Author Archives for David Armstrong
October 24, 2017 9:08 pm
Published by David Armstrong
We have just completed a large project at Sakya Changlochen Ling to enhance, improve and expand the area in front of the temple. This work increases the area of level ground where we erect the marquee for the summer courses and gives us the potential for a larger marquee in the future. The work seemed radical, involving large excavations and the felling of some trees, but now that it is done we can breathe a sigh of relief because it really is a great improvement. Two trees seem to have been successfully replanted (we’ll know for sure next year) and all the rock and soil from the excavations have been used to create a new terrace further down the hill. We have also created a new area for the cafe marquee. So next time you come to Sakya Changlochen Ling be prepared for a surprise. The old barn’s still standing proudly amidst this ever unfolding story!
October 15, 2017 9:56 pm
Published by David Armstrong
Today at the Sakya Centre Bristol, Paul Rogers from Sakya Namgyal Ling in Exeter, was invited to lead a day of contemplations and meditations on the Zhenpa Zhidral (Parting from the Four Attachments) by Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen. The day was presented in four one-hour sessions, and Paul clarified the meaning of the pithy verses in a comprehensible relaxed style. The day was attended by 16 people, some of whom had only recently taken refuge, and were therefore able to discover the richness of this important Sakya “Mind Training” text for the first time. Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen’s text alludes to many of the teachings covered in the weekly classes but particularly highlights how easily our motivations for practicing can be subverted by self-interest. A lovely day was had by all and we look forward to Paul’s visit next Year!
October 8, 2017 3:45 pm
Published by David Armstrong
The end of September saw the fulfillment of nearly two years of teachings in Bristol and London from ‘Rain of Clarity – the stages of the path in the Sakya tradition’ by Lama Jampa Thaye. In this 9th and final part, people from across the UK enjoyed a detailed presentation of the vajrayana, the extraordinary and swift path to buddhahood. The chapter opens with the history and transmission, showing where the vajrayana comes from and how the path still has the warmth of blessings through an unbroken transmission from teacher to disciple. Before discussing how the path is different to the path of perfections in the ordinary mahayana, Lama Jampa then pointed out what is the same, that is the view – emptiness, endowed with luminosity and the motivation – the expansive heart of bodhichitta, the wish to achieve buddhahood for the sake of all beings. Lama Jampa continued by explaining why the vajrayana is so powerful. Through countless transformative practices, the vajrayana is able to bring about enlightenment in this very life. To do this requires us having the right conditions in place: to have entered the vajrayana through initiation and received the transmission and instructions on the practice, along with keeping the supporting vows and pledges so the practices will work for us. To outline who is qualified to give such initiations and associated teachings, Lama Jampa quoted this important text by Bhavideva, ‘The Fifty Verses on the Guru’, One who is stable, disciplined, possessing intelligence, Tolerance, truthfulness, being without deceit, Knowing the application of mantras and tantras, Possessing kind affection, learned in the scriptures The morning closed with a reminder of what ‘Rain of Clarity’ is for – to outline the journey from Refuge to buddhahood so we can traverse the path with confidence. In a fitting end…
September 10, 2017 2:48 pm
Published by David Armstrong
At the 2017 Summer Course at Sakya Changlochen Ling in SW France, Lama Jampa Thaye taught the third and final part of Sonam Tsemo’s ‘General Presentation of the Tantra Sets’ as well as Ngawang Lekpa’s ‘Nectar of the Fortunate’ before leading a short retreat on Wishfulfilling Wheel of White Tara. Click here to go to a photo album of the event.
