Gentle Voice June 2013
Subject: Gentle Voice June 2013 Date: 01/06/13 14:36
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June 2013 In This Issue
Editor's welcome
The First Clear Step by Lama Yeshe
Hello readers, Quite a lot of news in this issue of Gentle Voice so I have taken heed of some of your comments not to put too much in, it was getting a bit long for some of you. So this month we've pared down to the core articles and news items. There are some great pictures of Geshe-la and team filling statues Isabella Plantation, Richmond - if you've never taken Park part in a statue filling day then do so when you get the opportunity - it's a very social occasion and great fun. We have a couple of special film shows coming up so there are articles and links to trailers for both of these. Roy makes a special request for all of you to consider joining the Friend's scheme - do think about it, and remember you get a free copy of Mandala magazine as part of your membership.
This month at Jamyang Geshe Tashi's column The Director's Column Daphne Alexander -an obituary Open Garden Square The Cafe closes Film "Road to Peace" Teaching at Sera - Accommodation Debate groups with Geshe Graham Woodhouse Event Cancellations Filling Statues Media Volunteer evening Venerable Kerry in Salisbury Film Sceening "Little Tibet" Opportunities around the FPMT Calling all actors The rebirth of Nalanda About FPMT Your Thoughts for Gentle Voice
Quick Links Jamyang Website Current Programme
Do enjoy this edition of Gentle Voice. John
Talking Buddhism The Foundation Study Course The Lamrim Chenmo Study Course
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FPMT
The First Clear Step By Lama Thubten Yeshe The First Clear Step By Lama Thubten Yeshe at Kopan Monastery, Nepal. Talk reproduced from Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive Lama Thubten Yeshe gave this teaching at Kopan Course No. 7, held at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in Nov-Dec, 1974. This is one of four teachings given to new students by Lama Yeshe at the course. This lightly edited transcript was first published as a booklet by Manjushri Institute for Wisdom Culture, England, in 1977. Lama Yeshe at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in 1974. Photo: Robbie Solick
From Lama's point of view, Buddhism is about you. The subject of this meditation course is not Lama - Lama is not interested in talking about Lama-the subject of this meditation course is you; this course is about you. So, learning Buddhism-learning about yourself-is that simple. It really is such a simple thing. And Lama is not trying to be mystical, as written in some books, saying, "I am a magic Lama." We don't try to teach you that way. Actually, we don't need to show you how to make magic-your mind is already magic, isn't it? We've always made magic: for countless lives, and even from the time of our birth until now, we've been making magic, cheating ourselves. Nobody else has had to teach us-we've taught ourselves to cheat ourselves. Our schizophrenic mind always blames others for our problems. From its point of view, "He is causing my problems, she's causing my problems, my parents are causing my problems, this society is causing my problems." From Lama's point of view, these are completely wrong conceptions; this way of thinking is schizophrenia, this is mental disease; with these wrong beliefs, misconceptions, you will never be able to solve problems. We often think, "This is negative: that is negative." But we have a wrong conception about what causes negativity and the problems we experience are reactions to this wrong conception. Therefore, you have to be determined that during this meditation course you are going to realize completely that the problem is your misconception and that the blame definitely does not lie with others.
