December and January 2014

In This Issue

Friends Scheme

Follow Your Path Without Attachment - Lama Yeshe

This Month at Jamyang

Jamyang Programme News

Geshe Tashi's column

The Director's Column

In Memory of Khensur Rinpoche Jampa Tegchok

Golden Light Sutra Transmission

Jamyang Volunteers 2014. A very big thank you!

MBSR 2015

Translation of Sitatapatra Practices

Interfaith intern opportunity

Out and about on the net

Poetry Corner

Ven Robina in Denmark

Film: Bringing Tibet Home

Opportunities for Service around the FPMT

About FPMT

Your Thoughts for Gentle Voice

Quick Links

Editor's welcome

Dear friends,

I hope you are all well and enjoying this time of year. I am writing this from Vietnam where I am visiting my daughter who is working there. It is a vibrant country, the people are very self confident and extremely direct. Nearly all the pictures in this issue are from Hanoi and surrounding areas or Hoi An in central Vietnam. We are thankfully free from the commercialisation that so blights the Christmas festivals back home. It is interesting to see how, in this officially atheistic country, Buddhist values of kindness still flourish, and meditation is alive and well and practiced, even if the Sangha are largely invisible.

So back to this issue: Geshe Tashi talks of the Tenzin Gyatso Centre at Oxford, we share fond memories of Geshe Jampa Tegchok, we remember the many volunteers that have worked here over the year, a yuletide poetry corner and much, much more. We also have a very interesting talk by Lama Yeshe. Notice how current Lama Yeshe's advice remains even though it was given in 1975 and on the other side of the world.

Jamyang Website

Current Programme

Talking Buddhism The Foundation Study Course The Lamrim Chenmo Study Course

FPMT

So enjoy this edition of Gentle Voice which spans both December and January. May I also take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas and a very enjoyable New Year.

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Become a Friend of Jamyang

Help Jamyang stay afloat with a regular donation to the Jamyang Friends scheme. A regular donation is the best way to help keep Jamyang going. It's amazing how even modest contributions from a few hundred individuals can make all the difference.

As well as the vast merit you will receive by helping to spread the Dharma, there are also some more worldly perks on offer, a free quarterly Mandala magazine, discounts, etc. So if you can spare around £15 a month to help us stay afloat we would be very appreciative. You can find all the information about the Friends Scheme and how to become a member by following this link.

Jamyang Friends Sceme

Alternatively you can make a one-off donation by following this link.

Donate to Jamyang

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Follow Your Path without Attachment by Lama Yeshe

Extract from Chapter 6 of 'The Peaceful Stillness of the Silent Mind' by Lama Yeshe Follow Your Path without Attachment Those who practice meditation or religion should not cling with attachment to any idea. Fixed ideas are not external phenomena. Our minds often grasp at things that sound good, but this can be extremely dangerous. We too easily accept things we hear as good: "Oh, meditation is very good." Of course, meditation is good if you understand what it is and practice it correctly; you can definitely find answers to life's questions. What I'm saying is that whatever you do in the realm of philosophy, doctrine or religion, don't cling to the ideas; don't be attached to your path. Again, I'm not talking about external objects; I'm talking about inner, psychological phenomena. I'm talking about developing a healthy mind, developing what Buddhism calls indestructible understanding-wisdom. Some people enjoy their meditation and the satisfaction it brings but at the same time cling strongly to the intellectual idea of it: "Oh, meditation is so perfect for me. It's the best thing in the world. I'm getting results. I'm so happy!" But how do they react if somebody puts their practice down? If they don't get upset, that's fantastic. It show that they are doing their religious or meditation practice properly. Similarly, you might have tremendous devotion to God or Buddha or something based on deep understanding and great experience and be one hundred percent sure of what you're doing, but if you have even slight attachment to your ideas, if someone says, "You're devoted to Buddha? Buddha's a pig!" or "You believe in God? God's worse than a dog!" you're going to completely freak out. Words can't make Buddha a pig or God a dog, but still, your attachment, your idealistic mind totally freaks: "Oh I'm so hurt! How dare you say things like that?" No matter what anybody says - Buddha is good, Buddha is bad - the absolutely indestructible characteristic nature of Buddha remains untouched. Nobody can enhance or decrease its value. It's exactly the same when people tell you you're good or bad: irrespective of what they say, you remain the same. Others' words can't change your reality. Therefore, why do you go up and down when people praise or criticise you? It's because of your attachment; your clinging mind; your fixed ideas. Make sure you're clear about this. Check up. It's very interesting. Check your psychology. How do you respond if

