130601 gentle voice june 2013

Isabella Plantation, RichmondPark

Subject: Gentle Voice June 2013Date: 01/06/13 14:36

June 2013In This IssueThe First Clear Step by Lama Yeshe

This month at Jamyang

Geshe Tashi's column

The Director's Column

Daphne Alexander -an obituary

Open Garden Square

The Cafe closes

Film "Road to Peace"

Teaching at Sera - Accommodation

Debate groups with Geshe GrahamWoodhouse

Event Cancellations

Filling Statues

Media Volunteer evening

Venerable Kerry in Salisbury

Film Sceening "Little Tibet"

Opportunities around the FPMT

Calling all actors

The rebirth of Nalanda

About FPMT

Your Thoughts for Gentle Voice

Quick Links

Jamyang Website

Current Programme

Talking Buddhism

The Foundation StudyCourse

The Lamrim Chenmo StudyCourse

Editor's welcomeHello readers,Quite a lot of news inthis issue of GentleVoice so I have takenheed of some of yourcomments not to put toomuch in, it was getting abit long for some of you.So this month we'vepared down to the corearticles and news items.There are some greatpictures of Geshe-laand team filling statues- if you've never takenpart in a statue fillingday then do so whenyou get the opportunity - it's a very social occasionand great fun. We have a couple of special filmshows coming up so there are articles and links totrailers for both of these.Roy makes a special request for all of you toconsider joining the Friend's scheme - do thinkabout it, and remember you get a free copy ofMandala magazine as part of your membership.

Do enjoy this edition of Gentle Voice.

John

Gentle Voice June 2013

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Lama Yeshe at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in 1974.Photo: Robbie Solick

FPMT

The First Clear Step By Lama Thubten YesheThe First Clear StepBy Lama Thubten Yeshe at Kopan Monastery, Nepal. Talk reproduced fromLama Yeshe Wisdom Archive

Lama Thubten Yeshe gave thisteaching at Kopan Course No. 7,held at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, inNov-Dec, 1974. This is one of fourteachings given to new students byLama Yeshe at the course.This lightly edited transcript was firstpublished as a booklet by ManjushriInstitute for Wisdom Culture,England, in 1977.

From Lama's point of view, Buddhism is about you. The subject of thismeditation course is not Lama - Lama is not interested in talking about Lama-thesubject of this meditation course is you; this course is about you.

So, learning Buddhism-learning about yourself-is that simple. It really is such asimple thing.

And Lama is not trying to be mystical, as written in some books, saying, "I am amagic Lama." We don't try to teach you that way. Actually, we don't need toshow you how to make magic-your mind is already magic, isn't it? We've alwaysmade magic: for countless lives, and even from the time of our birth until now,we've been making magic, cheating ourselves. Nobody else has had to teachus-we've taught ourselves to cheat ourselves.

Our schizophrenic mind always blames others for our problems. From its pointof view, "He is causing my problems, she's causing my problems, my parentsare causing my problems, this society is causing my problems." From Lama'spoint of view, these are completely wrong conceptions; this way of thinking isschizophrenia, this is mental disease; with these wrong beliefs, misconceptions,you will never be able to solve problems.

We often think, "This is negative: that is negative." But we have a wrongconception about what causes negativity and the problems we experience arereactions to this wrong conception.

Therefore, you have to be determined that during this meditation course you aregoing to realize completely that the problem is your misconception and that theblame definitely does not lie with others.


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We always think, "He makes my problems, she makes my problems," becauseour mind is not integrated. Our mind is split so we always blame this and that.We don't have straight understanding, right understanding, right view, rightwisdom-that's why we're always confused.

But this time you have to decide clearly what really makes you happy and joyfuland your life meaningful, and what makes you unhappy, sorrowful anddepressed. If you come to this conclusion then your meditation course will havebeen worthwhile.

