Kagyu Samye Dzong London News

December 2008

Contents

1. Would you like a Buddhist funeral?
2. Caring for others - the London Bardo Group
3. Forthcoming Events

News in Brief

1 - Would you like a Buddhist funeral?

This is of course an offer rather than a threat! And the availability of a Buddhist funeral director in London is something that has emerged from the London Bardo Group - run by volunteers who meet bi-monthly at Samye Dzong (see article below for more information). They write:

"In order to help you, your relatives or friends plan a Buddhist Funeral we have created Buddhist Funerals CIC (community interest company).

We offer a full range of Buddhist funeral services within the Greater London area. We can guide, help and advise you on all aspects of funeral arrangements, from saying prayers at the bedside of someone approaching death to providing information for professionals or those caring for the dying Buddhist.

We can also help you choose a coffin, plan a meaningful Buddhist or inter-denominational service for the deceased and provide advice on advance funeral directives.

In most Buddhist traditions great attention is given to the dying or recently departed and their relatives. Buddhists believe in reincarnation and believe that prayers said at the time of death and in the period after death can help result in a good rebirth."

Buddhis Funerals CIC operates under the guidance of Lama Zangmo, the spiritual director of Kagyu Samye Dzong London, a registered charity. If you require any assistance in arranging a funeral please contact: Kitty D'Costa on 020 8450 3975 or visit www.londonbardogroup.com

2 - Caring for others - the London Bardo Group

Background

The Bardo Group was formed in late 2006 at the request of Akong Rinpoche and Lama Zangmo in order to provide care and assistance to those Buddhists associated with Kagyu Samye Dzong London who are very ill or dying. Since then we have responded to a number of people, Buddhist and non-Buddhist, who have requested our assistance. We have provided practical help and spiritual support ranging from simple shopping trips, arranging car journeys to and from hospital and hospital visits to being present near the time of death reciting mantras and prayers and leading prayers at funerals.

As we receive requests for assistance, we discuss in our meetings who could undertake this work. In parallel, a Telephone Tree has been developed as well as an email contact list, to alert volunteers to respond to the call for assistance. The telephone tree is a hierarchical method of contacting lots of people quickly.

Currently

We have a meeting every two months. At our meetings we spend the day learning and practising meditation techniques and prayers in order to to be able to assist the dying and dead. This is followed by the Bardo Group meeting and then the Medicine Buddha Puja. Occasionally we have guest speakers.

Who are the Bardo Group

The group consists of a wide range of caring individuals, who meet to decide the way forward to serve those in need. Lama Zangmo provides us with direction and vital guidance with Kitty D’Costa and Paul Wootton jointly co-ordinating the group's activities.

Are you interested in joining the London Bardo Group?

While new members are always welcome, you should also be aware that there are 5 basic committments that are expected when you join:

1. Attendance at meetings once every two months.
2. Attendance at the Medicine Buddha Puja on the 2nd Sunday of the month.
3. Participation in the Emergency Telephone Tree and Email contact.
4. To be available to offer practical assistance according to one’s own availability
5. To attend at the bedside of the ill, critically ill and dying and also at funerals (depending upon one’s own availability)

If you can meet these committments and would like to join the group, please contact the office at Samye Dzong whether by phone on 020-7708 8969, or by email to ask for an application form and to arrange a meeting with Lama Zangmo.

3 - Forthcoming events

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

DECEMBER

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION:
Tues 2nd and 9th Dec, 7pm-8:30pm.
£18
Suitable for beginners as well as for those who already meditate. There will be instructions on posture, focus and the benefits of meditation.

NGONDRO PRACTICE DAY
Sun 7th Dec, 10am-4pm.
Free
An opportunity for those engaged in the practice of the Preliminaries, or Ngondro, to come and practice together. The morning session will be devoted to the recitation of Dorje Sempa, and the afternoon session to Mandala Offering. Bring mandala plate and rice.

MEDICINE BUDDHA PUJA
Sun 14th Dec, 7pm-8pm.
Free
Everybody welcome.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
Please note that the centre is closed from the 19th December until the 6th January 2009.

JANUARY

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION
Tues 20th Jan and Tues 27th Jan. 7pm - 8:30pm.
£18
An overview of meditation instructions covering such areas as posture, the use of breath as a focus, and dealing with commonly encountered obstacles.

SEVEN POINTS OF MIND TRAINING:
With Lama Zangmo
Sat 24th Jan and Sun 25th Jan. 10am-4pm.
£55
The main theme of Buddhism is altruism based on compassion and love. The feeling of compassion is important whether you are a Buddhist or not; everyone feels the value of loving kindness. A self-cherishing attitude is like a chronic disease. We become like only half a person when we are afflicted with this attitude. The mind which cherishes others more than oneself is the source of every imaginable benefit. During this weekend we will look at how to develop inner peace, kindness and compassion through mind training and meditation.

GURU RINPOCHE TSOK PUJA
Sun 25th Jan, 7pm - 8:30pm.
Free - everybody welcome.
Offerings of fruit and flowers for the Tsok Pujas are welcome.

TIBETAN LANGUAGE COURSE
with Lama Zangmo
Part two: Starting on Wed 28th Jan until Wed 18th march. 7pm-8:30pm.
£55
An eight week Tibetan language course for beginners. Suitable for those who finished the first part of the Tibetan Course in November and also for those who want to improve their reading and grammar skills. Those who join at this point should be able to read slowly in Tibetan. In order to confirm your place on this course please book and pay in advance.

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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