2:30 - 4:30 pm

Vajrakilaya embodies the indestructible compassion of enlightened mind which transcends all negative emotions. This initiation is from the term lineage of Chogyur Lingpa.

*Refuge and bodhisattva vows will be given to everyone during the prelimminary part of the initiation.

For further information please visit the local website.

10:30 am - 12:30pm

The wild horse of mind is both our greatest challenge and our most precious treasure, the real source of both happiness and suffering. With wise and compassionate guidance on what may be helpful to each of us as individuals and how to meditate, each of us has the power to harness this wild horse of mind.

For further information please visit the local website.

10:30am - 1:00pm Understanding Vajrayana Buddhism - Discriminating the Three Vows by Sakya Pandita

This section of Sakya Pandita’s text shows us how to practice Vajrayana Buddhism correctly and how to avoid common misunderstandings and errors.

2:30pm - 4:30pm Initiation of Gonkar

Gonpo Yizhin Norbu (Gonkar) is the wealth and protection bestowing emanation of Chenrezik. His practice was originally transmitted in the Shangpa Kagyu lineage and later preserved in the Sakya tradition where it is relied upon by many meditators.

*Refuge and the bodhisattva vow will be given to everyone during the preliminary part of the initiation.

For more information please visit the local website.

Lama Jampa will present the famous Sakya teaching on Parting from the Four Attachments - Zhenpa Zhidral - using Gormapa Sonam Senge’s commentary the Key to the Profound Meaning, Gorampa’s commentary

This set of guided meditations on the spiritual path is excellent for both beginners and those who are more experienced. For this course, Lama Jampa will use the The Key to the Profound Meaning, an explanation of Parting from the Four Attachments composed by the Buddhist philosopher Gorampa Sonam Sengge.

For further information please see the local website.

Chenrezik is revered in all traditions of Buddhism as the supreme embodiment of compassion. This initiation is from the lineage of the great nun, Lakshminkara, and is associated with the one-day fasting ritual of Chenrezik. Refuge and the bodhisattva vow will be given to everyone during the preliminary part of the initiation.

For full details see the local website.

Unification of Mahamudra and Dzogchen

This initiation bestows the authority to meditate on Chenrezik, the embodiment of compassionate energy, and on mahamudra - the great seal - which is the true nature of mind. It is one of the most widespread meditation practices in Vajrayana Buddhism. This initiation is connected with the famous sadhana composed by the great Sakyapa master Ngorchen Konchog Lhundrup.

For full details see the local website.

Chenrezik is revered in all traditions of Buddhism as the supreme embodiment of compassion. This initiation is from the lineage of the great nun, Lakshminkara, and is associated with the one-day fasting ritual of Chenrezik. Refuge and the bodhisattva vow will be given to everyone during the preliminary part of the initiation.

For full details see the local website.

11am - 1.00pm

Saraswati is famous as one of the principal wisdom deities in Vajrayana Buddhism. The practice of Red Saraswati cultivates the wisdom to both understand the teachings and to realise the true nature of things. From such wisdom all the seen and unseen qualities on the Buddhist path arise.

For further information please see the local website.

Advice Straight from the Heart by Patrul Rinpoche

10:30am -1pm

In the morning Lama Jampa will teach Patrul Rinpoche's marvellously clear and frank advice for anybody entering the path of Vajrayana Buddhism.

Initiation of Vajrasattva

​2:30pm - 4:30pm

In the afternoon he will bestow the initiation of Vajrasattva, the embodiment of the primordial purity of mind. Refuge and the bodhisattva vow will be included in this.

For further information please see the local website.

10:30am - 1:00pm Understanding Vajrayana Buddhism - Discriminating the Three Vows by Sakya Pandita

This section of Sakya Pandita’s text shows us how to practice Vajrayana Buddhism correctly and how to avoid common misunderstandings and errors.

2:30pm - 4:30pm Lords of the Three Families (Chenrezik, Manjushri & Vajrapani)

This initiation of The Lords of the Three Families (Rigsum Gonpo) is the permission initiation which allows one to meditate on the three principal bodhisattvas: Manjushri, the deity of wisdom, Chenrezik, the deity of compassion, and Vajrapani, the deity of power.

*Refuge and the bodhisattva vow will be given to everyone during the preliminary part of the initiation.

For further information please see the local website.

Saraswati is famous as one of the principal wisdom deities in Vajrayana Buddhism. The practice of Red Saraswati cultivates the wisdom to both understand the teachings and to realise the true nature of things. From such wisdom all the seen and unseen qualities on the Buddhist path arise.

