Kagyu Samye Dzong London News
January/February 2012

Contents

1. Taking hold of Bodhicitta
2. Stepping free of the mind's poisoned patterns
3. Footprints of the Karmapas - travel with ROKPA
4. Forthcoming Events

News in Brief

Welcome to the first newsletter of 2012 and the beginnings of what looks like being another busy year. Read on to find out what's coming up at the Centre.

• Tibetan language class has started up again. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn
  the subtleties of the pronounciation from Jigme Dorje, a Tibetan with fluent english. You can still join the class which takes place on Sunday afternoons. Check out the website for full details.
• Volunteer vacancies: many people are astonished when they learn that the Centre is run solely by volunteers, but such is the case. And with all such cases there is a turnover as people come and go. While volunteers are always welcome, right now we are particluarly looking for a carpenter, a plumber and a cook to work in the centre, either full time or part time. For more information please contact the office on 020-3327 1650.
• Medicine Buddha weekend - do you ever attend the Medicine Buddha puja on the second Sunday of each month and wonder quite what's going on? Or perhaps would like to familiarise yourself with the practice a little more? Well you'll get your chance on the weekend of the 4th-5th February when Ani Kunzang will be giving instructions in the meditation and recitation.
• Special News: Khenpo Damcho Dawa will visit Samye Dzong London again this year and will be teaching between 10 - 20 April - a definite date for your diary! The programme for his teachings will be on the website soon and we will include further information in future newsletters.

1 - Taking hold of Bodhicitta with Lama Zangmo

Lama Zangmo continues her teachings based on Shantideva's classic text "The Bodhisattva's Way of Life". Covering the six perfections of Generosity, Right Conduct, Patience, Diligence, Meditation and Wisdom.

These classes include a mixture of teaching and the chance to practice with Lama Zangmo, not to mention asking any questions you may have about points which are raised in the teachings. These evenings are suitable for anyone wishing to learn more about Buddhism and meditation.

Taking hold of Bodhicitta takes place at Spa Road on Thursdays, from 7.00-8.30 pm. The suggested donation is £8 per class or £45 for 7 classes.

2 - Stepping free of the mind's poisoned patterns with Alistair Appleton

Mindfulness has become a bit of a buzzword these days, although it's a concept that has been around for a while now (to say the least). To put it in slightly less jargony terms we might describe it as paying attention to what is happening at this moment, or, living in the present with awareness. The benefits of developing this are innumerable and one of those is the ability to start seeing the patterns of thought in our minds which generate the negative emotions referred to as mind poisons in Buddhist psychology.

On the weekend of the 28th and 29th of January Alastair Appleton will lead a course during which we will investigate how we create our own stress and unhappiness. Combining Buddhist mindfulness and psychotherapeutic techniques, Alistair will show that rather than fighting these negative emotions, we can develop compassion and acceptance and work with our negative patterns to find happiness.

This weekend is open to everyone and will be useful for both beginners and more experienced meditators.

Stepping free of the mind's poisoned patterns - Saturday 28th - Sunday 29th January, 10.00-5.00 pm. £75 for the weekend. Contact the office at Spa Road on 020-3327 1650 to book your place now.

3 - Footprints of the Karmapas, Eastern Tibetan areas, ROKPA Travels 2012

Catherine Brown writes:

Whilst ROKPA’s activities in Tibetan areas are concentrated on providing education and healthcare to enable the poorest to prosper, a small but vitally important aspect of its work is the preservation of
Tibetan language and culture.

In August 2012 I am planning to take a group to the eastern Tibetan areas to visit many of the spiritually significant sites connected with the Karmapas – including the birthplace of the 1st Karmapa, and monasteries established by the 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, and the 2nd Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (atop the sacred Punri Mountain). Along the way we shall also visit meditation caves of Guru Rinpoche and the Karmapas. A highlight of the trip will be visiting the Parkhang printing works in Derge, which houses a vast set of wooden printing blocks containing all Buddhist teachings and texts. We shall also stay a couple of days at Palpung monastery, spending time in the shedra and visiting Jamgon Kontrul’s monastery nearby where the relics of the 1st and 3rd Jamgon Kontrul Rinpoches are kept. Depending on the availability of travel permits in 2012, we may be able to visit spiritually signifi cant sites around Chamdo and visit the sacred peaks of Kawa Karpo.

Dr Akong Rinpoche, President of ROKPA, will be visiting the projects in the area at the time
and will join the group for big events - the inauguration of the Guru Rinpoche statue in
Tagong and a Kangyur prayer ceremony near Gansu.

If we receive travel permission, we shall visit Akong Rinpoche’s monastery, Dolma Lhakang, in Chamdo. We will change the itinerary to allow this.

Commitment to Rokpa

This trip will be unique in its access to sites sacred to the Kagyu school, many of which are not accessible or open to regular tourists (or locals), and we are only able to visit because of Rokpa’s support. Preserving these sites and ensuring their heritage is available to generations to come, is an important part of Rokpa’s commitment to preserving the Tibetan culture. Therefore, I am asking that participants each commit to raise £2,000 in donations for Rokpa’s cultural projects in the Tibetan areas (the trip will provide a couple of opportunities for sponsored walks to high altitudes, which will be an easy way to get started fund raising). This amount is in addition to the cost of the trip.