someone tells you your whole path is wrong.? If you truly understand the nature of your mind, you will never react to that kind of thing, but if you don't understand your own psychology, if you hallucinate and are easily hurt, you will quickly find your peace of mind disturbed. They're only words, ideas, but you're so easily upset. Our minds are incredible. Our ups and downs have nothing to do with reality, nothing to do with the truth. It's very important to understand the psychology of this. It's common for us to think that our path and ideas are good, worthwhile and perfect, but by focusing excessively on this, we subconsciously put other paths and ideas down. Perhaps I think, "Yellow is a fantastic colour," and explain to you in great detail how yellow is good. Then, because of all my logical reasons, you start to think, "Yellow is good, yellow is the perfect colour." But this automatically causes contradictory beliefs, "Blue is not so good; red is not so good," to arise in your mind. There are two things in conflict with one another. This is common, but it's a mistake, especially when it comes to religion. We should not allow such contradictions in our mind where, by accepting one thing, we automatically reject another. If you check, you'll see it's not that you're blindly following something external but that your mind is too extreme in one direction. This automatically sets up the other extreme in opposition, and conflicts between the two unbalances your mind and disturbs your inner peace. This is how religious partisanship arises. You say, "I belong to this religion," and when you meet someone belonging to another, you feel insecure. This means your knowledge-wisdom is weak. You don't understand your mind's true nature and cling to an extreme point of view. Don't allow your mind to be polluted in this way; make sure you're mentally healthy. After all, the purpose of the practice of religion, Buddhism, Dharma, meditation or whatever else you want to call it is for you to take your mind completely beyond unhealthy, contradictory mental attitudes. (From 1975 teachings in Australia) Return to Contents

CLASSES AND EVENTS IN DECEMBER and JANUARY AT JAMYANG Full information about these and all our events can be found here on the

Jamyang Website

CLASSES and RETREATS with GESHE TASHI Please note the changes to Geshe Tashi's December schedule Buddha Nature Tuesdays until 2 Dec at 7:30

WEEK DAY EVENINGS AND AFTERNOONS Buddhist Meditation: An Introduction Monday 12 Jan 7.30. Buddhist Meditation: Beautiful Minds

Middle Length Lamrim Wednesdays until 3 Dec and then 7th January onwards at 7:30 VISITING TEACHERS AND WEEKEND TEACHINGS The Foundation of All Good Qualities with Geshe Thubten Sherab Weekend 6 & 7 December 10am - 5pm Debate Intensive with Geshe Graham Woodhouse Saturday 13 - Tuesday 16 December (registered students only) Dharma Talk with Venerable Amy Miller Thursday 8 January 7:30pm Basic Programme: Minds and Mental Factors with Tenzin Josh 24 and 25 January Simon Houlton seminar 'Clear thinking' 29th Jan and 1st Feb PRACTICE GROUPS Insight Meditation Practice Group 13 Dec, 10, 31 Jan, 10.30- 12.30pm Open to all Guhyasamaja Practice Group Saturdays 8 Nov, 14 Dec, 3 Jan 2 - 5pm for initiates only Vajrayogini Practice Group Sundays 16, 23 Nov, 7, 14 Dec, 4, 11, 18 Jan 2 - 6 PM 22 - 28 Jan Inclusive, Yearly Retreat For initiates only Kalachakra Practice Group Saturdays 22 Nov, 13 Dec, 10 Jan 2 - 5pm For initiates only SPECIAL EVENTS Lama Tsongkhapa Day Lama Choepa with Geshe Tashi Tues 16 Dec 7.30pm Chenrezig Nyung Nay Fasting

