“The real challenge is to have balance and stability within continuous change”  Akong Tulku Rinpoche

As our lives continue to be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to look after our physical, mental and spiritual health, as well as doing whatever we can to help others. With that in mind we have created the KSDE Lockdown Library.

This online resource has been specially curated to offer dharma support, connection and inspiration in these testing times. It houses videos of precious teachings, talks, prayers, meditation guidance, Qigong instruction, book recommendations, uplifting music and more!

We hope you will find it a helpful and enjoyable place to visit over the coming weeks as we continue to add fresh content to support your practice and strengthen our interconnection, for the benefit and wellbeing of all.

May all beings be happy and create the causes of happiness

This deeply reflective poem, by the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, was sent by both Gwen in Edinburgh and by Annie in Scarborough.

Keeping Quiet

Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still
for once on the face of the earth,
let’s not speak in any language;
let’s stop for a second,
and not move our arms so much.

It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines;
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.

Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would not look at his hurt hands.

Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victories with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.

What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.

Life is what it is about…

If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with
death.

Now I’ll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.

Pablo Neruda is a Chilean poet, who started writings poems at the age of 13. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971.

Undefeated by their self isolation, this joyously uplifting offering by the Israel Philharmonic was sent by Yael in Tel Aviv.

Kagyu Samye Dzong Edinburgh reopens for our Autumn term on Monday September 3rd, 2012.

Please visit our Weekly Programme and Courses & Events pages for more information on forthcoming events.

Kagyu Samye Dzong Edinburgh will break up for the summer holidays on Friday July 27th 2012.

The centre will be closed throughout August and will re-open on Monday September 3rd with an exciting new programme for the Autumn/Winter term. You can view the forthcoming schedule and book classes and courses for the Autumn/Winter term from our Weekly Programme and Courses & Events pages.

Tuesday June 26th 2012, is the birthday of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje.

You are welcome to join us at 6.30pm for Chenresig Puja which will be dedicated to the health and long life of His Holiness. Just before the Puja we will offer lights and/or katas whilst reciting KARMAPA CHENNO in honour and celebration of Karmapa’s birthday.

Please come a few minutes early if you wish to purchase a kata, (ceremonial white scarf) which will be available to purchase from the office.

A spectacular series of the Edinburgh Lectures will wrap up this Friday with a special talk from His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Usher Hall.

This year’s 20th anniversary series has enjoyed record ticket sales with almost all lectures sold out. Over 4,000 people have attended the ten programmed Edinburgh Lectures across the city between February and June.

Entitled ‘Extraordinary Feats, Extraordinary People’, the series featured various thought-provoking and illuminating talks, during a year in which many in the sporting world will attempt to push the boundaries of human endeavour.

On Friday, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will deliver the final Edinburgh Lecture of the series entitled ‘Beyond religion: ethics for a whole world’ presented in partnership with the Edinburgh Interfaith Association. His Holiness is visiting Edinburgh as part of a UK tour in June.