September News
Dear <<First Name>>,
Welcome to the Autumn newsletter. We have a wonderful programme of Buddhist teachings, meditation classes, public talks and social events this term, so please read on for a few highlights including the opportunity to learn about the ancient art of Feng Shui for increased prosperity, good fortune and harmonious relationships, the film night in our new gompa and details of the upcoming Lamrim meditation retreat with Ven. Mary Reavey.
We are moving this month so from Saturday 29 September all our classes and events will be at 12 York Place, Leeds LS1 2DS. Classes will continue at 31 St. Paul's Street up to Thursday 20 September and the Centre will be closed from the 21 to the 28 September for the move. Here is a googlemap with directions to our new location, which is just a few streets away.
Read on for more highlights in the coming months and don't forget to visit the JBCL website for the full Autumn programme and updates.
Much love from the JBCL team.
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Join international Fen Shui consultant and author Ven. Jampa Lundrup as he shares his knowledge and expertise on how to bring this ancient art into your home and workplace for increased prosperity, good fortune and harmonious relationships. Over one evening and two days there will be talks, discussion and Q&As, as well as screenings from Ven.Jampa's new tv series for Wisdom Publications, called Wind & Water. Please note this course is not drop in and booking is essential. Suggested donation £6 for the Introduction on Friday 7 and £25 for Saturday 8 and Sunday 9. To find out more and to book visit the JBCL website here or email smile@jamyangleeds.co.uk.
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The first event at York Place is a Film & Curry night on Saturday 29 September to welcome the community, old and new, to our new home in Leeds city-centre. Join us for a screening of the documentary Mystic Tibet, about a group of ordinary people from around the globe, drawn to Tibet, the mystical land of enlightenment. Guided by renowned Tibetan master Lama Zopa Rinpoche, this was no common tourist trek, but a rare and powerful experience in which the invisible world of great yogis and saints was magically revealed. This intense journey takes the viewer directly into the culture of Tibet and its arresting, spiritually rich landscape in a way that is not often seen. It explores the deep inner meaning of pilgrimage, which purifies the mind and creates the good heart. The film screening is free but if you would like curry (£5 per person) please book in advance so we know numbers to cater for. Email smile@jamyangleeds.co.uk or click here for more information about the documentary and how to book your curry.
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Ven. Mary Reavey returns to Yorkshire this October 19-21 to lead the annual Jamyang residential retreat at Beamsley, near Skipton. This weekend is ideal if you are new to Buddhism and would like to dip your toes into the retreat experience, or already have an established Lamrim meditation practice and are looking to refresh your spiritual batteries. Here's some great feedback from last years retreat.
“…the retreat was a wonderful experience. I’ve never done anything like that before so was a bit nervous about coming along. I quickly realised that I need not have worried as everyone was so welcoming. Ven Mary and the teachings were thought-provoking and delivered perfectly. I enjoyed the silences as it allowed time to think and reflect which we seldom do in our busy lives. I thought the organisation and food were superb. You worked so hard to look after us and definitely made me feel well cared for.”
“Can’t thank Jamyang Leeds enough for organising this years retreat at Beamsley. Having the opportunity to listen to Ven Mary’s inspirational & motivating teachings was a genuine privilege, helping reboot my practice & desire for study. It was also wonderful to spend time with like-minded people, discussing openly, observing silence & taking precepts. Hope one day I’ll be able to go for longer!”
“My very first buddhist retreat and absolutely love it, feeling peaceful and have learnt a lot from Ven Mary & the fellow attendees. Feel very welcome, everyone is so lovely and open in sharing their wisdoms. Everything is well organised, the meals are very yummy. Thanks again for having me.”
To read more about the retreat and how to book visit the Jamyang Leeds website here and if you have any questions email smile@jamyangleeds.co.uk. The suggested donation for the weekend is £180 which includes teachings, 2 nights dormitory accommodation and meals (except during optional precepts). Please note places are limited and this popular retreat is booking up fast.
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Buddhist Classes this Autumn at JBCL
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There is a great range of beginner and foundation level Buddhist classes at JBCL this autumn including Discovering Buddhism, which is a comprehensive 13 module course giving a thorough overview of the philosophy and practices of Tibetan Buddhism. You can attend the whole module (6 weekly sessions) or just drop in for individual classes. Module 1: How to Meditate starts on Tues 11 Sept, 18:30-20:00. Suggested donation £6.
