Lama Zopa Rinpoche (our organisation’s Spiritual Director) suggested Jamyang Leeds perform these practices to help with the financial obstacles we are currently having. From September 2022, we’ll be reciting this practice as much as we can. See the special newsletter explaining all about the practice here.

This is a longer meditation on Medicine Buddha – to remove obstacles, esp. those relating to health and achieving a favourable rebirth, and activate a swift path to enlightenment.

As Lama Zopa Rinpoche said: “One of the best healing meditations is that on the Medicine Buddha, who is the manifestation of the healing energy of all enlightened beings.”

The puja involves chanting prayers to the Seven Medicine Buddhas and reciting the Medicine Buddha mantras.

It is kindly led by Lindsey and Sande

Purification here means looking at our past unskillful actions which have created seeds of negative karma in our minds, and using visualisation and mantra recitation to remove those seeds in a healthy and productive way. Vajrasattva is the embodiment of all the Buddha’s cleaning and purifying energy. We all make mistakes, and how we deal with them is key to making spiritual progress. We’ll be using a short text composed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Everflowing Nectar of Bodhichitta – Annihilating the Demon of the Self-Cherishing Mind

Led by Di or Sande

This practice is based on the short text” Eight Verses of Thought Transformation”, which contains the entire technique for transforming the mind into relative bodhichitta (i.e., the wish to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings) and absolute bodhichitta (i.e., the wisdom realizing emptiness).

Yin Yoga is for everyone, including beginners and those of you who think ‘I can’t do Yoga’. Its focus is on community and on giving more of us the opportunity to move, stretch and relax. You don’t need a yoga mat or any equipment –  just wear comfortable clothing.

£8 per session. Drop in and pay by cash or card on the day

Are you keen to work on your well-being and want to connect with others trying to make their life a little better for themselves and those around them? Join our uplifting 16 Guidelines sessions on a Wednesday evening online and on Sunday’s in person for Community Meditation, centered around the transformative tools for a Happy Life.

Each hour-long gathering begins with a soothing meditation to calm your mind, followed by an inspiring discussion on a core human value, like patience for example, that enriches your everyday life. We then dive into a focused meditation designed to help you embody that value fully.

Join online on Wednesday’s between 7:00-8:00pm and meet at Jamyang Leeds on Sunday’s for a 10:30 AM and start your week feeling refreshed, connected, and inspired. Join for a catch over a tea or coffee afterwards!

Your journey to a happier, more mindful life begins here!

Cost: Generosity Model: Pay as you feel.

The 16 Guidelines are simple steps for a happier life, inspired His Holiness by the Dalai Lama. They teach us to manage our thoughts, actions, and connections positively. They revolve around four key themes: thinking wisely, acting kindly, building strong relationships, and embracing change for deeper meaning. This approach promises not just personal joy but a better world for all.

The 16 Guidelines are underpinned by four philosophical themes:

Session overview:

Welcome, Introduction and Motivation 5 mins
Settling Meditation 10 mins
Meditation topic introduced then participants briefly share their experience 15 mins
Guided meditation 15 mins
Feedback from participants 10 mins
Closing and Dedication 5 mins

Online Wednesday evenings 7:00pm to 8:00pm

September:

3rd: Courage

10th: Patience

17th: Contentment

24th: Delight

October:

1st: Kindness

8th: Honesty

15th: Generosity

22nd: Right Speech

29th: Respect

November:

5th: Forgiveness

12th: Gratitude

19th: Loyalty

26th: Aspiration

December:

3rd: Principles

10th: Service

17th: Humility

In Person on Sundays 10:30 to 11:30 with coffee / chat in the café afterwards until 12:00pm. September:

7th: Courage

14th: Patience

21st Contentment

28th : Delight

October:

5th: Kindness 12th: Honesty

19th: Generosity

26th: Right Speech

November:

2nd: Respect

9th: Forgiveness

16th: Gratitude

23rd: Loyalty

30th: Aspiration

December:

7th: Principles

14th: Service

21st: Humility

Join us to fulfill His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s wishes and chant the Names of Noble Manjushri for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. 

Please come along even if you havent done the practice before, its quite wonderful and very energising. Please download the text below, you can also listen and practice with the audio clip of Lama Zopa Rinpoche reciting the Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (our organisation’s Spiritual Director) suggested Jamyang Leeds perform these practices to help with the financial obstacles we are currently having. From September 2022, we’ll be reciting this practice as much as we can. See the special newsletter explaining all about the practice here.

This international group of Kalachakra practitioners meets weekly and alternates with commentary and practice.

Mind Mandala once a month and six session guru yoga for other sessions:

If you’d like to join us, please email spc@jamyangleeds.co.uk confirming that you have the appropriate empowerments. You will then be sent a registration form to complete.

If you’re already part of this group, just click on the buttons below and enter the passcode you were sent by email. 

We are delighted to announce that Kerry Prest, a Trustee for Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, will be leading the next module of the Discovering Buddhism programme. This module, titled The Spiritual Teacher, will take place on six Thursday evenings, beginning 6th November 2025. It is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your understanding of the Buddhist path and to integrate meaningful practices into your daily life. 

The module concludes with a dedicated day of meditation on Saturday 13th December, offering students the opportunity to deepen their understanding through personal reflection and guided practice.

What to Expect in This Module

In this module you will investigate the role of the teacher on the spiritual path: the need for a teacher, the qualities of a teacher, the qualities of a student, and how to relate to a teacher for greatest benefit in one’s spiritual life. You will consider the challenges we face when thinking of entering into a guru-disciple relationship and learn how to overcome these skillfully.

This module includes: 

• Guided meditation

• Analytical inquiry 

• Accessible commentary

• Supportive Environment: Engage in discussions and reflections with like-minded individuals, supported by the teachings of Kerry Prest.

• Practical Tips: Discover ways to overcome common challenges and make your practice consistent and meaningful.

Join Us

Classes will be held weekly Online through Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds.

Thursday’s at 6:30 pm to 8 pm, 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th November & 4th, 11th December. Along with the meditation day on Saturday 13th December - 10 am to 3 pm.

To register, visit Registration Link

Awakening the limitless potential of your mind, achieving all peace and happiness
The Discovering Buddhism course is a beginner to intermediate level, 2 year study programme that will give you a solid foundation in the teachings and practice of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism. Transforming Problems is the 11th module, but you are welcome to join at any time.

This course was designed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche for students to study, explore and put into practice the graduated path to enlightenment, the lamrim. Originally based on Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings from 2500 years ago in India. The lamrim was systematically organised by the Indian master Atisha in the 11th Century and by several other great masters from Tibet including Lama Tsongkhapa in the 15th Century.

Kerry Prest will be teaching this module. This is an excellent opportunity to receive these Lamrim teachings directly from Kerry. We are indeed most fortunate to be able to do so.

This course commenced January 2024 and runs for 2 years during term time on Thursday evenings online for 90 minutes and has 14 subjects, 13 of which are usually taught over 6 weeks. It is possible to join at any time during the course and drop in’s are welcome.

We warmly invite you to join us for this enriching journey with Geshe Rinchen & Kerry Prest. Together, let us explore how to bring the timeless wisdom of Buddhism into our everyday lives..

For more information contact our course coordinator, Ruth: db@jamyangleeds.co.uk

ABOUT YOUR Teacher: Kerry Prest

Kerry began working for Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) at Jamyang London in 2004, where he studied with Geshe Tashi Tsering and completed the two-year Foundation of Buddhist Thought course. He was subsequently ordained as a Buddhist monk and moved to Nalanda Monastery in France, undertaking five years of full-time study on the Basic Program under Abbot Geshe Lobsang Jamphel, followed by two years on the Masters Program as both a student and programme coordinator.

After leaving Nalanda, Kerry served as Spiritual Programme Coordinator at the newly established Land of Joy Buddhist Retreat Community in the UK, before returning to lay life and moving to Leeds, where he became Director of Jamyang Leeds for seven years. He now works part-time as a musician while continuing to volunteer in various roles for the FPMT.

SUGGESTED DONATION:

Non-members – £60 per half term (6 weeks) for the Thursday classes. and £25 for the meditation day (approximately every 6 weeks). This will contribute to the centre’s running costs and include a donation to the teacher.

Free to members of The Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds (your membership fees already contribute to our core costs in running the centre). You are invited to make a donation for the teacher, as is customary when receiving Buddhist teachings, in order to support their activity (for your reference we recommend a donation in the region of £20 per half term and £10 per meditation day).

We never turn anyone away from the Dharma for financial reasons. If you cannot donate the suggested amount, please donate where possible within your means. It’s good to practice generosity where we can.

Or you can do a bank transfer using the details below, please also label the reference as Discovering Buddhism,

Bank Transfer: Account Name: Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds
Bank Name: Cooperative Bank Plc
Account number: 65178087
Sort-Code: 08-92-99
SWIFT: CPBK GB22
IBAN: GB76 CPBK 0892 9965 1780 87

Gift Aid: if you are a UK taxpayer we can claim back 25p for every £1 you donate. More information on Gift Aid can be found here. If you could email spc@jamyangleeds.co.uk and share your house number and postcode we will be able to claim giftaid on your behalf.

Led by Ruth 

Mindfulness of Breathing is universally acknowledged to be of benefit to all living in the modern world. Many feel overloaded with all that is expected of us living this complex and exhausting existence. Developing our awareness in this way is a general prescription for soothing and healing the overworked body and mind.

Practicing focusing the attention on an object such as the breath is also a core practice in Tibetan Buddhism. Gradually over time we are able to hold the object of our attention over longer periods, which enables us to practice other meditations such as Vipassana more successfully.

Dzambhala practice is said to bring wealth, prosperity, success, good fortune and luck, long life and wisdom.

Please come and join in with this weekly practice to help the centre, the FPMT and Buddha Dharma to flourish and be free from obstacles.

To do this practice in full, it is best to have a Kriya tantra empowerment of Chenrezig. However, one may still do this practice without such an empowerment by simply skipping the

self-generation on page 3. The Torma Offering on page 15 requires empowerment

Dzambhala is an emanation of Ratnasambhava, one of the five buddha families, whose enlightened activity is increasing and whose essence is generosity. Some people practice Dzambhala to

achieve spiritual prosperity, although this deity is also associated with wealth and prosperity in the material world. Dzambhala practice is said to bring wealth, prosperity, success, good fortune

and luck, long life and wisdom. He is depicted holding a mongoose spouting jewels.

There are five different wealth Dzambhala, each has their own practice and mantra to help eliminate poverty and create financial stability.

Through the power of compassionate intention, visualization, and mantra recitation, as well as a wealth-stimulating ritual, this practice ripens and enhances our karma for an abundance of

resources. When done with single-pointed concentration and faith, this ritual easily increases one’s financial prosperity.

In September 2024, His Eminence Ling Rinpoche gave us this practice to overcome obstacles to the centre flourishing.

In addition to many benefits of engaging in these practices, Lama Zopa Rinpoche recommended that these two practices are beneficial to helping bring peace to situation between Israel and Palestine.

