We were treated to an impassioned and energetic presentation on the work of Amnesty International around the world and in Malaysia. Our speaker has been with AI for 5 years. He told us that he is energized by the commitment and hard work of the members, the affect on him when he comes face to face with violations and, finally, the belief that he can help to change things. Indeed, AI has seen important successes around the world, and even here in Malaysia.

The talk was important because it emphasized that grassroots active participation is the key to AI's achieving its goals and to helping others. Those interested in helping AI can contact Mary Wong, who convenes the Kuala Lumpur letter writing group, or even Josef himself. (Details are below.)

AI's foundation lies in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, which was a declaration, (not legally binding), of 30 articles covering civil, political, religious, legal, social and economic rights. The rights are firstly inherent, (we are born with them); secondly, universal, (for all people all over the world); and thirdly, indivisible, (all articles apply to everyone, not just some of the articles).

AI was formed in 1961 by a British lawyer Peter Beneson, to fight the imprisonment of two Portuguese students. Within 6 months of the start of a letter writing campaign for the students' release, there was a permanent movement and within 12 months four delegations were sent overseas.

It began with four aspects to its mandate:

In February 2004, Leni Chan, an MCG member, embarked on a 2-week pilgrimage through what was once known as the Middle Land, the central Ganges valley in India. The journey was Leni's personal quest to achieve a deeper understanding of the teachings and practices of the Buddha. It is said that if you should die during such a pilgrimage, your soul will go straight to the heavenly world.

Amidst the green and tranquil surroundings of Leni's home, we began the morning by listening to a recording paying homage to the greatness of the Buddha, the Dharma - his teachings, and the Sangha - the monks and nuns who live their lives in devotion to the Buddha. Leni then proceeded to show us slides of the places she saw and share her experiences with us.

Leni's group was one of many other groups from all over the world, which travelled to what is now an area spanning the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. These are among the poorest states in India and consist of a population that is approximately 70% Hindu and 20% Muslim. Throughout, two monks, Ajahn Cattamalo and Venerable Khemavaro, accompanied the group. They shared with the devotees the significance of the places they visited with teachings from the Buddha, as well as led them in meditation sessions at each site.

The journey involved many hours of travel on narrow and unpaved roads, through towns, villages, sugar cane plantations and mustard fields. They often made do without toilet facilities or running water so bottled water and antiseptic wipes were a must. They saw poverty but also the history, vibrancy and beauty of the people and the land. At some of the places they stopped at, Leni and her fellow travellers donated gifts to the children in the area.

The pilgrimage began with a flight from Kathmandu, Nepal to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, formerly Prince Siddharta, before proceeding by road to Kapilavatthu, where the young prince grew up. The stupa at Kapilavatthu was built around the 5th century BC. Excavations conducted in 1971 uncovered a Buddha relic. These relics, which are now to be found in Buddhist temples and shrines across India and some other countries, are crystallised parts of the remains of the Buddha after he was cremated which were distributed across the Middle Land to devotees.

The group then proceeded to Savatthi, once a wealthy and vibrant city, where the Buddha, then aged 56 and in the 20th year of his Enlightenment, choose as a base because of the generous support given to him by the city's wealthiest merchants. It was in Jeta's Grove, a park donated to him, that the Buddha built his first permanent residence. Because of the continuous offerings of flowers, sandalwood and perfume to the Buddha, it was given the name Gandhakuti. Here the group spent some time meditating, making offerings at a Bodhi tree, which, as suggested by the Buddha himself then to his devotees, is a symbol of paying their respects to him in his absence. A Sri Lankan monastery situated outside the park is home to some of the best paintings depicting the life of the Buddha as well as a Buddha relic. The casket containing the relic was placed on the heads of each devotee as a blessing and reminder of the greatness of the Buddha.

The next stop was Kusinara, where the Buddha achieved final Nirvana and was cremated. A stupa commemorates the spot and seals dating back to between 400-500 AD were uncovered nearby. The temple houses a reclining Buddha, on which the devotees placed gold leaf. They also circumambulated the statue 3 times in prayer. Here, a nearby Thai temple runs a charity clinic in accordance with the principles of Buddhism. A statue of the venerable Jhivaka, the Buddha's personal doctor, is located on the grounds.

The group went on to Vesali, which the Buddha visited several times, including during the 5th rains retreat after his Enlightenment as well as the last rains retreat before his final Nirvana. It was in Vesali that the great King Asoka, who played a vital role in the spread of Buddhism, removed some of the Buddha's relics from a stupa, broke them into smaller pieces and enshrined them in the many stupas he built throughout his vast empire. Thus the Lion Pillar here is often attributed to him. This town was also where Ambapali, an accomplished and celebrated courtesan of the time was so moved by the Buddha's teachings that she offered her mango grove as a site for a monastery. She then became a nun and one of India's earliest woman poets with her poem on aging and the destruction of youthful beauty.

Next was the town of Rajgir, one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in India. The group visited and meditated at a cave on Vulture Peak, the Buddha's favourite retreat there and the site of his discourses. They also visited Indasala Cave, where the Buddha went for solitary retreats and Sattapani Cave, the site of the 1st council after the Buddha achieved Nirvana. Here, in 483 BC, 500 monks gathered to recite the Dharma and the Vinaya so that these teachings could be passed on to future generations.

