Kagyu Samye Dzong London News

March 2004

Contents

1. Centre move put back to 2005
2. Living Dharma weekend with Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche
3. Other news
4. Forthcoming events
5. About the newsletter

Welcome to the March Newsletter.

This last month has been an eventful one with the exciting news that we have another 6-9 months at Carlisle Lane, and the Holistic Treatment Fundraising Day raising over £2,000.

You can catch up on further developments at the next meeting about the Centre's future on Sunday 28th March at 3.00 pm. - and if you get down early you can always join in the volunteer day to help spring clean the Centre (lots of dharmic brownie points available + lunch!).

The next few weeks will also be pretty busy with a real highlight being Lama Yeshe's visit to the Centre at the beginning of April - a weekend of teaching, meditation and a celebration of the Centre's 6th Anniversary. We hope to share this event with as many of you as possible.

1 - Centre move put back to 2005

Lama Zangmo was visited at the end of February by one of the Trustees from St Thomas' Hospital Trust who are buying the site currently occupied by the Centre. Lama was told that the Trust will not be able to commence work on the site for at least 6-9 months after acquiring the site, and in the meantime the Trustees are happy for the Centre to remain occupied.

This excellent news gives us that much more leeway to raise the money we need to fund a new Centre, and ensures that there will be at least one more program of events (some of which are already being planned).

Thanks are due to the Hospital Trustees for their generosity. Let us all now make the most of this great blessing of a further 6-9 months to make the next Kagyu Samye Dzong London a reality.

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2 - Living Dharma
with Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, Abbott and Retreat Master of Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery
Friday 2nd April - Teachings and Meditation
Saturday 3rd April - Teachings, Milarepa puja and 6th anniversary celebration
Sunday 4th April - Teachings and Meditation
£45 for whole course

We are delighted to present a course with Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche again this spring giving both beginners and advanced students the opportunity to receive teachings from a highly accomplished Master who has spent more than 12 years in solitary retreat.

Lama Yeshe teaches through his example radiating the joy, clarity and carefree ease which results from much practice, and as such, is an inspiration and encouragement to all practitioners. His generous spirit and accessibility combined with his vast experience in meditation makes him a much sought after teacher and speaker at centres worldwide.

This course will consist of meditation instructions and useful advice on how to bring clarity and peace into our daily life. Lama Yeshe is the author of the book "Living Dharma" which deals in a simple and inspring way the practical application of Buddhism in one's daily life.

To book your place on this weekend contact the office on 020-7928 5447. Payment can be taken over the phone (although we have no hesitation about receiving cash or cheques at the office as well).

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3 - Other news

Holistic Treatment Fundraising Day on 21st February
This was a great success with many new visitors as well as familiar ones contributing to a full day for the practitioners who had volunteered their services. The end result was over £2,000 raised for the Centre and plans for a further day to take place around September/October. Many thanks go to Marietta Birkholtz and Vivienne Cohen for organising the day, to the practitioners who gave their services for the day, and to all the volunteers who provided homebaked food, time and effort to make the day such a success.

Kum Nye (a Tibetan exercise)
This was a great success at the Holistic Treatment Fundraising Day - so much so that there is the possibility of a Kum Nye workshop being run if there is sufficient interest. If you would like to take part please contact Lucy on 07966-255330.

Other fundraising events
Many thanks to the Centre in Norwich which recently held a sponsored walk and raised £282 for Kagyu Samye Dzong London.

Finance for the new Centre
Our fundraising efforts means that we now have a total of £220,000 in the bank (and rising). However, talks with a number of banks have indicated that we will need a 20% deposit for the new building which means we need at least £300,000. The extension of our stay at Carlisle Lane will make a big difference to our ability to raise this.

Wanted! Good quality items (dharma objects as well as non-darma objects) for the auction during Rinpoche's visit in May
Rinpoche is spending a whole week at the Centre in May, during which time there will be an auction. Some wonderful items have already been donated and it would be great to add still more for what could be a great fundraising event. You can also donate massage sessions (if appropriately qualified!) and any other services you may offer.

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4 - Forthcoming events

Introduction to Buddhism
with Lama Zangmo
Thursday 4th March - Thursday 25th March, 7.00 - 8.30 pm
£30
This course will give a basic introduction to those who are new to Buddhism and wish to understand the teachings. Lama Zangmo will clarify some of the most important aspects and there will also be time for meditation and questions and answers.

Chen Style Tai Chi
with John Henry
Sunday 14th March, 10.30 am - 4.00 pm. £20
The fifth monthly class focusing on the Chen style of Tai Chi as taught by Chen Xiuo Wang (the acclaimed master and 19th generation head of the Chen Style).

Shinay retreat
with Lama Zangmo
Saturday 20th March - Sunday 21st March, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm. £40
This weekend of instruction and meditation practice will help clarify any doubts and increase and integrate the benefit gained from previous courses. It is especially suitable for those who have attended the introduction courses.
For those who wish to stay overnight at the Centre, please book accommodation in advance.

Volunteer day
Sunday 28th March, 10.00 am - 5.00 pm.
Kagyu Samye Dzong London needs a thorough Spring Clean again this year. If you have the time and enthusiasm to offer a helping hand, come and spend the day at the Centre. Food will be provided as well as a perfect opportunity to top up your merit account.
Please let us know in advance if you wish to come.

Meeting about the future of the Centre
Sunday 28th March, 3.00 pm.
Your chance to hear the latest developments first hand and to support the staff and residents of the Centre by your presence. We hope to see as many of you as possible.

Living Dharma
with Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, Abbott and Retreat Master of Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery
Friday 2nd April - Teachings and Meditation
Saturday 3rd April - Teachings, Milarepa puja and 6th anniversary celebration
Sunday 4th April - Teachings and Meditation
£45 for whole course
Lama Yeshe, Abbott and Retreat Master of Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery - need we say more? If you've attended one of Lama Yeshe's previous teachings then no more words are needed. If you haven't, then don't miss this wonderful opportunity. To get a good seat, arrive early!

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5 - About the Newsletter

This newsletter goes out to those who have expressed an interest in Kagyu Samye Dzong London. It covers news of the efforts and progress towards finding and funding a new site for the centre, and other events taking place in the coming weeks

Being on this mailing list is not compulsory. If you do not want to receive this newsletter, or would like it to be sent to a different email address, please use the links at the bottom of the newsletter.

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Kagyu Samye Dzong London Tibetan Buddhist Centre
Carlisle Lane, Lambeth, London, SE1 7LG
Tel: 020 7928 5447
Fax: 020 7633 9339
Web-site: www.samye.org/london
Newsletter editor: David Bates david@treeoflifecoaching.co.uk

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