The Sanskrit name for the White Umbrella deity is Ushnisha Sitatapatra which can also be translated as “The Victorious White Parasol.” The White Umbrella Deity, [Skt. Sitatapatra, Tib. gdugs dkar] is a powerful female deity. She is relied upon for protection; healing illness; dispelling interferences, spirit possession, and harmful forces; quelling disasters; averting obstacles; and bringing auspiciousness.

Ushnisha Sitatapatra is a female form of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Like this Bodhisattva in an elaborate form, she also has a thousand eyes that watch over living beings, and a thousand arms that protect and assist them. Thus she symbolizes the power of active compassion.

Practices of Arya Sitatapatra includes, “The Supreme Accomplishment of Sitatapatra,” and “Praises and Repelling Practices of Sitatapatra.”

Registration essential

Our Wellbeing day is back by popular demand on the 22nd November. Spend a day with us in the centre and experience a fabulous range of holistic wellbeing practices ranging from Yoga, Tai Chi, Sound Relaxtion and Ceremonial Cacao. All led by highly experienced practioners who are volunteering their time to fundraise for Jamyang Leeds. You may choose to join up to four of the six sessions available.

We are also offering the opportunity to book for individual therapy sessions including Rieki and Indian head massage at no further cost. Please indicaticate when you register if you would like to book for one of these indiviudal sessions. Limited places available.

Your ticket donation of £30.00 makes such a difference to the centre in being able to hold fabulous wellbeing days such as these. Please donate using the link above and put Autumn Wellbing Day in the comments box.

Wellbeing Sessions available: (Choose up to 4)

10-10.45 Yoga with Annie Raynor - North Star Yoga

11-11.45 Ceremonial Cacao with Spirit Bird

12-12.45 Yoga with Rachel Ewing

1.30 - 2.15 Yoga Nidra with Annie Raynor - North Star Yoga

2.30 - 3.15 Tai Chi with Arun Gujaran- The Leeds Tai Chi Academy

3.45 -4.30 Sound Relaxation with Michael Shutak, Your Time Yoga & Jan McGuire, Peaceful Body Peaceful Mind

Registration is essential, please register and donate using the link above through Peaceful Body Peaceful Mind.

IDMT Year Three: The Radiant Ground: Emptiness and Buddha Nature

This year’s journey will weave together the profound view of Madhyamaka, as presented by Nāgārjuna and his successors, with the compassionate vision of Tathāgatagarbha, the Buddha-nature teachings that reveal our deepest potential for awakening. Far from abstract philosophy, these teachings offer a radical reorientation of how we perceive ourselves and the world—pointing us beyond habitual grasping to a space of clarity, openness, and profound compassion.

Having cultivated the foundational practices of shamatha and vipashyana in the first year and explored Yogācāra’s profound psychology of ignorance and awakening in the second, we now turn to the very heart of Tibetan Buddhism: the nature of emptiness and the luminous potential that resides within every living being.

Guiding us in this exploration will be core texts from India and Tibet. Nāgārjuna’s Mūlamadhyamakakārikā will serve as a central pillar, systematically dismantling the illusions of inherent existence. In dialogue with this, we’ll study Kamalashīla’s Stages of Meditation, a practical and accessible map for cultivating deep meditative insight grounded in the view of emptiness.

Balancing the radical freedom of Madhyamaka, we will encounter the warmth and encouragement of Maitreya’s Ratnagotravibhāga, a poetic illumination of the Buddha-nature within all beings. These teachings remind us that beyond confusion and conditioning, there is a basic goodness that has never been lost.

To ground these profound insights in daily life, we will also study the beloved text of Geshe Chekawa Yeshe Dorje, The Seven Points of Mind Training. With its pithy slogans and deeply practical tone, it offers tools for transforming adversity and cultivating bodhicitta on and off the cushion.
Throughout the year, our study and practice will be enriched by meditative teachings from both the Pāli and Sanskrit sūtra traditions, inviting a direct and experiential understanding of emptiness—not as a concept, but as a liberating shift in perception.

This year is an invitation to let the view of emptiness infuse your practice—not as abstract philosophy, but as living experience: clear, liberating, and rooted in compassion. Our aim is not to gather concepts, but to transform how we see and relate to the world. Through study, reflection, and meditation, we learn to meet life with less grasping, more openness—and a heart that naturally responds with wisdom and care, held by the strength of community.

RECOMMENDED DONATION: £45 per calendar month, Reduced income donation £31 per calendar month, Sponsor donation £58 per calendar month. There are also options donate annually or per teaching month (8 times a year) . Please note: We are unable to offer this course as part of our Jamyang Leeds membership programme as it is a collaboration with other FPMT centres. If the recommend donations aren’t affordable right now, please do get in touch and we can agree what would be. We never turn anyone away from the Dharma for financial reasons. Of course it’s good to practice generosity where you can.

This four-year online course provides students with long term, in-depth support in their meditative development. We will continue to take new starters onto the course indefinitely. 

The teacher is Venerable Losang Gendun who is also our FPMT Basic Programme teacher. Venerable Gendun has trained extensively in meditation in both Theravada and Mahayana Traditions

We are delighted that from March 2025 the course is within the FPMT’s In Depth Education curriculum. You can find out more about FPMT education courses and programs here.

The In Depth Meditation Training course is also part of The Buddha Project led by Venerable Losang Gendun. You can find out more about the course, who it is suitable for, The Buddha Project and Venerable Gendun on our FPMT In-Depth Meditation Training page.

If you have any questions you would like to ask before registering please email our Spiritual Programme Coordination Team on spc@jamyangleeds.co.uk

Please click here if  you would like to register

The zoom link and all materials for the course are provided to registered students.

Are you keen to work on your well-being and want to connect with others trying to make their life a little better for themselves and those around them? Join our uplifting Sunday Community Meditation Session (in person), centered around the transformative 16 Guidelines for a Happy Life.

Each hour-long gathering begins with a soothing meditation to calm your mind, followed by an inspiring discussion on a core human value, like patience for example, that enriches your everyday life. We then dive into a focused meditation designed to help you embody that value fully.

Wrap up your morning with a cup of tea and friendly conversation in a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. Absolutely everyone welcome.

Meet us every Sunday at 10:30 AM and start your week feeling refreshed, connected, and inspired. Your journey to a happier, more mindful life begins here!

On Wednesday’s we will continue the momentum with online sessions between 7:00-8:00pm!

Cost: Generosity Model: Pay as you feel.

The 16 Guidelines are simple steps for a happier life, inspired His Holiness by the Dalai Lama. They teach us to manage our thoughts, actions, and connections positively. They revolve around four key themes: thinking wisely, acting kindly, building strong relationships, and embracing change for deeper meaning. This approach promises not just personal joy but a better world for all.

The 16 Guidelines are underpinned by four philosophical themes:

Session overview:

Welcome, Introduction and Motivation 5 mins
Settling Meditation 10 mins
Meditation topic introduced then participants briefly share their experience 15 mins
Guided meditation 15 mins
Feedback from participants 10 mins
Closing and Dedication 5 mins

In Person on Sundays 10:30 to 11:30 with coffee / chat in the café afterwards until 12:00pm.

September:

7th: Courage

14th: Patience

21st Contentment

28th : Delight

October:

5th: Kindness 12th: Honesty

19th: Generosity

26th: Right Speech

November:

2nd: Respect

9th: Forgiveness

16th: Gratitude

23rd: Loyalty

30th: Aspiration

December:

7th: Principles

14th: Service

21st: Humility

Online Wednesday evenings 7:00pm to 8:00pm

September:

3rd: Courage

10th: Patience

17th: Contentment

24th: Delight

October:

1st: Kindness

8th: Honesty

15th: Generosity

22nd: Right Speech

29th: Respect

November:

5th: Forgiveness

12th: Gratitude

19th: Loyalty

26th: Aspiration

December:

3rd: Principles

10th: Service

17th: Humility

The Yamantaka practice is held on the Mondays weekly. Please note that some weeks it starts at 2:30pm and some at 6pm, it doesn’t always alternate weekly.

Tara Puja dedicated to world peace is held on a monthly basis.

Led by Venerable Thubten Tenzin January to April and Ondy Willson June to December

Please join us, occasionally or regularly, at 17.00 UK time to show our support for the courageous spiritual communities both in Ukraine & Russia and also in Israel and Gaza. May we all nurture compassion & peace in the face of destruction & violence.

By coming together like this we send a powerful message that comes from the depths of our being. We value peace, harmony and the enlightened qualities we aspire to embody, as generated in the 21 Taras Sadhana.

By the power of our merit may there be a non-violent and bloodless revolution of consciousness so that enlightened democracies based on social wellbeing flourish everywhere.

Please forward this invitation to anyone who you think may be interested in this free and beneficial session.

Tenzin will translate into Russian for Russian and Ukrainian students. The puja will last approximately 45 minutes to include some guidance on harnessing the positive power of the prayers in generating the particular qualities of compassion and fearlessness.

Ondy Willson, a touring FPMT teacher since 2007, has students in Russia & Ukraine, so felt particularly moved to offer these pujas both to connect with & support those who are suffering on the front line. So these pujas have provided, not just an opportunity to deal with fear and pray for peace, but to meet directly together as a global community and interact with our Ukrainian and Russian dharma friends.  At the end of one week’s puja, participants in Ukraine & Russia shared their stories & experiences, which was very moving for us all to hear.

A beautiful practice led by Chrissie and Di.

The Buddhist practice of Giving & Taking (Tonglen in Tibetan) is at its heart a selfless meditation of loving kindness and compassion. You imagine giving all your happiness to others, sometimes using visualisation with the breath, and then taking all the suffering and its causes from others. It’s a powerful practice for the brave-hearted!

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (our organisation’s Spiritual Director) suggested Jamyang Leeds perform these practices to help with the financial obstacles we are currently having. From September 2022, we’ll be reciting this practice as much as we can. See the special newsletter explaining all about the practice here.

This is a longer meditation on Medicine Buddha – to remove obstacles, esp. those relating to health and achieving a favourable rebirth, and activate a swift path to enlightenment.

As Lama Zopa Rinpoche said: “One of the best healing meditations is that on the Medicine Buddha, who is the manifestation of the healing energy of all enlightened beings.”

The puja involves chanting prayers to the Seven Medicine Buddhas and reciting the Medicine Buddha mantras.

It is kindly led by Lindsey and Sande

Purification here means looking at our past unskillful actions which have created seeds of negative karma in our minds, and using visualisation and mantra recitation to remove those seeds in a healthy and productive way. Vajrasattva is the embodiment of all the Buddha’s cleaning and purifying energy. We all make mistakes, and how we deal with them is key to making spiritual progress. We’ll be using a short text composed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Everflowing Nectar of Bodhichitta – Annihilating the Demon of the Self-Cherishing Mind

Led by Di or Sande

This practice is based on the short text” Eight Verses of Thought Transformation”, which contains the entire technique for transforming the mind into relative bodhichitta (i.e., the wish to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings) and absolute bodhichitta (i.e., the wisdom realizing emptiness).

Yin Yoga is for everyone, including beginners and those of you who think ‘I can’t do Yoga’. Its focus is on community and on giving more of us the opportunity to move, stretch and relax. You don’t need a yoga mat or any equipment –  just wear comfortable clothing.

