Publication of Lluvia de Claridad

We are delighted to announce the release of the Spanish translation of Rain of Clarity, Lama Jampa Thaye's authoritative text on the Sakya tradition. Lluvia de Claridad marks a further chapter in Lama Jampa's international activities, coming hot on the heels of the German edition, Regen der Klarheit.

Lluvia de Claridad is the first of Lama Jampa's books to be published in Spain; the translator is Shanti Gordon and the publisher is Ediciones Amara.

To purchase copies of Rain of Clarity in any language, please contact your local Dechen centre or email ganesha@dechen.org for further information.

Buddhist Chaplaincy Update

Earlier this month, Lama Jampa Thaye met with other members of the Endorsing Authority for the Buddhist Chaplaincy to the Armed Forces in London. For more information please visit Venerable Khemadhammo's blog at: http://luangpor.wordpress.com/news-musings-blog/

His Holiness Sakya Trizin in Australia

His Holiness Sakya Trizin, one of Lama Jampa Thaye's root lamas, is currently on tour in Australia bestowing the precious Lam-dre and many other teachings. The Lam-dre is one of the pre-eminent practice cycles of the Vajrayana, encompassing the whole path from refuge to enlightenment.
Please visit the following links to see pictures of His Holiness and family arriving in Australia and attending the opening ceremony for the Lam-dre.
http://www.drogmi.org/gallery/lamdre_1.html
http://www.drogmi.org/gallery/lamdre_2.html

Lama Jampa Thaye bestows teachings in Yorkshire

On Saturday, April 25th 2009, Yorkshire's regional centre Kagyu Dechen Dzong was honoured to welcome Lama Jampa to the Harrogate area to teach 'The Four Dharmas of Gampopa' (an incisive overview of the path by one of the founding fathers of the Kagyu tradition) and to give the initiation of Milarepa from the lineage of Jamgon Kongtrul.
The teachings took place in the beautiful surroundings of Kettlesing Millennium Village Hall, nestling in the Yorkshire dales. On Lama Jampa's visit to this rural venue last November, he was met with biting winds and a snowy landscape, but on this occasion there was May blossom, spring foliage and newborn lambs.
The morning session was open to the general public, the afternoon initiation being exclusively for practitioners; both were very well attended, with sangha members travelling from all over the country. Lama Jampa gave refuge to two new students during the course of the day.

A Dharma School for children, focussing on 'the suffering of change', was presented during the morning session, whilst a successful catering operation, afternoon crèche and Dharma shop were also in place.
We look forward to Lama Jampa's return to the Region later in the year when he will be giving a public talk in Leeds.

Further Teachings in Santa Monica, CA

This weekend Yeshe Nyingo, the dharma group founded by the great Nyingma terton Dudjom Rinpoche (1904-1987), hosted teachings by Lama Jampa Thaye in Santa Monica, California. Over two days, Lama Jampa gave a detailed explanation of the well-known text by the Indian siddha, Dampa Sangye, called 'One Hundred Pieces of Advice'. The teaching was well attended by Californians from Yeshe Nyingpo and various other dharma groups that exist in the area, as well as visiting students from Mexico and Britain. The lama concluded the teachings with the Manjushri Arapatsana initiation from the tradition of Bari Lotsawa and Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, saying that the assemblance of dharma students from different parts of the world was an excellent sign for the flourishing of the dharma.

Green Tara Initiation in Malibu

On Friday April 17th, Lama Jampa bestowed the initiation of Green Tara from the lineage of Shakyashribhadra on a small assembly of students from Mexico and Britain. The students had travelled there for the lama's teachings in Santa Monica, and having invited them to the house overlooking Malibu beach where he and his family were staying for the duration of their Los Angeles visit, the lama carried out the ceremony in full and then gave the reading transmission (lung) for the sadhana composed by Sakya Pandita. The ceremony was concluded with a dedication of merit prayer, recited by all with the aspiration of helping the Sakya dharma grow in both Mexico and the USA.

Green Tara Initiation- Santa Monica, LA

On Wednesday night, Leroy Griggs hosted a teaching by Lama Jampa Thaye during his visit to Santa Monica, California.  Leroy is a long standing member of the Los Angeles Buddhist community, having met Kalu Rinpoche in the 1980's and many other great Tibetan lamas.  On this occasion, the second visit by Lama Jampa to Leroy's home, the selected teaching was the Green Tara initiation from Atisha's lineage, which Lama Jampa had himself received from Phende Rinpoche.

Lama Jampa gave a detailed explanation of the principles and significance of vajrayana initiations according to an explanatory text by Zuchen Tsultrim at the outset of the ceremony, and then bestowed the initiation on the assembled Californians, and visiting Brits.  After a short break, the Lama taught Jamyang Khyentse's sadhana of Tara, explaining the siddhis associated with each of the 21 Taras.  In all, the teachings lasted about 3.5 hours, at the end of which Lama Jampa made a gift of the sadhana edition published by Ganesha Press to everyone present, encouraging and praising the practice of Tara.

H.E. Gyana Vajra Rinpoche's visit to Stuttgart: date change

Please note the following date change for your diaries: H.E. Gyana Vajra Rinpoche will now visit Sakya Dechen Ling in Stuttgart on December 15th 2009 rather than December 12th.

Further details will be announced in due course.

Lama Jampa Thaye to teach in Los Angeles in April

On Friday April 10th Lama Jampa, Dechen Dolma and Katie will travel to Los Angeles. Lama Jampa will bestow the initiation of Green Tara in Santa Monica on Wednesday April 15th. On Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th of April he will teach One Hundred Pieces of Advice by Dampa Sanjay and give the initiation of Manjushri Lion's Roar at the Los Angeles branch of Yeshe Nyingpo.