buddhists, parents are the Brahmas
(gods) at home. The expression of
gratitude and thanks from the children
and the giving of blessings by parents are
the real angpow (red packet), which goes
beyond the money in the red packets.
Remembering Father
Someone said, “A father thinks about
his children day and night even when
they are not with him. He will love
them forever in a way they could never
understand.” When a father holds his
first newborn baby in his arms for the
first time, a thought would have crossed
his mind that the life of this little infant
is dependent on him. How can he ensure
that the baby will be well provided and
grow up into a good and useful adult?
However, there are cases of parents who
hurt their children and plant seeds of
sufferinginthem.Actually,theseparents
did not mean to plant these seeds, but
they were victims themselves, having
received the same treatment from their
own parents. Thay’s advice is to practice
mindful living to put a stop to the
transmission of the seeds of suffering to
our children and grandchildren.
Advice to Parents
In the Sigalovada Sutta, the Buddha
said that it is the duty of parents to
restrain children from negative actions
and establish them in virtuous action.
Parents must also provide training and
education to children and give them
inheritance at the proper time.
Some parents are too possessive
with regards to their children. In
The Prophet, Khalil Gibran wrote:
“Children came through you but not
from you”. This is good advice because
your children are here because of their
own set of conditions that are linked up
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3. The Most Ven Dr Kirinde Sri Dhammanda
Nayaka Maha Thera
For more information, kindly contact:
Bro Bobby Ng (012) 635 5571
Bro Lai Kim Looi (012) 210 2519
Email : bgf.dhammaduta@gmail.com
Celebrating K. Sri Dhammananda’s Centenary
BUDDHIST GEM FELLOWSHIP
D-G-2, Block D, Jalan PJU 1A/3K
Taipan 1, Ara Damansara
47301 Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan
09.00 12.30 PMAM
BGF Gratitude Day 2018
09.00 am Puja & Chanting
09.45 am The Golden Sun of Sri Lanka Trailer
09.50 am Reminiscing the Late Chief
10.15 am Dhamma Sharing by Ajahn Brahmali
11.30 am Maha Sanghika Dana @ Level 1
12.30 pm Dedication of Merits @ Level 1
1818
MARCH
SUNDAY
OPEN TO PUBLIC.
No registration required.
For Non-Muslims Only.
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5. On Sunday, 25 February 2018, the
Chinese New Year Celebration at BGF
started at 9.30am with a Puja at the
K. Sri Dhammananda Hall on Level 2
with participation from BGF Members.
friends, Teachers, Gem Kids and Teens
together with their families.
ThemorningeventbeganwithaDhamma
Talk by Prof Datuk Seri Dr Victor Wee,
entitled “Gratitude Is the Beginning of
Happiness”. The talk centred on how
our parents have selflessly nurtured their
children’s wellbeing from birth and how
we as Buddhists can repay our parents
by bringing them towards practicing the
Dhamma. The highlight of the morning
was the “Tea Ceremony with Parents and
Children” led by Bro Daniel Kwok. After
a5minute“MeditationEspresso”session,
BGF Members and Parents organized
themselves for the Tea Ceremony. While
both the Gem Kids and Teens were
bowing to their parents, parents looked
on lovingly and blessed their children
with words of encouragement, praise
and well wishes. Parents were then
served tea, while other members helped
with the Photography and Videography.
After the energetic Photography Session
with the Mini Lions and Puppy Puppets
(made by Gem Kids & Gem Teens
students) to commemorate the Year of
the Dog 2018, our very own “God of
Prosperity” (Choy Sun Yeh) made his
appearance spreading joy and laughter
whilst distributing mandarin oranges to
the crowd. Members also contributed
with the cleaning and packing of K.
Sri Dhammananda Hall on Level 2, so
by the time the Fire Cracker session on
the Ground Floor was ready, the Hall
upstairs was already cleaned.
This year, the firecrackers were stringed
longer, up to 32 feet and just as the
explosions ended, the D2Y Lion Dance
Troupe went ahead in setting BGF alive
with their energetic movements, spirited
drumming and clashing cymbals. A
group of delighted children had to be held
back from touching the lion costume as
the dancers peeled the Mandarin oranges
on a round tray at the Shrine Hall.
Members and Guests at the BGF Chinese
New Year Celebration 2018 ended the
wonderful morning with tossing of the
festive Yee Sang (Vegetarian Salad Mix)
to shouts of great health, prosperity and
success before partaking in a scrumptious
Fellowship Luncheon, comprising of
Vegetarian Dishes, Noodles and Fruits.
It was an event to cherish and remember.
