PRACTICE DHARMA TO OVERCOME BAD KARMA - FPMT Losang ...

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Monthly Newsletter of Losang Dragpa Center April 2006

PRACTICE DHARMA TO OVERCOME BAD KARMA

Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche giving White Tara Long life initiation in Kopan monastery on March 4th 2006 following the enthronement of Tulku Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche

Forty-nine members from LDC along with several hundred others from around the world visited Kopan Monastery in Katmandu in March this year to witness the enthronement of the precious holy child recognized as the unmistaken reincarnation of the late Great Mahasiddha Geshe Lama Konchog. A major highlight of the three-day celebration was the WHITE TARA Long Life Initiation given by our precious guru, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche who preceded the initiation with a brilliantly simple yet profound

© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER

teaching on how we can all benefit from the long life initiation. Lillian Too, who was with the LDC group presents here a summary of Rinpoche’s precious teaching given that day … Kopan’s main gompa was filled to overflowing … there were over 2000 monks, nuns and lay students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche seated on thick floor cushions. All had come to receive initiation into the White Tara long life practice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Even those new to the Dharma had

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known instinctively that what they were about to receive and the words they were about to hear were truly something precious, something special. The previous day, we had gathered in that same hall to witness the enthronement ceremony of Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche. The long life initiation was a beautiful bonus … Rinpoche was looking very well and when he greeted every one good morning there was a broad smile on his face … Rinpoche said … “ to cause happiness in this life is the goal of many people, but it is even more important to cause happiness for all our future lives. It is important to do service to other sentient beings, to overcome their sufferings and to attain the ultimate happiness of everlasting enlightenment. To attain enlightenment we need to cease all our defilements i.e. remove our strong feelings of anger, jealousy and attachment; It is important to cease even subtle defilements. If we can reduce these negative feelings, and can help others reduce these feelings we are helping them to attain enlightenment. This is the correct method.” Rinpoche observed that sometimes when things went wrong with one’s life causing suffering some people would blame their sufferings on their upbringing, on their parents … so like this would make them feel better …


but sufferings is a result of negative karma ripening … and to overcome this we need to practice Dharma. Rinpoche told us that “ action unstained by anger, ignorance and attachment is Dharma. Happiness in our life comes from positive karma, which comes from practicing Dharma. If you don’t have good karma, even when others wish to help you, you cannot receive their help …” Rinpoche explained that when one does not have the good karma to receive help, one cannot enjoy whatever is given. He cited the example of food aid being sent to help poor people. Those who did not have the karma to receive the food simply could not do so. The food would somehow not reach them. The same with clean water sent as aid to those in need of clean water. Somehow by the time the water reaches them the water has become dirty.

GIVE WITH NO EXPECTATIONS From the giver’s point of view it is important to give with no expectations at all of happiness in this life. Don’t give expecting to be rewarded with praise or wealth. When you give with a sincere heart then the act of giving becomes pure Dharma. When you give with the expectation of happiness in this life then it reflects pure attachment. Then it is not Dharma. It is non-virtue. Therefore charity must have the Design by WOFS.COM

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motivation of seeking happiness in future lives. There should not be attachment to this life. Only then is the act of charity considered as Dharma. When charity is done to achieve enlightenment for the sake of sentient beings it becomes the cause to attain enlightenment. It becomes pure Dharma.

MOTIVATION IS THE KEY TO DHARMA Lama Zopa Rinpoche reminded us that correct motivation has the power to transform even mundane actions into Dharma. To cause long-term happiness of sentient beings, we must understand Dharma. Only when we understand Dharma can our practice of charity and morality become Dharma.

COMPASSION ALONE NOT ENOUGH Rinpoche also told us that “Just compassion alone is not enough. The good heart alone is not sufficient. If one wants to be free of sufferings in all our future lives, then the good heart alone is not enough. It is necessary to actualize the path and to remove all of one’s DELUSIONS. For this you need to know the path, the true path, the real path! You need the realizations of the path. You need to learn the whole path. So while it is important to have the good heart, this alone is not enough. One must also learn the path, learn to meditate, learn to practice Dharma.


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NEED FOR A TEACHER It is important to learn from a qualified teacher who can reveal the unmistaken path. FPMT has such good karma to have so many good teachers qualified to reveal the unmistaken path. The teachers who teach at many of the FPMT centers have spent many years learning to debate i.e. to answer all your questions, so everything becomes very clear. So it is very fortunate and this is something to rejoice.

MUST TAKE OPPORTUNITY It is so important that we take the opportunity to learn as much as possible. Then in this life we can have realizations, and even in the next life. With practice, realizations come so easily. Even if you do not understand, due to your own ignorance, still you will understand when you receive realizations. You will understand even when others cannot understand.

