With great delight, we look forward to welcoming our most precious Spiritual Director and Guru, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, back to Amitabha Buddhist Centre and to having the company of our members, students and friends from near and far for a meaningful and event-packed programme.

Here's what's in store during Rinpoche's visit at ABC:

6 September, Friday, 7.30pm - 10pm
7 September, Saturday, 4pm - 6pm, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
8 September, Sunday, 4pm - 5.30pm
11 September, Wednesday, 7.30pm - 10pm
13 September, Friday, 7.30pm - 10pm
14 September, Saturday, 4pm - 6pm, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
15 September, Sunday, 4pm - 5.30pm
18 September, Wednesday, 7.30pm - 10pm
21 September, Saturday, 4pm - 6pm, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche will continue his commentary on the Lama Chöpa (Guru Puja) practice.

• The teaching is open to all without any prerequisites until the start of the restricted topics.
• Registration is required to attend the restricted topics.
• Live Chinese translation will be provided during the teachings.

Prerequisites for restricted topics

• Have already received a great initiation of highest yoga tantra, such as Heruka Chakrasamvara, Guhyasamaja or Yamantaka.
• Have faith in and respect for the Guru.
• Have faith in Buddhist tantra.
• Not be a practitioner of Shugden / Dolgyal.
• Keep the lifetime practice commitments stated below.

Lifetime Practice Commitments (starting only at the completion of the whole commentary)

• To do the Lama Chöpa every day, or if that is difficult, to do the Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga every day.
• To practice any other commitments that Lama Zopa Rinpoche may give during the commentary.

Registration

Registration is compulsory to attend the restricted topics. You may either register online at the links provided below, or register in person by visiting and filling in the registration form at the Amitabha Buddhist Centre office.

Registration will close on 31 August 19.

All applicants will receive an e-mail reply from ABC concerning the status of their registration.

RE-registration for successful 2018 registrants

Those who had successfully registered for the Lama Chöpa Commentary at ABC in 2018 are required to re-register for this year's teaching at this link to attend the commentary this year.

NEW registration

Others please register at this link.

20 September, Friday, 7pm

We are celebrating the 30th anniversary of Amitabha Buddhist Centre this September with our most precious Spiritual Director, Guru and Founder, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche as our Guest-of-Honour. Join us at this special occasion on:

• Date: 20 September 2019 (Friday)
• Time: 7 pm (6.30 pm reception)
• Venue: Jubilee Garden Restaurant at SAFRA Club, Lorong 6 Toa Payoh
• Ticket admission: $70 per person (payment by cash or cheque only)

For ticket purchase and enquiries, visit our office at Level 4 or call 6745 8547. Please note that tickets must be collected in person and are not available online.

22 September, Sunday, 9.30am - 12pm

ABC will be offering the 16 Arhats Long Life Prayers to pray for the long life and continued good health of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and to supplicate that Rinpoche remain to guide us until samsara ends.

It is said that praying for the long life of our precious gurus is also a skillful way to create the cause for our own longevity and to always receive the nectar of the Dharma from our teachers. In addition, the benefits of making offerings and prayers to the 16 Arhats are:

1. All the Victorious Ones (Buddhas) are pleased.
2. Anyone who correctly practices it will have no obstacles.
3. One will be able to abide in pure morality.
4. It increases one's scriptural understanding and realization.
5. One will have perfect inner and outer conditions to practice Dharma.
6. One will not be overwhelmed by untimely death and will have a long life.
7. The community of Sangha will be increased.
8. The study and practice of the Tripitaka (Three Baskets) will increase.

All members and students are invited to join us on this auspicious occasion to offer our prayers to Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, to dedicate for his very long life and perfect health, for all his holy wishes to be spontaneously fulfilled, and to strengthen our bond with our most precious guru.

Dress Code
In keeping with the formality of the ceremony and as an offering to the guru, it is customary to be respectfully dressed for the occasion. Therefore, please refrain from wearing any revealing or overly casual attire.

We have compiled a list of guidelines on "Introduction to Lama Zopa Rinpoche's Teachings".

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has taught the Dharma for over 40 years across the globe to thousands of people and is highly appreciated for his special and unique qualities. Here is helpful advice for new students, or who are receiving teachings from Rinpoche for the first time, on how to receive the most benefit from attending his teachings:

• When Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaches, it is out of the purest motivation to offer the highest benefit to the students, by patiently taking all the time and effort necessary to give the great gift of the Dharma. Therefore, Rinpoche is known to not follow the conventions of teaching according to the text at hand, nor to heed the constraints of the clock. Rather, Rinpoche often teaches to suit the karmic propensities of his audience and goes to great lengths to ensure that what is most beneficial is taught. With this in mind, it is best to be free of any expectations while listening to the teachings.


• Although Rinpoche teaches in English, those new to Rinpoche’s teachings may have initial difficulties in understanding his speech. To ensure that Rinpoche is well understood, the teachings will be simultaneously transcribed in English and broadcast onto several television screens for easy viewing.


• Rinpoche's teachings and initiations usually run into late hours, and even until the next morning. Whenever possible, plan your schedule in advance with the objective of being physically and mentally present at all teaching sessions.


• Be prepared to be flexible with any changes that may occur in the programme if and when Rinpoche deems necessary. As a fully qualified teacher, Rinpoche may sometimes modify the teaching schedule at very short notice. Should there be unforeseen changes, it is helpful to remember the teachings on impermanence.


• Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings are open to the public. We further expect students from all over the world, both ordained and lay, to attend. We look forward to extending a warm welcome to all visitors, including our Dharma brothers and sisters in the FPMT family. New students may wish to seize the opportunity to get to know more about the FPMT community through our visitors, while our guests have a similar opportunity to learn more about Amitabha Buddhist Centre during their visit.


• As there will be several opportunities to greet and welcome Rinpoche throughout his visit, students who will be receiving teachings from Rinpoche for the very first time are encouraged to join in the reception and to offer the traditional khatag to Rinpoche to create an auspicious connection.

Together with all our members and friends, we look forward to giving Rinpoche a very warm welcome back to ABC.