Kagyu Samye Dzong London News

March 2008

Contents

1. Guru Rinpoche Drubcho
2. "So it's goodbye from her.." a farewell letter from Ani Tsondru
3. An invitation to become a "Friend of Samye Dzong London"
4. Baby Yoga
5. Forthcoming Events

When I met with Lama Zangmo to discusss this month's newsletter it quickly became apparent how much there was to fit in. I worked hard on it, sustained only by the minimum of tea and biscuits necessary to complete the task. Finally, as I shut the computer down and started to put it in my bag with the knowledge of a job well done, Lama gasped and said "Oh no, I forgot something really important David". My mind raced through the possibilities of what could have been missed

"We're having a party on the 22nd March to celebrate ten years in Carlisle Lane and 1 year at Manor Place!"

Suffice to say that the details can be found in News in Brief.. ..And now for the serious content!

News in Brief

• A new programme has been published covering activities and events for both Manor Place and Carlisle Lane until the end of September - get the latest details and any amendments on the website and of course this newsletter, not least for the Drubcho this month! (see below).
• Volunteer day 16th March from 9.30 am onwards. Given that Carlisle Lane is going to used very intensively with the Drubcho and the visit of Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche, any help that you can give in getting the Centre ready would be very much appreciated. Please let us know if you can make it - that way we can ensure that you receive not only outstanding karmic brownie points, but also lunch, tea and biscuits in sufficient quantity. Contact the office at Carlisle Lane by email, or phone 020-7928 5447.
• Ten years of Kagyu Samye Dzong London and our first anniversary in Manor Place will be celebrated with a party in Carlisle Lane on Saturday 22nd March from 7.30 pm. Bring your instruments, party pieces and some refreshments and snacks to share - all are welcome!
• Rokpa London will be launched at Carlisle Lane on Saturday 29th March at 5.00 pm. This special event will be attended by Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche and actor Charles Dance. Please note that this is different to the date in the printed programme.
• Some of you may recall reading details of the 3 year study course announced last year. Due to uncertainty around moving date for Carlisle Lane, we hope to start the course in London during autumn 2009 - however for those who are especially impatient you can undertake the Nangi Shedra with Samye Ling which is offering it as a supported home study programme. For those who are interested in this, the teachings that Ken Holmes will be giving at the Centre on the 29th and 30th March will double as the first study weekend.

1 - Guru Rinpoche Drubcho, Tuesday 18th - Monday 24th March and visit of Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche

This month sees our first Guru Rinpoche Drubcho and the visit of Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche. Since the new programme was printed however there have been some changes to the timetable for this event and Rinpoche's visit. The new details are now as follows:

Monday 17th March 7pm
Explanation of the Guru Rinpoche practice
with Lama Zangmo
Everyone is welcome to attend the Drubcho and participate in the chanting, however, in order to attend this evening of instructions on the practice, you either need to have received the Guru Rinpoche Empowerment, or be intending to receive it on the 24th March.

Guru Rinpoche Drubcho
Tuesday 18th March - Monday 24th March

Guru Rinpoche Drubcho Timetable:
7.00am - 8.15am Green Tara
10.00am - 12.15pm Guru Rinpoche Morning Session
2.30pm - 5.30pm Guru Rinpoche Afternoon Session
6.30pm - 7.30pm Mahakala Puja

It is said that participating in some way brings a tremendous amount of merit and benefit, so we hope that everyone can be part of this special event. You can do this by attending the Drubcho, by volunteering to help out, by giving food for the Tsok offerings and by making a donation.

While there is no charge for attending the Drubcho, donations are always welcome and you are encouraged to bring offerings such as fruit, nuts, biscuits etc for the tsok, which is enjoyed by everyone at the end of each day. Please note that due to limitations of time and kitchen space we regret that we cannot provide lunch during the Drubcho. Please bring your own food or make other arrangements.

Refuge Ceremony - Easter Sunday (23rd March)- 7.30pm
Please note - this ceremony will be conducted at Manor Place and will be preceded by an explanation of what it means to take refuge. If you would like to take refuge, please contact the office at Manor Place by email or phone on 020-7708 8969.

Guru Rinpoche Long Life Blessing and Empowerment (24th March)
£20
2-3pm Explanation by Lama Zangmo
3pm Blessing and Empowerment with Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche

Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche Course Programme
Weds 26 - Sun 30 March
£75 for the full course
After the Drubcho there will be a programme until the end of the month with teachings, Medicine Buddha and Karma Pakshi Empowerments.

Timetable:

Wed 26th March (£10)
7pm - Questions & Answers with Akong Tulku Rinpoche

Thurs 27th March (£15)
7pm - Explanation of Empowerment by Lama Zangmo
8pm - Medicine Buddha Empowerment[*] by Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche.

Fri 28th March (£10)
7pm - Public Talk by Akong Tulku Rinpoche

Sat 29th March (£35)
10am - 4pm Teachings on The Two Truths and Buddha Nature with Ken Holmes.
5pm A Rokpa Event with Rinpoche and Lea Wyler[*]

Sun 30th March (£35)
10am - 12.30pm The Two Truths and Buddha Nature with Ken Holmes.
2pm Explanation of Empowerment by Ken Holmes.
3pm Karma Pakshi Empowerment by Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche.

[*] These two events are incorrectly scheduled in our March-Sept 2008 printed brochure. The dates are correct on this webpage.

2 - "So it's goodbye from her.." a farewell letter from Ani Tsondru

"As some of you may already know, I will be leaving for Dublin shortly at Lama Yeshe Rinpoche’s request in order to help at the Samye Dzong centre there.  All going well, I expect to leave London on March 26th. While I am very happy to go back to my home town and put any skills I have learnt to use at the Dublin centre, I am also sad to leave London.  I will miss you all!!  There are so many precious memories, it would be impossible to list them all.  I feel grateful for the many friendships made, the kindnesses to the centre and to me personally over the years and the store of goodwill when it seeemed we were teetering on the brink of homelessness!  I feel myself I have grown through the experience and I am very grateful for having been able to be here at such an important time in Samye Dzong’s development.  I pray that the Centre and all the precious beings who come here flourish happily...... And you are very welcome to come and visit Dublin!"

For those who may be curious, or planning a trip to Dublin, just click here to visit the site of Kagyu Samye Dzong Dublin.

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3 - An invitation to become a "Friend of Samye Dzong London"

Kagyu Samye Dzong London was established in 1998 and for the past 10 years has provided a sanctuary of peace and tranquility for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. Over the years, many people have benefitted from receiving teachings, taking part in courses and retreats, having access to complementary therapies, and other activities such as yoga, tai chi, martial arts, and much more.

To keep delivering these things we need to establish a strong financial base so we will be in a position to buy a permanent home when the opportunity arises. In order to do this we are inviting you to become a "Friend of Samye Dzong" by making a regular donation. In doing so, you will be joining many others in helping to provide a stable financial base to secure the future of the Centre. Regular, reliable contributions will help build the confidence to embrace our vision for a permanent thriving centre which will continue to bring great benefit to those who live, work in or visit the capital.

If you would like to become a "Friend of Samye Dzong London" you can find the form to make a regular donation on the website (link), or contact the office on 7708 8969 to recieve a copy in the post. Thank you for all the help and continuing support you are able to offer.

4 - Baby Yoga

Yes, you read it here first! We now have a weekly baby yoga class and pregnancy yoga class at Manor Place.

The baby yoga class offers a lively mix of practices for the babies - passive stretching and rhythmic movement accompanied by singing and action songs - and postnatal recovery for mums - improving posture, re-energising and recovering strength and vitality. There are lots of integrated yoga practices for mums and babies to do together. The classes are friendly and relaxed so that babies can be fed, changed, dandled, soothed, and sleep whenever they need. The class is for babies from birth to nine months. Classes are held every Wednesday from 1:30pm – 3:00pm. Charge is £10 (£7 concessions) per class.

The pregnancy yoga class offers an holistic programme of breathwork, relaxation, postures, movement, voicework and meditations suited to all stages of pregnancy, from 12 - 42 weeks. Pregnancy yoga enhances the vitality, mobility, general health and emotional well-being of the expectant mother; it also provides a valuable quiet space in which to form a bond with the unborn child and to prepare for birth. Classes are held every Wednesday from 3:00pm – 4:30pm. Charge is £10 (£7 concessions) per class.

For more information visit www.sitaram.org or call 0787 215-1122 or 020 8678-0054

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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