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We always think, "He makes my problems, she makes my problems," because our mind is not integrated. Our mind is split so we always blame this and that. We don't have straight understanding, right understanding, right view, right wisdom-that's why we're always confused. But this time you have to decide clearly what really makes you happy and joyful and your life meaningful, and what makes you unhappy, sorrowful and depressed. If you come to this conclusion then your meditation course will have been worthwhile. Don't think that meditation means merely sitting still trying to concentrate on only one thing. It's not just that-that's not nearly enough. If it were, that would mean that when you went back down to Kathmandu your concentration would disappear, and being left without wisdom there would be no benefit from having taken the meditation course. Rather, you should have great determination to develop discriminating wisdom by understanding perfectly clearly-at least intellectually-what really causes problems. In this way, even when you are not sitting cross-legged, trying to concentrate, but walking down a Kathmandu street or back in the West, you have something to hold onto, something that allows you to judge how your mind is interpreting things-you are aware. Otherwise, if you don't have at least some intellectual method, how can you check yourself? There is no other way that you can check to see if your mind is on some illusory, samsaric trip, full of wrong conceptions or perceiving the right view. Without this, how can you know? Why is it that many people say, "I"ve been meditating two years, six years, more ... but I'm nowhere. I've gained nothing!"? It's because they don't have understanding knowledge-wisdom; they cannot discriminate between right actions and wrong; they can't see. Maybe you can say intellectually, "Oh, what is right? What is wrong? Right and wrong are the same thing." I'm sure many people in the West say "Oh what's right? What's the use of saying this, Lama? It's all the same thing. Samsara is the same as nirvana". But this is a wrong conception; everything is mixed up. They cannot discriminate between what is reality and what is false and all they are doing is using the terminology of Dharma wisdom in the wrong way. Of course, in absolute terms the ultimate reality of right and wrong, or samsara and nirvana is the same thing. But when somebody makes you agitated or angry and you get red in the face and start to tremble, can you say your peacefulness and your anger are the same thing or not? So that example shows you reality and you should not get hung up on some intellectual point of view that is way up in the sky, while you are stuck down on the earth all tied up by that. It does not help because the words that you say are not true. If somebody says to you, "Oh you are such a bad person", and someone else says, "Oh you are so good," it should never affect your mind. Good and bad comes from within you and other people cannot make you good or bad. You have to realize this, and once you have you cannot be moved by what people
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say. But, if somebody tells you how good you are and you say, "Oh yes, yes, yes", grasping at it, and somebody else tells you how bad you are and you say, "No, no, no", getting depressed as a result, that shows that the words you say-"Good and bad are the same thing"-come from merely intellectual garbage rather than from the realization of reality. If you really realized reality, it is reflected in your actions, which are not in conflict with your words. So whatever situation you are in, it does not matter-your mind is not moved, you always have control. We usually think that our point of view is correct. Yet if somebody comes along and says, "You're completely wrong," we get nervous because we've picked up his idea-and that's all it is-and believed what we are doing is wrong. The idea alone makes us freak out. So our becoming agitated and freaked out does not come from absolute reality, does it? All we have picked up is the relative idea, yet we have become confused and upset. So this shows how we are, how our relative mind functions in normal, everyday life. So, checking this is much more interesting than talking a lot about some philosophical point of view, some higher subject. This isn't interesting-it does not help us because it is merely intellectual, it is still an idea. So when you get angry...? Your anger is not an idea! Your jealousy is not an idea! And also, you should know that Buddhism is not a diplomatic religion. Lamas are not diplomatic people! Without hesitation Lama will tell you about dirty things and kaka. It's true! We always talk diplomatically, saying "Oh you're nice, you're nice," or "How are you today?" and so on. Of course, this is necessary in everyday life when we contact other human beings; being respectful to others is worthwhile. But when talking about the truth, Dharma wisdom, being diplomatically nice cannot help. You have to check up the nature of negativity; you have to check up the nature of positive. You should check up everyday. But I'm sure you people-all European people-always want to see only positive things in their life-the negative side gets hidden beneath your sweater! But this is not the character of Lord Buddha. This is not the character of Buddhism. Really! Buddhism tells you exactly the way you think, the way you lead your daily life. Therefore, when you really communicate with Lama or with a Dharma book or whatever, you can correct your actions. It is fantastic for your mind-you can solve your schizophrenic mental problem. And then, whether others tell you you are right or wrong, it does not matter. Your being right or wrong does not depend upon the words of other people. So you can see how much we're suffering from schizophrenic mental disease. Somebody will tell you that you are good: "Oh yes, yes-I'm good," you're up. Somebody tells you that you are bad: "Oh no, no-I'm bad," you're down. So that's really our mind's nature. That mind is samsara. Lama thinks that is samsara. Lord Buddha thinks that is samsara.
