Kagyu Samye Dzong London News

April 2009

Contents

1. Guru Rinpoche Drubcho - 7th-13th April
2. Joyful Living with Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche
3. An introduction to Shrine Room decoration
4. Forthcoming Events

News in Brief

1 - Guru Rinpoche Drubcho

Join us for the annual Guru Rinpoche Drubcho, a week-long practice to overcome both outer obstacles in the environment and inner obstacles in the mind. The Drubcho is especially dedicated to world peace and to the activities and long life of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa , Ogyen Trinley Dorje. It is said that participating in the Drubcho brings great merit and benefit and everyone is welcome to come and join us in these joyous and meaningful prayers. The event itself is free but contributions towards the Tsok offerings of fruit, nuts, biscuits etc or donations are welcome. The Guru Rinpoche Drubcho takes place from Tuesday 7th – Monday 13 April. The pujas run from 10.00-12.30 for the morning and 2.00 - 5.00pm in the afternoon. Texts are available from the office (£5). If you need one, please order in advance to make sure we have enough available. Lunch will not be available at the Centre, so please bring your own or eat locally.

2 - Joyful Living with Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche

Lama Yeshe writes: "If we really want to have world peace and inner peace then loving kindness and forgiveness is the key to success. When you go home to your family, you husband, wife, children, then instead of arguing put your kind and loving ideas into practice. If they shout at you and argue with you, don't just shout back. Talk about something more useful; more meaningful subjects and a more forgiving attitude may save you from getting into the long argumentative, useless things that people do.

If we all practice forgiveness, then perhaps psychiatrists and therapists will lose their jobs! People sometimes think that a Lama like me is crazy, that's my lineage. Milarepa said, "All of you think that I am crazy but I think all of you are crazy." To me, many of the things everyone does don't make any sense. You can't teach a lesson by killing other people. We can't reason with other people by shouting and then giving them a lot of unnescessary suffering. What we need is a stable and more understanding, calmer mind, a forgiving mind. We don't need to wait for anybody. We can change everything here and now, by applying these principles in our daily life; that means remembering that if we want to free ourselves from pain then we should learn to forgive. Recite the mantra of forgiveness, "Forgive, forgive, forgive..", and eventually even your dreams will change. One day you will find that you can forgive and then you are totally freed from suffering!"

Lama Yeshe will be teaching on the theme of Joyful Living at Kagyu Samye Dzong London on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May, from 10.00 - 4.00 pm. Suggested donation, £55. To book your place now, contact the office at Manor Place by phone on 020-7708 8969 or by email.

3 - An introduction to Shrine Room decoration

Would you be interested in joining the painting team decorating the shrine rooms at the new centre?

Yeshe (Michael) Dorje will be leading an 8-week class which is suitable for beginners as well as experienced artists.The emphasis of this in-depth course will be development of practical skills along with explanations of the methods and materials used by generations of Tibetan artists. Participants will develop confidence and competence in this centuries-old craft.

Yeshe (Michael) Dorje holds a first class honours degree in Fine Arts and a Masters degree from the Prince's School of Traditional Arts. Yeshe (Michael) specialises in sacred and traditional art and is currently responsible for the artwork and decoration of the Manor Place shrine. He has spent the last two years studying and applying Tibetan art methods under the guidance of Ani Semchi and Tashi and with the support of Lama Zangmo. Michael says:

"I am organising a group of volunteers who will work together decorating the shrine rooms at the new KSDL centre.This is a long term project, and there will be many opportunities to attend related workshops with possible field trips and other student directed activities, as we learn the craft of decorative painting from the perspective of the Tibetan shrine room painter. With a little theory and practice, even the relatively inexperienced painter will achieve great results!My hope is to ignite the flame of knowledge and passion for painting and the pursuit of excellence, and the opportunity to work as part of a team on this most beautiful and auspicious of projects".

An introduction to Shrine Room decoration runs from Wed 15th April – Wed 3rd June, and again from Wed 10th June – Wed 29 July . 6.30pm - 8pm. £60 (concessions available). To book your place on this course now, contact the office at Manor Place by phone on 020-7708 8969 or by email.