£8 per session. Drop in and pay by cash or card on the day

Are you keen to work on your well-being and want to connect with others trying to make their life a little better for themselves and those around them? Join our uplifting 16 Guidelines sessions on a Wednesday evening online and on Sunday’s in person for Community Meditation, centered around the transformative tools for a Happy Life.

Each hour-long gathering begins with a soothing meditation to calm your mind, followed by an inspiring discussion on a core human value, like patience for example, that enriches your everyday life. We then dive into a focused meditation designed to help you embody that value fully.

Join online on Wednesday’s between 7:00-8:00pm and meet at Jamyang Leeds on Sunday’s for a 10:30 AM and start your week feeling refreshed, connected, and inspired. Join for a catch over a tea or coffee afterwards!

Your journey to a happier, more mindful life begins here!

Cost: Generosity Model: Pay as you feel.

The 16 Guidelines are simple steps for a happier life, inspired His Holiness by the Dalai Lama. They teach us to manage our thoughts, actions, and connections positively. They revolve around four key themes: thinking wisely, acting kindly, building strong relationships, and embracing change for deeper meaning. This approach promises not just personal joy but a better world for all.

The 16 Guidelines are underpinned by four philosophical themes:

Session overview:

Welcome, Introduction and Motivation 5 mins
Settling Meditation 10 mins
Meditation topic introduced then participants briefly share their experience 15 mins
Guided meditation 15 mins
Feedback from participants 10 mins
Closing and Dedication 5 mins

Online Wednesday evenings 7:00pm to 8:00pm

September:

3rd: Courage

10th: Patience

17th: Contentment

24th: Delight

October:

1st: Kindness

8th: Honesty

15th: Generosity

22nd: Right Speech

29th: Respect

November:

5th: Forgiveness

12th: Gratitude

19th: Loyalty

26th: Aspiration

December:

3rd: Principles

10th: Service

17th: Humility

In Person on Sundays 10:30 to 11:30 with coffee / chat in the café afterwards until 12:00pm. September:

7th: Courage

14th: Patience

21st Contentment

28th : Delight

October:

5th: Kindness 12th: Honesty

19th: Generosity

26th: Right Speech

November:

2nd: Respect

9th: Forgiveness

16th: Gratitude

23rd: Loyalty

30th: Aspiration

December:

7th: Principles

14th: Service

21st: Humility

Join us to fulfill His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s wishes and chant the Names of Noble Manjushri for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. 

Please come along even if you havent done the practice before, its quite wonderful and very energising. Please download the text below, you can also listen and practice with the audio clip of Lama Zopa Rinpoche reciting the Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (our organisation’s Spiritual Director) suggested Jamyang Leeds perform these practices to help with the financial obstacles we are currently having. From September 2022, we’ll be reciting this practice as much as we can. See the special newsletter explaining all about the practice here.

This international group of Kalachakra practitioners meets weekly and alternates with commentary and practice.

Mind Mandala once a month and six session guru yoga for other sessions:

If you’d like to join us, please email spc@jamyangleeds.co.uk confirming that you have the appropriate empowerments. You will then be sent a registration form to complete.

If you’re already part of this group, just click on the buttons below and enter the passcode you were sent by email. 

We are delighted to announce that Kerry Prest, a Trustee for Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, will be leading the next module of the Discovering Buddhism programme. This module, titled The Spiritual Teacher, will take place on six Thursday evenings, beginning 6th November 2025. It is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your understanding of the Buddhist path and to integrate meaningful practices into your daily life. 

The module concludes with a dedicated day of meditation on Saturday 13th December, offering students the opportunity to deepen their understanding through personal reflection and guided practice.

What to Expect in This Module

In this module you will investigate the role of the teacher on the spiritual path: the need for a teacher, the qualities of a teacher, the qualities of a student, and how to relate to a teacher for greatest benefit in one’s spiritual life. You will consider the challenges we face when thinking of entering into a guru-disciple relationship and learn how to overcome these skillfully.

This module includes: 

• Guided meditation

• Analytical inquiry 

• Accessible commentary

• Supportive Environment: Engage in discussions and reflections with like-minded individuals, supported by the teachings of Kerry Prest.

• Practical Tips: Discover ways to overcome common challenges and make your practice consistent and meaningful.

Join Us

Classes will be held weekly Online through Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds.

Thursday’s at 6:30 pm to 8 pm, 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th November & 4th, 11th December. Along with the meditation day on Saturday 13th December - 10 am to 3 pm.

To register, visit Registration Link

Awakening the limitless potential of your mind, achieving all peace and happiness
The Discovering Buddhism course is a beginner to intermediate level, 2 year study programme that will give you a solid foundation in the teachings and practice of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism. Transforming Problems is the 11th module, but you are welcome to join at any time.

This course was designed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche for students to study, explore and put into practice the graduated path to enlightenment, the lamrim. Originally based on Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings from 2500 years ago in India. The lamrim was systematically organised by the Indian master Atisha in the 11th Century and by several other great masters from Tibet including Lama Tsongkhapa in the 15th Century.

Kerry Prest will be teaching this module. This is an excellent opportunity to receive these Lamrim teachings directly from Kerry. We are indeed most fortunate to be able to do so.

This course commenced January 2024 and runs for 2 years during term time on Thursday evenings online for 90 minutes and has 14 subjects, 13 of which are usually taught over 6 weeks. It is possible to join at any time during the course and drop in’s are welcome.

We warmly invite you to join us for this enriching journey with Geshe Rinchen & Kerry Prest. Together, let us explore how to bring the timeless wisdom of Buddhism into our everyday lives.

For more information contact our course coordinator, Ruth: db@jamyangleeds.co.uk

ABOUT YOUR Teacher: Kerry Prest

Kerry began working for Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) at Jamyang London in 2004, where he studied with Geshe Tashi Tsering and completed the two-year Foundation of Buddhist Thought course. He was subsequently ordained as a Buddhist monk and moved to Nalanda Monastery in France, undertaking five years of full-time study on the Basic Program under Abbot Geshe Lobsang Jamphel, followed by two years on the Masters Program as both a student and programme coordinator.

After leaving Nalanda, Kerry served as Spiritual Programme Coordinator at the newly established Land of Joy Buddhist Retreat Community in the UK, before returning to lay life and moving to Leeds, where he became Director of Jamyang Leeds for seven years. He now works part-time as a musician while continuing to volunteer in various roles for the FPMT.

SUGGESTED DONATION:

Non-members – £60 per half term (6 weeks) for the Thursday classes. and £25 for the meditation day (approximately every 6 weeks). This will contribute to the centre’s running costs and include a donation to the teacher.

Free to members of The Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds (your membership fees already contribute to our core costs in running the centre). You are invited to make a donation for the teacher, as is customary when receiving Buddhist teachings, in order to support their activity (for your reference we recommend a donation in the region of £20 per half term and £10 per meditation day).

We never turn anyone away from the Dharma for financial reasons. If you cannot donate the suggested amount, please donate where possible within your means. It’s good to practice generosity where we can.

Or you can do a bank transfer using the details below, please also label the reference as Discovering Buddhism,

Bank Transfer: Account Name: Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds
Bank Name: Cooperative Bank Plc
Account number: 65178087
Sort-Code: 08-92-99
SWIFT: CPBK GB22
IBAN: GB76 CPBK 0892 9965 1780 87

Gift Aid: if you are a UK taxpayer we can claim back 25p for every £1 you donate. More information on Gift Aid can be found here. If you could email spc@jamyangleeds.co.uk and share your house number and postcode we will be able to claim giftaid on your behalf.

Led by Ruth 

Mindfulness of Breathing is universally acknowledged to be of benefit to all living in the modern world. Many feel overloaded with all that is expected of us living this complex and exhausting existence. Developing our awareness in this way is a general prescription for soothing and healing the overworked body and mind.

Practicing focusing the attention on an object such as the breath is also a core practice in Tibetan Buddhism. Gradually over time we are able to hold the object of our attention over longer periods, which enables us to practice other meditations such as Vipassana more successfully.

Dzambhala practice is said to bring wealth, prosperity, success, good fortune and luck, long life and wisdom.

Please come and join in with this weekly practice to help the centre, the FPMT and Buddha Dharma to flourish and be free from obstacles.

To do this practice in full, it is best to have a Kriya tantra empowerment of Chenrezig. However, one may still do this practice without such an empowerment by simply skipping the

self-generation on page 3. The Torma Offering on page 15 requires empowerment

Dzambhala is an emanation of Ratnasambhava, one of the five buddha families, whose enlightened activity is increasing and whose essence is generosity. Some people practice Dzambhala to

achieve spiritual prosperity, although this deity is also associated with wealth and prosperity in the material world. Dzambhala practice is said to bring wealth, prosperity, success, good fortune

and luck, long life and wisdom. He is depicted holding a mongoose spouting jewels.

There are five different wealth Dzambhala, each has their own practice and mantra to help eliminate poverty and create financial stability.

Through the power of compassionate intention, visualization, and mantra recitation, as well as a wealth-stimulating ritual, this practice ripens and enhances our karma for an abundance of

resources. When done with single-pointed concentration and faith, this ritual easily increases one’s financial prosperity.

In September 2024, His Eminence Ling Rinpoche gave us this practice to overcome obstacles to the centre flourishing.

In addition to many benefits of engaging in these practices, Lama Zopa Rinpoche recommended that these two practices are beneficial to helping bring peace to situation between Israel and Palestine.

The Sanskrit name for the White Umbrella deity is Ushnisha Sitatapatra which can also be translated as “The Victorious White Parasol.” The White Umbrella Deity, [Skt. Sitatapatra, Tib. gdugs dkar] is a powerful female deity. She is relied upon for protection; healing illness; dispelling interferences, spirit possession, and harmful forces; quelling disasters; averting obstacles; and bringing auspiciousness.

Ushnisha Sitatapatra is a female form of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Like this Bodhisattva in an elaborate form, she also has a thousand eyes that watch over living beings, and a thousand arms that protect and assist them. Thus she symbolizes the power of active compassion.

Practices of Arya Sitatapatra includes, “The Supreme Accomplishment of Sitatapatra,” and “Praises and Repelling Practices of Sitatapatra.”

IDMT Year Three: The Radiant Ground: Emptiness and Buddha Nature

This year’s journey will weave together the profound view of Madhyamaka, as presented by Nāgārjuna and his successors, with the compassionate vision of Tathāgatagarbha, the Buddha-nature teachings that reveal our deepest potential for awakening. Far from abstract philosophy, these teachings offer a radical reorientation of how we perceive ourselves and the world—pointing us beyond habitual grasping to a space of clarity, openness, and profound compassion.

Having cultivated the foundational practices of shamatha and vipashyana in the first year and explored Yogācāra’s profound psychology of ignorance and awakening in the second, we now turn to the very heart of Tibetan Buddhism: the nature of emptiness and the luminous potential that resides within every living being.

Guiding us in this exploration will be core texts from India and Tibet. Nāgārjuna’s Mūlamadhyamakakārikā will serve as a central pillar, systematically dismantling the illusions of inherent existence. In dialogue with this, we’ll study Kamalashīla’s Stages of Meditation, a practical and accessible map for cultivating deep meditative insight grounded in the view of emptiness.

