Gentle Voice October 2013
Subject: Gentle Voice October 2013 Date: 07/10/13 16:35
October 2013 In This Issue
Editor's welcome
A Talk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Dear Reader, I hope this spell of late summer weather finds you all well and relaxed. A late summer like this is sometimes called and Indian Summer. Well we Mount Kailash are having quite a Tibetan summer with the teachings of Jangtse Choje Rinpoche proving to be really inspiring. It is amazing to think as we sit in front of him getting tired and stiff that this great teacher is now nearly 80 years old yet his mind is crystal clear and his energy undiminished. I wonder what his secret might be?..... Ah yes, Dharma practice!
This Month at Jamyang Geshe Tashi's column The Director's Column Jamyang Programme News Comings and Goings Requests Andy Weber Art Class World Animal Day Poetry Corner Dharma Bites Work Opportunities in the FPMT Art Refuge UK Kalachakra Tour to Ladahk Retreat in Indonesia About FPMT Your Thoughts for Gentle Voice
Quick Links Jamyang Website
I hope you all enjoy this edition of Gentle Voice, lots of articles packed in so feel free to browse and return to it over the month. There is a copy posted on our Facebook site and over the next few days it will appear on the media pages of our website. John
Current Programme Talking Buddhism The Foundation Study Course The Lamrim Chenmo Study Course
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FPMT
A talk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Global Buddhist Congregation Extract from the Closing Address by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Global Buddhist Congregation 2011. The full text is available here Being Sincere in the Practice of Buddhism I'm Buddhist, and I want to say to my Buddhist brothers and sisters that Buddha's teaching of course is more than two thousand five hundred years old; but still Buddha's teaching is very much relevant in today's world. A number of top scientists are now really eager to get more information and more methods to tackle destructive emotions. The teachings are wonderful, but I really feel now there are signs that there HHDL in Vilnius Sept 2013 are lamas [spiritual masters] or tulkus [reincarnate lamas] or teachers whose quality has degenerated. This I really feel some concern about. If you yourself don't have a disciplined life, how can you teach that to other people? In order to show others the right path, you yourself must follow the right path. Now I think all the positive things have already been stated, so now the only thing left is for me to say more negative things. We must be very, very serious. I myself am a Buddhist monk. I always watch myself. Every morning, as soon as I wake up, I remember Buddha and recite some of Buddha's teaching, sort of shaping my mind. Then the rest of my day I should spend according to those principles: being honest, truthful, compassionate, peaceful, nonviolent. So I hope, my Buddhist brothers and sisters here, when you talk about "Buddhadharma [the teachings of the Buddha], Buddhadharma" and promote Buddhadharma, propagate Buddhadharma, first you yourself propagate here in your hearts. So that's something very, very important, one thingBuddhadharma. Of course all the other major world religious traditions have the same potential to build inner peace and, through that way, to create a better world. But then one unique thing about Buddhism, Jainism, and part of the Samkhya tradition is the emphasis on the importance of individuals. The ultimate theory or view is that of self-creation. And we believe in the law of causality: If you carry out right actions, positive results come. If you carry out wrong actions, negative things
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happen. So because of the law of causality, if you do wrong actions, Buddha cannot save you. Buddha taught: "I'll show you the path to go to nirvana [freedom from all suffering], but whether you can achieve that or not is entirely up to you. I cannot lead you through blessings." Buddha never said that. So you are your own master. That way of teaching I think is very, very helpful. Everything depends on one's own actions. Actions, whether positive actions or negative actions, entirely depend on motivation. So Buddhadharma can make, I think, a significant contribution for inner peace like that. Harmony among the Different Buddhist Traditions Now, as I mentioned yesterday when we met the leaders from Burma and Laos and some others, in the past, because of the names so-called "Hinayana," "Mahayana" and "Tantrayana," people got the impression these three yanas [vehicles] are something really different and separate. That's totally mistaken. As I mentioned briefly this morning, the Theravada tradition, or Pali tradition, is the foundation of Buddhadharma; and