Dear All,
Where has the year gone? One minute it's summer, and then the weather takes a sudden turn towards the cooler and wetter. Christmas goods are appearing in the shops when we've not even got to Halloween and we've just passed through the autumn equinox as the balance tips from light to dark. A more inward looking season approaches, and as it does, you can read what the Centre has to offer over the coming weeks.
Having just mentioned what the Centre has to offer, I now have to tell you about a closure that starts at 9.00 pm this Thursday, 3rd October. The irony! The closure is to enable the KSDL volunteers to visit Samye Ling for the 11th Anniversary of Akong Rinpoche and to take part in the October retreatwith Drupon Khen Rinpoche. The Centre will re-open at 5.00 pm on Wednesday 16th October.
Abbot Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche will conduct a Refuge Ceremony in Samye Ling on Sunday 6th October 2024. Anyone who wishes to formally take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha is welcome to take part.
A rare opportunity has arisen to receive empowerments at Samye Ling. Tulku Damcho Rinpoche will be giving empowerments between from the 19th - 29th October. Full details are available on the Samye Ling website.
You are invited to join us for Medicine Buddha pujas on Sunday 3rd November and Sunday 1st December at 7.00 pm. This will take place instead of the usual Chenrezig puja.
The Tibetan Doctor will next be available at the Centre on the weekend of the 19th - 20th October. To make an appointment for a consultation please contact Doctor Soktsangdirectly.
For more information about Tibetan medicine, please visit the website.
Practice Days coming up:
Simply Meditation Day Sunday 20th October
Vajrasattva Practice Day Sunday 3rd November
Green Tara puja will now take place on Vajrasattva practice days
A Ngondro Practice Group has started meeting to do prostrations together, as there is strength in group practice. The next meeting is on Sunday 20 October at 2.30pm. Come and join if you are doing prostrations and have had instructions. Lama Zangmo will meet with the group for practice questions at 4.00 pm.
Drawing the Deity with Ani Semchi is now fully booked.
Hope to see you soon.
All the best,
David Bates
Newsletter Editor
Cultivating Compassion, with Lama Zangmo
Join Lama Zangmo on Saturday 19th October, 10.00 am - 3.30 pm.for a day of teachings on how to cultivate compassion.
We need to practice the Dharma with a recognition that loving kindness, compassion and wisdom are how we can overcome suffering, how we can benefit ourselves and others.
At the moment we have compassion and some degree of kindness but it is very partial, limited and conditional. It only goes to a few people who are close to us. We find it very hard to love those who are not kind to us, who don’t benefit us in some way or other. We need to cultivate a pure motivation of wishing to reach enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
Lama Zangmo will go through the different aspects of bodhicitta, loving kindness and compassion and how to cultivate a pure motivation. The day will include instructions and time for meditation.
This day can be attended on its own or as a part of the monthly Introduction to Buddhism series.
For full information about these teachings and to book your place, visit the event page on the website.
Residential Volunteer Position now open for applications
A residential volunteer position is open for applications. We are looking for someone to join the KSDL community as a full time volunteer who is interested in studying the Dharma and serving the public.
Volunteering in a Dharma Centre is a great way to incorporate Buddhist Practice into your daily life. It creates merit by offering service through working in the Centre, while enabling one to participate in teachings, meditate regularly and be part of a supportive community. It often opens doors to new and unexpected opportunities.
In Samye Dzong London our volunteers do a diverse range of activities from managing the office, helping run the tea room, cooking, cleaning public areas and welcoming visitors.
To find out more and to fill out an application form please visit the website.
Embracing Death and Dying: A Celebration of Life through Reflection on Death
On Saturday 2nd November, Kagyu Samye Dzong London will host another Death and Dying Event to bring more awareness around the topic.
The day is organised by the Samye Dzong London Bardo Group and provides an opportunity to explore and reflect on death and dying through talks by a variety of professional speakers.
There will also be a space set aside for contemplation, as well as a coffin exhibition, and we will be lighting butter lamps for the deceased and loved ones, with dedications and prayers in the Shrine Room to end the day.
A detailed programme of the day, including details of the speakers, is now available to download from the event page. Look out for even more details in the next newsletter!