| Causes and Effects of
Global Warming by Lama Zopa Rinpoche |
A student wrote to
Rinpoche saying she found his teachings on mind training very helpful.
However, she said she felt depressed due to the state of the
environment, global warming, etc., and was very worried about her
children growing up on this planet.
My very dear Sharon,
 Thank you
for your kind letter. I am very happy that my thought transformation
book helped when your mind and spirits were down and low. My job is
fulfilled, thank you very much. You expressed your concerns on global
warming and for your children. Here is my answer: Yes, I and other monks
and nuns at the house and other students that I invited, watched the Al
Gore movie (An Inconvenient Truth).
One of the causes of
global warming seems to be bombing and testing bombs in the water and on
the earth. This is dangerous not only for the future but also it causes
unbelievable harm to living beings now. I think this should be stopped.
Also, substances that
have a negative effect that are used in wars, causing great danger to
the whole world now and in the future, should not be used. This includes
bad substances that have a negative effect on one's life, such as smoke
from cigarettes.
Global warming must also
be related to there being a lot of factories. I think smoke from certain
materials, certain bad and impure substances, affect global warming. I
guess we must try and abandon the ones that are proved to affect global
warming. From one's own side, we should try to do this and make less
pollution, then that's our contribution to peace without adding to the
destruction of the world. Then, we need to tell others, suggest to them
in a respectful way to engage in the same activities, to abandon those
things which are proved to cause global warming and do things that bring
great peace to the world.
Basically, global warming and
whatever great danger is going to happen in this world, including the
great tsunami that happened, all come from the negative impure mind. The
very root is ignorance, not knowing what the self is and the "I" is,
what the ultimate nature of the "I" and aggregates are, and so forth.
While they are empty of existing from their own side, they exist in mere
name, merely imputed by the mind, but we think of them as totally
opposite to this, thinking they exist completely from their own side.
This ignorance is such an unbelievably fixed concept, harder than a
rocky mountain.
The other ignorance is
not knowing karma (cause and effect) and not knowing Dharma. Then,
attachment and anger arise and so many negative emotional thoughts and
wrong concepts, which project wrong views, and then one performs actions
motivated by these. So, this is the main cause, which is not outside,
but is in the mind of us deluded sentient beings.
 What Al Gore
is talking about is only the external conditions. If you didn't have
this inner cause, you wouldn't experience tsunamis, global warming and
all the dangers. Therefore, we very badly need Dharma practice and
meditation practice, to protect the mind from all the inner, harmful
thoughts. Dharma practice and meditation are the inner methods to heal
the inner sicknesses of the mind. Practicing Dharma forms the attitude
of one's life: non-ignorance, non-attachment, non-anger, and,
especially, having a good heart and cherishing others, which is
unstained by the self-cherishing thought.
Without this Dharma there
is no protection for sentient beings' minds and lives from the inner
tsunami of ignorance, desire, anger, jealousy, pride, and so forth. The
many wrong concepts that take over one's mind and life are like the
tsunami, which covered whole cities with water and destroyed so much.
Also, with such meditation and Dharma practice one creates a positive
mind, renunciation, Bodhicitta, and right view.
In regards to right view,
it is the direct perception of emptiness, which directly eliminates the
inner enemies and delusion. It is this delusion that harms you,
destroys you and the world, and attacks and harms all living beings,
from life to life.
With this wisdom
supported by Bodhicitta, you cease even the subtle defilements, and then
you achieve the fully awakened mind, full enlightenment, and peerless
happiness.
As the great Indian scholar
and saint Shantideva mentioned: Even if the whole earth is covered by
leather, still it is not enough. But if the bottoms of your feet are
covered with leather, then it covers all the thorn bushes in this world,
and wherever you walk is fine.
Once the inner enemy of
anger is destroyed then all the outer enemies are destroyed all at once.
You can't find an enemy at all in the universe. Similarly, without
delusion there is no karma, without karma, no suffering, including
global warming, tsunamis, famine, disease, and so forth.
|
| November highlights in the
programme- |
November brings new classes
to Jamyang. With Geshe Tashi leaving for a teaching tour in America, the
Tuesday and Thursday classes will continue, facilitated by students. Buddhist
Logic with Roy Sutherwood on Tuesdays and Vajrayogini
Practice with Joona Repo on Thursdays. Gerry Cummings will
teach Relax your Mind and Restore your Body on
Wednesdays.
