Gentle Voice July/August 2015

July and August 2015 In This Issue

Friends Scheme

Getting the Best from Your Life byLama Zopa Rinpoche

This Month at Jamyang

Geshe Tashi's column

The Director's Column

His Holiness the Dalai Lama in theUK

Celebration for the Dalai Lama'sbirthday

Summer Lamrim Retreat

Summer Vajrayogini Retreat

The Heart Sutra with Mike Murray

Community Corner

Jamyang Walk

Nepal Earthquake Update

Dagri Rinpoche at Jamyang

Book Launch: Extract from ThuptenJinpa's A Fearless Heart

Summer Holiday Quiz

Poetry Corner

Opportunities for Service around theFPMT

Quiz - Answers

About FPMT

Your Thoughts for Gentle Voice

Quick Links

Editor's welcome

Photo: Giuardian.co.uk (striking resemblance to theGV editor trying to find out if you are reading this)

Dear friends,Welcome to the summer soaraway edition of GentleVoice covering July and August. As ever, it hasbeen a busy time at Jamyang with visits from DagriRinpoche, Open Gardens, a book launch byThubten Jinpa and a full programme of teachingand practice - and of course the Dalai Lama hasbeen in the UK! We include a range of photos fromsome of these wonderful activities, as well as a verythought provoking piece from Lama Zopa Rinpoche.Please do ask yourself, as Lama Zopa says, areyou interested in the plate or the food? Over thesummer consider what your fundamental motivationis for practicing the Dharma. I hope you have been able to connect with ourprogramme either through attending in person orthrough our frequent web streaming. Soon we willbe winding down for the summer, so make the mostof the rest of the programme or attend one of oursummer retreats (details below). Other than that weinclude an extract from Thupten Jinpa's book and

Jamyang Buddhist Centre Mail - Gentle Voice Jul... file:///home/adnan/Desktop/Jamyang Buddhist C...

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Jamyang Website

Current Programme

Talking Buddhism

The Foundation StudyCourse

The Lamrim Chenmo StudyCourse

FPMT

even a summer quiz to puzzle over while you(perhaps) sunbathe.We hope you enjoy this edition of Gentle Voice.

Become a Friend of Jamyang

Help Jamyang stay afloat with a regulardonation to the Jamyang Friends scheme.A regular donation is the best way to helpkeep Jamyang going. It's amazing howeven modest contributions from a fewhundred individuals can make all thedifference.As well as the vast merit you will receive byhelping to spread the Dharma, there arealso some more worldly perks on offer, afree Mandala magazine twice a year,discounts, etc. So if you can spare around£15 a month to help us stay afloat wewould be very appreciative. You can find allthe information about the Friends Schemeand how to become a member by following this link.Jamyang Friends Sceme

Alternatively you can make a one-off donation by following this link.Donate to Jamyang

Many thanks!

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Getting the Best from Your Life by Lama Zopa RinpocheTeachings given By Kyabje Lama ZopaRinpoche at Land of Medicine Buddha in1999

Getting the Best from your LifeWhat makes your life most beautiful, mostsatisfying, most fulfilling, most worthwhile,most beneficial and most happy? I meaninner happiness, not just ordinary, excited,hallucinated happiness. What bringsDharma happiness, the happiness that hascompletion, the happiness that cancontinue, increase and develop fully? Thehappiness that is not suffering, that is worthtrying for because it never turns intosuffering? The happiness that is notsuffering in nature and does not becomethe suffering of pain? Dharma happiness,the happiness that is worth devoting yourlife to attaining because it does not interferewith the happiness of others or limit your capacity to benefit others? Thehappiness that makes your actions only of benefit to others withoutdiscrimination?Well so far I've been doing a lot of advertising but I haven't mentioned theproduct! So, what is it? It's living in the bush - going into the redwoods and livingin the bush! No, I'm joking! So, what is it that brings all that happiness? It'scherishing sentient beings; living your life cherishing sentient beings. Not that Iactually do this myself, but intellectually, it's what I think. Cherish sentient beingsfirst; put enlightenment second.

