Gentle Voice February 2015

February 2015 In This Issue

Editor's welcome

Friends Scheme Q&A with Lama Yeshe This Month at Jamyang Geshe Tashi's column Geshe Tashi Teaches Superior Insight The Director's Column Lama Yeshe Memorial Day Heart Practices for Death and Dying Meditation for Beginners Changes to IMPG Dates Help - and Thanks Satellite Groups Tenzin Josh Teachings online What they did on their Holidays Art Refuge UK Exhibition Poetry Corner The Secret Life of......

Tibet News Opportunities for Service around the FPMT About FPMT Your Thoughts for Gentle Voice

Quick Links Jamyang Website

Dear friends, I hope you are all well and not too battered by the wind, rain and snow. If you are in the Southern hemisphere or the tropics, then I hope you are well and not too battered by the heat and sun. In fact I just hope you are not battered at all.

A few months ago, it was actually the day Lama Zopa arrived in the UK, I was at the airport to greet him with a fairly large contingent of fellow students.

As he left I turned to a friend and asked in a somewhat facetious manner - as is my wont - "So what is the meaning of life?"

She turned to me, a blissful smile on her face from having seen Lama Zopa and just said one word.

"Bodhic hitta."

Current Programme

Become a Friend of Jamyang

Talking Buddhism The Foundation Study Course The Lamrim Chenmo Study Course FPMT

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 ÂŁ15 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 Many thanks!

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Lama Yeshe Answers Questions In 1975 Lama Yeshe visited Australia and gave a series of talks that are published in 'The Peaceful Stillness of the Silent Mind'. Here we reproduce some of the questions and answers from those talks.

Q. Well, how do you know whether what you're thinking is right or not?

Lama. Observe carefully. Don't be satisfied with the way your superficial perception interprets things. That's what I keep saying.

You have a thousand minds functioning within you. Every minute, every day, they're telling you, "This is good; no, try this; no, maybe this is good....." Many different minds arise: "I want this"; a minute later, "No, I want that." You get so confused.

Observe, instead of immediately grasping at whatever your mind fancies the moment it fancies it. Your schizophrenic mind changes its opinion every minute; different ideas keep rushing into your mind; each one generates so much excitement that you grasp it immediately. That's what gets you into trouble. Therefore, instead of saying, "Oh, fantastic," the moment an idea arises, step back; observe.

Check up the why and the how of that idea.

Q. How do you check?

Lama. Deeply; with wisdom. Checking ideas is not like an airport customs inspection. That is so superficial. The checking mind is the penetrative wisdom that sees through to the heart of all phenomena. Wisdom sees a lot more than just shape and colour.

Q. What is the best way to control emotions?

Lama. As I've been saying - with the silent mind. When you feel strong emotions arising, instead of getting busy, busy, busy, instead of nervously doing something, relax; try to be silent. There are many ways of doing this. Instead of letting your emotions run wild with your mind, unable to forget whatever it is that's bothering you, sit down, relax, and focus your mind on the flow of your breath - watch exactly how your breath flows into your nervous system on inhalation and out of it on exhalation. This is very simple. When you concentrate on your breath, you automatically calm down. This is living experience; it has nothing to do with religious belief. You're observing your own nature. As long as you're alive, you're breathing. So, just focus your full attention on the coming

and going of your breath and the way you feel. If you can do this, your emotions will automatically settle down and your fixations disappear. It's very simple and very practical. I can guarantee that if you watch your breath for just twenty-one cycles, your nervous emotions will vanish. I'm not making this up or exaggerating. It's people's experience. And to enjoy the benefits of this technique yourself, you don't have to identify with any religious group.

Q. When I check, I see that things are coming from emotions like greed or fear, but what can I do about it? I know where they're coming from but they still keep coming. How should I handle that?

Lama. That's a good question. The thing is you see the superficial emotion but you don't really see where it's coming from, the energy that causes it to arise.

You don't see the deep origin of that emotion. It's like you are looking at a flower but cannot see its root. You say that you know where the emotions are coming from but actually you don't. If you really understood the root of problems they would disappear of their own accord.

