July/August Newsletter 2025
- KSD London
- Jul 8
- 6 min read
Dear All,
Welcome to the July / August newsletter, the last one before the Centre's summer break. The Centre's doors will close at 9.00 pm on Sunday 27th July, and will open again at 5pm on Weds 27 August. We'll kick off a week later (football pun intended) with a weekend of Shamatha Instructions and Practice with Lama Zangmo. This is a special opportunity to do a gentle weekend retreat in the city, and accomodation is available at the Centre should you wish to stay overnight. Just make sure to book in advance!
The football pun is because we had the good fortune of hosting the Tibetan national football team at KSDL (see picture above during breakfast in the kitchen) while they were playing during the CONIFA Cup tournament from 1st to 5th July. They were a very nice group of 16 young Tibetans plus their coaches and organising team, all putting their heart into it with a session of Green Tara Praises before each game, and it was a pleasure to have them in the Centre.
We'd like to wish His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama who has just turned 90 years old a Happy Birthday. May He continue to inspire, guide and protect the Buddhist teachings and followers for decades to come. You can read about the birthday celebrations on his official website. In London, the Samye Dzong community participated in the birthday celebrations at the Tibetan Peace Garden on Saturday, 5 July 2025. Pictures of the day can be found on the Centre's social media feeds on Instagram or Facebook.
The Tibetan Doctor will next be available in KSDL on the weekend of the 26th - 27th July. To make an appointment for a consultation please contact Doctor Soktsang directly. If you want to check Dr Soktsang's availability in 2025, the dates of his attendance at the Centre are available on the website.
Residential volunteer opportunity - Starting in September we are looking for a long-term residential volunteer to share the role of housekeeper with possible admin tasks and support in the Tibetan Tearoom. Applicants are asked to fill in the online form. Please only apply if you have appropriate visa for the UK. For more information about volunteering at the Centre, please visit the website.
Finally, many thanks to all the volunteers, residential or not, who keep the Centre clean, open and running throughout the year. It takes a lot of TLC and hard work to keep such a large grade 2 listed building clean and in good repair. All of that is done by people who have given their time, energy and effort to create and maintain such a special place for the benefit of all. May they enjoy their much deserved summer break, and may everyone else have a great summer. We'll look forward to seeing you in September.
Best wishes,
David Bates
Newsletter Editor
Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche's coming visit to KSDL
We are looking forward to the visit of our Abbot, Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, over the next two weekends and you can see the full programme below.
We hope to see you over this period and, as it's going to be very busy, would encourage you to book for the days you want to attend. It's really helpful to have an idea of numbers for both the catering and set-up of the Centre. Links at the bottom of this article.
Taking Refuge - there will be an opportunity to take Refuge on Sunday 13th July. If you wish to become a Buddhist and you would like to make use of this wonderful opportunity, please fill in this form or feel free to email us with any questions.
Saturday 12th July
10.00 - 11.00: Meditation and Finding Purpose ~ Gelong Thubten
11.00 - 11.45: Break
11.45 - 12.45: Meditation and Finding Purpose ~ Gelong Thubten
12.45 - 14.00: Lunch break
14.30: Q&A Session ~ with Lama Yeshe Rinpoche. An opportunity to ask Lama Yeshe Rinpoche questions about the Dharma and your practice.
Sunday 13th July
10.00 – 11.00: Ethics in Buddhism ~ Gelong Thubten
11.00 - 11.45: Break
11.45: Children’s Blessing ~ with Lama Yeshe Rinpoche. We recommend the children bring a gift for Rinpoche, such as a drawing, or a katta, or anything they’d like to offer.
12.45 - 14.00: Lunch Break
14.00 - 15.00: The Meaning of Refuge ~ Ani Gelongma Lhamo . An explanation of what it means to take refuge and what to expect in the ceremony.
15.00 - 15.30: Break
15.30 - 16.30: Refuge Ceremony ~ with Lama Yeshe Rinpoche. Please fill in the form here if you wish to take part in the Refuge Ceremony. An opportunity for those who wish to become Buddhist by taking refuge in the Three Jewels, and for those wishing to take precepts, or wishing to renew their precepts.
Saturday 19th July
10.00- 11.00: The Importance of Lineage ~ Gelong Thubten
11.00 - 11.45: Break
11.45 – 12.45: Importance of Lineage ~ Gelong Thubten
12.45 - 14.00: Lunch Break
14.00 - 15.00: Registration for Skills Auction
15.00 - 16.30: Skills Auction. All funds raised will go to the Temple project in Johannesburg.
Sunday 20th July
10.00 - 11.00: The Three Trainings of Ethics, Meditation and Wisdom ~ Ani Gelongma Lhamo
11.00 - 11.45: Break
11.45: Q & A Session ~ with Lama Yeshe Rinpoche. An opportunity to ask Lama Yeshe Rinpoche questions about the Dharma and your practice.
12.45 - 14.00: Lunch Break
14.30pm - 16.30: Milarepa Tsok Puja, followed by refreshments in the courtyard garden with Rinpoche.
Visits by Lama Yeshe Rinpoche tend to be... a bit busy!!! It would be really helpful if you could book for whichever (or both) weekends you intend joining us to give us an idea of numbers. It really helps with the catering and set-up of the Centre. Use the links above to go to the page for each weekend. Book the weekend of the 12th - 13th July, and/or the 19th - 20th July. Thank you.
Akong Memorial Retreat in Samye Ling with Khenpo Ghawang
This year in October Samye Ling will mark the 12th Anniversary since Akong Rinpoche’s passing with a one-week retreat devoted to the study and practice of the Guru Yoga to His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rikpe Dorje.
The retreat will be led by Khenpo Ghawang who will give daily teachings and both Khenpo Ghawang and Abbot Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche will preside over the practice sessions.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Full details of the retreat, including how to book, can be found on the Samye Ling website. Preference will be given to those intending to stay for the whole retreat.
A Letter to a Friend with Lama Zangmo
Starting on Saturday 13th September is Lama Zangmo's latest long-term course "A Letter to a Friend".
The great Indian Buddhist master Nagarjuna wrote his celebrated Letter to a Friend as a gift of advice to a South Indian king, and it has since become a monument in the Indian shastra tradition. Despite its short length it covers the entire Mahayana path.
The instructions combine a practical approach to daily conduct for both the layperson and the ordained, with an explanation of the different stages leading to enlightenment. It has been a source of scriptural authority for many of Tibet’s greatest scholars over time. It is an ideal guide to understand the Buddhist teachings and to apply the teachings to our lives with clarity and wisdom. It is suitable for anyone who wishes to study and learn more about Buddhism.
The course is one day a month on the following dates: 13 Sep 2025; 4 Oct, 8 Nov; 6 Dec; 17 Jan 2026; 14 Feb; 14 March. For full details, and to book your place, please visit the course page on the website.
Call out for a Probate Lawyer to give a Talk
Are you, or do you know, a Probate Lawyer who would be happy to give a talk on the importance of making a will, on Saturday 1st November? If so, please get in touch.
Once a year Samye Dzong London holds a special event called: 'A Celebration of Life Through Reflection on Death' . It is organised each year by the Kagyu Samye Dzong London Bardo Group.
This year we would also like to invite a Wills/Probate lawyer to give a talk around the topic of Wills. It is an important practical aspect that it is helpful to be more familiar with. Probate lawyers specialize in helping individuals create legally sound wills.
The Bardo Group has facilitated these days since 2017 with the goal of developing more familiarity with the topic, and this year we will have another full programme of events with educational speakers from various professions talking about their experience around death and dying. The speakers will include doctors, a funeral director, a grief counsellor, and a talk on the Buddhist approach to death and dying,
The Bardo Group is therefore looking for a Probate Lawyer who would be happy to participate by giving a talk on 1st Nov on the importance of making a will. Please get in touch if this is relevant for you, we look forward to hearing from you.