Sentient beings come firstWhy do I put enlightenment second? For example, when you go into the kitchen,you're looking for food not crockery; your motivation is not to get a plate butdelicious food. You go into the kitchen with food on your mind. But although yourmain motivation is to get food, you do need something to put it on - unless youcan carry soup in your hands! Anyway, I'm joking again.Of course, enlightenment is extremely important because without it you cannotwork perfectly for sentient beings. You cannot be a perfect guide, knowing,seeing directly, every sentient being's mind, level of karma, intelligence, wishesand characteristics, as well as the various methods that suit their individualdispositions. But what should be in your heart is sentient beings as the reasonfor your attaining enlightenment. The first priority in your heart should be thehappiness of sentient beings; sentient beings in your heart. What should be thefirst thing in your heart, in your life, the goal of your life? Sentient beings.


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At present, who is the most precious person in your life, in your heart? It'syourself or, if not yourself, then your greatest object of attachment. I don't thinkyou hold your object of anger most precious. It's your object of attachment; thatparticular person. So that's how you should hold sentient beings, feel them to bemost precious.No matter how much you help the person to whom you are most attached, nomatter how kind you are to that person, all you want is for that person to behappy. If that person receives help, achieves happiness, you're satisfied. That'syour goal; you don't want anything in return. You don't need that person torespect you, to praise you or to do something good for you in return; you don'thave any such expectation. Your attitude is such that you are simply satisfied bythat person's receiving happiness or help. What do you call it - unconditionallove? Anyway, that kind of attitude, whether it's all sentient beings or onesentient being.First in your heart, your first priority, at least intellectually, should be all sentientbeings. Then enlightenment is the method. As in the example above, to enjoyfood you need a plate on which to put it. When you're looking for lunch, you'renot looking for the plate; your main aim is the food. So here, what we're reallylooking for is the happiness of sentient beings.

Extract from chapter 2 of 'The Joy of Compassion' by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

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CLASSES AND EVENTS IN JUNE AND JULY AT JAMYANGFull information about these and all our events can be found here on the

Jamyang Website

CLASSES and RETREATS withGESHE TASHI

Enlightenment PotentialTuesday 7 July at 7:30

Buddhist Practice - Step by StepWednesday 8 July at 7:30

Summer RetreatGradual Path to EnlightenmentRetreat. Saturday 18 - Sunday 26July 9.30am - 5.30pm each day

Vajrayogini Retreatwith Geshe Tashi 10 - 16 August(for initiates only)

VISITING TEACHERS ANDWEEKEND TEACHINGS

Sublime Continuum 3rd weekendwith Andy Wishreich 11, 12 July(can be taken as part of the Basic

WEEK DAY EVENINGS ANDAFTERNOONS

Learn to read and write Tibetan(For beginners - level 1)Tibetan language classes withTenzin SamtenMondays 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 June, 6,13 July 7 - 8.30pm

Buddhist Meditation in Practicewith David Ford Thursdays 2, 9, 16July 7.30pm

Silent MeditationThursdays weekly until 16 July 6.15 - 7.15pm

Tara PujaTuesdays at 4:30pm 7, 14, 28 July,4 August

Medicine Buddha PujaTuesdays at 6pm 7, 14, 28 July, 4August


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Programme)

Heart Sutra with Mike Murray29 August to 3rd September (canbe taken as part of the BasicProgramme)

PRACTICE GROUPS

Insight Meditation Practice Group 4, 11 July 10.30- 12.30pm Opento all

Guhyasamaja Practice GroupSaturdays 11 July2 - 5pm for initiates only

Vajrayogini Practice GroupSundays 5, 12 July, 2 AugustFor initiates only

Kalachakra Practice Group4 July 2 - 5pm For initiates only

Please book for all weekendclasses or retreats other thanpractice groups on-line if you can. If you can't call the office on02078208787 or [email protected]

You can drop in to all eveningclasses unless we state otherwise

Lama Choepa 11, 26 July, 9, 25August

COMMUNITY

Jamyang Walk 4 July

Mindfulness based stressreducation (MBSR) drop-in 31st July, 28th August 6:30pm-8:00pm prior attendance at 8 weekMBSR course required

