Kagyu Samye Dzong London News -
Manor Place
special edition

March 2007
             

Contents

  1. An Urgent request for help at Manor Place
  2. Manor Place Grand Opening, Saturday 17th - Sunday 18th March
  3. So when is the Centre moving?
  4. The 24th Kagyu Monlam Chenmo by Mette Heinz - Part 2
  5. Forthcoming events for Carlisle Lane and Manor Place

Welcome to a very special newsletter. It's nearly four years now since we were given 12 months notice to quit Carlisle Lane. Since then an enormous number of people have stepped forward to give time, effort, skills and energy to help us find a new home and we are so nearly there. I say so nearly because although we have the joy of opening our new building at Manor Place there is still much to be done over the next two weeks to get it finally ready. So read on for details of the grand opening and what you can do to help us make it a wonderful day for all.

News in Brief

  • We are delighted to announce that Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche will be visiting us from 4th-9th April. His visit will mark 9 years of Samye Dzong London and 40 years of Samye Ling. Full details of his visit can be found in the April section of the programme on the website. To see it, click here.
  • From this month you will get two programmes for the price of one. Starting with this newsletter we now have programmes running simultaneously for Carlisle Lane and Manor Place. See Forthcoming Events for the latest information, or visit the website.
  • A new 6 month program for the Centre at Carlisle Lane and a 3 month program for Manor Place are now up on the website.
  • Tai Chi classes with John Henry continue. The next class will be taking place on Sunday 11th March at Carlisle Lane with subsequent classes contintuing at Manor Place from April. Beginners welcome.

1 - An urgent request for help at Manor Place

We have both good and bad news for you:

The good news - our new buildng at Manor Place is opening on the 17th March. Jinpa has brought over and assembled the shrine he built for us at his workshop in Ireland (click here to see photos). A new Buddha statue will be brought down from Samye Ling just before the opening. The opening will be a wonderful event with all sorts of people, displays, treatments, food, drink, etc.

The bad news - the building isn't ready yet and we only have 12 days to go (if you read this on Monday). That means one more weekend and 10 weekdays. We are now pushing it!

What still needs doing

  • Masses of painting (corridor and shrine room)
  • old carpets to be taken up and removed
  • new ones laid
  • doors to be rehung
  • curtains to be made/sewn and put up
  • plenty of cleaning up
  • food and drink to be made for those doing everything else

Work is now going on at Manor Place 7 days a week with no let up. After nearly 4 years searching for a new building and all the hard work that's gone into Manor Place since we were given the lease, we don't want to fall at the last hurdle.

It doesn't matter if you can only offer a couple of hours or a couple of days (OK, so a couple of days would be preferable!). The point is that we need all the help we can get, and we need it now.

Over the years, when the Centre has really needed support, it's always been there - and if at all possible we hope to see you there, at 33 Manor Place, SE17, between now and the 17th March. Let's make sure the building is ready so that the opening day can be everything we could hope for.

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.

2 - GRAND OPENING OF MANOR PLACE SAMYE DZONG

with Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche & Samye Ling Sangha
Saturday 17th - Sunday 18th March, 2.00 - 7.00 pm

To celebrate the opening of Manor Place Samye Dzong we have a weekend of activities taking place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th March from 2.00 - 7.00 pm each day

Traditional Tibetan music and ceremony will herald the opening of the Centre with exhibitions of Manor Place's past and present. There will also be free treatments and taster sessions of Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation, Acupuncture, Shiatsu, Korean hand massage, Reflexology, and much more!

Everyone is welcome.

"So where exactly is Manor Place and how do I get there?"

Manor Place Samye Dzong, 33 Manor Place, London, SE17 3BD

Just 5 minutes walk away from Kennington Underground Station on the Northern Line.To see a map, click here.

You can also plan your journey on bus, train, tube, or any other form of public transport using the Journey Planner at the Transport for London website. Click here.

We look forward to seeing you there.

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3 - When are we moving from Carlisle Lane?

We're not - or at least, not yet. You see, it's like this..

It was July 2003 when we were given 12 months notice by our then landlord who needed to sell our current site in Carlisle Lane. By the time our notice was up the Hospital Trust had bought the land and the Trustees had indicated they were happy for us to remain until they had planning permission and were ready to work on the site.

After immense efforts on the part of a lot of supporters we finally found Manor Place, negotiated a lease with Southwark Council which, after lots more work, will be opening it this month.

In the meantime the hospital's plans have been delayed, and delayed, and - well, you get the picture. Consequently, at time of writing, there is no immediate need for the Centre at Carlisle Lane to move. This could change at any time however and we are now on a very short rolling lease.

Until we need to move..

Until we are given final notice by the hospital to quit Carlisle Lane we will be running Kagyu Samye Dzong London on both sites, but with a different emphasis in each:

Carlisle Lane will stay as the main Buddhist Centre for teachings.

Manor Place - the focus will be on community activities, complementary therapies (including the Tibetan Doctor) and workshops.