the practice of vinaya [monastic vows and discipline] is the foundation of Buddhadharma. Look at Buddha himself, his own story. He cut his own hair and then became a monk. That's the practice of sila [ethical self-discipline]. Then he did six years of meditation. That's the practice of samadhi [absorbed concentration], and also the practice of vipassana [an exceptionally perceptive mind]. Through that way, finally he reached enlightenment. So the three trainings are sila, samadhi, pannya [discriminating awareness, wisdom] or vipassana. So we, his followers, must follow that way. Without the practice of self-discipline, without the practice of vinaya, how can we develop samatha [a stilled and settled mind] and vipassana? Difficult. So the Pali tradition is the foundation of Buddhadharma. On top of that, comes the practice, I think, of the Prajnaparamita Sutras [The Perfection of Wisdom Sutras], from the Sanskrit tradition, with their emphasis on nirodha [the true stopping of suffering and its causes, true cessation], the third noble truth. So this further explanation is important. What is nirodha? Buddha explained the possibility of eliminating our ignorance. Once we completely eliminate ignorance from our minds, that's nirodha, or moksha [liberation]. So that's a further explanation. And then also magga [the path or understandings for achieving that true stopping, the fourth noble truth] is a further explanation. So, on the basis of the Pali tradition, then comes the Sanskrit tradition, like the first floor. In other words, first comes the ground floor; that's the Pali traditionbhikshu [monk] practice, self-discipline, sila. Then comes the first floor, the Prajnaparamita Sutras and also abhidharma [special topics of knowledge], a kind of abhidharma-the teachings about wisdom, the six paramitas [far-reaching attitudes, perfections] or ten paramitas. Then on top of that, the Buddhist Tantrayana-visualization of deities based on practice of vipassana, samatha,
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and bodhichitta [a mind aimed at attaining enlightenment for the benefit of all]. So these are the ground floor, first floor, and second floor, like that. Without a ground floor, you cannot build the others. So I think the Buddhist brothers and sisters here should know that. Of course I have no authority. I consider myself a student. Whenever I have time, I always study and read, read, read. As far as Tibetan Buddhism is concerned, about three hundred volumes were translated into Tibetan from Indian languages-Pali, Sanskrit, and some Nepalese. So whenever I have time, I read, think, and study these three hundred volumes. Certainly my knowledge is a little better compared to those people who have never even touched these three hundred volumes. [Based on that knowledge,] as I study these books, I develop the full conviction that the practice of these three trainings is very, very essential. Becoming Proper Monks So firstly we Buddhists, whether Theravada or Mahayana or Tantrayana-we must be genuine followers of Buddha. That's very important. Clear? In order to become Buddha's followers, we cannot just put on some monk's robe, some bhikshu's robe. We cannot call such people Buddhist monks. We cannot say these are good monks or good bhikshus. Just changing dress is very easy. We need to change here, in our hearts and minds, in order to become a genuine follower of the Buddha. In order to become a Buddhist monk, you must seriously practice self-discipline. Sometimes it looks like: "Oh, let Buddha do all the hard work. We can have a luxurious life." How? How can you? If you're a Buddhist, you must follow Buddha's own way-six years of very hard practice. We must follow his example. Now, as I mentioned yesterday, a friend spoke about there being some kind of gap or wall between the Pali tradition and the Sanskrit tradition. This wall is to nobody's benefit. We must come together and exchange. There are a lot of things for us to learn from your traditions, from your pratimokshas [monastic vows]. You also can learn some of our Sanskrit pratimoksha. So more regular sort of meetings-not just in a ceremonial way, but serious meetings, serious discussions-are very, very essential. This is one thing. The Issue of Reviving the Full Nuns' Ordination Then concerning bhikshunis [fully ordained nuns], as you know, right from the beginning I've supported the revival of bhikshunis in the Mulasarvastivadin tradition [that we Tibetans and Mongolians follow]. But we have to follow the vinaya texts. If I had some kind of special right to act like a dictator, then I could say, "Oh, you must do that." That we cannot do. We must follow according to the vinaya texts-the Mulasarvastivadin texts and also the Dharmagupta texts [followed in East Asia] and the Theravada texts [followed in Southeast Asia].
