11. 20 Oct. 2019: BGRUK Deusi Bhailo WareHouse:
The Buddhist Gumba Reading UK held a Deusi-Bhailo Programme at the Warehouse, Reading to celebrate the Nepali festival, Bhai Tika Deepawali (festival of light) while also raising funds for the Gumba. To spice up the event, the Mothers Group hired a well-known Nepalese folk singer Ms Khima Roka Magar. All the catering and management was also organised by the Mothers Group. It was a very lucrative evening and that raised a healthy sum of £4300 after all expenditures
To provide more entertainment, local artist Ghandruk Ama Samaj and Tamu (Gurung) Sanskrit Munch UK performed live songs and music to everyone excitement. The Mothers group and organization also hosted a raffle with sponsored prizes with the first prize being a 10-gram gold ring donated by the BGRUK.
12. 17 Nov. 2019 : Interaction Programme:
On 17 Nov 2019, Buddhist Gumba Reading UK organised a huge interaction program based on Buddha Dharma from Birth to Death Rites by Khenrinpoche Shir Lama Guru with Yogesh Gurung as the programme host. The event was chaired by Insp Khem Bahadur Gurung with NRNAUK President Mrs Poonam Gurung being the main guest. Similarly, Tamu Dhee UK President Mr Nanda Jang Gurung, Tamu Samaj Uk Shivchandra Gurung, Tamu Forum UK Director Capt. Raju Gurung, Deputy Mayer of Barnet Lachhya Bahadur Gurung, BCCUK President Naresh Gurung, BGRUK Trustees GM Jai Bahadur Gurung MVO and Lt Jas Bahadur Gurung were also present as special guests. Other attendees consisted of past presidents, chairpersons from different Samajs, organisations, AMA Samuha and Devotees.
The program was divided in two phases with the first phase being Mahankal Puja and the second being and interaction program on the birth to death rites followed by question-answers from the audience. Donors and volunteers were also awarded with certificates and Khadas by venerable Guru Khenrinpoche Shir Lama Gurung.
The beginning of the second phase was opened with Assistant Treasurer, Chandra Bahadur Gurung singing ‘’Jaha Chhan Buddhaka Aankha ……’’ beautifully. The program was then formally started with a candle lighting ceremony by NRNAUK President Mrs Poonam Gurung and all the special guests. General Secretary Kamal Gurung was the role of honour to deliver the welcome speech on behalf of the organisation. After the speech, Mrs Usha Gurung read out the Guru’s biography for all to listen to.
TDUK VP Mr. Hari Gurung and Mr. Narayan Singh Gurung helped to review the Guru’s speeches. BGRUK Treasurer Maj Buddhi Bahadur Gurung read out the names of all the generous donors. BGRUK President Insp Khem Bahadur Gurung then thanked everyone for attending and formally ended the event.
13. 31 Dec. 2019: BGRUK Lhochhar Celebration:
On the 31st of December 2019, the Buddhist Gumba Reading UK celebrated Tamu Lhochhar at South Reading Community Hub, Reading. On that day Khenpo Dashrath Guru, was responsible for performing the puja along with Lopen Sonam Guru and Lama Guru Kaji Gurung.
The year of the Deer was ending with the year of the Mouse coming to replace it. It is believed that by doing Gyabshi puja or Ayuko Puja (Clear of obstacles or worship of the Age) that all devotees who attend are showered with blessings to generate an overwhelming amount of positive energy to clear negativities and dangerous hurdles to health and finance. In short, ‘’Gyabshi Puja” means 400 offerings to pacify the four Maras with the Gyabshi Practice being used to increase the life span and merits by purifying one’s defilements and suffering.
14. 18 Jan 2020: Annual General Meeting:
The BGRUK’s first AGM was held at the South Reading Community Hub and coordinated by VP Krishna Gurung. The programme’s main guest was Khenpo Dashrath Guru who was accompanied by NRNA President Mrs Poonam Gurung, TDUK President Mr. Nanda Jang Gurung, Tamu Forum Director Capt. Raju Gurung and advisor Maj Udai Bahadur Gurung MBE.
The programme was divided into two parts; the first part mainly consisted of welcoming the guests and the reading out of annual and fiscal reports by general secretary Kamal Gurung and treasurer Maj Buddhi Bahadur Gurung respectively. A religious briefing was also held by VP Nar Bahadur Gurung in which guests, trustees and advisors were given the opportunity to say their views and suggestions. All speakers were happy and ready to help our project in any way possible in the coming future and expressed their best wishes towards the Gumba.