Book Fair 22 August

Peace in the City 23 August

Chi Kung and Tai ChiMonday evenings to 13 July taughtby William Walker.For more information and tobook call William (follow the linkabove)

Satyananda Yoga Tuesday evenings to 14 July taughtby Judy WatchmanFor more information and to bookcall Judy (follow the link above)

Gentle Vinyassa FlowWednesday to 15 July 6:00pm to 7:15pm

Hridaya (Heart Centre) YogaTaught by Naz to 15 JulyWednesday evenings 7.30pmFor more information please callNaz (follow the link above)

Chair Yoga Taught by Cathy Brebion to 14 JulyTuesdays 10.30am - 11.30am

Meditation and Yoga for Mind andBody Fridays 6.45-7.45PM to 17JulyFor more information pleasecall Nicolette (follow the link above)

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Geshe Tashi's columnHello Everybody,

My Tuesday classes this term on the 4th Vajra Pointof the Uttaratantra are rapidly coming to an end.This section of this important text, that explainsBuddha-nature, is very well known and it is studiedin all the great monasteries. In the last few classes Ihave been explaining the background to this textand also the texts that are studied together with it. Ihope those of you who have managed to come tothe classes have found this useful. I plan tocontinue with the text in my classes this Septemberand I hope we will be able to continue from wherewe have left off.Now the summer break is nearly upon us and I amlooking forward to our summer retreat this July atJamyang. I usually try to spend the mornings of theretreat cultivating the single pointed mind - the practice of shamata, and in theafternoon we have talks and discussions on the important points in the Lamrim.It is very important to make time in our busy lives for this sort of retreat. I am notsaying that you should all come to this retreat in particular, just that you shouldall make time for this sort of reflection and meditation time in your lives. Retreatcan really refresh you at a very deep level of your being, and in our busy liveswe often do not realise that we lack this sort of deep inner refreshment. Just aswe need to sleep properly every night in order to have physical and mental wellbeing, so we also need to rest our minds in the way you can do during a retreat -recharging our emotional and inner selves. So enjoy your summer and if you getthe opportunity to attend a retreat, it does not have to be the one at Jamyang,then do so and really enjoy the experience.

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Director's Column

Summer at last! It is thirty degrees here late in theafternoon here on the last day of June. Been along time coming but very good both to see andfeel it. June, the month of the Solstice, markingmid-summer and mid-year has been a greatmonth for the Dharma in the UK and Jamyang inparticular.His Holiness visited Glastonbury Festival.Geshe-la accompanied him and could be seen asHis Holiness spoke on the Pyramid Stage atGlastonbury alongside Patti Smith - His Holinessgot a huge cheer from the crowd, who later sang him a joyous Happy Birthday!The Meridian Trust hosted and organised a very special event at theGlastonbury Festival of Contemporary Arts to mark the occasion, one of many