Regards,
Catherine Brown

For more information, email Catherine Brown or, ROKPA UK, . Tel: 013873 73232 Ext 230

4 - Forthcoming events

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

PLEASE NOTE - for courses run by Samye Dzong London, prices mentioned are suggested course donations only. A lack of funds should not prevent anybody from attending.

JANUARY 2012

Events at Spa Road:

STEPPING FREE OF THE MIND'S POISONED PATTERNS
with Alistair Appleton
Sat 28 Jan - Sun 29 Jan, 10am-5pm
£75
Mindfulness is a powerful form of meditation which looks at the particular patterns that generate the negative emotions referred to as mind poisons in Buddhist psychology.
During this weekend we will investigate how we create our own stress and unhappiness. Combining Buddhist mindfulness and psychotherapeutic techniques, Alistair will show that rather than fighting these negative emotions, we can develop compassion and acceptance and work with our negative patterns to find happiness.
This weekend is open to everyone and will be useful for both beginners and more experienced meditators.

Events at Manor Place:

INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM
Gelong Trinley
Sat 21 Jan 2.15pm - 5.15pm
£15
This afternoon teaching is perfect for those who wish to learn about the basic practices, principles and traditions of Buddhism. It is an ideal introduction for those who have a general interest in Buddhism and also a good starting from which to undertake more in-depth study.

FEBRUARY 2012

Events at Spa Road:

CAREFULNESS - PREVENTING BODHICITTA FROM WEAKENING
Lama Zangmo
Thursdays at 7pm - 8.30pm
£8 per class
Lama Zangmo will teach a weekly class on the six perfections of Generosity, Right Conduct, Patience, Diligence, Meditation and Wisdom. These teachings will be based on Shantideva's classic text, Bodhicharyavatara or The Bodhisattva's way of life.
Suitable for anyone wishing to learn more about Buddhism and meditation. The classes consist of teachings, Q&A and time for meditation.

EIGHT WEEK BASIC MINDFULNESS COURSE
Alistair Appleton
Friday evening, 6.45-8.45pm,
3rd,10th,17th February + 2nd,9th,16th,23rd,30th March 2012
£80
Mindfulness is one of the most powerful forms of meditation. It is now being successfully used in the treatment of depression, addiction, stress and chronic pain relief.
In essence it is a practice for everyone who would like a little more spaciousness, ease and clarity in their lives.
Alistair Appleton has been teaching mindfulness for many years now in London and around the world. This eight week course is designed as an introduction to this life-enhancing practice. There will time to practice during the class as well as home practice assignments.
We do ask everyone to commit to the full eight weeks to ensure a supportive and coherent group.

MEDICINE BUDDHA INSTRUCTIONS
with Ani Kunzang
Sat 4 Feb - Sun 5 Feb 10am - 4pm
£55
The Medicine Buddha practice is an effective way to balance the physical, mental and spiritual health of ourselves and others. It can be of great help to all practitioners and particularly those in the medical profession.
Ani Kunzang will give instructions on the sadhana text, visualisation and meditations of this practice. Please bring text (available from the shop,) pen and paper.

MINDFULNESS TRAINING - MODULE 3:
SELF-ACCEPTANCE
The Mindfulness Association
Sat 11 Feb - Sun 12 Feb 10am - 5pm
£100 per module
This is the third of the four modules that comprise the teaching component of this course. There will be additional home assignments.

SEVEN POINTS OF MIND TRAINING
Lama Zangmo
Sun 19 Feb 10am - 4pm
£20
Lama Zangmo will offer guidance and practice instruction on the Seven Points of Mind Training which is at the heart of Mahayana Buddhism.
This will be a day of practice intended primarily for those who have already had some Tonglen instruction but is suitable for anyone wishing to spend a day in meditation.

GURU RINPOCHE TSOK PUJA
Sun 26 Feb 7pm
All welcome. Please bring offerings of food, flowers or light.

Events at Manor Place:

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION
Gelong Trinley
Thu 2 Feb - Thu 23 Feb (4 evenings) 7pm - 8.30pm
£30
Anyone can learn to meditate and the effects can be profound. A regular meditation practice can bring increased inner peace, poise and perspective. The course will cover the theory of calm abiding meditation and mindfulness, and the benefits of a regular practice; in addition we will look at everything you need to know to practise successfully.

THE FOUR ORDINARY FOUNDATIONS - PART 4 THE SHORTCOMING OF WORLDLY EXISTENCE
Gelong Trinley
Sat 4 Feb 2.15pm - 5.30pm
£12
If the previous three contemplations have not filled our minds with a healthy sense of renunciation, this further set of contemplations on samsara ought to do it. Since our experiences of dissatisfaction or suffering are caused by ignorance, they can be overcome by the development of wisdom.
This is one of four afternoons. See February entry for more details

MEDITATION AFTERNOONS IN FEBRUARY
Sat 11 Feb
Sat 25 Feb
2.15pm - 5.30pm
Suggested donation £5
Simply an afternoon of silent meditation broken into number of sessions, with the opportunity to ask questions and discuss you practice with Gelong Trinley. Perfect for those who would like to do a little more practice than they currently do.

This newsletter goes out to those who have expressed an interest in Kagyu Samye Dzong London. It covers news and 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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