We humbly thank Lama Yeshe Rinpoche, Lama Zangmo, Gelongma Ani Lhamo and Gelong Thubten for blessing us with their visit last month, and everyone who came to the centre. The events was perfectly summed up by these words from Samyeling:
Lama Yeshe Rinpoche arrived in Kagyu Samye Dzong Cardiff on 18th July, receiving a warm Welsh welcome from Dharma students and friends, old and new.
Over the weekend there were a number of Dharma teachings and events; a delightful session where Rinpoche met with children connected to the Centre and from the local Tibetan community; a question and answer session where everyone had the chance to ask about practice and meditation; and a Refuge Ceremony which included the taking of precepts.
Throughout the weekend Lama Zangmo gave teachings on 'The Seven Points of Mind Training' and to conclude there was a celebration tea party for everyone in the peaceful and beautiful garden behind the Centre.
Lastly, we'd like to share with you these words of reflections kindly written by Anthony:
The world we live in today is fuelled by information. Where our ideas and concepts can fly across the planet in a matter of seconds. Fundamentally this process of itself is neither good nor bad, but merely a movement created by our technology. In this way we are the unwittingly players, participants in our ongoing confusion. How our ideas and concepts become the vectors of our seemingly unavoidable misunderstanding, confusion and suffering. In short we call this Ignorance. We are so deeply imbedded within this, that it seems well nigh impossible to know or recognise anything else.
Then from this morass of materialism, there are spaces and places which hold and kindle the light of Truth. These places are where individuals go to learn how to kindle that light, where eventually it can shine brightly in our world. These places are the monasteries and Dharma centres to be found in many of our cities of the world. Then there are those who kindle that light to such an extent that they become that light. These are the meditation masters, those rare individuals in the world who have found true freedom. Such a one is our Abbot Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche who graced us by spending a weekend with us. We were also very fortunate in that Rinpoche was also accompanied by some more of our monastic Sangha: Lama Zangmo, Ani Lhamo and Gelong Thubten.
It is interesting what happens when we really turn towards and kindle the light. How that light breaks through, and illuminates in the most unexpected places. It is so important therefore that we can step back to get the larger view, which enables us to see more clearly. The nature of light is that it illuminates. We have a saying of something being brought to light, as a means of how things come to our attention and understanding. When I step back and view the whole process of how everyone at the centre in Cardiff worked together with such joyfulness, enthusiasm and good will. The synergy and harmony of that whole process, spoke volumes to me. The Buddha taught about the interdependent nature of all things. Here we could see on reflection what can happen when our focus is not on our selfish ego- grasping of what "I want" but rather what is possible, and the nature of the energy that becomes available to us when we work for the benefit of others. Here it was, plain for all to see. This is when the light breaks through, and illuminates not just what we are doing, but also our understanding of how to do it. I wish to say a big thank you to our wonderful volunteers for their devotion and commitment in helping to make this all possible. It has created a valuable reference point, a point of light in our memory, a reminder of what is possible, when we work together for the greater good, with that compassionate wish for the benefit of others.
Thank you Lama Rinpoche for being that beacon of light that you are. May we follow in your footsteps to become real Dharma practitioners.
With love and gratitude,
Anthony
