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

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.

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. The schedule for the coming weeks is below, please note that it doesnt always alternate weekly.

Practices 2025:

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.

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.

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 and Chrissie

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.

Here is the timetable for September 2025 to December 2025 with 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.”

Next Module: The teachings are on The Stages of The Path (Lam Rim)

The celebrated system of teachings known as the Stages of the Path (lamrim) represents a synthesis of the entire path to enlightenment. Presented in a clear and concise form, these teachings are easy to understand and apply in meditation. Instruction begins with the preliminary practices, and then progresses through the essential practices of the ‘beings of the three scopes’, including correct guru devotion, renunciation, the altruistic wish for enlightenment and the view of the middle way. As a foundation and context for Buddhist practice, this subject is a key element of the FPMT Basic Program. Text: Je Tsongkhapa, Middling Exposition of the Stages of the Path

While applications from brand new students have closed, if you have previously studied the FPMT Basic Programme it may still be possible to join. Also it may also be possible to come along as a listener. If you would like to do so please contact our Basic Programme Coordinator Chrissie on bp@jamyangleeds.co.uk

Donation: Recommended donation £50 per teaching weekend or membership of Jamyang Leeds Membership Programme £30 per calendar month

Lam Rim retreat - May to July 2026

There will be a three month Lam Rim retreat in May to July led by Venerable Gendun at Institut Vajra Yogini in France.

For regular Basic Programme students there is a requirement as part of the programme to attend 3 months Lam Rim retreat, preferably in one go, but also a combination such as 3 x 1 month or 2 x 6 weeks are acceptable.

For Home Study Basic Programme students there is a requirement to attend a 1 month Lam Rim retreat as part of the programme.

For Listeners there is no requirement to attend the Lam Rim retreat but you are very welcome to do so. The minimum time on retreat would be two weeks.

Registration for the Lam Rim Retreat is expected to start in September 2025 at Institut Vajra Yogini, France. Early booking is highly recommended.

Monthly Children’s Mindfulness Sessions at Jamyang Buddhist Center Overview:

We are delighted to offer monthly mindfulness sessions designed for children at the Jamyang Buddhist Center. These sessions are a wonderful opportunity for children to learn mindfulness techniques, explore creativity, and practice yoga in a fun and engaging way.

Session Breakdown:

For 4 to 5-year-olds:
The first session of each month is specifically designed for children ages 4 to 5. This session will be held from 10:00 am to 10:30 am and is tailored to introduce young children to mindfulness through simple practices, gentle yoga, and fun activities.

For 6 to 12-year-olds:
The second session, held on a Saturday each month, is for children ages 6 to 12. This session will run from 10:45 am to 11:30 am and will focus on more age-appropriate mindfulness practices, including mindful movement, arts and crafts, and guided meditations.

Upcoming Themes & Dates:

Mindful Movement and Yoga

• 5 April, 5 July, 4 October

Mindful Arts and Crafts

• 3 May, 2 August, 1 November

Mindful Parenting Session (with parents)

• 31 May, 6 September, 29 November

Booking Information:

To reserve your spot for these monthly sessions, please send an email to:
childrensyoga.yogime@gmail.com

We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our mindfulness sessions at the Jamyang Buddhist Center!

Monthly Children’s Mindfulness Sessions at Jamyang Buddhist Center Overview:

We are delighted to offer monthly mindfulness sessions designed for children at the Jamyang Buddhist Center. These sessions are a wonderful opportunity for children to learn mindfulness techniques, explore creativity, and practice yoga in a fun and engaging way.

Session Breakdown:

For 6 to 12-year-olds:
The second session, held on a Saturday each month, is for children ages 6 to 12. This session will run from 10:45 am to 11:30 am and will focus on more age-appropriate mindfulness practices, including mindful movement, arts and crafts, and guided meditations.

For 4 to 5-year-olds:
The first session of each month is specifically designed for children ages 4 to 5. This session will be held from 10:00 am to 10:30 am and is tailored to introduce young children to mindfulness through simple practices, gentle yoga, and fun activities.