BGF CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION 2018
BRO. DANIEL KWOK
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6. SIS. JENNIFER LIM
When I was asked to help with the
coordination of the auspicious BGF
Chinese New Year event I felt daunted as
I was not sure what was expected. Even
Tea Ceremony between children and
parents was something new to me, as
my family is not traditional or culturally
inclined. I admit I am one of those
“Banana” Chinese!
I am truly blessed that the committee
members were very supportive, helpful
andknewwhattheyweredoing. Puja(led
by Sis. Tee Ke Hui of YC) was conducted
prior to Datuk Seri Victor Wee’s talk
on “Gratitude Is The Beginning of
Happiness and Reflection on Gratitude”.
In the talk he highlighted the Buddha's
teaching on the importance of honoring
our parents and showing them our
gratitude for bringing us into the world
and raising us. The talk was followed
by a short video by Irwyn Wongso on
how to pay respect and serve tea to our
parents on this auspicious occasion.
BGF CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION 2018
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7. HIGHLIGHTS OF RECENT & FUTURE ACTIVTIES OF
BGF COUNSELLING UNIT (BGFCU)
BRO. LIM CHEN YAM
25th BGF Counseling Course Level 2
Level 2 of the course started on 8 January
2018 with Ms Betty Yeoh from AWAM
presenting ‘Domestic Violence Is Not a
Private Matter’. A total of 44 participants
signed up for this level. Level 2 is due to
complete on 13 May 2018.
26th Counseling Workshop scheduled
on 22 July 2018
The 25th Counseling Workshop is now
scheduled to take place on 22 July 2018.
As it has been the tradition set from the
beginning, the organisers will be the 25th
Counseling Course Class Committee
members. Sis Wong Chung Heong,
Sis Lily Chua and Session Course
Coordinators will be working with the
class committee for the 25th course.
Among the steps to be taken as soon as
possible will be to determine this years
theme & to follow up with poster.
‘Case Conceptualisation’ Workshop on
6 January 2018
The ‘Case Conceptualization’ workshop
as a follow-up to ethics in counseling
was conducted by Sis Sin Ye on 6 January
2018 with 15 participants attending. A
fuller account is given elsewhere in this
issue.
Buddhist Education (led by Bro Daniel
Kwok and Bro Tee Chee Seng) were in
charge of the Tea Ceremony and they
both did a great job of getting parents
and children involved. It was a beautiful
ceremony where children pay respect
to their parents by serving them tea,
wishing them well and showing their
gratitude. It was not only the young ones
that were paying their respects to their
parents, some grandparents that came
along, the adults were also seen bowing
and serving tea to their own parents.
After the Tea Ceremony, “Choy San
Yeh” (God of Prosperity) volunteered
by Bro.Alex Chan appeared bearing
oranges and good wishes for all present.
Many were seen clamoring for a photo
opportunity with “Choy San Yeh”.
There was a Lion Dance performance
by D2Y and igniting of firecrackers to
usher in good wishes to BGF and its
members before the tossing of Yee Sang
and fellowship lunch.
The Yee Sang platters were beautifully
prepared and made by another team
of volunteers led by Sis. Wong (BGF
Counseling Unit). They had so much fun
trying to decorate the plate with image
of the “Dog”. Not only did it look cute
it was yummy as well. The essence of
Chinese New Year was ever present. It
was a joyful and meaningful morning
that saw children and adults having a
great time. “Gong Xi Fa Cai” to all!
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8. New Marriage Education Program
(MEP)
Due to shortage of funds, BGF was
unable to get approval to do another
MEP in 2017 from the Ministry of
Women, Family and Community
Development. Our previous MEP (15th
Edition) was conducted on 1 to 2 Oct
2016 and attended by 16 couples.
With the approval of BGF’s Exco, BGFCU
has come out with its own MEP. Sis Siew
Yin Heng is leading the work team to
implement this. The program will be for
one full day to maximize participation of
couples. The revised MEP will focus on
communications and couple bonding.
The date fixed for the first program is
10 June 2018, and the registration fee
will be RM 100 per couple. A follow-up
workshop for married couples (newly as
well as long time married) is also being
considered.
Further Changes in the BGFCU Exco
The Exco established 2 subcommittees to
see to the following:
(i) Training/roleplay subcommittee
looking after the course syllabus, trainee
standards and training issues led by Sis.
Siew Yin Heng.
(ii) Phone Line Services subcommittee
to assess and meet phoneline service’s
needs through recruitment and retention
of para-counselors led by Sis. K C
Chiang.
Volunteers from 2018
For this year’s intake of new volunteers,
BGFCU decided on a new approach.