During the event the guests were looked after by VP Mrs Radha Gurung and Mrs Dimpi Gurung. Khenpo Dashrath Guru read out best wishes from religious Guru Khenrinpoche Shir Lama Guru.
In the second half of the programme, there was a question and answer held which allowed the public and members to discuss the annual reports.
All in all the first Annual General Meeting was a very favourable one for BGRUK.
BGRUK felicitated to Miss Jesica Gurung (daughter of BGRUK founding member, Mr Rajendra and Mrs Ganga Gurung) with Khada and Pachhauri (Traditional Apron). Miss Jesica Gurung was facilitated for her academic outstanding achievements on her GCSE exam in 2019.
15. 2564 Buddha Jayanti:
For the 2564 Buddha Anniversary (Buddha Jayanti), Buddhist Gumba Reading UK celebrated with venerable Khenrinpoche Dasarath Guru on the 7th of May 2020.
Due to Covid-19 we are forced to celebrate virtually as directed by the government. To protect ourselves and public we celebrated 2564 Buddha Jayanti at home as other devotees and public members also joined in from their home practicing puja through a live video stream on Facebook and Viber. Khenpo Dasarath Guru lead the prayer and practiced many ritual practices to purify and protect all sentients beings from the Coronavirus.
To gain eternal peace for the deceased members and other people around the world, we as a religious organization, formally kept a minute silence, chanted prayers, lit 108 Oil Lamps and offered in their memory.
As a Charity Organization BGRUK decided to donate food to Readifood Reading’s Food Bank. This year the BGRUK decided not to ask donations from the public, instead asking Executive members only. Mrs Rajkumari Gurung and Mr Subin Gurung (Web co-ordinator) ran the event and we are very thankful to them for their contributions to the organization as we managed to raise total £1,248.00.
Mr Kamal Gurung, General Secretary, helped buying food and provided free transportation allowing us to deliver food to the local food bank. On food handover day, the food receipt was handed by Mrs Rajkumari Gurung to Amanda Bayley – Assistant Director. Acting Chairman VP Krishna Bahadur Gurung was participating via a live call during the process.
Mrs Usha Gurung, Trustee, Mr Kamal Gurung, General Secretary, Mrs Rajkumari Gurung, event coordinator, Mr Subin Gurung, Web and event joint coordinator and assistant Secretary Mr Yubaraj Gurung were also present on handover day.
To help local people, the BGRUK also donated 800 face masks to local organizations. To help prevent the spread of the Corona virus, organisations set up points of contact for pick-up drop medical prescriptions, routine hospital check-up and personal shopping. We wanted to give back by helping these organisations.
In the end we would like to thank everyone who supported us personally and virtually.
16. 2566th Buddha Jayanti:
As usual Buddhist Gumba Reading UK celebrate its 2566th Buddha Jayanti on Saturday,14 May 2022 with Khenrinpochhe Shirlama Guru in Pakistani Community Centre, Palmar Park Reading. On the event General secretary Mr Kamal Gurung WELCOME all guests and attendees. The event was attended by TDUK President Mr Hitkaji Gurung and his partner, Reading Tamu Samaj representative VP Mr Dev Bahadur Gurung and his partner, Ghonte Ghotane Samaj Uk president Capt Pitamber Gurung and his partner, voice of Nepal singing winner Ms Alina Gurung.
The event was co-ordinated by VP Mr Nar Bahadur Gurung. The event was started with main candle lit by main religious Guru Khenrinpochhe Shirlama Guru, Chairman Insp Khem Bahadur Gurung, Senior Trustee Lt Jas Bahadur Gurung and followed by other guests.
Event was divided in two parts, in first phase Sang Puja and Kyu Thui (साङ पुजा,कु ठुई पुजा) and in second phase Ganachakra Puja, Chhok Offering,Monlam reciting and preaching by Guru (गणचक्र पुजा,छोक अर्पण, प्राणिधान मोलम, धर्म देशना).
The event was attended by many devotees, and all foods, drink, tea-coffee was sponsor by EC members and individual voluntarily.