Before Geshe Tashi
leaves, you have an opportunity to attend the last weekend of teachings
he will lead this year on The Nature of the Mind, and
to join in the celebration of Buddha's Descent from Tushita
next Monday, when you can also take Refuge if you want to.
We are lucky to be hosting
two visiting teachers this month. Ven. Amy Miller will
teach a practical course entitled From Anger to Happiness - It's All
in the Mind. Guest artist, Andy Weber, will give a
series of art workshops and slideshows on Vajrayogini: Deity and
Mandala over two weekends, open to students with Vajrayogini
initiation, and an Introduction to the Symbolism in Tantric Buddhism
the first weekend of December. Please book in advance for these events. |
|
THIS MONTH AT JAMYANG |
|
THIS MONTH AT JAMYANG |
REGULAR CLASSES
Mondays @ 7.30pm
|
|
WEEKENDS
7-8
VISITING TEACHERS
| |
| Geshe
Tashi's column- |
 I
think this will be the last Gentle Voice of 2009 and this year I haven't
managed to contribute that much to this column, mainly because there
hasn't been much that I could say about the situation in Jamyang
that hasn't already been said by the director and others.
What I can say is
that this year Khensur Rinpoche's visits were very successful and many
people have worked hard, particularly Mike Murray, who travelled to
India on four occasions in order to make things run as smoothly and as
successful as possible. Also many of you have contributed to these
teachings financially and also worked very hard to make them happen, so I
really want to say thank you for that.
Mainly in this
article though, I'd like to say my heartfelt thanks to Esther. As you
all know she is leaving the Jamyang as the SPC and she has worked
incredibly hard during the last three years. Esther has many talents and
her dedication to this work has been just amazing; so it is very sad
that she is leaving - but then that is the nature of impermanence! One
day we will all go for one reason or another. I most sincerely,
genuinely, from the bottom of my heart, wish all her future activities
and plans - whatever she wishes to do either for her own sake and the
sake of others - to be a great success without any obstacles.
Secondly, as you know
Anil has left after working as manager for around two years, and he
tried his very best and worked very hard at his job, so I want to say
thank you to him.
And finally, now that 2009 is
almost over, I hope you've all had a very good year and I pray that
you're looking forward to 2010 and that you'll have an excellent year.
Thank you to everyone
involved with the centre, and bye, bye for now.
|
| Director's column- |
Hello again everyone,
I'm feeling very "warm and fuzzy as I write this" (not due to the
new heating system yet tho, but it's close!). As you know, we need
to raise approx £20,000 for our new boiler, underfloor heating and
associated costs. Thanks to the hard work of one of our Trustees,
SITA Trust granted us 10,000 and we are trying to match that grant.
I am so happy to share with you that just in the last two weeks, we
have raised approx £3,600 towards that target! So as these funds
are the direct result of people actively supporting Jamyang when the
call goes out, nothing makes a Director feel more heartened and
touched!
The £3,600 is made up of two individual
donations of £400.00 each, one of £500 (enormous thanks to those
wonderful donors) and we had two great fundraising events last weekend.
First, an extremely fun and entertaining fundraising dinner on
Saturday, and Peace in the City day on Sunday - at a rough calculation
we raised about £2,300 from both these events, with the money coming
from dinner tickets and raffle proceeds from Saturday, and a book stall
over the weekend (set up by one student), plus the donations people paid
for various therapy treatments at Peace In the City day where the
therapists offer their time and energy free to help Jamyang, and lastly
money made from the in-house Cafe. So this is a tremendous start.
The new boiler is due to be delivered tomorrow, and our plumbers
are hard at work already with the associated pipe work etc.
Saturday
night's party was also a sad farewell for Anil, who has now left work
at Jamyang. Needless to say, he went out in fine "Anil" style, wearing a
gorgeous pink tutu and winning the best male Halloween costume on the
night! His wonderful people skills will be sadly missed at Jamyang
and we all wish him well in his new NHS job.
Jamyang staff and volunteers
with Khensur Rinpoche
I'm happy to advise that Mike Murray is our new Spiritual Programme
Coordinator, taking over from Esther Garibay, when she leaves mid Dec.