Mondays 19 Jan - 30 March 7.30. Roots of Mindfulness with Roy Sutherwood 20th and 27th January 7:30pm. Silent Meditation Thursdays weekly until 11 Dec and then from the 8th Jan onwards 6.15 - 7.15pm

Lama Choepa Puja 16 Dec, 15, 29 Jan check website for times Tara Puja 2, 9, 16 Dec weekly from 6th January 4.30pm Medicine Buddha Puja 2, 9, 16 Dec and weekely from 6th Jan 6pm COMMUNITY Dying Well Group 18 January 10 -4pm Chi Kung and Tai Chi Monday evenings taught by William Walker. For more information and to book call William (follow the link above) Satyananda Yoga Tuesday evenings taught by Judy Watchman For more information and to book call Judy (follow the link above)

Gentle Vinyassa Flow Wednesday 6:00pm to 7:15pm Hridaya (Heart Centre) Yoga Taught by Naz Wednesday evenings 7.30pm For more information please call Naz (follow the link above) Chair Yoga Taught by Cathy Brebion Tuesdays 10.30am - 11.30am

Retreat 2 Nyung Nays starting Friday 19 Dec to morning of 24 Dec Please book your cell or dorm Vajrayogini Practice Group Annual Retreat 22 - 28 January For initiates only Please book for all weekend classes or retreats other than practice groups on-line if you can. If you can't call the office on 02078208787 or email admin@jamyang.co.uk You can drop in to all evening classes unless we state otherwise

COMING SOON Superior Insight Weekend with Geshe Tashi 7th and 8th February Chenrezig Nyung Nay Fasting Retreat 20th - 23rd February Full details of these and all other events are on our website jamyang.co.uk The Centre will be closed between the 22 Dec - 2 Jan Return to Contents

Jamyang Programme News Highlights

Changes to Geshe Tashi's December Teachings

Please note the cancellation of the teachings on the evenings of the 9, 10 and 17th December. However...coming up:

Geshe Tashi's teachings on Superior Insight Isn't that something you've always wanted to attain? Come to his classes on Sat 7, Sun 8 Feb and on Sat 7 March to learn more.

Geshe Thubten Sherab The Foundation of All Good Qualities

Sat 6 and Sun 7 December. This is Geshe Sherab's very first visit to London, so don't miss it.. Geshe la teaches in English and has a very accessible style. He comes to us with a good reputation for delivering wonderful relevant dharma teachings. He was based at Kopan for many years so if you have been there for any length of time you probably know him.

Steff Hill Double Nyung Nay

19 - 24 December. The two full day practice of the deity Chenrezig combined with Nyung Nay (literally staying with less) comes from the visionary experience of the Indian Nun Sri. Th practice is highly prized as a swift method to purify obscurations and difficulties, in the case of the nun Sri she was freed from

leprosy, and to generate the spiritual potential to open up the heart to full enlightenment.

The practice is highly recommended by Kyabje Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, who wrote the practice that we use, and by Geshe Tashi Tsering who sees it an ideal practice for lay people.

You can attend just one or both of the Nyung Nays, though past practitioners recommend doing two in a row as the second one is experienced as relatively easier that the first.

Practices for Death and Dying on Tuesday evenings starting in February with Jo Gillibrand and John Bonell. The correct attitude to death can be a huge positive influence in your life. Learn about this and more about the death process in Tibetan Buddhism, how to go through death, and how to help others.