Balancing the radical freedom of Madhyamaka, we will encounter the warmth and encouragement of Maitreya’s Ratnagotravibhāga, a poetic illumination of the Buddha-nature within all beings. These teachings remind us that beyond confusion and conditioning, there is a basic goodness that has never been lost.

To ground these profound insights in daily life, we will also study the beloved text of Geshe Chekawa Yeshe Dorje, The Seven Points of Mind Training. With its pithy slogans and deeply practical tone, it offers tools for transforming adversity and cultivating bodhicitta on and off the cushion.
Throughout the year, our study and practice will be enriched by meditative teachings from both the Pāli and Sanskrit sūtra traditions, inviting a direct and experiential understanding of emptiness—not as a concept, but as a liberating shift in perception.

This year is an invitation to let the view of emptiness infuse your practice—not as abstract philosophy, but as living experience: clear, liberating, and rooted in compassion. Our aim is not to gather concepts, but to transform how we see and relate to the world. Through study, reflection, and meditation, we learn to meet life with less grasping, more openness—and a heart that naturally responds with wisdom and care, held by the strength of community.

RECOMMENDED DONATION: £45 per calendar month, Reduced income donation £31 per calendar month, Sponsor donation £58 per calendar month. There are also options donate annually or per teaching month (8 times a year) . Please note: We are unable to offer this course as part of our Jamyang Leeds membership programme as it is a collaboration with other FPMT centres. If the recommend donations aren’t affordable right now, please do get in touch and we can agree what would be. We never turn anyone away from the Dharma for financial reasons. Of course it’s good to practice generosity where you can.

This four-year online course provides students with long term, in-depth support in their meditative development. We will continue to take new starters onto the course indefinitely. 

The teacher is Venerable Losang Gendun who is also our FPMT Basic Programme teacher. Venerable Gendun has trained extensively in meditation in both Theravada and Mahayana Traditions

We are delighted that from March 2025 the course is within the FPMT’s In Depth Education curriculum. You can find out more about FPMT education courses and programs here.

The In Depth Meditation Training course is also part of The Buddha Project led by Venerable Losang Gendun. You can find out more about the course, who it is suitable for, The Buddha Project and Venerable Gendun on our FPMT In-Depth Meditation Training page.

If you have any questions you would like to ask before registering please email our Spiritual Programme Coordination Team on spc@jamyangleeds.co.uk

Please click here if  you would like to register

The zoom link and all materials for the course are provided to registered students.

Are you keen to work on your well-being and want to connect with others trying to make their life a little better for themselves and those around them? Join our uplifting Sunday Community Meditation Session (in person), centered around the transformative 16 Guidelines for a Happy Life.

Each hour-long gathering begins with a soothing meditation to calm your mind, followed by an inspiring discussion on a core human value, like patience for example, that enriches your everyday life. We then dive into a focused meditation designed to help you embody that value fully.

Wrap up your morning with a cup of tea and friendly conversation in a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. Absolutely everyone welcome.

Meet us every Sunday at 10:30 AM and start your week feeling refreshed, connected, and inspired. Your journey to a happier, more mindful life begins here!

On Wednesday’s we will continue the momentum with online sessions between 7:00-8:00pm!

Cost: Generosity Model: Pay as you feel.

The 16 Guidelines are simple steps for a happier life, inspired His Holiness by the Dalai Lama. They teach us to manage our thoughts, actions, and connections positively. They revolve around four key themes: thinking wisely, acting kindly, building strong relationships, and embracing change for deeper meaning. This approach promises not just personal joy but a better world for all.

The 16 Guidelines are underpinned by four philosophical themes:

Session overview:

Welcome, Introduction and Motivation 5 mins
Settling Meditation 10 mins
Meditation topic introduced then participants briefly share their experience 15 mins
Guided meditation 15 mins
Feedback from participants 10 mins
Closing and Dedication 5 mins

In Person on Sundays 10:30 to 11:30 with coffee / chat in the café afterwards until 12:00pm.

September:

7th: Courage

14th: Patience

21st Contentment

28th : Delight

October:

5th: Kindness 12th: Honesty

19th: Generosity

26th: Right Speech

November:

2nd: Respect

9th: Forgiveness

16th: Gratitude

23rd: Loyalty

30th: Aspiration

December:

7th: Principles

14th: Service

21st: Humility

Online Wednesday evenings 7:00pm to 8:00pm

September:

3rd: Courage

10th: Patience

17th: Contentment

24th: Delight

October:

1st: Kindness

8th: Honesty

15th: Generosity

22nd: Right Speech

29th: Respect

November:

5th: Forgiveness

12th: Gratitude

19th: Loyalty

26th: Aspiration

December:

3rd: Principles

10th: Service

17th: Humility

This discussion groups kindly led by Ruth, meets on the last Sunday monthly for students of the In Depth Meditation Training (IDMT) course to explore the topics of the course together.

If you are an IDMT student either at Jamyang Leeds or any of the other host centres and would like to join please ask our In Depth Meditation Training Coordinator for the zoom link by emailing idmt@jamyangleeds.co.uk

If you are not yet an IDMT student and would like to know more about the course, you can find out more on our In Depth Meditation Training page here.

The Yamantaka practice is held on the Mondays weekly. Please note that some weeks it starts at 2:30pm and some at 6pm, it doesnt always alternate weekly.

In 2022, after the war in Ukraine started, Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered advice on prayers and practices to do in order to pacify the threats of war. All are welcome to download the booklet, Prayers to Stop War.

At the time, Lama Zopa Rinpoche also gave advice for how to motivate and think when doing these prayers and practices:

At the beginning generate strong bodhicitta, then do these prayers and practices to stop the war. The main purpose is to stop the war immediately. Then also to prevent famine, disease, and all the dangers of earth, water, fire, and wind, for all these dangers to be pacified immediately. To fill the whole world with perfect peace and happiness, including enlightenment, and to generate loving kindness, compassion and bodhicitta in the heart of all sentient beings.

Think that from Guru Padmasambhava’s heart, beams radiate and totally purify all the six realms’ sentient beings, totally purify all the delusions and negative karmas collected from beginningless rebirths, especially anger, attachment, and ignorance; think that these are totally purified. Then recite Sampa Lhundrupma, followed by the Padmasambhava mantra (one or two malas).

With strong faith in Guru Padmasambhava and total reliance, Guru Padmasambhava will definitely help because his compassion embraces all sentient beings. 

Then another way to think is, with strong faith in His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the aspect of Guru Padmasambhava, nectar beams are emitted to all leaders of war, entering the body and totally purifying all negative karma and obscurations; all the dissatisfied mind, desire, ignorance, anger, and selfish mind are totally purified; they generate bodhicitta especially, and then the whole path to enlightenment. Do that very strongly, making strong prayers to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Then nectar beams are also emitted to all involved, and these purify all the anger and self-cherishing thought. They generate bodhicitta, and stop giving harm to even one sentient being and only benefit sentient beings, up to enlightenment. 

Then recite the Heart Sutra and the prayer to stop wars.

For those who can do the Most Secret Hayagriva sadhana, do this at the beginning of the practice. When reciting the mantra, you can do the same visualizations as above.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave this advice in 2022 to IMI Sangha on prayers and practices they could do in response to the developing war in Ukraine. The above motivation was edited slightly to be more general in order to be relevant for current threats at any time. The original advice can be read here. Please download Prayers to Stop War . 

A beautiful practice led by Chrissie and Di.

The Buddhist practice of Giving & Taking (Tonglen in Tibetan) is at its heart a selfless meditation of loving kindness and compassion. You imagine giving all your happiness to others, sometimes using visualisation with the breath, and then taking all the suffering and its causes from others. It’s a powerful practice for the brave-hearted!

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (our organisation’s Spiritual Director) suggested Jamyang Leeds perform these practices to help with the financial obstacles we are currently having. From September 2022, we’ll be reciting this practice as much as we can. See the special newsletter explaining all about the practice here.

This is a longer meditation on Medicine Buddha – to remove obstacles, esp. those relating to health and achieving a favourable rebirth, and activate a swift path to enlightenment.

As Lama Zopa Rinpoche said: “One of the best healing meditations is that on the Medicine Buddha, who is the manifestation of the healing energy of all enlightened beings.”

The puja involves chanting prayers to the Seven Medicine Buddhas and reciting the Medicine Buddha mantras.

It is kindly led by Lindsey and Sande

Purification here means looking at our past unskillful actions which have created seeds of negative karma in our minds, and using visualisation and mantra recitation to remove those seeds in a healthy and productive way. Vajrasattva is the embodiment of all the Buddha’s cleaning and purifying energy. We all make mistakes, and how we deal with them is key to making spiritual progress. We’ll be using a short text composed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Everflowing Nectar of Bodhichitta – Annihilating the Demon of the Self-Cherishing Mind

Led by Di or Sande

This practice is based on the short text” Eight Verses of Thought Transformation”, which contains the entire technique for transforming the mind into relative bodhichitta (i.e., the wish to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings) and absolute bodhichitta (i.e., the wisdom realizing emptiness).

Yin Yoga is for everyone, including beginners and those of you who think ‘I can’t do Yoga’. Its focus is on community and on giving more of us the opportunity to move, stretch and relax. You don’t need a yoga mat or any equipment –  just wear comfortable clothing.

£8 per session. Drop in and pay by cash or card on the day

Are you keen to work on your well-being and want to connect with others trying to make their life a little better for themselves and those around them? Join our uplifting 16 Guidelines sessions on a Wednesday evening online and on Sunday’s in person for Community Meditation, centered around the transformative tools for a Happy Life.

Each hour-long gathering begins with a soothing meditation to calm your mind, followed by an inspiring discussion on a core human value, like patience for example, that enriches your everyday life. We then dive into a focused meditation designed to help you embody that value fully.

Join online on Wednesday’s between 7:00-8:00pm and meet at Jamyang Leeds on Sunday’s for a 10:30 AM and start your week feeling refreshed, connected, and inspired. Join for a catch over a tea or coffee afterwards!

Your journey to a happier, more mindful life begins here!

Cost: Generosity Model: Pay as you feel.

The 16 Guidelines are simple steps for a happier life, inspired His Holiness by the Dalai Lama. They teach us to manage our thoughts, actions, and connections positively. They revolve around four key themes: thinking wisely, acting kindly, building strong relationships, and embracing change for deeper meaning. This approach promises not just personal joy but a better world for all.

The 16 Guidelines are underpinned by four philosophical themes:

Session overview:

Welcome, Introduction and Motivation 5 mins
Settling Meditation 10 mins
Meditation topic introduced then participants briefly share their experience 15 mins
Guided meditation 15 mins
Feedback from participants 10 mins
Closing and Dedication 5 mins

Online Wednesday evenings 7:00pm to 8:00pm

September:

3rd: Courage

10th: Patience

17th: Contentment

24th: Delight

October:

1st: Kindness

8th: Honesty

15th: Generosity

22nd: Right Speech

29th: Respect

November:

5th: Forgiveness

12th: Gratitude

19th: Loyalty

26th: Aspiration

December:

3rd: Principles

10th: Service

17th: Humility

In Person on Sundays 10:30 to 11:30 with coffee / chat in the café afterwards until 12:00pm. September:

7th: Courage

14th: Patience

21st Contentment

28th : Delight

October:

5th: Kindness 12th: Honesty

19th: Generosity

26th: Right Speech

November:

2nd: Respect

9th: Forgiveness

16th: Gratitude

23rd: Loyalty

30th: Aspiration

December:

7th: Principles

14th: Service

21st: Humility

Join us to fulfill His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s wishes and chant the Names of Noble Manjushri for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. 