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events globally celebrating His Holinesses Eightieth year - His Birthday comingsoon on Monday, 6 July.Meridian's Tibet Film Festival, celebrated not only the Dalai Lama's positiveimpact in the world but also shining a light on Tibetan culture through the bodyof contemporary and established films created by talented film-makers fromacross the Tibetan diaspora and beyond. This event was very much in line withthe wish of His Holiness to bring the message of peace and compassion to ayounger generation across the globe.The FPMT'S Discovering Buddhism series was shown there over the weekendand Jamyang offered some wonderful free postcards to festival goers, each witha quote from his His Holiness on Tibetan Prayer Flag style colouredtypographics.Glastonbury is the largest arts festival in Europe. This year more than 153,000attended and a BBC estimated global audience of more than 6.2 million. Overthe course of 5 days, from Wed 24th June to Sun 28th June more than 2,200events and performance took place at more than 100 stages at Worthy Farm inSomerset.Following Glastonbury at the weekend, His Holiness visited the BuddhistCommunity Centre UK in Aldershot and blessed the site that will include amonastery and a community centre, founded by the Nepalese community in theUK.Their aspiration is that this will be a centre for all Buddhists and will be open tomembers of the public with an interest in Buddhism, not just the local Nepalicommunity. The area has the largest population of Buddhists in the UK, withstrong links to the Gurkhas and wider UK Nepalese community.The monastery and temple will have a community hall adjacent to it whereindividuals can gather after ritual practices to celebrate the occasion. They areon the look-out for a hall that will accommodate over 500 people wheneverpujas or functions are held.Dagri Rinpoche's visit and stay here has indeed been a shower of blessings -indeed, the start of the really good weather coincided with Rinpoche's arrivalhere! Rinpoche particularly blessed us with teachings on the Three PrincipalAspects of the Path, Green Tara empowerment and a White Tara Long Lifeempowerment.Look out for other features and great pictures elsewhere in this bumper July &August edition of Gentle Voice.Toward the end of the month here we hosted the successful launch of ThuptenJinpa's new book: A Fearless Heart: Why Compassion is the Key to GreaterWellbeing. All proceeds from the evening went to support the work of the charityHelp Tibet. Enjoy the summer months and any holiday or period of retreat you may begetting off to. If you have not booked yet remember that Geshe-la is starting hissummer Lam rim retreat at Jamyang on 19 July and the Vajrayogini retreat on10 August. Also, check out the Land of Joy programme of retreats here:http://www.landofjoy.co.uk/programme/Our usual programme continues in earnest up to Geshe-la's retreat andresumes in earnest in September. The latest edition of Mandala and theJamyang autumn to winter programme is published. Tashi-Lhunpo monks will behere making a mandala in September! Make the most of what we hope will be amost pleasant summer period for you, stay well, go safe and, as always, much


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His Holiness speaking at Glastonbury(photo by Jeremy Russell/OHHDL)

Photo from ITV.com

look forward to seeing many of you here, both over the summer and in theautumn.

Roy

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His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the UK

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has beenvisiting the UK over the last few days. It isalways so exciting to know that he is in thecountry. As you will have heard he hasbeen at Glastonbury and also at Aldershot.

Naturally, it was raining at Glastonbury butreports on his visit have been very positive.Social media sites are awash with photosfrom the event and you can see a recordingof part of his talk on the BBC website hereThe full text was in the youtube recordingwe sent out earlier this week.

A fuller report on his talk can be found on the Guardian website here

His Holiness was also at Aldershot onMonday (Monday 29th June 2015). Janewas fotunate enough to attend the visit andthe following is her report.

The sun shone warmly on a colourful crowdof devotees filling the stadium stands ofAldershot FC which was blessed by HisHoliness on a previous visit. There weremany Nepalese from the local Gurkhacommunity, along with large numbers fromthe Tibetan community who came dressed in their finest traditional costumes. Itwas a very joyous occasion, celebrating His Holiness' forthcoming 80th birthdayaccording to the Western calendar. A group of monks from Tashi Lhunpomonastery offered a lama dance and this was followed by a sequence oftraditional dances from the Nepalese and Tibetan communities, including anewly written birthday song from the Tibetan Community of Britain.

The event was also tinged with sadness and a minute's silence was offered forall the victims of the recent Nepalese earthquakes. Large donations werepledged at the end from the profits accrued by the event.

His Holiness was in good form and in good spirits following his visit toGlastonbury the day before and said how happy he had been to attend and bein the company of so many young people, including families with children, in an


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atmosphere so full of joy free from any formality.

His Holiness addressed the gathering with a secular talk on the importance ofrecognising that we are all sentient beings sharing the same mental, emotionaland physical form whose main desire is to have a happy life to which we are allentitled - including the 'brothers and sisters' who had set up camp opposite theground and who continued a loud cacaphony of protest, not dissimilar from thechants of rival football fans but with less imagination and tune. His Holinessencouraged us to spend more time and energy developing inner values andquoted recent scientific findings which showed how negative emotions such asextreme fear and hatred impact the immune system and hence our health.Peace of mind is not a commodity which can be bought in any supermarket butneeds to be developed by personal effort. Prayer and simple faith are notsufficient. We should investigate which emotion disturbs our minds the most andfind the counter, eg love, compassion, tolerance and forbearance. This needs tobe done by everyone, believer and non believer alike.

His Holiness went on to describe how all the major religious traditions sharethese core values and that by seriously and sincerely practising them, we canhelp create a more peaceful and compassionate family, community and world.His Holiness said that recent acts of violence in the name of religion actuallyexcluded that person from their religion and that 'Jihad' really means nonharming others while dealing with destructive emotions. We all have the samepotential to create a better world and there should be unity amongst the variousfaiths. His Holiness gave the example of India which, through millennia, hadmanaged to create a democracy in which people of all faiths and backgroundscould live together. Obviously there had been some conflicts which wasunderstandable, but His Holiness praised India as an example for the rest of theworld.

His Holiness then went on to talk about the different religious traditions - thosewhich believed in a soul or 'atma' and creator God, and those which, likeBuddhism, Jainism and Sankya did not. For some the concept of having theseed or spark of love from God was a very powerful aid. For others, the nontheistic approach which made everyone their own master was more effective.

His Holiness spoke of the cultural impact on the various religions. At the time ofMahavira, there was a lot of animal sacrifice. Jainism's main emphasis wastherefore on vegetarianism and ahimsa or non violence. Mohammed stronglyemphasised rules at a time of widespread lawlessness. Many of the world'sreligions began in societies in which the feudal system predominated. HisHoliness said he thought there were a number of cultural aspects, e.g. withBuddhism, which were outdated in today's world and which needed to change.

His Holiness then spoke of the basics of Buddhism and how the concept ofanatman or shunyata which negated the presence of any independent existencewas finding its echo in modern science with the advent of quantum physics. Theconcept of interdependency and the advice of the Buddha to investigate,experiment and test the teachings before taking them on, is unique toBuddhism. This matches the 21st century scepticism and passion for


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investigation. Einstein was said to have declared that 'Buddhism and sciencewould go side by side.' His Holiness then emphasised the need for serious studyand debate rather than blind faith. We must use our intelligence to themaximum.

There followed a short question and answer period. What would His Holinesslike to see for his 90th birthday? - The 20th century had been marked bytremendous violence and a succession of wars in which millions of people hadbeen killed. The 21st century should be a century of peace. This does not meanthat there would be no more problems but that these problems should be solvedby means of dialogue in an atmosphere of mutual respect, leading toreconciliation and compromise. 10 years would not be sufficient time. Witheducation and awareness, the new generation could help to realise this ideal.

The subject of the Joint Climate of Change Programme in relation to the ecologyof Tibet was raised. His Holiness expressed the seriousness of the situation inwhich so much damage had already been done to the delicate eco system. Thiswould take even longer to recover due to the high altitude. Since many of thecontinent's major rivers began in the Tibetan plateau, this had graveconsequences for neighbouring countries such as India and China. This hadbeen recognised and there were some hopeful signs of a change in attitude.

For most of the event, there was a loud presence of demonstrators outside thestadium whom His Holiness included in his address to 'all brothers and sisters'.The way that the speech was delivered strongly and clearly was testament to hisgreat skill and ability regardless of the external circumstances and which gavethe words an even greater ring of truth. The crowd showed their deepappreciation with many rounds of applause and wishes for His Holiness' longlife.

Jane

The Dalai Lama will also be in the UK in September. We'll publish more detailsas they become available but you can also register for updates herehttp://www.dalailama2015.uk/

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Celebrate the Birthday of the Dalai Lama this Monday 6th July


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His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Aldershot. Photo BBC

There will be a special Lama Choepa with Tsog this coming Monday, the 6thJuly at 6pm in the small temple at Jamyang in honour of His Holiness The DalaiLama's 80th birthday. Do come along!

Summer Gradual Path to Enlightenment Retreat

What a rare opportunity it is to be able toattend a retreat right here in the heart ofLondon. Geshe Tashi will be leading the retreat andcovering the topics on the gradual path toenlightenment with his usual gentleness,depth, insight and humour. Do join us forthe retreat which runs from Saturday 18 -Sunday 26 July 9.30am - 5.30pm each day. Suggested donation £260 for the wholeretreat (not including accommodation orbreakfast). It does include refreshmentseach day, lunch and a light 'soup andbread' supper at 6pm.If you can't attend the whole retreat then do come for as many days as you canmanage. Please register via the Jamyang website.