Don't think that meditation means merely sitting still trying to concentrate on onlyone thing. It's not just that-that's not nearly enough. If it were, that would meanthat when you went back down to Kathmandu your concentration woulddisappear, and being left without wisdom there would be no benefit from havingtaken the meditation course. Rather, you should have great determination todevelop discriminating wisdom by understanding perfectly clearly-at leastintellectually-what really causes problems. In this way, even when you are notsitting cross-legged, trying to concentrate, but walking down a Kathmandu streetor back in the West, you have something to hold onto, something that allows youto judge how your mind is interpreting things-you are aware.

Otherwise, if you don't have at least some intellectual method, how can youcheck yourself? There is no other way that you can check to see if your mind ison some illusory, samsaric trip, full of wrong conceptions or perceiving the rightview. Without this, how can you know?

Why is it that many people say, "I"ve been meditating two years, six years, more... but I'm nowhere. I've gained nothing!"? It's because they don't haveunderstanding knowledge-wisdom; they cannot discriminate between rightactions and wrong; they can't see.

Maybe you can say intellectually, "Oh, what is right? What is wrong? Right andwrong are the same thing." I'm sure many people in the West say "Oh what'sright? What's the use of saying this, Lama? It's all the same thing. Samsara isthe same as nirvana". But this is a wrong conception; everything is mixed up.They cannot discriminate between what is reality and what is false and all theyare doing is using the terminology of Dharma wisdom in the wrong way.

Of course, in absolute terms the ultimate reality of right and wrong, or samsaraand nirvana is the same thing. But when somebody makes you agitated or angryand you get red in the face and start to tremble, can you say your peacefulnessand your anger are the same thing or not? So that example shows you realityand you should not get hung up on some intellectual point of view that is way upin the sky, while you are stuck down on the earth all tied up by that. It does nothelp because the words that you say are not true.

If somebody says to you, "Oh you are such a bad person", and someone elsesays, "Oh you are so good," it should never affect your mind. Good and badcomes from within you and other people cannot make you good or bad. Youhave to realize this, and once you have you cannot be moved by what people


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say.

But, if somebody tells you how good you are and you say, "Oh yes, yes, yes",grasping at it, and somebody else tells you how bad you are and you say, "No,no, no", getting depressed as a result, that shows that the words you say-"Goodand bad are the same thing"-come from merely intellectual garbage rather thanfrom the realization of reality. If you really realized reality, it is reflected in youractions, which are not in conflict with your words. So whatever situation you arein, it does not matter-your mind is not moved, you always have control.

We usually think that our point of view is correct. Yet if somebody comes alongand says, "You're completely wrong," we get nervous because we've picked uphis idea-and that's all it is-and believed what we are doing is wrong. The ideaalone makes us freak out. So our becoming agitated and freaked out does notcome from absolute reality, does it? All we have picked up is the relative idea,yet we have become confused and upset. So this shows how we are, how ourrelative mind functions in normal, everyday life.

So, checking this is much more interesting than talking a lot about somephilosophical point of view, some higher subject. This isn't interesting-it does nothelp us because it is merely intellectual, it is still an idea. So when you getangry...? Your anger is not an idea! Your jealousy is not an idea!

And also, you should know that Buddhism is not a diplomatic religion. Lamasare not diplomatic people! Without hesitation Lama will tell you about dirty thingsand kaka. It's true!

We always talk diplomatically, saying "Oh you're nice, you're nice," or "How areyou today?" and so on. Of course, this is necessary in everyday life when wecontact other human beings; being respectful to others is worthwhile. But whentalking about the truth, Dharma wisdom, being diplomatically nice cannot help.You have to check up the nature of negativity; you have to check up the natureof positive. You should check up everyday. But I'm sure you people-all Europeanpeople-always want to see only positive things in their life-the negative side getshidden beneath your sweater!

But this is not the character of Lord Buddha. This is not the character ofBuddhism. Really! Buddhism tells you exactly the way you think, the way youlead your daily life. Therefore, when you really communicate with Lama or with aDharma book or whatever, you can correct your actions. It is fantastic for yourmind-you can solve your schizophrenic mental problem. And then, whetherothers tell you you are right or wrong, it does not matter. Your being right orwrong does not depend upon the words of other people.