For those with a good basic grounding in Buddhism we are starting a new Foundation of Buddhist Thought module on Buddhist Psychology on Saturday Oct 6, 10:30-17:00. On this course (over three weekends in Oct, Nov and Dec) we will be exploring the nature of the mind, ‘mental factors’ such as love and compassion, concentration, wisdom, attachment, aversion and ignorance, and the Buddhist theory of knowledge or 'valid cognition'. To find out more about course prerequisite and how to book click here.
And from Thursday Oct 25 we will be running an 8 week Introduction to Buddhism evening class (18:30-20:30) to give you a good basic overview of Buddhist principles, philosophy and meditation from a modern perspective and apply this ancient wisdom to your daily life. Topics include the mind and meditation, the four noble truths, karma and ethics, love and compassion and the nature of reality from a Buddhist perspective. To find out more and to book click here. Suggested donation £6.
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Lunchtime meditation sessions at Jamyang Leeds are ideal if you are looking to relax and refocus your mind in the middle of your busy day. Meditation classes run from Monday through to Thursday from 12:30 to 13:00. Just drop in, no need to book. Suggested donation £3 per session.
We are also hosting Gong Bath sessions with yoga teacher Joseph Brown this term. The melodic vibrations of the gong enable you to immerse themselves in the gentle sound and deeply relax. Although not part of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, this healing therapy is part of a wider Indic tradition of sound therapy. The sessions start on Wed 12 September, 18:30-19:30. Suggested donation £6. To find out more and to book click here or email smile@jamyangleeds.co.uk.
And don't forget, by becoming a Friend of Jamyang Leeds (Level B - £20 a month) you can enjoy all classes Mon - Thur without making a donation, plus other great benefits too. To find out more about our Friends scheme click here.
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We are very pleased to welcome highky regarded Buddhist teacher Don Handrick to Jamyang Leeds this autumn for not one, but two public talks. Don is a graduate of the first Masters Program of Buddhist Studies, the FPMT’s seven-year study program. He is also the resident teacher at Thubten Norbu Ling Buddhist Center in Santa Fe, NM in the USA. A gifted teacher, Don conveys his deep understanding of the Buddhist spiritual path in a way that is relatable to all level and those looking to bring benefit to their daily lives.
The first talk, Practising Buddhism Minute by Minute is on Tues Oct 23, 18:30-20:00. Don will be investigating how to skillfully integrate what we study and practise on the meditation cushion into our daily lives to transform even the most mundane tasks into powerful actions and causes to benefit both ourselves and others.
The second talk, Conscious Ageing – Enjoying the Gifts of Growing Older is on Wed Oct 24, 18:30-20:00. Life can be quite challenging as we age, and society as a whole offers a poor road map for the last leg of our journey. But as we proceed through this latter phase of our lives, unique and profound opportunities for spiritual growth and development can be revealed and we can find a renewed sense of purpose and meaning in life. In this Don will discuss how all of us, regardless of our age, can come to appreciate the value and benefits of growing older with grace.
To book follow the links in the talk titles or email smile@jamyagleeds.co.uk. Suggested donation £6 per talk. All welcome.
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Introduction to Mahamudra with Nyingje
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Mahamudra, a Sanskrit word meaning “great seal" refers to a Buddhist meditation practice focused on the nature of the mind. The distinctive characteristic of Mahamudra is that it focuses on the mind itself, and its intimate relationship with both the world of conventional appearances and ultimate reality (emptiness, the true nature of self and all phenomena).
Experienced Buddhist teacher and meditation practitioner Paula Chichester - Nyingje will lead this Introduction to Mahamudra weekend to give you a taste of this profound practice. It is advisable to have a basic understanding of Buddhism within the Tibetan tradition to get the most from this course. Suggested donation £25 per day / £50 for the weekend. 10:30 - 17:00, Saturday 27 and 10:00-14.30 on Sunday 28 October. To boo email smile@jamyangleeds.co.uk or visit the website here.
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We share with you here a photo of the Tsog offering donated by Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds for the recent Nyung Nay retreat at our sister Centre Jamyang London. Nyung Nay (or “Fasting Retreat” in English) is a traditional purification practice in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
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Woodland Working Retreat at Land of Joy, 28 Sept to 5 Oct
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Land of Joy Retreat Centre has very much become a haven for wildlife which means there is a strong chance you could see all kinds of wonderful species including kingfishers fishing in the lake, herons pacing the shallows, woodpeckers, foxes, red squirrels, badgers, deer and birds of prey when you volunteer there. If you are invigorated by working outdoors in a beautiful, peaceful setting then check out the next Woodland Working Retreat at Land of Joy on 28th September – 5th October here.
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