Kagyu Samye Dzong London
News

September 2006

Contents

1. Vist of Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
2. The Palpung Sadhana Tradition
3. News from Manor Baths
4. Peace One Day
5. Forthcoming events

1 - Visit of Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

We are very pleased to welcome Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
who will teach about "The Five Buddha Families" on Friday 6th October at 7.00 pm.

The lineage of the Thrangu Rinpoche incarnations began in the 15th century when the 7th Karmapa, Chodrak Gyatso, visited the region of Thrangu in Tibet. The present Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche is the 9th incarnation of this lineage and was born in Kham, Tibet in 1933. When he was four, H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa and Palpung Situ Rinpoche recognised him as the incarnation of Thrangu Tulku by prophesying the names of his parents and the place of his birth.

Entering Thrangu monastery from the age of 7 to 16 he studied and completed two preliminary retreats and at 16 he began the study of the three vehicles of Buddhism while staying in retreat. When he was 27 Rinpoche left Tibet for India and stayed in Rumtek, Sikkim, where the Karmapa had his seat in exile. At 35 he took the Geshe examination and was awarded the degree of Geshe Lharampa and was named Abbot of Rumtek Monastery.

Thrangu Rinpoche is a great scholar and recognised meditation master. Due to this he is the personal tutor to H.H. the 17th Karmapa Urgyen Tinley Dorje and has also taught the principal Karma Kagyu Tulkus.

In his book, The Five Buddha Families and the Eight Consciousnesses, Thrangu Rinpoche writes:

"While the mind is under the influence of the negative emotions, one continues with dualistic mind to wander in the six realms of samsara. When the negative emotions are purified, the five wisdoms shine forth, and the five Dhyani Buddhas are realised. One can also look at this process in terms of the eight consciousnesses. When these consciousnesses are purified, the five wisdoms and the five Dhyani Buddhas are realised.

We may ask, "Why do we experience suffering in samsara?" What causes suffering is obviously the five negative emotions. Furthermore, we may wonder, "If the five negative emotions can be overcome, is it really possible to become liberated from the suffering of samsara?" Yes, it is possible to overcome the suffering of samsara, but these five negative emotions aren't simply thrown out or discarded, rather they are transformed from a state of affliction into a state of wisdom by engaging in the skillful methods of the Buddhadharma. Transformation of the five negative emotions into the five wisdoms brings the realisation of enlightenment."

Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche will be teaching at the Centre on Friday 6th October at 7.00 pm - £10. To book your place for this evening, contact the office on 020-7928 5447.

2 - The Palpung Sadhana Tradition

His Holiness Karmapa and the highest Kagyu Lamas have recently taken steps to standardise ritual practices. In order to benefit from this, several Lamas from Sherab Ling Monastery in India were invited to Samye Ling to teach all aspects of ritual practice: chanting, torma-making, cham dancing, how to play musical instruments and so on.

During May and June 2006 the Lamas taught everything related to some of the more commonly practised pujas. This will establish a standard which we hope to maintain in the future. Therefore anyone interested in practicing at Samye Ling or any related branches around the world will benefit from attending.

Ani Kunzang can now teach the new versions of these sadhanas which we will soon adopt here. The sadhanas she will go through are the Green Tara, Chenrezig, Guru Rinpoche and Medicine Buddha practices.

Gelongma Kunzang is a fully ordained Buddhist nun and has completed a four-year closed retreat. She is particularly well versed in Tibetan Buddhist ritual, music and art and also teaches meditation and Buddhist studies at Samye Ling and associated centres.

The Palpung Sadhana Tradition will be taught by Ani Kunzang from 22nd - 24th September at the Centre (£55 for the weekend). To book your place for this weekend, contact the office on 020-7928 5447.

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3 - News from Manor Place

First of all we'd like to say a big thank you for all those who turned up for the holiday of a lifetime - ie a week volunteering at Manor Place in August. The week was a great success - and although this was an intensive period of work please remember that volunteers are always needed - not just for the building work, but also shopping and cooking for the builders. So if you have both the time and inclination, feel free to roll up on any day except Tuesday (yes, they do get a day of rest).

Mains electricity was switched off for safety reasons during much of the work on the building. However on Saturday 2nd September Lama Zangmo had the pleasure of restoring power to the building at precisely 2.42 pm. If you're wondering about the odd timing of this event just bear in mind the fact that there is a clock on the tower of our new building that is powered by.. mains electricity - and switching it on at the time on the clock is a lot easier than clambering around on the outside of the building! Special thanks go to Rowan for all his hard work on the wiring and electrical systems at Manor Place.

During his stay at the Centre last month the 18th Dulmo Choje Tulku Rinpoche also took the time to visit Manor Place. While there he offered prayers in what will be our new Shrine Room as well as blessing the whole building.

Hopefully this blessing will go some of the way to helping us meet one rapidly approaching deadline at Manor Place. We are aiming to have the top flat and first floor partial completion certificate from the building inspector by the end of September. Once this is issued it will mean that we can have residents moving into the building. If you are interested in accommodation at Manor Place, please get in touch.

