gentle voice october 2013

Mount Kailash

Subject: Gentle Voice October 2013Date: 07/10/13 16:35

October 2013In This IssueA Talk by His Holiness the DalaiLama

This Month at Jamyang

Geshe Tashi's column

The Director's Column

Jamyang Programme News

Comings and Goings

Requests

Andy Weber Art Class

World Animal Day

Poetry Corner

Dharma Bites

Work Opportunities in the FPMT

Art Refuge UK

Kalachakra Tour to Ladahk

Retreat in Indonesia

About FPMT

Your Thoughts for Gentle Voice

Quick Links

Jamyang Website

Current Programme

Talking Buddhism

The Foundation StudyCourse

The Lamrim Chenmo StudyCourse

Editor's welcomeDear Reader,I hope this spell of latesummer weather findsyou all well and relaxed.A late summer like this issometimes called andIndian Summer. Well weare having quite aTibetan summer with theteachings of Jangtse Choje Rinpoche proving to bereally inspiring. It is amazing to think as we sit infront of him getting tired and stiff that this greatteacher is now nearly 80 years old yet his mind iscrystal clear and his energy undiminished. I wonderwhat his secret might be?..... Ah yes, Dharmapractice!

I hope you all enjoy this edition of Gentle Voice, lotsof articles packed in so feel free to browse andreturn to it over the month. There is a copy postedon our Facebook site and over the next few days itwill appear on the media pages of our website.

John

Gentle Voice October 2013

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HHDL in Vilnius Sept 2013

FPMT

A talk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Global BuddhistCongregationExtract from the Closing Address by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the GlobalBuddhist Congregation 2011. The full text is available here

Being Sincere in the Practice of Buddhism

I'm Buddhist, and I want to say to myBuddhist brothers and sisters that Buddha'steaching of course is more than twothousand five hundred years old; but stillBuddha's teaching is very much relevant intoday's world. A number of top scientists arenow really eager to get more informationand more methods to tackle destructiveemotions. The teachings are wonderful, butI really feel now there are signs that thereare lamas [spiritual masters] or tulkus[reincarnate lamas] or teachers whosequality has degenerated. This I really feel some concern about. If you yourselfdon't have a disciplined life, how can you teach that to other people? In order toshow others the right path, you yourself must follow the right path.

Now I think all the positive things have already been stated, so now the onlything left is for me to say more negative things. We must be very, very serious. Imyself am a Buddhist monk. I always watch myself. Every morning, as soon as Iwake up, I remember Buddha and recite some of Buddha's teaching, sort ofshaping my mind. Then the rest of my day I should spend according to thoseprinciples: being honest, truthful, compassionate, peaceful, nonviolent. So Ihope, my Buddhist brothers and sisters here, when you talk about"Buddhadharma [the teachings of the Buddha], Buddhadharma" and promoteBuddhadharma, propagate Buddhadharma, first you yourself propagate here inyour hearts. So that's something very, very important, one thing-Buddhadharma.

Of course all the other major world religious traditions have the same potentialto build inner peace and, through that way, to create a better world. But then oneunique thing about Buddhism, Jainism, and part of the Samkhya tradition is theemphasis on the importance of individuals. The ultimate theory or view is that ofself-creation. And we believe in the law of causality: If you carry out rightactions, positive results come. If you carry out wrong actions, negative things


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happen. So because of the law of causality, if you do wrong actions, Buddhacannot save you. Buddha taught: "I'll show you the path to go to nirvana[freedom from all suffering], but whether you can achieve that or not is entirelyup to you. I cannot lead you through blessings." Buddha never said that.

So you are your own master. That way of teaching I think is very, very helpful.Everything depends on one's own actions. Actions, whether positive actions ornegative actions, entirely depend on motivation. So Buddhadharma can make, Ithink, a significant contribution for inner peace like that.

Harmony among the Different Buddhist Traditions

Now, as I mentioned yesterday when we met the leaders from Burma and Laosand some others, in the past, because of the names so-called "Hinayana,""Mahayana" and "Tantrayana," people got the impression these three yanas[vehicles] are something really different and separate. That's totally mistaken. AsI mentioned briefly this morning, the Theravada tradition, or Pali tradition, is thefoundation of Buddhadharma; and the practice of vinaya [monastic vows anddiscipline] is the foundation of Buddhadharma.