4 - Forthcoming events

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

APRIL

GURU RINPOCHE DRUBCHO
7 April - 13 April, 10.00-5.30 pm daily
Join us for the annual Guru Rinpoche Drubcho. This is a week-long intensive practice performed to overcome obstacles in our own minds and in the environment.
It is said that participating in the Drubcho brings great merit and benefit, so we hope that everyone can be a part of this special event. You can do this by attending the Drubcho, by volunteering to help, by making Tsok offerings of fruit, nuts, biscuits etc. or making a donation.

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION
14 April - 19 May (6 evenings)
Tuesdays 7pm - 8.30pm
£45
Meditation is one of the greatest skills we can acquire to help us lead happy and peaceful lives. This course will provide pure and simple instructions on all aspects of meditation. Perfect for complete beginners or those wanting to refresh their meditation practice.

LUCID DREAMING
With Charlie Morley
14th April - 2nd June
Tuesday evenings 7pm - 8.30pm
£60
This 8 week course will include an overview of the history, science and practice of lucid dreaming from both the Western scientific and the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, but the emphasis will be on learning how to lucid dream through a variety of proven techniques. Lucid dreaming is an important precursory skill to the Tibetan tradition of Dream Yoga and these teachings offer a practical way to learn this skill. Lama Yeshe Losal  has personally authorised Charlie to teach on this subject. The course is open to all.

INTRODUCTION TO SHRINE ROOM DECORATION METHODS AND MATERIALS
With Yeshe Dorje
15 April – 3 Jun (8 evenings)
Wednesdays 6.30pm - 8.00pm
£60 (Concessions available)
This on-going evening class, suitable for beginners as well as experienced artists, is for those interested in joining the painting team decorating the shrine rooms at the new KSDL centre.
The emphasis of this in-depth course will be development of practical skills along with explanations of the methods and materials used by generations of Tibetan artists. Participants will develop confidence and competence in this centuries-old craft.

MAY

JOYFUL LIVING - MEDITATION TEACHING AND REFUGE CEREMONY:
With Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche
Sat 2 May – Sun 3 May. 10am–4pm.
£55
Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, Abbot of Samye Ling Monastery and Director of the Holy Isle Project, will be at Samye Dzong London for two days of teaching. This is a great opportunity to receive teachings from a Master who has spent many years in solitary retreat and who is also familiar with the Western way of life. His teachings are always inspiring and perfectly attuned to the challenges of living in the modern world.
During this visit, Lama Yeshe Rinpoche will also conduct a refuge ceremony for those wishing to formally become Buddhist. If you wish to take refuge at this time please let the office know.

MEDICINE BUDDHA PUJA
Sun 10th May. 7pm-8pm.
Free. Everybody welcome.
Please contact us if you would like a dedication made at this puja.

VOLUNTEER DAY
Sat 16 May. 10am onwards.
Join us for a variety of jobs at Manor Place. Lunch will be provided, as will tea and great company. Please let us know in advance if you can come.

TANTRA
With Rob Nairn
Thu 21 May – Fri 22 May, 7pm – 8.30pm. Sat 23 May – Sun 24 May, 10am – 4pm.
Full Course: £70
This course will examine the principles of Vajrayana practices and why these practices liberate the mind. Western psychological perspectives will be used to elucidate the traditional teaching.
Rob Nairn is renowned worldwide as a teacher and author on Buddhism and meditation and is a highly sought-after international lecturer. He also holds a degree in western Psychology and is known for his ability to present Tibetan Buddhism in a way that is particular to western audiences. His books include Diamond Mind and Living, Dreaming, Dying.

TARA PRACTICE DAY
Sun 31 May. 10am - 4pm.
Free (donations welcome).
This date marks the Birth of the Buddha and is an auspicious day for practice. Green Tara, representing enlightened activity, helps us overcome obstacles. White Tara represents compassion and long life. This day will be devoted to practice as a way of overcoming obstacles and freeing beings from suffering. The practice will be dedicated to the long life of HH Karmapa, and our lineage masters. This will also be a perfect way to help ensure the success of the transition to a permanent home for Kagyu Samye Dzong London. There will not be any instruction.
Bring vegetarian lunch to share.

GURU RINPOCHE TSOK PUJA
Sun 31st May, 7pm-8:30pm.
Free. Everybody welcome.
Offerings of fruit and flowers for the Tsok Pujas are welcome.

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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