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Vajrayogini Summer Retreat

Well this is an even rarer opportunity to get topractice the Vajrayogini sadhana with GesheTashi. In the past, Geshe-La has been aninspirational retreat leader, explaining the practicecarefully and very fully so that all the participantshave left deeply inspired to continue the practice.This practice requires an empowerment, so if you


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are not sure if you are eligible to attend do contactMike in the office and discuss this with him. Hedoesn't bite (except into his macaroons).You can contact Mike via [email protected] butyou will need to book for the retreat in the usualway.

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Heart Sutra with Mike Murray

The Heart Sutra has inspired countless generations ofpractitioners with its beautiful and pithy exposition ofthe perfection of wisdom. It is so short that it can easilybe memorised yet it contains the key to many levels ofunderstanding. Mike Murray is well known to everyoneat Jamyang. He tirelessly organises the teachingprogramme for the benefit of all of us and yet weseldom get the chance to share in his extensiveunderstanding of the Dharma which, and I will get intotrouble with Mike for saying this, and also pleaseexcuse the split infinitive, is vast. He is a font of never-ending knowledge and great fun. So take some time toshare this module of the Basic Programme with himand enrich the wisdom aspect of your developing inneregg.Mike will be teaching from the 29th August to the 3rd of September. Book nowwhile stocks last!

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Community Corner

JAMYANG BOOK FAIR - a book fair willtake place on Saturday, 22nd August from2-4 pm with music and refreshments in theGarden, weather permitting. All proceeds toJamyang. If you would like to offer books,CDs or DVDs for sale, please bring them inthe week beginning 17th August.

FILM SHOW - Little Tibet 2 will be shownafter the book fair, at 6 pm on Saturday,22nd August. Please bring snacks to share.The film director will be present if he is inthe country.

PEACE IN THE CITY - Another relaxingday of therapies and classes, with lots oftea and cake therapy, will take place onSunday 23rd August from 1-4 pm. Why not


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take time out and be pampered?! If youwould like to help out either offering atherapy or helping on reception, pleasee-mail: [email protected].

MBSR - The Autumn morning and evening courses will start on Thursday,17th September. If you would like to join this very helpful course, visit www.londoncentreformindfulness.com, or e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected].

SCHOOL VISITS - If you would like to join the team welcoming school visits toJamyang, please e-mail: [email protected].

Jane Sill

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Jamyang Walk 4th July

BEVERLY BROOKMEANDERSaturday July 4th for a10.40 am start

Meet in the central spanof Putney Bridgeoverlooking the Thameson the west side.Putney Bridge DistrictLine tube is very close orPutney Main Line stationwith a short walk downthe High Street to theright.

It has been some years since we did this delightful walk following the charmingBeverly Brook from its confluence with the Thames at Putney. After passing theboating clubs along the waterfront we trace the brook's course through leafyBarnes and soon enter in to the expanse of Richmond Park where we can havea lunch stop and look out for the herds of deer. Crossing to the woodlands of Wimbledon Common a gentle climb brings usclose to the amazing Thai Buddhist Temple that we'll visit if time permits beforedropping down once more to Putney.This is a circular walk of about six and a half miles of easy walking and shouldget us back to our start around 4-5 pm at the latest with options to shorten thewalk if need be on the way.Lunch can be bought at the cafe in the park, or bring your own pack lunch.For further details at rather short notice please call Robin on: 0207 7362771 /mob. 07442179739


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Nepal Earthquake: Long-term Reconstruction

One of the tragic results of the Nepalese earthquake has been that very poorcommunities have suddenlyfound themselves, not justhomeless as their houses havecollapsed, but also short of foodand all the essentials of life thatwere buried and destroyedalong with their houses.The FPMT Nepal EarthquakeSupport Fund has now movedfrom the immediate rescue andsupport of the localcommunities to trying to helpwith long term needs. Nepalitself is such a poor country thatit is unrealistic to expect the government to be able to do very much at all. It isup to voluntary organisations to provide a large part of the aid effort.Please continue to donate through your chosen charities to the rebuilding effort.The FPMT fund is very grateful for all donations and you can find the donationpage here: fpmt.org/donate/socialservicesfund

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Dagri Rinpoche at Jamyang

We were very pleased to host DagriRinpoche's visit to London Friday 26,Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June. Thoseattending his talks and initiations spokeabout what an inspiring presence he hasbeen. Over his time at Jamyang he gave a rangeof teachings on the Three Principle Aspectsof the Path and also an initiation into GreenTara and the Long Life White Tara. A goodtime was had by all and we really, reallyhope that he will be able to return soon.

A big thanks to everyone who helped in theorganisation and smooth running ofRinpoche's stay at Jamyang.

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Extract from Thupten Jinpa Book 'A Fearless Heart' Launched19th June at Jamyang


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Thupten Jinpa speaking at Jamyang

In the middle of a busy month we were verypleased to host the book launch of 'AFearless heart' by Thubten Jinpa. Jinpagave an interesting talk and spoke abouthis work at Stanford university and theCenter for Compassion and AltruismResearch and Education. He spokeeloquently of the value of altruism and theneed to promote compassion and altruismthroughout society. A lively question andanswer session ranged over a whole set ofissues in trying to make human societymore open to the need for compassion.

On a different note a full interview with Jinpa is available on the IrishExaminer website.

In celebration of Jinpa's visit we reproduce the following extract from the firstchapter of his book.

Chapter OneThe Best kept Secret of Happiness: Compassion

What is the one thing, which when you possess, you have all other virtues? It'scompassion.

Attributed to the Buddha

What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 - 78)

My mother died when I was nine. I was then at a Tibetan refugee boardingschool in Shimla. My parents were part of a large number of refugees - morethan eighty thousand - who fled Tibet in the wake of the Dalai Lama's escape toIndia in 1959. Many of the Tibetans, including my parents, ended up in roadconstruction camps in Northern India. With Tibet now annexed by the People'sRepublic of China, India suddenly needed to defend an international bordermore that two thousand miles long. Hence the urgent need for new roads. Therefugees newly arrived from Tibet were the perfect labour force to take on thischallenge of high-altitude road building. My parents worked on the road from thepicturesque hill station of Shimla, a town that sits at an altitude above 6,500 feet,to the mountainous Tibetan border. Despite the physical hardships, movingcamp every few months as the road progressed, and being separated from theirchildren much of the time, my parents succeeded in creating fond memories ofearly childhood for me. I still feel warm and grateful recalling those years.I later found out that my mother had died from a totally preventable cause. Whilegiving birth to my sister at a construction camp, she had suffered from bleedingcomplicated by the road dust and lack of medical care. Then she hazarded the


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six-hour bus ride from Shimla to Dharamsala to visit my father, who had beengravely ill and was at the Tibetan medical clinic there. A few days after herarrival in Dharamsala, my mother passed away. By then my younger brotherwas already boarding at the Tibetan Children's village in Dharamsala. With noone to look after my infant sister, she too was left in the care of the Children'sVillage. I remember visiting the "baby room," the bungalow with a green tin roofand neat rows of cribs, where my sister lived among other small children, manyof them orphans. I waited at the edge of the veranda with some sweets I wouldgive her, and one of the house mothers brought her to me.Soon after, when my father recovered, he became a monk and joined amonastery.Thank goodness for my uncle Penpa. My mother's brother was a tall, thin manwith high cheekbones and a hint of a limp from a weak knee. Unlike my father,who had worn his hair in the traditional style of two long, red-tasseled braidswrapped around his head, Uncle Penpa kept his hair short and "modern,"complemented by a thin moustache. Being an ex-monk, he was literate and hadalso taught himself enough English to read the signs on the buses and trains. Ata time when I felt like an orphan, my Uncle Penpa treated me as if I was his ownchild. Two of his daughters attended my boarding school, and every time UnclePenpa came to see them, or took them for a holiday to the road constructioncamp, he included me as well. At the end of these week long sojourns, he wouldgive each of us exactly the same amount of pocket money: two Indian rupees.As I grew up and understood more fully the hardships my uncle and my parentsexperienced in those early days of refugee life in India, I came to appreciate hiscompassion and kindness even more. They were strangers in a new country,living in makeshift roadside tents, in the relentless rain of the Indian monsoon.Money was scarce, but my uncle shared with me what little he had. UnclePenpa became one of the most important people in my life and I remained closeto him until his death, despite all the changes that took me so far away from hisfamiliar world.