So you can see how much we're suffering from schizophrenic mental disease.Somebody will tell you that you are good: "Oh yes, yes-I'm good," you're up.Somebody tells you that you are bad: "Oh no, no-I'm bad," you're down. Sothat's really our mind's nature. That mind is samsara. Lama thinks that issamsara. Lord Buddha thinks that is samsara.


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So what I am saying is that you should have perfect determination, knowing thatunderstanding knowledge-wisdom is the only solution to problems, the onlysource of happiness and joy.

So that we call Dharma. Understanding wisdom is Dharma. Dharma is not thisrobe! And actual Dharma has nothing whatsoever to do with the culture of aparticular country: it is not the culture of Western people nor the culture ofEastern people. Culture is the point of view of the ordinary people, the unwisemajority who spend their whole time grasping at sense pleasures withattachment. Dharma wisdom has nothing whatsoever to do with the point ofview of the foolish common people. Perhaps you could say that yourunderstanding knowledge-wisdom is your own culture!

Ed: Read the rest of this talk on the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archives Lama Yeshe WisdomArchives

THIS MONTH AND NEXT AT JAMYANG

CLASSES AND EVENTS IN APRIL AND MAY AT JAMYANG

CLASSES and RETREATS withGESHE TASHI

Nagarjuna's WisdomTuesdays 4, 11, 18, 25 June, 9, 16,23 July7.30 - 9pm 7.30pm

Enlightening WaysWednesdays 5, 12,19, 26 June, 10,17, 24 July7.30 - 9pm Foundation of Buddhist Thoughtpart 3;Buddhist PsychologyWeekends 1 & 2 June, 20 & 21July You must register for these classes

Community Dharma2nd June and 21 July with GesheTashi 2-4pm. Finishing with sharedtea party. Feel free to bringsomething to share.

Summer Graded Path meditationRetreatSaturday 27 July through to Sunday4 AugustSaturday 27 and Sunday 28 July9am - 6pm,

WEEK DAY EVENINGS

Buddhist Meditation: WisdomWith Roy SutherwoodMondays 20, 27 May, 3, 10, 17, 24,June, 1, 8, 15, 22 July 7.30 - 9pm

Buddhist Meditation in Practicewith David FordThursdays 6, 13, 20, 27 June, 4, 11,18, 25 June7.30 - 9pm

Medicine Buddha PujaTuesdays 4, 11, 25 June, 9, 16, 23July 6:15pm

Silent Meditationwith Alison WertheimerThursdays weekly 6, 13, 20, 27June, 4, 11, 18, 25 June 6.15 -7.15pm

Lama Choepa Puja3, 18 June and 2, 18 July 6 - 7pm

WEEK DAY DAYTIME

Tara Puja Tuesdays weekly fromTuesdays 4, 11, 25 June, 2, 9, 16,23 July 4.30 - 5.45pm


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Monday 29 July to Friday 2 August8am to 6pm, Saturday 3 August9am to 6pm, Sunday 4 August 9am- 1pm (ending with lunch)

RETREATS, WEEKENDTEACHINGS and PRACTICE

Meditation Practice DayWith Roy SutherwoodSaturday 29 June10am - 5pm PRACTICE GROUPS Insight Meditation Practice Group8, 15 June and 6 July10.30-12.30pm open to all Kalachakra Groupmeets 8 June2 -5:30pm for initiates only

Guhyasamaja Groupmeets 9 June10am for initiates only

Vajrayogini groupmeets 9 June, 7 July 2:30pm forinitiates only Please book for all weekendclasses other than practice groupsby calling the office on02078208787 oremail [email protected]

You can drop in to all eveningclasses unless we state otherwise.