Upcoming Themes & Dates:

Mindful Movement and Yoga

• 5 April, 5 July, 4 October

Mindful Arts and Crafts

• 3 May, 2 August, 1 November

Mindful Parenting Session (with parents)

• 31 May, 6 September, 29 November

Booking Information:

To reserve your spot for these monthly sessions, please send an email to:
childrensyoga.yogime@gmail.com

We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our mindfulness sessions at the Jamyang Buddhist Center!

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.

Next Module: The teachings are on The Stages of The Path (Lam Rim)

The celebrated system of teachings known as the Stages of the Path (lamrim) represents a synthesis of the entire path to enlightenment. Presented in a clear and concise form, these teachings are easy to understand and apply in meditation. Instruction begins with the preliminary practices, and then progresses through the essential practices of the ‘beings of the three scopes’, including correct guru devotion, renunciation, the altruistic wish for enlightenment and the view of the middle way. As a foundation and context for Buddhist practice, this subject is a key element of the FPMT Basic Program. Text: Je Tsongkhapa, Middling Exposition of the Stages of the Path

While applications from brand new students have closed, if you have previously studied the FPMT Basic Programme it may still be possible to join. Also it may also be possible to come along as a listener. If you would like to do so please contact our Basic Programme Coordinator Chrissie on bp@jamyangleeds.co.uk

Donation: Recommended donation £50 per teaching weekend or membership of Jamyang Leeds Membership Programme £30 per calendar month

Lam Rim retreat - May to July 2026

There will be a three month Lam Rim retreat in May to July led by Venerable Gendun at Institut Vajra Yogini in France.

For regular Basic Programme students there is a requirement as part of the programme to attend 3 months Lam Rim retreat, preferably in one go, but also a combination such as 3 x 1 month or 2 x 6 weeks are acceptable.

For Home Study Basic Programme students there is a requirement to attend a 1 month Lam Rim retreat as part of the programme.

For Listeners there is no requirement to attend the Lam Rim retreat but you are very welcome to do so. The minimum time on retreat would be two weeks.

Registration for the Lam Rim Retreat is expected to start in September 2025 at Institut Vajra Yogini, France. Early booking is highly recommended.

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. The schedule for the coming weeks is below, please note that it doesnt always alternate weekly.

Practices 2025:

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 and Chrissie

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.

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.

Here is the timetable for September 2025 to December 2025 with 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. 

In addition to the practices we’re already doing, this puja came out good to do once a month. So we’re going to start this week.

The puja will be at the Centre, and online, and will involve four rounds of offerings praises to the 21 tara’s. Everything will be explained during the practice and you don’t need to know anything about it to join in. All levels welcome. It involves a lot of chanting so bring your singing voice! The more people who can join us in person the better, it’s more powerful that way. We’ll have cymbals, drums bells etc for this who would like to play those during the practice.

The puja starts at 5pm, if some can please join us as 4:30pm to help set up the altar that would be great, it’s takes some time to set everything up.

We’re planning to do these pujas on the 2nd Thursday of every month, 5pm, until July this year and see how we are then. It’s a really wonderful practice to do together for removing obstacles by focusing on the female energy of ‘compassionate wisdom.’ We’ll do dedications together at the end of each puja so bring names of family, loved ones etc you’d like included.”

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

Vipassana (Special Insight Meditation), also called analytical meditation, is primarily a practice of wisdom. It is a form of concentration that focuses single-pointedly on the ultimate nature of phenomena through analytical reasoning. Analysing phenomena is a key aspect of Vipassana practice, as it helps develop a definitive understanding of the nature of reality—such as the self, mind, emotions, and thoughts.

As Je Tsongkhapa explains, shamatha (calm abiding) is like a lamp that remains clear and steady in a place without wind, whereas vipassana (special insight) is like seeing the nature of phenomena clearly through such a steady and clear lamp. Therefore, the usual order of these two meditations is: first, achieving calm abiding or mental stability as a foundation, then engaging in special insight meditation through analysis. However, Vipassana meditation can also be practised by analysing and observing sensations, thoughts, and emotions without first achieving shamatha. This practice should still begin with focusing on the breath or another object of meditation. In our case, we will focus on the breath to start analysing the nature of the mind in relation to our sense of self, emotions, and thoughts.