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So what I am saying is that you should have perfect determination, knowing that understanding knowledge-wisdom is the only solution to problems, the only source of happiness and joy. So that we call Dharma. Understanding wisdom is Dharma. Dharma is not this robe! And actual Dharma has nothing whatsoever to do with the culture of a particular country: it is not the culture of Western people nor the culture of Eastern people. Culture is the point of view of the ordinary people, the unwise majority who spend their whole time grasping at sense pleasures with attachment. Dharma wisdom has nothing whatsoever to do with the point of view of the foolish common people. Perhaps you could say that your understanding knowledge-wisdom is your own culture! Ed: Read the rest of this talk on the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archives Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archives
THIS MONTH AND NEXT AT JAMYANG CLASSES AND EVENTS IN APRIL AND MAY AT JAMYANG CLASSES and RETREATS with GESHE TASHI Nagarjuna's Wisdom Tuesdays 4, 11, 18, 25 June, 9, 16, 23 July 7.30 - 9pm 7.30pm Enlightening Ways Wednesdays 5, 12,19, 26 June, 10, 17, 24 July 7.30 - 9pm Foundation of Buddhist Thought part 3; Buddhist Psychology Weekends 1 & 2 June, 20 & 21 July You must register for these classes Community Dharma 2nd June and 21 July with Geshe Tashi 2-4pm. Finishing with shared tea party. Feel free to bring something to share. Summer Graded Path meditation Retreat Saturday 27 July through to Sunday 4 August Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July 9am - 6pm,
WEEK DAY EVENINGS Buddhist Meditation: Wisdom With Roy Sutherwood Mondays 20, 27 May, 3, 10, 17, 24, June, 1, 8, 15, 22 July 7.30 - 9pm Buddhist Meditation in Practice with David Ford Thursdays 6, 13, 20, 27 June, 4, 11, 18, 25 June 7.30 - 9pm Medicine Buddha Puja Tuesdays 4, 11, 25 June, 9, 16, 23 July 6:15pm Silent Meditation with Alison Wertheimer Thursdays weekly 6, 13, 20, 27 June, 4, 11, 18, 25 June 6.15 7.15pm Lama Choepa Puja 3, 18 June and 2, 18 July 6 - 7pm WEEK DAY DAYTIME Tara Puja Tuesdays weekly from Tuesdays 4, 11, 25 June, 2, 9, 16, 23 July 4.30 - 5.45pm
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Monday 29 July to Friday 2 August 8am to 6pm, Saturday 3 August 9am to 6pm, Sunday 4 August 9am - 1pm (ending with lunch) RETREATS, WEEKEND TEACHINGS and PRACTICE Meditation Practice Day With Roy Sutherwood Saturday 29 June 10am - 5pm PRACTICE GROUPS Insight Meditation Practice Group 8, 15 June and 6 July 10.30-12.30pm open to all Kalachakra Group meets 8 June 2 -5:30pm for initiates only Guhyasamaja Group meets 9 June 10am for initiates only
COMMUNITY Chi Kung and Tai Chi Monday evenings taught by William Walker. For more information and to book call William (follow the link above) Yoga Tuesday evenings taught by Judy Watchman For more information and to book call Judy (follow the link above) Hridaya (Heart Centre) Yoga Wednesday evenings taught by Naz For more information and to book call Naz (follow the link above) Self Love Yoga Class Friday evenings Taught by Nicolette For more information and to book call Nicolette (follow the link above) SPECIAL EVENTS
Vajrayogini group meets 9 June, 7 July 2:30pm for initiates only
Film Screening "Road to Peace" 5 July at 6:30 (see the article below)
Please book for all weekend classes other than practice groups by calling the office on 02078208787 or email admin@jamyang.co.uk You can drop in to all evening classes unless we state otherwise.
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Geshe Tashi's column Hello everyone, Well I am becoming quite English in at least this one sense; I now talk about the weather and how bad it has been! Of course it is always interesting to see how much our mood is influenced by the temperature and the amount of rain that is falling. So let us hope for better moods for all of us in the next few months! We have just had one of the special festivals at Jamyang, Saka Dawa. This year it was not possible to do a full day of practice as I had another class to run that day, but I hope that you will all continue to make the effort to attend these special days and join together in the practice sessions we always try to organise. I have been very pleased with the attendance at the classes on Tuesday evening all the way through from January to April. Now we are just starting reading together extracts from the great work of Nagarjuna, the MulamadhyamakakÄ rikÄ or Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way. It is very heartening to see so many people with such a strong interest in really understanding the depths of Buddhist philosophy and how it can help them in their lives. The philosophy has to have a real impact on the way we think, the way we interact with people, the emotions we feel, the way we experience the world, if it is to be more than just speculation. But we need to start from where we are, so we need to have curiosity and really try to understand the very different way of looking at the world that Nagarjuna is encouraging us all to adopt. So keep up the practice and take a little time to think about the deeper concepts in Buddhism while at the same time expanding your compassion as much as possible.