Please come along even if you havent done the practice before, its quite wonderful and very energising. Please download the text below, you can also listen and practice with the audio clip of Lama Zopa Rinpoche reciting the Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (our organisation’s Spiritual Director) suggested Jamyang Leeds perform these practices to help with the financial obstacles we are currently having. From September 2022, we’ll be reciting this practice as much as we can. See the special newsletter explaining all about the practice here.

This international group of Kalachakra practitioners meets weekly and alternates with commentary and practice.

Mind Mandala once a month and six session guru yoga for other sessions:

If you’d like to join us, please email spc@jamyangleeds.co.uk confirming that you have the appropriate empowerments. You will then be sent a registration form to complete.

If you’re already part of this group, just click on the buttons below and enter the passcode you were sent by email. 

We are delighted to announce that Kerry Prest, a Trustee for Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, will be leading the next module of the Discovering Buddhism programme. This module, titled The Spiritual Teacher, will take place on six Thursday evenings, beginning 6th November 2025. It is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your understanding of the Buddhist path and to integrate meaningful practices into your daily life. 

The module concludes with a dedicated day of meditation on Saturday 13th December, offering students the opportunity to deepen their understanding through personal reflection and guided practice.

What to Expect in This Module

In this module you will investigate the role of the teacher on the spiritual path: the need for a teacher, the qualities of a teacher, the qualities of a student, and how to relate to a teacher for greatest benefit in one’s spiritual life. You will consider the challenges we face when thinking of entering into a guru-disciple relationship and learn how to overcome these skillfully.

This module includes: 

• Guided meditation

• Analytical inquiry 

• Accessible commentary

• Supportive Environment: Engage in discussions and reflections with like-minded individuals, supported by the teachings of Kerry Prest.

• Practical Tips: Discover ways to overcome common challenges and make your practice consistent and meaningful.

Join Us

Classes will be held weekly Online through Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds.

Thursday’s at 6:30 pm to 8 pm, 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th November & 4th, 11th December. Along with the meditation day on Saturday 13th December - 10 am to 3 pm.

To register, visit Registration Link

Awakening the limitless potential of your mind, achieving all peace and happiness
The Discovering Buddhism course is a beginner to intermediate level, 2 year study programme that will give you a solid foundation in the teachings and practice of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism. Transforming Problems is the 11th module, but you are welcome to join at any time.

This course was designed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche for students to study, explore and put into practice the graduated path to enlightenment, the lamrim. Originally based on Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings from 2500 years ago in India. The lamrim was systematically organised by the Indian master Atisha in the 11th Century and by several other great masters from Tibet including Lama Tsongkhapa in the 15th Century.

Kerry Prest will be teaching this module. This is an excellent opportunity to receive these Lamrim teachings directly from Kerry. We are indeed most fortunate to be able to do so.

This course commenced January 2024 and runs for 2 years during term time on Thursday evenings online for 90 minutes and has 14 subjects, 13 of which are usually taught over 6 weeks. It is possible to join at any time during the course and drop in’s are welcome.

We warmly invite you to join us for this enriching journey with Geshe Rinchen & Kerry Prest. Together, let us explore how to bring the timeless wisdom of Buddhism into our everyday lives.

For more information contact our course coordinator, Ruth: db@jamyangleeds.co.uk

ABOUT YOUR Teacher: Kerry Prest

Kerry began working for Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) at Jamyang London in 2004, where he studied with Geshe Tashi Tsering and completed the two-year Foundation of Buddhist Thought course. He was subsequently ordained as a Buddhist monk and moved to Nalanda Monastery in France, undertaking five years of full-time study on the Basic Program under Abbot Geshe Lobsang Jamphel, followed by two years on the Masters Program as both a student and programme coordinator.

After leaving Nalanda, Kerry served as Spiritual Programme Coordinator at the newly established Land of Joy Buddhist Retreat Community in the UK, before returning to lay life and moving to Leeds, where he became Director of Jamyang Leeds for seven years. He now works part-time as a musician while continuing to volunteer in various roles for the FPMT.

SUGGESTED DONATION:

Non-members – £60 per half term (6 weeks) for the Thursday classes. and £25 for the meditation day (approximately every 6 weeks). This will contribute to the centre’s running costs and include a donation to the teacher.

Free to members of The Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds (your membership fees already contribute to our core costs in running the centre). You are invited to make a donation for the teacher, as is customary when receiving Buddhist teachings, in order to support their activity (for your reference we recommend a donation in the region of £20 per half term and £10 per meditation day).

We never turn anyone away from the Dharma for financial reasons. If you cannot donate the suggested amount, please donate where possible within your means. It’s good to practice generosity where we can.

Or you can do a bank transfer using the details below, please also label the reference as Discovering Buddhism,

Bank Transfer: Account Name: Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds
Bank Name: Cooperative Bank Plc
Account number: 65178087
Sort-Code: 08-92-99
SWIFT: CPBK GB22
IBAN: GB76 CPBK 0892 9965 1780 87

Gift Aid: if you are a UK taxpayer we can claim back 25p for every £1 you donate. More information on Gift Aid can be found here. If you could email spc@jamyangleeds.co.uk and share your house number and postcode we will be able to claim giftaid on your behalf.

Led by Ruth 

Mindfulness of Breathing is universally acknowledged to be of benefit to all living in the modern world. Many feel overloaded with all that is expected of us living this complex and exhausting existence. Developing our awareness in this way is a general prescription for soothing and healing the overworked body and mind.

Practicing focusing the attention on an object such as the breath is also a core practice in Tibetan Buddhism. Gradually over time we are able to hold the object of our attention over longer periods, which enables us to practice other meditations such as Vipassana more successfully.

Dzambhala practice is said to bring wealth, prosperity, success, good fortune and luck, long life and wisdom.

Please come and join in with this weekly practice to help the centre, the FPMT and Buddha Dharma to flourish and be free from obstacles.

To do this practice in full, it is best to have a Kriya tantra empowerment of Chenrezig. However, one may still do this practice without such an empowerment by simply skipping the

self-generation on page 3. The Torma Offering on page 15 requires empowerment

Dzambhala is an emanation of Ratnasambhava, one of the five buddha families, whose enlightened activity is increasing and whose essence is generosity. Some people practice Dzambhala to

achieve spiritual prosperity, although this deity is also associated with wealth and prosperity in the material world. Dzambhala practice is said to bring wealth, prosperity, success, good fortune

and luck, long life and wisdom. He is depicted holding a mongoose spouting jewels.

There are five different wealth Dzambhala, each has their own practice and mantra to help eliminate poverty and create financial stability.

Through the power of compassionate intention, visualization, and mantra recitation, as well as a wealth-stimulating ritual, this practice ripens and enhances our karma for an abundance of

resources. When done with single-pointed concentration and faith, this ritual easily increases one’s financial prosperity.

In September 2024, His Eminence Ling Rinpoche gave us this practice to overcome obstacles to the centre flourishing.

In addition to many benefits of engaging in these practices, Lama Zopa Rinpoche recommended that these two practices are beneficial to helping bring peace to situation between Israel and Palestine.

The Sanskrit name for the White Umbrella deity is Ushnisha Sitatapatra which can also be translated as “The Victorious White Parasol.” The White Umbrella Deity, [Skt. Sitatapatra, Tib. gdugs dkar] is a powerful female deity. She is relied upon for protection; healing illness; dispelling interferences, spirit possession, and harmful forces; quelling disasters; averting obstacles; and bringing auspiciousness.

Ushnisha Sitatapatra is a female form of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Like this Bodhisattva in an elaborate form, she also has a thousand eyes that watch over living beings, and a thousand arms that protect and assist them. Thus she symbolizes the power of active compassion.

Practices of Arya Sitatapatra includes, “The Supreme Accomplishment of Sitatapatra,” and “Praises and Repelling Practices of Sitatapatra.”

Holbeck Jumble Sale – Fundraising Event at Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds
FREE ENTRY | EVERYTHING £1 OR LESS!

Join us for our next fundraising jumble sale—a lively community event filled with bargains, good vibes, and a great cause!

Whether you're hunting for books, clothes, homewares, toys, or a surprise treasure, there’s something for everyone—and every item is priced at just £1 or less. You’ll be supporting the ongoing activities of Jamyang Buddhist Centre, helping us continue to offer teachings, meditation sessions, and community support in Holbeck and beyond.

Why come along?

• Fantastic finds at unbeatable prices

• Friendly community atmosphere

• Support a meaningful cause

• A great way to reduce, reuse, and recycle

Donations are very welcome!
If you have good-quality items you’d like to contribute, please drop them off at the centre during opening hours in the lead-up to the sale—or contact us to arrange a time. Your generosity goes a long way.

Don’t miss this much-loved event—it’s always a busy one!

Spread the word, bring a friend, and we’ll see you there!

The Yamantaka practice is held on the Mondays weekly. Please note that some weeks it starts at 2:30pm and some at 6pm, it doesn’t always alternate weekly.

A beautiful practice led by Chrissie and Di.

The Buddhist practice of Giving & Taking (Tonglen in Tibetan) is at its heart a selfless meditation of loving kindness and compassion. You imagine giving all your happiness to others, sometimes using visualisation with the breath, and then taking all the suffering and its causes from others. It’s a powerful practice for the brave-hearted!

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (our organisation’s Spiritual Director) suggested Jamyang Leeds perform these practices to help with the financial obstacles we are currently having. From September 2022, we’ll be reciting this practice as much as we can. See the special newsletter explaining all about the practice here.

This is a longer meditation on Medicine Buddha – to remove obstacles, esp. those relating to health and achieving a favourable rebirth, and activate a swift path to enlightenment.

As Lama Zopa Rinpoche said: “One of the best healing meditations is that on the Medicine Buddha, who is the manifestation of the healing energy of all enlightened beings.”

The puja involves chanting prayers to the Seven Medicine Buddhas and reciting the Medicine Buddha mantras.

It is kindly led by Lindsey and Sande

Purification here means looking at our past unskillful actions which have created seeds of negative karma in our minds, and using visualisation and mantra recitation to remove those seeds in a healthy and productive way. Vajrasattva is the embodiment of all the Buddha’s cleaning and purifying energy. We all make mistakes, and how we deal with them is key to making spiritual progress. We’ll be using a short text composed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Everflowing Nectar of Bodhichitta – Annihilating the Demon of the Self-Cherishing Mind

Led by Di or Sande

This practice is based on the short text” Eight Verses of Thought Transformation”, which contains the entire technique for transforming the mind into relative bodhichitta (i.e., the wish to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings) and absolute bodhichitta (i.e., the wisdom realizing emptiness).