*Refuge and the bodhisattva vow will be given to everyone during the preliminary part of the initiation.

For further details please see the local website.

Lama Jampa Thaye presents insights from his book "Wisdom in Exile" and talks about the challenges and opportunities of Buddhism in the West, especially with regard to cultural exchange and authentic practice.

The public talk will be simultaneously translated into German.

For further details please see the local website.

Discriminating the Three Vows by Sakya Pandita

10:30am - 1:00pm

Sakya Pandita’s masterpiece offers a brilliant examination of the spiritual disciplines found in the Three Vehicles. Topics dealt with in this work include the reality of the Buddha nature, the ethics of a bodhisattva and the correct practice of Vajrayana.

Initiation of Red Saraswati*

2:30pm - 5:00pm

Saraswati is famous as one of the principal wisdom deities in Vajrayana Buddhism. The practice of Red Saraswati cultivates the wisdom to both understand the teachings and to realise the true nature of things. From such wisdom all the seen and unseen qualities on the Buddhist path arise.

*Refuge and the bodhisattva vow will be given to everyone during the preliminary part of the initiation.

For further details please see the local website.

Monday 1 December, 6:30 - 8:30pm

A public lecture suitable for anyone with an interest in following the Buddhist path.

Aspiration is an impulse that leads us towards an ideal. From this impulse we formulate wishes. Do they reinforce our ordinary tendencies or do they lead us towards the best of ourselves?

In Buddhism, wishes take on a whole new dimension: it is about developing all our qualities to bring them to their fullness. Wishes then become a skillful means that helps us to gradually transform our lives and direct our minds towards our own good and that of others.

The Geneva Centre for the Study of Tibetan Buddhism is a branch of Karma Minyur Ling (Montchardon), placed under the spiritual authority of His Holiness Thaye Dorje, the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, and Lama Teunsang.

For further information please see the local website.

Discriminating the Three Vows by Sakya Pandita

10:30am - 1:00pm

Sakya Pandita’s masterpiece offers a brilliant examination of the spiritual disciplines found in the Three Vehicles. Topics dealt with in this work include the reality of the Buddha nature, the ethics of a bodhisattva and the correct practice of Vajrayana.

Initiation of White Dzambhala*

2:30pm - 5:00pm

White Dzambhala or White Jambhala is a manifestation of the Chenrezik, the Buddha of Compassion. The practice is done to remove the suffering of poverty and sickness, purify non-virtuous karma and generate bodhicitta. The practice is said to originate from the great Indian Saint Atisha, who visited Tibet in the 11th Century CE.

*Refuge and the bodhisattva vow will be given to everyone during the preliminary part of the initiation.

For further details please visit the local website.

The Telescope of Wisdom

10:30am - 1:00pm

Composed by the great philosopher Nagarjuna, The Friendly Letter is a supremely clear account of how we can practise the threefold path of morality, meditation and wisdom. To elucidate the text Lama Jampa will teach according to the detailed commentary The Telescope of Wisdom by Karma Thinley Rinpoche.

Initiation of White Tara*

2:30pm - 5:00pm

The goddess Tara is revered in all traditions of Vajrayana Buddhism as the embodiment of the liberating activity of all buddhas. White Tara is one of the three deities of longevity whose practice is renowned for bestowing the blessings of long life and thus increasing the opportunity for spiritual practice. 

*Refuge and the bodhisattva vow will be given to everyone during the preliminary part of the initiation.

For further details please see the local website.

Initiation of Green Tara from the lineage of Atisha

6:30pm

The goddess Tara is revered in all traditions of Vajrayana Buddhism as the embodiment of the liberating activity of all buddhas. As such her initiation and meditation are especially effective means of awakening one’s innate capacity for enlightened compassion. 

*Refuge and the bodhisattva vow will be given to everyone during the preliminary part of the initiation.

For further details please visit the local website.

The Telescope of Wisdom

10:30am - 1:00pm

Composed by the great philosopher Nagarjuna, The Friendly Letter is a supremely clear account of how we can practise the threefold path of morality, meditation and wisdom. To elucidate the text Lama Jampa will teach according to the detailed commentary The Telescope of Wisdom by Karma Thinley Rinpoche.

Initiation of Red Saraswati*

2:30pm - 5:00pm

Saraswati is famous as one of the principal wisdom deities in Vajrayana Buddhism. The practice of Red Saraswati cultivates the wisdom to both understand the teachings and to realise the true nature of things. From such wisdom all the seen and unseen qualities on the Buddhist path arise.

*Refuge and the bodhisattva vow will be given to everyone during the preliminary part of the initiation.

For further details please see the local website.