Follow the links above for full details of these events. You can access our programme calender by following this link: Jamyang Programme Calendar

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Geshe Tashi's column

Hello Everybody,

I was very happy to be invited to talk at the inaugural meeting of the Tenzin Gyatso Centre for

Ethics, Spirituality and the Sciences. This is a new initiative from Oxford University that has been founded to support and promote research that contributes to the understanding of compassion and its role in human affairs. Compassion is so central to us, not just as Buddhists, but as human beings that are striving to make our world a better place for us all to share. If we do not attend to developing and nurturing our compassion, then whatever realisations we may have, whatever insights we may gain, will not be worth that much. In the Buddhist context, compassion is central to achieving our life's purpose, to really developing our Bodhicitta that will be the driving force that leads us to enlightenment for the sake of all. At this time of year we are surrounded by pale reflections of compassion that has been somewhat commercialised. Do not let that stop you from sharing very fully in the love and warm wishes towards others that are the central emotion of this time. Tolerance is very good, but at it's heart there is distance from the subject tolerated. So enhance your tolerance to turn it into love and compassion. Share in the joy of this time wholeheartedly and without reservations, especially with your family and friends.

So I wish you all a happy Christmas and very prosperous New Year. Try to see the season through without too much over-indulgence!

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Director's Column

The Old Year's gone away To nothingness and night: We cannot find him all the day Nor hear him in the night: He left no footstep, mark or place In either shade or sun: The last year he'd a neighbour's face, In this he's known by none. All nothing everywhere: Mists we on mornings see Have more of substance when they're here And more of form than he. He was a friend by every fire, In every cot and hall- A guest to every heart's desire, And now he's nought at all. Old papers thrown away, Old garments cast aside, The talk of yesterday, Are things identified; But time once torn away No voices can recall: The eve of New Year's Day Left the Old Year lost to all. The Old Year, John Clare So, finally....it is the end of the year! The winter solstice, Yule and the beginning of a brand New Year are just around the corner but no seasonal let up here at Jamyang just yet. Things constantly move and change and impact the programme as they do and it is still busy here at Jamyang. First, as it the season of thanksgiving and rejoicing, a very, very big thank you to everyone in the Jamyang community: Geshe-la, staff, volunteers, Friends and students, for all your hard work, support and donations this year! Without you there would be no Jamyang here in London. Geshe-la is off to Rome at short notice. The 14th Global Nobel Peace Laureates' Summit has been relocated to Rome from 12-14 December after the South African government failed to issue visa to His Holiness.

The summit was suspended earlier in September after the South African Government failed to issue a visa for His Holiness who had hoped to attend the world peace summit in Cape Town. Instead, the Nobel peace summit will now be hosted by the City of Rome, at the invitation of Mayor Ignazio Marino between December 12th to 14th and Geshe-la will be there to assist and support His Holiness. This means Geshe-la's teaching schedule will be shorter in December. The last of his Tuesday evening teachings on theThree Jewels chapters of the Sublime Continuum text on Buddha Nature is this Tuesday, 2 Dec 7.30pm and there will only beone more Wednesday evening on the Middle Length Lam Rim, this Wed, 3 December. Geshe-la's teaching programme here re-starts on Wednesday 7 January 2015. However, the good news for us is that there will be chance to join Geshe-la here before the New Year on the evening of Tuesday, 16 December for the Lama Tsongkhapa Day Lama Choepa. Please join Geshe-la and other members of the Jamyang Community to celebrate Ganden Ngamcho, the day when we celebrate, on the 25th day of the Tibetan month, the Life and work and spiritual attainments of the founder of our tradition, Je Rinpoche Lama Tsongkhapa. As a wonderful addition to the programme, Geshe Sherab from Kopan is coming to see us on his very first visit to London. Geshe Sherab teaches in English and has a very accessible style and he will be teaching on Lama Tsongkhapa's short seminal poem known as The Foundation of All Good Qualities. Then our programme this year ends with a two full day practice of Chenrezig combined with Nyung Nay led by Steff Hill - there will also be another opportunity to engage with this marvellous practice in February. Check out the new January to April programme calendar. Have a great Yuletide break, rest, relax, reflect and recharge your batteries for the coming New Year and much look forward to seeing many of you here again soon. Return to Contents