Mike is well known to many Jamyang folks and he is incredibly well
qualified on many different levels, for this role. However, it
will be very sad saying goodbye to Esther this time, as she has done an
excellent job as SPC, as Jamyang's busy, full programme indicates.
I'd like to personally thank the many regular volunteers who give
so much of their time and energy to help Jamyang. I noticed on
Saturday night at the fundraising dinner, we actually had too many
helpers! How many Centres can "complain" of such a phenomena??!!
Not many....believe me. And the therapists offering their
time and energy on Peace in the City day, really work so hard (last
Sunday was one of the busiest days this event has had yet). I love
the way so many people hold Jamyang dear in their hearts and are so
willing to help time and time again. I am eternally grateful to
you all. Two of the donors who gave those big amounts for the
heating, are known to me and I can thank them personally, but an
anonymous donor left one of the 400 donations at Jamyang one day - so
who ever you are, please accept a sincere thank you for your
kindness!
Sorry to harp on, but we still need to raise the heating balance of
£6,600 as soon as possible. Would you consider hosting a "Come
Dine With Me" evening at your home, by cooking a nice meal and inviting
Jamyang friends to pay a set price to attend - thereby eating well,
having fun and raising funds for the Jamyang Heating Fund. To find
out more about this idea, email Roy Gillett: roy.gillett@ntlworld.com
Happy
November to you all,
Love,
Sally |
| Farewell
Jamyang by Anil Sharma |
Farewell
Jamyang!
There have been many precious moments shared with
each of you at different times and these I take with me. I will
miss Jamyang and the constant love and support that you have shown
me.  Eternity
He
who binds to himself a
joy
Does the winged life destroy.
He who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives
in eternity's sunrise.
William Blake (1757-1827)
Thank you all! It has been a Joy.
Anil X
|
|
A classy goodbye for Anil, and a successful fundraising party
night for Jamyangers! |
|
Anil and Sally, winners of
the best female/ male costume, and top Jamyang officials, I wonder: was
the contest rigged?
Other scary characters making an appearance at Jamyang
that night....
  
Oh
yes, it was a fun night! Our next party is on the 19th of December: Community Day. |
| Action to Protect Our
Environment- |
 Our teachers are
constantly reminding us of the urgency there is, and to stop wasting
time and start practising because we don't know when our fortunate
circumstances will change, urging us to make the most out of this
precious human rebirth.
That same sense of
urgency and "action required" is being suggested by various scientists,
ecologists, philosophers, spiritual leaders, activists, and people in
general who are concerned about what our unmindful waste of resources is
doing to people, animals and the environment of our shared planet.
There does not seem to be clarity as to how long we have, but there is
definitely a sense that if we don't act now, today, tomorrow, it will be
too late.
Next month, December
2009, there will be a meeting of world leaders in Copenhagen who will be
discussing actions that can be taken to prevent what some say is a
climate crisis that will bring more suffering, due to lack of water,
food, etc.
Being physically close to
these crucial talks, and inspired by the invitation to take action from
Jamyang student Nick Clarke, we include a few contributions from
students passionate about the topic, telling us why we need to take
action.
We hope you enjoy them!
Esther G.
Some
related links:
|
| Interdependence and
Compassion by Elaine Brook- |
|
Elaine's books
include The Windhorse, Land of the Snow Lion, and In Search of
Shambhala, published by Jonathan Cape. She has contributed to Mandala
Magazine and the FPMT monthly newsletter. This is what she sent for
Gentle Voice:
 Now that
environmental issues, and climate change in particular, have become
headlines in the mainstream media, the question that arises for western
Buddhists is not only, 'Is this something that is relevant to our
practice?', but also, 'If we are following a practice focused on
interdependence and compassion, should we be taking a lead, setting an
example, or simply waiting for politicians or 'market forces' to push us
into action?'
How does this awareness affect Buddhist organizations
and practitioners?
Becoming aware of these
issues (Universal Responsibility) implies changes in everyday actions,
in addition to generating benevolent thoughts and feelings. Over
the past 25 years of conversations on this subject with western
Buddhists, I encountered a wide range of responses, from enthusiastic
support, to complete rejection - some reasons as follows;
1. This is politics, not
Dharma
2 If people/beings are suffering or exploited it's because of
their karma, not our actions
3. If other people cause the harm
directly, there's no problem in us enjoying the results
4. Dharma is
about thoughts and feelings, not actions
5. It's all implied in the
texts, so that's good enough - if most people don't get the point,
that's not our problem
6. What we are doing is just part of the
natural evolution of things, even if it's destructive, so why bother to
change it?
