Welcome to the March newsletter, and if you're wondering what the enigmatic subject heading is about, well that's how many Buddha statues are needed for the shrine in KSD Johannesburg and there's a chance for you to sponsor one! It also explains why the picture above features Lama Yeshe Rinpoche wearing a hard hat! You can read all about it at the end of this newsletter.
And now a last call for this Saturday's course with Clive Holmes - Better Health Through Meditation: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living. Clive has a great way of making ancient teachings accessible and practical, with a light touch which has made him a very popular teacher over the years. It's good to have him back at the Centre again. Highly recommended!
Also returning the Centre for the 16th-17th March is Alistair Appleton with his course Liberating the Ego Loop. Full details and booking can be found on Alistair's own website.
Now, would you like to learn to meditate? Or possibly have a refresher if you've had instruction before? On Saturday 16th March, from 10.00 - 4.00 pm, Joelle Peeters will be leading a day of instruction just for you. Visit the website for more details and to book your place..
So, with this smorgasbord of teachings laid out before you, maybe it's time to move onto the rest of the newsletter.
Best wishes,
David Bates
Newsletter Editor
Drupon Rinpoche's visit to the Centre
We are delighted that Drupon Khen Rinpoche, Karma Lhabu, will be giving three evenings of teachings at Kagyu Samye Dzong London in May, before the The 4th UK Kagyu Monlam in Samye Ling.
The schedule of topics is as follows with each session running from 07.00pm - 09.00pm:
Tuesday 7th May: The Link between Study, Contemplation and Meditation.
Wednesday 8th May: The Spiritual Song of Refuge by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye - Part 1
Thursday 9th May: The Spiritual Song of Refuge by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye - Part 2
These Teachings are suitable for everyone, both Buddhists and Non Buddhists.
To help us prepare for the event, please book online so we have an idea of numbers.
Teachings With Lama Zangmo in March
Introduction to Buddhism - The Four Noble Truths takes place on Saturday 9th March, 10.00 am - 3.30 pm. The Four Noble Truths was the first teaching given by the Buddha after he attained enlightenment. If you're curious about Buddhism, or would like a refresher, this is a great day to attend.
Milarepa's Song of Happiness is a two day teaching on the weekend of the 30th - 31st March, 10.30 am - 3.30 pm each day. Milarepa is one of the greatest yogis to have lived in Tibet, and his life story provides us with encouragement and inspiration to persevere when we encounter difficulties.
A Precious Garland of the Supreme Path continues on Thursday evenings. This is a weekly drop-in class which is suitable for those new to Buddhism, as well as more established students of the Dharma. Lama Zangmo will continue her explanation of this seminal text by Gampopa from 7.00 - 8.00 pm every Thursday evening.
Monthly Vajrasattva Days
In a recent inspiring statement His Holiness 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje. said: "It would have a strong positive impact for every single follower of the Karma Kamtsang to recite the Vajrasattva mantra a minimum of one hundred thousand times and the Sutra in Three Sections one thousand times, as soon as possible."
You are therefore invited to join us for one of our new, monthly Vajrasattva days, with the first one taking place on Sunday 10th March, 10.30 am - 3.30 pm.
During the day we will recite the Vajrasattva (Dorje Sempa) 100 syllable mantra as requested by His Holiness. We will also recite the Sutra in Three Sections at the end of each practice session.
The day is made up of multiple meditation sessions with breaks. Participants are welcome to join in as many sessions as they wish. Once a session has started it is not possible to enter the shrine room.
The sessions are open to all - the only requirement is not to arrive late.
Schedule:
10.30am - 11.30am - Session
11.30am - 12 noon - Break
12 noon - 1.00pm - Session
1.00 - 2.00pm - Lunch break ( Hot soup or Dhal will be served i the Tibetan Tearoom )
2.00pm - 3.30pm Session
We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.