“Patience is like an umbrella against the rain of anger.”
– Child participant in Dharma For Kids, Kuala Lumpur

Losang Dragpa Centre is one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist centres in Malaysia, and like FDCW is affiliated to FPMT (the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition). Over the past four years the Centre has developed an energetic programme for children and young people, which blends together traditional Dharma teachings and FDCW resources in a way that is appropriate for the local audience and culture, and specifically for the children of the centre’s members. The following report may be of particular interest to other Buddhist centres who wish to develop activities for younger age groups. The FDCW office is always happy to discuss how this can be done.

When Amitabha Buddhist Centre hosted the Jade Buddha statue for Universal Peace in prestigious Orchard Road, Singapore, they selected the 16 Guidelines for Life as the theme for the public exhibition surrounding the statue. Each of the Guidelines was featured on a beautifully designed giant banner, organised by ABC volunteer Sin Wee Tay, with the aim of sharing a universal message of peace with the thousands of visitors who may not be open to a traditional Buddhist presentation. On the 20thof January, UWE volunteer SabreenaAndriesz gave an introductory talk about the Guidelines to over 100 people. We are very grateful to Amitabha Buddhist Centre for choosing to collaborate with us in this way, and are always open to suggestions from other groups who are interested in working together to promote compassion and wisdom for peace.

by Rekha Varma

Regular sessions started from the 1st of April. I began with two members, but since then the numbers have risen and we have close to ten regulars. The number often increases with casual visitors as well. I conduct two sessions a week, Mondays and Fridays.

Initially, participants were quite closed and did not interact very much among themselves. Over the period of these classes, however, they have opened up and now express their views as well as ask relevant questions. Many have had the opportunity to study religions, and therefore come up with insightful questions that require much deeper explanations.

That is an incentive for me to take the 16 Guidelines to a much higher level.

It is also evident from their interactions within and outside of the group that they are putting the 16 Guidelines to successful use in their daily lives. The guidelines seem to have worked as a soothing balm on their emotions. What appears to be working is the realization that what we have received today is our own creation, an understanding of cause and effect, therefore there is no ‘blame game’ to be played. There is more of an understanding of themselves and their circumstances. They are now more concerned with improving their situation. Their anxiety and restlessness is replaced by reflection and introspection. Each time we meet, we review whether we have been able to use the 16 Guidelines and the responses have mostly been positive.

The center will close for three months at the end of May and the members are curious to know if I will continue the sessions once it reopens.

I feel privileged and thank the 16 Guidelines for being gentle in nature but profound in impact.

by Alison Murdoch

In November 2011, an Australian/British team, consisting of husband and wife Shyla and Jason Mills plus Alison Murdoch, piloted a new one-day workshop '16 Guidelines for End of Life Care' at the invitation of Hospis Malaysia.