Lama Jampa Thaye received a warm welcome when he visited the north west on 10 and 11 July to give his first teaching in the region since February 2020. This shedra teaching - the sixth instalment of ‘The Jewel Ornament of Liberation’ by Gampopa - was long-awaited and very much appreciated by around 150 students who gathered at the Bolton Whites Hotel.
Gampopa was an early master in the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and ’The Jewel Ornament of Liberation’ is a comprehensive manual of study and practice in the Kagyu tradition. It sets out a clear and detailed explanation of the Buddhist path from its starting point to the achievement of enlightenment.
At this teaching, Lama Jampa covered the sections relating to the perfections of giving, moral discipline and patience, dealing with the importance of changing our mindset and how we behave in the world.
On the Sunday, Lama Jampa gave the initiation of Yellow Dzambala from the Bari Lotsawa collection of sadhanas. Many more students who have made a formal commitment to the Buddhist path will now be able to practise the Yellow Dzambala ritual at Kagyu Ling Buddhist Centre in Manchester, where it is one of the regular weekly pujas.
The teaching was attended by people from all over the country who were delighted to gather together once more, after the postponement of so many events over the last year. The venue was a new one and the large hall was very spacious, making it easy to maintain social distancing .
It is hoped that the relaxation of Government restrictions and the improving situation means that regular teachings will now be resumed in the north west. Lama Jampa’s teaching of the next instalment of the Jewel Ornament is due in November and further details will be announced as soon as they are available.