Lama Jampa Thaye teaches at Sakya Dechen Ling, Stuttgart on 4 to 5 February 2012

The Sakya Dechen Ling Sangha and Dharma friends were once again very happy and fortunate to be able to receive and host an auspicious visit from Lama Jampa Thaye in Stuttgart on 4 to 5 February.

As an indication of his growing confidence in the establishment of a strong and vibrant centre of Sakyapa Dharma here in South Germany, Lama Jampa taught the second and final part of Bhavideva's '50 Verses in Praise of The Guru' along with the commentary written by the great 16th century yogin and scholar Tsarchen Losal Gyamtso, founder of the Tsarpa branch of the Sakya tradition. This wonderful text clarifies completely the importance and significance of the Vajrayana master, and being able to study it with Lama Jampa thus lays the foundations for us to be able to continue to receive an abundance of Vajrayana teaching in the future with full confidence and understanding.

On the second day of his visit Lama Jampa then graciously bestowed on us the initiation of  Black Manjusri. This special form of Manjusri is one of the 13 Golden Dharmas of Sakya. Along with the transcendental accomplishment of leading to ultimate enlightenment, this special Sakyapa deity bestows mundane accomplishments such as protection from fears, sicknesses, disturbing influences etc., all of which are most appropriate for Sangha members engaged in their daily lives, as well as helping to remove all possible obstacles and inauspicious constellations that may otherwise have hindered the continuing growth and stability of our beautiful Sakya Dechen Ling. As a fitting conclusion to the visit, the initiation was followed by a Tsok offering ritual to the Lama in the form of Guru Rinpoche. 

Despite the very cold and snowy weather, many people were able to attend both days, and Lama Jampa expressed his thanks for all the efforts being made by all involved in Sakya Dechen Ling, and informed us he will be returning to Stuttgart in mid-June to begin teaching the 'Telescope of Wisdom', which is the commentary written by Karma Thinley Rinpoche on the famous 'Letter to a Friend' by Nagarjuna.

Lama Jampa Thaye teaches in Bristol, 14 January 2011

On Saturday, 14 January Lama Jampa Thaye taught a textual teaching and bestowed an initiation in Bristol, hosted by Sakya Thinley Rinchen Ling. In the morning Lama Jampa taught the second part of the ‘Letter to the Noble Minded’. This brief text by Sakya Pandita clarifies the commitments involved in practising each of the three vehicles of Buddhism. It was written by Sakya Pandita in order to counter erroneous understandings of dharma practice that were extant at the time in Tibet. The teaching remains highly relevant today.

In the afternoon Lama Jampa bestowed the initiation of White Saraswati from the Bodong lineage. One of the main female embodiments of wisdom, Saraswati is also associated with artistic accomplishments, in particular those of poetry. At the end of the initiation Lama Jampa recalled how Karma Thinley Rinpoche himself and other great lamas were known to have relied upon her practice.

Lama Jampa Thaye’s next teaching will be in Stuttgart on 4 to 5 February, when he will bestow the second part  of ‘The Fifty Verses on the Guru’ by Bhavideva, followed by the initiation of Black Manjushri. Please click here for further information.

Update on activities of His Holiness Sakya Trizin

His Holiness Sakya Trizin returned in mid-December from the annual Sakya Monlam in Lumbini, Nepal. The Monlam was a great success, with around 4000 people in attendance. 

At the moment His Holiness is in Rajpur, India. In March, shortly after the Tibetan New Year, His Holiness  will travel to Pokhara, Nepal, where will bless a new Tibetan monastery. His Holiness's main foreign activities in the Summer will be giving teachings in Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. 

Today, 2 January is the birthday of Jetsunma Kunga Thinley Palter, the daughter of His Holiness's son, His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche. Lama Jampa conveyed his best wishes for Jetsunma's birthday on the phone to His Holiness and Gyal Yum Kushog-la. We pray for her long life and wish her all success in her dharma activities. 

Long life prayers for Shamar Rinpoche at the Kagyu Monlam 2011

Last week a long life ceremony for Shamar Rinpoche was held at the Kagyu Monlam, led by His Holiness Karmapa. 

Please click here to view a video from the ceremony.

Lama Jampa Thaye Public Talk in New York

On the evening of Thursday, December 15 Lama Jampa gave a public talk, entitled Buddhism for Modern Times, at Tibet House in Manhattan, New York. This was a significant event, marking Lama Jampa's first public teaching on the East Coast in the US. The talk was well attended and there was a lively question and answer session afterwards.

Lama Jampa will remain in New York with family for several days before returning to England for the New Year. His next teaching event will be in Bristol on January 14 where he will teach Sakya Pandita's Letter to the Noble Minded and bestow the Initiation of White Saraswati. Click here for details.

News of His Holiness Karmapa

His Holiness Karmapa's official website has been updated with a number of news items covering His Holiness's recent visit to Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh, India and the start of the Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya, India.

Please click here to visit the website.

Lama Jampa Thaye teaches in Manchester, 3 to 4 December 2011

On the weekend of 3 to 4 December, Lama Jampa Thaye taught the final part of Clearing the Darkness of Unawareness in Manchester. In the afternoon on the Sunday, Lama Jampa bestowed the Initiation of Green Tara from the lineage of Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa, which Lama Jampa received from Kalu Rinpoche.

The puja associated with the particular initiation of Green Tara is practised in many dharma centres, including Tegchen Legshey Ling in Nepal where it is practised daily every morning. This puja is also performed monthly on the eighth day of the lunar calendar at Kagyu Ling in Manchester. Lama Jampa gave this initiation to enable students to attend a three day Green Tara retreat to be held at Kagyu Ling after Christmas.

Next year the second cycle of Shedra teachings in Manchester will commence with ‘The Friendly Letter’ by Nagarjuna and its accompanying commentary ’The Telescope of Wisdom’ by Karma Thinley Rinpoche.