September Newsletter

In Tibetan Buddhism there are richly symbolic rituals which need to be understood on their inner level in order to bring benefit. This course aims to provide an introduction which will help participants connect more deeply to this style of practice. Useful for beginners as well as the more experienced.
Shrines, rituals and pujas with Gelong Thubten starts on Friday 16th September, 7.00-8.30 pm, and continues over the weekend on the 17th-18th September, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm. Book your place now using the PayPal button at the bottom of the course page on the website.  

Volunteer Position: 

When someone close dies, people often do not know what to say. They may think it's too morbid a subject, not sure whether they should be sad for you or whether to make a joke about it. But it will be a different scene on Saturday 29th October when Samye Dzong London will be holding its third annual Embracing Death and Dying Day. Running from 10.00 -  5.00 the day will be packed with talks, stall, and a death café discussing the subject of death.

Last year, in 2015, over 250 people attended; from different faiths and backgrounds, keen to share their views on death and to learn from others.

I was helping facilitate the Death café and got to hear why people attended and what they had learned from their experiences. Many people had been bereaved, others were interested in their mortality, yet others had an artistic or educational interest in death. Over a cup of tea and cake, people shared their experiences in small groups with friendliness and laughter. The youngest participant was 10 years old and the oldest over 70.

This year, we are really pleased that Jon Underwood, one of the founder members of the Death Café, will be coming to give us a talk about the origins of the Death café and its popularity worldwide.

Last year, there were talks about the physical aspects of death, a medical analysis of death. There were talk on arranging a funeral and Will writing. These talks on the practical issues around death were very helpful and we'll offer them again this year.

One of my favourite parts of the day is the chanting and meditation held at 4.30pm, at the end of the day, to commemorate the dead. Everyone is invited to bring photos of the dead that are laid out on the altar in the Shrine room. It's a peaceful and joyful way to end the day with chanting in beautiful surroundings.

We hope you will save the date in your diary and join us this year!

Embracing Death and Dying - a celebration of life through reflection on death takes place on Saturday 29th October, 10.00-5.00.  You can turn up at any point during the day and take part in a much or as little as you want. A list of confirmed speakers is on the website and a full programme will be published nearer the time.

The following is from the Samye Ling July newsletter:

After the passing of Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche in October 2013, Chamgon Khentin Tai Situ Rinpoche requested his students to complete 100 Million recitations each of the Chenrezig, Guru Rinpoche, Dorje Sempa and Amitabha mantras.

• The short Dorje Sempa Mantra (Om benza satto hung)
• The Tara Mantra (Om tare tutare ture soha)
• The short prayer to Ayra Tara (Jetsun pama drolma chay chenno, Jiktang dook ngal koon lay chap tu sol)