Gentle Voice - July/August 2012

Gentle Voice July/August 2012

Subject: Gentle Voice July/August 2012 Date: 02/07/12 16:28

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Gentle Voice July/August 2012

December 2011 and January 2012 In This Issue

Editor's welcome

Training the Mind, His Holiness the Dalai Lama His Holiness at the RAH This month at Jamyang Geshe Tashi's column The Director's Column His Holiness in the UK: a personal memoir Book Review: The Lawudo Lama Poetry Corner Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Classes Peace in the City Summer Work Camp Interfaith Walks Open Garden Squares: Feedback The uber mega Jumble Sale About FPMT Your thoughts for Gentle Voice

Hello everyone, I hope you are all well. I couldn't help but share this photo of two of the most inspiring leaders in the world today, one a spiritual leader the other a political leader who embodies so many incredibly fine qualities. Let us wish them every success in all their endevours and aspirations.

This month I am hoping you are all still basking in the warm afterglow of the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the UK and so I have provided another transcription of one of his talks on the

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theme of The 8 Verses of Mind Training. There are also photos from his time in London and a personal memoir of what it is like to meet His Holiness.

As well as this we have a host of news about events coming up and columns from our Director and Geshe Tashi. Fortunately I bumped into that old stalwart of Jamyang, Dave Benn at the Royal Albert Hall and he kindly agreed to write a book review for us.

This month's Poetry Corner features that greatest of Tibetan yogis, Jetsun Milarepa, and he shows that Tibetan poetry can be just as succinct and penetrating as Japanese Haiku.

I hope you enjoy this edition, it's the last one for a couple of months as we take a summer break. Do enjoy the warm weather and keep in touch with Jamyang: there are many activities going on over the next couple of months so check out the programme.

Peace and Love, John

Training the Mind: Verse 3, Commentary by His Holiness the Dalai Lama Following on for the teachings given by His Holiness in Manchester earlier this month, we continue with his series of commentaries on the Eight Verses For Training the Mind. The following extract is from a talk His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave in Washington D.C. in 1998.

Training the Mind: Verse 3 In all my deeds may I probe into my mind, And as soon as mental and emotional afflictions ariseAs they endanger myself and othersMay I strongly confront them and avert them.

This verse really gets to the heart of what could be called the essence of the practice of the buddhadharma. When we talk about Dharma in the context of Buddhist teachings, we are talking about nirvana, or freedom from suffering. Freedom from suffering, nirvana, or cessation is the true Dharma. There are many levels of cessation--for example, restraint from killing or murder could be a form of Dharma. But this cannot be called Buddhist Dharma specifically because restraint from killing is something that even someone who is nonreligious can

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adopt as a result of following the law. The essence of the Dharma in the Buddhist tradition is that state of freedom from suffering and defilements (Skt. klesha, Tib. nyonmong) that lie at the root of suffering. This verse addresses how to combat these defilements or afflictive emotions and thoughts. One could say that for a Buddhist practitioner, the real enemy is this enemy within--these mental and emotional defilements. It is these emotional and mental afflictions that give rise to pain and suffering. The real task of a buddhadharma practitioner is to defeat this inner enemy. Since applying antidotes to these mental and emotional defilements lies at the heart of the Dharma practice and is in some sense its foundation, the third verse suggests that it is very important to cultivate mindfulness right from the beginning. Otherwise, if you let negative emotions and thoughts arise inside you without any sense of restraint, without any mindfulness of their negativity, then in a sense you are giving them free reign.

They can then develop to the point where there is simply no way to counter them. However, if you develop mindfulness of their negativity, then when they occur, you will be able to stamp them out as soon as they arise. You will not give them the opportunity or the space to develop into full-blown negative emotional thoughts. The way in which this third verse suggests we apply an antidote is, I think, at the level of the manifested and felt experience of emotion. Instead of getting at the root of emotion in general, what is being suggested is the application of antidotes that are appropriate to specific negative emotions and thoughts. For example, to counter anger, you should cultivate love and compassion. To counter strong attachment to an object, you should cultivate thoughts about the impurity of that object, its undesirable nature, and so on. To counter one's arrogance or pride, you need to reflect upon shortcomings in you that can give rise to a sense of humility. For example, you can think about all the things in the world about which you are completely ignorant. Take the sign language interpreter here in front of me. When I look at her and see the complex gestures with which she performs the translation, I haven't a clue what is going on, and to see that is quite a humbling experience. From my own personal experience, whenever I have a little tingling sense of pride, I think of computers.