To help Ukraine in difficult time BGRUK requested to all members to donate and raised £351. Similarly, BGRUK has done campaigning every year to raise foods for Reading Food bank and this year also we manage to raise quite good foods for food bank which was co-ordinated by Mrs Rajkumari Gurung.
17. Guru Purnima (Wednesday, 13 July 2022) Celebration: –
Buddhist Gumba Reading Uk celebrated Guru Purnima excitedly. It was held remotely and Guru was present through Zoom and all his disciples were present in Hexham Community Centre.The event was co-ordinated by VP Mr Nar Bahadur Gurung. Event was started with cutting Cake on behalf of Guru by BGRUK president Insp. Khem Bahadur Gurung. All attended devotees pray for the Guru’s longevity, good health and prosperous and recited Monlam pray collectively.
Khenrinpoche Shirlama Guru preached about the relation between Guru and disciples which we can’t break even after death, its immortal.
On the event ,all flowers, foods, drinks, fruits and hall hire were sponsor by BGRUK Ama Samuha.
18.Domang and Pragyaparamiata Puja (17 September 2022)
On 17 September 2022, Buddhist Gumba Reading UK held a Domang and Pragyaparamiata Puja in Pakistani Community Centre, Reading. Venerable Khenrinpoche Shir Lama Guru lead the puja along with others 7 Gurus as Lopen Furba Tenzi Sherpa, Lopen Naresh Guru, Lopen Nyma Guru, Dinesh Guru, Kaji Guru, Dawa Guru.
The program was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by the venerable Khenrinpoche Shir Lama Guru, BGRUK Chairman Inspector Khem Bahadur Gurung, Senior Trustee Lt Jas Bahadur Gurung and other special persons.
The event was attended by many organizations as TDUK President Mr Hit Kaji Gurung and his wife Mrs Sita Gurung, TDUK Founding President Mr Min Prasad Gurung, TDUK former President Mr Ramchandra (Surje) Gurung his wife Mrs Pabitra Gurung, Mr Kamal Gurung and Former NRNA UK President Mrs Poonam Gurung, Sahara UK former President Mr Kumar Gurung, Kolma Bahakot Samaj UK president Mr Krishna Gurung, Sankhuwa Sava UK Past president Mr Biren Gurung and BCC London branch Ama Samuha President Mrs Dilmaya Gurung and so on. There were large numbers of founder, life members and disciples’ presence in the puja. On that day, the devotees were also given a tour of the recently purchased monastery building.
The treasurer Major Buddhi Bahadur Gurung read out the list of all the donors, saying that there was an incomparable support from the mother’s group, members and volunteers for the organization.
On the day, Diamond Buddhist Centre has donated £6,460 pounds as a help. On the event treasurer Maj Buddhi Bahadur Gurung read out all donors name for facilitated by Guru with Khada.
General Secretary Kamal Gurung gave a welcome speech in the program, Secretary Yubaraj Gurung conducted the program.
The event was coordinated by Vice President Nar Bahadur Gurung.
It was huge success in term of monetary fund raise or the way devotees turn on to attend the puja.
19.Deusi-Bhailo 2022 (Saturday,29 October 2022): –
Buddhist Gumba Reading UK Amah Samuh Deusi bhailo programme held on Saturday, 29th October 22 was a huge success. The Credit behind this success goes to everyone who is present on the event and those who contributed on-line due to work. So, we the members of Buddhist Gumba Reading UK wish to thank the following generous personalities for their Contributions towards the success of the event.
1. Padmashri Jewellery: for generously Donating golden clip for 1st prize raffle draw.
2. Maj Jai Bahadur Gurung MVO: for generously Donating £100/ for 2nd prize raffle draw.
3. Mr Dilraj Gurung (President Bagar Bhai Khalak) for generously donating travel voucher.
4. China Oriental Super Market: Aldershot for generously Donating shopping voucher. And many more.
5. DMT Group: comprising Min Gurung, Dinesh, Kumar Gurung and Bilan Thapa Magar from Nepal, who entertained all of us fully with his charismatic talent.