The session begins by focusing on the breath—either the rise and fall of the abdomen or the sensation of air entering and leaving the nostrils. This practice calms the mind and helps establish a deep sense of presence.

Next, we move into a guided body scan, bringing awareness to different parts of the body and observing subtle sensations without judgement. This helps develop a greater connection to your physical experience.

As we proceed, you will practise observing and analysing sensations, thoughts, and emotions as they arise, learning to witness them without attachment or aversion. This fosters a deeper understanding of the impermanence and interconnectedness of the mind and self. Finally, you will rest your mind either in the natural state of awareness or in the analytical clarity gained through observation and reasoning.

Through regular practice, Vipassana meditation cultivates wisdom, encouraging a balanced and objective view of internal experiences. This session is ideal for those seeking greater insight and calmness in their daily lives.

The Yamantaka practice is held on the Mondays weekly. The schedule for the coming weeks is below, please note that it doesnt always alternate weekly.

Practices 2025:

Geshe-la will guide students through weekly topics based on the core teachings found in three essential texts. Each week’s session will explore key themes and practical insights drawn from these works, making complex ideas accessible and personally meaningful.

Introductory students are encouraged to download the first two books—See Yourself As You Really Are and Becoming Enlightened by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. These offer a clear and compassionate introduction to foundational Buddhist concepts, including the nature of mind, the cultivation of compassion, and the path to liberation.

The third book, Wisdom Energy by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, is highly recommended as a supplemental text. It provides practical guidance on integrating Tibetan Buddhist teachings into daily life. Students are advised to make a donation when accessing this book as a gesture of appreciation for the teachings.

Together, these texts form an excellent reading list for those new to Buddhism, offering both philosophical depth and practical tools for inner transformation.

1. See Yourself As You Really Are – His Holiness the Dalai Lama

2. Becoming Enlightened – His Holiness the Dalai Lama

3. Wisdom Energy – Lama Yeshe & Lama Zopa Rinpoche

This is a rare and valuable opportunity to study Buddhism directly with a qualified Tibetan Buddhist monk. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or looking to deepen your understanding, this course offers authentic guidance in a supportive learning environment.

SUGGESTED DONATION FOR DROP IN CLASS:

Non-members – £10 per drop in class. This will contribute to the centre’s running costs and include a donation to the teacher.

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.

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 £4 per class) We will make the donation to the teacher on your behalf.

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.

ABOUT YOUR Teacher: Geshe Rinchen Wangyal

We are delighted to say that Geshe Rinchen (Geshe La) has kindly agreed to be our resident teacher from January 2025. Many of you will already have met him as he volunteered with us teaching at the centre through the  Summer of 2024. He has also led Vipassana meditation since Autumn 2023 on Monday mornings online. As well as kindly teaching online during the time he was studying at Winchester.

Geshe La has many skills. He is a teacher, translator, researcher and Editor. He studied at Drepung Losel Ling Monstaery in India, then Institute of Buddhist Dialectics gaining his Geshe Degree in 2015. Since 2021 he has studied at the University of Winchester, UK, gaining a BA (Hons) Degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics. He has had articles published in “The Scientific American” in 2020 including ‘Hygiene of Hand and Mind During the Pandemic’ and translations and original articles published in Tibet Times and Tibet Express. He has also won Awards and Honors include awards for essay competitions at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics and Certificate honoring translation work at Emory-Tibet Science Summer Workshop 2019-2020. Geshe La was born in Tibet so Tibetan is his mother tongue. He teaches fluently in English.

SESSION RESOURCES:

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.

Join us for a unique opportunity to speak our minds freely in an Empathy Circle, where you have an opportunity to speak openly with a chance for a listener to reflect back the essence of what you are expressing, without judgement. The Circle includes the values of Respect, Clarity and Equanimity.

The Topic of this Empathy Circle is "Whatever is on your mind or How do you perceive what is you?

