Sponsoring Butterlamps

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In Tibet butterlamps were fueled by clarified yak butter and the act of using such an ordinary, everyday substance to provide illumination was seen as symbolic of transforming our ordinary, everyday mind into the  wise compassionate of enlightenment. These days candles are used instead of yak butter, but the symbolism remains the same.

The Samye Ling Butterlamp house was consecrated on New Year's Eve 1999 and dedicated to fostering peace throughout the world. Traditionally butterlamps are lit and prayers offered in remembrance of loved ones or good causes, but it is the wish of Dr Akong Tulku Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe Rinpoche that lamp offerings at Samye Ling be dedicated not only to individuals but to all beings everywhere and for each lamp to be a contributing factor to world peace.

Everyone is invited to participate in this aspiration for universal harmony. Visitors at Samye Ling can assist in a practical way by helping to light lamps or by cleaning the lamps and tidying the surroundings. Anyone, anywhere can sponsor lamps to be lit and for prayers to be dedicated in honour of friends or good causes. 

If you want to sponsor butterlamps for a specific date please contact reception first to make sure the date is available, email reception@samyeling.org, then make your donation once confirmed.

Lamps Price
Up to 99 Lamps 25p each.
108 £27.00
1000 £100.00

Once your date is confirmed by reception please use the button below, and put the lighting date in the comments section.

Thank you.

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