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You see, this is one important subject we have to discuss very seriously. This decision is beyond my control. What I can decide is to introduce into all the nunneries in the Tibetan community the same level of study that these big monastic institutions can study. And now we already have some nuns becoming geshema [doctors of Buddhist philosophy], good scholars. From time to time we've discussed the bhikshuni issue and now on this occasion we are doing that as well. I showed the latest letter of appeal to the Laotian Buddhist leader and also to the Burmese Buddhist leader. We will carry on our serious discussion, and I am quite sure eventually we will reach some agreement. I think that's all. Thank you. THIS MONTH AND NEXT AT JAMYANG CLASSES AND EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER AT JAMYANG CLASSES and RETREATS with GESHE TASHI Middle Length Lam Rim Wednesdays 9, 16 October, 6, 13, 20, 27 November 7.30pm Foundation of Buddhist Thought part 4: Mind of Enlightenment Weekends: 12 & 13 October, 9 & 10 November Suggested donation ÂŁ90 for the module Pre-booking essential You must register for this classes Community Dharma 13 October, 10 November with Geshe Tashi 2pm -4pm. Finishing with shared tea party. Feel free to bring something to share.
WEEK DAY EVENINGS Buddhist Meditation: Shamata (Calming) With Roy Sutherwood Mondays 16, 23 Sept, 7, 14 October, 4, 11, 18, 25 November, 2, 9 December 7.30 - 9pm Eight Worldly Dharmas with Steff Hill Tuesday 1 October 7.30pm Echoes of Voidness: the Geluk tradition of Sutra Mahamudra with Roy Sutherwood Tuesdays, 5, 12, 19, 26 November, 3, 10 December 7.30pm Meditation for Beginners with David Ford Thursdays 10 October, 7 November, 5 December
VISITING TEACHERS Jangtse Choje Rinpoche Lobsang Tenzin
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Dharma in Life, Life in DharmaVen Amy Miller Thursday 21 November
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Vajrayogini Programme (Only for those who have previously had the initiation into the Naro Khacho form of the Vajrayogini and who have a sincere wish to complete the mantra retreat with fire puja) Saturday 28, Sunday 29, Monday 30 Sept, Tuesday 1, Wednesday 2, Thursday 3 October 2.30 - 6pm Register on-line here Jangtse Choje Rinpoche Lobsang Tenzin White Tara long Life initiation Saturday 5 October 9AM - 12pm Register on-line here Venerable Antonio Satta Insight Retreat: The Path of Purification of Vipassana Friday 18 through to Monday 21 October Retreat from 9am to 5pm each day Register on-line here Venerable Robina Courtin Tara Retreat Weekend 30 November, 1 December 9am - 5pm Register on-line here RETREATS, WEEKEND TEACHINGS and PRACTICE GROUPS Vajrayogini Tantra Practice Group Retreat Monday 4 - Friday 8 November 9am - 5pm each day initiates into the Naro Khacho system only Guhyasamaja Practice Group Retreat Monday 11 - Friday 15 November 8am - 6pm each day
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7.30 - 9pm Medicine Buddha Puja Tuesdays 3,10, 24 September, 8, 15 October 6:15pm Silent Meditation Thursdays weekly 5, 19 September 10, 17, 24, 31 October 6.15 7.15pm Lama Choepa Puja 31 August, 14 September, 14 October, 28 November 6 - 7pm WEEK DAY DAYTIME Tara Puja Tuesdays 3,10, 24 September, 8, 15 October 4.30 - 5.45pm COMMUNITY Bread making Courses with Ali Waldegrave 15, 22 September, 6 October Booking information on the link above. MBSR drop in for course graduates Fridays 11 Oct, 22 Nov, 13 Dec 6.30PM - 8.00PM Details from Jane or Vinod by email: info [at] londoncentreformindfulness.com Dying Well Group Sunday 3 November 10am Chi Kung and Tai Chi Monday evenings taught by William Walker. For more information and to book call William (follow the link above) Satyananda Yoga Tuesday evenings taught by Judy Watchman
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Open to all with Guhyasamaja 32 deities initiation
For more information and to book call Judy (follow the link above)
Kalachakra Tantra Practice Group Retreat November 18 - 22 8am - 6pm each day initiates only
Hridaya (Heart Centre) Yoga Wednesday evenings 7:30 taught by Naz For more information and to book call Naz (follow the link above)
Insight Meditation Practice Group 2, 16 November 10.30-12.30pm open to all
Awareness through Movement (Feldenkrais Method) Wednesdays 6 - 7pm To book contact Jonathan (follow the link above)
Kalachakra Group meets 2 November, 2 -5:30pm for initiates only Guhyasamaja Group meets 3 November 10am for initiates only Vajrayogini Group meets 13 October, 3November 3;30pm 15 September 9am for initiates only Please book for all weekend classes or retreats other than practice groups on-line if you can. If you can't call the office on 02078208787 or email admin@jamyang.co.uk
You can drop in to all evening classes unless we state otherwise
