Author Archives for Rachel Deeming
January 24, 2023 11:07 pm
Published by Rachel Deeming
On Saturday 21 January, Lama Jampa gave the first major Buddhist teachings of 2023 at the Future Inn in Bristol. In an eerily misty and softly lit cityscape, over 130 people gathered from the UK and beyond to reconnect with the dharma – and dharma friends – and to breathe new life into their study and practice. In the morning, Lama Jampa continued with part two in his series of teachings on ‘Discriminating the Three Vows’. This text is by the great 13th century master, Sakya Pandita, renowned for his ability to clear away the confusion and misunderstandings that had arisen following the establishment of dharma in Tibet. In this text, he addresses mistaken ideas around the three vows that underpin the Buddhist path: the pratimoksha, Bodhisattva and vajrayana vows. Correctly kept, these vows are the fuel for progress along the path. The focus of this session remained on the pratimoksha vow, the essence of which is to not harm others or oneself. The articulation of this commitment is in the various precepts taken by both monastic and lay or householder Buddhists. These help create the space in our behaviour and attitudes for compassion to arise. In this part of the text, Sakya Pandita also describes how the good results that are created through virtuous actions should not be confused with the true nature of mind, the buddha nature. Why is this? As Sakya Pandita mentions, “The nature of mind… is luminosity, immutable like space.” Virtuous actions do create temporary happiness and transform how we act in the world, but they cannot create the buddha nature. That is the true nature of reality, not created by any action or through causes and conditions, but revealed when the darkness of ignorance is cleared away. Without this understanding, we reduce enlightenment from…
September 3, 2022 12:02 pm
Published by Rachel Deeming
On Sunday 28 and Monday 29 August, Sakya Dechen Ling in London, supported by Sakya Thinley Rinchen Ling in Bristol and many other Dechen centres, were delighted to host two days of teachings with His Holiness Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche.
August 6, 2022 5:55 pm
Published by Rachel Deeming
From 17 to 29 July, Lama Jampa led two weeks of teachings and group practice at Dechen’s European retreat centre, Sakya Changlochen Ling. This much-anticipated course was the first major event here since summer 2019. Under blazing blue skies, over 80 people came from far and wide to further their own dharma practice and connect with friends both old and new. Lama Jampa opened the course with the initiation of Manjushri Arapatsana, a deity renowned for increasing the wisdom of practitioners. This was the ideal way to start this first week of teachings, which featured the extraordinary work on the graduated path to buddhahood by the 11th-century Indian master, Atisha. Entitled ‘The Lamp of the Path to Enlightenment’, Atisha gave this teaching at the request of a Tibetan prince, who wished for a text that brought together all the aspects of the Buddhist path, without omission, whilst being sufficiently short and straightforward to understand. In 68 verses, it describes the three different motivations and goals of the Buddhist path, namely a good rebirth, individual freedom from suffering and, finally, complete enlightenment for the benefit of others, ultimately showing how these aspects form one, systematic path. Given in the context of a country that was internally fragmented and where there was much confusion over what was – and was not – part of the Buddhist path, it enables those encountering Buddhism today to have a sound basis for their study and practice. The week closed with the initiation of the three deities of Amitayus, Namgyalma and White Tara, whose practice is renowned for increasing longevity to support one’s dharma activities. In the second week, Lama Jampa gave the initiation of Vajrapani Bhutadamara, along with the reading transmission and instructions for the practice by Zhuchen Tsultrim Rinchen. Students then undertook several days…
June 4, 2022 9:17 pm
Published by Rachel Deeming
