This term there are many ways, both Buddhist and secular, to cultivate compassion in your heart - from a mindfulness retreat on Compassionate Living, to teachings on how to develop bodhicitta, the mind of great compassion!

And don't forget to save the date -  27th and 28th April - for the visit to Leeds of the 7th Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche who will be teaching on the Bodhisattva's Way of Life and giving an initiation into the practice of Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion.  

We also share a request from our Chaplaincy Service and a practical resource to download called 'Your Personal Death Plan', to help you share your wishes as a Buddhist for when you die. 

Check out the full programme on the JBCL website which includes a Preparing for Meditation workshop with Geshe Samten from Kopan Monastery, a Discovering Buddhism module on Death and Rebirth and a Mahamudra retreat with Ven. Robina Courtin. Plus lots more!

We look forward to seeing you at the Centre soon!

Much love from Fiona the JBCL team. 

Save the Date - H.E Ling Rinpoche in Leeds, April 2019

Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds is very pleased to announce the visit to Leeds on the 27-28 April 2019 of His Eminence the 7th Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche. Rinpoche will teach from chapter one of Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life and give an initiation into the practice of Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion. Composed in the eighth century by the Indian Bodhisattva Shantideva, the text is an outstanding presentation of the Six Perfections and the Bodhisattva ideal. Rinpoche will also give a public talk on 'Developing a Peaceful Mind in a Turbulent World'. Further event details and how to book will be announced shortly.

[Image: H.E Ling Rinpoche with Lama Zopa Rinpoche]

The Awakening Mind - This Weekend 26-27 Jan

Compassionate Living Retreat, 15-17 Feb -
5 Places Left!

What the Buddha Taught - New Thursday Evening Class 

Who was the Buddha, and why might his teachings be of interest and relevant to us today?

Gautama Buddha lived more than two and a half thousand years ago, yet his personality and teachings still resonate with millions of people around the world. In this eight week course, we will explore the universal message of these teachings, and their relevance to the issues and challenges of life in the contemporary world.

The course will examine what we know of the Buddha’s actual life and original teachings, and how these were developed in different Buddhist traditions, with an emphasis on how these ideas can help us to live a more constructive, harmonious and satisfying life in today’s world

Suitable for all, whether intending to make a commitment to the Buddhist path or not. Thursdays: 31 Jan to 21 March, 18:30-20:00

Suggested donation £6. Drop in or pre book via the JBCL website here. 

The Buddhist Death Plan

As Buddhists, we often meditate on death to remind us of how precious this life is, but have you thought about the practicalities of when you die?

The 'Your Personal Death Plan' document will enable you to communicate your wishes on what you would like your family, friends and the Buddhist Community to do before, during and after your death, including your funeral plan.

This document has been created by Roy Poulter (Lobsang Kalden), a member of the Buddhist Healthcare Chaplaincy Trust on behalf of Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds and FPMT UK. It follows carefully the advice of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, as well as sections on practical issues like funeral arrangements.

This is the first in a series of booklets Jamyang Leeds is creating to help you with passing to the next life. To download a pdf of the 'Your Personal Death Plan' click here.

A big thank you to Roy for all his hard work in creating this very beneficial resource.

Buddhist Chaplains Required in Wakefield and Harrogate

If you live in the Wakefield or Harrogate areas and are interested in volunteering as a Buddhist Chaplain please get in touch with Roy Poulter to discuss further. Tel: 07481 538 094 or 0113 250 9353 or e-mail: roy.poulter@hotmail.co.uk

The role is just a few hours a week and training will be provided. You will not be put in any position that you can’t handle or don’t want to be in.
As a volunteer Buddhist Chaplain, you will be part of the Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds Chaplaincy Team that currently covers Leeds and York and offers support to Leeds Teaching Hospitals (NHS Trust) Chaplaincy Service and North East Lincolnshire & Goole NHS Foundation Trust.

The role of the chaplain is to:

• ensure those inpatients requiring religious, pastoral and spiritual care receive appropriate attention.
• assist staff sensitivity in these aspects of care at induction and through other forms of in-service training.
• be available to staff who may have ethical or other concerns arising from their work.