Two separate programmes, one for each site, have now gone out to all those on the mailing list and, starting with this newsletter, we will include details of all the forthcoming events taking place at both locations.

We will gradually work out how to run the two buildings alongside each other - this is a big expansion - and of course any volunteers who can help us will be more then welcome!

4 - 24th Kagyu Monlam Chenmo by Mette Heinz - Part 2

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

"The Monlam itself was held by the Stupa, lasting for eight days. Each morning began with a monastic procession and Sojong vows. The two morning sessions usually consisted of Monlam prayers and teachings by HH Karmapa onthe life of Milarepa. Sitting among the foreign students, Ringu Tulku translated the teachings into English. The afternoon Monlam prayers were most evenings followed by teaching by HH Karmapa for foreign students. These were scheduled to be an introduction to meditation, but often turned into spontaneous teachings on whatever inspired His Holiness. Like most of us, he too got the Bodhgaya blessing a bad cold and cough. But even on those days he would transform into giving passionate and heartfelt teachings.

During one of these days, sitting very close to the throne, I was suddenly struck by anguish and feeling heartbroken at the idea of not being under His Holiness protection. Once I started praying for him never to abandon me, much to my embarrassment, I couldn't stop crying, feeling like a silly emotional Westener. Looking at the other thousand or more students collected, and the love and devotion in everyones eyes, I caught a glimpse of what it means to take refuge. Even Mingyur Rinpoche would sit day after day, listening to teachings, beaming at His Holiness.


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

I think I finally understand why we chant Karmapa Chenno Karmapa know me. Being in his presence it is impossible not to take refuge in his endless compassion and wisdom and to pray never to be abandoned by him.

The students connected with Samye Ling had a group interview with His Holiness one afternoon. Being asked what we can do to extend the life of our precious teachers, he suggested that we do Green Tara for Akong Rinpoche and White Tara for Lama Yeshe. One of the other questions asked was of cause when he will be able to give teachings in the West. To which he replied that he doesn't see any obstacles to coming soon. It might have been wishful thinking, but I think he suggested that he might even be able to come in 2007. Looking to his generous treatment of foreign students and his effort in learning English it does indeed seem like he is preparing to come and teach us. For the first time, during the Monlam, HH Karmapa gave the lung for part of the Four Preliminary Practices in English.

Ani Palto wears a rubbish disguise -
somebody really should tell her!

Like last year, many of Akong Rinpoche's students collected money and paid to feed over 400 poor people. Seated in the courtyard of the Mahayana Hotel each person got a large warm meal, a large bag of dahl and rice to live off for a week, plus a little bit of money. Some of the people were so disabled that they could barely carry the food away like the many young boys who have had polio and have to crawl along the ground, often with their legs tugged over their shoulders, or the old ladies so bent over that they are reduced to half size. Seeing people leave with the food I would often think that the generosity was being extended to us. The big smiles and endless Namaste made it a very joyful morning.

During one of the last days of the Monlam His Holiness asked us to make a commitment to reduce meat eating as a way of directly overcoming any obstacles to his life and to purify the lineage. As individuals we could commit to reduce eating meat to once a day, once a week, once a month, not on auspicious days or to stop all together. But he made a very strong and clear request that no Monastery should cook meet in their kitchen, and that if we do, we aren't his students anymore.

The last afternoon of the Monlam, giving a last blessing to friends of the Kagyu Monlam, His Holiness thanked us for our support. As he was talking it struck me, that if we don't request teachings, and if we aren't prepared to pay for the cost of receiving them, there won't be any. That if we don't ask for teachings there won't be any turning of the wheel of dharma.

I came to Bodhgaya thinking the Monlam would be a serious and austere retreat, but a lot of the time it was like a big Buddhist party. During the sessions at the Bodhi Tree I would often squeeze in with the old Tibetan men and women. Feeling blessed to the hilt, surrounded by grannies, generously sharing food, smiles and generosities. It was equally joyful to be surrounded by 5,000 sangha, from young computer game playing monks to old nuns diligently doing mandala practice by the stupa. I would often sneak a peak at Ani Paltso sitting happily day after day in the middle of her red robed sisters.

In telling these stories I hope that everyone get to share the wonderful blessing it was to day after day get to experience the magnificence of His Holiness.

That's better!
Long time no see Ani Paltso.

5 - Forthcoming events

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

Carlisle Lane Samye Dzong Manor Place Samye Dzong
MARCH MARCH

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION
Sat 10th March 10am - 4pm
£30
This course will give an introduction to the basics in meditation techniques such as posture and use of the breath as a focus. The course is relevant for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

TAI CHI
with John Henry
Sun 11th March 10.30am - 4pm
£25
A day of Tai Chi with John Henry who has been studying martial arts for the last thirteen years within the lineage of Chen Xiao Wang. The classes include a variety of Chi Kung exercises, excellent for health, calmness, balance and relaxation. It is suitable for anyone, and beginners are welcome.

