Last weekend Lama Jampa Thaye continued his autumn teaching tour in central Europe, beginning with a visit to Stuttgart where he taught at the Dechen centre, Sakya Dechen Ling. On Friday evening he gave a public lecture entitled An Open Heart to All Beings, introducing the essential practice of Mahayana Buddhism. The following day he continued his explanation of Discriminating the Three Vows (Dom Sum Rabye), a text he has been teaching in parallel at several Dechen centres across Europe — from Sakya Thinley Rinchen Ling in Bristol to Dhagpo Kagyu Ling in the Dordogne. On Sunday, the weekend concluded with the initiation of Guru Rinpoche Konchog Chindu from the lineage of the great tertön Rigdzin Jatson Nyingpo.
From Stuttgart, Lama Jampa travelled west to the university city of Freiburg, before crossing the nearby border into Switzerland. Although Freiburg and Basel share the same EuroAirport, the visit to Freiburg’s Dhagpo Mandala Centre marked a new and welcome addition to the itinerary, while Basel remains a familiar and much-loved stop on his European tours.
Peer and Dagmar, the long-standing administrators of the Freiburg centre, had prepared meticulously for the visit. Lama Jampa was warmly received by them and the centre’s residents, and the shrine room was soon filled with over fifty students of all ages, eager to hear him teach for the first time. In the short time available, Lama Jampa gave a lucid and inspiring overview of the Karma Kagyu path — a teaching that was both accessible and true to the authentic tradition passed down by the great masters of the past. At a time when novelty is often sought, Lama Jampa reminded those present that the deepest truths remain ever-present, preserved in the timeless wisdom of the Dharma.
The next morning, after heartfelt farewells, the Freiburg hosts expressed their sincere wish for Lama Jampa to return before long to teach again.
In Basel, Lama Jampa’s programme was lighter, allowing time to rest and enjoy the crisp, sunlit days on the outskirts of the ancient city that sits where three countries meet. At the request of the Dechen group and their close friends from Bodhipath, Lama Jampa bestowed the initiation of the White Umbrella goddess, Sitatapatra, the great protectress. Though the group was small, the power and blessing of the initiation were deeply felt by all present.
During the remainder of his stay, Lama Jampa spent precious time with long-time students and friends from Basel and the UK, sharing joyful moments and reflections before it was, once again, time to cross the border and continue his journey.
Now, as the Dharma continues to flow across borders, Lama Jampa is teaching once more in Germany, at Renchen-Ulm Bodhi Path, where he is giving teachings on the renowned Kagyu text Distinguishing Consciousness and Primordial Wisdom by the Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje.