Lama Jampa visits Kagyu Ling

On Saturday, 14 February Lama Jampa gave the initiation of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) from the Longchen Nyingthig tradition in Manchester, hosted by Kagyu Ling. This was the first time Lama Jampa bestowed this initiation which he had received from the Nyingma lama, Chime Rikdzin Rinpoche, a master of the Dorje Drak line of ‘treasures’. Lama Jampa also gave the reading transmission for the Guru Rinpoche practice, The Shower of Blessings, which is performed at Kagyu Ling and other Dechen centres and groups on the 10th day of the lunar month.

The Longchen Nyingthig (Innermost Essence of the Great Expanse) is a cycle of Nyingma teachings originating from the activity of the Indian masters Padmasambhava and Vimalamitra in Tibet in the 8th century. These teachings were later transmitted through the Tibetan masters Longchenpa and Jigme Lingpa. Other masters of the Longchen Nyingthig tradition include Patrul Rinpoche and, in the 20th century, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

Lama Jampa spent the subsequent week at Kagyu Ling giving interviews to students. On the Thursday evening (also Tibetan New Year (Losar)), there was a special event for people who had been attending meditation classes at Kagyu Ling or who were new to the dharma: an evening with Lama Jampa. The event proved to be very popular and following a selection of light refreshments organised by sangha members, there was a buzz of anticipation as everyone looked forward to the talk by Lama Jampa. The shrine room was filled with people who had come in order to learn more about the dharma and how to practise the dharma. Lama Jampa gave a clear and concise explanation of how to recognise a true Buddhist practitioner according to the Buddhist view. This was followed by a detailed explanation of the Four Seals and the talk concluded with a brief introduction to some of the great Kagyu masters who have been so important in the transmission of the Karma Kagyu teachings practised at Kagyu Ling today. The evening ended with tea and a delicious array of cakes including a special cake to mark the 40th Anniversary of Kagyu Ling.