Buddhism for Modern Times: An Evening with Lama Jampa Thaye

On Tuesday, 17 November, the Dechen sangha in Yorkshire hosted a public talk by Lama Jampa Thaye at the Quaker Meeting House in Leeds. The event commenced with presentations to the Lord Mayor of Leeds and Viscount David Lascelles. Lama Jampa gave these special guests a Shakyamuni Buddha statue and White Tara statue respectively.

Lama Jampa subsequently spoke for an hour, emphasising non-sectarianism and outlining 'the basis, path and fruit' for a mixed audience of Buddhists and non-Buddhists, before closing his talk with a short meditation.

The evening ended with a catered reception, which gave all present the opportunity to enjoy the company of Lama Jampa and Dechen Dolma. Sangha from all over England travelled in force to support this event and it was a pleasure to see a full house in the attractive venue. The event was particularly notable as it marked the first time Lama Jampa had given a public talk in Leeds for a number of years.

Lama Jampa Thaye in Oxford

Lama Jampa Thaye, accompanied by Dechen Dolma, visited Oxford last Saturday to give a talk to undergraduates at the request of the Levinas society. Lama Jampa and Dechen Dolma were kindly hosted by the organiser, Iain Atkinson.

Lama Jampa’s talk was the second in a series of talks arranged by the Levinas society, which will see religious figures and scholars discourse on religion and philosophy.

Lama Jampa gave an in depth talk, beginning with an overview of the transmission of the dharma to the West and noting a number of the obscurations that had hampered this transmission. Lama Jampa subsequently expounded at length on the authentic signs of the true dharma: the Four Seals of suffering, impermanence, selflessness and nirvana. As always Lama Jampa’s erudition and gentle humour were well received by the audience. The talk ended with a brief q & a session, which saw Lama Jampa answer a number of interesting questions on rebirth and living as a Buddhist practitioner.

Lama Jampa Thaye radio interview

Lama Jampa Thaye recently appeared on the radio in Manchester where he was asked to provide his "thought for the week" and to discuss a number of stories featured in the newspapers that day.

His Holiness Sakya Trizin: recent activities

His Holiness Sakya Trizin has been bestowing the initiation cycle "Wangya Norbu Tringwa". This initiation cycle was requested by a number of Gelukpa lamas, including Lama Zopa rinpoche.

His Holiness officially opened the Sakya Nunnery Shedra in September. Located in Manduwala, India, the Shedra will initially have twenty nuns in residence.

In mid November His Holiness will be going to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha in Nepal for the annual Sakya Monlam. This occasion will also celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of His Holiness' accession to the Sakya throne.

Further information on His Holiness's recent activities can be found at His Holiness's official website.

Conclusion of Lama Jampa's tour of Mexico

On Wednesday 28 October Lama Jampa gave an inspiring and moving public talk at ITAM, Mexico City. The following evening, in a slight change to the programme, he gave a 3-hour teaching on Atisha's Precepts at Sakya Dolma Ling. The final event of Lama Jampa’s visit to Mexico was the Initiation and Tri of White Tara of the Wish-Fulfilling Wheel, which Lama Jampa bestowed over the weekend.
Everyone was very happy to have received the precious teachings from Lama Jampa during his 10 day visit to Sakya Dolma Ling in Mexico.