Kagyu Samye Dzong London
News

February 2007

Contents

1. Guru Rinpoche Tsok Puja - instructions with Ani Kunzang
2. The Rewards of Volunteering - by Gloria Exeter and Morag Walker
3. Restoring the Balance
4. The 24th Kagyu Monlam Chenmo by Mette Heinz - Part 1
5. Forthcoming events

1 - Guru Rinpoche tsok puja - instructions with Ani Kunzang

Guru Rinpoche was the founder of Buddhism in Tibet and the founder of Samye, the first Buddhist monastary in Tibet. On the last Sunday of each month we have a Guru Rinpoche tsok puja at Samye Dzong London and this summer there will be a Guru Rinpoche Drubcho in Scotland to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of Samye Ling, the first Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in the West.

If you have the Guru Rinpche empowerment and would like to learn (or re-learn!) the practice you will have an opportunity to do so this coming weekend, Saturday 27th - Sunday 28th January when Ani Kunzang will be giving teachings on this puja. She will also talk about the meaning and importance of offerings, and particularly why we make tsok (food) offerings during the puja.

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. To book your place now please either email or phone the office on 020-7928 5447.

2 - The rewards of volunteering, by Gloria Exeter and Morag Walker

"My friend Morag and I started volunteering at Samye Dzong London a few years ago.We both have a geat respect for the philosophy and principles of the Buddhist faith and have visited both Samye Ling in Scotland and have taken part in Volunteer weeks on Holy Island.

You may wonder what we actually do! We never know until we arrive but among other things we have: swept leaves; tidied the gardens and outdoor spaces; polished brasses; stuffed envelopes; washed down paint work, among other things! On our last visit we felt quite privileged when we were asked to clean the Shrine Room.

We are always made very welcome and are rewarded with a tasty vegetarian lunch and copious amounts of tea. If you havn't volunteered before we urge you to give it a try. It is very satisfying at the end of the day to look round and see what a difference our efforts have made."

Gloria and Morag.

Can you help?

Our ability to maintain Samye Dzong London, to offer a peaceful, spiritual place in the heart of London has always depended on the time and effort so generously given by volunteers over the years. As we approach the opening of Manor Place the help of volunteers is even more essential than ever. Colin, our site manager at Manor Place, has particularly requested painters and decorators to help get Manor Place ready for the opening. If you have any skills in this area and are able to get down to Manor Place, even if only for a few hours (on any day except Tuesday), please don't hesitate to get in touch - or even just turn up on the day. If you're not a great painter and decorator, feel free to come down anyway - there are plenty of other jobs which need doing (probably clearing up after the painters and decorators).

With Manor Place opening on Saturday 17th March, time to make your mark on our new premises (in the best possible sense!) is running out. Don't miss your chance.

Feeling brave? Ready to volunteer now? To put your name down for a paint brush (or whatever else) just email or phone the office on 020-7928 5447.

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3 - Restoring the balance

In the words of Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche:

It's not instant coffee

Many people want to lead better lives but have extreme ways of going about it. They attend oriental martial arts, meditation courses and alternative therapies. They give their new obsession 24 hours a day because they want quick results. The next day they may practise for 23 hours and after 24 days their practice has dwindled to nothing. they do not achieve anything. If we wish to live an extreme life and attain something then maybe we can, but we will need enormous patience.

It is more realistic to have a balanced way of life so that we do not make big mistakes. When we want to develop our mind and realise our potential, try going slowly to start with. This si much better than trying too hard at the beginning. There is a Tibetan proverb, "Hasten slowly,and you will arrive soon".

Clive Holmes will be leading a "Restoring the Balance" weekend at the Centre from Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th February. To book your place now please either email or phone the office on 020-7928 5447.

4 - 24th Kagyu Monlam Chenmo by Mette Heinz - Part 1

Mette is a resident at Kagyu Samye Dzong London and writes:

"Never having been to India, or seen His Holiness Karmapa, joining the Monlam was a baptism in every way. The train journey alone, from Delhi to Gaya, was somewhat more exotic than travelling from Victoria to Sutton. There were a few of us travelling together on the Rajihani Express. In the second class sleeper you get the luxury of snacks (happy meal of crustless cheese sandwich and spicy patty) and a full evening meal, followed a rumbling sleep behind flapping curtains. Having been warned about travellers being held up at gunpoint in Bihar, I was happy to be collected by, and in the safety of one of the monks from the Shechen Monastery. Ani Paltso and I had the good fortune to be staying at the Shechen monastery belonging to Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. After dumping our luggage, we headed straight for the Stupha and Bodhi Tree, only to find ourselves almost stumbling into a strolling Khenpo Tsultrim. Wonderful way to be welcomed to Bodhgaya.

To see a slide show of photo's from the Monlam, just click here.

The enormous stupa has been under restoration, and yet without a lot of detailed ornaments, looks very modernist and crisp. The Bodhi Tree itself is a large expanding presence. Some branches are so large and heavy that they have to be supported by thick steel pipes. When we arrived there was another Monlam taking place, so lots of red robes and sounds of pujas.