Look at Buddha himself, his own story. He cut his own hair and then became amonk. That's the practice of sila [ethical self-discipline]. Then he did six years ofmeditation. That's the practice of samadhi [absorbed concentration], and alsothe practice of vipassana [an exceptionally perceptive mind]. Through that way,finally he reached enlightenment. So the three trainings are sila, samadhi,pannya [discriminating awareness, wisdom] or vipassana. So we, his followers,must follow that way. Without the practice of self-discipline, without the practiceof vinaya, how can we develop samatha [a stilled and settled mind] andvipassana? Difficult. So the Pali tradition is the foundation of Buddhadharma.

On top of that, comes the practice, I think, of the Prajnaparamita Sutras [ThePerfection of Wisdom Sutras], from the Sanskrit tradition, with their emphasis onnirodha [the true stopping of suffering and its causes, true cessation], the thirdnoble truth. So this further explanation is important. What is nirodha? Buddhaexplained the possibility of eliminating our ignorance. Once we completelyeliminate ignorance from our minds, that's nirodha, or moksha [liberation]. Sothat's a further explanation. And then also magga [the path or understandingsfor achieving that true stopping, the fourth noble truth] is a further explanation.

So, on the basis of the Pali tradition, then comes the Sanskrit tradition, like thefirst floor. In other words, first comes the ground floor; that's the Pali tradition-bhikshu [monk] practice, self-discipline, sila. Then comes the first floor, thePrajnaparamita Sutras and also abhidharma [special topics of knowledge], akind of abhidharma-the teachings about wisdom, the six paramitas [far-reachingattitudes, perfections] or ten paramitas. Then on top of that, the BuddhistTantrayana-visualization of deities based on practice of vipassana, samatha,


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and bodhichitta [a mind aimed at attaining enlightenment for the benefit of all].So these are the ground floor, first floor, and second floor, like that. Without aground floor, you cannot build the others. So I think the Buddhist brothers andsisters here should know that.

Of course I have no authority. I consider myself a student. Whenever I havetime, I always study and read, read, read. As far as Tibetan Buddhism isconcerned, about three hundred volumes were translated into Tibetan fromIndian languages-Pali, Sanskrit, and some Nepalese. So whenever I have time,I read, think, and study these three hundred volumes. Certainly my knowledge isa little better compared to those people who have never even touched thesethree hundred volumes. [Based on that knowledge,] as I study these books, Idevelop the full conviction that the practice of these three trainings is very, veryessential.

Becoming Proper Monks

So firstly we Buddhists, whether Theravada or Mahayana or Tantrayana-wemust be genuine followers of Buddha. That's very important. Clear? In order tobecome Buddha's followers, we cannot just put on some monk's robe, somebhikshu's robe. We cannot call such people Buddhist monks. We cannot saythese are good monks or good bhikshus. Just changing dress is very easy. Weneed to change here, in our hearts and minds, in order to become a genuinefollower of the Buddha. In order to become a Buddhist monk, you must seriouslypractice self-discipline. Sometimes it looks like: "Oh, let Buddha do all the hardwork. We can have a luxurious life." How? How can you? If you're a Buddhist,you must follow Buddha's own way-six years of very hard practice. We mustfollow his example.

Now, as I mentioned yesterday, a friend spoke about there being some kind ofgap or wall between the Pali tradition and the Sanskrit tradition. This wall is tonobody's benefit. We must come together and exchange. There are a lot ofthings for us to learn from your traditions, from your pratimokshas [monasticvows]. You also can learn some of our Sanskrit pratimoksha. So more regularsort of meetings-not just in a ceremonial way, but serious meetings, seriousdiscussions-are very, very essential. This is one thing.

The Issue of Reviving the Full Nuns' Ordination

Then concerning bhikshunis [fully ordained nuns], as you know, right from thebeginning I've supported the revival of bhikshunis in the Mulasarvastivadintradition [that we Tibetans and Mongolians follow]. But we have to follow thevinaya texts. If I had some kind of special right to act like a dictator, then I couldsay, "Oh, you must do that." That we cannot do. We must follow according to thevinaya texts-the Mulasarvastivadin texts and also the Dharmagupta texts[followed in East Asia] and the Theravada texts [followed in Southeast Asia].


