Bristol — Sakya Thinley Rinchen Ling Sakya Buddhist Centre, Bristol The Sakya Buddhist Centre was the first Buddhist centre in Bristol and also the first centre belonging to the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in the UK. Discover Buddhism and Meditation: Tuesday 8pm-9pm (in person & on zoom) Saturday 10:30am-11:30am (in person only from 26th June) These classes offer an introduction to meditation and Buddhism. Sessions last for one hour and are led by experienced students of Lama Jampa Thaye. Each starts with a simple meditation practiced for 20 minutes, followed by a concise talk about a particular aspect of Buddhism. Questions are encouraged and there’s time to chat over tea and coffee afterwards. All are welcome and we are able to accommodate all levels of experience. Saturdays currently host a rolling 20-week course on Buddhist meditation and philosophy. Tuesdays’ content changes regularly with updates published on Facebook. There is no charge for these sessions but we do encourage donations, which help us to continue the acivities of the Centre. A suggested amount is £5 (£3) but it’s entirely up to you. You can donate here: https://www.sakyabristol.org/donations/. Weekly Meditation: Wednesdays 10.30-11.30 (in person only) Weekly meditation class on Wednesdays at 10.30-11.30 – open to all – those new to meditation or those who would like to practice together in the shrine room at the Sakya Buddhist Centre. The sessions will begin with full instructions, with time at the end for refreshments. Mind Training (Lojong): Mondays 8-9pm (online only) On Monday evenings at 8.00pm there will be a practice session for Lojong, or Mind Training. Mind training is a practice which is accessible to all practitioners whether new or experienced. It is a method to undermine our habitual selfishness and start to prioritise others, we can use it right now as all it needs is our self-clinging and disturbing emotions. The sessions will be the actual Lojong practice from taking refuge, guru yoga, generating loving kindness and compassion, exchanging oneself with others and conclusion. It is not a study or discussion group. Explanation of the practice will be given. To attend the session please email lesley.whittaker80@gmail.com for the Zoom link and also the lineage prayer and structure of the practice. To help anyone who has been attending classes or who would like to find out more about buddhism here are some videos by our Buddhist teacher, Lama Jampa Thaye. These videos illustrate a series of twenty topics, which we follow at some of our classes. These classes are open to everyone. Day Time Class/Course Suggested donation / concession Mondays 8-9pm Mind Training (Lojong) – online only £5/3 Tuesdays 8-9pm Discover Buddhism – in person and online. £5/3 Wednesdays 10.30-11.30am Meditation class – in person only £5/3 Saturdays 10.30 – 11.30am Discover Buddhism – in person only £5/3 Click here for the local website. Brief History of Sakya Buddhist Centre Bristol The centre was founded in 1977 by Lama Jampa Thaye at the request of his teacher, Karma Thinley Rinpoche. Rinpoche gave the name, Thinley Rinchen Ling, named after His Holiness Sakya Gongma Trichen’s grandfather, the 39th Sakya Trizin, Dakshul Thinley Rinchen. In English the centre’s name means ‘place of precious Buddha activity’. It houses a traditional Tibetan shrine room which was blessed with a magnificent new life-sized Buddha statue, specially made for us in Nepal. Lama Jampa Thaye Lama Jampa Thaye, the centre’s spiritual director has given numerous teachings from the Sakya tradition and is recognised as one of the few Westerners authorised to teach Tibetan Buddhism at the highest level. Visits by Heads of the Sakya Lineage For 40 years, the centre has hosted teachings from some of the most important Tibetan lamas. His Holiness Sakya Gongma Trichen (the 41st Sakya Trizin) has visited several times to bestow profound teachings. His sons, Ratna Vajra Rinpoche the 42nd Sakya Trizin and Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, eminent lamas in their own right, are also frequent visitors. Alongside these major teachings, the Centre also has a full programme of events, including introductory evenings, study groups, pujas (group meditations) and Tibetan classes. The Centre is run by volunteers and funded by donations, administered by Sakya Dechen Buddhism Ltd registered charity no: 1163076.