COMMUNITY

Chi Kung and Tai ChiMonday evenings taught by WilliamWalker.For more information and tobook call William (follow the linkabove)

Yoga Tuesday evenings taught by JudyWatchmanFor more information and to bookcall Judy (follow the link above)

Hridaya (Heart Centre) YogaWednesday evenings taught by NazFor more information and to bookcall Naz (follow the link above)

Self Love Yoga ClassFriday evenings Taught byNicoletteFor more information and to bookcall Nicolette (follow the link above)

SPECIAL EVENTS

Film Screening "Road to Peace"5 July at 6:30 (see the article below)


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Geshe Tashi's columnHello everyone,Well I am becoming quite English in at least thisone sense; I now talk about the weather andhow bad it has been! Of course it is alwaysinteresting to see how much our mood isinfluenced by the temperature and the amountof rain that is falling. So let us hope for bettermoods for all of us in the next few months!We have just had one of the special festivals atJamyang, Saka Dawa. This year it was notpossible to do a full day of practice as I hadanother class to run that day, but I hope thatyou will all continue to make the effort to attendthese special days and join together in thepractice sessions we always try to organise. I have been very pleased with the attendance atthe classes on Tuesday evening all the waythrough from January to April. Now we are juststarting reading together extracts from the greatwork of Nagarjuna, the Mulamadhyamakakārikā or Fundamental Verses on theMiddle Way. It is very heartening to see so many people with such a stronginterest in really understanding the depths of Buddhist philosophy and how itcan help them in their lives. The philosophy has to have a real impact on theway we think, the way we interact with people, the emotions we feel, the way weexperience the world, if it is to be more than just speculation. But we need tostart from where we are, so we need to have curiosity and really try tounderstand the very different way of looking at the world that Nagarjuna isencouraging us all to adopt. So keep up the practice and take a little time tothink about the deeper concepts in Buddhism while at the same time expandingyour compassion as much as possible.

Director's Column

Progress towards Summer appears slowand right now it feels more like earlyOctober than nearly June but it was good tosee the sun briefly over the last BankHoliday weekend and the Courthousegarden is looking really good so, should theJetStream shift and we see something of aSummer, it will be a glorious place to be.Much look forward to seeing many of youenjoying it over the coming months.The Courthouse garden is included theLondon Open Garden Squares Weekendagain this year. Taking place next weekend,Saturday and Sunday, 8 and 9 June, the Open Garden Squares Weekendcelebrates London's outdoor spaces and ticket holders can visit over 200gardens and squares throughout London, including privileged access to many


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gardens, squares and other green spaces not normally open to the public. Thecafe will be open and hopefully we will see many new faces there making aconnection with Jamyang as well as the welcome return of our regulars. If youare interested you can find further details here: www.opensquares.orgAre you a Friend of Jamyang? Not just someone who likes us on facebook,comes to see us, enjoys what is on offer and speaks well of us but someonewho so values what is offered that you would like to regularly offer somethingback? As we saw at the recent Community Day, just the maintenance of thebuilding and development of a place where the Buddha's teachings can flourishand beneficial community services can be provided requires at lot of money inthe form of generous and regular donations, as well as much freely given timeand hard work. Both can really make a sustainable difference to the lives ofeveryone connected with the Centre but when it comes to money, Jamyangrelies almost completely on kind donations, so if you are not already a Friend,take a look at what it might mean, have a serious think about it -http://www.jamyang.co.uk/about/friends-scheme - and consider becoming one.Also, if you are a UK tax payer don't forget to sign a Gift Aid form then, whetheryou are a Friend yet or not, all the money you offer by way of donation toJamyang for precious teachings and anything else can be of so much morebenefit - every £1 you donate is worth £1.25 to Jamyang. Once you have signedthe form, at no cost to you, we can reclaim the tax on all your donations fromHM Revenue and Customs. So important to be able to reclaim tax and have itspent on good causes that we support as so much taken from us ends up beingspent in ways we might want to question - at latest estimates the cost of the UKgovernment's active engagement in war zones globally is estimated as possiblyrising to a sum equivalent to £2000.00 for every taxpaying household. To echo awell coined phrase, there is no road or path to peace, peace is the path - somaybe better to look to ourselves and invest more in that.This year's Jamyang Community Day went very well, gave us an opportunity topresent Jamyang's current activities and plans for the future, generated somereally useful feedback and it was wonderful to see some new faces there,especially those students who came from the distance learning programmes,travelling from as far afield as Suffolk and Lincoln.There was a very good discussion of around the education programme andMike's excellent presentation of the programme moved on to a very usefulconversation about the potential to offer more to the adolescent and laterteenage age ranges and gave rise to some lively and innovative ideas wellbeyond the Buddhist education programme that should be carried forward. Itwas at this point that the discussion really centred on our community andservices rather than education - perhaps we should make our developingcommunity offering the main focus at the next Community Day and put Jane andVinod centre stage! The Community day is also a great opportunity for everyoneto meet and get to know and engage more with our hardworking team ofTrustees and perhaps we can look forward to hearing a lot more from each ofthem at the next one too!This is very much your day, an intra-Community Day. A day for members of theJamyang Community - the students, practitioners, volunteers, staff, Friends andTrustees - to get together to discuss and better understand and help shape andhone our vision, purpose and strategy. It might also be an idea for the future tohave an afternoon or evening following our Community Days where we look to