However, when you're in a situation where you're psychologically bothered the way that you describe, instead of obsessing over how you feel, focus instead on how the bothered mind arises. If you check up properly with introspective knowledge-wisdom, that troubled mind will disappear by itself. You don't need to drive it away by force. Just watch. Be wise and relaxed. Yours is a good question; many people have that experience. Deal with it by paying less attention to superficial emotion and whatever sense object might have precipitated it and looking instead deep into your mind to determine what's really making that emotion arise.

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CLASSES AND EVENTS IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH 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 Middle Length Lamrim Wednesdays until 18th March at 7:30 (note there is a class on 11 Feb, the website was incorrect) Teachings on Emptiness: middle length Lam Rim -Superior Insight Sat 7 and Sun 8 February and 7 March 10am - 5pm

WEEK DAY EVENINGS AND AFTERNOONS Buddhist Meditation: Beautiful Minds Mondays to 30 March 7.30.

Heart Practices for Death and Dying with Jo Gillibrand and John Bonell Tuesdays 3 Feb to 31 March 7:30pm.

Meditation for Beginners with David Ford 5 Feb, 12 Mar 7.30pm Lunchtime Meditation

Great Prayer Day Thursday 5 March 8am - 5pm

Thursdays 1 - 2pm

Shamata Morning Sunday 8 March 10am - 1pm

Silent Meditation Thursdays weekly 6.15 - 7.15pm

Community Dharma Sunday 8 March 2 - 4

Tara Puja Tuesdays at 4.30pm

VISITING TEACHERS AND WEEKEND TEACHINGS

Medicine Buddha Puja Tuesdays at 6pm

Nyung Nay Retreat with Steff Hill Friday (7pm) 20 Feb to Monday 23(8.30am finish)

COMMUNITY

Mind and Cognition with Tenzin Josh (can be taken as part of the Basic Programme) Weekends Sat 28 Feb & Sun 1 Mar, Sat 28 & Sun 29 Mar 10am - 5pm registered students only Vajrasattva Retreat with Venerable Robina Courtin Weekend Sat 21 and Sun 22 March 10am - 6pm PRACTICE GROUPS Insight Meditation Practice Group 14 Feb, 14 March, 11 and 25 April 10.30- 12.30pm Open to all (note changed dates) Guhyasamaja Practice Group Saturdays 28 Feb and 28 March, 11 April 2 - 5pm for initiates only Vajrayogini Practice Group Sundays 15 Feb, 12 April For initiates only Kalachakra Practice Group Sat 14 Feb, 14 March, 25 April 2 - 5pm For initiates only SPECIAL EVENTS Losar Anniversary of the passing of Lama Thubten Yeshe Lama Choepa Tsog Puja Thursday 19 February 7 - 9pm

Community Dharma Sunday 8 March 2 - 4 Return to Tibet" slide show with renowned photographer Robin Bath Friday, 27 Feb. - 6.30 pm 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 COMING SOON Easter Compassion Retreat with Geshe Tashi Good Friday 3 April, Sat 4 April (with

Great Prayer Day Thursday 5 March 8am - 5pm 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

8 Mahayana Precepts), Sun 5 April (finishing with a shared lunch at 1pm) Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat 8am - 5pm (precept lunch at 11.30am), Sun 9am - 1pm Sublime Continuum with Andy Wishreich 18, 19 April (can be taken as part of the Basic Programme)

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

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Geshe Tashi's column Hello Everybody, The Tibetan New Year, Losar, is traditionally celebrated in February. In Tibetan tradition this is the time that we celebrate birthdays, not the actual date of birth but the year of birth as marked by Losar. This year His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be approaching his eightieth birthday. So it will be very good at this time to think about his well being, to wish him very good health and a long life. Even more importantly, it would be very good to really think about how we can support all his wishes and hopes for us. This, of course, means to really work on our emotions, on developing a kind and compassionate attitude towards everyone.

One of the inspiring qualities of His Holiness is his optimism. We also should think positively with hope. Hope based on realistic expectations. Individually and collectively we are so much happier and so much more positive when, as individuals, we work from a realistic well grounded emotional base of hope rather than fear or some other more negative emotion. If we have a positive mental outlook, an outlook that looks to the future with a positive mind of hope, then we will have the positive energy to work to collect all the resources that we need, emotional and intellectual, to bring us greater joy and fulfillment. If our communities can start to think in this way, then we really can create something very supportive, an environment where we can all feel able to work on our intellectual and emotional resources to really bring about positive change. So I encourage you all to really work on these positive qualities. Take His Holiness as a role model and really try to fulfill his wishes for us all, which are that we should all fulfill our deepest potential.

