Dharma Study and Practice in Kagyu Samye Ling

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Since Samye Ling was established in 1967 the emphasis has always been on pure, authentic Dharma teachings.  

DSC 0100 4As well as the daily prayers and meditation sessions in the Temple, there are several periods of special intensive practice throughout the year.  These are times when we hope as many people as possible will join us in prayers for peace and wellbeing in the world.  Just before Tibetan New Year (Losar) we do Protector prayers.  After Losar during the ‘Month of Miracles’ there is the Nyungney fasting practice, which is traditionally mainly for lay people who may not have so much time for practice in their daily lives.  We celebrate Wesak (the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of the Buddha) by holding the UK Kagyu Monlam, which is a great highlight of the year. And in October we honour the anniversary of the passing of our Founder, Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche, with a week of intensive teaching and practice led by Drupon Khen Rinpoche.

41756993434 5ca02c404f zThanks to Drupon Rinpoche’s great kindness we have also been able to send many of our ordained monks and nuns as well as a number of lay people to long term retreat under Rinpoche’s direction in the Thrangu Retreat in Sekar, Nepal.  Some have made a commitment to remain in retreat for six years while others intend to stay for the rest of their lives.  This we feel is the best investment for the future of the Dharma in the hope that these fortunate practitioners will truly assimilate the Buddha’s teachings into their innermost being.  If all goes well, some will eventually take over responsibility for continuing Samye Ling’s Dharma activities in years to come.

Rinpoche’s long term vision and commitment has led him to accept the request of members of Samye Dzong Lubumbashi in DRC in Africa to train five of their children.  Despite huge logistical challenges the children began their Dharma education in Sekar in 2018 and we hear they are doing extremely well in their studies – already able to converse in Tibetan and starting to memorise major Dharma texts.

We also have a small group of dedicated practitioners in our Women’s retreat on Holy Isle, where there is an ongoing series of consecutive one year retreats.  Once again we are indebted to Drupon Rinpoche’s kindness as all the teachings he gives in Sekar are transmitted to each of these retreats so the retreaters in Scotland can participate in daily teaching sessions as well as their own practice sessions.

If you are interested in finding out more about these study and practice opportunities contact us at scotland@samyeling.org.

For those who are not able to visit Samye Ling regularly, there is also the possibility of engaging in the online home study course, a three year course which accepts a new intake of students each year.  For more information about this please see http://www.calm-and-clear.eu/nangiintro.html.

The Buddhist principle is to be everybody's friend, not to have any enemy.
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Meditation means simple acceptance.
Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche
Only the impossible is worth doing.
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Whenever we see something which could be done to bring benefit to others, no matter how small, we should do it.
Chamgon Khentin Tai Situ Rinpoche
Freedom is not something you look for outside of yourself. Freedom is within you.
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Hasten slowly, you will soon arrive.
Jetsun Milarepa
It doesn’t matter whatever comes, stop judging and it won’t bother you.
Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche
Whatever obstacles arise, if you deal with them through kindness without trying to escape then you have real freedom.
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
To tame ourselves is the only way we can change and improve the world.
Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche
I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Strive always to be as kind, gentle and caring as possible towards all forms of sentient life.
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Every sentient being is equal to the Buddha.
Chamgon Kentin Tai Situ Rinpoche
Wherever and whenever we can, we should develop compassion at once.
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Reminding ourselves of how others suffer and mentally putting ourselves in their place, will help awaken our compassion.
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche