Lama Jampa Thaye has just completed a vibrant and joyful visit to Dechen LA in Santa Monica. The temple in Santa Monica was filled to the brim with longtime sangha members and new friends from across California, including many from the Bodhi Path community.
A major highlight was the rare and powerful Vajrapani Bhutadamara retreat. Over three days, Lama Jampa offered the complete Vajrayana transmission—wang, lung, and tri. This was followed by a day of practice in which Lama Jampa walked people through the practice in English.
In addition to the retreat Lama Jampa bestowed two separate initiations of Chenrezik, the Buddha of compassion. Around ten people took refuge during these events—a beautiful reminder of the growing strength and devotion of the Buddhist community in California.
To close the visit, Lama Jampa gave a teaching on the Sakya commentary The Key to the Profound Meaning, offering a panoramic view of the entire Mahayana path. In his parting words he reminded people to give their whole hearts to the Dharma, even when the world feels uncertain.
During the visit Lama Jampa also found time to film a new series of videos for his YouTube channel, including clarification of the system of tenets and the views as well as a look at evidence for the influence of Buddhism on western philosophers in the early centuries of the Christian Era.
Lama Jampa is now back in the UK and will be teaching in Bristol this weekend. He will be returning to California for another two week visit in the autumn.