7. We should pray to be reborn in another world that has
not been destroyed
8. It's too difficult and puts people off.
This is not so surprising, as
we are all products of the society we live in - a society in denial of
our actions and lifestyles as strong as those of any individual addict
in denial of their own particular 'drug' habit. Some individuals are
lucky, and find circumstances to help them kick the habit, others need
more help and support. and compassionate practitioners could provide
that support.
Now many Buddhists feel 'that
needs also to be acted upon in our ordinary everyday habits; how we use
energy, transport, food, clothing, and so on.
For example we can choose:
1. a) most of the clothes in the
shops are made by workers in Third World countries who work 14 hours a
day, seven days a week, in very bad conditions for very little
money. If we buy these, we invest/support expansion of
this cruel industry.
b) some clothes are '
fair trade' and guarantee the workers are properly paid and not badly
treated.
2. a) our lighting, heating, driving, air travel, and
imported goods produce carbon pollution, global warming and extreme
weather events.
b) we can switch off
lights, wear a sweater and turn heating down, reduce our driving
and flying, out of compassion to save the suffering of polar bears,
penguins, corals, and people in New Orleans, Bangladesh, and many other
places affected by extreme weather events and warming. This means that
the individuals making these changes create the merit from their
actions, rather than leaving all the actions to one person to install
insulation or a more efficient boiler.
3. a) if we have savings or loans from the main high
street Banks (very small current accounts make no difference) we are
investing/supporting the business of the Bank which includes arms sales,
cigarettes, and big capital projects which are pushing millions of
peasant farmers off their land.
b) we can
choose to use ethical banks, or building societies that only invest in
domestic housing.
4. a) most animal products, cheese, eggs, come from
factory farms where animals suffer terrible conditions. Most
vegetables are sprayed to kill billions of small sentient beings.
b) we can choose animal products not from factory farms which include '
Freedom Food' RSPCA, ' organic' 'bio' etc, and
vegetables that are not sprayed.
Watching the plants and
animals live and co-exist in my own garden is a constant reminder that
dependent co-arising is not just a principle which applies to mental
states, but manifests in every part and process around us. Just by being
alive, we interact in every moment of every day with every other being
in the complex web of relationships we call life. What we call
'environment' is not something separate we live in, but a collective
term for all the beings, including ourselves, that co-create it as an
ongoing dynamic process.
Elaine Brook is a writer and photographer who spent
many years in the Himalayan regions of Nepal and Bhutan. She runs the
Shen Phen Thubten Choeling FPMT Centre in rural Herefordshire, England,
aiming to set an example of 'one planet living'. 0845 458 4718 email: dharma@gaiacooperative.org |
| Adapting
to climate chaos by Patricia Curmi- |
 Adapting
to climate chaos and preventing it isn't just about 'saving the planet'.
Let's face it, the Earth was here long before we turned up all smug
about our opposable thumbs. And it'll be around for a while yet. In
reality, climate chaos boils down to the (preventable) suffering of
billions of sentient beings.
The Buddha didn't explicitly
teach about environmental destruction, probably because it was a couple
of thousand years too early for humans to really get stuck in and mess
things up. But what he did say can be used as the basis for a strong
argument in favour of us consciously acting to prevent climate change as
individuals and communities.
1. What
is climate justice?
Climate justice is the idea that
poverty and all forms of discrimination should be addressed by any
actions we take to address climate change. Domination of the planet and
domination of other humans are two sides of the same coin. To find out
more check out www.climate-justice-action.org, www.gendercc.net,
Ecological Buddhism (www.ecobuddhism.org/index.php) Guardian columnist
George Monbiot's blog (www.monbiot.com/archives/category/environment) or
the eco-Buddhist Towards Froglessness blog
(http://knowyouarehere.blogspot.com).
2. How
do I learn about the 'sciencey' stuff?
In fact, why is it
even important to know anything about the science behind climate chaos?
Well, for starters it'll help you win pub quizzes. But perhaps more
importantly, it makes it much easier to see through the lies of climate
change deniers and corporate green-wash. A good place to get to grips
with the basics (and delve deeper if you desire) is RealClimate.com
(http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2007/05/start-here)
3.
