21. Buddhist Gumba Reading UK Sang/Mahakal Puja in Pakistani Community Hall, Reading on Sunday, 19 March 2023:-
Buddhist Gumba Reading UK organised a communal Sang/Mahakal puja in Reading on Sunday, 19 March 2023. Puja was lead by Khenrinpoche Santosh Guru and, on the event Lopen Sonam Guru and Amrit Guru was present. The event was divided in two phase, and in first phase was started with Sang/Mahakal Puja and in 2nd phase Khenrinpoche Santosh Guru has given religious discourse to all devotees. In the beginning, Khenrinpoche Santosh Guru, Lopen Sonam Guru, Amrit Guru, BGRUK Chairman Insp. Khem Bahadur Gurung and Mrs Batti gurung lit the candle, where as secretary Mr Yubaraj gurung attentioned all devotees and briefed about health & safety in unlikely situations. VP Mr Krishna Bahadur Gurung WELCOME all devotees and thanked all volunteers those who make event successful.
Similarly BGRUK Chairman Insp. Khem Bahadur Gurung Thanked all devotees those who present and those who were not able to attend due to their other commitments. Mr Chairman appreciated all volunteers members, Ama Samuha and BGRUK members. He also informed and heartily requested all members to note the historical date as 5 & 6 May 2023, as we are going to open our own new Gumba House in Reading.
Many devotees were attended the Puja. That Days breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks were sponsored by individual devotees.
22 BGRUK CHARITY DINNER GAJAL NIGHT – 31 MARCH 2024
The Buddhist Gumba Reading UK (BGRUK) Charity Gajal Night on March 31, 2024, featured Nepal’s famous Gajal singers Raj Sigdel and Tilak Singh Pela, hosted by Buddhist Gumba Reading UK Charity Organisation for the first time in the United Kingdom. General Secretary Kamal Gurung and Secretary Yubaraj Gurung conducted the program at Empire Banqueting Hall, High Street, Aldershot, GU11 1DJ. The chief guest, Major Udai Bahadur Gurung MBE, and special guests, including local past and current presidents and representatives from various organisations across the UK, attended this historic event. The hall was packed with well-wishers and devotees of Buddhist Gumba Reading UK, with over 45 tables booked by various organisations. The artists performed popular requested Gajals, producing cheers from the full packed audience.
The sound Engr Hem Bista and his crews, in media SK Gurung from Everest Media, Mim Kaji Gurung from Tamu Mai Taa and photographer Santosh Gurung were doing the great job on the night.
During the opening half, Chief Guest Major Udai Bahadur Gurung MBE delivered a speech, followed by welcoming remarks from Vice President Krishna Bahadur Gurung and a vote of thanks from President Inspector Khem Bahadur Gurung. BGRUK Puja Pramukh Khenrinpoche Shyam (Palten) Gurung provided an oral transmission on the importance of pure donations in Buddhist philosophy. The formal opening ceremony included the lighting of the candle by the chief guest, president, and Puja Pramukh Guru. The religious Director of BGRUK, Guru Khenrinpoche Shir Lama Guru conveyed best wishes and blessed for successful event virtually from Nepal during the opening.
Hospitality and hall management were overseen by Major Buddhi Bahadur Gurung, Chandraman Gurung, and volunteers from BGRUK and Aldershot Youth Group. Vice President Nar Bahadur Gurung and Mrs Rajkumari (Purna) Gurung tirelessly arranged tables and seats for guests. Helpers from the mother-group, including Mrs Usha Gurung, Mrs Mina Kumari Gurung, Mrs Bhim (Anita) Kumari Gurung, Mrs Radha Gurung, Mrs Dimpi Gurung, Mrs Rubini Gurung, Mrs Basanti Gurung, Mrs Asha Devi Gurung and many more, assisted.
Mr Yam Gurung, Mr Kamal Gurung, Mr Kismat Gurung, Mr Khemraj Gurung, Mr Surya Gurung, and Mr Jhalakbir Gurung managed the door at entry, while Ms. Puja Gurung, Ms. Anushwiya Gurung, Ms. Kalpana Gurung, Ms. Sujita Gurung, Ms. Supriya Gurung, Ms. Kanchan Gurung, Mrs Anita Gurung, Mrs Rita Gurung, Mrs Chaman Gurung, Mrs Jamuna Gurung, Mrs Jayanti Gurung, and Mrs Tika Gurung handled ticketing. Secretary Mr Yubaraj Gurung briefed on health and safety.
Thirty members from the mother-group, along with senior Lama Ganesh Guru, recited Chyod Malam beautifully and it was one of the very highlight of the event. The charity Gajal night was added extra flavour by a very talented Dance teams by the Sayapatri team young dancer Leekon Gurung, Celina Shai, Ritilka Kharel and Rishita Khadka and from Reading Mum Group Keshal Gurung and Aayush Gurung and further sponsor dance performed by local Aldershot duo Natash Gurung and Kenji Gurung. All the guests and audience fascinated by both events, who also enjoyed delicious vegetarian foods and drinks. A raffle draw, managed by BGRUK Mothers-group General Secretary Mrs Usha Gurung, offered prizes sponsored by Lakshmi Jewellery and D-Lunge Nepali Restaurant.
Duo singers Raj Sigdel and Tilak Singh Pela presented Nepali and Hindi Gajals, including their popular songs like “केलत बस्यो मलाइ” and “उ जितेर गई या हारेर गई”.
Despite the time constraints, this auspicious charity event aimed to support the financial development of the Gumba and help to relief the hard-working individuals who reside in Reading and surrounding boroughs. Fifteen new people became lifetime members of the monastery, fostering mental and spiritual peace and community connection. Volunteers raised over £1200 for artists through contributions or song requests. Mrs Mina Gurung personally visited each table, soliciting donations with a Naglo (round hand-woven grain-fanning tool).
This historic charity Gajal Night, conceived by General Secretary Mr Kamal Gurung, was a resounding success in supporting the monastery’s construction and maintenance projects. The organisers extend heartfelt thanks to all who supported the event.
By BGRUK Secretary Yubaraj Gurung
23. 2568th Buddha Jayanti Thursday, 23 rd May 2024: –
Buddhist Gumba Reading UK celebrated 2568th Buddha Jayanti (Buddha Purnima) on Thursday 23 May 2024 in BGRUK Bhawan. On this big event, we were truly blessed by His Eminence Khenchen Tsewang Gyastso Rinpochhe presence along with Lama Chunyi Wodser, Lama Gam Bahadur Gurung and Lama Dawa Norbu.
For Buddhist this is the sacred day, as three fundamental events like Lord Buddha’s Birth, attaining Enlightenment and Death or Parinirvana falls in same day. So, we commemorated Lord Buddha with venerable His Eminence Khenchen Tsewang Gyastso Rinpochhe and celebrated Buddha Purnima by praying, fasting, meditating and recalling the teachings of Lord Buddha.
On the Buddha Jayanti event, HE Khenchen Tsewang Gyastso Rinpochhe open the event by lighting main butter lamp, while, all mothers were chanting Molam.
First Vice Mr Krishna Bahadur Gurung gave a welcome speech. He welcomed HE Rinpochhe and briefed about the Buddha Purnima and its important as a Buddhist. He reiterated that Buddhist Gumba Reading UK is and will open for all without any discrimination. He said, as a Buddhist we have to comply with Lord Buddha’s fundamental three aspects of Buddha Dharma as compassion, mindfulness and non-attachment to worldly desire for better world.
On the first-half, HE Rinpochhe proceed the Sang Puja, Chhog Puja and Ku Thui Puja followed by Cake Cutting Programme by HE Rinpochhe and Chairman Insp Khem Bahadur Gurung. During the Cake Cutting ceremony all devotees were Praying for HE Rinpochhe long-life and his longevity.
That day, all foods (Bhojans) were sponsored by Mr Chandraman/Mrs Radha Gurung, Mr Kamal/Mrs Khushi Gurung, Mr Bal Bahadur/Mrs Purna Suba Gurung, Mr/Mrs Shashi Gurung, Ms Puja Gurung and Mr Surya/Mrs Chandra Gurung. It was delicious pure vegetarian foods.
There were lots of individual food donners too. Mother Group were taking care of Gurus and guests perfectly through out the whole day perfectly.
Whereas in outside, our young volunteers Ms Anushwiya Gurung and her group doing fantastic in Food Donation (Bhojan Dan), puja itemise selling and many more.
After the lunch break, HE Rinpochhe took his Sadana. Venerable HE Rinpoche gave his oral transmissions in English; everyone was listening carefully. Due to not have enough space to accommodate all devotees inside, there was live broadcasting facility in outside big screen with big two tents.
After the HE Rinpochhe discourses, BGRUK chairman Insp Khem Bahadur Gurung, Mrs Mina Gurung, Mrs Radha Gurung, Mrs Dimpi Gurung, Mrs Dipa Gurung, Mrs Chitra Gurung and Mrs Shushila Gurung offered Ku Sung Thung Mandala to HE Rinpochhe together.
On the occasion of buddha Jayanti, Buddhist Gumba Reading UK felicitated all newly founding members and Food donors with Khada through HE Rinpochhe hand.