Director's Column Progress towards Summer appears slow and right now it feels more like early October than nearly June but it was good to see the sun briefly over the last Bank Holiday weekend and the Courthouse garden is looking really good so, should the JetStream shift and we see something of a Summer, it will be a glorious place to be. Much look forward to seeing many of you enjoying it over the coming months. The Courthouse garden is included the London Open Garden Squares Weekend again this year. Taking place next weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 8 and 9 June, the Open Garden Squares Weekend celebrates London's outdoor spaces and ticket holders can visit over 200 gardens and squares throughout London, including privileged access to many
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gardens, squares and other green spaces not normally open to the public. The cafe will be open and hopefully we will see many new faces there making a connection with Jamyang as well as the welcome return of our regulars. If you are interested you can find further details here: www.opensquares.org Are you a Friend of Jamyang? Not just someone who likes us on facebook, comes to see us, enjoys what is on offer and speaks well of us but someone who so values what is offered that you would like to regularly offer something back? As we saw at the recent Community Day, just the maintenance of the building and development of a place where the Buddha's teachings can flourish and beneficial community services can be provided requires at lot of money in the form of generous and regular donations, as well as much freely given time and hard work. Both can really make a sustainable difference to the lives of everyone connected with the Centre but when it comes to money, Jamyang relies almost completely on kind donations, so if you are not already a Friend, take a look at what it might mean, have a serious think about it http://www.jamyang.co.uk/about/friends-scheme - and consider becoming one. Also, if you are a UK tax payer don't forget to sign a Gift Aid form then, whether you are a Friend yet or not, all the money you offer by way of donation to Jamyang for precious teachings and anything else can be of so much more benefit - every ÂŁ1 you donate is worth ÂŁ1.25 to Jamyang. Once you have signed the form, at no cost to you, we can reclaim the tax on all your donations from HM Revenue and Customs. So important to be able to reclaim tax and have it spent on good causes that we support as so much taken from us ends up being spent in ways we might want to question - at latest estimates the cost of the UK government's active engagement in war zones globally is estimated as possibly rising to a sum equivalent to ÂŁ2000.00 for every taxpaying household. To echo a well coined phrase, there is no road or path to peace, peace is the path - so maybe better to look to ourselves and invest more in that. This year's Jamyang Community Day went very well, gave us an opportunity to present Jamyang's current activities and plans for the future, generated some really useful feedback and it was wonderful to see some new faces there, especially those students who came from the distance learning programmes, travelling from as far afield as Suffolk and Lincoln. There was a very good discussion of around the education programme and Mike's excellent presentation of the programme moved on to a very useful conversation about the potential to offer more to the adolescent and later teenage age ranges and gave rise to some lively and innovative ideas well beyond the Buddhist education programme that should be carried forward. It was at this point that the discussion really centred on our community and services rather than education - perhaps we should make our developing community offering the main focus at the next Community Day and put Jane and Vinod centre stage! The Community day is also a great opportunity for everyone to meet and get to know and engage more with our hardworking team of Trustees and perhaps we can look forward to hearing a lot more from each of them at the next one too! This is very much your day, an intra-Community Day. A day for members of the Jamyang Community - the students, practitioners, volunteers, staff, Friends and Trustees - to get together to discuss and better understand and help shape and hone our vision, purpose and strategy. It might also be an idea for the future to have an afternoon or evening following our Community Days where we look to
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engage our friends and neighbours and key people for us in the wider local, London and inter-faith communities to present, convey, discuss and share our activities and ideas with them - more of an externally facing inter, rather than intra, CommunityDay that would help others better get to know us and understand what we are about. Roy
Daphne Alexander - an obituary Daphne Alexander: 1928 - 2013
Daphne with His Holiness the Dalai Lama Daphne Alexander, much loved wife of Bill Alexander, and a long-time volunteer and member of the Jamyang London community, died on 26th April. Her funeral, attended by members of the community, has taken place, and 7th Day 108 Light Offerings with Medicine Buddha puja and the King of Prayers on her behalf are taking place on Thursdays at 7.30 p.m. until 13 June. Daphne's life was rich and varied - not only was she an accomplished horsewoman but she had trained and practised as a dentist for over eight years. She was a talented painter and sculptor and her statue of the Buddha accompanied her to the funeral. She and Bill were married for nearly 54 years, and as well as raising their two sons, William and Henry, Daphne was also a Relate (or "marriage guidance" as it was then called) counsellor for 25 years. Daphne and Bill joined the Jamyang community not long after they met His Holiness the Dalai Lama at one of the famous John Maine seminars. From then on, Daphne had unshakable and wholehearted faith in His Holiness. But she also had an uncanny ability to find out which hotel he was staying at during teachings, and after a little negotiation was able to