Shouldn't governments and businesses deal with it?
A
resounding NO! Climate chaos is a symptom of a much deeper sickness
than overconsumption of resources. David Loy's analysis of the
non-duality of ecology and economy
(http://vancouverbpf.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/david-loy-the-nonduality-of-ecology-and-economy/)
should be one reason why we refuse to be lulled into inertia by the
promise from Government that it's all being taken care of.
4.
What about eating meat?
The Buddhist connections
with vegetarianism/veganism don't have to be rooted in a desire to
prevent climate change - the links between suffering and the meat and
dairy industry have already been covered. But to find out more about
what a difference not eating meat (or simply cutting down) could make,
check out the (admittedly hefty) UN report on the issue
(http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/a0701e/a0701e00.HTM).
5.
What about travelling abroad?
Easyjet. Ryanair.
They're our guilty pleasures - well, if you call getting strip-searched,
delayed and stumping up for a wilted cheese sarnie pleasure. Much more
fun, and not necessarily always pricier, is to travel in antiquated
luxury by train or boat (at least around Europe). The mysterious and
informing Man in Seat 61 (http://www.seat61.com/) can tell you how to
get anywhere without ever having to leave the ground.
6.
How do I get involved?
It's always easier to make a
change when you're surrounded by a supportive community, so seek one
out! Read the Buddhist Declaration on climate change
(http://www.ecobuddhism.org/350_target/350_target/buddhist_declaration_on_climate_change___read_an),
visit a climate camp (www.climatecamp.org.uk), find out about your
local transition town scheme (www.transitiontowns.org), or consider
joining the 10:10 campaign (www.guardian.co.uk/environment/10-10).
|
| A Dharma Presence at
the Climate Talks in Copenhagen - sent by the London Insight Meditation
Group- |
 A Time to
Engage?
In December, the UN Climate Change Conference takes
place in Copenhagen. Climate scientists are increasingly of the opinion
that we are imminently reaching a 'tipping point' before which we must
introduce strong measures to drastically reduce CO2 emissions in order
to avert a global tragedy. This is perhaps the most important
international meeting ever held.
A Dharma Response, A
Dharma Presence
On the weekend of December 11th-13th 2009,
we are travelling by train to Copenhagen to be part of a Dharma presence
on the streets there while the climate conference is taking place. We
hope that as many practitioners from as many different Buddhist
traditions as possible will join together on Saturday 12th December 2009
to be a visible and peaceful prayer of care for the planet, for
wakefulness, and for world-wide environmental justice, as part of the
other demonstrations in Copenhagen that weekend. We will be there to ask
world leaders to see and choose with foresight, wisdom and true
compassion, and to encourage them to agree on a truly far-reaching,
ambitious and binding global climate deal. A deal that really responds
adequately to the scale of the emergency now facing not just our human
civilisation, but the earth and all the life it supports.
Our
Responsibility
Change will not come unless we take the
responsibility and the lead, and it is this personal responsibility and
care that would be demonstrated by standing up in Copenhagen; an
acknowledgement that only through each and every one of us walking the
walk will the necessary global changes become a reality. We believe that
at this time we have a responsibility as practitioners to bear witness
to, and actively engage with, such issues of global significance. We
invite those who feel the same to join us.
The
Practicalities
The journey by train can be quite easily
done in a weekend. It is possible to leave London on Friday afternoon
and be back in London on Sunday afternoon (if you take two sleeper
trains), and there are other options too. Booking travel is pretty
straightforward. Go to the Seat61.com website for clear instructions on
how to travel from London to Copenhagen by train or ferry. http://www.seat61.com/Denmark.htm takes you
straight to the page you need: It has links to the booking websites,
suggested times and information about cost.
We will meet at
Copenhagen Central Train Station, in front of the DSB Rejsecenter (in
the Main Ticket Office and Waiting Lounge), between 11:30am and 12 noon
on Saturday 12th December 2009, the Global Day of Action. You are
invited to bring a candle to carry, representing our intention to act
from a place of peacefulness and clear-seeing, an intention we are
asking the world's leaders to share, although we will feel into what
seems appropriate on the day. If you can't find us or are delayed please
call 0044 (0)7976 730712 or 0044 (0)7595 500173.