On Saturday 4 June, Sakya Buddhist Centre Bristol welcomed the Buddhist meditation master and scholar Lama Jampa Thaye to give a day of teachings on the 8th century Buddhist master, Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche. Over 100 people gathered for the event, not only from across the UK but also from Ireland, Bulgaria, Sweden and Australia. During the morning, Lama Jampa outlined the life story of Guru Rinpoche, the extraordinary vajrayana master from Oddiyana (thought to be located on the Pakistan/Afghanistan borders), who was so vital to the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet. To begin the teaching, Lama Jampa explained why it’s beneficial to hear about such life stories, describing how they offer a living example of the Buddha’s teachings so we can be confident in both where they originate from and their effectiveness in bringing about the fulfilment of our own Buddha nature. He also described how they point to the need for a fully qualified teacher who forms a bridge between us and the teachings so we receive those that are most appropriate for us. The rest of the morning focused on the major events in Guru Rinpoche’s life, from his manifestation as an 8 year old boy in a lotus flower and his adoption by King Indrabhuti, to his coming to Tibet and the founding of the very first Tibetan Buddhist monastery, Samye. During his time in Tibet, Guru Rinpoche spread and concealed many teachings as treasures, hidden in caves and other places, ensuring that they would be revealed when the time was appropriate for the benefit of future practitioners. Among his Tibetan disciples was Khön Nagarakshita, a member of the great Khön family that went on to found the Sakya tradition in the 11th century. In the afternoon, Lama Jampa bestowed the initiation of Guru Rinpoche,…
March 10, 2022 10:33 pm
Published by Rachel Deeming
On Saturday 5 March, we were delighted to host a day of teachings in Bristol with Lama Jampa Thaye. For this first major event of 2022, we welcomed around 100 people from the UK and further afield and it was wonderful to be together again for this joyous occasion. In the morning, Lama Jampa continued with part two of ‘The Instructions to the Emperor’. This famous text was composed by Chogyal Phakpa, the fifth of the five founding teachers of the Sakya tradition, for his disciple Kublai Khan as an introduction to the essential paths of Buddhism. With exemplary lucidity it relates the key points in the development of ethics, meditation and wisdom, the three trainings that comprise the Buddhist path. For this installment, the text covered the second training of meditation, from the practice of settling the mind to looking into mind itself to see if it has any shape, colour, location and so on. Then, we heard about what we should do once we get off our cushion; that is, we should bring our practice into everyday life by recollecting the need to maintain ethical behaviour or virtuous action, so the force of our practice is not dissipated. Finally, Chogyal Phakpa instructs Kublai Khan to seal all practice and activities with the eye of wisdom that sees the true nature of reality, as it is, understanding that all phenomena are empty, arising as they do in dependence on causes and conditions. In the afternoon, Lama Jampa gave the initiation of the great Sakya master, Sakya Pandita. This initiation comes from the lineage of the 14th century master, Yak Mipham, who saw Sakya Pandita in a vision endowed with the attributes of Manjushri, a meditation deity associated with the development of wisdom. We next welcome Lama Jampa to Bristol…
October 7, 2021 8:09 pm
Published by Rachel Deeming
On Saturday 2 October at the Future Inn in Bristol, over 120 people journeyed through the autumn rain to enjoy a day of teachings with Buddhist meditation master and scholar, Lama Jampa Thaye. For the first time in many months, we were joined both by friends from the UK and overseas; it was truly wonderful to receive teachings together again. In the morning, Lama Jampa taught Chogyal Phakpa‘s text, the ‘Instructions to the Emperor’. The emperor in question was none other than Kublai Khan, grandson of the first Great Khan, Gengis. In this elegantly composed letter, Chogyal Phakpa sets out the key points of the Buddhist path, outlining the different vehicles of practice, and the importance of training in morality, meditation and wisdom. He also reminds the Khan, and us, that, even though he may have heard the teachings before, our understanding increases, just as a white building shines whiter in the light of the moon. In the afternoon, Lama Jampa gave the initiation of the wealth bestowing goddess Vasudhara from the 100 sadhanas of Bari Lotsawa. Her practice, when motivated by the wish to achieve buddhahood for the sake of all beings, creates the beneficial conditions necessary for cultivating the spiritual path. Whilst this day has now ended, we’re already looking forward to meeting again when Lama Jampa returns to continue Chogyal Phakpa’s text on 29th January next year.