In Memory of Khensur Rinpoche Jampa Tegchok

I mourn you,

Geshe Tegchok,

Like a wolf

Howling for the moon

Of your Wisdom

Now gone

by Sue Bacchus

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A Memory of Geshe Jampa Tegchog by a student

Geshe Gampa Tegchog was an inspiring teacher. He had a great physical presence that seemed to fill the entire gompa. A presence that certainly kept students on their toes and attentive. Yet when you spoke to him or asked him a question at his teachings, then you realised that this man had nothing but kindness in him. I remember him well from his many visits to Jamyang but particularly from a memorable summer retreat that Jamyang organised at Springhead in Fontwell magna. The setting was idyllic, a stream flowed through the grounds of the retreat centre, the lawn was lush and the sun beat down in one of those unusually warm English summers. Geshe Jampa Tegchok sat at the front of the hall, a powerful presence, talking about the wisdom of emptiness and mind training for many days. On his left side, Geshe Tashi, on the other Gareth Sparham who was acting as translator. I huddled over the controls of the microphones and recording equipment and listened spellbound for hour after hour as the very clear teachings poured out of Khensur Rinpoche. At one point, as I was sorting out the microphones I glanced at his notes, page after page handwritten in a clear and very legible (to some) Tibetan script. There were no corrections or crossings out. He had really worked on these lectures and they were truly inspiring. During the retreat, he met with students privately and they were able to ask him questions. They all emerged hugely impressed with his close attention to them, his interest in their problems, and the depth of his advice. Sadly this was to be one of the last times that Geshe Jampa Tegchog was well enough to visit and teach at Jamyang and it is with great sadness that we hear of his passing. I am sure that such a huge personality will repeatedly cross our paths in the future, cajoling and inspiring us to take tentative steps on the path. If you wish to listen to any of his teachings we have a host of them on our website. You can find them if you follow this link: Geshe Jampa Tegchok Audio Teachings Khensur Rinpoche passed away in the early morning of Tuesday 28 October before dawn, so he is considered in the Tibetan tradition to have passed away on Monday. The 7, 14 etc day pujas therefore fall on Sunday.

At Jamyang we will offer 108 lights, Medicine Buddha Puja with the King of Prayers at 7pm on Sundays. The last of these fall on the 7 and 14 Dec. Return to Contents

Golden Light Sutra Transmission by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

During the recent retreat in Australia, Lama Zopa Rinpoche agreed to allow those who listen to a recording of Rinpoche giving the oral transmission of the Sutra of Golden Light to receive the transmission in full. You may receive this oral transmission by listening to the audio or from watching and listening to it on video. FPMT have made both the video and audio available for you. Just click here Return to Contents

Jamyang Volunteers 2014. A Big Thank You

Jamyang Volunteers 2014 stories

As we are approaching the end of 2014 I would like to take this opportunity to write about my experiences of a busy but very rewarding year for Jamyang. The past year has been a period of intense learning and invaluable personal and professional experiences. The Centre has changed significantly and I wouldn't have been able to achieve such improvement without the kind and lovely volunteers I have had the privilege to meet and work with during 2014. In our winter term we said goodbye to our long term volunteers Violeta Dima and Naiara Gomez from Rumania and Spain respectively. They were my first trainers and their tacit experiences were very useful for the start of the new rota and admin system. Then we welcomed Viktorija Krone (Latvia), Ana Sofia Faustino (Portugal), Diana Elena Dumitrasc (Rumania), Amanda Mindus(Sweden) and Alessandra Giogli (Italy). This group was energetic, young and as you can see a female multicultural explosion. This was my very first group, so we learnt and discovered together how the Centre should run, important and useful feedback was obtained at that time. We were preparing for Lama Zopa Rinpoche's visit hence a long 'to do list' was in the making. Summer arrived and Lama Zopa Rinpoche's visit was approaching hence the