MAKE EVERY EFFORT At teachings you must make a real effort to keep the body strong, to sit up straight, to stay awake. And then in one hour, so much one can learn. One can absorb so much Dharma. This is what really helps all your suffering. We do not have this opportunity all the time so when we do have the opportunity to learn, we should make every effort. So we must listen when Dharma is taught. It is not enough just to meditate! We must listen so we can learn Dharma to bring all sentient beings to full enlightenment. To benefit Design by WOFS.COM

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sentient beings who are numberless.

ALL HAPPINESS COMES FROM DHARMA All happiness comes from Dharma. In this life and in future lives. Dharma practice is the key to ultimate happiness. So one needs to learn Dharma, and therefore one needs long life to be healthy, to benefit others. Otherwise attachment, anger and ignorance cause what we do to become non-virtue. Even when doing prayers, doing meditations can become non-virtue when one’s motivation is non-Dharma. When one’s motivation is non-virtue, then we are no different from animals – from the tortoise, the mosquito. There is then only attachment to this life. Then our life is just to create sufferings.

WHEN YOU HAVE DHARMA When you have Dharma and you establish the correct motivations behind all your actions, then all your actions become creating good karma. When you have no Dharma your heart is empty. So how much power, wealth you possess still you become miserable. You have all the samsara wealth but still your inner life is empty. Even the beggar outside is happier because he has no worries about competition. When you have no Dharma there is no peace in your heart. There is only unhappiness, which can lead you even to generate the thought to commit suicide.


Rinpoche asked us to reflect on those famous people – actors and actresses who have so much fame and wealth and still they feel depressed and suicidal. They have no satisfaction and their life seems empty. So Dharma is the most important. Without Dharma one is never satisfied. So we need to practice Dharma. And so we need long life so we have the karma to practice Dharma which will create the good karma to have happiness in our future lives.

A POSTSCRIPT FROM RINPOCHE Note: The next day when I went to pay my respects to Rinpoche before flying home I thanked Rinpoche for the teaching of the previous day and Rinpoche reiterated the importance of practicing Dharma. He told me, “ yesterday there was not enough time so I left out another point on why Dharma is so important. You see,” He said, “ when the five senses of the body are stimulated, the eyes seeing someone beautiful, the ear hearing praise, the nose inhaling fragrance, the hands touching something soft and the mouth eating delicious food – we think we feel happy. But without the karma to enjoy these things still one can feel unhappy … only when we also have Dharma which is our sixth consciousness can we feel happy. Without Dharma, even when we have all our five senses stimulated and satisfied still we can feel unhappiness while the beggar down the street who does not have them but who has Dharma can feel happy. This is why it is so important to practice Dharma.” Design by WOFS.COM

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LDC NEWS RINPOCHE’S WESAK VISIT TO LDC on 11th - 22nd May 2006

A little bit more than a month left will be the exciting moment to host our precious Guru Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche again in LDC. Elsie Ng is organizing the working committee for the event, planning exclusive programs and interesting activities. There will be free vegetarian lunches served and all are welcome over the Wesak weekend. There will be golden coin offering to the 21 Taras, sponsorship of 1000 offerings as well as making water offerings to Dzambala deity and sutra writing desk. There will be Dharma stalls as well as candle and flower offering stalls. There will also be Bathing the Buddha rituals, Incense Puja, Maitreya 1000 Offering Pujas, Dzambala Puja, Lam Rim teachings and

Medicine Buddha Initiation. Posters and flyers containing Rinpoche’s full program will be sent to you very soon. They will also be available at the Center. Members are encouraged to give yours name and availability for assistance during this period. Please contact or sms KIM at (012-296 6958) or email [email protected] to extend your helping hands and participate any way you can at this auspicious event. Please keep your days free to participate in the various teachings, pujas and initiations from our most precious holy Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. As we have not yet received the arrival time of Rinpoche’s this will be emailed to all members as soon as we have it.

