Category Archives: Buddhist Teachings

Buddhism Today – a weekend course

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We are really excited to announce that Tomek Lehnert will be visiting Hong Kong in September. Tomek has been instrumental in bringing the timeless methods of Diamond Way Buddhism to the modern world, having been the travelling companion and secretary of Lama Ole Nydahl for more than 25 years.

So, what is Buddhism? Buddha used the best description himself. During the 1,500 years the teachings existed in India, they were called Dharma, and for the last 1,000 years in Tibet, the name was Chö. Both mean “the way things are.”

Understanding “the way things are” is the key to every happiness. Buddha himself is both teacher, example, protector and friend. His teachings allow us to avoid suffering and to enter a state of increasing bliss while also liberating and enlightening others.

Simply put, Buddha’s teachings enable us to experience lasting happiness. By using suitable meditations, our theoretical knowledge turns into direct experience leading to the goal of Buddha’s teachings – the full development of body, speech and mind.

But in today’s fast paced world, how can we use these timeless methods in our modern, busy lives?

Starting with a talk on Friday evening, Tomek will give an overview of Buddhist teachings and their relevance in our modern societies, and will continue with a series of talks about important topics providing a complete overview of Diamond Way buddhism over the course of the weekend. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and take part in several guided meditations.

In summary, the course will explore some of the central teachings of Buddhism and provide practical advice on how one can use the teachings, methods and meditations in our everyday life in Hong Kong – working with whatever situation arises to develop fearlessness, joy and compassion into our lives.

You don’t have to come to all the sessions to attend. All are welcome!

About the teacher

Tomek was born in 1956 in Gdansk, Poland. He studied Civil Engineering at the Polytechnics of Gdansk and English literature at the University of Poznan, Poland. In the early eighties, he became active in the students’ Solidarity movement in the then communist Poland.

In 1983, during martial law in Poland, Tomek met Lama Ole Nydahl, took Buddhist refuge and became his student. He began traveling with Lama Ole in 1987. Together with Ole’s wife Hannah Nydahl, he organised Lama Ole’s activity for twenty years and helped start Diamond Way Buddhist centers in the Americas, Australia and New Zealand, Russia and Western and Eastern Europe. Tomek translated for Lama Ole at his lectures in Poland and Latin America for more than ten years.

He is also the author of ‘Rogues in Robes’ (Blue Dolphin Publishing, 1998), a chronicle of the events surrounding  the recognition of HH the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

So please join us to hear Tomek’s inspiring teachings full of humour and tales of his times travelling on the road with Lama Ole (including being kidnapped at gun-point in Columbia by FARC guerrillas!).

Programme

The programme for the weekend is as follows:

Introduction to Buddhism: Friday 23 September, 7pm

Karma – Cause and Effect: Saturday 24 September, 11am
Working with Disturbing Emotions: Saturday 24 September, 3pm

Meditation practice: Sunday 25 September, 11am
The Teacher and Student in Diamond Way Buddhism: Sunday 25 September, 3pm

All are invited to join us for dinner on Saturday evening after the afternoon talk.

Other Information

Cost:
Whole course will cost HK$400 (HK$250 for concessions)
Individual sessions will cost HK$100 (or HK$60 for concessions)

Venue: 
Diamond Way Buddhist Centre Hong Kong, 2/F, 3-5 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

All are welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!

Meditation – the art of happiness

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Please join our series of events on Meditation: The Art of Happiness, which take place from Tuesday 23rd to Wednesday 24th February 2016. We are delighted to announce that Tomek Lehnert will be in Hong Kong to lead the events.

In Buddhism, meditation means “effortlessly remaining in what is.” This state may be brought about by calming and holding the mind, by realising compassion and wisdom, or by meditating on Buddha forms.

The most effective meditation methods found in Buddhism are the constant identification with one’s own potential to be a Buddha. Here we experience the richness of every situation in life.

Meditation is focused on fully developing our potential and brings about lasting results for those who not only want to learn about their minds, but have a direct experience of it.

The events all take place in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island. Please note the venues in the information below.

Meditation: The Art of Happiness – Public Talk 
Tuesday 23rd February at 7pm
Venue: Paragon Culture, The Pemberton, Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan (map)
Cost: HK$100 (HK$80 for concessions) – tickets can be bought on the door.

Meditation: The Art of Happiness – Meditation Session
Wednesday 24th February at 2pm
Venue: Diamond Way Buddhist Centre, Jervois Street, Sheung Wan (map)
Cost: HK$100 (HK$80 for concessions) – tickets can be bought on the door.

Buddhism Today – Public Talk
Wednesday 24th February at 7pm
Venue: Diamond Way Buddhist Centre, Jervois Street, Sheung Wan (map)
Cost: HK$100 (HK$80 for concessions) – tickets can be bought on the door.

About the speaker, Tomek Lehnert

Tomek was born in 1956 in Gdansk, Poland. He studied Civil Engineering at the Polytechnic of Gdansk and English literature at the University of Poznan, Poland. In the early eighties, he became active in the students’ Solidarity movement in then communist Poland. In 1983, during martial law in Poland, Tomek met Lama Ole Nydahl, took Buddhist refuge and became his student. He began traveling with Lama Ole in 1987. Together with Ole’s wife Hannah Nydahl, he has organised Lama Ole’s activity over the last thirty years and helped start Diamond Way Buddhist centers in the Americas, Australia and New Zealand, Russia, Western and Eastern Europe. Tomek translated for Lama Ole at his lectures in Poland and Latin America for more than ten years.

He is also the author of ‘Rogues in Robes’ (Blue Dolphin Publishing, 1998), a chronicle of the events surrounding the recognition of HH the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Please join us to hear Tomek’s inspiring teachings full of humour and tales of his times travelling on the road with Lama Ole (including being kidnapped at gun-point in Columbia by FARC guerrillas!).

Lama Jampa Thaye: 15-17 January 2016 in Hong Kong

Lama Jampa Thaye

 

We would like to welcome Lama Jampa Thaye to Hong Kong, who is coming on 15-17 Janruary 2016 to give a teachings on the Prayer to Vajradara.

About the talk:

Pengkar Jampal Zangpo’s ‘Dorjechang Thungma’ (Short Prayer to Vajradhara).

This Prayer has the power to open our hearts to the Lama and so allow transmission to occur.

This very beautiful Kagyu prayer is included in the Guru yoga part of the Kagyu Ngondro. The prayer is very important because it has two purposes: firstly that when we chant this prayer and meditate, it brings about an enhancement of mahamudra itself, so the prayer is a way of giving rise to mahamudra and stabilising the mahamudra experience; the second benefit of this prayer is that it contains the major stages of the Kagyu path, so that if one wants a very short summary of Kagyupa teachings one can find it in this beautiful short prayer.

Lama Jampa will give three teaching sessions using the commentary by Karma Chagme Rinpoche:

Friday 15th -7.30pm: Prayer to Vajradhara

Saturday 16th –  2.30pm: Prayer to Vajradhara

Sunday 17th -2.30 pm: Prayer to Vajradhara

Please note that the venue for this talk is The Karma Kagyu Lineage Centre in Chai Wan.

About the speaker:

Lama Jampa was born in England in 1952. In 1974 His Holiness the Sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa appointed Lama Jampa to the Karma Kagyu Trust (UK) and he is often invited to teach in the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute in Delhi.

Lama Jampa started practicing the Dharma at an early age of 20. Karma Thinley Rinpoche, HH Sakya Trizin and Ngor Phende Shabdrung Rinpoche became his important teachers and bestowed upon Lama Jampa innumerable initiations, transmissions and instructions from all the 4 main Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Lama Jampa was entrusted, by his teachers, with the responsibility of opening and taking care of Dharma centres in England. In 1988, as a result of his completion of the necessary retreats and textual studies, he was given the authority to carry out the activities of a lama, such as bestowing vajrayana initiations. Since then he has travelled extensively giving teachings and initiations in many countries.

Lama Jampa is the author of various works, which have been published in 5 languages. He holds a doctorate from the University of Manchester for his work on Tibetan religious history and lectured for over twenty years at universities.

More information about Lama Jampa can be found on his website.

Buddhism Today

MASTER_banner_Leif

So, what is Buddhism? Buddha used the best description himself. During the 1,500 years the teachings existed in India, they were called Dharma, and for the last 1,000 years in Tibet, the name was Chö. Both mean “the way things are.”

Understanding “the way things are” is the key to every happiness. Buddha himself is both teacher, example, protector and friend. His teachings allow us to avoid suffering and to enter a state of increasing bliss while also liberating and enlightening others.

The program for the weekend will include a public lecture on Friday evening at 7pm, meditation sessions, and further talks, also open to all.

In summary, the course will explore some of the central teachings of Buddhism and provide practical advice on how one can use the teachings, methods and meditations in our everyday life in Hong Kong – working with whatever situation arises to develop fearlessness, joy and compassion into our lives.

You don’t have to come to all the sessions to attend. All are welcome!

About the speaker

LeifAndersonfullLeif Anderson became a Buddhist in 1973. He met and studied with many high buddhist teachers, including Kalu Rinpoche and  H.H. 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. He has lived in the Diamond Way Buddhist center in Copenhagen since 1990 and teaching buddhism  since 2001.

