Kagyu Samye Dzong London News

August / September 2004

Contents

1. A letter from Lama Zangmo about Lyndhurst Hall
2. Job vacancy at Samye Dzong London
3. Holistic Treatment Fundraising Weekend
   11th-12 September
4. Sponsored walk in Richmond Park on 25th September
5. Forthcoming events

1 - Letter from Lama Zangmo about Lyndhurst Hall

Dear Friends,

It has been a busy time since the Centre opened again, with the bid for Lyndhurst Hall bringing excitement and lots of possibilities on the horizon.  Nine thousand leaflets about our intentions for the use of the building were distributed in Camden by a group of busy bees, and we had a public meeting where the local Camden residents had an opportunity to air their views and find out more about Rokpa Trust/ Samye Dzong London. Lama Yeshe Rinpoche gave a talk about the benefit of having such a centre in Camden, and offered his support and encouragement. We will find out the council's decision around the 22nd Sept.

I recently sent out a picture of Lyndhurst Hall to a nun in India, who is staying near Gyuto Monastery, and asked her to have it blessed by H. H. Karmapa.  She sent me this message:

H.H. looked at the picture a long time and then confirmed that it was blessed. Then he said: "Tibetan Buddhism has meaning and great relevance in the West, therefore every effort to spread it must be continued for the understanding of those who have an interest in it. Infrastructures such as houses etc. are not Dharmapractice, however, in order to spread the Dharma, we can not do without them, it is a nessecity to have these. So you have found a new house "( at that point I reminded him that the house is not yet yours but that you are hoping to buy it) then he said: "There is hope that they can buy it. "

So there is still hope, and in any case the message of His Holiness is very clear, we need to continue to look until we find something.....whether we get Lyndhurst Hall or not, what really matters is establishing and making the Dharma accessible.

There has been a lot of enthusiasm and effort put into the search so far by many people in many different ways. Thank you to everybody for all the help and support we have received, both in terms of moral support, prayers, financial support, time and skills. It means a lot to us here and reminds us that it is for the benefit of so many people that Samye Dzong London finds a permanent home.

Many greetings from Lama Zangmo.

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2 - Job vacancy at Samye Dzong London

Our long term helper Alex, who has been living and working at Samye Dzong for the past couple of years, has left for Ladak to teach English.  His help and presence here at the Centre has been very much appreciated by everyone and we wish him a wonderful journey.

We are now looking for someone to fill the gap.  The work consists mainly of cleaning and cooking, and is five days a week, with Mondays and Tuesdays off.

If you are interested in living and working in Samye Dzong London for a while in return for food, accommodation and Dharma teachings, please contact us by email (london@samye.org) to make an appointment to speak to Lama Zangmo.

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3 - Holistic Treatment Fundraising Weekend - Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September, 10.00 - 5.00 pm

After the success of the first event earlier this year it became evident that one day was not enough, so now we present a whole weekend of holistic treatments and events from fully qualified practitioners at low cost.

Taster sessions are available for the following: acupuncture; aromatherapy; back massage; Chi Kung; hand massage; Indian head massage; life coaching; manicure and pedicure; on-site massage; Pilates; polarity therapy; reflexology; shiatsu; Tai Chi; and Yoga.

There will also be classes at different times during the weekend including: yoga; Tai Chi; Kum Nye (a Tibetan based exercise); and meditation.

And if that's just too much to handle there will be plenty of refreshments available throughout the weekend, as well as a creche for young children, so bring your family along.  All welcome!

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4 - Sponsored walk in Richmond Park on Saturday 25th September

Do you fancy a lovely amble a stone throw from London? Would you like to see deer roaming free and herons sitting like statues on ponds? How about the sound of crickets singing in the long grasses? How the smell of the rich green ferns?

Well now you can, and whilst you stroll you can help raise money for Samye Dzong's new building fund at the same time. The walk will begin at Richmond Gate and end at Pembroke Lodge enclosure. (For a map or further info please visit www.royalparks.gov.uk and opt for Richmond Park).

Details:
The walk is organised for Saturday the 25th September, meeting at Richmond Gate at 10am. Nearest public transport is Richmond station. The walk is approx 7 ½ miles long and will take between 2-3 hrs. We recommend you bring a picnic although there are places to buy refreshments on the walk. Sponsor forms can be picked up from the office at Samye Dzong centre.

Children are very welcome, although under-5s will need a pushchair, as its quite a distance. Dogs are also welcome although they need to be on a lead near the deer.

Not only will it be a special event for yourself it will also be a chance to raise some serious cash for Samye Dzongs building fund. If 50 people do the walk and all raise £50 each then we can give a total of £2500 to our much-treasured centre! Every step on the walk will be a step closer to the new centre!

Love from Esther White, organiser

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5 - Forthcoming events

The Tibetan alphabet
with Lama Zangmo
Wed 1st Sept - Wed 6th October, 7.00 - 8.30 pm
£45
A six week course providing the opportunity to learn to read and write in Tibetan.
Please book in advance.  The course will only run if there is sufficient interest.

Meditation and relaxation
Thurs 2nd Sept - Thurs 7th Oct, 7.00 - 8.30 pm.
£45
A weekly meditation course for those with little or no experience.

Green Tara instructions and practice
with Lama Zangmo
Sat 4th September, 10.00 - 4.00 pm
£25
Bring your text as well as pen and paper.
Please book in advance.

Chen Style Tai Chi
with John Henry
Sun 5th September, 10.30 am - 4.00 pm.
£25
A monthly class of Chen Style Tai Chi.
Beginners are welcome to come to any of the monthly classes.

Holistic Treatment Fundraising Weekend
Sat 11th and Sun 12th September, 10.00 - 5.00 pm

Become the observer
with Rob Nairn
Fri 17th September, 7.00 - 8.30 pm
Sat 18th and Sun 19th, 10.00 - 4.00 pm
£50
Learn to bring meditation into daily life. This course is suitable for both advanced practitioners and those with less experience.

Sponsored walk for the new building fund in Richmond Park
Sat 25th September, 10.00 am
Sponsorship forms and details are available from the office.

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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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