Big Buddha Day 2012

Bruno Breathnach of Bodhicharya Ireland is inviting groups of meditators around the world come together in their own locality for 1 hour any time on May 5 2012, and simply sit... he says 'no speeches or prayers or anything extra, just sit together somewhere open and inspiring -  BODY STILL, SPEECH SILENT, MIND AT REST'


please see www.bigbuddhaday.blogspot.com for the full story!

Visit to Dublin of Lama Tsultrim to teach Nangpé Yoga in Ireland, May 2012

The Nangpé Yoga Instructions of  Yoga of the Venerable Kalu Rinpoche [1905-1989].
These are a specific teaching to accompany meditation practice, and the course will integrate both theory and movement.

‘This yoga is directed to the inside and leads to the understanding of the nature of the mind. It offers a harmonious set of dynamic exercises for the body speech and mind that are accessible to all, Buddhists and non Buddhists, young or old, beginners or advanced practitioners of other forms of yoga. These exercises include positions and symbolic guestures, the experience of space and motion, techniques of relaxation and massage, breathing practises, working on the subtle energies and the chakras, mantra recitation, and the experience of voidness and the clarity of mind’.          
Passage taken from Kalu Rinpocheʼs introduction to the instruction manual.

Lama Tsultrim Gelek

Lama Tsultrim took ordination in 1985 with Kalu Rinpoche, and was fully ordained by Bokar Rinpoche in 1988, after completing a three year, three month retreat in France. Ten years later he established the Dashang Buddhist Centre in Strasburg, under the guidance of Bokar Rinpoche. After the death of Bokar Rinpoche, Ladannma Tsultrim extended an invitation to Ringu Tulku, to take on the role of spiritual director of the centre which then became known as Bodhicharya France/Strasburg.
Whilst the previous Kalu Rinpoche was alive he devised and taught a set of practices that became known as the ‘Kalu Yogas’.  These he taught in Scotland, France and Belgium.  Lama Tsultrim is one of those who received the teachings, and has been asked by Ringu Tulku to teach them to Bodhicharya Students. Lama Tsultrim and his students have organised the last six Bodhicharya France summercamps for Rinpoche. He runs the Bodhicharya retreat centre at Lusse, in eastern France, and teaches at centres across Europe.  

This course will run on the 12th &13th May 2012 at a venue near Greystones, in north Co. Wicklow.  There are a small number of places remaining, and will be given on a first come basis.  Cost for the weekend €50. 
Please indicate your interest by emailing  bodhicharya.ireland@gmail.com  if you would like to attend.

Rinpoche's Travel Schedule for 2012 is now available on line

please see the 

Bodhicharya In Touch Webpage 

for information on Rinpoche's schedule for spring/summer 2012

Great News for Losar - Ringu Tulku to Visit Dublin in June 2012 -

We are very happy to welcome Ringu Tulku  to Dublin   21st - 24th  June 2012.  Rinpoche's first visit to Ireland was in January 1990, when he stayed for three weeks and taught both at Dublin Samye Dzong and in Dzogchen Beara in West Cork, at the invitation of both Akong Rinpoche and Sogyal Rinpoche.   At the time both were 'fledgeling' centres and we have been indebted for the  continuing support of Rinpoche's wonderful visits.   Bodhicharya Ireland was formed by a group of Rinpoche's long term students in 2008 and each year hosts a weekend teaching in Dublin.

Best wishes to everyone for the Tibetan New Year of the Male Water Dragon - and we'll have more details on Rinpoche's upcoming visit soon.

The Khyentse Foundation have launched 84000 words of the Buddha online.

A new online reading room, an archive of translations of the words of the Buddha has been launched today by the Khyentse Foundation, who are undertaking to translate the whole of the Kangyur [sacred texts].  This is a unique resource at our fingertips, inspired by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, it is a work in progress and currently 100 translators are dedicated to the task.

A Poem for 2012

Ringu Tulku has sent his new year greetings in the form of an aspirational poem for 2012.  As he suggests, let's aim for a new awareness and try to hold a stable place in the midst of so much change. 

Happy New Year 2012

The year Two Thousand and Twelve has arrived.

Some say this is the end of the world.

Others predict it will be the beginning of a new awareness.

We have just lived through a challenging and eventful year

And it certainly will be another year with lots happening.

But what is the use worrying about the future?

We need to live today the best we can

And create causes for a better tomorrow.

Let us celebrate the freedom of choice that we have.

Who says I cannot make a difference?

I can make a difference to myself and around me.

Isn't that making enough difference to my world?

My mind goes to those brave men and women

Who offered their lives as lamps for the freedom of others.

My heart is moved by those who came forward to help

People in distress through natural or man-made calamities.

Human spirit of compassion, courage and longing for freedom,

Neither can be crushed by power nor bought with gold.

Let us celebrate that undying human spirit!

Happy New Year.

Rinpoche is currently in Sikkim, and leading a New Year Retreat at his meditation centre organised by a group from South Africa.  

Cheerful Sky

click in image to enlarge.

Could this be the best gift ever? Wishing everyone peace and wellbeing for the Christmas season, from Bodhicharya Ireland