Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, our beloved and respected Abbot and spiritual guide is, through his many years joyously devoted to the diligent practice of The Lord Buddha’s Teachings, one of the greatest meditation masters in the world today. None other than His Holiness the 17th Karmapa said of him that if you wanted to know about meditation, look no further than Lama Yeshe Losal. There can be no higher recommendation, so we are indeed very fortunate.
Appointed as the Abbot of Kagyu Samye Ling monastery in 1992, Lama Rinpoche has seen it continue to flourish and since the passing of his brother, Choje Akong Rinpoche in 2013, Lama Rinpoche has fearlessly taken on the responsibilities of his brother as well as his own, and due to his immense compassion, coupled with his single pointed determination and wisdom, has ensured that all these activities are continuing to flourish and thrive.
From the age of 2, his exceptional potential was first noticed, taking Getsul ordination aged 13, and by the time he was 18, he thought “I must accomplish this Dharma which is beneficial in this and all future lives” and entered a solitary retreat. A year later he entered a traditional 3 year retreat where he received many Dharma teachings and excellently accomplished many recitations and approach and accomplishment practices. Then he was given, stage by stage the essential points of profound Mahamudra and Dzogchen.
From this point onwards he strove with one pointed determination for the true nature of genuine reality.
Since then, he has gone on to receive many more teachings from the greatest teachers of the Kagyu and Nyingma Lineages.
In 2008, he was invited by Akong Rinpoche to come to Scotland as Khenpo and Retreat master, and has returned to Scotland every year since, as retreat master(Drupon) and to lead the Sherda studies.
Lama Gelongma Zangmo first became a practising Buddhist when she arrived at Kagyu Samye Ling in 1977 and took refuge with His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. Having received teachings from many highly respected lamas who visited Kagyu Samye Ling, she was inspired to enter the four-year closed retreat in 1984, during which time she became ordained as a Buddhist nun.
When the next long retreat started in 1989 Lama Zangmo wished to further her retreat experience and she was also asked to help and advise the new retreatants. Having completed that retreat in 1993, Lama Zangmo then entered a third long retreat and became the resident retreat teacher to the other women retreatants. That retreat ended in 1997, bringing the total number of years Lama Zangmo spent in retreat to eleven and a half.
In 1998 Lama Zangmo was one of a group of nuns who accompanied Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche to India, where she became fully ordained as a Gelongma (Bhikkuni) at a historic ceremony in Bodhgaya. This will in turn enable others to take full Gelongma ordination with the Tibetan Buddhist tradition in the future.
Lama Zangmo’s strong connection with Kagyu lineage and in particular with Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche has inspired her to work tirelessly and joyfully in service to the Dharma and helping others. In recognition of her long experience, selfless qualities and commitment, she became the first person in the UK to be honoured with the title of Lama by our organisation at a heart warming ceremony in Kagyu Samye Dzong London in June 2001.
This has given Lama Zangmo a wealth of experience on which to draw as she joyously Teaches the Dharma.
Clive Holmes has been teaching meditation for the last twenty years all over the UK, as well as in Samye Dzong centres overseas. He has completed over a year in intensive retreat and has studied in Europe and India with teachers from Burma, South East Asia, Japan and Tibet. He also has a degree in western philosophy. He is co-editor of the books "Taming the Tiger"and "Restoring the Balance" by Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche. He also has an honorary appointment as Teaching Fellow in the School of Education at Aberdeen University and is involved in teaching MSc Mindfulness.
Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, our Abbot and spiritual guide recently announced the removal of fees for Dharma activities at Kagyu Samye Ling, in honour of his brother Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche. Since the time of Lord Buddha there has been a tradition of supporting the Dharma through offerings, and so Lama Rinpoches wish is that Dharma students will continue to support the Dharma through the meritorious act of donations. Kagyu Samye Dzong Glasgow will be doing the same with its Dharma events.
Please note that courses that are not part of Kagyu Samye Dzong Glasgow's Dharma programme will have their own fees. Please review the course description for details.
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Tutors: Chloe Homewood and Navin Arora
Dates: 9-10 June 2018, 15-16 September 2018, 24-25 November 2018 and final weekend to be confirmed
Booking info: To book the first weekend of this course please click the booking link. You will be contacted after attending the first weekend to book the further three weekends.
To book, please click here.
Times: The course runs from 10am till 5pm on Saturday and Sunday
Location: Kagyu Samye Dzong Glasgow, 7 Ashley Street, Glasgow, G3 6DR.
For more information about this venue, please click here.
Dates: 9-10 June 2018, 15-16 September 2018, 24-25 November 2018 and 9-10 February 2019
Cost: 150 per weekend including manual
Kagyu Samye Dzong Glasgow is a Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre and part of Rokpa Trust, an international organisation set up by Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche, co-founder of Samye Ling Monastery and Tibetan Centre at Eskdalemuir in the Borders. The Trust is active in the fields of education, health and spiritual development .. both here in Glasgow and across the world.
Kagyu Samye Dzong Glasgow is a place for everyone, where the overall aim is to provide support for any activities which are of benefit to the people of Glasgow. You can pay us a visit any weekday between 11am and 1pm. All that happens at KSD Glasgow is due entirely to the hard work and dedication of unpaid volunteer staff.