Newsletter February 2013
Posted on 20 Feb 2013

Kagyu Samye Dzong London
Monthly newsletter
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Hello,
While the newsletter is normally devoted to forthcoming teachings and events, this month is a little different. The first two articles have come out of the journey to the Kagyu Monlam made by a group of people associated with Samye Dzong, including the sangha. First we have an account and transcription of an audience with His Holiness the Karmapa, which is followed by reflections on the Monlam by Alan Hughes. Combined with the slide show kindly provided by Lydia Polzer, we hope it gives you a flavour of the occasion. Luckily for those not able to go to India, some pretty good teachers make their way to London. Please check the News in Brief for details of visits in March by both Khenpo Damcho Dawa Rinpoche Rinpoche and Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche. And now...read on! |
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News in Brief
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We were ushered into the audience room on the roof of Tergar monastery and after presenting kattas and offerings we all sat down right in front of His Holiness. Lama Zangmo introduced the group and conveyed greetings from both Akong Tulku Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe Rinpoche. She then gave a brief history of KSDL from its beginnings up to finding its own premises in Spa Road, and how we had hoped to have HH Karmapa there for the opening - and we could glimpse the great devotion that Lama feels for HH in the emotion that almost overwhelmed her. She presented HH with the KSDL leaflet, and HH's first reaction on seeing the picture of the Spa Road building was, "Wow! It looks like a castle!" Lama Zangmo renewed the invitation for HH to come, and he answered with great weight: "I will try."
We were fortunate to be given the opportunity as a group to ask His Holiness three questions, and to our delight HH spoke in fluent english, without a translator:
Question: How can we support the activities of His Holiness, the Karma Kagyu Lineage, and the other traditions, and how would he like to see Tibetan Buddhism developing in the West.
HH: That's a big question! I can't answer immediately, but generally it's important to get the essence of Buddha-dharma. Without this understanding it is meaningless, pointless. The essence of Buddha-dharma is to transform people's minds, so they become more open, with a good heart, helping others. A change in their reality, rather than in what they believe, their ideas, their philosophy. Just a philosophy or an idea isn't good enough. We need to change our motivation, our behaviour, our livelihood. We can see lots of problems these days because of human behaviour and motivation. What is negative in people must change.
Question: We would like to ask on behalf of all the people associated with Samye Dzong London how we can all collectively support Akong Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe Rinpoche in their activities and how we can promote their long lives? HH: I think both Akong Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe have worked very hard in the last twenty, thirty years. It is very important to fulfill their wishes and aspirations. Their students have their instructions, their guidance and it's important to recognise what they really want to fulfill, to complete. Also, Akong Rinpoche's Rokpa projects are very wonderful, he is helping lots of education projects in Tibet. To support this project is very important.
Question: At Samye Dzong London there are monks, nuns and laypeople living together as a community. What advice would Your Holiness give to help us keep pure motivation and conduct so that we can be a good example of a Buddhist community in a big city like London?
HH: Western society is different from that of the East - India, Nepal, Tibet. Sometimes in some contexts changes are needed, the conduct must be according to the society, culture. But basically it's a problem of monastic education, how to be a monk or nun ... I think a sort of education programme about not only philosophy but conduct and motivation, day-to-day life education is needed. London is a very important place in Europe. It's very important to have a community there and to have an education programme.
HHK then kindly offered a zen to each of the Sangha, a print of Guru Rinpoche and of the First Karmapa Dusum Chenpa to Lama Zangmo for the Centre, and as we left he offered to each of us, from his own hand, a lovely engraved pebble with the Chenrezig mantra in gold letters! Emaho!
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Alan Hughes writes:
"In mid-December a small group of us set off from Kagyu Samye Dzong London, with Lama Zangmo at the lead, to participate in the 30th Kagyu Monlam at Bodh Gaya, in India. The Monlam is an annual gathering of Lamas, monks, nuns and laypeople, who meet to perform prayers for world peace, and to receive teachings and empowerments from His Holiness the Karmapa, who presides over the festival.
The Monlam itself was a wonderful spectacle. The first 5 days of the festival took place in a giant pavilion at Tergar Monastery (the abbot of which is Mingyur Rinpoche) located on the edge of Bodh Gaya, with the last 3 days at the Mahabhodi stupa, a world Heritage Site which marks the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. There is still a Bodhi tree in the same place, a grandchild of the original, and we all spent many hours sitting under it.
Our daily routine started with us taking the Mahayana sojong vows at 6 am, which meant that we had to observe eight precepts until sunrise the following morning. These vows include the "normal" five precepts that we live by as Buddhists, together with some additional ones. The most significant aspect of this for most lay people was that we didn't eat after lunch, although as we got up before dawn we went to bed early, it wasn't as difficult as we feared it might be.
My experience of the Monlam ranged from the incredulity I felt being there in the presence of His Holiness the Karmapa and so many eminent teachers, and feeling enormous inspiration from the prayers that we were doing, to having sore knees from sitting so long, and sometimes feeling boredom and wondering "what am I doing here"? Overall, it was a wonderful, challenging experience.
