Kagyu Samye Dzong aims to provide a place
of peace and tranquillity for all in central
London, with the shrine room available for
individuals to come and sit during the day. For
full details of the Centres,
including the programme of evening
meditations and forthcoming events, visit the
website at: www.samye.org/london
News in Brief
Welcome to the August newsletter.
Summer Closure - just a quick reminder to all that both Carlisle Lane and Manor Place are now closed until the 19th August. In addition, Carlisle Lane will be closed to the public on the weekend of the 23rd-24th August as a residential retreat is taking place.
Last residential retreat at Carlisle Lane - 23rd-25th August. See Forthcoming Events for further details.
A self-contained flat is available to rent at Garwald near Samye Ling. If you are seriously interested and would like further information, please contact Lodro Dorje at Samye Ling. Tel reception at Samye Ling on 013873 73232 ext 221.
..and now for the rest of the newsletter.
1 - And they're off.. ..for a quick 500 mile bike ride to Scotland!
As I sit here writing this, team "Thames to Tea Party" are now well into their second day of cycling - buoyed up no doubt by the fact that they've already generated over £7,400 in sponsorship, nearly three quarters of the way to their target of £10,000. For a brief account of yesterday's events however, I'll let one of our riders--Neil--speak for himself:
"We set off on this, the first day of our epic 500 mile ride for kagyu samye dzong london, with the sound of conch shells ringing in our ears and the flutter of katas around our necks. Residents and supporters turned out, despite the fine drizzle, to give us a heart-warming sent off. Thanks to all who came, and thanks to lama zangmo for her words of encouragement and reminder that all activities--cycling included--can be practice. I took this advice too literally when I let go of my attachment to the road crossing Lambeth bridge. Also known as falling off. It wasn't my--or the team's--last mishap of the day, but I'll leave them to tell you themselves (or not). I must add my thanks to our sponsors and superb support team."
To read what the rest of the team have to say about day one, or to check their progress throughout the week, check out their blog.
It's not too late to sponsor our riders - we are still looking to raise at least another £2,400 and every little bit counts, no matter how small. I know it would be great for our riders to get to Samye Ling and find that their target has been reached - or at least to see the total rising throughout the ride. Don't feel you have to hold back, feel free to visit http://www.justgiving.com/bikingforbuddhism and make your contribution now.
2 - A place to escape the hustle and bustle.. Will Harwood writes:
"A lot of people who I meet on a day-to-day basis, they comment on how peaceful it is in the Centre. I think when people come, even if its just once a week, or once a month, it makes such a difference for them to have a place where they can escape from the hustle and bustle and all the stress of being in london, and be able to relax here. For other people there is a deeper meaning because this is where they met the Dharma in the first place. Everybody has got to meet the Dharma somewhere to get
involved in Buddhism. You need a place you can come to and discover it. All the precious teachers who have come here, Lama Yeshe Rinpoche, Akong Rinpoche, we had Thrangu Rinpoche here last year, hopefully we will have the Karmapa quite soon. I have seen some plans for a future building, and
there is a room for the Karmapa there. Perhaps in a few years the Karmapa will come to a new Centre. We need a place where we can meet these teachers, and practice the Dharma, I think Centres like this one in London are absolutely crucial."
To support Will's efforts on the journey from Samye Dzong London to Samye Ling in Scotland, just go to http://www.justgiving.com/bikingforbuddhism in order to make your donation and leave a message.
4 - 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
AUGUST
AUGUST
Summer closure from 1st to 19th August
RESIDENTIAL RETREAT
with Lama Zangmo
Saturday 23 - Monday 25 August
£75
A weekend retreat suited to those who have attended the introductory meditation courses at Samye Dzong, as well as longer term practitioners. The weekend will provide an opportunity to integrate the instructions and get more experience of practice. There will be a combination of teaching, sitting and walking meditation over the weekend, as well as time for questions. Meals and accommodation will be provided. Please book early. Please note - the Centre will be closed to the public during this retreat.
VOLUNTEER DAY
Saturday 30 August 9.30am onwards
A day for volunteering your time and skills at the Centre. Lunch and plenty of tea provided. Please let us know in advance if you can come.
VIDEO TEACHING on The Heart Sutra
by Khentin Tai Situpa Rinpoche
Sunday 31 August 2pm - 5pm
By Donation
These excellent teachings on the Prajnaparamita, the teachings on emptiness, were given by His Eminence Tai Situpa in Samye Ling in the early 1980's.
Summer closure from 1st to 19th August
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER
THE MOVE
As you may know, we have to start making the move from Carlisle Lane during September so we would very much appreciate the help of volunteers who can offer their time, energy, vehicles, etc on the following dates: Sat 6th, Sun 7th, Sat 13th, Sun 14th, Sat 20th, Sun 21st, Sat 27th, Sun 28th of September.
VOLUNTEER DAY
Sat-Sun 13th-14th September 9.30am onwards
Help needed with organising and running the farewell fair - see below for details
FAREWELL FAIR - house and garden clearance sale
Sat 13th and Sunday 14th September
10am - 5pm
We will be selling plants, furniture, flower pots and much more from the centre that we cannot bring with us to Manor Place. Get your Carlisle Lane memorabilia here today!
CLOSING PARTY
Saturday 27 September 3pm
We will all meet together to say goodbye to the Carlisle Lane Centre on Saturday 27th September at 3pm when we are going to have a Closing Party. We hope you can come on this special occasion. Keep an eye the website for further details.
INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION
Tuesday 2 September 7 - 8.30pm
£10
This evening course will give an introduction to basic meditation techniques such as posture and the use of the breath as a focus. Suitable for all, whether Buddhist or non-Buddhist.
DEALING WITH ANGER AND THE EMOTIONS
with Lama Zangmo
Sunday 7 September 10am - 5pm
£30
When our minds are full of negative emotions, they can lead us to a state of unbalance and affect our mental and physical health. Through meditation and contemplation we can begin to understand where our emotions are coming from and to see them for what they are: compost for growth. Lama Zangmo will lead this course which will be a combination of instruction and meditation.
Bring lunch to share.
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 weeksBeing 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.