Yin Yoga is for everyone, including beginners and those of you who think ‘I can’t do Yoga’. Its focus is on community and on giving more of us the opportunity to move, stretch and relax. You don’t need a yoga mat or any equipment –  just wear comfortable clothing.

£8 per session. Drop in and pay by cash or card on the day

Are you keen to work on your well-being and want to connect with others trying to make their life a little better for themselves and those around them? Join our uplifting 16 Guidelines sessions on a Wednesday evening online and on Sunday’s in person for Community Meditation, centered around the transformative tools for a Happy Life.

Each hour-long gathering begins with a soothing meditation to calm your mind, followed by an inspiring discussion on a core human value, like patience for example, that enriches your everyday life. We then dive into a focused meditation designed to help you embody that value fully.

Join online on Wednesday’s between 7:00-8:00pm and meet at Jamyang Leeds on Sunday’s for a 10:30 AM and start your week feeling refreshed, connected, and inspired. Join for a catch over a tea or coffee afterwards!

Your journey to a happier, more mindful life begins here!

Cost: Generosity Model: Pay as you feel.

The 16 Guidelines are simple steps for a happier life, inspired His Holiness by the Dalai Lama. They teach us to manage our thoughts, actions, and connections positively. They revolve around four key themes: thinking wisely, acting kindly, building strong relationships, and embracing change for deeper meaning. This approach promises not just personal joy but a better world for all.

The 16 Guidelines are underpinned by four philosophical themes:

Session overview:

Welcome, Introduction and Motivation 5 mins
Settling Meditation 10 mins
Meditation topic introduced then participants briefly share their experience 15 mins
Guided meditation 15 mins
Feedback from participants 10 mins
Closing and Dedication 5 mins

Online Wednesday evenings 7:00pm to 8:00pm

September:

3rd: Courage

10th: Patience

17th: Contentment

24th: Delight

October:

1st: Kindness

8th: Honesty

15th: Generosity

22nd: Right Speech

29th: Respect

November:

5th: Forgiveness

12th: Gratitude

19th: Loyalty

26th: Aspiration

December:

3rd: Principles

10th: Service

17th: Humility

In Person on Sundays 10:30 to 11:30 with coffee / chat in the café afterwards until 12:00pm. September:

7th: Courage

14th: Patience

21st Contentment

28th : Delight

October:

5th: Kindness 12th: Honesty

19th: Generosity

26th: Right Speech

November:

2nd: Respect

9th: Forgiveness

16th: Gratitude

23rd: Loyalty

30th: Aspiration

December:

7th: Principles

14th: Service

21st: Humility

Join us to fulfill His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s wishes and chant the Names of Noble Manjushri for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. 

Please come along even if you havent done the practice before, its quite wonderful and very energising. Please download the text below, you can also listen and practice with the audio clip of Lama Zopa Rinpoche reciting the Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (our organisation’s Spiritual Director) suggested Jamyang Leeds perform these practices to help with the financial obstacles we are currently having. From September 2022, we’ll be reciting this practice as much as we can. See the special newsletter explaining all about the practice here.

This international group of Kalachakra practitioners meets weekly and alternates with commentary and practice.

Mind Mandala once a month and six session guru yoga for other sessions:

If you’d like to join us, please email spc@jamyangleeds.co.uk confirming that you have the appropriate empowerments. You will then be sent a registration form to complete.

If you’re already part of this group, just click on the buttons below and enter the passcode you were sent by email. 

We are delighted to announce that Kerry Prest, a Trustee for Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, will be leading the next module of the Discovering Buddhism programme. This module, titled The Spiritual Teacher, will take place on six Thursday evenings, beginning 6th November 2025. It is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your understanding of the Buddhist path and to integrate meaningful practices into your daily life. 

The module concludes with a dedicated day of meditation on Saturday 13th December, offering students the opportunity to deepen their understanding through personal reflection and guided practice.

What to Expect in This Module

In this module you will investigate the role of the teacher on the spiritual path: the need for a teacher, the qualities of a teacher, the qualities of a student, and how to relate to a teacher for greatest benefit in one’s spiritual life. You will consider the challenges we face when thinking of entering into a guru-disciple relationship and learn how to overcome these skillfully.

This module includes: 

• Guided meditation

• Analytical inquiry 

• Accessible commentary

• Supportive Environment: Engage in discussions and reflections with like-minded individuals, supported by the teachings of Kerry Prest.

• Practical Tips: Discover ways to overcome common challenges and make your practice consistent and meaningful.

Join Us

Classes will be held weekly Online through Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds.

Thursday’s at 6:30 pm to 8 pm, 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th November & 4th, 11th December. Along with the meditation day on Saturday 13th December - 10 am to 3 pm.

To register, visit Registration Link

Awakening the limitless potential of your mind, achieving all peace and happiness
The Discovering Buddhism course is a beginner to intermediate level, 2 year study programme that will give you a solid foundation in the teachings and practice of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism. Transforming Problems is the 11th module, but you are welcome to join at any time.

This course was designed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche for students to study, explore and put into practice the graduated path to enlightenment, the lamrim. Originally based on Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings from 2500 years ago in India. The lamrim was systematically organised by the Indian master Atisha in the 11th Century and by several other great masters from Tibet including Lama Tsongkhapa in the 15th Century.

Kerry Prest will be teaching this module. This is an excellent opportunity to receive these Lamrim teachings directly from Kerry. We are indeed most fortunate to be able to do so.

This course commenced January 2024 and runs for 2 years during term time on Thursday evenings online for 90 minutes and has 14 subjects, 13 of which are usually taught over 6 weeks. It is possible to join at any time during the course and drop in’s are welcome.

We warmly invite you to join us for this enriching journey with Geshe Rinchen & Kerry Prest. Together, let us explore how to bring the timeless wisdom of Buddhism into our everyday lives.

For more information contact our course coordinator, Ruth: db@jamyangleeds.co.uk

ABOUT YOUR Teacher: Kerry Prest

Kerry began working for Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) at Jamyang London in 2004, where he studied with Geshe Tashi Tsering and completed the two-year Foundation of Buddhist Thought course. He was subsequently ordained as a Buddhist monk and moved to Nalanda Monastery in France, undertaking five years of full-time study on the Basic Program under Abbot Geshe Lobsang Jamphel, followed by two years on the Masters Program as both a student and programme coordinator.

After leaving Nalanda, Kerry served as Spiritual Programme Coordinator at the newly established Land of Joy Buddhist Retreat Community in the UK, before returning to lay life and moving to Leeds, where he became Director of Jamyang Leeds for seven years. He now works part-time as a musician while continuing to volunteer in various roles for the FPMT.

SUGGESTED DONATION:

Non-members – £60 per half term (6 weeks) for the Thursday classes. and £25 for the meditation day (approximately every 6 weeks). This will contribute to the centre’s running costs and include a donation to the teacher.

Free to members of The Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds (your membership fees already contribute to our core costs in running the centre). You are invited to make a donation for the teacher, as is customary when receiving Buddhist teachings, in order to support their activity (for your reference we recommend a donation in the region of £20 per half term and £10 per meditation day).

We never turn anyone away from the Dharma for financial reasons. If you cannot donate the suggested amount, please donate where possible within your means. It’s good to practice generosity where we can.

Or you can do a bank transfer using the details below, please also label the reference as Discovering Buddhism,

Bank Transfer: Account Name: Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds
Bank Name: Cooperative Bank Plc
Account number: 65178087
Sort-Code: 08-92-99
SWIFT: CPBK GB22
IBAN: GB76 CPBK 0892 9965 1780 87

Gift Aid: if you are a UK taxpayer we can claim back 25p for every £1 you donate. More information on Gift Aid can be found here. If you could email spc@jamyangleeds.co.uk and share your house number and postcode we will be able to claim giftaid on your behalf.

Led by Ruth 

Mindfulness of Breathing is universally acknowledged to be of benefit to all living in the modern world. Many feel overloaded with all that is expected of us living this complex and exhausting existence. Developing our awareness in this way is a general prescription for soothing and healing the overworked body and mind.

Practicing focusing the attention on an object such as the breath is also a core practice in Tibetan Buddhism. Gradually over time we are able to hold the object of our attention over longer periods, which enables us to practice other meditations such as Vipassana more successfully.

Dzambhala practice is said to bring wealth, prosperity, success, good fortune and luck, long life and wisdom.

Please come and join in with this weekly practice to help the centre, the FPMT and Buddha Dharma to flourish and be free from obstacles.

To do this practice in full, it is best to have a Kriya tantra empowerment of Chenrezig. However, one may still do this practice without such an empowerment by simply skipping the

self-generation on page 3. The Torma Offering on page 15 requires empowerment

Dzambhala is an emanation of Ratnasambhava, one of the five buddha families, whose enlightened activity is increasing and whose essence is generosity. Some people practice Dzambhala to

achieve spiritual prosperity, although this deity is also associated with wealth and prosperity in the material world. Dzambhala practice is said to bring wealth, prosperity, success, good fortune

and luck, long life and wisdom. He is depicted holding a mongoose spouting jewels.

There are five different wealth Dzambhala, each has their own practice and mantra to help eliminate poverty and create financial stability.

Through the power of compassionate intention, visualization, and mantra recitation, as well as a wealth-stimulating ritual, this practice ripens and enhances our karma for an abundance of

resources. When done with single-pointed concentration and faith, this ritual easily increases one’s financial prosperity.

In September 2024, His Eminence Ling Rinpoche gave us this practice to overcome obstacles to the centre flourishing.

In addition to many benefits of engaging in these practices, Lama Zopa Rinpoche recommended that these two practices are beneficial to helping bring peace to situation between Israel and Palestine.

The Sanskrit name for the White Umbrella deity is Ushnisha Sitatapatra which can also be translated as “The Victorious White Parasol.” The White Umbrella Deity, [Skt. Sitatapatra, Tib. gdugs dkar] is a powerful female deity. She is relied upon for protection; healing illness; dispelling interferences, spirit possession, and harmful forces; quelling disasters; averting obstacles; and bringing auspiciousness.

Ushnisha Sitatapatra is a female form of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Like this Bodhisattva in an elaborate form, she also has a thousand eyes that watch over living beings, and a thousand arms that protect and assist them. Thus she symbolizes the power of active compassion.

Practices of Arya Sitatapatra includes, “The Supreme Accomplishment of Sitatapatra,” and “Praises and Repelling Practices of Sitatapatra.”

We are delighted to announce that Kerry Prest, a Trustee for Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, will be leading the next module of the Discovering Buddhism programme. This module, titled The Spiritual Teacher, will take place on six Thursday evenings, beginning 6th November 2025. It is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your understanding of the Buddhist path and to integrate meaningful practices into your daily life. 

The module concludes with a dedicated day of meditation on Saturday 13th December, offering students the opportunity to deepen their understanding through personal reflection and guided practice.

What to Expect in This Module

In this module you will investigate the role of the teacher on the spiritual path: the need for a teacher, the qualities of a teacher, the qualities of a student, and how to relate to a teacher for greatest benefit in one’s spiritual life. You will consider the challenges we face when thinking of entering into a guru-disciple relationship and learn how to overcome these skillfully.