End of the puja BGRUK Chairman Insp Khem Bahadur Gurung Thanked all Gurus and all volunteers who made a real contribution to make event successful and Gumba running smoothly day to day. This event was run by Mr Kamal and Yubaraj Gurung, whereas, all puja co-ordinated by Mrs Mina Gurung and VP Nar Bahadur Gurung.
This year too, Buddhist Gumba Reading UK requested all it’s members to donate dry foods as much as possible for good causes. People came with verities of dry foods, which was immensely successful and able to collect 17 trays of food. As usual, this time also Mrs Rajkumari Gurung was co-ordinating the Food Donation. This year, BGRUK nominated Wokingham Foodbank for food donation.
At the end, after finished Guru Darshan, all devotees were given lifetime opportunity to have picture and selfie with Venerable His Eminence Khenchen Tsewang Gyastso Rinpochhe.
24. Youth Interaction Programme Saturday, 27 July 2024:-
Buddhist Gumba Reading UK organised a Youth Event on 27 July and Invited all Children to join for an exciting and enriching event focused on our religion and culture as a Get Together Interaction Day with our Mul Guru Khenrinpochhe Shirlama Guru. It was a special event for our Boys and Girls especially those studying in Secondary Level and above.
On the event day, kids got good opportunities to discuss, meet new Friends, have special vegitable Lunch and inspire/empower themselves doing meditation along with our Guru in Gumba.
The event was co-ordinated by Mrs Rajkumari Gurung as usual and it was huge success as more than 50 kids attended and enjoyed whole day.
On the day of first half our mule Guru Khenrinpochhe Shirlama Guru briefed about the basic Buddha Dharma and its practicability for peaceful and pleasant simple life. It was very useful teaching for our kids, specially those who has totally unaware of their root culture and tradition due to unaccessable or with mix cultural influences which makes kids confusing. That day, BGRUK arranged translator for Guru’s discourse in English, so kids find more interesting and be able to learn on their prefer language. Ms Kanchan Gurung, Dr Yugisha Gurung and Mr Ashik Gurung helped to translate in English.
Similarly, on the second half of the session kids were served with pure vagitable foods and fruits juice. After the break kids were practising basic meditation techniques with mule Guru. It seems every kids were enjoying.
At the end, there was questions time, and all raised questions were answered by Mule Guru Khenrinpochhe Shirlama Guru in simplest language. All kids were exciting and had given positive feed back about the event. Khenrinpocche Shirlama Guru Thanked and farewell all kids with Khada and sweets.
25. Comprehensive religious sermons and Chyod Pooja program on Buddhist rituals and rites to be performed after death (मृत्यू उपरान्त गरिने बौद्ध विधी तथा संस्कार सम्बन्धी बृहत धर्म प्रवचन तथा बृहत च्योद पूजा कार्यक्रम):-
Buddhist Gumba Reading UK held a programe on Sunday, 18 August 2024 in Empire Hall , Aldershot. Devotees from all around the UK have participated. The event was run by General Secretary Mr Kamal Gurung and Secretary Mr Yubaraj Gurung.
On the event Khenrinpoche Shirlama Gurung, Khenpo Santosh Gurung, Lama Gam Bahadur Gurung, and Lama Rachhya Gurung were present. In the beginning Mr Yubaraj Gurung has briefed health and safety rule where as VP Mr Krishna Bahadur Gurung has given WELCOME speech. The event was formally open by main lamp lit by Mule Guru Khenrinpoche Shirlama Guru and event Chief-Guest Maj Udai Bahadur Gurung MBE.
Ama Samuha General Secretary Mrs Usha Gurung has read out mule Guru’s short biography. The was divided in two sessions, in the first half, Dharma deshana or religious discourse on Bhardo Thyodal chhenma and in second half continue to Dharma deshana and Chyod practice presentation to Mule Guru. End of the event there was interaction programme for all devotees to put questions about their curiosties.
On the event chief-guest Maj Udai Bahadur Gurung MBE expressed his hertfelt gratitude to be invited as a chief-guest in such a big event.
On the event devotees were served with fresh pure vegetable dish in lunch and water, tea, coffee and croissants, biscuits as a breakfast.
VP Mr Nar Bahadur Gurung and Mrs Mina Kumari Gurung were jointly coordinating the puja section and Mr Chandraman Gurung has been coordinating the over all event. It was huge a success.
End of the programme Buddhist Gumba Reading UK Chairman Insp. Khem Bahadur Gurung Thanked all devotees, media persons, volunteers and organisations those who make available themselves to make event successful.