Continued in 'A Fearless Heart' by Thupten Jinpa, published by Piatkus andavailable from Wisdom Books at www.wisdom-books.com

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Grand Jamyang Summer Holiday Quiz

Our amazingly hard brain teaser. If you areholidaying by the river Styx, answer thesequestions to reach the other shore....

1 A favourite term for non-dualism from the tirtikasand some of the earlier schools of tenets.

2 When I look for something real it appearsdreamlike and then, if I look harder, it just isn'tthere.

3 Objects of great reverence.


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4 They were the first and still lead the way.

5 Universal Construction Inc. has a few of these.

6 Elephants, marakas, garuda, and the rest.

7 The Thervada canon calls these the bojjhangas.

8 The long and winding road.

9 The Brahma viharas conjoined with the five precepts. A new one?

10 If you enter the first, the Buddhas rejoice, completing the last you are 'there.'

11 You've now got the gist and we are approaching what sounds like heaven.

12 Ignorance, grasping, arrows - I'm in a spin.

Answers at the end of the newsletter

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Poetry CornerYou may have heard that it is the 150th anniversary of the birth of W. B. Yeats,one of Ireland's greatest poets. In celebration we reproduce one of his poems.

The Song Of Wandering Aengus - by William Butler Yeats

I WENT out to the hazel wood,Because a fire was in my head,And cut and peeled a hazel wand,And hooked a berry to a thread;And when white moths were on the wing,And moth-like stars were flickering out,I dropped the berry in a streamAnd caught a little silver trout.When I had laid it on the floorI went to blow the fire aflame,But something rustled on the floor,And some one called me by my name:It had become a glimmering girlWith apple blossom in her hairWho called me by my name and ranAnd faded through the brightening air.Though I am old with wanderingThrough hollow lands and hilly lands.I will find out where she has gone,And kiss her lips and take her hands;And walk among long dappled grass,


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And pluck till time and times are done

The silver apples of the moon,The golden apples of the sun.

William Butler YeatsBorn: June 13, 1865, Dublin, IrelandDied: January 28, 1939

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Opportunities Around the FPMT

There are work and volunteer opportunities in many of the FPMTCentres around the world. You can find details of these on the FPMT website.

There are also volunteer opportunities in France, India, Australia,New Zealand............................ And especially here at Jamyang, London!

We highlight:Now Hiring at Vajrapani Institute In the California Bay Area, USASpiritual Program Coordinator:We are looking for a creative, detail-oriented, well-organized and seasoned dharma practitionerwho is familiar with the FPMT and it's teaching programs to fill an essential full-time position atVajrapani Institute. This is an important role working with courses and retreats, guests andteachers, and advertising and promotion, all within the spiritual program. This rewardingcommitment allows one to work closely with the Center Director in fulfilling Lama ZopaRinpoche's advice and vision for FPMT. Full information on this website

Closer to home, the Land Of Joy is recruiting full time volunteers. Check out their website fordetails landofjoy.co.uk

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Grand Jamyang Summer Holiday Quiz - The Answers


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1 Oneness2 The Two Truths3 The three jewels4 The four noble truths5 The five aggregates6 The six perfections7 The seven factors of Enlightenment8 The eightfold Noble Path9 A random list of nine, the four immeasurablesand the five precepts10 The ten Bodhisattva Bhumis11 Eleven12 The twelve links of dependent origination

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FPMTJamyang is affiliated with FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation ofthe Mahayana Tradition) and is one of more than 150 centers andprojects worldwide.

FPMT is based on the Gelugpa tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibetas taught by our founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe and spiritual director, LamaZopa Rinpoche. If you would like to receive FPMT's monthly newsletters pleasesubscribe here.

Your ThoughtsWhat do you want to see in Gentle Voice? We would love to hear your ideasand comments about Gentle Voice, please contact Johnat: [email protected]

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Gentle Voice July/August 2015