This module includes: 

• Guided meditation

• Analytical inquiry 

• Accessible commentary

• Supportive Environment: Engage in discussions and reflections with like-minded individuals, supported by the teachings of Kerry Prest.

• Practical Tips: Discover ways to overcome common challenges and make your practice consistent and meaningful.

Join Us

Meditation day on Saturday 13th December - 10 am to 3 pm.

Classes will be held weekly Online through Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds on Thursday evenings.

To register, visit Registration Link

Awakening the limitless potential of your mind, achieving all peace and happiness
The Discovering Buddhism course is a beginner to intermediate level, 2 year study programme that will give you a solid foundation in the teachings and practice of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism. Transforming Problems is the 11th module, but you are welcome to join at any time.

This course was designed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche for students to study, explore and put into practice the graduated path to enlightenment, the lamrim. Originally based on Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings from 2500 years ago in India. The lamrim was systematically organised by the Indian master Atisha in the 11th Century and by several other great masters from Tibet including Lama Tsongkhapa in the 15th Century.

Kerry Prest will be teaching this module. This is an excellent opportunity to receive these Lamrim teachings directly from Kerry. We are indeed most fortunate to be able to do so.

This course commenced January 2024 and runs for 2 years during term time on Thursday evenings online for 90 minutes and has 14 subjects, 13 of which are usually taught over 6 weeks. It is possible to join at any time during the course and drop in’s are welcome.

We warmly invite you to join us for this enriching journey with Geshe Rinchen & Kerry Prest. Together, let us explore how to bring the timeless wisdom of Buddhism into our everyday lives.

For more information contact our course coordinator, Ruth: db@jamyangleeds.co.uk

ABOUT YOUR Teacher: Kerry Prest

Kerry began working for Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) at Jamyang London in 2004, where he studied with Geshe Tashi Tsering and completed the two-year Foundation of Buddhist Thought course. He was subsequently ordained as a Buddhist monk and moved to Nalanda Monastery in France, undertaking five years of full-time study on the Basic Program under Abbot Geshe Lobsang Jamphel, followed by two years on the Masters Program as both a student and programme coordinator.

After leaving Nalanda, Kerry served as Spiritual Programme Coordinator at the newly established Land of Joy Buddhist Retreat Community in the UK, before returning to lay life and moving to Leeds, where he became Director of Jamyang Leeds for seven years. He now works part-time as a musician while continuing to volunteer in various roles for the FPMT.

SUGGESTED DONATION:

Non-members – £25 for the meditation day. This will contribute to the centre’s running costs and include a donation to the teacher.

Free to members of The Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds (your membership fees already contribute to our core costs in running the centre). You are invited to make a donation for the teacher, as is customary when receiving Buddhist teachings, in order to support their activity (for your reference we recommend a donation in the region of £10 per meditation day).

We never turn anyone away from the Dharma for financial reasons. If you cannot donate the suggested amount, please donate where possible within your means. It’s good to practice generosity where we can.

Or you can do a bank transfer using the details below, please also label the reference as Discovering Buddhism,

Bank Transfer: Account Name: Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds
Bank Name: Cooperative Bank Plc
Account number: 65178087
Sort-Code: 08-92-99
SWIFT: CPBK GB22
IBAN: GB76 CPBK 0892 9965 1780 87

Gift Aid: if you are a UK taxpayer we can claim back 25p for every £1 you donate. More information on Gift Aid can be found here. If you could email spc@jamyangleeds.co.uk and share your house number and postcode we will be able to claim giftaid on your behalf.

Dedicated to the Swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche as a bright unmistaken child.

During the practice of Lama Choepa, we invoke all the lamas of the graduated path lineage, beginning with Shakyamuni Buddha himself, extending to our present direct teachers who have shown us the path. We pay homage to them, make offerings, and request each of them to please bless our minds with the same realizations that they themselves have generated. By offering sincere, heartfelt requests, we make our minds ripe to receive the full blessings of this precious lineage and quickly actualize the realizations we need to attain enlightenment. If we wish to experience realisations quickly, the practice of Lama Choepa is indispensable.

“If you are able to do the practice of Guru Puja in your daily life, it contains all the important points of sutra and tantra. It is a complete practice, and it shows the heart of the instruction of Lama Tsongkhapa’s tradition. Even if one can’t do much else in daily life, Guru Puja is the essential practice.”

Open to all Buddhists, no empowerments needed.

Please arrive early and bring flowers, incense, vegetarian food and drink as offerings for the altar.

More information can also be found on this FPMT page.

The Yamantaka practice is held on the Mondays weekly. Please note that some weeks it starts at 2:30pm and some at 6pm, it doesn’t always alternate weekly.

A beautiful practice led by Chrissie and Di.

The Buddhist practice of Giving & Taking (Tonglen in Tibetan) is at its heart a selfless meditation of loving kindness and compassion. You imagine giving all your happiness to others, sometimes using visualisation with the breath, and then taking all the suffering and its causes from others. It’s a powerful practice for the brave-hearted!

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (our organisation’s Spiritual Director) suggested Jamyang Leeds perform these practices to help with the financial obstacles we are currently having. From September 2022, we’ll be reciting this practice as much as we can. See the special newsletter explaining all about the practice here.

This is a longer meditation on Medicine Buddha – to remove obstacles, esp. those relating to health and achieving a favourable rebirth, and activate a swift path to enlightenment.

As Lama Zopa Rinpoche said: “One of the best healing meditations is that on the Medicine Buddha, who is the manifestation of the healing energy of all enlightened beings.”

The puja involves chanting prayers to the Seven Medicine Buddhas and reciting the Medicine Buddha mantras.

It is kindly led by Lindsey and Sande

Purification here means looking at our past unskillful actions which have created seeds of negative karma in our minds, and using visualisation and mantra recitation to remove those seeds in a healthy and productive way. Vajrasattva is the embodiment of all the Buddha’s cleaning and purifying energy. We all make mistakes, and how we deal with them is key to making spiritual progress. We’ll be using a short text composed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Everflowing Nectar of Bodhichitta – Annihilating the Demon of the Self-Cherishing Mind

Led by Di or Sande

This practice is based on the short text” Eight Verses of Thought Transformation”, which contains the entire technique for transforming the mind into relative bodhichitta (i.e., the wish to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings) and absolute bodhichitta (i.e., the wisdom realizing emptiness).

Yin Yoga is for everyone, including beginners and those of you who think ‘I can’t do Yoga’. Its focus is on community and on giving more of us the opportunity to move, stretch and relax. You don’t need a yoga mat or any equipment –  just wear comfortable clothing.

£8 per session. Drop in and pay by cash or card on the day

Are you keen to work on your well-being and want to connect with others trying to make their life a little better for themselves and those around them? Join our uplifting 16 Guidelines sessions on a Wednesday evening online and on Sunday’s in person for Community Meditation, centered around the transformative tools for a Happy Life.

Each hour-long gathering begins with a soothing meditation to calm your mind, followed by an inspiring discussion on a core human value, like patience for example, that enriches your everyday life. We then dive into a focused meditation designed to help you embody that value fully.

Join online on Wednesday’s between 7:00-8:00pm and meet at Jamyang Leeds on Sunday’s for a 10:30 AM and start your week feeling refreshed, connected, and inspired. Join for a catch over a tea or coffee afterwards!

Your journey to a happier, more mindful life begins here!

Cost: Generosity Model: Pay as you feel.

The 16 Guidelines are simple steps for a happier life, inspired His Holiness by the Dalai Lama. They teach us to manage our thoughts, actions, and connections positively. They revolve around four key themes: thinking wisely, acting kindly, building strong relationships, and embracing change for deeper meaning. This approach promises not just personal joy but a better world for all.

The 16 Guidelines are underpinned by four philosophical themes:

Session overview:

Welcome, Introduction and Motivation 5 mins
Settling Meditation 10 mins
Meditation topic introduced then participants briefly share their experience 15 mins
Guided meditation 15 mins
Feedback from participants 10 mins
Closing and Dedication 5 mins

Online Wednesday evenings 7:00pm to 8:00pm

September:

3rd: Courage

10th: Patience

17th: Contentment

24th: Delight

October:

1st: Kindness

8th: Honesty

15th: Generosity

22nd: Right Speech

29th: Respect

November:

5th: Forgiveness

12th: Gratitude

19th: Loyalty

26th: Aspiration

December:

3rd: Principles

10th: Service

17th: Humility

In Person on Sundays 10:30 to 11:30 with coffee / chat in the café afterwards until 12:00pm. September:

7th: Courage

14th: Patience

21st Contentment

28th : Delight

October:

5th: Kindness 12th: Honesty

19th: Generosity

26th: Right Speech

November:

2nd: Respect

9th: Forgiveness

16th: Gratitude

23rd: Loyalty

30th: Aspiration

December:

7th: Principles

14th: Service

21st: Humility

Join us to fulfill His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s wishes and chant the Names of Noble Manjushri for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. 

Please come along even if you havent done the practice before, its quite wonderful and very energising. Please download the text below, you can also listen and practice with the audio clip of Lama Zopa Rinpoche reciting the Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (our organisation’s Spiritual Director) suggested Jamyang Leeds perform these practices to help with the financial obstacles we are currently having. From September 2022, we’ll be reciting this practice as much as we can. See the special newsletter explaining all about the practice here.

This international group of Kalachakra practitioners meets weekly and alternates with commentary and practice.

Mind Mandala once a month and six session guru yoga for other sessions:

If you’d like to join us, please email spc@jamyangleeds.co.uk confirming that you have the appropriate empowerments. You will then be sent a registration form to complete.

If you’re already part of this group, just click on the buttons below and enter the passcode you were sent by email. 

Led by Ruth 

Mindfulness of Breathing is universally acknowledged to be of benefit to all living in the modern world. Many feel overloaded with all that is expected of us living this complex and exhausting existence. Developing our awareness in this way is a general prescription for soothing and healing the overworked body and mind.

Practicing focusing the attention on an object such as the breath is also a core practice in Tibetan Buddhism. Gradually over time we are able to hold the object of our attention over longer periods, which enables us to practice other meditations such as Vipassana more successfully.

Dzambhala practice is said to bring wealth, prosperity, success, good fortune and luck, long life and wisdom.

Please come and join in with this weekly practice to help the centre, the FPMT and Buddha Dharma to flourish and be free from obstacles.

To do this practice in full, it is best to have a Kriya tantra empowerment of Chenrezig. However, one may still do this practice without such an empowerment by simply skipping the

self-generation on page 3. The Torma Offering on page 15 requires empowerment

Dzambhala is an emanation of Ratnasambhava, one of the five buddha families, whose enlightened activity is increasing and whose essence is generosity. Some people practice Dzambhala to

achieve spiritual prosperity, although this deity is also associated with wealth and prosperity in the material world. Dzambhala practice is said to bring wealth, prosperity, success, good fortune

and luck, long life and wisdom. He is depicted holding a mongoose spouting jewels.

There are five different wealth Dzambhala, each has their own practice and mantra to help eliminate poverty and create financial stability.