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Geshe Tashi teachings on Emptiness Geshe Tashi teachings on Emptiness Saturday and Sunday 7 & 8 February 10am - 5pm.

The first two days of Geshe Tashi's three days of teaching on Emptiness basing on the Superior Insight section of the Middle Length Lam Rim will take place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February.

The Buddhist teaching that our experience and that our own reality is dynamic and empty of fixed blocking unchanging entities is the key realisation allowing us to break free of the necromancer's spell of believing in the fixed nature of things and events that lashes us to the wheel of repetitive unenlightened existences. Recently His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been pushing strongly that we need to understand and to realise this liberating teaching as much as we are able - see for example the first sessions of each of the days of the recent Jangchub Lam Rim teachings in India (available on You Tube or through the website of His Holines the Dalai Lama.)

Come along and deepen your understanding of this profound and liberating topic. Geshe Tashi just goes from strength to strength presenting this.

After some too-ing and fro-ing the teachings are now definitely confirmed as running for two full days.

The third full day of the teachings will take place on Saturday 7 March.

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Director's Column Belated Happy New Year! February here already, the days slowly lengthening and the light is gradually returning. The winter has been relatively mild and kind to us so far but worth remembering that in February, snowdrops and crocuses might even be fooled into early blooming. Then, as the poet reminds us, global warming notwithstanding, "... the inevitable blizzard will come, blighting our harbingers of spring, and the numbed yards will go back undercover." A reminder to be mindful!

Sarvam Samskaram Anityam. All compounded phenomena change moment by moment....

At this time of the year in this part of the world, many of the religious festivals and folk customs are associated with love, hearth, home and, importantly, purification. The word February is believed to have derived from the name 'February' taken from the Roman 'Festival of Purification'. The root 'februo' meaning 'I purify by sacrifice'. In the East, merit is generated and karma purified by giving, self-sacrifice, working for the benefit of others and special practices like ecstatic prostration.

Bringing the Compassion and Wisdom of the East to the West this month, we have here at Jamyang, our very own Steff Hill leading a Nyung Nay, doing with less, retreat. This is a very powerful purification practice combined with the adoption of the Eight Mahayana Precepts, while engaging in the practice of 1,000 armed Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion. The practice of 1,000 armed Chenrezig is a very beautiful practice focusing on this aspect of the Buddha of Compassion. This is a great way to begin the year, be of benefit to others and generate merit for yourselves and the Centre.

On the Wisdom side, Tenzin Josh Gluck returns at the end of the month with the second of his FPMT Basic Programme offering on Types of Mind and Ways of Knowing, dealing with essential, precious Buddhist teachings on mind and cognition. This is not a drop-in weekend, you can only attend if you registered and attended the first weekend earlier in January but I mention it here to encourage those ready to consider enrolling for the Basic Programme courses now on offer here at Jamyang.

The Basic Programme course is the next in the series of graded and certificated FPMT trainings after the foundational trainings of Discovering Buddhism and the Foundation of Buddhist Thought. Both have of these have been offered here at Jamyang on and off for at least the last ten years.

If you are thinking of looking forward and making charitable commitments for the year, do please consider supporting us by way of the Friends' Scheme. You can really help Jamyang better navigate in difficult times 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 ÂŁ15 a month or more 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 Scheme Alternatively you can make a one-off donation now by following this link: Donate to Jamyang Many thanks!

Please also dedicate the merit from your practices and virtuous activities for the return of our visiting teachers and the accumulation of merit for those who we have requested to come, teach and form a lasting connection with Jamyang.

We will hopefully have more news before too long about visiting teachers this year, provided we have sufficient merit for this to be possible.

Don't forget to book early for the Venerable Robina Courtin. As a part of her next visit to the UK, she is leading a Vajrasattava Retreat weekend of 21 & 22 March here at Jamyang. February is a short month - March is not that far away!

Return to Contents Lama Thubten Yeshe Memorial Day

Lama Thubten Yeshe Memorial Day Losar Lama Choepa Thursday 19 February 7.30pm This year, at the request of Kyabje Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, we will be holding a Lama Choepa (guru puja) on the day that our kind and highly charismatic founding Lama, Lama Tubten Yeshe from Sera Jey monastery passed away in 1984.

The long and short of it is that if he hadn't 'adopted' Kyabje Rinpoche in the monasatic refugee camp in Buxa in assam and then taken on the task of offering Buddhism to the hippie generation of travellers ..... we would not exist.

From those early early days of the 'pilgrim fathers' (Harvey Horrocks, Peter Kedge, Geoff Jukes, Shan Tate, Sean Jones - yes okay there is a mother in there too) the only students of his who can be regularly spotted at Jamyang are our kind trustee Robin Bath and occasionally Dave Warren-Axe. But we all owe him an immense 'thank you' for setting in motion the wheel of dharma that enabled us to meet it and start to bring our lives into dharma.

Come join with us for our very own 'turkey free' Thanksgiving. Offerings of vegetarian food and flowers for the altars and the tsog are very welcome.

Return to Contents Heart Practices for Death and Dying

Over the course of several weeks this course will investigate how we should practice in life to prepare for death. Yes that's all of us who will one day die. The course examines our attitudes to death and how these influence the way we live. In the Buddhist tradition a correct understanding of death and the opportunities it presents is hugely important to living a full and productive life. Facing death peacefully and without regrets is the aim of all practitioners. We will explore how to live and practice in a way that will enable this, how to face our own death, what the death process is, and how to

help others at this time.

Facilitated by John Bonell and Jo Gillibrand Return to Contents Meditation for Beginners

Meditation for Beginners with David Ford Thursday 5 Febraury at 7.30pm It really is never too late to take up meditation. Don't worry if you can't sit in a full lotus posture. Meditation is about the Mind.

David has many years presenting meditation to beginners through to the advanced practitioner.

Suitable for absolute beginners. Suitable for well seasoned meditators. Suitable for those who just like meditating with David.

He is an utterly charming fellow who wears his wisdom extremely lightly.

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Changes to IMPG Dates

The Insight Meditation Practice Group dates for February and March are now Saturday 14th, 10:30am - 12:30pm on both February and March. This is to allow the Insight meditators the chance to share in Geshe Tashi's teachings on the Lam Rim Superior Insight section over the 7, 8th February and the 7th March.

A strong understanding of the teachings on superior insight are a pretty much necessary condition for the achievement of inferential or even direct insight in meditation. So do come along.

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SCHOOL VISITS If you would like to help co-facilitate school visits to Jamyang, please contact jane@jamyang.co.uk It is a wonderful opportunity to share our very special centre with others and to help youngsters learn a little more about Buddhism as part of their school curriculum. It's great chance to meet lots of wonderful children. We are planning a short meeting in February with, of course, a fine selection of cakes and teas!

THANK YOU Many, many thanks to all the kind people who offered massage couches. We actually have a new couch from Devam which was kindly delivered by Ani Barbara. Many thanks once again.

Return to Contents Satellites, Moons or Proto-planets? Stroud and North / Central Kent

with thanks to space.com

Do you live in the Stroud Gloucs area? Or maybe you live in the North or Central Kent area? Do you want to meditate with Sangha?

Please get in email contact with Mike Murray if you live within easy travelling of Stroud in Gloucestershire or North or central Kent and would like to meet up with local lay or ordained sangha to meditate together on a regular basis (like once a month).

We occasionally get questions from Jamyangers spread across the country asking whether there are local sangha around in their area and interested in getting together to meditate together. For our sins we mainly keep in contact through emails and so have little idea where folk actually live.

So if you would like that to happen, please do drop Mike an email and he can

then put our diaspora sangha in touch with each other.

Return to Contents Tenzin Josh Teachings on-line

Those of us who were at the first weekend of the Basic Programme module on 'Mind and Cognition' report that it was a fantastic immersion in the rigours of Tibetan style philosophy and philosophical reasoning.

Tenzin Josh has a great style, very erudite but also very approachable and humble in his learning.