Buddha Stature by Daphne
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meet and talk with him face to face - something which brought her immense joy. Both Bill and Daphne were devoted students of Geshe Tashi, driving up from Sussex on weekday evenings to attend his teachings until they moved back to London a few years ago. (And it's been lovely to see Bill back at Jamyang recently.) One of her last visits to Jamyang was, appropriately, for a Lama Choepa puja on His Holiness's birthday - a sunny July evening where we continued with an informal party in the courtyard garden. Daphne was a loyal and committed volunteer at Jamyang, particularly with Repaying the Kindness where she helped at RTK's days for carers. Bill, in turn, helped with the Library for many years, keeping it tidy and chasing up overdue books. Despite receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer's about three years ago, Daphne was able to remain at home, with Bill's patient and loving care and support, and that of their sons. Their daily early evening ritual of a game of Scrabble (and a glass or two of wine) lasted until the last few weeks. Daphne's funeral was conducted by her niece, Kate Hill, an interfaith minister. As well as a eulogy by Bill, their son William, read a Sufi story which we reproduce below; and a candle was lit and placed in front of Daphne's Buddha statue by Henry. May Daphne quickly achieve a precious human rebirth. ----------------The Guest House This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. by Rumi
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Open Garden Square Jamyang will pay host again to Open Gardens Square weekend on 8th and 9th June (10-5 pm). The beautiful Courtyard garden, lovingly cared for by Ros Williams and other volunteers, will welcome garden enthusiasts from across the capital. There will be a plant sale with all proceeds and donations going towards a new roof for the Buddha statue in the garden. VOLUNTEERS to help out on both days would be much appreciated to chat with visitors and answer questions about the Centre and Buddhism which may arise. If you can offer even an hour or two, do e-mail: jane@jamyang.co.uk Many thanks!
Courthouse Community Cafe Closes!! OK, don't panic, take a few deep breathes as you visualise the range of exotic food and cake on offer. Observe the strong pangs of longing and relax.....invoke that rich aroma and rest in the samadhi of good food and good company. So the cafe is closing - but only for a refit to return bigger, better and brighter. The cafe will be closed from Monday 10 Thursday 13 June inclusive. Please stock up on all cake items beforehand.
Film screening "Road to Peace" Experience the nature and wisdom of the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, and discover how he inspires millions of people of all nationalities and creeds to live more meaningful lives in harmony with each other, and with the planet. This unique film captures the simple, human and humorous side of the Dalai Lama and reveals his personal and powerful legacy for this and future generations. There will be a showing of the film with Q&A with the director at Jamyang on Friday, 5th July starting at 6.30 pm. See website for details. To view a short trailer, visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qut_zj6NDTQ
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Film-maker Leon Stuparich shares his experiences on making the acclaimed Dalai Lama film, Road to Peace. Leon Stuparich still shudders at the memory of his first encounter with the Dalai Lama in 2007. "The first time I spoke to him was backstage at the Royal Albert Hall and I lied to him," says the 36-year-old Londoner. "There were only three or four of us in the room and he asked me how old the Albert Hall was. His focus on you is so clear and when he speaks to you, he leans in as if looking deeply within. I felt like a deer caught in the headlights. I froze and my mind went blank so I told him it was 200 years old - when actually I later found out it was built in 1871!" Stuparich and the exiled leader of six million Tibetans struck up a relationship nevertheless. The South Londoner has spent much of the last six years devoting himself to the remarkable, self-financed film he has made on the charismatic figure, "Road to Peace, Ancient Wisdom of the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet". Leon's journey began before that meeting at the Albert Hall when the Office of Tibet in London invited him and his colleague Scott Samson to write a proposal to record the Dalai Lama's visit to the UK the following year, 2008. His meeting at the Albert Hall won him the Dalai Lama's seal of approval, but the film soon developed into something deeper and more revealing. The Dalai Lama's schedule is hectic, so keeping up with him was difficult. During his visit to the UK, Leon had two crews filming that would "leapfrog" him, one preparing for his arrival whilst the other was filming with him. The filming lasted about two weeks but the process of editing took nearly four years with many test screenings and re-edits. "I wanted to see the side of the Dalai Lama that wasn't being shown in the press and other films," explains Leon, "the funny and friendly man that inspires millions with his message of peace". "It took a long time because I had to understand if the film was sharing the Dalai