It really calms me down!

To read the full series of talks on the 8 Verses of Mind Training just follow this link Training the Mind

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His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Royal Albert Hall - Some Photos

All photos by Pierre Alozie 19 June 2012 More photos by Pierre of this event at http://www.demotix.com/news/1286864/hh-dalailama-royal-albert-hall-giving-public-talk#.TxBGhee6yN

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THIS MONTH AND NEXT AT JAMYANG CLASSES AND EVENTS IN JULY AND AUGUST AT JAMYANG CLASSES and RETREATS with GESHE TASHI Saturday 14 - Sunday 22 July 8am - 5pm Summer Retreat Gradual Path to Enlightenment Wednesdays 4, 11 July 7.30pm Meditation for Enlightenment 3rd, 10th July 7:30pm Purification RETREATS and WEEKEND TEACHINGS and PRACTICE 7 & 8 July 10am - 5pm with Venerable Nun Sangye Khandro (Kathy MacDonald) Nurturing the Kind Heart PRACTICE GROUPS Insight Meditation Practice Group 4th,11th August 10.30-12.30pm open to all Kalachakra Group meets 7th July, 4th August 2 -5:30pm for initiates only Guhyasamaja Group meets 8th July, 10am for initiates only Vajrayogini group meets 8 July, 12 August 2 - 5:30pm for initiates only

WEEK DAY EVENINGS Friday 6 july 7pm Official Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama Thursdays 12 July 7.30 - 9pm with David Ford Buddhist Meditation in Practice Mondays 2, 9 July 7.30 - 9pm with Roy Sutherwood and Gerry Cummins Buddhist Meditation: Insight Tuesdays to 31 July (except 17 July) 6:15 -7pm Medicine Buddha Puja 13, 28 July Lama Choepa Thursdays 5, 12 July 6.15 - 7.15pm Silent Meditation Mondays 30 July, 13 & 20 August 7:30 - 9pm with Chitra Ramgoolam Settling Meditation Tuesdays 31 Jul, 14, 21, 28 Aug 7:30 - 9pm with Chitra Ramgoolam Kindness Meditation Wednesdays 1, 15, 22, 29 August 7:30 - 9pm with Chitra Ramgoolam Body Scan Meditation

WEEK DAY DAYTIME SPECIAL EVENTS 'Dalai Lama Renaissance' film screening Vol. 1 on 7 July & Vol. 2 on 8 July 7pm-9.30pm Sand Mandala by the monks of

Tuesdays 1 May to 31 July (except 19th June and 17 July) 4pm set up for puja at 4.30pm Tara Puja Mondays 2, 9 July Wednesdays 4, 11 July 12 - 1pm

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Tashilungpo Monday 6th August -10th August 10:00an -5:00pm Come along and see the monks of Tashilungo construct the sand mandala of Buddha Akshobhya.

Work Camp 18th -24th August Come and help us spruce up the building!

Please book for all weekend classes other than practice groups by calling the office on 02078208787 or email admin@jamyang.co.uk

You can drop in to all evening classes unless we state otherwise.

with Gerry Cummins Lunchtime Meditation and Relaxation COMMUNITY Monday evenings Chi Kung and Tai Chi Taught by William Walker.

For more information and to book call William (follow the link above) Tuesday and Wednesday evenings Yoga Taught by Judy Watchman For more information and to book call Judy (follow the link above)

28 July 10am - 4pm Dying Well 1st July Family Day 29th July Peace in the City in conjunction with Family Day Thursday 26 July 7pm Buddhist Education volunteers evening Thursday 1st August 7pm Venue Volunteers Evening Saturday 4th August Baking Workshop: All You Knead is Love (ta-ta-tarata) 21st August 7:00pm Feng Shui Talk with Venerable Jampa Ludrup 27th August Jumble Sale Our eagerly awaiting cornucopia of goods at bargaign prices.

