Kagyu Samye Dzong London News

June 2007

Contents

1. Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche on the Benefits of Meditation
2. Fun Raising Group
3. Holistic Treatment Day
4. Pilgrimage to Dolma Lhakang, 2008
5. Forthcoming events for Carlisle Lane and Manor Place

Welcome to the June newsletter

News in Brief

• Many thanks to those who responded to the computer appeal. Lama Zangmo has already been equipped with a suitable laptop, and an LCD screen now sits in the office at Carlisle Lane creating more space and less eyestrain for those using it! Having said that, if you do have suitable equipment, please keep those offers coming in and we'll soon have our centres equipped for the 21st century (well, with computers anyway).
• We have another Holistic Treatment Day taking place on Sunday 17th June. PLEASE NOTE this event will be at Manor Place for the first time. Full details below and in a special mailing coming soon.
• Next year sees a very special event taking place in Tibet - the opening of Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche's monastery, Dolma Lhakang. See Vin Harris' letter below for information about prelminary travel plans and how to stay in touch if you are interested in attending this unique occasion.

1 - Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche on the Benefits of Meditation

"Meditation is a most necessary part of our lives. If you have more or less done and achieved everything, and yet feel you're not really wholesome or fulfilled, then I think it may be time for you to meditate and find real fulfillment through this inner understanding. I have personally seen with my own eyes the difference between practitioners and non-practitioners. When practitioners are getting old, they never feel lonely. They're prepared for death. They know this is what's going to happen. When death comes, it is an opportunity. Why should they be afraid to die? Their physical form is not functioning any longer, but their mind is sharper than ever.

When we started the traditional three-year retreats, Samye Ling didn't have a good public image. European doctors wondered what we were doing, locking people up. There was a lot of distrust on their side. During the retreat, one young guy who was helping to build Samye Ling got sick. Doctors diagnosed cancer and gave him only two more months to live. He had been in Samye Ling for many years, but he had never bothered to practise, he was just there to work. He then came to me and said, 'Look, Lama Yeshe, I have wasted all my time. When I was well, I thought I could work and practise later on. Now I'm supposed to have only a couple of months left to live, please could you help me?' He joined the retreat and I taught him how to practise. The other retreatants would also take turns looking after him. His faith and practice grew very strong and he was very happy and positive. When he was about to die, I thought he'd better go to the hospital and called a doctor. The doctor discussed it with him and came to the conclusion that he was very happy and serene, and that there was no need for him to go to the hospital. He died a couple of days later. His family were non-believers, but they all came to thank us for what we had been able to do.

A brain tumour was also diagnosed in another of our retreatants. Once again, we helped by taking care of him in the retreat. He practised and meditated and he became so positive, so happy, that the doctor had to admit, 'Your patients don't need us, we need them. Each time they come into the hospital, they change the whole atmosphere because they don't come here moaning, suffering and frightened. They are not afraid to die, their state of mind is pure and positive. They are full of joy and ready to go.'

As far as I can see through such experiences, actual proper practise does bring benefits.I tell you this because sometimes people try hard and do not notice any change. But even if the results are not immediately visible, the changes happen. It is like planting good seeds. You are weeding and ploughing the field, preparing for the good crop. It can take time, but it will definitely come. So I do hope you will not consider meditation practice as an unnecessary part of your life."

Lama Yeshe will be leading a weekend on Joyful Living at Carlisle Lane with members of the Samye Ling Sangha on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd June. He will also be giving two public talks at Manor Place on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th June. See Forthcoming Events for full details. To book your place for the weekend, phone 020-7928 5447.

2 - Fun-raising group

Esther White writes:

"Calling all those who believe in fun

• Do you want to keep our precious centres going?
• Do you have good ideas for fun-d-raising?
• Do you have contacts to help create exciting and fun events?

Then we need you!

We are setting up a working party of fun-d-raisers for the centres, and need people who would like to get involved in some way.

If you think you could be involved in this (in anyway big or small) please contact estherbesta@hotmail.com or speak to Lama Zangmo.

Many thanks"

Up and coming events planned for late summer:

The Richmond park Sponsored Walk! It’s a Family day out and picnic too.  Raising pounds (£) whilst loosing pounds (lbs.)

For more info please email estherbesta@hotmail.com

Thank you.

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3 - Holistic Treatment Day at Manor Place, Sunday 17th June

The Holistic Treatment Days that have been run to-date have all gone well, and we'd like to make sure this one does as well - not least as it's the first time we're running it at Manor Place. To help make it the success it could be we need your support - and not just in turning up for a Shiatsu on the day (not that we'd discourage you from doing that too!).

Among other things we need:

• Leafleting beforehand to let local people know what's happening
• Cakes and food for the stalls on the day
• Probably some cleaning up / preparing Manor Place on the Saturday

If you are ready, willing and able to give us any help in getting ready, please email Manor Place, or phone 020-7708 8969. And if you're not able to help out beforehand, we hope to see you on the day.

P.S. If you'd like a reminder of the last day, just click here for the slideshow.

4 - Pilgrimage to Dolma Lhakang, 2008

Vin Harris writes:

"Dear Friends of Samye Ling,

Lama Yeshe has asked me to help with the travel arrangements for friends living in the UK who are hoping to attend the opening of Akong Rinpoche's monastery in Tibet.

I am very happy to do whatever I can to enable as many people as possible to make this once in a lifetime pilgrimage and to ensure that everyone concerned derives the maximum benefit.

Although we may need to travel in small groups, we could certainly get the best price by negotiating for everyone together. If we have enough people interested then I would be able to deal directly with a trekking agency based in Tibet without needing to go through any other agent or company. This will of course keep the cost down and help us to raise as much money as possible for Rinpoche to fund his plans for Dolma Lhakang.

There are many trekking agencies based in Tibet who provide jeeps, drivers, guides and accommodation. They all have to be officially approved and through them any travel group must register their itinerary. Of course it is important to choose an agency that is reliable, but I would also intend to select one of the agencies that are owned by Tibetans.

Some of us may want to spend different lengths of time in Tibet. With advice from Akong Rinpoche, I intend to put together various itineraries so that people can choose an option to suit their particular interests as well as the time and money available.

Initially it would be very helpful if anyone who is interested could let me have their contact details, preferably by email, so that I can set up a database. I will then be able to write to everyone in order to get an indication of numbers and preferences. On this basis I will be able to research suitable travel itineraries, negotiate with trekking agencies and develop some budget costs for us.

Please pass on this letter to any of your friends who may be interested so that we do not miss out anyone who would like to be kept informed. If anyone has information or reliable contacts that may be useful then please let me know. Finally if anyone has time available and is inspired to help with this amazing project, then please do get in touch.

With Best Wishes

Vin Harris"

5 - Forthcoming events

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

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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