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Daphne with His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Buddha Stature byDaphne

engage our friends and neighbours and key people for us in the wider local,London and inter-faith communities to present, convey, discuss and share ouractivities and ideas with them - more of an externally facing inter, rather thanintra, CommunityDay that would help others better get to know us andunderstand what we are about.

Roy

Daphne Alexander - an obituaryDaphne Alexander: 1928 - 2013

Daphne Alexander, much loved wife of Bill Alexander, and a long-time volunteerand member of the Jamyang London community, died on 26th April. Herfuneral, attended by members of the community, has taken place, and 7th Day108 Light Offerings with Medicine Buddha puja and the King of Prayers on herbehalf are taking place on Thursdays at 7.30 p.m. until 13 June.

Daphne's life was rich and varied - not only was she an accomplished horsewoman but she had trainedand practised as a dentist for over eight years. Shewas a talented painter and sculptor and her statue ofthe Buddha accompanied her to the funeral. Sheand Bill were married for nearly 54 years, and aswell as raising their two sons, William and Henry, Daphne was also a Relate (or "marriage guidance"as it was then called) counsellor for 25 years.

Daphne and Bill joined the Jamyang community notlong after they met His Holiness the Dalai Lama atone of the famous John Maine seminars. From thenon, Daphne had unshakable and wholehearted faithin His Holiness. But she also had an uncanny abilityto find out which hotel he was staying at duringteachings, and after a little negotiation was able to


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meet and talk with him face to face - something which brought her immense joy.

Both Bill and Daphne were devoted students of Geshe Tashi, driving up fromSussex on weekday evenings to attend his teachings until they moved back toLondon a few years ago. (And it's been lovely to see Bill back at Jamyangrecently.) One of her last visits to Jamyang was, appropriately, for a LamaChoepa puja on His Holiness's birthday - a sunny July evening where wecontinued with an informal party in the courtyard garden.

Daphne was a loyal and committed volunteer at Jamyang, particularly withRepaying the Kindness where she helped at RTK's days for carers. Bill, in turn,helped with the Library for many years, keeping it tidy and chasing up overduebooks.

Despite receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer's about three years ago, Daphnewas able to remain at home, with Bill's patient and loving care and support, andthat of their sons. Their daily early evening ritual of a game of Scrabble (and aglass or two of wine) lasted until the last few weeks.

Daphne's funeral was conducted by her niece, Kate Hill, an interfaith minister. As well as a eulogy by Bill, their son William, read a Sufi story which wereproduce below; and a candle was lit and placed in front of Daphne's Buddhastatue by Henry.

May Daphne quickly achieve a precious human rebirth. -----------------The Guest House

This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.by Rumi


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Open Garden Square

Jamyang will pay host again to OpenGardens Square weekend on 8th and 9thJune (10-5 pm). The beautiful Courtyardgarden, lovingly cared for by Ros Williamsand other volunteers, will welcome gardenenthusiasts from across the capital. Therewill be a plant sale with all proceeds anddonations going towards a new roof for theBuddha statue in the garden.