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You see, this is one important subject we have to discuss very seriously. Thisdecision is beyond my control. What I can decide is to introduce into all thenunneries in the Tibetan community the same level of study that these bigmonastic institutions can study. And now we already have some nuns becominggeshema [doctors of Buddhist philosophy], good scholars.

From time to time we've discussed the bhikshuni issue and now on this occasionwe are doing that as well. I showed the latest letter of appeal to the LaotianBuddhist leader and also to the Burmese Buddhist leader. We will carry on ourserious discussion, and I am quite sure eventually we will reach someagreement.

I think that's all. Thank you.

THIS MONTH AND NEXT AT JAMYANG

CLASSES AND EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER AT JAMYANG

CLASSES and RETREATS withGESHE TASHI Middle Length Lam RimWednesdays 9, 16 October, 6, 13,20, 27 November7.30pm

Foundation of Buddhist Thoughtpart 4: Mind of EnlightenmentWeekends:12 & 13 October, 9 & 10 NovemberSuggested donation £90 for themodulePre-booking essential You must register for this classes

Community Dharma13 October, 10 November withGeshe Tashi 2pm -4pm. Finishingwith shared tea party. Feel free tobring something to share.

VISITING TEACHERS

Jangtse Choje Rinpoche LobsangTenzin

WEEK DAY EVENINGS

Buddhist Meditation: Shamata(Calming)With Roy SutherwoodMondays 16, 23 Sept, 7, 14October, 4, 11, 18, 25 November, 2,9 December7.30 - 9pm

Eight Worldly Dharmas with SteffHillTuesday 1 October 7.30pm

Echoes of Voidness: the Geluktradition of Sutra Mahamudra withRoy SutherwoodTuesdays, 5, 12, 19, 26 November,3, 10 December 7.30pm

Meditation for Beginners with DavidFordThursdays 10 October, 7November, 5 December

Dharma in Life, Life in DharmaVenAmy MillerThursday 21 November


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Vajrayogini Programme(Only for those who have previouslyhad the initiation into the NaroKhacho form of the Vajrayogini andwho have a sincere wish tocomplete the mantra retreat with firepuja)Saturday 28, Sunday 29, Monday30 Sept, Tuesday 1, Wednesday 2,Thursday 3 October2.30 - 6pm Register on-line here

Jangtse Choje Rinpoche LobsangTenzinWhite Tara long Life initiationSaturday 5 October9AM - 12pm Register on-line here

Venerable Antonio SattaInsight Retreat: The Path ofPurification of Vipassana Friday 18 through to Monday 21October Retreat from 9am to 5pmeach dayRegister on-line here

Venerable Robina Courtin Tara RetreatWeekend 30 November, 1 December 9am - 5pmRegister on-line here

RETREATS, WEEKENDTEACHINGS andPRACTICE GROUPS

Vajrayogini Tantra Practice GroupRetreatMonday 4 - Friday 8 November9am - 5pm each dayinitiates into the Naro Khachosystem only

Guhyasamaja Practice GroupRetreatMonday 11 - Friday 15 November8am - 6pm each day

7.30 - 9pm

Medicine Buddha PujaTuesdays 3,10, 24 September, 8,15 October 6:15pm

Silent MeditationThursdays weekly 5, 19 September10, 17, 24, 31 October 6.15 -7.15pm

Lama Choepa Puja31 August, 14 September, 14October, 28 November 6 - 7pm

WEEK DAY DAYTIME

Tara Puja Tuesdays 3,10, 24 September, 8,15 October 4.30 - 5.45pm

COMMUNITY

Bread making Courseswith Ali Waldegrave15, 22 September, 6 OctoberBooking information on the linkabove.

