Telescope of Faith: An expression of views on solar and lunar eclipses and so forth by Karma Thinley Rinpoche

10.30am to 1.00pm

Lama Jampa will continue his explanatory teachings on this important, contemporary work by Karma Thinley Rinpoche.

In this short work Karma Thinley Rinpoche, grand master of both the Sakya and Kagyu schools, examines the differences between our current understanding of the physical universe and that held at the time of the Buddha and depicted in the Buddha’s teachings. With reference to teachings from both sutras and tantras he shows how such differences are not atall contradictory to the aims of the dharma.

‘These days, because the teachings about Mount Meru and the distances of the sun and moon and so on found in the great Indian shastras such as Abhidharmakosha do not accord with science, young people lose faith in the Abhidharma and so on and have doubts. This is inappropriate. Even the great panditas and siddhas of India and Tibet who authored those teachings, while they composed dharma teachings and shastras in dependence only upon what they actually heard of the three baskets of the Buddha’s words, they certainly did not intend to completely contradict modern scientific views.'

Originally published on Karma Thinley Rinpoche's website, a translation by Dechen Foundation can be found at Dechen Foundation Books.

Initiation of Mahachakra Vajrapani*

2.30pm - 4.30pm

Vajrapani is one of the Lords of the Three Families and is revered in all traditions of vajrayana Buddhism as the embodiment of the power of all buddhas.

*Please note that in order to receive this initiation one must have made a formal commitment to the Buddhist path by the act of Taking Refuge. If you would like to make this commitment prior to the initiation please contact the event organisers for further information.