SPECIAL EVENTS Holy Buddha Day - Return from Tushita Day with Geshe Tashi: Sunday 24 November 8am - 5pm COMING SOON Andy WeberTibetan Art Painting Workshop Weekend 7 & 8 December Talk on the evening of 6th Register Here Geshe Graham Woodhouse Debate Intensive Saturday 14 - Tuesday 17 December 10am - 5pm each day Register Here Nyung Nay 3 sets of 2 day Nyung Nay Chenresig Fasting Retreats led by Steff Hill Start 6pm Friday 20 December. 1st set of 2 days 21 & 22 December, 2nd set of 2 days 23 & 24 December, 3rd set of 2 days 25 & 26 December. Retreat ends 9am Friday 27 December Register Here
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Full details of these and all other events are on our website
Geshe Tashi's column Hello Everybody, I was very pleased to see so many people attending the teachings of Jangtse Choje here at Jamyang last week. He is an amazing teacher and his explanations of the Special Insight section of Lama Tsong Kapa's Middle Length Lam Rim were very inspiring. Of course he is still teaching here at Jamyang and, if you have the necessary permissions, I strongly recommend that you attend the Vajrayogini teachings. The White Tara long Life initiation is our last opportunity this year to connect with this great teacher. On a personal note I am now a student again! It is very interesting for me to observe the very different ways of study here to the studies I attended as a youngster in my monastery. I am sure I will learn a lot, and not just about my chosen study subject. I am looking forward to seeing you all at my Wednesday teachings on the Middle length Lam Rim which start in two weeks.
Director's Column "That time of year thou mayst in me behold When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang Upon those boughs which shake against the cold, Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang. In me thou see'st the twilight of such day As after sunset fadeth in the west; Which by and by black night doth take away, Death's second self, that seals up all in rest. In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire, That on the ashes of his youth doth lie, As the deathbed whereon it must expire, Consumed with that which it was nourished by. This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong, To love that well which thou must leave ere long." Sonnet 73, William Shakespeare
Something particularly special about the recollection of impermanence in the
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Autumn and for those that find it perhaps too sad, cold or dark a time, it is worth remembering the final stanza of Shelley's Ode to the West Wind: "The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind, If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?"! As the seasons change it is a busy time here at Jamyang - we are very fortunate to be enjoying the precious teachings and empowerments of the Jangste Choje here at the moment, concluding with a White Tara Long Life empowerment this Saturday - be really good to see as many of you as possible here for that. The work on the restoration and improvement of the front of the building will hopefully be underway before the end of October and the renovation of the cafe kitchen should be complete by the end of next week. Following the Jangste Choje's visit here, he will be giving the Guhyasamaja empowerment and commentary at Instituto Lama Tsongkhapa in Pomaia, Italy. This is a rare opportunity to receive this empowerment and commentary on the practice from such a fine Master. Both the empowerment and commentary will be given in Tibetan and translated into both English and Italian. If you are interested in going, check out the ILTK website page here: http://www.iltk.org /en/courses-retreats/calendar/guhyasamaja-initiation Last month I was reminding you in this column that it is a good time to reflect on the importance and benefits of retreat and to consider what more we can do to assist the cultivation and growth of a deeper and more sustainable retreat culture here in the UK and especially to do anything we can to create and dedicate merit to the Land of Joy retreat centre project. There is a very good article on Land of Joy in the current FPMT Mandala magazine: http://mandala.fpmt.org/archives/mandala-for-2013/october/land-of-joyan-interview-with-andy-wistreich/ Roy
Jamyang Programme News Well we have a truly amazing number of teachings taking place here at Jamyang over the next couple of months. Geshe Tashi will continue to teach Lama Tsongkhapa's final Gradual Path to Enlightenment text, the Middle Length Lam Rim, from the 9th October. Remember that Geshe Tashi is now teaching on Wednesday evenings. Of course Jangtse Choje Rinpoche Lobsang Tenzin also taught from one particular section of this work so this was a great start to these teachings. The practice of insight meditation is central to all Buddhist traditions and we are very fortunate to be able to host a four day retreat led by Venerable Antonio Satta. Venerable Antonio is a highly respected teacher in the FPMT who was a student of Lama Yeshe and he will be leading an Insight Retreat under the title: The Path of Purification of Vipassana. This is a rare opportunity to practice this earliest of all Buddhist meditation styles for four days in central London.