Participants from the 25th and 26th
courses were invited to take part. Those
who applied were then interviewed
by a panel led by Sis. Siew Yin Heng
and with members Sis. Wong Chung
Heong and Sis. Iris Goh on 4 and 11
February 2018. The interviews were
done to access the following:
(i) Suitability and temperament of the
volunteers to do telephone counseling
duties.
(ii) Willingness of the volunteers to
undergo and stay with the rigorous
training required.
(iii) Commitment of volunteers for
duties for a reasonable period after
training.
Twelve volunteers were accepted after
the interviews for this program which
will start on 3 March 2018.
Volunteers from 2017
This group has commenced roleplay
sessions through the phone lines.
We have 4 volunteers from the 23rd
Counseling Course in this group. Bro.
Lee Suan Seng, who is in charge of
Than Hsiang Mitraline training and a
fully qualified counselor, continues to
facilitate this group. The volunteers are
expected to complete their training by
middle of the year and will be assigned
telephone counseling duties.
Volunteers from 2014/2016
Roleplay sessions through the phone
lines have continued since the start
of 2018. Sis. Sin Ye from Than Hsiang
has been facilitating the sessions for
8 volunteers. It is expected for this
group to complete their training in
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9. As a follow-up to ‘Ethics in
Counseling’, another workshop
‘Case Conceptualisation’ also meant
for volunteer para-counselors (or
helpers) in BGF’s Counseling Unit was
successfully held on 6 January 2018
from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm. A great way
to awaken ourselves in 2018 with new
knowledge!
The session was conducted by Sis Sin
Yee, Than Hsiang’s trainer who has been
helping to train BGFCU’s volunteers. It
was attended by 14 senior and trainee
para-counselors as well as Bro Lee Suan
Seng, also a Than Hsiang’s trainer who
is currently helping out to train BGFCU
volunteers.
CASE CONTEPTUALISATION WORKSHOP - 6 JANUARY 2018
SIS. LILY CHUA
the near future and to be fully assigned
telephone counseling duties.
Publicity for the Telephone Service
The current telephone counseling
service calling cards have been modified
to remove the address, and volunteers
have been helping out to distribute
them during BGF events. Posters and
namecards were placed in facilities in
other organisations that have granted
us permission.
BGFCU’s Facebook has been updated
and serves as one of the channels to
promote the phone counseling services.
Steps continue to be taken to publicise
the service through free facilities offered
by social media.
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10. Case Conceptualization was taught to
enable para-counselors to understand a
Person-in-Need (PiN) by learning more
oftheirbackgroundandlifeexperiences.
Sis Sin Yee used the Virginia Satir’s
Iceberg Theory to explain this and also
taught the participants how to use the
Lifeline method, by going through
the history of significant events in a
person’s life that have shaped their
character. The learning was made
even more interesting by a practical
exercise with Bro Jeen Lim, a participant,
gamely volunteering to have his Lifeline
drawn out and the rest of us making
assumptions and conclusions about his
life choices and character traits.
It was a very interesting topic that
provided useful skills to aid us in our
service to the PiNs and we gratefully
thank Sis Sin Yee for her commitment
and compassion in sharing her time and
knowledge with us.
NEW ORDINARY MEMBER
1. Bro. Lee Khim Keat
2. Sis. Tong Hiew Yuen
3. Sis. Lai Yock Mey
4. Bro. Tay Kim Chuan
5. Sis. Chan Chioh Leng
6. Bro. How Hoe Yaw
7. Bro. Ooi Lai Keat (Ken)
8. Sis. Loo Siew Kham
9. Bro. Foong Check Lim
10. Bro. Lee Siow Foo
11. Sis. Lim Lih Shin
1. Sis. Liew Siew Ngor
2. Sis. Eileen Chew Kim Jun
NEW LIFE MEMBER
ANNOUNCEMENT
Ajahn Brahmavamso’s latest book “Bear
Awareness - Questions and Answers on
Taming Your Wild Mind” published by
Wisdom Publication (USA) is now available
at BGF centre for RM80 per copy!