Hospitality Team was working at full power. We welcomed Francesca Maeder (Switzerland) who is an organizing machine; she is like a Swiss clock working perfectly and on time. Maria Francesca Mameli, from Italy, this little woman has only one muscle and that is her heart. Maria Francesca contributed greatly to the Centre's gift aid database and everyone in the Centre loved her. Then we received our own divo, Andras Chiriliuc directly from Rumania. Andras, a very loyal student of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, is an opera singer so the Centre enjoyed the sound of his singing voice every day. Our youngest yet volunteer Stefan Bunea Margarit arrived, he is a very responsible boy and thanks to him the staff cells got a brand new floor. This group was very diverse in ages and sociocultural backgrounds and I had so much fun with them. The Centre's system was getting stronger and all of them worked very hard during Lama Zopa Rinpoche's visit. It was an incredible reward hearing such lovely feedback from the community and students. For the second half of the summer we received a very lovely French boy, Matthieu Mares, I have never met a man who could clean so perfectly at that speed; if the tea-station was extra tidy then it meant that he was on shift. Matthieu was a very popular member of the group and turned out that he also knew how to paint hence the Tara Room's new green colour. In that month we also received Anne Liebig from Germany. She is a tidy and very organised woman. Thanks to her most of our covers and areas got spotlessly clean, it turned out that she had a steady hand hence the Tara Room's wooden areas have a fresh coat of paint. Anne and Matthieu felt a huge satisfaction when they finished that room, well done and thank you. September started and we were back to the term-time routine and the hard work we had done paid back with the Centre looking great. In this term we welcomed Sabrina De Chirico from Italy, and what a gift she was for us. Sabrina learnt very quickly the routine and soon became my right hand person. Her comments and feedback improved even more our system. She is an experienced woman with a great heart who we sorely miss in the team as she left on the 27th November. In our current team we have Sabine, Pavlina and Clive. In the middle of September we got our lovely retired teacher Clive Gransden, from Dagenham. Clive knows everything and has taught me so much from how to ripen fruit more quickly to how to pronounce many words properly. I didn't know how useful it would be to have a native speaker in the team. If you would like to have a chat about any subject I guarantee that Clive will be happy to feed you and discuss it with you. Nearly at the same time Sabine Scherer arrived from Germany, she is a quiet but very clever woman. If someone asks me how volunteers should be motivated to offer service I would say 'please go and meet Sabine'. I remember when she came to her interview. I showed her the Small Gompa, and she had such great joy and emotion to be there that she started crying, so then I knew she is the one. And lastly we have our new arrival; Pavlina Blahova from the Czech Republic a lovely and evidently efficient girl who plays saxophone on her free days off. The names above are a fundamental part of the Centre, those are the people who open the door to each student, client and visitor. Daily they clean the toilets, vacuum clean all the Centre, clean the offices, change bedding in the cells and receive the paying guest. They register students, offer the bowls in the Gompas

every day at 7am, prepare and top up the tea-station and set up the mats and cushions where you sit while in class. They also take care of the venue clients setting up rooms, answer the phone and every single time smile when someone comes in asking for information. These are the people who have come to Jamyang to contribute to Lama Zopa Rinpoche's project and for that I have no other words but Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I would also like to mention our very special volunteers such as Anne Swindell, our lovely gardener, the hedge at the front of the building and the courtyard look fantastic thanks to her kindness and very hard work. Then we have Rose Williams who coordinated the flowers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the Relic tour, she also does gorgeous and amazing flowers arrangements for other special events. Also Ilaria Alongi who took care of the flowers at the beginning of the year. Another very kind person who I am very pleased to see every Tuesday and Wednesday is Colm, from Ireland. Colm comes and always is ready to help. During Lama Zopa's visit I counted on him so much especially when I need to move heavy things. And last but not least, Constantine from Rumania who supported me so much in the first half of the year. Thank you very much for the good times, the laughs, the endless farewell parties, birthday celebrations, the yummy dishes you cooked and shared with me, your support when I was rushing and overwhelmed, without you the Centre definitely wouldn't be able to offer the Dharma. Sincerely, Lorena Guerrero Gallardo Ed. In case you didn't know, Lorena is our Venue Manager, responsible for all the day to day running of the centre - and much more. A very big thanks to her for her fantastic commitment and hard work over a very busy year.

