Kagyu Samye Dzong London News

July 2009

Contents

1. Visit of Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
2. Visit of Drupon Rinpoche
3. Forthcoming Events

News in Brief

1 - Visit of Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche - very important details

1. Since you heard from us last, there have been some changes to the location of some events. Rinpoche's teachings on Tuesday 7th July and Chenrezig Empowerment on Wednesday 8th July will be at Manor Place. The teachings on Saturday and Sunday are still going ahead in the new venue.
2. The Jubilee Line is suspended between Green Park and Stratford this weekend. However there is a replacement bus (Service E) which runs between Bank and Canada Water, calling at Monument, London Bridge and Bermondsey. It is a 10 minute walk from Bermondsey Station, alternatively, it's about a 30 minute walk from London Bridge if you don't want to wait for the bus.
3. For a map and the address of our new Centre, click here.
4. The full programme of events can always be consulted on the website - but if you are in any doubt of the location of any event during Rinpoche's visit, please don't hesitate to contact the office on 020-7708 8969.

We are expecting a very busy weekend for Rinpoche's visit and it would be really helpful if you could book in advance to ease things on the day. Contact the office at Manor Place by phone on 020-7708 8969 or by email.

2 - Teachings on the Seven Points of Mind Training with Drupon Rinpoche

The Lojong teachings - also known as the Seven Points of Mind Training - comprise over 50 sayings under seven points. They offer practical instructions on applying Buddhist practice to everyday life under any circumstance and encapsulate the very essence of the Buddha's teaching, showing that by taming our mind we can find its natural, awakened state which gives rise to limitless, impartial compassion.

This month we are fortunate to have Drupon Rinpoche (also known as Khenpo Lhabu) offering teachings on the seven points of mind training as well as giving a talk on the real meaning of refuge, and a Chod empowerment.

Drupon Rinpoche entered his first retreat in 1987, aged 18. His special aptitude was soon recognised and he was chosen to be a future retreat teacher. Since then he has spent further time in retreat and received teachings from HH 17th Karmapa, the 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche and Thrangu Rinpoche. The latter asked Drupon Rinpoche to become retreat master for the treaditional retreat at the site of Milarepa's cave in 2004. For more information about Drupon Rinpoche, click here.

Fri 17 July 7pm - 9pm, and Sat 18 - Sun 19 July 10am - 4pm, "The 7 Points of Mind Training" £60
Mon 20 July 7pm - 9pm "Freedom from Suffering - The Real Meaning of Refuge" £10
Tue 21 July 7pm - 9pm "Chod Empowerment" £20 (this empowerment carries a commitment)
Participants may come to all or part of the teachings.
To book your place on this course, contact the office at Manor Place by phone on 020-7708 8969 or by email.

3 - Forthcoming events

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

JULY

CHOJE AKONG TULKU RINPOCHE
Sat 4 July – Sun 5 July 10am – 4pm &
Tue 7 July 7pm – 8.30pm,
Wed 8 July 7pm – 8.30pm
Full details above

MEDICINE BUDDHA PUJA
Sun 12th July. 7pm-8pm. Free. Everybody welcome.
Please contact us if you would like a dedication made at this puja.

DRUPON RINPOCHE
Fri 17 July 7pm - 9pm, and Sat 18 - Sun 19 July 10am - 4pm, "The 7 Points of Mind Training" £60
Mon 20 July 7pm - 9pm "Freedom from Suffering - The Real Meaning of Refuge" £10
Tue 21 July 7pm - 9pm "Chod Empowerment" £20 (this empowerment carries a commitment)
Participants may come to all or part of the teachings

VOLUNTEER DAY
Sat 18 Jul. 10am onwards.
Help keep your centre bright, clean and welcoming to all. 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.

TARA PRACTICE DAY
Sat 25 Jul. 10am - 4pm.
This date commemorates the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma 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. There we will not be any instruction. Bring vegetarian lunch to share.

GURU RINPOCHE TSOK PUJA
Sun 26th July, 7pm-8:30pm. Free.
Everybody welcome, as are offerings of fruit and flowers for the Tsok Pujas.

AUGUST

SUMMER CLOSURE
From Friday 31st July to Monday 10th August the Centre will be closed. We will re-open on Tuesday 11th August.

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION
Tue 18 Aug – Tue 25 Aug (2 evenings). 7 – 8.30pm.
£18
This course will provide pure and simple instructions on basic aspects of meditation. Perfect for complete beginners.

MINDFULNESS:
With Alistair Appleton
Sat 22 Aug - Sun 23 Aug. 10am - 4pm.
£55
A weekend workshop on becoming more familiar with the workings of the mind. Mindfulness is a meditative practice where one aims to stay in the present moment and be fully aware of what is going on in all facets of our mind, thoughts, and emotions, but also sensory and bodily experiences. Over the two days we'll explore different techniques to stay mindful during our lives and make our day-to-day existence fresher, brighter and less stressful. Suitable for beginners. Bring vegetarian lunch to share.
Alistair is a popular teacher of meditation and mindfulness who is dedicated to promoting the huge benefits of these skills. He is also a successful television presenter.

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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