We also participated in events outside the Monlam, the most notable of which was the group interview we had with His Holiness The Karmapa. Somebody else will write an article about the interview for this newsletter, but any account of our pilgrimage would be incomplete without mentioning it. To be in the close proximity, in such an intimate environment, with somebody with such incredible presence had an extremely powerful effect on everybody present. For me, this would have made the visit to India worthwhile in itself.
Bihar, the Indian state where Bodh Gaya is located, is one of the most underdeveloped and poorest areas of India. I think we all found our visit there challenging in many ways, and it really brought home to us how fortunate we are in the west. Not only did it make us appreciate the advantages and opportunities we have in our lives, but on a more mundane level I don't think we'll ever take drainage systems and rubbish collection quite so much for granted.
The Monlam was followed by the first public teaching from Jamgon Kongtrul on "Calling the Lama from Afar", then two days of teachings from His Holiness the Karmapa on "The Torch of Certainty". It was wonderful to receive teachings from such great teachers, and was an inspiring way to end our visit to Bodh Gaya.
On our journey back we stopped off in Delhi for the day, and were extremely fortunate to be able to meet with Tai Situ Rinpoche, who wasn't at the Monlam. A group of 12 of us visited him, for what was a wonderful, informal meeting. He was very friendly, humorous and relaxed, and gave us very profound Dharma teachings in response to our not always quite so profound questions. The thing that stayed in my mind most of all was his advice that we always should try to remember the first two of the Four Noble Truths, and always keep in mind that "Everyone just wants to be happy!".
Many thanks to Lydia Polzer who has kindly put together this slide show of the visit to the Monlam. |
So much of the stress in our lives is caused by the thoughts we have about the past or about the future, all of which take us away from where we actually live our lives - the present. The more we invest in those stories, the more real they seem and the more solid they become. With the weight of these fantasies pushing us down,choice and control over our lives seems to slip away. It doesn't have to be this way.
This course will offer practical methods to reduce the stress in our lives. Up to 90% of our stress is self-created because of slipping into habitual "automatic pilot" mode.
We can help ourselves a lot by cultivating mindfulness so that we can start to give ourselves choices again and renew a sense of joyfulness in our lives. If that is too difficult, at least we can learn how to face and cope with obstacles.
At least we can befriend ourselves and find some sense of inner peace.
Clive Holmes has been teaching meditation for the last twenty years all over the UK, as well as in Samye Dzong centres overseas. He has completed over a year in intensive retreat and has studied in Europe and India with teachers from Burma, South East Asia, Japan and Tibet. He is co-editor of the books "Taming the Tiger" and "Restoring the Balance" by Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche. He has a degree in western philosophy, an honorary appointment as Teaching Fellow in the School of Education at Aberdeen University and is involved in teaching MSc Mindfulness.
Clive is teaching at Spa Road on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd February, 10.00-4.00 pm. Suggested contribution, £55. To book your place now contact the office at Spa Road on on 020 3327 1650. |
We are happy to announce that we are looking for someone to join our residential full time volunteer team to Manage our Tibetan Tea Room. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who wants to do something very meaningful and fulfilling with their time. |
Hello people whose talents have not yet been realised!
REGULAR REHEARSALS
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To see the full programme of activities at the Centre, please 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.
FEBRUARY 2013
Beingfulness: An Eight Week Course in Mindful Presence
Friday Every Week
Between 11 January 2013 & 1 March 2013
Spa Road,Alistair Appleton(Suggested Contribution: £90.00, Concession: £60.00)
How do we stay spacious and loveable human beings rather than stressed-out, hacked-off human doings? Using mindful meditation to get in touch with the whole spectrum of human existence, Alistair's course in Beingfulness teaches ways in which we can learn to be more present to our existence and conscious of the 'triggers' that spin us off in to anxious doing.
Introduction to Meditation
Wednesday Every Week
Between 16 January 2013 & 27 February 2013
Spa Road,Bernard Mordan(Suggested Contribution: £50.00)
People from all walks of life are learning to meditate and discovering the great benefit it can bring them in their everyday life.
The Jewel Ornament of Liberation
Thursday Every Week
Between 17 January 2013 & 21 March 2013
Spa Road,Lama Gelongma Zangmo (Suggested Contribution: £55.00)
Lama Zangmo will teach a weekly class on Gampopa's The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, a text which captures the essence of the teachings of the Kagyu lineage.
Reducing Stress with Mindfulness and Compassion
2 February 2013 & 3 February 2013
Spa Road,Clive Holmes(Suggested Contribution: £55.00)
This course will offer practical methods to reduce the stress in our lives. Up to 90% of our stress is self-created because of slipping into habitual "automatic pilot" mode.
Meditation Afternoons in February
2 February 2013 & 16 February 2013
Manor Place,All Welcome
A chance to get together with fellow practitioners for an afternoon of short meditation sessions. Ideal for those who would like to sit more than they currently do.