July 20, 2017 10:48 pm
Published by David Armstrong
History in the making On a warm summer’s day this June, an important event happened at the Dechen retreat centre in France which will be remembered for many years and which we hope will be a landmark in the establishment of the teachings of the Buddha in the West. Tuesday 27th June 2017 saw the historic first visit of the new head of the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, His Holiness Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, to Sakya Changlochen Ling, our retreat centre located in the Dordogne region of France. This was part of the very first teaching tour of His Holiness since his enthronement earlier this year in March, when he succeeded his father as the supreme Head of the Sakya school of Buddhism. During the visit, His Holiness blessed the Centre and the land, and approved the site for an enlightenment stupa to be constructed in the future. He also bestowed the Vajrakilaya Torma initiation of the Khon family lineage. A number of lamas and friends from neighbouring dharma centres attended the event, hosted by Lama Jampa Thaye, at whose invitation Rinpoche agreed to visit. The retreat centre: Sakya Changlochen Ling For more than twenty years, since 1990, Lama Jampa has run a college of studies (shedra) and series of summer retreats at Changlochen to enable students to learn and practise in more depth, the teachings from the Sakya tradition. Usually held in the last two weeks of August each year, the retreats enable those students who have perhaps taken refuge, developed some practice in meditation, and received the preliminary teachings, such as The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to Dharma and Parting from the Four Attachments, to take things a little further and study some of the main texts from the Sakya curriculum, and to receive initiations that enable…
June 1, 2017 8:58 am
Published by David Armstrong
Wisdom, Compassion and Power – teachings with His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin. On May 26 – 28, Sakya Buddhist Centre hosted His Holiness Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, the 42nd Sakya Trizin, in one of his very first teachings as the new head of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. His first visit to Bristol was in 1978, when at just three years’ old, he accompanied his father the then 41st Sakya Trizin. This fifth visit was particularly special, as this year the Centre (known as Sakya Thinley Rinchen Ling in Tibetan) celebrates 40 years of Sakya Buddhism in the UK. Upon arrival in Bristol, Lama Jampa Thaye, spiritual head of Dechen, gave a traditional offering in the Sakya Buddhist Centre shrine room before inviting His Holiness to cut a birthday cake for the occasion. This was soon shared with all who were gathered there to welcome him and his entourage of monks. The first event in the weekend’s programme was a talk on the ‘Power of Buddhism’- or how the teachings can still transform confusion, attachment and anger even with the distractions of the 21st century. On this, the first day of the holy month of Saga Dawa, when the Buddha was born and achieved liberation, over 350 people from across the UK came and heard His Holiness explain how through developing loving kindness and compassion for all and by taming the mind, lasting happiness is possible, no matter who we are or where we are from. He also described how we can have confidence, as we have all we need to make use of the teachings, that is, our mind. During the Saturday and Sunday, His Holiness gave a rarely transmitted empowerment of Medicine Buddha, renowned for protecting from illness and obstacles. Given the importance of the teaching, His…
November 27, 2016 10:45 pm
Published by David Armstrong
What a wonderful weekend we spent – dharma people from Bristol, Bath, Devon London and Wales came together this November to practice the inspirational Tangtong Gyalpo Chenrezik sadhana. We were 22 sangha members in all practising together over the weekend, and in between really appreciating the historic but comfortable venue which served 3 delicious meals each day and provided a bountiful number of sofas in their living room for relaxing in between sessions. Poulstone Court is surrounded by extensive gardens, and rolling countryside beyond, which allowed us to take short walks to the River Wye, only 10 minutes away. Everybody there really appreciated every aspect of this mini retreat, and felt considerably uplifted by the end. This event is definitely repeatable, so much so that the venue is booked again for next year – 24-26 November 2017! Do come – you’ll love it! Please note: In order to attend you need to have received the relevant initiation of Chenrezik. For more details please contact bristol@dechen.org.