Lama's message of peace without losing the audience. It was really important that the film reflected the energy of the Dalai Lama and it didn't come across as preachy". The hours of hard work in the editing suite seem to have paid off. The film has a powerful, meditative quality that has turned screenings into spiritual events. Around the world in Australia and the US screenings of Road to Peace have been attracting some significant names including the great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Tushar Gandhi and jazz legend David Sanborn. "The film just crept up on you and all of a sudden you realize the you are in the embrace of this great spirit," said Sanborn after watching the film for the first time. In June last year, 300 people queued to see the first London screening of the movie at the Prince Charles cinema off Leicester Square. As the crowd entered the cinema they were met with chanting from a local Tibetan monastery and as the lights dimmed, singer Katie Rose captivated the audience with a live
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rendition of her song Love and Compassion, which was inspired by the film. "The evening, was truly magical." said one of those who attended, author Lynn Serafinn. In April 2013 there was another magical event in London. This time to over 500 in the Union Chapel to launch the DVD in the UK. A beautiful concert from Tim Wheater, Katie Rose and Joshua James Field. Lama Lobsang blessed us with his singing bowls and Barefoot Doctor led the audience in a Big Om. And The Dalai Lama's representative Thubten Samdup and the CEO of Tibet Society Philippa Carrick held a discussion to help raise awareness of the Tibet Issue. More recently Road to Peace opened the Himalayan Film Festival in California USA and there are many exciting events in the pipeline. For me, it is a huge honour to be sharing the Dalai Lama's message of Peace and Compassion through Road to Peace at screenings around the world and amongst communities. The film touches people's hearts and lives and it's incredible to be part of it. I am looking forward to joining you at Jamyang to celebrate the life and teachings of His Holiness Dalai Lama on this his 78th birthday. You can find out more about Road to Peace here: www.roadtopeace.co.uk The team at Road to Peace are also looking for volunteers to help share the film. If you are a Graphic Designer or Website Designer and would like to help with the film, please email leon@roadtopeace.co.uk ed: There may be an additional screening at Jamyang on the evening of the 6th July. We'll let you know!
Accommodation for Teachings in Sera Monastery Jang Chub Lam Rim transmissions and teachings in Sera in December Accommodation Geshe Tashi's family in the Tibetan settlements in Bylakuppe have once again very kindly offered to arrange accommodation near Sera for students attending the Lam Rim text transmissions being given in Sera by His Holiness the Dalai Lama from 25 December 2013 - 3 January 2014. The cost of ÂŁ15 a day covers breakfast and an evening meal a day, but does not cover bottled water, the midday meal or travel to and from the teachings. People should aim to arrive on 23 or 24 December and should aim to leave on 4 or 5 January.
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The house can accommodate up to a maximum of 20 people. The family will arrange travel too and from the teachings (it is not walkable as the new 'souped up' State Highway is between the house and Sera). Normally the monastery offers a simple midday meal to people attending. The house is situated in rolling agricultural landscape on the edge of one of the Tibetan settlements near Bylakuppe and near a small reservoir. You hosts are utterly charming, immensely hard working and tolerant farmers. It really is a very peaceful and restful spot. If enough people, i.e. at least 6, are also attending the Most Secret Hyagriva transmissions being given in Sera Jey Drati Khangtsen by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche from 17 - 22 December and looking for accommodation, Geshe Tashi's family may offer accommodation for that too. If you are interested in one or both of these offers please contact Geshe Tashi's sister Dolma directly on kunchok.dolma@rediffmail.com and she will then register your interest. Please contact her directly. Please do not hit return to sender on this email, thank you. Dolma will then be your liaison point for the accommodation in Bylakuppe.
UK and Europe Tibetan Debate Groups with Geshe Graham Woodhouse Geshe Graham Woodhouse, an FPMT recognised teacher who is based in Sheffield and kindly visits our centre to teach, has let it be known that he is unable to run any more introductory Tibetan debate groups as he now has three different groups operating each week. That means that the debate intensive that will run here over four days in mid December this year will Photo courtesy of the Asia Society not be open to beginners. It is very unlikely that Geshe Graham will have the time to start up more debate groups for at least the next three years. There is still an opportunity to join the last of the three debate groups, which has just started up. Spaces are limited to about two or three people max. People wanting to join must be willing to commit once a week to learning the debates and practicing in the group and to stick at it for the next few years. Debates will be conducted in English so if English is your second or third language please check whether it will be of a sufficient standard to keep up with the group. This last group currently has three members, Ros Williams, Lily Schlaen and Jane Sill. Under Geshe Graham Woodhouse's tutelage they are also currently being supported by Hannele from Finland and Steff Hill here.