The latest Manor Place wish list

With the prospect of residents arriving in a matter of weeks we have a new wish list. If you have any spares of the following that are no longer needed we would be happy to help unburden you of unnecessary worldly goods - especially any of the following:

• Fridges
• Kitchen utensils including pots pans, plates, mugs, cutlery, glasses, etc
• A small office safe
• Carpets and rugs

That's about it.. for now.. until the next installment of - News from Manor Place!

4 - Peace One Day

The Peace One Day (POD) film project began as the vision of one man, British filmmaker, Jeremy Gilley. Launched in September 1999, POD gained active support from all sectors of society, from governments through to individuals.

In September 2001 a United Nations General Assembly resolution was unanimously adopted by all UN member states, formally establishing an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence on the UN International Day of Peace, fixed in the global calendar on 21 September - Peace Day.

All sectors of society are being asked to honour and celebrate the Day on 21 September. The vision of the Day extends far beyond the cessation of violent conflict and represents an opportunity for individuals to join in a moment of global unity.

Jeremy Gilley and Annie Lennox visited Samye Dzong London during Lama Yeshe Rinpoche's stay here in April this year to tell him about this project. As a consequence there will be a light offering and prayers taking place both at the Centre and at Samye Ling, Scotland.

There will be a light offering and prayers taking place at the Centre at 7.00 pm on 21st September - all are welcome.

5 - Forthcoming events

SEPTEMBER

TAI CHI
with John Henry
Sunday 10th September, 10.30 am – 4.00 pm
£25
A monthly class of Tai Chi with John Henry who has been studying martial arts for the last 13 years within the lineage of Chen Xiao Wang. The classes include a variety of chi kung exercises excellent for health, calmness, balance and relaxation. They are suitable for anyone and beginners are always welcome at any class.

PEACE ONE DAY - LIGHT OFFERING
Thursday 21st September - 7.00 pm
Today we join in unity with many groups around the world as part of the ‘Peace One Day’ initiative, an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence on the UN International Day of Peace. We will make light offerings and say prayers for those afflicted by war and conflict in the world, as well as giving rise to loving kindness and peacefulness in our own minds.

THE PALPUNG SADHANA TRADITION
with Ani Kunzang
Friday 22nd September, 7.00 pm
Saturday 23rd September, 10am–4pm
Sunday 24th September, 10am–4pm
£55
His Holiness the 17th Karmapa last year expressed his wish that the main sadhanas of the lineage be standardized so that Centres follow the same traditions of chanting, ritual music etc. Following the visit of several Palpung Lamas and Sherab Ling monks to Samye Ling monastery, Ani Kunzang can now teach the new versions of these sadhanas which we will soon adopt here. The sadhanas she will go through are the Green Tara, Chenrezig, Guru Rinpoche and Medicine Buddha practices.
Gelongma Kunzang is a fully ordained Buddhist nun and has completed a four-year closed retreat. She is particularly well versed in Tibetan Buddhist ritual, music and art and also teaches meditation and Buddhist studies at Samye Ling and associated centres.
Please note: there will be no instruction in the visualisation of these practices.

OCTOBER

VOLUNTEER DAY
Sunday 1st October, 10am–4pm
A good opportunity to gain merit by helping out at Samye Dzong for the day with cleaning the centre. Tea, biscuits and lunch provided. Please tell us in advance if you can come.

VISIT OF KHENCHEN THRANGU RINPOCHE
‘THE FIVE BUDDHA FAMILIES AND THE FIVE WISDOMS’
Friday 6th October, 7pm
£10
We are very pleased to welcome Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche who will teach on the Five Buddha Families. The five Dhyana Buddhas represent the purified qualities of the five disturbing emotions: attachment, anger, ignorance, pride and envy. When these five negative emotions are purified, the qualities and wisdoms of the five buddhas shine forth purely.
Thrangu Rinpoche was recognised at the age of four by His Holiness the 16th Karmapa and His Eminence Situ Rinpoche as being the ninth incarnation of his lineage. An erudite scholar and recognised master of Mahamudra, he has been the personal teacher of the four Karma Kagyu regents and is currently Tutor to His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa. The Abbot and Founder of many centres, he teaches widely around the world and is renowned for making complex teachings accessible to western students.

TAI CHI
with John Henry
Sunday 15th September, 10.30am–4pm
£25
A monthly class of tai chi with John Henry who has been studying martial arts for the last 13 years within the lineage of Chen Xiao Wang. The classes include a variety of chi kung exercises excellent for health, calmness, balance and relaxation. They are suitable for anyone and beginners are always welcome at any class.

TIBETAN LANGUAGE FOR BEGINNERS
with Lama Zangmo
Friday 13th October – Friday 15th December, 7pm
£50
A course run over 10 weeks which will focus on learning the Tibetan alphabet and how to spell, read and write. Bring pen and paper. Please book in advance. This course will only run if there is sufficient interest.

MEDICINE BUDDHA PUJA
Sunday 15th October, 7pm
We are starting a regular monthly Medicine Buddha Puja this Sunday. Subsequently the Puja will take place on the 2nd Sunday of each month, at 7pm.

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

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