VOLUNTEERS to help out on both days would be much appreciated to chat withvisitors and answer questions about the Centre and Buddhism which may arise.If you can offer even an hour or two, do e-mail: [email protected] Manythanks!

Courthouse Community Cafe Closes!!OK, don't panic, take a few deep breathes as you visualise the range of exoticfood and cake on offer. Observe the strongpangs of longing and relax.....invoke thatrich aroma and rest in the samadhi of goodfood and good company.So the cafe is closing - but only for a refit toreturn bigger, better and brighter.The cafe will be closed from Monday 10 -Thursday 13 June inclusive.Please stock up on all cake items beforehand.

Film screening "Road to Peace"Experience the nature and wisdom of the14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, and discover howhe inspires millions of people of allnationalities and creeds to live moremeaningful lives in harmony with eachother, and with the planet. This unique filmcaptures the simple, human and humorousside of the Dalai Lama and reveals hispersonal and powerful legacy for this andfuture generations.

There will be a showing of the film withQ&A with the director at Jamyang onFriday, 5th July starting at 6.30 pm. Seewebsite for details. To view a short trailer,visit:www.youtube.com/watch?v=qut_zj6NDTQ


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Film-maker Leon Stuparich shares his experiences on making theacclaimed Dalai Lama film, Road to Peace. Leon Stuparich still shudders at the memory of his first encounter with the DalaiLama in 2007. "The first time I spoke to him was backstage at the Royal AlbertHall and I lied to him," says the 36-year-old Londoner.

"There were only three or four of us in the room and he asked me how old theAlbert Hall was. His focus on you is so clear and when he speaks to you, heleans in as if looking deeply within. I felt like a deer caught in the headlights. Ifroze and my mind went blank so I told him it was 200 years old - when actually Ilater found out it was built in 1871!"

Stuparich and the exiled leader of six million Tibetans struck up a relationshipnevertheless. The South Londoner has spent much of the last six years devotinghimself to the remarkable, self-financed film he has made on the charismaticfigure, "Road to Peace, Ancient Wisdom of the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet". Leon'sjourney began before that meeting at the Albert Hall when the Office of Tibet inLondon invited him and his colleague Scott Samson to write a proposal torecord the Dalai Lama's visit to the UK the following year, 2008. His meeting atthe Albert Hall won him the Dalai Lama's seal of approval, but the film soondeveloped into something deeper and more revealing.

The Dalai Lama's schedule is hectic, so keeping up with him was difficult. Duringhis visit to the UK, Leon had two crews filming that would "leapfrog" him, onepreparing for his arrival whilst the other was filming with him. The filming lastedabout two weeks but the process of editing took nearly four years with many testscreenings and re-edits.

"I wanted to see the side of the Dalai Lama that wasn't being shown in the pressand other films," explains Leon, "the funny and friendly man that inspiresmillions with his message of peace".

"It took a long time because I had to understand if the film was sharing the DalaiLama's message of peace without losing the audience. It was really importantthat the film reflected the energy of the Dalai Lama and it didn't come across aspreachy".

The hours of hard work in the editing suite seem to have paid off. The film has apowerful, meditative quality that has turned screenings into spiritualevents. Around the world in Australia and the US screenings of Road to Peacehave been attracting some significant names including the great grandson ofMahatma Gandhi, Tushar Gandhi and jazz legend David Sanborn. "The film justcrept up on you and all of a sudden you realize the you are in the embrace ofthis great spirit," said Sanborn after watching the film for the first time.

In June last year, 300 people queued to see the first London screening of themovie at the Prince Charles cinema off Leicester Square. As the crowd enteredthe cinema they were met with chanting from a local Tibetan monastery and asthe lights dimmed, singer Katie Rose captivated the audience with a live


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rendition of her song Love and Compassion, which was inspired by the film.

"The evening, was truly magical." said one of those who attended, author LynnSerafinn.