Special thanks goes to Amah Samuh chairperson Rajani Gurung and General Secretary Usha Gurung for organising the event so efficiently and all Amah Team.Yubaraj and Usha Gurung for serving such a delicious food for the event. Yubaraj Gurung and Kismat Gurung for providing the loud and Clear sound system. Mina Gurung and all Amah Team and VP Krishna Bahadur Gurung, VP Nar Bahadur Gurung for decorating the stage. Dil Bahadur Gurung for managing the kitchen. Rajendra Gurung for managing Jhandi-mukut for the first time. Asha and Purna Gurung, Supriya and Sujita Gurung from Reading, Ghandruk Samaj for entertaining us with their cultural dance. Yashoda Gurung, Raj Kumari Gurung for managing the raffle draw.Mrs Batti Gurung and her team for managing the ticketing service.Mr Khemraj Gurung and his team for voluntearing to help every necessary need to run the programme as transportation, stage decorating and stand as runner.
On the event TDUK president Mr Hitkaji Gurung, FP Min Prasad Gurung, NRNA ICC Advisor Mr Bishowadarsh Pandit, GRNCA Vice-president Mr Bhimsen Khadka were present. It was huge success, and more than 160 people celebrated `dues-Bhailo 2022. GS Kamal Gurung smoothly run the first-half programme. On the event BGRUK advisor and Founding member Mr Min Prasad Gurung Welcomed all people and appreciated the BGRUK for its good initiatives to keep our culture and tradition live.
Similarly, TDUK president expressed his gratitude to be able to share a wonderful moment with BGRUK and he said he will always ready to help if he was approached when needed.
On the second-half, there was live music by DMT Group and Mr Bilan Thapa Magar, who make all people to dance.
Finally, there was Raffle Draw and it was conducted by Mrs Yashoda Gurung.
20. Buddhist Gumba Reading UK New Year Celebration (Sunday, 01 January 2023): –
Buddhist Gumba Reading UK celebrated its New Year with great success on Sunday, 01 January 2023 at Pakistani Community Centre, Reading. On the event His Eminence Tulku Guru Sangye Yanten Gyachho Rinpoche (टुल्कु सङ्गे यन्तेन ग्याछो रिन्पोछे), Khenrinpoche Santosh Guru, Lopen Phurba and Guru Dinesh were present. The event was started with lamp lit by Khenpo Santosh Guru, President Insp. Khem Bahadur Gurung and Ama Group Chairwoman Mrs Rajani Gurung. As a chief- Guest TDUK newly elected chairman Mr Hari Gurung and his wife the first lady Mrs Sandhya Gurung, special guest Tamu Forum Director Capt. Raju Gurung and his wife, Tamu Dhee UK founding president Mr Min Prasad Gurung, Charbhanjyang Tamu Samaj chairman Mr Ben Kumar Gurung, Reading Tamu Samaj Chairman Mr Rudra Raj Gurung, Tamu Samaj UK Founding president Chitra Bahadur Gurung were also present. TDUK president Mr Hari Gurung expressed his gratitude to be able to come in the event and wished his greetings to BGRUK and all attendees.
Khenpo Santosh Guru began the event with Sang and Gyabsi Puja which was lasted for 2 to 3 hours. Tulku Sangye Yanten Gyachho Rinpoche arrived 1230 PM, where he was greeted with Khada, flowers, intense, verities of fruits and foods by all attended devotees. Ama Samuha General Secretary Mrs Usha Gurung read out the brief biography of venerable Tulku Sangy Yanten Gyachho Rinpoche. On the Puja Mrs Mina Gurung was leading the Puja. BGRUK has offered Mandala twice to Guru, where Venerable Tulku and Khenpo Santosh Guru gave his sermon. On the speech venerable Tulku explained about relation between Guru and devotees.
The event was started morning 10 am and lasted until evening 5 pm. BGRUK Chairman Insp Khem Bahadur Gurung wrapped up the Puja giving THANKING to all GURUS, devotees, volunteers and donors.
After the Puja, BGRUK organized a farewell party to His Eminence Tulku Guru in Gurkha Chef Restaurant, Newbery, where Insp Khem Bahadur Gurung, Mrs Rajani Gurung, Mrs Usha Gurung, Mrs Mina Gurung, Maj. Buddhi Bahadur Gurung, Mr Krishna Bahadur Gurung, Mr Kamal Gurung, Mr Chandraman Gurung, Mr Kamal Bahadur Gurung, Khenrinpoche Santosh Guru and Mr Yubaraj Gurung were present. It was quite intimate, amicable and very memorable for all of us. We were served with very delicious foods and drinks by Gurkha Chef restaurant. His Eminence Tulku Guru was WELCOME by offering Khada and flower in the entrance.