December 29, 2020 1:56 pm
Published by Rachel Deeming
On Sunday 27 December, our teacher Lama Jampa Thaye gave a rare, live streamed talk on Buddhism. It was particularly precious and welcome, coming at a time when it is difficult to receive teachings on Buddhism in person. The timing was also perfect, taking place between the two great prayer festivals or Mönlams within the Kagyu and Sakya schools of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as setting an auspicious ground for the New Year too. The theme was how to develop authentic, inner wealth through the cultivation of what are known as ‘The Seven Treasures of the Noble Ones’. These are: faith or confidence, moral discipline or ethics, giving, learning, shame and self respect and wisdom. Through cultivating these, we will have a true wealth that will endure throughout this life, the next life and through to buddhahood. The full talk is available here until the end of January 2021.
December 3, 2020 11:16 pm
Published by Rachel Deeming
We’re pleased to announce that from Saturday 5 December, Sakya Buddhist Centre Bristol will be hosting face to face Discover Buddhism sessions on Saturday mornings from 10.30 – 11.30am. These will take place weekly from 10.30 – 11.30am and will be hosted in person and on Zoom to enable as many to attend as possible. To attend in person, please email us to book your place at bristol@dechen.org. For the time being, our Tuesday Discover Buddhism sessions will continue on Zoom only – please contact us for the link. The Discover Buddhism sessions include talks and reflection on 20 key Buddhist ideas as well as tranquillity meditation (with full instructions). They will last about an hour and all are welcome (recommended age is 12 and up if you’re wanting to bring along the family!). There is no charge for these sessions but we do encourage donations, which help us to maintain the Sakya Buddhist Centre and its activities. A suggested amount is £5 (£3 for concessions). You can donate here: https://www.sakyabristol.org/donations/ or donate at the Centre itself too. We are following the government’s guidelines for places of worship so that we can open safely. We’ll have hand sanitiser stations available and as well as face coverings, if you need one as these are required in places of worship (unless of course you have a reasonable excuse not to wear one). You can read more about the guidance for places of worship here. We’ll also send you more information on what to expect at the Centre when you book. If you would like further information on the sessions or to book your place for the Saturday sessions, please contact us at bristol@dechen.org.
November 3, 2020 12:53 am
Published by Rachel Deeming
2018 saw the launch of Lama Jampa Thaye’s insightful and thought provoking book, ‘Wisdom in Exile’ at our fellow Sakya Buddhist Centre in London. This extraordinary book explores our encounter with Buddhism from both the Western cultural perspective and from within the Buddhist tradition itself. Created by members of our sister centre in Los Angeles, ‘Wisdom in Exile Radio’ is a video podcast inspired by the book designed to facilitate discussion and understanding of the role of Buddhism in the West. There is perhaps no better time to make space for Buddhism and it’s ability to clear the fog of confusion and lead to lasting happiness beyond the unpredictable ups and downs of life. The first podcast is embedded above. You can view the other podcasts and subscribe here.
October 6, 2020 8:42 pm
Published by Rachel Deeming
On Saturday 3 October, the Sakya Buddhist Centre was delighted to welcome Lama Jampa to give a day of Buddhist teachings at the Paintworks Eventspace in Bristol. This is a new venue for us, and we are especially grateful to them for enabling us to host this event in such a great space, in line with all the government guidance and requirements relating to COVID-19. To enable as many people as possible to attend under the current circumstances, Lama Jampa kindly offered the same teachings twice in one day and it was wonderful to be with the Lama and our Buddhist friends again. Such was the occasion that we even had two tiny mice join us too! ‘A Garland of Jewels’ by Chogyal Phakpa The first part of the session continued with part five of this celebrated text by the great Sakya master, Chogyal Phakpa. It was composed as a manual of instructions for the 13th century Mongol Prince Gibek Timur and, in 204 verses, covers the entire Buddhist path, from the level of a beginner to that of full enlightenment. This instalment of the text continued our journey to the heart of the Mahayana or Great Vehicle of Buddhist practice, firstly describing how the bodhisattva engages in four means of gathering disciples, such as pleasant and truthful speech and acting in accord with the Buddhist teachings. Chogyal Phakpa then explained the signs of progress along the successive paths and stages of practice, from the time that we start to gather merit and wisdom as beginners, to the decisive moment of seeing reality for the first time, face to face, and, finally, the cultivation of this experience until complete buddhahood is attained. The initiation of Red Tara For the second part of each session, Lama Jampa gave the initiation of…
