The recent autumn teachings weekend on 18 October with Lama Jampa Thaye in Bristol was even more significant this year. With it, Lama Jampa taught the final part of ‘Discriminating the Three Vows’ by Sakya Pandita, a series which started back in London in November 2022. Throughout the day we were also reminded of the continued presence of our excellent, long standing Co-ordinator, David Armstrong, who passed away on 20 September, aged 69.
Over 100 people came together for this event, travelling by plane, train and automobile. Many who came were from Dechen centres and groups; we also made connections with dharma friends from other centres too.
Discriminating the Three Vows conclusion
Throughout this text, Sakya Pandita explains with absolute clarity how to practise the Buddhist path without falling into confusion and error. In his gentle yet uncompromising style, Sakya Pandita deals with the various mistaken ideas and practices prevalent in his time, which, over 700 years later, we still encounter today. As Sakya Pandita says,
“Since his [the Buddha’s] time, there have been numerous waxings and wanings of the doctrine due the differences that exist between wise men and fools.”
In this final part on the Vajrayana vow, Sakya Pandita shows how this process of clarifying the dharma has been a necessity since the time of the Buddha, shadowed as he was by his jealous cousin, Devadatta. He also points out the need to check both teachings and teachers to make sure they are in line with what the Buddha taught, just as “…in the selection of food and drink for a single day, one applies a variety of tests for quality”. Even in Sakya Pandita’s time, the presence of a large, devoted following was no guarantee of an authentic master!
Initiation of the wisdom deity, White Saraswati
Fortunately for anyone aspiring to master Sakya Pandita’s text, in the afternoon, Lama Jampa gave the initiation of White Saraswati from the lineage of Bodong Chole Namgyal. Revered as one of the principal wisdom deities in Vajrayana Buddhism, Saraswati is also celebrated as the divine muse of poetry and music. For centuries, great masters have turned to her meditation to awaken clarity, creativity, and deep insight.
Farewell to our beloved Co-ordinator and exemplary dharma practitioner, David Armstrong
This event was also the first major teaching hosted in Bristol since the passing of Sakya Buddhist Centre Bristol’s Co-ordinator, David Armstrong. In reflecting on his life, Lama Jampa remarked, “His life and manner of dying is a perfect example of how a Buddhist should live and die.”
He also noted that,
“Life is never worthless – life is precious from conception to the actual moment of death. At all times there is the chance to turn to the dharma, to generate merit, even in difficulty”
Looking to the future: continuing David’s work in fulfilling the wishes of our Lama
In closing, Lama Jampa described how David led the admin team for Sakya Buddhist Centre Bristol and our retreat centre, Sakya Changlochen Ling in France, with great care over many years. As a result of his efforts, we now have a strong team in place who will continue to work together: at the centre of this, Rachel will lead the admin team consisting of Ed, Liz G, Miranda, Emma and Simon. She will call and chair meetings of the team, and implement policy in accordance with Lama Jampa’s wishes. The admin team will naturally involve and be further supported by the whole community.
With that, we can move forward with confidence for the future.