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May 2008

In this newsletter...

Exciting times
What's happening in May
Coming up in June
Dharma - the supreme medicine

Exciting times

This May brings us the penultimate Spring Festival that Venerable Geshe Kelsang has scheduled to give us. Book as early as possible if you're going because space and the catering is limited.  Booking for the Summer Festival ASAP is also strongly recommended.
When they're gone, they're gone. Making a good connection with Ven. Geshe-la by listening, with a mind of faith, to him teaching directly is probably the best present you can ever give yourself (and every living being - when you put those teachings into practice). The experience is beyond comparison or analogy, the benefits inconceivable.
BTW, Amitabha Centre people are serving lunches in the pink dining marquis. Let us know if you'd like to join the team.
There are 1000 email addresses receiving this newsletter.

On a sad note, a certain Tibetan political leader appears to again be performing actions calculated to make life difficult for certain faithful practitioners of Je Tsongkhapa's lineage who rely upon Dorje Shugden. For certain reasons there may well be certain expressions of disapproval of these policies and actions made in public. How wonderful that the UK is still a 'democracy' which allows its 'ordinary' people to draw attention to the unsavoury actions of 'establishment' figures.

Of course it would be wonderful if all wars and oppression ceased. In Universal Compassion Ven. Geshe Kelsang writes "It seems that for true universal peace and happiness to prevail, Dharma must flourish throughout the world". So, obviously trying to follow the precept 'Do not get angry', those who want peace must continuously do whatever has to be done to help provide and protect the conditions for pure Dharma to flourish throughout the world.
All of us can pray. How wonderful. We have freedom to practice Dharma. If we don't use it, we're sure to lose it.
May everyone be happy.

Your Centre in Bristol is busy with lots of stuff. Please feel free to join in the fun ...

While April still goes on ...

  April 26  Thai  Stop the week   Friday 6.30pm - 9.30pm
   Enjoy a light and short talk and guided meditation followed at 7.15pm by a delicious 4-course meal with Dharma friends in the World Peace Cafe.
   £14 per person or £24 for two

Thai menu
Lemongrass kebabs with peanut sauce
Lime infused stir-fried vegetables on a bed of jasmine rice
Passionfruit cheesecake
Fresh coffee and homemade truffles


 

Saturday 26 April   Medicine for the mind - learn to meditate with Kelsang Shinaye   10am - 1pm

Learn how to dive deep into the ocean of your mind to find the lasting joy and contentment you seek.
The workshop consists of advice on how we can use meditation as a powerful medicine for healing our body and mind.
We will practice a couple of guided meditations that are easy to do, yet have the power to transform our lives.

 

 

Saturday 26 April     Foundations of a Spiritual Life - relying upon a Spiritual Guide  
with Kelsang Rinchen 9.30 – 1.30   in Cheltenham

 

Sunday 27 April  Magical mind - creator of all      with Mandy Wright   10.30am - 5pm


Everything starts in the imagination. It is a remarkable quality of the mind that we can create objects with our imagination and then bring them into our everyday reality. Through developing faith and wisdom we can bring pure magic into our minds leading us and those around us to a more peaceful and joyful experience within our everyday lives.

 

 

 

in May...

Sunday 4 May   Opening our heart - learning to love others  
10am -1pm with Becky Gilbank
Although we wish to have enjoyable and harmonious relationships with others, we often find this difficult to accomplish. However simply through transforming our mind we can change this situation. On this course learn timeless techniques to reduce our aversion and increase our love.

 

 


Sunday 4 May    Basics of Buddhism   
2pm - 5pm with Dave Towner-Jones
A look at how our lack of peace largely comes from our mistaken attitudes and what we can do about it.

If you've ever wondered what Buddhism is all about... this afternoon class is a good opportunity to find out. Reincarnation, karma, meditation, nirvana and enlightenment are all interesting topics that are regularly covered at our classes. This class is an ideal opportunity to gain an 'overview in a nutshell' and ask an experienced Buddhist Teacher and meditator any questions that you may have.

 

 

Saturday 10 May   Introduction to Wisdom      with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab at ***Cradley Heath***

 

 

 


Sunday 11 May   Mandala offerings - a pure universe in your hands   
10.30am - 5pm with Gen Chonden

In Guhyasamaja Tantra Vajradhara says:
Those who wish for attainments
Should mentally and skilfully fill this universe
With the seven precious objects.
By offering them every day,
Their wishes will be fulfilled



This course will elaborate on the practice of offering the mandala
which is a very meaningful practice that everyone can do.


The course will be followed by a week-long retreat at the Centre.

 

 


Monday 12 - Sunday 18 May                Retreat on Guru Yoga and Mandala offerings

 

Sunday 18 May     Offering to the Spiritual Guide   *** in Cheltenham***
10.30am - 5pm   with Gen Chonden in Cheltenham

 

Friday 23 - Monday 26 May     NKT-IKBU Spring Festival at Manjushri KMC, ***Cumbria***
with Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
One of the highlights of the Kadampa year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday 31 May        What is the mind?   
10am - 1pm   with Jim Martin

Our mind is the medium through which we experience everything, and the state it is in determines how we perceive our world and all the people and things around us. However few of us understand exactly what our mind is and how it functions, so we are confused about the main causes of happiness and suffering. By improving our understanding of the mind we can solve all our problems, develop a deep and stable inner peace and be truly happy.

 

 

For bookings and information on courses in Bristol please go to the events page of our web site,
contact the Centre, Tel: 0117 974 5160 or email: info@meditationinbristol.org

 

and coming up in June...

Sun 1 June       Learn to meditate workshop (morning)                                               with Kelsang Rak-ma
Sun 1 June       Faith precedes all virtuous activities, like a mother... (afternoon)   with Gen Chonden

Fri 6 June - Sun 8 June    Amitabha Centre retreat at Tara Centre -  based on the Vajrapani Teachings at the Spring Festival.

Sat 14 June     The beauty of patience (morning)                                                          with Jeff Webber

Sun 15 June    Sponsored walk in the Mendips

Sun 22 June    Wheel of life - the most meaningful piece of art (day)                        with Kelsang Lamchen
Sat 28 June     Basics of Buddhism (morning)                                                              with Max Watkins
Sun 29 June    Heart Jewel (morning)                                                                              with Gen Chonden


For bookings and information please go to the events page of our web site,
contact the Centre, Tel: 0117 974 5160 or email: info@meditationinbristol.org

Dharma - the supreme medicine

From Heart Jewel by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso .......  

Some people believe that Dorje Shugden is an emanation of Manjushri who shows the aspect of a worldly being, but this is incorrect. Even Dorje Shugden's form reveals the complete stages of the path of Sutra and Tantra, and such qualities are not possessed by the forms of worldly beings. Dorje Shugden appears as a fully ordained monk to show that the practice of moral discipline is essential for those who wish to attain enlightenment. In his left hand he holds a heart, which symbolizes great compassion and spontaneous great bliss - the essence of all the stages of the vast path of Sutra and Tantra. His round yellow hat represents the view of Nagarjuna, and the wisdom sword in his right hand teaches us to sever ignorance, the root of samsara, with the sharp blade of Nagarjuna's view. This is the essence of all the stages of the profound path of Sutra and Tantra.

Dorje Shugden rides a snow lion, the symbol of the four fearlessnesses of a Buddha, and has a jewel-spitting mongoose perched on his left arm, symbolizing his power to bestow wealth on those who put their trust in him. The single eye in the centre of his forehead symbolizes his omniscient wisdom, which perceives directly and simultaneously all past, present and future  phenomena. His wrathful expression indicates that he destroys ignorance, the real enemy of all living beings, by blessing them with great wisdom; and also that he destroys the obstacles of pure Dharma practitioners.

 

We should understand that the principal function of a Dharma Protector is to protect our Dharma practice, not to help our mundane affairs. Bearing this in mind we should not become discouraged if we do not suddenly become wealthy, for wealth does not necessarily help spiritual practice and can be a great distraction. If we rely sincerely upon Dorje Shugden, he will arrange the conditions that are most conducive for our Dharma practice but these will not necessarily be the ones that we ourself would have chosen! Dorje Shugden will bless our minds to help us transform difficult situations into the spiritual path, and he will open the wisdom eyes of his faithful followers, enabling them always to make the right decisions. Although physically they may find themselves alone, inwardly those who put their trust in him will never be apart from a powerful ally and a wise and compassionate guide.

All of Geshe-la's books are available for purchase from Amitabha Centre.

© All quotations from Geshe Kelsang's books are copyright of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and New Kadampa Tradition

A few links...
www.kadampa.org This site offers a huge amount of interesting content about the activities of the NKT, Kadam Dharma and Geshe-la's books
www.tharpa.co.uk for on-line purchases of books and other goodies.

With love and best wishes from Amitabha Kadampa Buddhist Centre, Bristol

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