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Geshe Tashi's column Hello Everybody, It is good to be back at Jamyang after a very inspiring month accompanying His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his teaching tour.

It is always such a great inspiration to be in the company of someone who really embodies the teachings and practice of the Buddha as he does. His Holiness paid a great deal of attention to the importance of the under 25s for making the world a better place. We should all think about what we can do in our daily lives to help young people gain an understanding of how they can contribute and, by contributing to the happiness of others, find happiness and contentment themselves.

I myself will be at the Olympic Games this summer - not as a competitor, though I wish I could run as far and as fast as even the slowest athlete! Rather I will be there as a Buddhist Chaplain to offer help and advice to participants and visitors alike. I hope that I will meet many, many people from all over the world, athletes, officials and spectators, and that in my own small way I will be able to help them rejoice in their own achievements and, more importantly, in the achievements of others. It really does seem as if this is a very special time for London and the whole country and I hope you all enjoy it and manage to put up with all the inconveniences that seem inevitably to be heading our way.

This month the last of my series of books on the Foundation of Buddhist Thought has been published. This is the sixth book in the series and it is titled "Tantra" and it will be the core course book of this module of the Foundation of Buddhist Thought course. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me with this project, it was not an easy book to produce and I would especially like to offer my thanks to Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche for his unfailing encouragement throughout the process and to my dear close friend Gordon MacDougall who has worked tirelessly and patiently over the years to put my English into order and into something that everyone can understand. I am also very happy that three book in the series are now available in translations into Spanish and I hope that these will play a small part in helping people in the Spanish speaking world understand the Buddhadharma and its benefits.

Hopefully these books will likewise help people in the English speaking world gain a good grounding in the concepts and practice of Buddhism.

I am now preparing for the summer retreat at Jamyang and I hope I will see many of you there.

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Director's Column Hello gentle folks, Well His Holiness the Dalai Lama has now left the UK after a whistle stop tour sowing inspiration in so many different places and in so many different kinds of people.

Well done to the Offfice of Tibet and their PR/ Press advisors for an innovative and effective media campaign that understood the needs of the journalists and photographers, attracted the top press and photo agencies and generated significant quality coverage. And a huge well done for being brave and taking risks. The youth event in Manchester was successful in its own right but got far more coverage than it would have done if the Office had not accepted Russell Brand's kind offer to compere the event.

So, re-invigorated and re-inspired, we return to trying to provide developmental training in secular and Buddhist meditation for those who want to change and improve their lives and the lives of those they meet, and to providing a developmental training in Buddhist theory to complement and enhance the Buddhist meditation practice.

So I would like here to say thank you to the kind people who make that happen.

Thank you not just our wonderful teacher Geshe Tashi Tsering, who benefits so many more people than just the people connected with this Centre, but also to the volunteers who dependently and consistently make the events run, week in week out. Whether they are FPMT recognised teachers of FPMT foundation and basic courses, or whether they are Jamyang recognised meditation leaders and course facilitators, they give of their time freely and unstiningtly to help others meet the magic of the dharma and to find a way to inner peace. Please join with me in rejoicing in their vast generosity. I am not naming names, but you know who you are guys. Big respect to you!

Be happy Mike Do you fancy volunteering? Then please think about helping out with the annual August Bank Holiday Monday Jumble Sale and/ or signing up to help spruce up the Centre during our annual workcamp week. Please contact Erika on admin@jamyang.co.uk if you can give of time and/ or skills. Thank you.

Enjoy the summer!

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His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the UK - A Personal Memoir It seems to me that the imminent arrival of His Holiness the Dalai Lama into a room of expectant followers can trigger a wide range of reactions and emotions that may be just as perplexing for the person experiencing them as to any onlooker weeping, laughter, joy, total paralysis, serenity or even anger. And I've got the badges for a couple of these.

Yet from my personal observations, I think what strikes many people who find themselves in the fortunate position of being in His company, is not the extraordinariness of a highly venerated, living god entering a room, but rather, if I dare say so, His ordinariness.