In April 2013 there was another magical event in London. This time to over 500in the Union Chapel to launch the DVD in the UK. A beautiful concert from TimWheater, Katie Rose and Joshua James Field. Lama Lobsang blessed us withhis singing bowls and Barefoot Doctor led the audience in a Big Om. And TheDalai Lama's representative Thubten Samdup and the CEO of Tibet SocietyPhilippa Carrick held a discussion to help raise awareness of the Tibet Issue.More recently Road to Peace opened the Himalayan Film Festival in CaliforniaUSA and there are many exciting events in the pipeline.

For me, it is a huge honour to be sharing the Dalai Lama's message of Peaceand Compassion through Road to Peace at screenings around the world andamongst communities. The film touches people's hearts and lives and it'sincredible to be part of it.

I am looking forward to joining you at Jamyang to celebrate the life andteachings of His Holiness Dalai Lama on this his 78th birthday.

You can find out more about Road to Peace here: www.roadtopeace.co.uk

The team at Road to Peace are also looking for volunteers to help share thefilm. If you are a Graphic Designer or Website Designer and would like to helpwith the film, please email [email protected]

ed: There may be an additional screening at Jamyang on the evening of the 6th July. We'll letyou know!

Accommodation for Teachings in Sera MonasteryJang Chub Lam Rim transmissionsand teachings in Sera in December -Accommodation

Geshe Tashi's family in the Tibetansettlements in Bylakuppe have onceagain very kindly offered to arrangeaccommodation near Sera forstudents attending the Lam Rim texttransmissions being given in Seraby His Holiness the Dalai Lama from25 December 2013 - 3 January2014.

The cost of £15 a day covers breakfast and an evening meal a day, but does notcover bottled water, the midday meal or travel to and from the teachings. People should aim to arrive on 23 or 24 December and should aim to leave on 4or 5 January.


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Photo courtesy of the Asia Society

The house can accommodate up to a maximum of 20 people. The family willarrange travel too and from the teachings (it is not walkable as the new 'soupedup' State Highway is between the house and Sera). Normally the monasteryoffers a simple midday meal to people attending.

The house is situated in rolling agricultural landscape on the edge of one of theTibetan settlements near Bylakuppe and near a small reservoir. You hosts areutterly charming, immensely hard working and tolerant farmers. It really is avery peaceful and restful spot.

If enough people, i.e. at least 6, are also attending the Most Secret Hyagrivatransmissions being given in Sera Jey Drati Khangtsen by Kyabje Lama ZopaRinpoche from 17 - 22 December and looking for accommodation, GesheTashi's family may offer accommodation for that too.

If you are interested in one or both of these offers please contact Geshe Tashi'ssister Dolma directly on [email protected] and she will thenregister your interest. Please contact her directly. Please do not hit return tosender on this email, thank you. Dolma will then be your liaison point for theaccommodation in Bylakuppe.

UK and Europe Tibetan Debate Groups with Geshe GrahamWoodhouseGeshe Graham Woodhouse, anFPMT recognised teacher who isbased in Sheffield and kindly visitsour centre to teach, has let it beknown that he is unable to run anymore introductory Tibetan debategroups as he now has three differentgroups operating each week.

That means that the debateintensive that will run here over fourdays in mid December this year willnot be open to beginners. It is veryunlikely that Geshe Graham will have the time to start up more debate groupsfor at least the next three years.

There is still an opportunity to join the last of the three debate groups, which hasjust started up. Spaces are limited to about two or three people max. Peoplewanting to join must be willing to commit once a week to learning the debatesand practicing in the group and to stick at it for the next few years. Debates willbe conducted in English so if English is your second or third language pleasecheck whether it will be of a sufficient standard to keep up with the group.

This last group currently has three members, Ros Williams, Lily Schlaen andJane Sill. Under Geshe Graham Woodhouse's tutelage they are also currentlybeing supported by Hannele from Finland and Steff Hill here.


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If you are interested in joining this debate group please contact Jane Sill directlyon [email protected] by end of June to talk through your options. Pleasecontact her directly on that email address, thank you. Please do not hit return tosender on this email. Jane will then be your liaison point for this final one ofGeshe Graham's UK/Europe debate groups.

