Special Pujas with the Tashi Lhunpo Monks
If you missed the last newsletter, you'll not know that the Tashi Lhunpo monks will be paying us a very special visit on Saturday 29th April. We will be holding Special Pujas for Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche's return and Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche's Long Life from 2.00 - 5.00 pm.
We are expecting a big turnout, so if you want to attend, please RSVP using the form on the website. Everybody is welcome!
March at the Centre has been a series of comings and goings. We say goodbye to Shara and Alvaro who will both be missed - but hello to Julie who comes to live here as a full-time volunteer.
Speaking of volunteers.... if you like cooking for people, we have a forthcoming vacancy in our kitchen! To find out why we're looking for a residential cook at the Centre, and many other things, just read on!
Best wishes, David Bates Newsletter Editor
News in Brief
Well, we've got some pretty special dates coming up in the next few months - so here goes...
Dates for your diary
The first three of these dates all take place at Kagyu Samye Ling in Scotland, but they are important dates!
Green Tara initiation with Ven Tulku Pasang Rinpoche will be taking place on Saturday 15th April. Check the Samye Ling website for full details.
Lama Yeshe Rinpoche's 80th birthday will be celebrated at the end of the 3rd UK Kagyu Monlam at Samye Ling, on Friday 2nd June. All are welcome. Details of the Monlam and the link to Samye Ling's website can be found in the article below.
Would you like to Take Refuge? Many people have been asking when there will be an opportunity to take Refuge, so you might like to know that on the morning of the 3rd of June, Lama Yeshe will be holding a Refuge Ceremony at Samye Ling from 9.30 am - 12.00 pm. Full details on the Samye Ling website.
Meanwhile, here at Kagyu Samye Dzong London....
A little closer in time, and for those who are newcomers to all this, or who would like a refresher, we have a one-day Introduction to Meditation, with Lama Zangmo on Saturday 1st April from 10.00 - 4.00 pm.
Simply Meditation days are on the 9th and 23rd April.
In May we have the Film Screening of Akong a Remarkable Life with an introduction by the Director, Chico Dall'Inha (Sunday 7th May). Book here.
Drupon Khen Rinpoche will be teaching on the weekend of the 3rd - 4th June. On Saturday 3rd Rinpoche will be teaching on Faith and Intelligence in Buddhism, while on the 4th the topic of his teaching will be Taming the Mind Through Meditation. Also in June, Ringu Tulku will be teaching on The Twelve Links of Interdependence (Wednesday 14th June) and Transforming Confusion into Clarity (Thursday 15th June).Special Pujas with the Tashi Lhunpo Monks
On Saturday 29th April, from 2.00 - 5.00 pm we are holding special Pujas for the swift return of our precious Founder, Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche, and the Long Life of our precious Abbot, Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche. We are very fortunate that eight monks from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in India will be joining us to lead this afternoon of prayers at Kagyu Samye Dzong London. We hope as many of you as possible will join us on the day, both older students and new, for the prayers for our precious teachers. Everybody is welcome. Their visit to us precedes their 50th anniversary tour. To find out more about the monks just click here.
The Third UK Kagyu Monlam
After missing three years due to the pandemic, this year Kagyu Samye Ling in Scotland is happy and honoured to host the third UK Kagyu Monlam, from the 27th May - 2nd June. The Monlam will take place during Saga Dawa, the most auspicious month in the Tibetan calendar, where the anniversary of Lord Buddha’s Birth His Enlightenment and Parinirvana all occur.
Drupon Khen Rinpoche has kindly agreed to preside over the Monlam and to give daily teachings. Drupon Rinpoche will teach on "A String of Pearls – Gampopa’s Community Teachings” and a copy of the text will be available to all who register for the teachings. We are grateful to Rinpoche for providing this unique opportunity to study a text not previously taught in Samye Ling. There will also be a celebration of Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche's 80th birthday on the final day of the Monlam, 2nd June and everyone is most welcome to attend. Full details can be found on the Samye Ling website.
Residential cook needed at KSDLondon
Tom, our steady cook over the past four years, whose delicious dhal has been delighting many of you in the Tearoom at the weekends, is looking to deepen his work as an osteopath. We are grateful to him for feeding the community for so long, and we are now looking for a new cook to carry on the banner. If you are interested in this opportunity, read on and if you think the role might fit you, fill in and return the application form below. Brief Description:
Cook vegetarian/vegan lunch 5 days a week for around 10/15 volunteers and residents.
At weekends the lunch will be for larger numbers to include the Tearoom
Must be comfortable to work as the sole cook.
Should ideally have experience in cooking lunch for large numbers, and for special events.
Duties include:
Preparation of lunch 5 days a week, Wednesday - Sunday.
Preparing food for events and visiting teachers.
Organisation of supplies in store room, fridges, freezers.
Washing pots and pans after lunch.
Cleaning the cooking areas after lunch.
Weekly Food Shopping and ordering of supplies for volunteers and events.
This is a residential but unpaid volunteer position, suitable for someone with experience in cooking who would like the opportunity to live, practice and serve in a friendly Buddhist community. Fill in this form stating your interest in the cooks post (or email the office on ksdlondon@samye.org). And if cooking is not your strong point, we are always looking for part time volunteers to welcome visitors at the reception or to help out in the Tibetan Tearoom. Fill in the form here. Kagyu Samye Dzong London - a spiritual container
Chris Scammell writes: "I moved to London in Spring 2022, and one of the first things I did when I got off the plane was to look up 'Buddhist Centres Near Me'. KSD London was just five minutes away. I walked over on a beautiful, sunny March day and discovered the Tibetan Tearoom. On my first visit, I felt right at home. I had been living in a Buddhist monastery in Canada prior to this, and entering KSD London, I noticed the same artistic styles, similar conversations – and most profoundly – the same peaceful and simultaneously driven atmosphere. This was a place where people came to do serious spiritual work. On the next visit to the monastery a week later, I struck up a conversation with Lama Zangmo which sparked the idea of me living here. A few weeks later, I moved in. It is a spiritual container. A home for practice. A refuge. Being at the Centre helps align myself and my goals with dharma. I walk around the world with so many goals and priorities that pull me in different directions. I spend a lot of time trying to satisfy all these goals, and in doing so..." Visit the Samye Dzong blog to read the rest of Chris's article and there you will also find the new post in the Volunteer For A Year series: Ciao Bello!