So, when asked to write something of my encounters with His Holiness, I didn't feel I could do this honestly without saying that, from my side, I believe His Holiness the Dalai Lama is telling us the absolute truth when He says He is an 'ordinary' being - an ordinary monk. And that despite those expectations and projections that perhaps cause our knees to tremble and emotions to enter into turmoil... what is most striking about our most-loved living-Buddha, is that I think He actually is, 'ordinary'. That many of us don't wish to believe this should, I think, cause us to question our own desire - need even - for His Holiness to be something out of the ordinary - when He constantly tells us He's not? I know I've wanted Him to be something manifestly different to the rest of us.

Certainly on His entering a room, there's no denying the luminosity of the Dalai Lama's beautiful face and the silkiness of the palms of his hands as He touches you. There's absolutely no denying the potency of His gaze when he meets you eye-to-eye, or His proven ability to uplift the most cynical and dour of people. Yet what His Holiness makes clear - and despite the apparent contradictions - what cuts through everything, is His absolute ordinariness. He's one of us - and that, I think, is the blessing of finding yourself in His presence. It is part of His gift.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is, from my experience, the most straightforward, no bull**** human being you could ever hope to meet. And it's this 'ordinariness' that, in my opinion, kind of hurts.... smashes your face in even... After all, if He's 'ordinary'... where does that leave us... me? (To quote that great sage, Avril Lavigne: Anything but ordinary please!). And with His absolute ordinariness, He seems to be saying.... 'Well... what were you expecting - I've told you enough times haven't I?' And with that too, He kind of kicks your ass.

My brief encounters with His Holiness have, I believe, been the most powerful motivators of my life. Just as He says, I do believe He is an ordinary human being - yet just look at His wisdom, look at His strength, look at His courage and compassion. My god, He just makes you want to fight for every atom of goodness that He's telling you is already there. To me it's His ordinariness that

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empowers us.

Saying all that, for a minute or so just ahead of my final brief meeting with His Holiness in Manchester, my body shook violently and I blubbered like a baby, only calming down as He entered the room. I thanked him for all He did for us and told him we loved Him very much. He just nodded, and gave me a look that I told myself said, 'now pull yourself together and get on with it'. He blew on my mala and was gone. So there I was, feeling kicked up the backside by this most remarkable, courageous and compassionate - yet ordinary - human being, who is literally showing us the way..., maybe even showing us the ordinariness of deity... and vice versa, and that the only real difference between them is perhaps action.

Name withheld, but what an amazing piece! (ed)

Book Review: The Lawudo Lama by Jamyang Wangmo Calling the Guru from Afar There is always a welcome enlargement in the expansion of knowledge of Tibetan texts and learned interpretations in print.

You may know about the Foundations of Buddhist Thought books by our own Geshe Tashi Tsering. The great thing is that these books are now available published with a large font which enables aged feeble eyes to read with ease these words of wisdom.

Not end up like poet John Milton who went blind due to eye strain from reading by candle light.

Well that's the plug for Geshe la and now all I need to do is switch on the kettle and make some green tea, slowly watching the tea leaves absorb and expand, as I slow down the mind towards some kind of silence and think about the line of the Tibetan prayer called "Calling the Guru from afar."

On getting the news that Lama Zopa Rinpoche had suffered from a stroke his students were asked to recite many Medicine Buddha Mantras. At home alone I needed to assimilate this news so I bought the excellent book {The Lawudo Lama by Jamyang Wangmo} to find out more background around one of the most far out men that I have encountered in this life.

This is a great book that covers most of the stories of Lama Zopa who was born on the high slopes on the Nepal side of Everest. There is little in print about the Sherpa people or the small Tibetan community of Lawudo which lies on the southern side of the Nepal - Tibet border. I have come across a book about "Cyber Sherpas" which had little in it about religious matters and only covered

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anthropology and how the Sherpa community deals with western 21st century life by carrying the gear of mountain expeditions up the hill for the crazy "Ingies", or guiding backpackers laden with plastic bottles of water.

Lama Zopa comes from a high harsh environment, a land that is dominated by the mythic Yeti and spirituality of yogis. The book covers in depth the previous incarnation of Lama Zopa who was called Kunzang Yeshe who eventually found a cave above the village of Lawudo where he secluded himself doing many tantric rituals for the sake of all beings.

The rest of the book is a great biography of the Lama who has called himself the Mickey Mouse Guru; what more can I say? We all have many stories about the humour of Rinpoche and one day they should be archived.

Available through Jamyang Bookshop and Wisdom Books Ilford.

Dave Benn * Many of you will remember Dave who used to run the Jamyang bookshop. He is well and it's great to see that he is picking up his writing pen again. The cave above Lawudo is now Lawudo Gompa and the intrepid amongst you can visit and even undertake personal retreats there. (Ed)

Poetry Corner

Jetsun Milarepa is considered one of Tibet's foremost yogis and poets. He was born in the 11th century and his biography is unusual in including many details of his life and the hardships he went through.

Here we reproduce a short poem he wrote on that cornerstone of the Bodhisattva path, the six perfections.

Jetsun Milarepa with thanks to www.thedailymind.com

----------------------------------------------------------Song on the Six Perfections For generosity, nothing to do, Other than stop fixating on self.

For morality, nothing to do, Other than stop being dishonest.

For patience, nothing to do, Other than not fear what is ultimately true.

For effort, nothing to do, Other than practice continuously.

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For meditative stability, nothing to do, Other than rest in presence.

For wisdom, nothing to do, Other than know directly how things are.

Milarepa With thanks to justdharmaquotes.wordpress.com/2012/06/17/song-on-the-six-perfections/

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction - Autumn courses Applications are being accepted for the Autumn MBSR courses due to start on 27th September.

There will be 2 courses running in tangent, one in the morning and one in the evening. The summer course was very popular, so to ensure your place, do e-mail: jane@jamyang.co.uk

PEACE IN THE CITY - Sunday, 29th July (12-5 pm) with Jamyang Green Walk to the Peace Garden We will be holding another popular and relaxing Peace in the City fundraising day at Jamyang when you can try out various therapies and classes such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Chi Kung and meditation with relaxation, at greatly reduced prices. Cake therapy will be available all afternoon! There will be children's activities, so do bring all the family. At 3 pm, Roger Wright will lead a quiet meditative stroll to the Peace Garden to litter pick in a mindful way, as part of the Buddhist Action Month activities. If you would like to help out in whatever capacity, do contact jane@jamyang.co.uk.

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Summer Work Camp 18 -24 August Yes, it is summer - at least when we went to press!

If you can spare a few days to help us with a range of very necessary jobs around the centre then the work camp will run from 18-24 August. You do not need to attend the whole camp though we would be most grateful if you could. The tasks range from jobs in the garden and the outside of the building, tidying up and some decorating.

No previous experience is required. We welcome people with two left feet and two left hands (apologies to the left -handed ones - just substitute right for left in the above).

Free lunch is provided to those working whole days - and by gosh it's good.

Let Erica know if you will be attending and on what days. Email or phone the office.

Interfaith Walks A series of interfaith walks are being organised throughout South London over the weekend of 14th & 15th July. To check out the ones nearest to Jamyang and also near to where you may live, visit: www.southlondoninterfaith.org.uk.

Jamyang @ Open Garden Squares The weekend was a great success. The weather miraculously stayed dry and even sunny at times and visitors from all over London and even further afield appreciated the Courtyard Garden so carefully tended

by Ros Williams and her dedicated volunteers. They also enjoyed the hospitality of the cafe and guided walks around the Centre. Thank you to all those who helped make this such a pleasant and relaxing occasion. I am sure many of the visitors will return!

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Jamyang Jumble Sale - Monday, 27th August The mega jumble sale is getting closer. Do please start sorting out quality items of clothing, books, sound recordings, bric a brac which we will start collecting at the end of July. Live music welcome, also face painting and any other fun activities you will be willing to offer.

If you can help on the day or before, sorting out the jumble, that would be very welcome. Please contact: jane@jamyang.co.uk

FPMTJamyang 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

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