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The Venerable Robina Courtin will be leading a retreat on Green Tara over the weekend of the 30th November -1st December. An opportunity to catch a different side of Venerable Robina as a retreat leader rather than a notable expositor of Dharma. Then we host another fantastic opportunity to get the creative juices flowing as Andy Weber will be running a Tibetan Art workshop on the techniques of painting dragons and garudas. That takes place over the weekend of 7-8 December with a talk on the evening of the 6th. Debate is very central to the Gelug approach to transforming the mind and Geshe Graham will be running another of his Debate Intensive workshops over the weekend of the 14th and 15th December. Photo by Gerry McCulloch
Then to round of the year and to celebrate www.darshanaphotoart.co.uk Christmas in a non-consumer orientated fashion we are hosting three consecutive Nyung Nay fasting retreats from the 21st to the 27th December. You can choose to attend one, two or all three of these. All these retreats and teachings can be booked via our website. You may have noticed that we have started to automate the bookings and payments. Do bear with as as we implement this is a series of steps and, please book on-line for these weekends, it really does make our life so much easier.
Comings and Goings at Jamyang We are so grateful to all our volunteers who give so much service to Jamyang. This month we say goodbye to Jen Graham who is going to leave after working for us from April on hospitality. You may have noticed extra meditation cushions in the gompa. Well that is all her handiwork, she made an extra 30 meditation cushions during her stay. Many thanks! We also welcome Naiara G贸mez from Spain who will replace Jen for
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a three month placement. May she have a productive, peaceful and life-transforming time at Jamyang.
Requests from Jamyang Volunteers Welcome! Would you like to help out with school visits to Jamyang? This is a very valuable and enjoyable experience and is an opportunity to learn more about the Jamyang building as well as, most importantly, helping to introduce Buddhism to the next generation. If you have free time and would like to help on weekdays, please e-mail: jane@jamyang.co.uk. Many thanks. Massage Couch Do you have a spare massage couch or one which we can purchase at low cost for use on therapy days for carers and also at Peace in the City? If so, please e-mail: jane@jamyang.co.uk. Thanks. Jane Sill janesill@aol.com
Photo by Gerry McCulloch www.darshanaphotoart.co.uk
Andy Weber Art Workshop 7th and 8th December This art class will explore gompa (meditation hall ) decorations, specifically dragons and garudas. Students will be taught the drawing and painting of dragons, which decorate many temple doors and ceilings. Both mystical creatures have specific meanings in many Asian cultures and have a long history in Buddhist art. The course is designed for both beginners and advanced students. These workshops are always a great joy and such fun too. Andy Weber is a world renowned Thanka painter famous for his encyclopaedic knowledge and his From the Field Museum Chicago informal and relaxed teaching style. He will also be giving an illustrated lecture on this topic on Friday evening the 6th December. Do book your place via the Jamyang website and let your imagination run riot next time you redecorate your room.