The group then proceeded to Bodh Gaya, where circa 525 BC, Prince Siddharta sat under a Bodhi tree to meditate and achieved Enlightenment. A shrine in the temple marks the location. A cutting of the original tree is now in Sri Lanka. Here, some of the devotees held an overnight meditation session. Then it was onwards to the crowded city of Varanasi, where they went on a boat trip on the River Ganges to see a cremation ghat. Next, was the town of Sarnath, where the Buddha, after his Enlightenment, gave his first teachings - the 'Discourse Setting in Motion the Wheel of the Dhamma', and finally to New Delhi, where they visited the National Museum, which has among its many displays, some of the Buddha relics excavated from the Main Stupa located in Kapilavatthu. At the end of the trip, the group sought forgiveness from the two venerable monks before embarking on their journey home.

It was an intensely emotional and spiritually fulfilling journey for Leni. It is also a journey, which she plans to embark upon again in her endeavour to live her life in accordance with the precepts of Buddhism. We were moved by the strength of her devotion and thank her for sharing her thoughts and feelings with us.
- Prema Kanagalingam, with Leni Chan

New and old members got together for a delicious tea in the wonderful home of Joanna Adamson. I think the existing members managed to show prospective members what a friendly, diverse and interesting group we are.

Our President, Sunita Varlamos, gave us a brief explanation for her Indian and Greek / Australian name and then thanked everyone for help in the last twelve months, especially those that are stepping down from board positions.

Lorna Wilkinson was editor of the magazine for a year, as well as creator of the flyers and brochures.

Noma Nainar is Web Master and former Vice President and was the creator of our very user friendly web site and web events booking system.

Cindy Zeier has been the embodiment of the MCG for the past eight years, holding most positions on the board, sometimes three at a time! She is stepping down as Events Planning Convener but will remain on the EP team. Michelle Pease will take over from Cindy as EP convener.

So, there are three vacancies:

On Monday the 19th of September, eight members of the Explorers Group met at the Ayur Centre in Petaling Jaya for a talk and tour. We were given an expert presentation by Dr Siby. He explained the principles behind the ancient Indian system of Ayurvedic medicine.

Origins of Ayurveda: Ayurveda is considered to be anaadi, i.e. without a beginning and not a man's creation. It has a mythological origin, from the ancient vedic texts in India. The basic principles of Ayurveda trace their roots to the core of Indian philosophy, which is, "that man is the microcosm of the macrocosm that is the universe".

Ayurveda is more than a medical system. It is a way of life. It explains what are the good and bad things in life, and explains the pleasant and unpleasant states of life. It trains one to accept what is 'good' and thus embrace a pleasant state of life. An Ayurvedic principle is that every individual is a unique phenomenon. As such, every individual is a manifestation of cosmic consciousness that is the Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Further, that these five basic elements are manifested in three biological organizations known as Vata, Pitha and Kapha. These three inner principles have acquired a specific character from the element that rules them.

Aim of Ayurveda: It is a medical system which is concerned with the healthy as well as with the diseased. In fact the first objective of Ayurveda is to maintain the health of the healthy and only after this, cure of the diseased. Thus the preventative and promotive aspect of health care are given great importance in Ayurveda.

Daily routine recommended by Ayurveda includes:

Indonesia has a rich history and culture with textile traditions that are many and varied.

Michelle Pease gave us a very well presented introduction to the Warp Ikats of Indonesia, a fascinating look at this ancient weaving tradition, woven mostly on a very simple back strap loom and dyed with limited natural dyes.

With some fine examples of Ikat pieces to see and touch and wonderful photographs taken in the remote villages, the process of spinning the cotton thread, tying and then dying the threads, then retying and dying and finally weaving on the loom, we were able to get a good understanding of this amazingly complicated art form.

Most of us were quite astounded at the intricate tying process, which is the basis of the pattern. The design can be painted on to the threads before tying or even done from memory in some cases, passed on through family tradition, teaching the young girls of the village as soon as they are old enough.

The cultural link between the many islands of the Indonesian archipelago became apparent, yet each retains their own style and unique qualities.

From the western highlands of Sumatra, the Batak tribe call their Ikats Ulos. Using muted colours of blues, blacks and maroons the important ritual cloth Ulos Ragidup is used at the wedding ceremony, the birth of a child and is buried with the deceased.

The Iban of Kalimantan and Borneo weave large ceremonial cloths used for purposes such as receiving heads when the warring party returned to the village.

The Toraja people of central Suluwesi use their Ikats for funeral shrouds. The men of Sumba wear an Ikat around their waist and a matching one over the shoulder called a hinggi. It takes 2 to 4 years to complete a set of hinggi.

Throughout all the islands from Bali to Flores and Lembata, Savu and Timor these beautiful textiles with their symbolic patterns and colours , show much of the person, their tribe, their village and their status in the community.

The Warp Ikats of Indonesia are a fascinating window into the amazing culture of this region.
- Deborah Salyer

All of us were affected by the catastrophic tsunami which hit many parts of Asia last year, none worse than Banda Aceh.

This morning we will get to meet American Lynn Meckley who has been living and working in Indonesia for several years, most of the time in Banda Aceh teaching English at Syiah Kuala University.

In January, Lynn 'adopted' a village in the northern part of Aceh after assessing their needs (they hadn't received anything) and arranged medical care, bought or found sources to bring food supplies, clothes, generators, tents, personal items, etc. She met with many experts, arranging for their housing to be re-built, a water system installed and their livelihood restored through micro-enterprise projects.

In one such project, Lynn bought 3500 chickens and 41 goats enabling the men to once again earn a living. We are most fortunate that Lynn can join us for this very special event and that we can learn first-hand what is happening on the ground in Aceh.

Betsy Dean, a MCG member was also in Aceh as part of the Habitat for Humanity team and she will also be on hand to tell of her families' experiences there. Please plan on attending this event and do invite your friends to join us!