Can't
come to Copenhagen?
There will also be a demonstration in
London on Saturday December 5th. See http://www.campaigncc.org/climatemarch2009
for details. For info on meeting up with other Dharma folk that day,
e-mail enquiries@londoninsight.org.uk,
marking your e-mail for the attention of Chris. Or alternatively check www.sanghaseva.org nearer the time. |
| A massive
gathering of people expressing a rich and deep appreciation of what it
means to be interconnected with all life by Nick Clarke- |
 I was very excited and inspired by the invitation for A
Dharma Presence at the Climate Talks in Copenhagen (read above)
from London Insight Meditation, so excited that I wanted to share it
through Gentle Voice and draw attention to it by writing something to
accompany it. As you can see, foremost this is an invitation to be part
of a massive gathering of people expressing a rich and deep appreciation
of what it means to be interconnected with all life.
Within that larger group it is also an invitation to be part of
a Sangha working to create a collective identity that demonstrates how
the practice and understandings of Buddhism can facilitate
transformation that relieves suffering in the world. What follows is my
attempt to explain why I am inspired by this invitation and some of the
opportunities that I see in it.
At a conventional level our
individual and group identities function and cause results. We need to
see people leading by example, as role models, as gurus. Without
believing that anyone else has become enlightened, how can we believe we
can? In my own life, working with the intention of doing particular
activities to empower other wheelchair users in countries with few
resources, I found that often it was just the fact of showing that it
was possible to be OK and disabled was the most powerful thing I
achieved. In hospital soon after becoming disabled, it was seeing other
people being OK that was the most important lesson.
As the well known quote from Gandhi runs "Be the change that
you want to see in the world". Without something being
exemplified, it is very difficult to aspire to it. Once something is
held in our hearts as achievable, we can strive until we reach it. Our
present society uses this tool through advertising and the cult of
celebrity. I think that it is very important to be public with our
values and motivations and through our own lives to exemplify other
models for living.
The continuous returning to our motivation is like creating a
role model within, a solid conceptual reference point that we can
operate from rather than from a sense of self. When the Dalai Lama was
awarded the Nobel Prize, his response was 'Praise the motivation, not
the monk'. Trying to work as a role model before having a spiritual
practice, I was a mess. My ego would get so inflamed by its own
recognition that I'd swing between arrogance and self doubt. In the end I
largely gave up. Buddhism has now become part of a platform on which I
trust I can build an identity that seeks to influence change in the
world without becoming intoxicated and sickened by recognition. Or
at least I see a path of practice that holds that motivation.
As well as providing that solid and open base of identity to
operate with, the motivations of Buddhism and the wisdom underpinning
them have transformed my sense of what needs to be done and what is
possible. Attachment, aversion and deluded ignorance are not just
internal experiences that prevent happiness. They fruit as social
structures, economies, cultures, corporations, nation states and armies
that cause suffering. Experiencing in my own life that it is possible
(slowly!) for wisdom to replace delusion and equanimity, equality, love
and compassion to replace attachment and aversion I can see that it is
possible for these motivations to become social structures.
|
| Jamyang's
plants by Yvonne Butler- |
| Continuing on the topic of the Environment, focusing on
Jamyang's green inhabitants, we asked Yvonne to write a short
description of some of the various plants you can find at Jamyang.
Yvonne volunteers at Jamyang and Repaying the Kindness. She has been
taking care of our plants for over a year. Every Wednesday you will see
her travelling up and down, from west to east, feeding the green life at
Jamyang. This is her contribution to this edition of Gentle Voice.
 The range of indoor
plants at Jamyang is varied and exotic.
In the corner of the cafe is a
tall and broadleaved plant, which is fun to sit under and feel nurtured
and protected by.
To the right of the Gompa is a
corridor of evergreen plants, in their pots of different designs.
Various
Orchids - which were brought as offerings - are unusual looking in
their growth, as the roots grow untidily out of the pots searching for
water, as they would in the wild. One of them has decided to put its
energy into reproducing a plantlet on a stem, instead of the usual
uplifting, vibrantly coloured flowers.
The biggest plant in the building is a variegated ficus in the
stairwell on the way to the Guest Accommodation. This is the Head Plant
indoors.
