Dear All,
Welcome back to the new school year! And, of course, the re-opening of the Centre this weekend on Saturday 31st August - a slightly different sort of school to the one we went to as children. A reminder nonetheless that learning continues throughout our lives. Here are some of the forthcoming learning opportunities that the Centre is offering as we move through the end of the summer and towards the autumn:
This Sunday, 1st September, we have an Introduction to Meditation with Joelle Peeters. This is a full day of meditation instruction especially suited for complete beginners and those who would like to refresh their knowledge and get more meditation experience.
Tibetan language classes continue with an 8-week course on Wednesdays from the 4th September. During this class students will learn the fundamentals of translating by studying the 100,000 Songs of Milarepa in Tibetan. Well, not all of them this term!
The Spiritual Friend is the latest of Lama Zangmo's Introduction to Buddhism days of teaching. Taking place on Saturday 14th September from 10.00 am - 3.30 pm, this course is suitable for anyone wishing to gain more familiarity with the Buddhist teachings and can be attended on its own or as a part of the monthly Introduction to Buddhism series.
This really is just a sample of what's going on at Samye Dzong London this month. Feel free to visit the website to see what else is taking place and we hope to be able to welcome you in the near future.
Finally, there's a rare opportunity to receive empowerments at Samye Ling this October from Tulku Damcho Rinpoche. Details are available on the Samye Ling website.
All the best,
David Bates
Newsletter Editor
Taming the Wild Mind: a meditation weekend with Lama Zangmo
Join Lama Zangmo on the 28th - 29th September for a weekend of meditation instruction and practice.
This is an opportunity for those who are interested in doing a weekend of meditation as well as to receive instructions and gain more familiarity with Shinay/Shamatha meditation. Anyone is welcome to attend this course.
An untamed mind is compared to a wild elephant being led by a crazy, wild monkey of distraction. The untamed mind can do a lot of damage, as we can easily observe in daily life.
During this weekend practice retreat, Lama Zangmo will explain the benefits and the common difficulties encountered in meditation, and explain how to deal with them. Â
For full information about the weekend and to book your place, visit the event page on the website.
Lama Yeshe Rinpoche’s Uk Tour, July 2024
Gelong Thubten writes:
"In our stressful modern world, we can still find spaces that hold the light of compassion and wisdom. Individuals can go to these places to learn how to nurture that light, so it can shine brightly in all directions. Among such places are the monasteries and meditation centres of the sacred Dharma.
There are also people who cultivate that light to such an extent that they become the light. These are our teachers, those rare individuals who have found true freedom and dedicated their lives to guiding others. Shining brightly among those precious ones is our beloved Teacher and Abbot Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche.
In July 2024, Lama Yeshe Rinpoche visited three Samye Dzong Centres: Scarborough, followed by Cardiff and then London. This was his first visit to the centres since 2018, and it was truly amazing that such a tour was even possible, given the delicate nature of his health as well as his commitments in overseeing other projects.
The tour lasted three weeks, with the first destination being Samye Dzong Scarborough. Ani Tselha brought Lama Rinpoche and Gelongma Lhamo from Samye Ling by car, with Gelong Thubten waiting in Scarborough preparing lunch for their arrival....."
To read the rest of this article, please visit the Samye Dzong London website.
Disillusionment - A Weekend With Donal Creedon
On the 21st - 22nd September, Donal Creedon will offer a short excursion into the Buddha's teaching and practice in a weekend which is suitable for beginners as well as experienced practitioners.
We will explore the range of Buddha’s teaching which address our human problems in unique and
profound ways. We will go from the the foundational teaching on suffering, it’s sources and resources (!) to teachings on the nature of reality, consciousness and Buddha nature. Of course we need to consider how to live these teachings in the great city of London.
Dónal has studied and practiced for many years with Buddhist masters of the Kagyu practice lineage in Kagyu Samye Ling as well as in India and Nepal. This involved many years of retreat, including several traditional three year retreats at Purelands in Samye Ling.
For full details of the weekend and, to book your place, just visit the event page on the website.
Donation And Gift Aid
We would like to say a huge Thank You to all of our donors, whether you have made a one off donation or are a regular donor. It is very much appreciated. Your donations make a real difference to the running and upkeep of Kagyu Samye Dzong London. Your support also helps to make the Dharma accessible to others who benefit from having a Buddhist Centre in the heart of London.
We are currently updating our Gift Aid records:
– if we already have a form for you, please do let us know if you are no longer a UK taxpayer, or if your name or address has changed. If you are not sure whether we hold a form for you please contact us.
If you are a UK taxpayer please consider completing a Gift Aid form. You can access this by clicking here or by contacting the office to ask for a form to be emailed to you.
If you do not currently donate and wish to do so, please click here.

Once again thank you for any support you are able to offer.
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