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MBSR Courses in 2015

We would like to invite you to participate in our next Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)courses that starts at Jamyang, with classes running from 22 January to 26 March 2015. Classes are held at 10.30am-12.30pm or 6.30pm-8.30pm. The MBSR course is an established 8 week course (9 weeks if you include the 1st introductory session) leading you skilfully through a series of meditations and gentle physical

exercises designed to change habitual thought patterns, reduce stress and help with anxiety and depression. For Christmas presents with a difference, Gift Vouchers are also available. Gift vouchers are redeemable at any of the 6 courses being run in 2015. Please contact Vinod or Jane oninfo@londoncentreformindfulness.com for more details on this. Please see below for details of the upcoming 6 courses:

Course Title Dates Full Practice Days

Spring 2015 22 Jan - 26 March 2015 28 Feb or 1st March 2015

Summer 2015 14 May - 9 July 2015 4 July 2015

Autumn 2015 17 Sept - 12 Nov 2015 31 October 2015

All classes are held weekly on Thursdays, either Mornings (10.30am-12.30pm) or Evenings (6.30pm-8.30pm) and there is a full practice day as well as the classes. The MBSR course is a very popular course that turns every moment into a new and fresh start, with practices that offer tools to step outside of the often turbulent and thinking mind. A course that guides the practitioner to experience the stillness and "being" state that surrounds and exists in the background of all activities and thought. This course is directed both at the beginner and the experienced meditator. It introduces you to various practical meditation tools or styles to help you move deeper within yourself, away from the often turbulent stream of thought and into a place of quietness and peace. Ranging from short 3 minute meditations to longer ones, guiding you so as to turn mundane everyday activities such as eating, drinking and walking into moments of stillness in meditation, it is a course that we would wholeheartedly recommend. The course fee is £200 The fee includes a delicious vegetarian lunch during the full practice day, a collection of guided meditations on CD/MP3 format and a coursebook. Return to Contents

Translation of Sitatapatra practices

FPMT Education Services has recently published a new collection of two Sitatapatra practices- "The Supreme Accomplishment of Sitatapatra," and "Praises and Repelling Practices of Sitatapatra." You can download this collection from the FPMT Foundation Store. In addition to many benefits of engaging in these practices, Lama Zopa Rinpoche has recently recommended that these two practices are beneficial to helping bring peace to the situation between Israel and Palestine. shop.fpmt.org/Practices-of-Arya-Sitatapatra-White-Umbrella-Deity-PDF_p_2263.html

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Represent Your Community in Interfaith Work

We thought you may be interested in this, but note the closing date!

Each year 3FF's internship programme gives opportunities to 30-40 people to gain hands-on experience of the interfaith/intercultural charity field and develop skills for their future careers. The programme is both structured, offering regular training sessions, and flexible, allowing participants to tailor it to their interests and make real contributions to our work. Our internships are for three days per week for 12 weeks, based in our Kentish Town office. Travel and lunch expenses are reimbursed.

"I found my internship really inspiring and useful both from a professional and personal point of view." The next closing date for applications is 9am, 2 December 2014. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an assessment day on 10 December 2014. The internship will start in January 2015. For more information about the roles available and details on how to apply please visit www.3ff.org.uk/internships

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Out and About on the net

1) Did you enjoy the visit of the Tashi Lhunpo monks last month? You can keep up with them by following their page on Facebook which you can find here

tashi lhunpo on facebook

2)Have you seen the Jamyang cafe's facebook page?