The whole weekend was filmed by the Meridian Trust and they have already shared their recording. Just follow either of these links. http://youtu.be/B5fhT12FHpQ https://meridiantrust.wistia.com/medias/f77z98niod Return to Contents What They Did on their Holidays

Rose, Michelle and Steve from London and Claudia from Austria meeting Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Together with Di, Fishue, and Isolda they have been at HHDL winter teachings of Jangchub Lamrim in the monasteries in South India. Venerable Angie, who stayed at Jamyang for several months last year was also at the teachings. These teachings have taken place for the last three years and will continue for the fourth year next year, possibly at Tashilhunpo's new gompa, also in South India.

Now that's a productive way to spend your holidays!

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Art Refuge Exhibition and Auction ART Refuge UK is a charity that works with Tibetan refugees in India and Nepal and also with refugees in the UK. They are having what sounds like a fantastic art show and charity auction. Here are the details.

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Poetry Corner

This poem by the second Dalai Lama belongs to a unique genre of Tibetan poetry called "Alphabetical Poems." Each line begins with a successive letter of the Tibetan alphabet (except the last verse).

Glenn Mullin has made a pretty good go at reproducing this style in English translation.

A Simple Song of Fun A wise man like me makes tea his pleasure, Beverage of nectar the colour of saffron, Camphor its only rival in fragrance, Delicate porcelain its vessel of choice; Drink tea, a friend to those seeking wisdom.

Everyone wishing to sing melodious songs of Fabulous verse into all directions, Gorge yourself first on the drink of sages; Have a few cups of tea, and then like the famed Hermit Luipa, you will quickly gain siddhi.

In the quest to accomplish the wisdom tradition As taught by the mighty Tathagata himself, Keep inner vision as your peerless guide; Launch into meditation on the nature of voidness, Legacy of Nagarjuna, and accomplish his state.

Mastering the essence of the profound scriptures Numerous beyond count, and accomplishing the Ocean of practices, like the six perfections, Place all sentient beings, blind as cattle, on the Path leading to knowledge, freedom, and joy.

Quench the thirst of living beings' needs, Regardless of the personal sacrifice required.

Strive to generate the confidence necessary To meet with wisdom the challenges that arise, and To overcome the fox-like distractions of fools.

Until stability in practice has been gained, Value the life of simplicity and contentment.

Wear jewels of learning, reflection, and meditation With the wish to become a gem to this world; Wondrous indeed will be the results.

Worthless are all things ephemeral, yet Worldly people see them as supreme; like Xanthic metal, or gold, as it's called.

Yes, they waste their lives seeking peace in them, Zealously clutching at what always slips away.

O hark! Such is my alphabetical song, And if you really care for yourself, you should Be just like me, unequalled on this earth.

Ha ha. There I go again making too much noise; But it's just a song voiced in fun, A few idle verses from the pen of the poet Yangchen Shepai Dorje, the Melodious Laughing Vajra By the Second Dalai Lama, Gendun Gyatso 1476 - 1542.

From 'The Second Dalai Lama His Life and Teachings' by Glenn H. Mullin Return to Contents

The secret life of Benedict Cumberbatch We couldn't resist sharing this interview with all round treasure of the universe, Benedict Cumberbatch. It explains a lot. www.lionsroar.com/benedictcumberbatch-talks-meditation-doctorstrange

Return to Contents Tibet News: Pope Francis Refutes Snub

From the Tibet news service http://www.phayul.com DHARAMSHALA, January 21: Pope Francis has denied cowing to Chinese pressure in not meeting the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the latter's visit to Rome in December last year for the Nobel Summit.

"The usual protocol of the secretary of state is not to receive heads of state and high ranking personalities when they are in Rome for an international meeting," the Pope told journalists on his return from Philippines.

The pontiff, without giving's details, has said that a meeting between him and the exiled Tibetan leader will take place. "Some newspapers said that I did not meet with him out of fear of China. This is not true. He asked for an audience some time ago. A date has been fixed. But not for the moment. We are in contact," the Associated Press quoted the Vatican head as saying.

Return to Contents 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.

There are also volunteer opportunities in India, Spain, New Zealand.......... .................. And especially here at Jamyang, London!

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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 John at: admin@jamyang.co.uk

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