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11. ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE
Apr
4 March 2018, Sunday
9.00am – 11.30am
Sunday@BGF with Datuk Charlie Chia
“The Art of Managing Changes”
9.00am - 12.30pm
Gem Kids & Gem Teens @L1 & L2
11..30am - 2.00pm
BGF Cafe Open
1.30pm – 5.30pm
Understanding Sutta & Abhidhamma
with Sis. Caroline Lee (Chinese) 2018
10 March 2018, Saturday
1.30pm – 5.30pm
Understanding Sutta & Abhidhamma
with Sis. Caroline Lee (English)
11 March 2018, Sunday
9.00am – 12.00pm
Dhamma 101
1.30pm – 5.30pm
Understanding Sutta & Abhidhamma
with Sis. Caroline Lee (Chinese)
2.30pm – 5.30pm
BGF Counselling Course II @L1
17-21 March 2018, Saturday-Wednesday
Sutta Study Retreat with Ajahn
Brahmali (Non-residential)
Register online at http://tiny.cc/
ABSutta18
18 March 2018, Sunday
9.00am - 12.30pm
BGF Gratitude Day (talk by Ajahn
Brahmali & Maha Sanghika Dana)
2.30pm – 5.30pm
BGF Counselling Course II @L1
22-26 March 2018, Thursday-Monday
Meditation Retreat with Ajahn
Brahmali (Residential/Non-Residential)
Register online at http://tiny.cc/
ABMeditate18
24 March 2018, Saturday
1.30pm – 5.30pm
Understanding Sutta & Abhidhamma
with Sis. Caroline Lee (English)
25 March 2018, Sunday
1.30pm – 5.30pm
Understanding Sutta & Abhidhamma
with Sis. Caroline Lee (Chinese)
2.30pm – 5.30pm
BGF Counselling Course II @L1
7 April 2018, Saturday
9.00am – 12.00pm
Dhamma Fellowship
8 April 2018, Sunday
9.00am – 12.00pm
Dhamma 101
2.30pm – 5.30pm
BGF Counselling Course II @L1
14 April 2018, Saturday
10.00am - 5.00pm
BGF Professional Emcee Training Course
15 April 2018, Sunday
9.00am – 11.30am
Sunday@BGF with Bro. Tan Huat Chye
“Happiness & Success with Spiritual
Friends (Kalyana Mitra)”
9.00am - 12.30pm
Gem Kids & Gem Teens @L1 & L2
11..30am - 2.00pm
BGF Cafe Open
2.00pm - 5.00pm
BGF Annual General Meeting
21 April 2018, Saturday
8.30am - 6.30pm
OPT Workshop @L2
10.00am - 5.00pm
BGF Professional Emcee Training Course
1.30pm – 5.30pm
Understanding Sutta & Abhidhamma
with Sis. Caroline Lee (English)
Mar
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12. Telephone Counselling Service is provided by BGFCU volunteers from Mondays
to Wednesdays. Time : 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Hotline : 03-78599610 / 03-78599682.
Face-to-face counseling service is provided based on the availability of Counselors
to accept the request.
Metta Meditation : Wednesdays : 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Guided by Prof. Datuk Seri Dr. Victor Wee, this meditation on metta (loving
kindness) to all sentient beings is excellent for mental cultivation and stress relief.
Suitable for beginners as well as experienced meditators. Please be punctual in
order not to disturb the sitting. For details, please contact Sis. Elaine Low at 013-
352 7662.
Qi Gong Class : Thursdays : 8:30pm - 10:30pm
You’ll be guided personally, stage by stage. Any queries, kindly contact Bro. Chan
Yin Hoong at 03-5519 2455 Ext. 211 or 012 – 328 6256.
Origin Point Therapy (OPT) : Saturdays : 10.00am - 12.00pm
Free Origin Point Therapy is available on Saturday 10am to 12pm. Please wear soft
cotton t-shirt and soft track bottom. Kindly bring along a bath and a hand towel
for hygiene purpose. Contact Bro. Ang 012-382 9264/ Bro. Lee 019-2181259.
REGULAR & WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
11`Article / Feedback for Outreach : If you have attended any talks or
events organised by BGF and would like to share your experience, please
write to us. Email to the editor at info@bgf.org.my. Articles will be edited
for brevity and subjected to space availability. We welcome feedback or
suggestions for constant improvement.
Layout design & edited by Sis. Quek Mei Joon.
Published by Buddhist Gem Fellowship, D-G-2, Block D, Jalan PJU 1A/3K,
Taipan 1, Ara Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Contact: BGF Office 03-7734 7960 | BGF Administrator 018-663 5730
Website: www.bgf.org.my
ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE
22 April 2018, Sunday
8.30am - 6.30pm
OPT Workshop @L2
1.30pm – 5.30pm
Understanding Sutta & Abhidhamma
with Sis. Caroline Lee (Chinese)
2.30pm – 5.30pm
BGF Counselling Course II @L1
29 April 2018, Sunday
9.00am – 11.30am
Sunday@BGF with Datuk Seri Dr. Victor
Wee “Spread of Buddhism Along the
Silk Route”
9.00am - 12.30pm
Gem Kids & Gem Teens @L1 & L2
11..30am - 2.00pm
BGF Cafe Open
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