Weekend Program

Fri 3 July
7 pm – Lecture: Buddhism Today

Sat 4 July
11 am – Talk: Buddhism Today II
3 pm – Talk: Buddhism Today III

Sun 5 July
11 am – Brunch together (meet at the centre)
12 pm – Meditation together
3 pm – Talk: Buddhism Today IV

Other information

Location:
Diamond Way Buddhist Centre, Sheung Wan Hong Kong

Price:
$100 / $60 (concessions) per talk

Karma: Cause and Effect (talk)

All are welcome to join a talk on “Karma: Cause and Effect”. Karma literally translates as action – it does not mean fate. The understanding that each of us is responsible for our own lives makes it possible to consciously generate positive impressions. This brings happiness and helps us to avoid the causes of future suffering. Positive states of mind may be strengthened effectively through the methods of Diamond Way Buddhism, while negative impressions waiting to mature can be transformed into wisdom. Continue reading Karma: Cause and Effect (talk)

Jigme Rinpoche in Hong Kong

Jigme Rinpoche in Hong Kong

Jigme Rinpoche is one of the most important teachers of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and it is wonderful to announce he will be giving a series of teachings in February 2014. For details of the schedule, please refer to the attachments below for full details.

Lama Jigme Rinpoche is the representative of the Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje in Europe and travels throughout various countries giving empowerments, talks and other programs. He is the spiritual head of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, a retreat centre in France. Continue reading Jigme Rinpoche in Hong Kong

Buddhism in Everyday Life

WEB_banner_Marcin_Nov_2013We are very happy to invite Marcin Baranski to Hong Kong for the first time next month. Marcin has been practicing Buddhism for 20 years and has been teaching since 2001. He is the vice president of the Buddhist Association in Poland since 2007, and is a keen horse rider and traditional fencer. Continue reading Buddhism in Everyday Life

Three Talks with Two Teachers!

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We are happy to announce Guido and Florinda Czeija will be visiting Hong Kong for the first time later this month. The program will include three talks over Saturday 24, Sunday 25, and Monday 26 August.

 

The History of the Karma Kagyu School – Saturday 24 August, 7pm

In this talk, Guido and Florinda will explain the rich history of the Karma Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, one of the major Buddhist schools of Tibet. As a lineage of direct oral transmission, it especially treasures meditation and can, through interaction with a qualified teacher, bring about the full direct experience of the nature of the mind. The Karma Kagyu methods were taught by the historical Buddha Shakyamuni to his closest students. They were later passed on through the Indian Mahasiddhas: Padmasambhava, Tilopa, Naropa and Maitripa and the famous Tibetan Yogis Marpa and Milarepa. In the 12th century, the monk Gampopa gave the teachings to the first Gyalwa Karmapa whose successive incarnations – which started the very first lineage of consciously reborn Buddhist teachers – have kept them powerful and vibrant over the centuries.

Love and Partnership – Sunday 25 August, 2pm

The Buddhist approach to love and partnership can help us to relax our minds, break bad habits, and use relationships to grow ourselves and benefit everyone around us. Rather than competing with our partners, the Buddha advises us to support each other and stand side by side. This talk will discuss patterns of behaviour that can come up in our relationships and will include concrete advise on how we can use our closest connections as important steps on our way to reach enlightenment. This is the first time in Hong Kong we will hear teachings on this topic from a married couple.

How Real is Reality: a Buddhist perspective on modern science – Monday 26 August, 7pm

Reality as we see it, is always influenced by what we think about reality. Everything we perceive is coloured by our culture, upbringing, experience, education and a lot more. However, what is behind our experiences and who or what is perceiving things? In this talk, Guido and Florinda will explain ultimate reality: the truth beyond all personal matters, and how this truth can be realized through Buddhist methods.

 

About the speakers

Guido and Florinda Czeija have been teaching Buddhism since 2006, having being asked to do so by their teacher Lama Ole Nydahl. Florinda has been practising Buddhism since 1997 and founded the Innsbruck Buddhist Centre in 2002. She works as a physiotherapist and founded the School for Visceral Therapy and Integrative Manual Treatment Methods. Her husband Guido has been practising Buddhism since 1995 and studied physics and mathematics at the Universities of Vienna and Berlin, specialising in the foundations of quantum physics. He works as a freelance coach and consultant for teams and organizations throughout Europe.

 

Information

The talks will cost HK$80 (or HK$50 for concessions), please note the start times and dates above.

Venue: Diamond Way Buddhist Centre Hong Kong, 2/F, 3-5 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

All are welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!