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If you are interested in joining this debate group please contact Jane Sill directly on jane@jamyang.co.uk by end of June to talk through your options. Please contact her directly on that email address, thank you. Please do not hit return to sender on this email. Jane will then be your liaison point for this final one of Geshe Graham's UK/Europe debate groups.
Cancelled Classes in June We are sorry to announce that the weekend class "Showing up for your life" on the 15 and 16 June with Chitra Ramgoolam has been cancelled. Regretfully the teaching "Patience" on the 8th June with Venerable Kerry has also been cancelled.
Filling Statues at Jamyang We had quite a few new statues at Jamyang this month so Geshe-la kindly agreed to spend a day doing all the complex ceremonies required to fill these with mantras. Here are a few pictures taken on the day. Don't forget the statues are there to help you with your visualisation and as a reminder of the enlightened state. They are not objects of worship per se.
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Media volunteers evening -27 June 7pm We are looking for volunteers to support the media production of Jamyang. Tuesdays, Wednesdays evenings, and some Weekends Jamyang records the teachings. Our aspiration is to set up an audio/visual archive of teachings for future reference. Therefore we need volunteers for the recording, uploading, cleaning up, and organising of those recordings. If you have experience with video/sound editing and think of offering some of your time please do come along. Furthermore Jamyang needs help with outreach to the local community and people living in and around London. If you are a photographer, graphic designer, web designer you can help us with our PR materials. If you are available for distributing flyers, writing press releases, and contacting newspapers, mailing list, etc. please do come along. For futher informations on 'media volunteering' please contact Adnan on communications@jamyang.co.uk
Venerable Kerry in Salisbury Venerable Kerry, long associated with Jamyang and now of Nalanda monastery in Southern France, is giving a talk at the Friends Meeting House in Salisbury at 7pm on Monday 24 June on the topic 'Finding faith in your spiritual teacher' Do go along to offer your support.
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Gentle Voice June 2013
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Little Tibet - a film sceeening at Jamyang We are pleased to host a rare screening of the delightful film 'Little Tibet' on Friday 23 August and expect to have its Tibetan star (Sonam) here to introduce it and answer questions. As a Tibetan who cannot return to Tibet, Sonam explores Ladakh in the northern most part of India, which borders Tibet and shares much of its culture, language and landscape. During his journey across the breathtaking landscape, Sonam discovers ancient Tibetan monasteries, sees His Holiness the Dalai Lama give teachings to an audience of thousands, talks with nomads in Chang Thang, and joins the celebrations of a Tibetan wedding. To watch the trailer click here: youtube trailer We also plan to have Tibetan food to savour and a well-informed rep from the Tibet Society to help answer questions about human rights in Tibet and what we can do to help. The event will be from 6-9pm.
Opportunities around the FPMT Opportunity for an experienced graphic/web designer to help the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom Are you inspired by the idea of taking Buddhist-based teachings on compassion and wisdom to new audiences? Do you have graphic and web design skills and experience to help us develop a new visual identity? Are you available to work during June and July? If the answer is yes, please contact Esther before 1st of June at: esther@compassionandwisdom.org to discuss this exciting opportunity. Don't forget to include some examples of your work on the initial email. With thanks, Esther G.
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Gentle Voice June 2013
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Calling all actors They are now casting for Siddhartha in a film about the Buddha. Do you fit the bill? More information on this website
And now for something completely different I am sure many of you have heard of the ancient university of Nalanda in Bihar. You may have even been to admire the ruins of this once pre-eminent institution. Well it seems it may well rise again from the ashes. Read this article on the BBC news website for more information. India's ancient university returns to life
FPMT Jamyang is affiliated with FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) and is one of more than 150 centers and projects worldwide. FPMT is based on the Gelugpa tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught by our founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe and spiritual director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche. If you would like to receive FPMT's monthly newsletters please subscribe here.
Your Thoughts What do you want to see in Gentle Voice? We would love to hear your ideas and comments about Gentle Voice, please contact John at: admin@jamyang.co.uk
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