Introduction to Meditation
Thursday Every Week
Between 31 January 2013 & 21 March 2013
Manor Place,Gelong Trinley(Suggested Contribution: £60.00)
A regular meditation practice can bring increased inner peace, poise and perspective. This course will cover 'calm abiding' meditation and mindfulness, and is a perfect introduction for beginners.
Mindfulness One Year Training Module One: Becoming Present
9 February 2013 & 10 February 2013
Spa Road,Mindfulness Association Teachers(Suggested Contribution: £120.00)
The one year mindfulness programme is a comprehensive training in mindfulness that is suitable for beginners and for those who already have a mindfulness practice. Participants will be taught progressive skills in mindfulness through presentations, guided practice and smaller group sessions.
Losar - Tibetan New Year
11 February 2013
Spa Road,All Welcome
Everyone at Kagyu Samye Dzong London wishes you a Happy Year of the Female Water Serpent. Join us for light offerings and prayers.
Amitabha Instructions
23 February 2013 & 24 February 2013
Spa Road,Lama Gelongma Zangmo (Suggested Contribution: £55.00)
Amitabha prayers are traditionally recited for the dead and dying, to ensure a favourable rebirth, and in regular practice, Amitabha is associated with long life and longevity. Lama Zangmo will teach a weekend of instructions on the Amitabha practice.
Dorje Sempa Instruction and Retreat Day
23 February 2013 & 24 February 2013
Manor Place,Gelong Trinley(Suggested Contribution: £55.00)
This is a weekend comprising the instructions for the Dorje Sempa practice followed by a one-day retreat. It is especially relevant for those who are doing Ngöndro practice or would like to learn about purification.
MARCH 2013
The Jewel Ornament of Liberation
Thursday every week between 17 January 2013 & 21 March 2013
Spa Road,Lama Gelongma Zangmo (Suggested Contribution: £55.00)
Lama Zangmo will teach a weekly class on Gampopa's The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, a text which captures the essence of the teachings of the Kagyu lineage.
Beingfulness: An Eight Week Course in Mindful Presence
Friday every week between 11 January 2013 & 1 March 2013
Spa Road,Alistair Appleton(Suggested Contribution: £90.00, Concession: £60.00)
How do we stay spacious and loveable human beings rather than stressed-out, hacked-off human doings? Using mindful meditation to get in touch with the whole spectrum of human existence, Alistair's course in Beingfulness teaches ways in which we can learn to be more present to our existence and conscious of the 'triggers' that spin us off in to anxious doing.
Thursday every week between 31 January 2013 & 21 March 2013
Manor Place,Gelong Trinley(Suggested Contribution: £60.00)
A regular meditation practice can bring increased inner peace, poise and perspective. This course will cover 'calm abiding' meditation and mindfulness, and is a perfect introduction for beginners.
2 March 2013 & 3 March 2013
Spa Road,Alistair Appleton(Suggested Contribution: £80.00, Concession: £55.00)
Most of our stress and upset in life comes from problems with relating - relationships with family, partners, children and with the World in general. And while much spiritual practice works with inner harmony, this workshop is concentrating on the way we relate outwards.
Meditation Afternoons in March
2 March 2013 & 16 March 2013
Manor Place,All Welcome
A chance to get together with fellow practitioners for an afternoon of short meditation sessions. Ideal for those who would like to sit more than they currently do.
9 March 2013 & 10 March 2013
Spa Road, with Khenpo Damcho Dawa Rinpoche Rinpoche(Suggested Contribution: £60.00)
We are extremely privileged to welcome Khenpo Damcho Dawa Rinpoche to Kagyu Samye Dzong London, for the third year running, for a weekend of teachings on the Four Immeasurables.
9 March 2013
Manor Place,Gelong Trinley(Suggested Contribution: £20.00)
An afternoon in which to learn more about the basic teachings of Buddhism, and about its main traditions, practices and principles.
Wednesday every week between 6 March 2013 & 24 April 2013
Spa Road,Bernard Mordan(Suggested Contribution: £50.00)
People from all walks of life are learning to meditate and discovering the great benefit it can bring them in their everyday life.
Evening Teachings on Bodhicitta
Every day between 12 March 2013 & 14 March 2013
Spa Road, with Khenpo Damcho Dawa Rinpoche Rinpoche(Suggested Contribution: £30.00)
After his wonderful teachings on the Dorje Chang Tungma last year, Khenpo Damcho Darwa Rinpoche returns to Kagyu Samye Dzong London for another series of evening teachings, this time on Bodhicitta.
16 March 2013 & 17 March 2013
Spa Road, Philippe Jacquet (Suggested Contribution: £100.00)
This workshop will be a journey of discovery where Art Therapy will help you to give a voice to your inner child and make it freer.
Teachings and Empowerments
Every day between 27 March 2013 & 1 April 2013
Spa Road, with Dr. Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Our precious teacher and Founder Choje Tulku Akong Rinpoche will be visiting Kagyu Samye Dzong London over the Easter Bank Holiday for a series of teachings and empowerments on weekday evenings and during the long weekend.