In the Footsteps of Akong Rinpoche

Posted on 1 Nov 2019

Kagyu Samye Dzong London

November Newsletter

1 - Empowerment with Tulku Damcho

We are delighted to welcome Tulku Damcho Rinpoche to Samye Dzong London. During his visit he will be giving the Dorje Sempa (Vajrasattava) Empowerment. Please click on the Reserve a Place button above to ensure a space. The event will start at 2.00 pm.

Please note: it is necessary to have formally taken Refuge before receiving this empowerment.

Tulku Damcho Rinpoche was born in Nupri in northern Nepal. At a very young age he traveled to Thrangu Tashi Choling (in Kathmandu, Nepal) to become a monk. In both his behavior and studies he was unlike others. His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche during a visit to Nepal bestowed a letter recognizing him as the reincarnation of Lama Tsoknyi, one of the most learned and highly respected practitioners at Thrangu Tashi Choling (in Tibet) before the Chinese invasion. Later Tulku Damcho Rinpoche was enthroned as a Tulku. While attending monastic college, he studied with distinction. In 2007 he completed the traditional three year retreat and a one year Kalachakra retreat.

For those of you able to go to Scotland, Tulku Damcho will be in Samye Ling Monastery, Scotland, from 2-6 Nov where he will be conferring several empowerments, including the Mahakala empowerment. Choje Lama Yeshe Rinpoche will also be giving refuge for those wanting to take the refuge vow. Please see the Samye Ling website for more information.

Tulku Damcho Rinpoche's visit to KSD London will be on the afternoon of Sunday 10th November from 2.00 pm.

2 - In the Footsteps of Akong Rinpoche

Join the pilgrims on Saturday 16th November at 5.30 pm for a beautiful slideshow and stories of the journey to Kham, Tibet, in September this year by Lama Zangmo and a group of pilgrims from Samye Dzong London.

The pictures tell the story of their meetings with some of Akong Rinpoche's friends in Kham and their visits to many of the sacred places of the Kagyu Lineage Masters.

The group visited monasteries and retreats in altitudes of more than 4000 metres; circumambulated the birthplace of the First Karmapa; saw magnificent landscapes, rock carvings, gushing rivers and beautiful tibetan villages and learnt how to eat tsampa...

Come and share in the inspiration, the journey and the stories along the way.

In the Footsteps of Akong Rinpoche - Saturday 16th November, 5.30 - 7.00 pm.

3 - Embracing Death and Dying Day

Join us on Saturday 23rd November for our fifth annual Embracing Death & Dying Day: A Celebration of Life Through Reflection on Death', organised by the Samye Dzong London Bardo Group. Our previous events were a huge success, and after taking a break last year, we would like to welcome you all again this year.

The event is an opportunity to explore and reflect on death and dying through a number of talks and workshops hosted by a variety of speakers.

The schedule for the day can now be viewed on the website..

If you'd like to get a flavour of previous years, you can check out the programme and video from our 2017 event, and you can also listen to the talks recorded in 2016 which can be streamed or downloaded from the website.

Embracing Death and Dying: a celebration of life through reflection on death - Saturday 23rd November, 10.00 - 5.00 pm

4 - Advice from a Yogi, with Lama Zangmo

Lama Zangmo's new monthly course starts on Saturday 18th January from 10.00 - 4.30 pm. It will focus on the text "Advice for the People of Dingri" by Padampa Sangye, an Indian yogi who is said to have travelled to Tibet on three occasions for his first, middle and final stay there.

Padampa Sangye spent most of his final visit to Tibet in the southern region of Dingri, near the border with Nepal. Before he passed away, the parting advice he gave his disciples was these One Hundred Verses of Advice, which cover all aspects of Dharma practice, from the beginning of the path to the result, but as this was his last advice it has special emphasis on impermanence.

Lama Zangmo will go through the text monthly over seven months, mostly on the third Saturday of each month, but please note the exact dates.

This is an ongoing course and is a wonderful opportunity for those wishing to engage deeply in the Buddhist teachings. Participants will gain more understanding of the dharma, and will be given a regular daily meditation practice each month.

It is a requirement to attend all the monthly classes to the very best of your ability, and it is important to book this course in advance so we know how many texts to print. A handout of the text itself will be provided.

If you are unable to attend a class for a good reason, please contact the office before booking.

Advice from a Yogi with Lama Zangmo will take place on the following Saturdays during 2020:: 18 Jan; 15 Feb; 14 Mar; 18 April; 16 May; 20 June; 25 July.

5 - Worried Minds, Peaceful Bodies

Join Alistair Appleton for his workshop "Worried minds, peaceful bodies; working with anxiety and panic" on the 14th-15th December at Samye Dzong London.

So many modern people live in an almost constant state of anxiety. We might be conscious of it: in panic attacks, anxious moods, obsessive worry or phobias. Or we might be unconscious of it: compulsive busyness, addictions, self-criticism or grandiosity. Anxiety and the avoidance of anxiety is at the root of a whole host of mental disturbances. But shockingly, few of us know sensible ways of working with anxiety and panic.

Please book your place on this course via the Mindsprings website .