Stimulate your tastebuds by visiting

Café at Jamyang

3) Do you fancy serving up a Tibetan delicacy but don't now how to go about it? Well then your problem is solved. Get the recipes here (with thanks to the International Campaign for Tibet) Simplytibetan.com

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Poetry Corner

I am sure many of you have stood in a circle, arms crossed and hands clasping your neighbours hands and have attempted to sing Auld Lang Syne. If you are anything like me you sing one line and then it's all dum-di-dum-di-dum thereafter. So impress your friends this New Year's Eve with your knowledge of this unique poem. Auld Lang Syne Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to min'? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne? For auld lang syne, my dear. For auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes, And pu'd the gowans fine; But we've wandered mony a weary foot Sin' auld lang syne. We twa hae paidled I' the burn, From morning sun till dine; But seas between us braid hae roared sin' auld lang syne. And there's a hand, my trusty fiere, And gie's a hand o' thine; And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught, For auld lang syne. And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp, And surely I'll be mine; And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet For auld lang syne. Robert Burnes 1759 - 1796 ed. I also have no idea what most of this means!

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Robina Courtin in Denmark 12 - 15 December

The unique Venerable Robina Courtin will be teaching in Denmark this December. We received the following email from the FPMT centre in Copenhagen. We're happy to announce that Ven. Robina Courtin will be visiting us in December, teaching a public talk and a weekend course. Many people in our center feels a very strong connection to Ven. Robina Courtin. Her powerful energy and dynamic way of teaching, has brought inspiration not just to us, but to thousands of practitioners around the world, inmates in prisons and even scientists at International Google Conferences. We hope to see you for the public talk and the weekend course. Note, that there is a special early bird price for registrations before December 1st.

More information on their website www.fpmt.dk/ where you can also learn more about the Dalai Lama's visit to Denmark in February 2015 Return to Contents

Film Showing - Bringing Tibet Home

BRINGING TIBET HOME - 12th/13th/14th/

15th Dec + Q&A with Tenzin Tsetan Choklay & Tenzing Rigdol

Bringing Tibet Home is the pivotal, poignant and deeply personal debut feature documentary by Tibetan filmmaker Tenzin Tsetan Choklay. The film crew follow from start to finish the New York based Tibetan contemporary artist Tenzing Rigdol while he creates his most ambitious, political and crucial installation yet, the Soil Project. Inspired by his father's dying wish, to once again set foot on Tibetan soil, Rigdol transported soil from Tibet through Nepal to Dharamsala, India, to bring a piece of Tibet to the exiled community who are unable to return to their homeland. Choklay films Rigdol's physical and emotional journey to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges as he navigates the border controls of three countries to smuggle out 20 tons of Tibetan soil. A deeply inspiring portrait of human resilience at its most tested, and a profound example of enduring creativity through times of political turmoil.

12 December, 7pm - The Cinema, Goldsmiths (University of London, Lewisham Way, New Cross) tickets: https://billetto.co.uk/bringing-tibet-home-gold 13 December, 3pm - The Proud Archivist (Hertford Rd, Regent's Canal, Haggerston) tickets: https://billetto.co.uk/bringing-tibet-home-tpa 14 December, 7.30pm - Platform (London Fields) tickets: https://billetto.co.uk/bringing-tibet-home-platform 15 December, 7pm - The Horse Hospital (Just off Russell Square) tickets: https://billetto.co.uk/bringing-tibet-home-horsehospital www.day-for-night.org/bringing-tibet-home

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Opportunities Around the FPMT

There are work and volunteer opportunities in many of the FPMT Centres around the world. You can find details of these on the FPMT website. Here is a selection: Chenrezig Institute, the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Queensland Director and volunteer positions Tara Institute, Melbourne. SPC position Nalanda Monastery, France. Volunteer positions There are also volunteer opportunities in India, Spain, New Zealand.......... .................. And especially here at Jamyang, London! Return to Contents

FPMT

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

FPMT is based on the Gelugpa tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught by our founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe and spiritual director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche. If you would like to receive FPMT's monthly newsletters please subscribe here.

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