Cancelled Classes in JuneWe are sorry to announce that the weekend class"Showing up for your life" on the 15 and 16 Junewith Chitra Ramgoolam has been cancelled.

Regretfully the teaching "Patience" on the 8thJune with Venerable Kerry has also beencancelled.

Filling Statues at JamyangWe had quite a few new statues atJamyang this month so Geshe-lakindly agreed to spend a day doingall the complex ceremonies requiredto fill these with mantras. Here are afew pictures taken on the day.

Don't forget the statues are there tohelp you with your visualisation andas a reminder of the enlightenedstate. They are not objects ofworship per se.


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Media volunteers evening -27 June 7pmWe are looking for volunteers to support the mediaproduction of Jamyang. Tuesdays, Wednesdaysevenings, and some Weekends Jamyang recordsthe teachings. Our aspiration is to set up anaudio/visual archive of teachings for futurereference. Therefore we need volunteers for therecording, uploading, cleaning up, and organisingof those recordings. If you have experience withvideo/sound editing and think of offering some ofyour time please do come along.

Furthermore Jamyang needs help with outreach tothe local community and people living in andaround London. If you are a photographer, graphic designer, web designer youcan help us with our PR materials. If you are available for distributing flyers,writing press releases, and contacting newspapers, mailing list, etc. please docome along.

For futher informations on 'media volunteering' please contact Adnanon [email protected]

Venerable Kerry in SalisburyVenerable Kerry, long associated withJamyang and now of Nalanda monastery inSouthern France, is giving a talk at theFriends Meeting House in Salisbury at 7pmon Monday 24 June on the topic 'Findingfaith in your spiritual teacher'Do go along to offer your support.


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Little Tibet - a film sceeening at JamyangWe are pleased to host a rare screening ofthe delightful film 'Little Tibet' on Friday 23August and expect to have its Tibetan star(Sonam) here to introduce it and answerquestions.

As a Tibetan who cannot return to Tibet,Sonam explores Ladakh in the northernmost part of India, which borders Tibet andshares much of its culture, language andlandscape. During his journey across thebreathtaking landscape, Sonam discoversancient Tibetan monasteries, sees HisHoliness the Dalai Lama give teachings toan audience of thousands, talks withnomads in Chang Thang, and joins thecelebrations of a Tibetan wedding.

To watch the trailer click here: youtube trailer

We also plan to have Tibetan food to savour and a well-informed rep from theTibet Society to help answer questions about human rights in Tibet and what wecan do to help. The event will be from 6-9pm.

Opportunities around the FPMTOpportunity for an experienced graphic/webdesigner to help the Foundation for DevelopingCompassion and WisdomAre you inspired by the idea of takingBuddhist-based teachings on compassion andwisdom to new audiences? Do you have graphicand web design skills and experience to help usdevelop a new visual identity? Are you availableto work during June and July?If the answer is yes, please contact Esther before1st of June at:[email protected] to discuss

this exciting opportunity. Don't forget to includesome examples of your work on the initial email.With thanks,Esther G.


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Calling all actors They are now casting for Siddhartha in a film about theBuddha. Do you fit the bill?More information on this website

And now for something completely differentI am sure many of you have heard of theancient university of Nalanda in Bihar. Youmay have even been to admire the ruins ofthis once pre-eminent institution. Well itseems it may well rise again from theashes.Read this article on the BBC news websitefor more information.India's ancient university returns to life

FPMTJamyang is affiliated with FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation ofthe Mahayana Tradition) and is one of more than 150 centers andprojects worldwide.

FPMT is based on the Gelugpa tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taughtby our founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe and spiritual director, Lama ZopaRinpoche. If you would like to receive FPMT's monthly newsletters pleasesubscribe here.

Your ThoughtsWhat do you want to see in Gentle Voice? We would love to hear your ideasand comments about Gentle Voice, please contact Johnat: [email protected]

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