Through the power of compassionate intention, visualization, and mantra recitation, as well as a wealth-stimulating ritual, this practice ripens and enhances our karma for an abundance of

resources. When done with single-pointed concentration and faith, this ritual easily increases one’s financial prosperity.

In September 2024, His Eminence Ling Rinpoche gave us this practice to overcome obstacles to the centre flourishing.

In addition to many benefits of engaging in these practices, Lama Zopa Rinpoche recommended that these two practices are beneficial to helping bring peace to situation between Israel and Palestine.

The Sanskrit name for the White Umbrella deity is Ushnisha Sitatapatra which can also be translated as “The Victorious White Parasol.” The White Umbrella Deity, [Skt. Sitatapatra, Tib. gdugs dkar] is a powerful female deity. She is relied upon for protection; healing illness; dispelling interferences, spirit possession, and harmful forces; quelling disasters; averting obstacles; and bringing auspiciousness.

Ushnisha Sitatapatra is a female form of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Like this Bodhisattva in an elaborate form, she also has a thousand eyes that watch over living beings, and a thousand arms that protect and assist them. Thus she symbolizes the power of active compassion.

Practices of Arya Sitatapatra includes, “The Supreme Accomplishment of Sitatapatra,” and “Praises and Repelling Practices of Sitatapatra.”

The Yamantaka practice is held on the Mondays weekly. Please note that some weeks it starts at 2:30pm and some at 6pm it doesn’t always alternate weekly.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (our organisation’s Spiritual Director) suggested Jamyang Leeds perform these practices to help with the financial obstacles we are currently having. From September 2022, we’ll be reciting this practice as much as we can. See the special newsletter explaining all about the practice here.

This is a longer meditation on Medicine Buddha – to remove obstacles, esp. those relating to health and achieving a favourable rebirth, and activate a swift path to enlightenment.

As Lama Zopa Rinpoche said: “One of the best healing meditations is that on the Medicine Buddha, who is the manifestation of the healing energy of all enlightened beings.”

The puja involves chanting prayers to the Seven Medicine Buddhas and reciting the Medicine Buddha mantras.

It is kindly led by Lindsey and Sande

Yin Yoga is for everyone, including beginners and those of you who think ‘I can’t do Yoga’. Its focus is on community and on giving more of us the opportunity to move, stretch and relax. You don’t need a yoga mat or any equipment –  just wear comfortable clothing.

£8 per session. Drop in and pay by cash or card on the day

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (our organisation’s Spiritual Director) suggested Jamyang Leeds perform these practices to help with the financial obstacles we are currently having. From September 2022, we’ll be reciting this practice as much as we can. See the special newsletter explaining all about the practice here.

Tara Puja dedicated to world peace is held on a monthly basis.

Led by Venerable Thubten Tenzin January to April and Ondy Willson June to December

Please join us, occasionally or regularly, at 17.00 UK time to show our support for the courageous spiritual communities both in Ukraine & Russia and also in Israel and Gaza. May we all nurture compassion & peace in the face of destruction & violence.

By coming together like this we send a powerful message that comes from the depths of our being. We value peace, harmony and the enlightened qualities we aspire to embody, as generated in the 21 Taras Sadhana.

By the power of our merit may there be a non-violent and bloodless revolution of consciousness so that enlightened democracies based on social wellbeing flourish everywhere.

Please forward this invitation to anyone who you think may be interested in this free and beneficial session.

Tenzin will translate into Russian for Russian and Ukrainian students. The puja will last approximately 45 minutes to include some guidance on harnessing the positive power of the prayers in generating the particular qualities of compassion and fearlessness.

Ondy Willson, a touring FPMT teacher since 2007, has students in Russia & Ukraine, so felt particularly moved to offer these pujas both to connect with & support those who are suffering on the front line. So these pujas have provided, not just an opportunity to deal with fear and pray for peace, but to meet directly together as a global community and interact with our Ukrainian and Russian dharma friends.  At the end of one week’s puja, participants in Ukraine & Russia shared their stories & experiences, which was very moving for us all to hear.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (our organisation’s Spiritual Director) suggested Jamyang Leeds perform these practices to help with the financial obstacles we are currently having. From September 2022, we’ll be reciting this practice as much as we can. See the special newsletter explaining all about the practice here.

This is a longer meditation on Medicine Buddha – to remove obstacles, esp. those relating to health and achieving a favourable rebirth, and activate a swift path to enlightenment.

As Lama Zopa Rinpoche said: “One of the best healing meditations is that on the Medicine Buddha, who is the manifestation of the healing energy of all enlightened beings.”

The puja involves chanting prayers to the Seven Medicine Buddhas and reciting the Medicine Buddha mantras.

It is kindly led by Lindsey and Sande

Yin Yoga is for everyone, including beginners and those of you who think ‘I can’t do Yoga’. Its focus is on community and on giving more of us the opportunity to move, stretch and relax. You don’t need a yoga mat or any equipment –  just wear comfortable clothing.

£8 per session. Drop in and pay by cash or card on the day

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (our organisation’s Spiritual Director) suggested Jamyang Leeds perform these practices to help with the financial obstacles we are currently having. From September 2022, we’ll be reciting this practice as much as we can. See the special newsletter explaining all about the practice here.

Led by Ruth 

Mindfulness of Breathing is universally acknowledged to be of benefit to all living in the modern world. Many feel overloaded with all that is expected of us living this complex and exhausting existence. Developing our awareness in this way is a general prescription for soothing and healing the overworked body and mind.

Practicing focusing the attention on an object such as the breath is also a core practice in Tibetan Buddhism. Gradually over time we are able to hold the object of our attention over longer periods, which enables us to practice other meditations such as Vipassana more successfully.

Dzambhala practice is said to bring wealth, prosperity, success, good fortune and luck, long life and wisdom.

Please come and join in with this weekly practice to help the centre, the FPMT and Buddha Dharma to flourish and be free from obstacles.

To do this practice in full, it is best to have a Kriya tantra empowerment of Chenrezig. However, one may still do this practice without such an empowerment by simply skipping the

self-generation on page 3. The Torma Offering on page 15 requires empowerment

Dzambhala is an emanation of Ratnasambhava, one of the five buddha families, whose enlightened activity is increasing and whose essence is generosity. Some people practice Dzambhala to

achieve spiritual prosperity, although this deity is also associated with wealth and prosperity in the material world. Dzambhala practice is said to bring wealth, prosperity, success, good fortune

and luck, long life and wisdom. He is depicted holding a mongoose spouting jewels.

There are five different wealth Dzambhala, each has their own practice and mantra to help eliminate poverty and create financial stability.

Through the power of compassionate intention, visualization, and mantra recitation, as well as a wealth-stimulating ritual, this practice ripens and enhances our karma for an abundance of

resources. When done with single-pointed concentration and faith, this ritual easily increases one’s financial prosperity.

In September 2024, His Eminence Ling Rinpoche gave us this practice to overcome obstacles to the centre flourishing.

In addition to many benefits of engaging in these practices, Lama Zopa Rinpoche recommended that these two practices are beneficial to helping bring peace to situation between Israel and Palestine.

The Sanskrit name for the White Umbrella deity is Ushnisha Sitatapatra which can also be translated as “The Victorious White Parasol.” The White Umbrella Deity, [Skt. Sitatapatra, Tib. gdugs dkar] is a powerful female deity. She is relied upon for protection; healing illness; dispelling interferences, spirit possession, and harmful forces; quelling disasters; averting obstacles; and bringing auspiciousness.

Ushnisha Sitatapatra is a female form of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Like this Bodhisattva in an elaborate form, she also has a thousand eyes that watch over living beings, and a thousand arms that protect and assist them. Thus she symbolizes the power of active compassion.

Practices of Arya Sitatapatra includes, “The Supreme Accomplishment of Sitatapatra,” and “Praises and Repelling Practices of Sitatapatra.”

In 2022, after the war in Ukraine started, Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered advice on prayers and practices to do in order to pacify the threats of war. All are welcome to download the booklet, Prayers to Stop War.

At the time, Lama Zopa Rinpoche also gave advice for how to motivate and think when doing these prayers and practices:

At the beginning generate strong bodhicitta, then do these prayers and practices to stop the war. The main purpose is to stop the war immediately. Then also to prevent famine, disease, and all the dangers of earth, water, fire, and wind, for all these dangers to be pacified immediately. To fill the whole world with perfect peace and happiness, including enlightenment, and to generate loving kindness, compassion and bodhicitta in the heart of all sentient beings.

Think that from Guru Padmasambhava’s heart, beams radiate and totally purify all the six realms’ sentient beings, totally purify all the delusions and negative karmas collected from beginningless rebirths, especially anger, attachment, and ignorance; think that these are totally purified. Then recite Sampa Lhundrupma, followed by the Padmasambhava mantra (one or two malas).

With strong faith in Guru Padmasambhava and total reliance, Guru Padmasambhava will definitely help because his compassion embraces all sentient beings. 

Then another way to think is, with strong faith in His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the aspect of Guru Padmasambhava, nectar beams are emitted to all leaders of war, entering the body and totally purifying all negative karma and obscurations; all the dissatisfied mind, desire, ignorance, anger, and selfish mind are totally purified; they generate bodhicitta especially, and then the whole path to enlightenment. Do that very strongly, making strong prayers to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Then nectar beams are also emitted to all involved, and these purify all the anger and self-cherishing thought. They generate bodhicitta, and stop giving harm to even one sentient being and only benefit sentient beings, up to enlightenment. 

Then recite the Heart Sutra and the prayer to stop wars.

For those who can do the Most Secret Hayagriva sadhana, do this at the beginning of the practice. When reciting the mantra, you can do the same visualizations as above.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave this advice in 2022 to IMI Sangha on prayers and practices they could do in response to the developing war in Ukraine. The above motivation was edited slightly to be more general in order to be relevant for current threats at any time. The original advice can be read here. Please download Prayers to Stop War . 

A beautiful practice led by Chrissie and Di.

The Buddhist practice of Giving & Taking (Tonglen in Tibetan) is at its heart a selfless meditation of loving kindness and compassion. You imagine giving all your happiness to others, sometimes using visualisation with the breath, and then taking all the suffering and its causes from others. It’s a powerful practice for the brave-hearted!

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (our organisation’s Spiritual Director) suggested Jamyang Leeds perform these practices to help with the financial obstacles we are currently having. From September 2022, we’ll be reciting this practice as much as we can. See the special newsletter explaining all about the practice here.

This is a longer meditation on Medicine Buddha – to remove obstacles, esp. those relating to health and achieving a favourable rebirth, and activate a swift path to enlightenment.

As Lama Zopa Rinpoche said: “One of the best healing meditations is that on the Medicine Buddha, who is the manifestation of the healing energy of all enlightened beings.”

The puja involves chanting prayers to the Seven Medicine Buddhas and reciting the Medicine Buddha mantras.

It is kindly led by Lindsey and Sande

Purification here means looking at our past unskillful actions which have created seeds of negative karma in our minds, and using visualisation and mantra recitation to remove those seeds in a healthy and productive way. Vajrasattva is the embodiment of all the Buddha’s cleaning and purifying energy. We all make mistakes, and how we deal with them is key to making spiritual progress. We’ll be using a short text composed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche