Atisha Buddhist Centre eDharma Newsletter

Feast of Delight   18th May 2007 7.30 pm

A guided meditation with Kelsang Chdor followed by a delicious 3 course vegetarian Christmas meal in our World Peace Cafe. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with like minded spiritual friends. (Full payment in advance is required)   Please phone 01325 365265 to reserve a place

20th July - 4th August

Festival Programme

Transmission and Teachings on Mahamudra Tantra

The Summer Festival is a special spiritual holiday when we receive extensive teachings from Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

During this, our sixteenth Summer Festival, Geshe Kelsang will continue his transmission and explanation of the practice of Mahamudra, which he began last year, based on his book Mahamudra Tantra.

These teachings are open to everyone; it is not necessary to have received teachings on Part One.

Mahamudra Tantra is a mind that simultaneously experiences great bliss and realizes emptiness, or ultimate truth, directly.

In the first week, Geshe Kelsang will explain how we can experience great bliss through the six stages of training in Mahamudra. These teachings will be followed by a guided meditation retreat.

In the second part of the Festival, he will explain how to realize ultimate truth, emptiness. This will also be followed by a guided meditation retreat on emptiness.

Saturday 28 July is a free day giving an opportunity to explore the local Lake District countryside, or simply relax. Coach trips are arranged for overseas visitors, which include a short walk, a picnic lunch and a boat trip.

Dear Friend of Atisha Centre ,

Welcome to the latest edition of the Atisha Centre
eDharma Newsletter.

O Blessed One, Shakyamuni Buddha,
Precious treasury of compassion,
Bestower of supreme inner peace.

- Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

The founder and source of guidance and inspiration for Buddhists of all traditions throughout the world is Buddha Shakyamuni. Buddha means Awakened One, someone who has awakened from the sleep of ignorance and who sees things as they really are.

Out of his great compassion, Buddha Shakyamuni appeared directly in this world to guide all living beings on the path to liberation from suffering and to Buddhahood.

Venerable Geshe Kelsang will grant the empowerment of Buddha Shakyamuni on Saturday May 26th. Through this empowerment we receive special blessings that directly connect us with Buddha Shakyamuni, giving us the inspiration and confidence to progress successfully on the spiritual path.

On the following two days, Venerable Geshe Kelsang will give teachings based on Advice from Atishas Heart. This celebrated text captures the essence of the Kadampa Way of Life developing inner peace and contentment, and out of loving
compassion sharing this with others.

Refuge Retreat Monday 4th - Sunday 10th June Please refer to June calendar when available for session times   Going for Refuge is called the gateway to Buddhadharma. By going for refuge we become a pure Buddhist, we start to follow the Buddhist path to Enlightenment and we will receive the powerful blessings from all the Buddha's. All sessions are free of charge - donations are very welcome, come to any or as many sessions as you like.   Directors Corner   Atisha Centre is on the move - but not moving. The refurbishment of Atisha Centre is finally underway. Due to your enthusiastic support and practical help we have already decorated the meditation room. We have also shampooed the carpet in the meditation room. The Centre has new fitted showers in the bathrooms and our Resident Teacher now has a leak-free loo! The mixer tap in the kitchen no longer leaks or squeaks, and the garden furniture has been given a face-lift in readiness for a busy summer. So can I please say a huge THANK YOU to you all. As Im sure you know, Atisha Centre is a Registered Charity (1013466)  and as such we are always looking for ways to raise money to pay our way. As with all households we have day-to-day expenses to meet and I estimate that the planned refurbishment of the Centre will cost about 50,000. We plan to install double glazing, refit and decorate the bedrooms, and build a new extension at the rear of the centre to house a new kitchen and dining room. We have recently re-mortgaged the Centre which will help fund the work, but this will increase our monthly running costs. In Buddhas teachings it says from giving comes wealth ideally the inner wealth of spiritual realizations and that giving can take all forms.  There will be those of you who prefer to donate money rather than time and for this we thank you. Alternatively you may be time rich and cash poor. No problem - your skills are extremely valuable to us and will increase the value of any monetary donations we may receive.  Next month I will give specifics on how people can help out. Thank you once again for your enthusiasm and support. I hope that you will feel able to join us in this great venture to make the Atisha Centre attractive, comforting and welcoming to residents and visitors.    Where ever we look, we find only the kindness of others. We are all interconnected in a web of kindness   Geshe Kelsang, Eight Steps to Happiness. until next month; with love and blessings Mike Whitaker Administrative Director     NEWSFLASH TRADITIONAL SUMMER FAIR AT ATISHA CENTRE, SUNDAY JUNE 17TH Sponsored Swimathon A team of six people are taking part in a sponsored swim on Thursday 14th June, 10am - 1pm to raise funds towards the refurbishments taking place at Atisha Buddhist Centre. They will each attempt to swim 108 auspicious lengths (2.7 kilometers) of the main pool at the Dolphin Centre. Sponsors are welcome to attend the swimathon, provided they let us know in advance. Click here to go to the sponsorship page