THE PRACTICE OF THE MEDICINE BUDDHA
with Gelongma Ani Kunzang.
Sat 24th & Sun 25th March 10am - 4pm
£50
Ani Kunzang is a fully ordained Buddhist nun, and has completed a four year closed retreat. She is particularly well versed in Tibetan Buddhist ritual, and will cover the chanting, ritual instruments and music of the Sadhana, which is done regularly at the centre. She will also give further instructions on the playing of the musical instruments for the various Pujas done in KSDL.

GRAND OPENING OF MANOR PLACE SAMYE DZONG
with Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche & Samye Ling Sangha
Sat 17 & Sun 18 March 2 - 7pm
Traditional Tibetan music and ceremony will herald the opening of the Centre with exhibitions of Manor Place's past and present. Free treatments and taster sessions of Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation, Acupuncture, Shiatsu, Korean hand massage, Reflexology, and much more! Everyone is welcome.

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION
with Ani Kunzang
Fri 23 March 7pm - 9pm
£10
This is an introduction to the basics needed for meditation practice, such as instructions in the posture and using the breath as a focus. Suitable for all.

'A WONDERFOOL WEEKEND'
Sacred Clowning with Colin Curbishley
Sat 31st March 10am - 5.30pm
Sun lst April 10am - 4.30pm
£60
Come celebrate your playful spirit and courageous heart. Enter the world of the sacred clown, discover the simple magic alive in every moment and play to your hearts content. Colin Curbishley trains with the 'Fool at Heart' School of Sacred Clowning. (some concessions available). Places limited to 15.
APRIL APRIL

EASTER COURSE REFUGE & EMPOWERMENTS
with Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Thurs 5th - Mon 9th April
This is a precious opportunity to receive blessings and empowerments from this highly accomplished Master. Rinpoche will give refuge to those wanting to enter the Buddhist path and give the Empowerments of Medicine Buddha and Dorje Sempa, as well as the scriptural authorisations for those practices. He will also answer questions and give advice on how to integrate the Dharma in daily life. He will be assisted by Ken Holmes and Samye Ling Sangha. (Please note: Accommodation is limited and must be booked well in advance.) To see the full, detailed programme on the website, click here.

THE APPEARANCE OF TANTRA
Sun 22nd April 4pm
FREE
A rare video teaching given by the Venerable Kalu Rinpoche in 1983 in Kagyu Samye Ling.

MEDICINE BUDDHA INSTRUCTIONS
with Lama Zangmo
Sat 28th April 10am - 4pm
£30
The Medicine Buddha practice is very effective in balancing the physical, mental and spiritual health of others and ourselves, and can be of great help to all practitioners, particularly those in the medical profession. Lama Zangmo will give the instructions for the visualizations and meditations of this practice, texts are available in the shop.

TIBETAN LANGUAGE
with Lama Zangmo
Sun 29th April 2pm - 5.30pm
£20
This is a follow-up course for those who have attended the previous beginners language classes. The emphasis will be on revising past material. The course will only run if there is enough interest, please book in advance.

AN INTRODUCTION TO TIBETAN MEDICINE
with Katia Holmes
Wed 4 April 7 - 8.30pm
£10
The Tibetan medical system focuses on treating the root cause of the problem as opposed to alleviating the discomfort caused by the symptoms. It can be used alone or in conjunction with Western medicine. This evenings talk will be fascinating for anyone interested in alterative medicine.

BLESSING CEREMONY OF MANOR PLACE SAMYE DZONG
with Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Thurs 5th April 7 - 8.30pm
Akong Tulku Rinpoche, the Founder and President of Rokpa Trust, will preside over this ceremony and prayers along with Samye Ling Sangha. All welcome.

CARING FOR ONESELF AND OTHERS
with Ken Holmes
Fri 6 April 7pm - 8.30pm
Sat 7 April 10am - 4pm
£40
The Buddha's teachings show a way of living in which compassion enables us to come to terms with our own problems, bringing inner peace, strength and an appreciation of ethical values. They show us that the deeper forms of happiness and fulfilment come from serving others.

INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM
with Ken Holmes
Sun 8 April 7pm - 9pm
£10
The evening will be an introduction to the Buddhist teaching. Suitable for anyone wanting to learn more.

TAI CHI
with John Henry
Sun 22 April 10.30 - 4pm
£25
A day of Tai Chi with John Henry who has been studying martial arts for the past 13 years within the lineage of Chen Xiao Wang. This is suitable for anyone; beginners are welcome.

THE ABC OF MEDITATION
with Alistair Appleton
Fri 27 April 7pm - 8.30pm
Sat 28 & Sun 29 10am - 4pm
£55
TV Journalist Alistair Appleton will give an introduction to the basics of meditation for beginners, covering sitting and walking meditation and simple methods to calm and focus the mind, with time for discussion, questions and answers.


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 davidjbates@mac.com