MBSR drop in for course graduatesFridays 11 Oct, 22 Nov, 13 Dec6.30PM - 8.00PMDetails from Jane or Vinod byemail: info [at]londoncentreformindfulness.com

Dying Well GroupSunday 3 November 10am

Chi Kung and Tai ChiMonday evenings taught by WilliamWalker.For more information and tobook call William (follow the linkabove)

Satyananda Yoga Tuesday evenings taught by JudyWatchman


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Open to all with Guhyasamaja 32deities initiation

Kalachakra Tantra Practice GroupRetreat November 18 - 228am - 6pm each dayinitiates only Insight Meditation Practice Group2, 16 November 10.30-12.30pm open to all Kalachakra Groupmeets 2 November, 2 -5:30pm for initiates only

Guhyasamaja Groupmeets 3 November10am for initiates only

Vajrayogini Groupmeets 13 October, 3November3;30pm 15 September 9am for initiates only Please book for all weekendclasses or retreats other thanpractice groups on-line if you can. If you can't call the office on02078208787 or [email protected]

You can drop in to all eveningclasses unless we state otherwise

For more information and to bookcall Judy (follow the link above)

Hridaya (Heart Centre) YogaWednesday evenings 7:30 taughtby NazFor more information and to bookcall Naz (follow the link above)

Awareness through Movement(Feldenkrais Method)Wednesdays 6 - 7pm To book contact Jonathan (followthe link above)

SPECIAL EVENTS

Holy Buddha Day - Return fromTushita Day with Geshe Tashi:Sunday 24 November8am - 5pm

COMING SOON

Andy WeberTibetan Art PaintingWorkshopWeekend 7 & 8 DecemberTalk on the evening of 6thRegister Here

Geshe Graham Woodhouse DebateIntensiveSaturday 14 - Tuesday 17December10am - 5pm each dayRegister Here

Nyung Nay3 sets of 2 day Nyung NayChenresig Fasting Retreatsled by Steff HillStart 6pm Friday 20 December.1st set of 2 days 21 & 22December, 2nd set of 2 days 23 &24 December, 3rd set of 2 days 25& 26 December. Retreat ends 9am Friday 27DecemberRegister Here


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Full details of these and all otherevents are on our website

Geshe Tashi's columnHello Everybody,I was very pleased to see so many people attendingthe teachings of Jangtse Choje here at Jamyanglast week. He is an amazing teacher and hisexplanations of the Special Insight section of LamaTsong Kapa's Middle Length Lam Rim were veryinspiring. Of course he is still teaching here atJamyang and, if you have the necessarypermissions, I strongly recommend that you attendthe Vajrayogini teachings. The White Tara long Lifeinitiation is our last opportunity this year to connectwith this great teacher. On a personal note I am now a student again! It isvery interesting for me to observe the very differentways of study here to the studies I attended as ayoungster in my monastery. I am sure I will learn alot, and not just about my chosen study subject. I am looking forward to seeing you all at my Wednesday teachings on the Middlelength Lam Rim which start in two weeks.

Director's Column"That time of year thou mayst in me beholdWhen yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hangUpon those boughs which shake against the cold,Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birdssang.In me thou see'st the twilight of such dayAs after sunset fadeth in the west;Which by and by black night doth take away,Death's second self, that seals up all in rest.In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire,That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,As the deathbed whereon it must expire,Consumed with that which it was nourished by.This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong,To love that well which thou must leave ere long."Sonnet 73, William Shakespeare

Something particularly special about the recollection of impermanence in the


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Autumn and for those that find it perhaps too sad, cold or dark a time, it is worthremembering the final stanza of Shelley's Ode to the West Wind: "The trumpetof a prophecy! O Wind, If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?"!As the seasons change it is a busy time here at Jamyang - we are very fortunateto be enjoying the precious teachings and empowerments of the Jangste Chojehere at the moment, concluding with a White Tara Long Life empowerment thisSaturday - be really good to see as many of you as possible here for that.The work on the restoration and improvement of the front of the building willhopefully be underway before the end of October and the renovation of the cafekitchen should be complete by the end of next week.Following the Jangste Choje's visit here, he will be giving the Guhyasamajaempowerment and commentary at Instituto Lama Tsongkhapa in Pomaia, Italy.This is a rare opportunity to receive this empowerment and commentary on thepractice from such a fine Master. Both the empowerment and commentary willbe given in Tibetan and translated into both English and Italian. If you areinterested in going, check out the ILTK website page here: http://www.iltk.org/en/courses-retreats/calendar/guhyasamaja-initiationLast month I was reminding you in this column that it is a good time to reflect onthe importance and benefits of retreat and to consider what more we can do toassist the cultivation and growth of a deeper and more sustainable retreatculture here in the UK and especially to do anything we can to create anddedicate merit to the Land of Joy retreat centre project. There is a very goodarticle on Land of Joy in the current FPMT Mandala magazine:http://mandala.fpmt.org/archives/mandala-for-2013/october/land-of-joy-an-interview-with-andy-wistreich/

Roy

Jamyang Programme NewsWell we have a truly amazing number of teachings taking place here atJamyang over the next couple of months.

Geshe Tashi will continue to teach Lama Tsongkhapa's final Gradual Path toEnlightenment text, the Middle Length Lam Rim, from the 9th October.Remember that Geshe Tashi is now teaching on Wednesday evenings. Ofcourse Jangtse Choje Rinpoche Lobsang Tenzin also taught from one particularsection of this work so this was a great start to these teachings.

The practice of insight meditation is central to all Buddhist traditions and we arevery fortunate to be able to host a four day retreat led by Venerable AntonioSatta. Venerable Antonio is a highly respected teacher in the FPMT who was astudent of Lama Yeshe and he will be leading an Insight Retreat under the title:The Path of Purification of Vipassana. This is a rare opportunity to practice thisearliest of all Buddhist meditation styles for four days in central London.


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Photo by Gerry McCullochwww.darshanaphotoart.co.uk

The Venerable Robina Courtin will beleading a retreat on Green Tara over theweekend of the 30th November -1stDecember. An opportunity to catch adifferent side of Venerable Robina as aretreat leader rather than a notableexpositor of Dharma.

Then we host another fantastic opportunityto get the creative juices flowing as AndyWeber will be running a Tibetan Artworkshop on the techniques of paintingdragons and garudas. That takes placeover the weekend of 7-8 December with atalk on the evening of the 6th.

Debate is very central to the Gelugapproach to transforming the mind andGeshe Graham will be running another ofhis Debate Intensive workshops over theweekend of the 14th and 15th December.

Then to round of the year and to celebrateChristmas in a non-consumer orientatedfashion we are hosting three consecutive Nyung Nay fasting retreats from the21st to the 27th December. You can choose to attend one, two or all three ofthese.

All these retreats and teachings can be booked via our website. You may havenoticed that we have started to automate the bookings and payments. Do bearwith as as we implement this is a series of steps and, please book on-line forthese weekends, it really does make our life so much easier.

Comings and Goings at JamyangWe are so grateful to all our volunteers who give so much service to Jamyang.This month we say goodbye to JenGraham who is going to leave afterworking for us from April onhospitality. You may have noticedextra meditation cushions in thegompa. Well that is all herhandiwork, she made an extra 30meditation cushions during her stay.Many thanks!We also welcome Naiara Gómezfrom Spain who will replace Jen for


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Photo by Gerry McCullochwww.darshanaphotoart.co.uk

From the Field Museum Chicago

a three month placement. May she have a productive, peaceful andlife-transforming time at Jamyang.

Requests from JamyangVolunteers Welcome!Would you like to help out with school visits toJamyang? This is a very valuable and enjoyableexperience and is an opportunity to learn more aboutthe Jamyang building as well as, most importantly,helping to introduce Buddhism to the next generation.If you have free time and would like to help onweekdays, please e-mail: [email protected]. Manythanks.

Massage CouchDo you have a spare massage couch or one which wecan purchase at low cost for use on therapy days forcarers and also at Peace in the City? If so, pleasee-mail: [email protected]. Thanks.

Jane [email protected]

Andy Weber Art Workshop 7th and 8th December

This art class will explore gompa(meditation hall ) decorations, specificallydragons and garudas. Students will betaught the drawing and painting ofdragons, which decorate many templedoors and ceilings. Both mysticalcreatures have specific meanings in manyAsian cultures and have a long history inBuddhist art. The course is designed forboth beginners and advanced students.These workshops are always a great joyand such fun too. Andy Weber is a worldrenowned Thanka painter famous forhis encyclopaedic knowledge and hisinformal and relaxed teaching style. He willalso be giving an illustrated lecture on thistopic on Friday evening the 6th December.Do book your place via the Jamyang website and let your imagination run riotnext time you redecorate your room.


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World Animal DayOK this is not an excuse to behave badly on the 4th October. See below.....

World Animal Day (4 October) is almosthere. What will you do to celebrate yourlove for animals worldwide?- Be an armchair activist - write a letter to apolitician and the newspapers to change anissue involving animals suffering eg,badger culling or live exports.- Partake in conscious consumerism - use& eat only cruelty free food The 4th of October is the saint's day of StFrancis of Assisi who is the patron saint of animals.For more from the FPMT animal headquarters visit this website

Poetry CornerI Have Forgotten by Jetsun Milarepa

May I be far removed from contendingcreeds and dogmas.Ever since my Lord's grace entered mymind,My mind has never strayed to seek suchdistractions.Accustomed long to contemplating love andcompassion,I have forgotten all difference betweenmyself and others.

Accustomed long to meditating on my Guruas enhaloed over my head,I have forgotten all those who rule by powerand prestige.Accustomed long to meditating on myguardian deities as inseparable frommyself,I have forgotten the lowly fleshly form.Accustomed long to meditating on the secret whispered truths,I have forgotten all that is said in written or printed books.Accustomed, as I have been, to the study of the eternal Truth,I've lost all knowledge of ignorance.

Accustomed, as I've been, to contemplating both nirvana and samsara asinherent in myself,


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I have forgotten to think of hope and fear.Accustomed, as I've been, to meditating on this life and the next as one,I have forgotten the dread of birth and death.Accustomed long to studying, by myself, my own experiences,I have forgotten the need to seek the opinions of friends and brethren.Accustomed long to applying each new experience to my own spiritual growth,I have forgotten all creeds and dogmas.

Accustomed long to meditating on the Unborn, the Indestructible, theUnchanging,I have forgotten all definitions of this or that particular goal.Accustomed long to meditating on all visible phenomena as the Dharmakaya,I have forgotten all meditations on what is produced by the mind.Accustomed long to keeping my mind in the uncreated state of freedom,I have forgotten all conventions and artificialities.

Accustomed long to humbleness, of body and mind,I have forgotten the pride and haughty manner of the mighty.Accustomed long to regarding my fleshly body as my hermitage,I have forgotten the ease and comfort of retreats and monasteries.Accustomed long to knowing the meaning of the Wordless,I have forgotten the way to trace the roots of verbs, and thesources of words and phrases. You, 0 learned one, may trace out these things in your books

Jetsun Milarepa , (c. 1052 - c. 1135 CE) is generally considered one of Tibet's mostfamous yogis and poets. He was a student of Marpa Lotsawa, and a major figure in the history ofthe Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Dharma Bites: An extract from"The Tibetan Book of the Dead"Synonyms for MindAs for this apparent and distinct[phenomenon] which is called 'mind':In terms of existence, it had no [inherent]existence whatsoever,In terms of origination, it is the source ofthe diverse joys and sorrows of cyclicexistence and nirvana,In terms of [philosophical] opinion, it issubject to opinions in accordance with theeleven vehicles.In terms of designation, it has aninconceivable number of distinct names:Some call it 'the nature of mind', the 'natureof mind itself', Some eternalists give it the name 'self',


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Pious attendants call it 'selflessness of theindividual',Cittamatrins call it 'mind',Some call it the 'Perfection of Discriminative Awareness',Some call it the 'Nucleus of the Sugata',Some call it the 'Great Seal',Some call it the 'Unique Seminal Point',Some call it the 'Expanse of Reality',Some call it the 'Ground-of-all',And some call it 'ordinary [unfabricated consciousness]'.

The Three ConsiderationsThe following is the introduction [to the means of experiencing]) this [single]nature [of mind)]Through the application of three considerations: [First, recognise that] past thoughts are traceless, clear, and empty,[Second, recognise that] future thoughts are unproduced and fresh,And [third, recognise that] the present moment abides naturally andunconstructed.When this ordinary, momentary consciousness is examined nakedly [anddirectly] by oneself,Upon examination, it is a radiant awareness,Which is free from the presence of an observer,Manifestly stark and clear,Completely empty and uncreated in all respects,Lucid, without duality of radiance and emptiness,Not permanence, for it is lacking inherent existence in all respects,Not a mere nothingness, for it is radiant and clear, Not a single entity, for it is clearly perceptible as a multipicity, Yet not existing inherently as a multiplicity, for it is indivisible and of a singlesavour.This intrinsic awareness, which is not extraneously derived,Is itself the genuine introduction to the abiding nature of [all] things.For in this [intrinsic awareness], the three buddha-bodies are inseparable, andfully present as one:Its emptiness and utter lack of inherent existence is the Buddha-body of reality;The natural resonance and radiance of this emptiness is the Buddha-body ofPerfect Resource;And its unimpeded arising in any form whatsoever is the Buddha-body ofEmanation.These three, fully present as one, are the very essence [of awareness] itself.