Wor ds of Wisd om for Apri l “Practice with the bodhisattva attitude every day. People can’t see your mind, what people see is a manifestation of your attitude in your actions of body and speech. So pay attention to your attitude all the time, guard it as if you are the police, or like a parent cares for a child, like a bodyguard, or as if you are the guru and your mind is your disciple.” ~By Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Shakyamuni Center, Taiwan, June 2005~


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HIGHLIGHTS OF LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE’S PROGRAM May 12th through 20th May • ALL NIGHT CHANTING OF OM MANI PADME HUM. There will be an all night non-stop chanting of the mantra of Chenrezig, Compassionate Buddha, Om Mani Padme Hum on the eve of Wesak i.e. on the 11th May 2006 starting at 9 pm. The all night session will end the next morning at 9 am. Those wishing to participate in this very meritorious event please register with Chung Han & Stanley. • Wesak weekend program will be Sat. May 12th/Sunday 13th. Flyers containing the details of the weekend program are available at the Center premises. • GRAND CELEBRATION DINNER to mark the opening of the new Center over the Wesak weekend will be held at the new premises on Saturday May 12th at 7.30 pm. All members are very cordially invited to the dinner. Please do come to the Center new premises to collect your INVITATION CARDS to the dinner from May 1st 2006. Our Guest of Honour will be Lama Zopa Rinpoche. There will be a very special program for the evening, as Juanita Lee and her Dharma dancers will perform the DANCE OF THE 21 TARAS. • RINPOCHE’S TEACHING PROGRAM will be at 7.30 pm each day on May 16/17/18th. Rinpoche will be giving teachings on the Stages of the Path.


• LONG LIFE PUJA FOR RINPOCHE will be at 10 am on Friday May 19th • MEDICINE BUDDHA INITIATION will be at 7.30 pm on Saturday 20th May. This initiation is open to members and friends. • VAJRAYOGINI INITIATION will be at 7.30 pm on Sunday 21st May. Members please note that this initiation is open only to those who have previously taken another major initiation of HYT such as Heruka 3 Deities, Yamantaka, Gyalwa Gyatso and Great Hayagriva. This is a necessary entrance to any HYT initiation in the Gelugpa tradition. The commitment is either a retreat (400,000 mantras) or one mala of the mantra a day for life. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS INITIATION. Those wishing to take this initiation please kindly register at the Office.

We welcome the following new life members who joined us in March 2006. 1.) 2.) 3.)

Lim Gek Chee Priscilla Wong Seong Khim Yong Yoong Fa

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NEW ITEMS FOR SPONSORSHIP Over the years Center has been using furniture and items contributed by generous members. Much of the furniture, cabinets and other items are worn out and need to be replaced. We also need to upgrade the system running in the Center, we need at least three new desktop computers for our staff to work efficiently; We need key phones system and hunting lines for the new location. New sofa sets are required for Rinpoche’s room and upstairs Sangha living quarters; a conference table for meetings; dining table; and new bedding set for Sangha and visiting guest lamas and Sangha to use. We will also have a Dharma shop with a computerized inventory and payment system. Listed herewith are various items which the center seeks sponsorship. Please contact William or Shirley if you would like to contribute in cash or in kind. Any amount of contribution is much appreciated. Thank you very much.

1. Sofa sets 2. key phones 3. 3 Desktops, software, printer & hand held scanner 4. Conference table & chairs 5. 2 doors refrigerator 6. Dining table for 10 Seating 7. TV cabinet 8. Curtain or blinds 9. Cushions for gompa 10. Writing table & chair for room 11. Main altar 12. Tara altar 13. Shelves for Dharma shop 14. Shelves for office 15. Room altar 16. Table for candles 17. Library bookshelves 18. Sangha bedding, mattress, bed sheet, blanket, and pillow 19. Chandelier

2 sets 8 sets

RM 6,000 RM 5,000 RM 14,000

10 seaters

RM 3,000

1 unit

RM 1,500 RM 2,000

1 unit 200

RM 2,000 RM 2,500 RM 2,000

4 sets

RM 1,320

1 unit 1 unit

RM 11,000 RM 3,000 RM 7,000

4 units 2 units 2 units

RM RM RM RM

6,000 6,000 3,000 3,000

RM 3,880

1 unit

RM 1,400

Publication Shelves

Our Publication shelves need to be replenished before Rinpoche’s visit in May, publication on Rinpoche’s teachings and practices are useful tools to attract new people into Dharma. We have printed 4000 copies of The Precious Child of Kopan. The books are widely renowned and we have received requests from FPMT Centers in Taiwan, Singapore, Nepal and US. We are also planning to print practices of Tara and Medicine Buddha in both English and Chinese. In addition we shall also be printing prayers for Rinpoche’s teaching and initiations. We therefore need financial assistance as well as help from members to help coordinate our publishing program. Any and all donations toward our publishing program are most welcome and very much appreciated. Please contact Ven. Osel if you are interested to help in the coordination. Thank you very much. © LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER

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April highlights Dharma Programs