Feeling very virtuous, and finding a place between prostrating monks, I made the deeply disappointing discovery that sitting under the Bodhi Tree hadn't given me an instant mind transplant... rather I was seemingly more neurotic and busy in the head than at home in Samye Dzong. But then again, the surroundings vibrate with every possible sound: screeching parrots, barking dogs, drums, chatting monks, prayers from the mosque and honking traffic. But the sound that topped them all, and made me fall off the cushion with laughter, was that of the dog slurping up my precious butter tea that I had just been served. So much for Shinay.

Before the Monlams we were fortunate to have four days of teachings by HH Karmapa and Mingyur Rinpoche on the Ngondro. His Holiness would teach in the morning and Mingyur Rinpoche would review the lesson in the evening. For the benefit of foreign students Holiness had revised the text to the Four Preliminary practices, making it shorter and simpler. Most of us thought it was a bit mind-blowing to have the refuge tree explained by the karmapa himself! Talking in great detail about the lion throne, and the lions in particular, he made us all laugh by saying: “I fear that if I keep talking much longer like this I might even start to roar like a lion”. I don’t think anyone present were in any doubt. The lion does indeed roar again. Not only is His Holiness an enormous presence, at times he would be bouncing on his throne like a volcano of energy, but his voice and sideways glances to Ari (who was translating into English) often seemed like a powerful playful lion.

Listening to His Holiness teaching, I felt deeply grateful to the other wonderful teachers I have: Akong Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe Rinpoche and Lama Zangmo. I would often think that this is the blessing of a strong lineage all the teachings I have ever had are completely consistent with what His Holiness was saying.

One of the things that struck me about His Holiness, is his ability to make the teachings personal and heartfelt. I never had the sense of being taught a lot of theory or intellectual speculation. At times His Holiness would emphasise the importance of devotion and strength of feeling when receiving
empowerments. Wanting to raise our feeling of compassion, he asked us to remember the first time as a child that we were struck by deep compassion for other beings. He said that when we are young our emotions are often clearer and stronger, and that as we get older things can get more muddled.

The teachings were held in Mingyur Rinpoche's newly finished Tergar Monastery. In the most generous and unassuming way, Mingyur Rinpoche had opened the doors to His Holiness and all the students. 10 minutes on a rickshaw outside Bodgaya, it is still placed among paddy-fields and stacks
of hay. The only local place to eat is the straw hut that has appeared near the entrance. Despite not knowing where the water comes from, they serve a very popular cup of chai, which only once delivered some negative consequences."

Part 2 of Mette's account of the 24th Kagyu Monlam Chenmo will appear in the next newsletter.

5 - Forthcoming events

To see the full programme of activities at the Centre, please click here to visit the website

JANUARY

GURU RINPOCHE INSTRUCTIONS
with Ani Kunzang
Saturday 27th January, 10am–4pm
Sunday 28th January, 10am–4pm
£55
Ani Kunzang will give teachings and instructions in the peaceful practice of Guru Rinpoche which is done regularly at the Centre (the Koncho Chidu sadhana). She will also talk about the meaning and importance of offerings, and particularly why we make tsok (food) offerings during the puja.
It is necessary to have received the Guru Rinpoche empowerment to attend the course. You will need a text (available from the shop), pen and paper.

FEBRUARY

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION
Thursday 8th February, 7pm–9pm
£10
An evening of meditation instructions relevant to Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike, covering posture and the various methods used in tranquility meditation such as observing the breath, an external object and developing awareness. Ideal for beginners who want to get it right from the start and those wishing to refresh their understanding.

LOSAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
Saturday 17th February, 7.00 pm
We will celebrate Losar (Tibetan New Year) with an offering of 108 lights and Milarepa tsok puja. Milarepa was an 11th Century Tibetan yogi and poet, and the puja is a devotional chant, which inspires and strengthens our connection to the spiritual path. All welcome. Please bring offerings of lights and food.

TAI CHI
with John Henry
Sunday 18th February, 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.

RESTORING THE BALANCE
with Clive Holmes
Friday 23rd February, 7.00 pm
Saturday 24th Feburary, 10.00 - 4.00 pm
Sunday 25th February, 10.00 - 4.00 pm
£55
This book by Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche has already been welcomed as offering deep insight into living a happy and useful life. This course will focus on how to identify our true self, beyond the social conditioning of who we think we are. We can then go on to develop truly harmonious lives.
Practical instruction will be given on how to promote inner freedom and thus awaken from the sleep of ignorance. The approach will be light hearted, cultivating true compassion and openness of mind. There will time for meditation practice and questions and answers. Some relaxation techniques will be given which will help us face and cope with our busy lives and there will be an investigation into the fundamental reasons why we feel stressed and some ways to remedy this.

MARCH

OPENING OF MANOR PLACE
Saturday 17th March
More details in the next 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

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