MAJOR EVENT: Sakya Changlochen Ling Annual Summer Course 2026
Date
16/08/2026 - 28/08/2026
Time
All Day
Address
Fonvidal,
St Cirq,
Le Bugue,
24260,
France
Description
Sakya Changlochen Ling – Summer Course 2026 – Sunday 16th to Friday 28th August
Lama Jampa will be teaching at the Dechen international retreat centre in France, Sakya Changlochen Ling, in August 2026 and we welcome all who are interested to attend.
For a brief intro to this international retreat centre, watch the video below:
Please note the new programme, confirmed by Lama Jampa:
Week 1 – Sunday 16th to Friday 21st August
Bodhicaryāvatāra by Śāntideva Chapter 8: “Meditation”
In the first week Lama Jampa Thaye will continue to teach the 8th century Indian master Śāntideva’s classic guide to the Buddhist path, the Bodhicaryāvatāra or ‘Entering the Bodhisattva Conduct‘. Lama will cover chapter 8, the chapter on meditation, which is focused on the development of the universal altruism of Bodhichitta. This remains one of the most popular and important works of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. The detailed commentary was composed by Sonam Tsemo (1142-1182), one of the most celebrated masters of the Sakya school in Tibet. The commentary shines a brilliant light on Śāntideva’s great work, clarifying every detail and resolving every difficult point.
It will still be very beneficial to attend even if you missed the earlier chapters.
Initiation of White Dzambhala
On Sunday 16th August Lama will also give the initiation of White Dzambhala from the lineage of Atisha. White Dzambhala or White Jambhala is a manifestation of the Chenrezik, the Buddha of Compassion. The practice is done to remove the suffering of poverty and sickness, purify non-virtuous karma and generate bodhicitta. The practice is said to originate from the great Indian Saint Atisha, who visited Tibet in the 11th Century CE.
Refuge and the bodhisattva vow will be given to everyone during the preliminary part of the initiation.
Week 2 – Sunday 23rd to Friday 28th August
Retreat on White Tara of the Wish-Fulfilling Wheel
The second week will comprise the initiation, receipt of the meditation instructions (Tib. tri) and a retreat on White Tara, the Wish-Fulfilling Wheel, from the Tsarpa lineage of Sakya.
The retreat will begin with the initiation and tri on Sunday and Monday and after that two sessions of practice each day 10.30 to 12.30 and 2.30 to 4.30.
This is a rare opportunity to receive these extraordinary teachings, transmitted in the Tsarpa branch of the Sakya tradition. This system of practice is the principal vajrayana means of achieving longevity. The retreat will begin with the initiation of White Tara of the Wish-Fulfilling Wheel from the lineage of Vagishvakirti and then Lama Jampa will teach Ngawang Legdrup’s ‘Bestowing the Coolness of Longevity, the Oral Instructions of the Blissful Lord’. This text contains the tri (commentarial explanation) of the esoteric methods of accomplishing the Wishfulfilling-Wheel of White Tara. After this teaching there will be a short retreat, giving participants the time to familiarise themselves with the sadhana itself.
Refuge and the bodhisattva vow will be given to everyone during the preliminary part of the initiation.
Facility Fee for the course:
£250 for both weeks, £125 per week or £21 per day for those unable to attend the whole course.
Concessions available on request to changlochen@dechen.org.
Children 18 yrs and under go free but please let us have their details at the checkout.
Facility fees are charged to cover the expenses of running the course and the annual upkeep of Sakya Changlochen Ling.
Travel: You can travel by road and ferry, or by rail to Le Bugue or Le Buisson, near Sakya Changlochen Ling. There are direct flights with RyanAir (www.ryanair.com) to Bergerac from London, Bristol, Bournemouth, Liverpool, and other places. You can get a taxi to Bergerac station (best to pre-order from Abeilles Bergerac). The train takes about one hour to Le Bugue or Le Buisson from where you can get a taxi (Archambeau – again pre-order). Or you could share a taxi from the airport to Sakya Changlochen Ling. Alternatively you could fly to Bordeaux or Limoges, both of which are 2 to 3 hours from Le Bugue or Le Buisson by road or rail. From there it is a short taxi journey to Sakya Changlochen Ling. Alternatively you can hire a car from any airport. If driving down, one can find Changlochen on Google Maps by typing in “Sakya Changlochen Ling’.
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