October 8, 2016 9:41 pm
Published by David Armstrong
[efsflexvideo type=”youtube” url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAU0I5-u4rU” allowfullscreen=”yes” widescreen=”yes” width=”420″ height=”315″/] On Saturday 1 October, Sakya Buddhist Centre welcomed over 100 people to Bristol for part 4 of ‘Rain of Clarity’, teachings on the Buddhist path by Lama Jampa Thaye, along with the initiation of Green Tara, a buddha renowned for her swiftness in protecting those in danger. Based on the authority of the enlightened Sakya masters such as Sonam Tsemo and Sakya Pandita as well as the classical Indian shastras, ‘Rain of Clarity’ by Lama Jampa Thaye, explains the stages of the path to enlightenment through the particular understanding of the Sakya tradition. In this instalment, Lama Jampa continued to explain the path of the Great Vehicle to buddhahood through the practices of the 6 Perfections, focusing on joyful effort, stability of mind through meditation and, finally, the development of wisdom. In the afternoon, Lama Jampa gave the initiation of Green Tara from the lineage of the Indian master Atisha. Revered in all traditions of vajrayana Buddhism as the embodiment of the liberating activity of all buddhas, Green Tara’s initiation and meditation are especially effective means of awakening one’s innate capacity for enlightened compassion. As a princess, Tara vowed to achieve englightenment in female form, a powerful reminder that buddhahood is open to all who make effort to practise the path. A new home for Sakya Dechen Ling in London To close the day, a presentation was given on the inspiring vision for the brand new home for our sister centre in London, Sakya Dechen Ling. The great location in Notting Hill, along with the planned development of a welcoming, warm and open space, will be a great support in making the Buddha’s teachings even more available to all. For further news and updates, watch this space. Whilst there is much to do, as…
August 29, 2016 7:27 pm
Published by David Armstrong
Last Friday we saw the end of two weeks of study and practice with Lama Jampa Thaye in our beautiful centre, Sakya Changlochen Ling, in the Dordogne area of France. Over 100 people came to the course and retreat, with people from as far and wide as Mexico, the US, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong and the UK. The programme began with a week’s teaching on Sonam Tsemo’s General Presentation of the Tantra Sets, where students heard more about the various different practices within Vajrayana, as well as a detailed description on the wider Mahayana idea of just what a Buddha is, including the role of Shakyamuni Buddha himself. The second week started with the initiations of Vajrapani Bhutadamara and the protector Mahakala, in preparation for a group retreat on Vajrapani Bhutadamara, a practice renowned for clearing away obstacles to successful practice. Children from the sangha also had the chance to learn and practise Chenrezik together too, as well as playing and exploring the beautiful grounds. As well as the crickets and butterflies, they saw lizards, swallows and even a young deer. We had glorious weather for both weeks and a delicious lunch was provided each day, as well as coffee, cool drinks and cake to keep practitioners sustained between sessions. For a younger perspective on the course and retreat, read Robert and Emily’s blogs here: http://www.kagyubuddhism.org/summer-school/ Lama Jampa Thaye’s Teachings at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling Prior to the summer course at Sakya Changlochen Ling, as Lama Jampa Thaye is a master of both Kagyu and Sakya teachings within Tibetan Buddhism, he gave teachings at the neighbouring Kagyu Centre, Dhagpo Kagyu Ling. These included a weekend teaching on compassion and a longer session on the vows associated with Vajrayana, known as the Fourteen Root Downfalls. Due to the unfortunate illness of Jigme Rinpoche,…
June 21, 2016 8:43 pm
Published by David Armstrong
This Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June, Sakya Buddhist Centre welcomed Lama Jampa Thaye for teachings, interviews and an insightful and entertaining question and answer session. On Saturday, over one hundred people came to hear part 3 of Lama Jampa’s book, ‘Rain of Clarity’. Parts 1 and 2 of this text outlined firstly how to enter the Buddhist path through taking refuge and continued with how to cultivate the vast and wondrous wish to achieve buddhahood for all. In this chapter, Lama Jampa described the way to transform the wish to become a Buddha into the reality of enlightenment through the two wings of merit and wisdom. Later in the afternoon, Lama Jampa gave the initiation of Medicine Buddha from the lineage of the great 11th century Indian master Atisha. This practice is especially beneficial for the health and wellbeing of practitioners and others, as well as helping restore and heal vows so they remain effective. Sunday saw a lively gathering at Sakya Buddhist Centre, with the opportunity to have personal interviews with the Lama for advice on Buddhist practice and then a conversational question and answer session in the packed shrine room. Questions ranged from how to view politicians to the how to understand emptiness. As ever, there was plenty of time for tea, conversation and laughter too. Following the Sakya Buddhist Summer School in France this August, we’ll be looking forward to seeing Lama Jampa Thaye in Bristol on 1 October for part 4 of ‘Rain of Clarity’. For more information, take a look at the link below: https://www.sakyabristol.org/events/rain-of-clarity-teaching-part-4/