During the 2 months period when Geshe la stayed at LDC, Geshe la showed great interest in developing LDC’s Dharma program and he has a great wish to help us to use our knowledge from classroom into our daily life. As some of you have attended Geshe la’s teaching in February, Geshe la preferred to teach a little in a day but to ensure that the teaching merge in our mind. He likes students to ask questions, and he likes to ask questions of the students. He interacts with students in order to understand the students’ way of thinking. We have planned Lam Rim class for beginners for every Sunday 3 - 6pm conjoin with discussion and Q & A session. The Ground & Path for intermediate students will be on every Saturday 3 -6pm. There will be a monthly workshop on Introduction to a Deity for us to get to know each of the different deities in Tibetan Buddhism. There will also be bi-monthly weekend retreats at the Center. There will be Mandarin Lam Rim classes once a week. In addition to the above Dharma teaching programs planned for the © LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER

Center, if anyone has the interest to learn particular practices from Geshe la, or if you wish to seek any specific advice from Geshe la, please contact Ven. Dechen to make an appointment for personal consultations with Geshe la. As we are waiting for Geshe la’s professional visa to be finalized, we are unable to inform you the starting date of the above programs. Once we know the return date of Geshe la, we will definitely inform you through email and sms.

DANCE OF THE 21 TARAS

The dance of 21 Taras which many members witnessed left such a significant impression on all of us who went to Kopan recently that plans have already started to have Dharma dancing classes and practice at the center. All the Tara’s intricate hand mudras and special postures have inspired many of us to learn the dance. Our center member Juanita Lee who is a very accomplished dancer has now learned the intricate steps and movements of the Tara Dance. She has agreed to start a Dharma dancing class at LDC. The 21 Tara Dance will be our very special performance offer to our beloved Guru Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche during his visit in May. Members please note Dancing class will be held twice a week, every Tuesday and Thursday, 10am - 11am and 6pm - 7pm. Ladies wanting to participate in the 21 Tara dance please call in to leave your name(s) with Shirley or William. Design by WOFS.COM

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Mantra and Prayer for April Padmasambhava - Guru Rinpoche Om Ah Hum Benza Guru Padma Siddhi Hum Precious Guru, embodiment of all Buddhas of the three times; Great Bliss, the Lord of all accomplishments; Wrathful Power, who dispels all hindrances and subdues demons; Pray bestow your blessings. Please remove the outer, inner and secret obstacles and grant your blessings to accomplish wishes spontaneously. Du-sum sang-gye guru-Rinpoche Ngo-drup kun-dak de-wa chen-poi zhap Bar-chad kun-sel dud-dul drak-po tsal Sol-wa deb-so jin-gyi lab-du-sol Chi-nang sang-wai bar-chad zhi-wa-dang Sam-pa lhun gyi drup pa jin-gyi-lob When due to the obstacles of the elements earth, water, fire and wind, this illusory body, which is rented, is meeting the time to be perished, requesting undoubtedly, without two pointed mind to Padmasambhava and goddess of the four elements, no doubt the four elements get naturally pacified. I request Orgyen, the one rising from the lotus (Orgyen Pema Chung Na), please bless the wishes to succeed naturally.


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Entrance to the new LDC gompa - red doors adorned with a pair of lion door knot, the prayer hall gracefully decorated with glittering chandeliers which can easily fit in 300 people.


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Please be informed that

LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER

has permanently moved to new center on 28th March 2006

We Are Here LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER No.1, Jalan 17/21F, 46400, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Eshan, Malaysia. Tel: (03) 7956 7280


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Kasih Hospice

…… With compassion, we serve

THE LAW OF CAUSE AND EFFECT

Mr L, a 27-year-old Chinese man, never dreamt he would be invalid. Disaster struck last year when he fell when working at a construction site, injured his spine and is now paraplegic. His wife was pregnant with their first child. As he was a temporary worker, his employer refused to pay compensation. Mr. L was bed ridden and developed bed sores. Kasih hospice volunteers become his friends and supported him emotionally. Initially he complaint about his condition. Life has not been easy for him. At the age of 12, his parents separated. Frustrated with the dispute between his parents he left home. 2 years ago he married a Malay lady. Relationship with his family worsened. Our volunteers skillfully shared with him the law of cause and effect and encouraged him to cultivate wholesome thoughts and actions. Mr. L admitted that he has done some non-virtuous acts. However, when asked to recall any good things he had done, he shared a personal secret with us. He took responsibility for an unwed mother volunteering he had been responsible for the woman’s pregnancy, ( though he was not the father of her child really) to save her reputation. How to alter the consequence of a non© LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER

virtuous act? We do it through the four opponent powers of 1) regret, 2) taking refuge, 3) applying antidotes and 4) determination not to repeat. Once we commit a non-virtuous act, we should realize it is non virtuous, and arise a feeling of strong regret, sincerely taking refuge in the triple gems and spiritual guru. These 4 powers defer the ripening of negative results. Based on this principal, Kasih volunteers encourage patients to cultivate positive thoughts such as love, kindness, generosity, patience, forgiveness. reflecting on impermanence and change. Many a times, we sense relief in our patients. They know they can repent and purify, and to go on with life with a positive state of mind, however short the life may be. When we are able to help this way we feel really happy. 35 participants attended the 13th training course held on March 11 and 12. The feedback was very encouraging. The 4th Mandarin hospice course will be held on April 1 and 2 – at Dharma Reading Room (DRR) on 3rd Floor, 60B,Jalaln 19/3,46300,Petaling Jaya, above Buddhist General Fellowship (DRR contact no: 03-79586741). We acknowledge with sincere gratitude the following for their kind donations. 1. International Wine & Food Society Of Kuala Lumpur 2. Badan Amal & Kebajikan Tenaga Isteri-Isteri or BAKTI 3. The Rotary Club of Kelana Jaya (RCKJ) 4. Nanyang Press Group 5. Many anonymous donors who contribute generously sponsoring public seminars and cost towards patient care. Design by WOFS.COM

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Public Hospice Seminar on THE POWER OF COMPASSION Date 14 May 2006 (Sunday) Time: 0800 am to –1740 pm Venue: Pearl International Hotel, Old Klang Road, and Kuala Lumpur

We welcome members and friends to our second Hospice Seminar. Lama Zopa Rinpoche will give the keynote address at the Seminar. Here is the detailed program of the Hospice seminar. 0730-0830 0830-1000

1000-1030 1030-1145

1145-1230 1230-1235 1235 -1430 1430-1445 1445- 1630

1630-1700 1700-1710

Registration & Arrival of Guests Buddhist Hospice Services Compassion Through Universal Approach. Speakers Dr. Goh Pik Pin and Dr Loh Re Chin Group activitiesCompassion in Action Is kindness the same as compassion? Dr. Rosalie Shaw Lunch Arrival of keynote speaker Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche The Power of Compassion by Lama Zopa Rinpoche Tea Break Combining Wisdom and Compassion Lama Zopa Rinpoche Healing Meditation Lama Zopa Rinpoche Dedication Prayers

Payment method: • Deposit money into Public Bank Account no: 3133275410 Please fax registration form and deposit slip to 03-7960 7424 • Write cheque payable to KASIH HOSPICE CARE SOCIETY. Please post cheque and registration form to: Kasih Hospice Care Society No. 74, Jln14 /29, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan Deadline: 7th May 2006 General inquiries: 03-79607424/ Evelyn 012-3363857. Specific inquiries - email: [email protected] Please register early, as seats are limited. Help us to publicize the event. We also need volunteers to help in this event. Please contact KHC Administrator Ms Evelyn at 012-3363857

Registration fees: RM 80.00 © LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER

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LDC Dharma Program for April 2006 P - Precepts

Monday

3

BP - Special Days of Lord Buddha

Tuesday

4

Wednesday

5

Full Moon

New Moon

Thursday

6P

Friday

7

Tara Puja 7:30pm Tara Dance 10-11am & 6-7pm

10

11

Tara Dance 10-11am & 6-7pm

12

13 P

14

Medicine Buddha Puja 7:30pm

17

18

19


24

25



20

21


26

27 P

28


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NOTE

All April events will be at the new premise at No.1, Jalan 17/21F, PJ

Saturday

Sunday

1 Hospice Training Course in Mandarin @ BGF

2 Hospice Training Course in Mandarin @ BGF

88

9

Guru Puja 7:30pm TSOG OFFERINGS

15

16

22

23 23

Hospice Debriefing Session 3pm - 6pm

29

Guru Puja 7:30pm TSOG OFFERINGS

30 Animal Liberation 11am - 12noon


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CENTER OPERATING HOURS : Monday-Friday : 10:00am - 6:00pm

For donations, please make all crossed cheques payable to Losang Dragpa Buddhist Society. Your donation is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

LOSANG DRAGPA CENTER’S :

Address: No.1, Jalan 17/21F, 46400, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Eshan, Malaysia. Telephone Number: Ven. Dechen 017-6088 919 Ven. Osel 019-3022 369 Ven. Ang Losang 017-3274 686 Elsie Ng 016-3363 955 Stanley 012-3021 268 Chung Han 012-6666 308 Shirley 012-3943 051 William 016-2513 070 Email: [email protected] Website: www.fpmt-ldc.org

LDC’S GURU & SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR : Kyabje Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche Website dedicated to Rinpoche: www.fpmt.org (look for Spiritual Director) & www.lamazopa.com


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