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World Animal Day OK this is not an excuse to behave badly on the 4th October. See below..... World Animal Day (4 October) is almost here. What will you do to celebrate your love for animals worldwide? - Be an armchair activist - write a letter to a politician and the newspapers to change an issue involving animals suffering eg, badger culling or live exports. - Partake in conscious consumerism - use & eat only cruelty free food The 4th of October is the saint's day of St Francis of Assisi who is the patron saint of animals. For more from the FPMT animal headquarters visit this website
Poetry Corner I Have Forgotten by Jetsun Milarepa May I be far removed from contending creeds and dogmas. Ever since my Lord's grace entered my mind, My mind has never strayed to seek such distractions. Accustomed long to contemplating love and compassion, I have forgotten all difference between myself and others. Accustomed long to meditating on my Guru as enhaloed over my head, I have forgotten all those who rule by power and prestige. Accustomed long to meditating on my guardian deities as inseparable from myself, I have forgotten the lowly fleshly form. Accustomed long to meditating on the secret whispered truths, I have forgotten all that is said in written or printed books. Accustomed, as I have been, to the study of the eternal Truth, I've lost all knowledge of ignorance. Accustomed, as I've been, to contemplating both nirvana and samsara as inherent in myself,
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I have forgotten to think of hope and fear. Accustomed, as I've been, to meditating on this life and the next as one, I have forgotten the dread of birth and death. Accustomed long to studying, by myself, my own experiences, I have forgotten the need to seek the opinions of friends and brethren. Accustomed long to applying each new experience to my own spiritual growth, I have forgotten all creeds and dogmas. Accustomed long to meditating on the Unborn, the Indestructible, the Unchanging, I have forgotten all definitions of this or that particular goal. Accustomed long to meditating on all visible phenomena as the Dharmakaya, I have forgotten all meditations on what is produced by the mind. Accustomed long to keeping my mind in the uncreated state of freedom, I have forgotten all conventions and artificialities. Accustomed long to humbleness, of body and mind, I have forgotten the pride and haughty manner of the mighty. Accustomed long to regarding my fleshly body as my hermitage, I have forgotten the ease and comfort of retreats and monasteries. Accustomed long to knowing the meaning of the Wordless, I have forgotten the way to trace the roots of verbs, and the sources of words and phrases. You, 0 learned one, may trace out these things in your books Jetsun Milarepa , (c. 1052 - c. 1135 CE) is generally considered one of Tibet's most famous yogis and poets. He was a student of Marpa Lotsawa, and a major figure in the history of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.
Dharma Bites: An extract from"The Tibetan Book of the Dead" Synonyms for Mind As for this apparent and distinct [phenomenon] which is called 'mind': In terms of existence, it had no [inherent] existence whatsoever, In terms of origination, it is the source of the diverse joys and sorrows of cyclic existence and nirvana, In terms of [philosophical] opinion, it is subject to opinions in accordance with the eleven vehicles. In terms of designation, it has an inconceivable number of distinct names: Some call it 'the nature of mind', the 'nature of mind itself', Some eternalists give it the name 'self',
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Pious attendants call it 'selflessness of the individual', Cittamatrins call it 'mind', Some call it the 'Perfection of Discriminative Awareness', Some call it the 'Nucleus of the Sugata', Some call it the 'Great Seal', Some call it the 'Unique Seminal Point', Some call it the 'Expanse of Reality', Some call it the 'Ground-of-all', And some call it 'ordinary [unfabricated consciousness]'. The Three Considerations The following is the introduction [to the means of experiencing]) this [single] nature [of mind)] Through the application of three considerations: [First, recognise that] past thoughts are traceless, clear, and empty, [Second, recognise that] future thoughts are unproduced and fresh, And [third, recognise that] the present moment abides naturally and unconstructed. When this ordinary, momentary consciousness is examined nakedly [and directly] by oneself, Upon examination, it is a radiant awareness, Which is free from the presence of an observer, Manifestly stark and clear, Completely empty and uncreated in all respects, Lucid, without duality of radiance and emptiness, Not permanence, for it is lacking inherent existence in all respects, Not a mere nothingness, for it is radiant and clear, Not a single entity, for it is clearly perceptible as a multipicity, Yet not existing inherently as a multiplicity, for it is indivisible and of a single savour. This intrinsic awareness, which is not extraneously derived, Is itself the genuine introduction to the abiding nature of [all] things. For in this [intrinsic awareness], the three buddha-bodies are inseparable, and fully present as one: Its emptiness and utter lack of inherent existence is the Buddha-body of reality; The natural resonance and radiance of this emptiness is the Buddha-body of Perfect Resource; And its unimpeded arising in any form whatsoever is the Buddha-body of Emanation. These three, fully present as one, are the very essence [of awareness] itself. Volunteer Work Opportunities in the FPMT Atisha Centre seeks a suitably qualified and experienced Dharma student to serve as Director of our well-established Retreat Centre. We are looking for a dynamic, confident, hands-on Director, a real team
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player who can motivate, support and lead staff and volunteers at Atisha Centre, a medium sized retreat and teaching centre located near Bendigo in the native bushland of central Victoria, Bendigo, Australia. Since its establishment in 1981, the purpose of Atisha Centre has been to provide opportunities for study and practice of the Buddhist path, enabling Dharma students to develop their natural compassion and wisdom. Atisha Centre is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), and is uniquely situated in close proximity to the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, currently under construction, and Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery. The closing date is 31st October 2013. More information from cherry@atishacentre.org.au. For further information about the Atisha Centre, please visit www.atishacentre.org.au
Art Refuge UK expands into new areas You may recall that a few years ago we hosted an art exhibition and a film show about the work of Art Refuge, a charity which works with newly arrived Tibetan refugee children in the refugee camps in Nepal and India. The charity is now launching new projects as follows: 1 The establishment of a sustainable, therapeutic art programme at Jampaling, one of the poorest Tibetan settlements near Pokhara in Nepal. 2 Providing art therapy workshops to local organisations in Nepal, who are working in Tibetan Refugee Reception Centre Khatmandu the contexts of human trafficking, abandonment and displacement. 3 Setting up Art Refuge UK in Bristol to work with the large communities of refugees and asylum seekers, including many who have been the victims of human trafficking. To reach out to these groups, Art Refuge Bristol is establishing an open group through which these people can use art to find new avenues of expression for things that they find impossible to talk about with their friends and family. This is a very worthwhile charity and all these new projects require a significant
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injection of funds so please take a look at their website and make a donation to their work. www.artrefugeuk.org/
Kalachakra Tour to Ladahk The Tibetan Buddhist RimĂŠ Institute (www.rimebuddhism.com), in Melbourne Australia is organising a Kalachakra tour to India culminating in the Kalachakra Initiation with HHTDL. The Rinpoche leading this tour will offer Kalachakra practices and meditations to prepare students for the empowerment and be available to answer questions and review His Holiness' teachings. To find out more about the 2014 Ultimate Life Goal Tour, head to: www.rimebuddhism.com/tour For those that are interested in joining this Kalachakra Tour, please utilise the contact form on their website and their Temple Manager will get back to you with all the relevant information.
Retreat on the Eight Verses in Borobohur, Indonesia We are happy to publicise this unique opportunity. Contact them directly if you are interested in participating. Retreat on the Eight Verses with Ven. Tenzin Chogkyi JANUARY 28 - 31, 2014 Lama Atisha sacred site in Borobodhur, Indonesia Borobodhur is the largest stupa complex in the world and the site where Lama Atisha received bodhicitta instructions from Lama Serlingpa. We will be visiting the pilgrimage site for practice in the morning and evening and receiving teachings from Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi and meditating on the Eight Verses of Thought Transformation during the day. COST* $685USD (airfare not included) per person includes: three nights shared room accommodation at the Manohara Hotel (right next to the stupa), roundtrip transfers (from the airport at Yogyakarta on the Indonesia island of Java), a donation to Liberation Prison Project, all meals, and entry fees to the stupa. Questions:Effie Fletcher effie@hightreks.com Website: dharma-journeys.org
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.
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