Christmas blessings from Karma Thinley Rinpoche and Lama Jampa Thaye

Karma Thinley Rinpoche wishes all his students a happy Christmas and peace on earth. Lama Jampa Thaye wishes all his students a Buddhist Christmas in the heart.

They also send out their best wishes to all Kagyu and Sakya followers worldwide and pray for the long life of our precious Masters, the great guides of our glorious traditions.

Visit of H.E. Gyana Vajra Rinpoche to Sakya Dechen Ling, Stuttgart

On Tuesday 15 December, Sakya Dechen Ling, Stuttgart, was delighted to host the visit of H.E. Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, the younger son of H.H. Sakya Trizin.

This was not the first visit to Sakya Dechen Ling from a member of the illustrious Khön family, throne holders of the glorious Sakya. H.H. Sakya Trizin’s sister, Her Eminence Sakya Jetsun Kushog Chime Luding Rinpoche, visited in 2008, and now, only a little more than one year later, Sakya Dechen Ling was fortunate to be able to host her nephew, H.E. Gyana Vajra Rinpoche.

Sakya Dechen Ling, Stuttgart, was established in 2005 by Lama Jampa Thaye at the request of Wolfgang and Hilde Staufner. The sangha meets regularly to practise meditation and recite prayers, as well as to receive dharma teachings and Vajrayana initiations from Lama Jampa and other visiting Buddhist masters. The shrine room in Sakya Dechen Ling was recently extended by the removal of a partition wall and the incorporation of an adjoining room, providing an increased space for the sangha.

At the request of Lama Jampa Thaye, H.E. Gyana Vajra Rinpoche bestowed the initiation of Sangye Menla, Medicine Buddha. Lama Jampa explained that the practice of Sangye Menla is an effective remedy for physical and mental diseases and also removes obstacles affecting Buddhist practitioners; therefore, it was an ideal teaching for His Eminence to bestow in order to benefit the sangha in Stuttgart and to further the growth of the Buddha Dharma in South Germany.

His Eminence expressed his happiness at being able to visit Sakya Dechen Ling and to see Lama Jampa again. His Eminence, accompanied by an attendant monk and Lama Gendun, stayed at the Staufner family home. The party were all amused by the light covering of snow in the area; the attendant monk could not recall having ever seen snow before. Before continuing with his European program, His Eminence enjoyed a visit to the Mercedes car museum in Stuttgart.

At the end of the teachings, Lama Jampa Thaye thanked His Eminence for coming to Stuttgart and expressed his happiness that His Eminence would be visiting Dechen centres in the UK in the new year.

His Holiness Karmapa: recent activities

H.H. Karmapa returned to India in mid-September at the end of his successful European teaching tour. Since then His Holiness has been residing at KIBI in New Delhi.

At the end of November he presided over the Kagyu Monlam in Bodghaya and then returned to KIBI for the 20th Anniversary of its founding. Many leading Kagyu masters such as Shamar Rinpoche, Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Beru Chentze Rinpoche and Mipham Rinpoche were also present at this auspicious event.

Please visit here for an account of the Monlam and here for an account of the KIBI celebrations.

Mikyo Dorje Shedra 2009

The Mikyo Dorje Shedra will take place this year on 27-31 December. Lama Jampa Thaye will bestow the “Instructions of the Supreme Siddhas” composed by Situ Tenpe Nyinjay: an account of the stages of practice of Mahamudra and a defence of its validity. The Shedra will conclude with the Initiation of Amitayus.

Preparations for the Shedra are well underway and the Kagyu Ling sangha are looking forward to welcoming everyone to Manchester. This year will be different from usual as there is a new venue: the Manchester Conference Centre. Everyone will be able to enjoy delicious food at the restaurant in the venue, as well as relaxing in the lounge where tea and coffee will be available. The Dechen boutique and the Kagyu Ling shop will also be located in the venue.

To reserve your place book online here.