A Peace Plant on the corner
of the stairs in reception overlooks and greets everyone entering and
leaving the centre. Fresh flowers are delivered every week, and arranged
around the building, together with those brought by visitors.
The Grandest Display of
All is when we have a visiting Rinpoche, and then the Gompa looks like a
florist's shop!
 As the statue of the
reclining Buddha in the garden has recently been cleaned, painted gold
and now gleams in the sunlight, the garden is now also being renovated,
as a tribute to the Buddha. The two Japanese Temple Plants each side of
the old safe have been replaced with expertly grown new ones which
intend to reach their full potential, a crowning glory of coloured
leaves which show all year round. They are also preparing to listen to
you and ease your night dreams. The newly planted spring bulbs can't
wait to display their flowers, and are already producing fresh green
leaves.
There is now a Zen style
corner being completed, and the next project is to grow our own organic
herbs and vegetables, including pumpkins - roll on next year's
Halloween!
Lastly, the must see plant in the whole of Jamyang; can be
seen by stepping out of the café onto the wooden decking. The tree you
will see in front of you and a little to your right, was planted by His
Holiness the Dalai Lama on his visit to Jamyang in 1999. Whose better
footsteps are there to follow than these?
|
| Various
events- |
* His Holiness
Karmapa visits UK in June 2010
Funds are urgently needed to
secure a venue for HH Karmapa to offer an event in London. To offer your
help, please contact the Coordinator of the Visit: Cait
Collins cait@globalnet.co.uk
*A
Brief Overview of the Pilgrimage organised by Nalanda Monastery, France
The Pilgrimage will be led by
Geshe Jamphel, Abbot and main teacher of Nalanda Monastery , France.
Geshe Jamphel will give teachings during the Pilgrimage and there will
also be opportunities for personal spiritual guidance. Translation will
be provided in English and French.
His Holiness the Dalai lama
will be teaching in Bodhgaya from the 5th -10th of January 2010.These
teachings will not be an official part of the pilgrimage, but they can
be attended prior to the Pilgrimage by those who want to. On the
11th of January a Long Life Puja will be done in Bodhgaya for His
Holiness. This will be the starting point of the Northern Indian
Pilgrimage. Over the next few days we will visit some of the great
holy sites in and around Bodhgaya, including the ancient ruins of
Nalanda and Rajgriha, and then on to Kushinagar and Sarnath,
ending in Varanasi on the January 21st.
The Southern Indian
Pilgrimage will begin in Bangalore on the 22nd of January. This offers a
rare and precious opportunity to visit the Three Great Monasteries of
Southern India - Sera-Je, where Geshe Jamphel studied for 20years,
Ganden, and Drepung. We will see how Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism is
flourishing in India today. During this time there will be opportunities
to attend pujas, receive teachings from some of the great masters who
are based there and visit surrounding smaller monasteries and temples.
The pilgrimage will end in Goa on the 6th of February.
We hope you will be inspired
to join both or either the Northern or Southern Pilgrimage trails, which
will be followed by monks, nuns, lay Buddhist practitioners and anyone
seeking inspiration. If so, you can find the complete itinerary on
the Nalanda Monastery website www.nalanda-monastery.eu . Please email
pilgrimage@nalanda-monastery if you have any personal queries.
*Invitation to watch a Documentary about His Holiness
the Dalai Lama
Academia Rossica is currently organising a
Russian film festival which will run from the 30th October-8th November
2009. As part of this festival we will be showing a documentary by
the Russian director Vitaly Mansky entitled Sunrise/Sunset. This film is
an unprecedented and fascinating portrait of the Dalai Lama, filmed
over the course of a single day at his residence. For IMDb entry please click here
*Interfaith Stories at St Ethelburga's-
St.
Ethelburga's have a fabulous series of interfaith storytelling
events coming up in Interfaith Week in November. Please do forward this
on to your storytelling networks, and book early to avoid
disappointment! Hope to see you there. More info and booking here. |
| 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.
|
| Your thoughts |
| What do you want to see in Gentle
Voice? We would love to hear your ideas and comments
about Gentle Voice, please contact Esther at: spc@jamyang.co.uk | |
As the autumn
leaves pile in the garden and the winter coats get undusted, Jamyang
gets warmer with all the work being done to upgrade the heating. By the
way, if you are worn-out hearing about the heating and fundraising, help
us get the job done once and for all (see Sally's column). 
