June Newsletter 2026
- KSD London
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Dear all,
Welcome to the June Newsletter, the lighter days and...the hottest in any May ever! Still, we're nearly at June and a whole host of Dharma activities at the Centre to look forward to, starting this weekend.
Saga Dawa Duchen, Sunday 31st May. Join us on Saga Dawa, one of the most auspicious days in the Buddhist calendar, for full day of practice at Samye Dzong London, starting with Green Tara puja at 10am and finishing with a Chenrezig puja in the evening. Full details on the website.
Death Cafe - Saturday 6th June - join us for the Death Cafe at which people, often strangers, gather to discuss death. On this occasion we will be hosted in the Centre's Tibetan Tearoom and sit in small groups around a pot of tea, with five people on each table facilitated by a member of the KSDL Bardo Group. Full details are available on the website, along with the opportunity to book your place - essential for this event as places are limited.
Simply Meditation Days - this month we have two of them, taking place on Sundays 7th and 21st June. They provide an excellent opportunity to experience the power of group meditation. Feel free to join in any or all of the sessions during the day. Full details on the website.
We are excited to share that this year we will be holding a Summer Raffle (to be drawn by Lama Yeshe Rinpoche on Sunday 19th July) and a Quiz Night on Thursday 16th July, both giving you the chance to win some fantastic prizes. For more information about the exciting prizes and how to enter both draw and quiz, just click on the links above!.
The Tibetan Doctor will next be available in KSDL on the weekend of the 20th - 21st June. To make an appointment for a consultation please contact Doctor Soktsang directly. If you want to check Dr Soktsang's availability in 2026, the dates of his attendance at the Centre are available on the website.
Finally, have a wonderful June, and happy Solstice for the 21st.
All the best,
David Bates
Newsletter Editor
Visit of Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche - full programme
We very much look forward to welcoming Lama Yeshe Rinpoche again in Kagyu Samye Dzong London and we hope you will be able to join us to celebrate and rejoice in all the wonderful years and guidance we have had from our Abbot so far.
Saturday 11 July
10.00 - 11.00: The Essence of Buddhism: The Four Noble Truths - with Gelong Thubten
11.00 - 11.45: Break
11.45 - 12.45: The Path of Buddhism: Ethics, Meditation and Wisdom - with Gelong Thubten
12.45 - 14.30: Lunch break
14.30: Q&A Session - with Lama Yeshe Rinpoche. An opportunity to ask Lama Yeshe questions about the Dharma and your practice.
Sunday 12 July
10.00 - 11.00: Tibetan Buddhism and The Three Vehicles - with Gelong Thubten
11.00 - 11.30: Break
11.30 - 12.45: Children's Blessing - with Lama Yeshe Rinpoche. Lama Zangmo will give a short talk to the children followed by a Blessing with Lama Yeshe Rinpoche. We recommend the children bring a small gift for Rinpoche, such as a drawing, a piece of fruit, a kata or anything else they’d like to offer.
12.45 - 14.00: Lunch Break
14.00 - 15.00: The Meaning of Refuge - with Gelongma Lhamo. An explanation of refuge, precepts and what to expect in the refuge ceremony, with time for questions.
15.00 - 15.30: Break
15.30: Refuge Ceremony - with Lama Yeshe Rinpoche. Please register here for 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 renew their precepts.
To book your seat for the weekend of the 11th - 12th July, please visit the website.
Saturday 18 July
10.00 - 11.00: Improving our Motivation for Practice - with Gelongma Lhamo
11.00 - 11.45: Break
11.45 - 12.45: Compassion and Bodhicitta - with Gelong Thubten. This talk will be an introduction to the Bodhisattva vow.
12.45 - 14.30: Lunch Break
14.30 - The Aspiration Bodhisattva Vow - with Lama Yeshe Rinpoche. Followed by an opportunity to offer a Katta and receive a blessing.
Sunday 19 July
10.00 - 11.00: Devotion and Transmission in Tibetan Buddhism - with Gelong Thubten
11.00 - 11.45: Break
11.45: 12.45: Q & A Session with Lama Yeshe Rinpoche. An opportunity to ask Lama Yeshe questions about the Dharma and your practice.
12.45 - 14.30: Lunch Break
14.30 - Milarepa Tsok Puja. Followed by refreshments in the courtyard garden with Rinpoche. Please bring any offerings of fruit and vegetarian food items for the shrine before the start of the puja.
To book your seat for the weekend of the 18th - 19th July, please visit the website.
Chenrezig, Meditation on Compassion. Instructions with Lama Zangmo
Join Lama Zangmo on Saturday 13th June for instructions on the Chenrezig meditation which is practiced at the Centre every week.
The instructions will include explanation of the meaning of the text; how to meditate while reciting the mantra; the meaning of the mantra and the benefits of the practice.
You will need to have a text as it is referred to in the instructions. The text is available from the shop.
There will be time for Q&A and the day will be divided into teaching sessions, with breaks for tea and lunch.
To book your place, please visit the website.
Foundations in Buddhism - The Four Thoughts, with Lama Zangmo
You are invited to join Lama Zangmo on Saturday 6th June for the third of a series of teachings which will give an overview and understanding of the framework for the Buddhist path.
This is a day of introduction to Buddhism through reflection on the four thoughts that turn the mind to the Dharma: the preciousness of our life; impermanence, karma and samsara.
The point of meditating on the meaning of our precious human birth is so that we make use of it and we don't waste it.
Meditating on impermanence inspires one to turn to the Dharma and increases ones’ ability to be diligent.
Karma, cause and effect should be considered in a broad way. As we are all interdependent, everything we do not only affects ourselves and people close to us, but has an effect on the wider world. It is important, therefore, to take responsibility for our actions.
Considering the defects of samsara, fundamentally all beings want to be happy; no one wants to suffer. However, when we ask ourselves what real happiness is, some of the things we wish for are counterproductive.
Buddhism defines true happiness as liberation from negative emotions, afflictions and mental obscurations.
To book your place on this course, please visit the event page on the website.
The Tibetan Film season continues...
Annabelle Duggan writes:
Dear all,
Welcome to the Summer! It really has arrived with full force with this heatwave…
To really get us all in the mood to celebrate this season of creativity, fun and community engagement (in a slightly cooler environment) - welcome to the KSDL’s Tibet Film Festival season!
My name is Annabelle, I’m a student and freelance film journalist and am extremely excited to be a new contributing writer to the Newsletter this month - KSDL have very kindly let me take over to cover this amazing season! Thank you for having me.
So! The scene is set, the lights are down, big screen up.
Having begun on the 21st May, and running every Thursday until the 11th June, we are thrilled to present 1) Introduction to Tibet Film Festival London, 2) Spotlighting Tibetan Women Filmmakers, 3) Enlightened Vision, and 4) The Diaspora Lens as our weekly themes for the one-off season.
You can book by clicking the links above, and we would be very grateful for any additional contribution.
So far, we have been privileged to welcome Kunsang Kelden and Dechen Pemba to introduce the revolutionary documentary, “Leaving Fear Behind” by the trail-blazing Tibetan filmmaker, Dhondup Wangchen.
Speaking on the documentary’s impact and production in a Q&A after the screening, Dechen told the audience about her personal experience in helping with the project. The “emotional, difficult and long” process of producing the film was made truly worth it considering how an entire film festival (Tibet Film Festival, the curators of this film season) was inspired by it.
It was clear by the audience’s response to this deeply moving and powerful insight into Tibetan livelihood in 2008, that the film still resonated in today’s world.
Following this, the acclaimed short-film “Butter Tea” was screened. It was a lighter, heart-felt short film on the nurturing of tradition and kinship in the Tibetan diaspora through the simple act of making butter tea. And hey, you can keep this sacred and deep-rooted tradition alive too by trying butter tea for yourself at our very own Tibetan Tearoom in KSDL!
This is your chance to engage mindfully with Tibet’s most prominent voices in cinema right now. And there is no better place to do that than at our beloved centre.
We can’t wait to see you there, to celebrate another fantastic evening of Tibetan cinema.
Best wishes,
Annabelle Duggan (guest writer)
From Victorian Library to Tibetan Buddhist Centre: A Historical Journey
How did a 19th-century symbol of Victorian education transform into the Kagyu Samye Dzong Centre?
Join us at 6.00 pm on Thursday, 18th June, for an evening exploring the "hidden history" of this iconic building. We will trace its fascinating evolution from a hub of municipal knowledge to its current life as a sanctuary for meditation and peace.
We are honored to be joined by Patrick Kingwell, a renowned local historian and author specializing in Southwark’s heritage. With decades of experience in local planning and heritage restoration, Patrick offers a unique expert perspective on the architectural and social shifts that have shaped our neighborhood.
This talk is a highlight of the Bermondsey and Beyond Literary Festival 2026, a celebration of local stories organized by Big Local Works. As a community hub and charity, Big Local Works is dedicated to empowering Bermondsey residents through employment support, benefits advice, and cultural initiatives that bring our history to life.
Please book your seat via the event page on the website.