Volunteer Work Opportunities in the FPMTAtisha Centre seeks a suitably qualified and experienced Dharma student toserve as Director of our well-established Retreat Centre.We are looking for a dynamic, confident, hands-on Director, a real team


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Tibetan Refugee Reception Centre Khatmandu

player who can motivate, support and lead staff and volunteers at Atisha Centre,a mediumsized retreat and teaching centre located near Bendigo in the native bushland ofcentral Victoria, Bendigo, Australia. Since its establishment in 1981, the purposeof Atisha Centre has been to provide opportunities for study and practice of theBuddhist path, enabling Dharma students to develop their natural compassionand wisdom. Atisha Centre is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of theMahayana Tradition (FPMT), and is uniquely situated in close proximity to theGreat Stupa of Universal Compassion, currently under construction, and Thubten ShedrupLing Monastery.The closing date is 31st October 2013. More information from [email protected] further information about the Atisha Centre, please visitwww.atishacentre.org.au

Art Refuge UK expands into new areasYou may recall that a few years ago we hosted an art exhibition and a film showabout the work of Art Refuge, acharity which works with newlyarrived Tibetan refugee childrenin the refugee camps in Nepaland India. The charity is now launchingnew projects as follows:1 The establishment of asustainable, therapeutic artprogramme at Jampaling, one ofthe poorest Tibetan settlementsnear Pokhara in Nepal.2 Providing art therapyworkshops to local organisationsin Nepal, who are working inthe contexts of humantrafficking, abandonment anddisplacement.3 Setting up Art Refuge UK in Bristol to work with the large communities ofrefugees and asylum seekers, including many who have been the victims ofhumantrafficking. To reach out to these groups, Art Refuge Bristol is establishing anopen group through which these people can use art to find new avenues ofexpression for things that they find impossible to talk about with their friends andfamily.

This is a very worthwhile charity and all these new projects require a significant


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injection of funds so please take a look at their website and make a donation totheir work. www.artrefugeuk.org/

Kalachakra Tour to LadahkThe Tibetan Buddhist Rimé Institute (www.rimebuddhism.com), in MelbourneAustralia is organising a Kalachakra tour to India culminating in the KalachakraInitiation with HHTDL. The Rinpoche leading this tour will offer Kalachakrapractices and meditations to prepare students for the empowerment and beavailable to answer questions and review His Holiness' teachings. To find outmore about the 2014 Ultimate Life Goal Tour, headto: www.rimebuddhism.com/tour For those that are interested in joining thisKalachakra Tour, please utilise the contact form on their website and theirTemple Manager will get back to you with all the relevant information.

Retreat on the Eight Verses in Borobohur, IndonesiaWe are happy to publicise this unique opportunity. Contact them directly if youare interested in participating.

Retreat on the Eight Verses with Ven. Tenzin ChogkyiJANUARY 28 - 31, 2014Lama Atisha sacred site in Borobodhur, IndonesiaBorobodhur is the largest stupa complex in the world and the site where LamaAtisha received bodhicitta instructions from Lama Serlingpa. We will be visitingthe pilgrimage site for practice in the morning and evening and receivingteachings from Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi and meditating on the Eight Verses ofThought Transformation during the day. COST* $685USD (airfare not included) per person includes: three nights sharedroom accommodation at the Manohara Hotel (right next to the stupa), roundtriptransfers (from the airport at Yogyakarta on the Indonesia island of Java), adonation to Liberation Prison Project, all meals, and entry fees to the stupa.Questions:Effie Fletcher [email protected]: dharma-journeys.org

FPMTJamyang is affiliated with FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation ofthe Mahayana Tradition) and is one of more than 150 centers andprojects worldwide.

FPMT is based on the Gelugpa tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taughtby our founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe and spiritual director, Lama ZopaRinpoche. If you would like to receive FPMT's monthly newsletters pleasesubscribe here.

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