Lama Yeshe Rinpoche Returns to KSD London, July 2026

It has been a joyful and busy few weeks at KSDL. Preparations started early, including a Volunteer Day where an energetic team spent a Sunday afternoon cleaning, dusting and more, to make sure we were ready for Lama Yeshe Rinpoche’s arrival the following week. 

An incredibly warm, sunny day, a smoke offering, and a joyful crowd awaited and welcomed  Lama Yeshe, Gelongma Lhamo and Gelong Thubten on Wednesday July 8th.  Lama Yeshe sat under the wooden arch surrounded by the beautiful and colourful garden, and everyone had the opportunity of offering a kata.  Meadow managed to do so in her roller skates which was very impressive! There were a few days that allowed the Sangha to settle before the first weekend began. 

The center was bustling on Saturday the 11th with everyone who came to receive teachings from Gelong Thubten and Gelongma Lhamo, as well as a Question and Answer session with Lama Yeshe. I think there were 6 fans in the tearoom to try and keep the air moving on this exceptionally hot summer day! Sunday included an endearing Children's Blessing ceremony, followed by 45 people taking refuge with Lama Yeshe in a moving and beautiful Refuge Ceremony.

The following weekend was again a memorable one with further teachings and the opportunity to take the Aspiration Bodhisattva Vow, as well as another Question and Answer session with Lama Yeshe. Finally, we held a Milprepa Tsok puja on Sunday, with lots of food offerings that were later enjoyed in the garden with the Sangha. The prizes or our Summer raffle were drawn by Lama Yeshe. The raffle raised over £1000 for Lama Yeshe Rinpoche’s Johannesburg Temple project.

It was a special time for those in and around the centre as all the days began with a lovely early morning walk around Spa Gardens or along the river, and a warm drink in

Bell’s Cafe and just opportunities to spend quality time with Rinpoche and the sangha.

Over the two weeks, the centre welcomed visitors from across the UK, Germany, and Spain, bringing everyone together to share in this occasion. Throughout this time, and especially on the weekends, the kitchen and tearoom were hives of activity with a wonderful team helping prepare vegetables, cleaning dishes and serving lemonade and delicious home-baked cakes! All the residential volunteers and residents from the centre, as well as members of the community really rallied together to make sure this special time ran smoothly and joyfully. 

We hope that we can welcome Rinpoche again to London. These visits truly help to bring the wider community together, nurturing our faith, inspiration, and companionship as we continue on our journeys together.