Dalai Lama raises money for Buddhist Community

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Dharamshala, India -- Figurative artist Lisa Andrews painted two portraits of His Holiness, which were signed by him on a recent visit to the UK; these signed portraits raised £6,200 ($9,544) when they were auctioned by the Buddhist Community Center (BCCUK).

Signed by His Holiness on his recent visit to the EBB stadium in Aldershot, England, the portraits are believed to be two of a very small number that have been signed by him; they are authenticated by the BCCUK.

Lisa Andrews-the artist- says that the portraits are intended to encapsulate the spirit of His Holiness and portray his characteristic sense of humour.

"I love to use oil paint as the fluidity of the paint merges and flows to mirror my energy and emotions. I paint people and in particular their faces, as I find this both the most challenging and enjoyable," said Lisa. "My paintings seek to capture more than just a photographic image of my subject, but also to include the person's energy. I paint to express emotion: the emotion and expression of my subject and my reaction to it."

The paintings were auctioned at a BCCUK charity dinner in Reading, England. The money raised will go towards the renovation of the building that is to become a new Buddhist monastery/Community centre in Aldershot for all Buddhists; it will also be open to the public.

The critically acclaimed artist Lisa Andrews attended the dinner and auction, as did Chime Rinpoche- a Buddhist monk-living in exile who founded the first Tibetan Buddhist centre in England in 1973.

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Buddhist temple raises RM15,000 for charity

At 7pm on new year?s eve, a temple spokesman announced that it had collected a total of RM15,000 from 30 stalls selling everything from cakes to ice-cream and Chinese New Year decorative items.

Organising chairman Tnay Siong Leng said the amount would be distributed to four non-governmental bodies evenly.

?We wanted to do what we can up to the very last minute,? Tnay told The Star.

He said new year?s eve was chosen for the temple?s charity sales because, ?there were hardly anyone working yesterday, so they could all come help out?.

The sale was also in conjunction with Fa Yuan Vihara?s fifth anniversary and second anniversary since the opening of its renovated premises.

The recipient NGOs were Sarawak Children?s Cancer Society, Sarawak Cheshire Home Kuching, Society of the Blind Sarawak and Pibakat, an association for parents with disabled children.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng, who was an invited guest, said he always felt ?encouraged to see youths engage in social work?.

?I hope others will see what Fa Yuan Vihara followers have done here and be inspired to contribute back to society,? Yong said.

?The act of giving selflessly is essential to Buddhism. It is also just as important to give from our hearts, without expectations of rewards. Everything that comes from the heart is beautiful.?

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