Please feel free to email: jampakytsom@gmail.com with any questions

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

Buddhism for Intermediate students: 

This series of teachings aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of key Buddhist texts and practices, offering both theoretical knowledge and practical guidance for those interested in deepening their spiritual practice. Each monthly session is carefully designed to build a holistic understanding of Buddhist philosophy and meditative practices.

This series of sessions will focus upon the key text: Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life.

Drop in class – no need to register.

Registration will be required for the retreat in September at Land of Joy.

SUGGESTED DONATION FOR DROP IN CLASS:

Non-members – £10 per drop in class. This will contribute to the centre’s running costs and include a donation to the teacher.

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.

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 £4 per class) We will make the donation to the teacher on your behalf.

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

ABOUT YOUR Teacher: Geshe Rinchen Wangyal

We are delighted to say that Geshe Rinchen (Geshe La) has kindly agreed to be our resident teacher from January 2025. Many of you will already have met him as he volunteered with us teaching at the centre through the  Summer of 2024. He has also led Vipassana meditation since Autumn 2023 on Monday mornings online. As well as kindly teaching online during the time he was studying at Winchester.

Geshe La has many skills. He is a teacher, translator, researcher and Editor. He studied at Drepung Losel Ling Monstaery in India, then Institute of Buddhist Dialectics gaining his Geshe Degree in 2015. Since 2021 he has studied at the University of Winchester, UK, gaining a BA (Hons) Degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics. He has had articles published in “The Scientific American” in 2020 including ‘Hygiene of Hand and Mind During the Pandemic’ and translations and original articles published in Tibet Times and Tibet Express. He has also won Awards and Honors include awards for essay competitions at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics and Certificate honoring translation work at Emory-Tibet Science Summer Workshop 2019-2020. Geshe La was born in Tibet so Tibetan is his mother tongue. He teaches fluently in English.

SESSION RESOURCES:

SESSION schedule:

May 2025
1. A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life – Weeks 1, 2, 3
o This classic text by Shantideva is a step-by-step guide to the Bodhisattva path. It covers topics such as the cultivation of bodhicitta (the mind of enlightenment), the
practice of the six perfections, and how to deal with anger and other afflictive emotions. This topic taught over two months will offer a deep dive into Shantideva’s
profound teachings, providing a roadmap for those committed to the path of compassion and service to others.
o 15-Minute Practice for Each Section: Analytical Meditation – Vipassana.

2. The Concept of Universal and Particular – Week 4
o Exploring philosophical concepts of universal and particular in Buddhist thought and their implications for understanding reality.
o 15-Minute Practice for Each Section: Analytical Meditation – Vipassana.

June 2025
1. A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life – Weeks 1, 2, 3
o This month will continue the study of Shantideva’s text, focusing on the later chapters.
o 15-Minute Practice for Each Section: Analytical Meditation – Vipassana.

2. Buddhist Philosophy and Language – Week 4
o An examination of how language shapes our understanding of Buddhist philosophy and the implications for interpreting core teachings.

11th – 14th September 2025 –  Lamrim Retreat at the Land of Joy
The Lamrim, or “The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment”; is a structured presentation of the Buddha’s teachings designed to lead practitioners
progressively from the initial stages of spiritual development to full enlightenment.

This retreat will offer participants an immersive experience, focusing on meditation, contemplation, and discussion based on the Lamrim teachings.

It’s an opportunity to integrate the knowledge gained throughout the year into a cohesive practice.

Retreat Components:
o Meditation: Guided sessions on Lamrim topics, including developing renunciation, bodhicitta, and insight into emptiness.
o Discussion: Group discussions and Q&A to deepen understanding.
o Practice: Engaging in practices like prostrations, offering mandalas, and purification practices.

Geshe La is also teaching Buddhism for Beginners on Monday evenings 7pm to 8:30pm and will teach Discovering Buddhism from January to April on Thursday evenings online

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 and Chrissie

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

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

Here is the timetable for September 2025 to December 2025 with 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 Geshe Rinchen, a highly respected scholar and teacher, will be leading the next module of the Discovering Buddhism programme at Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds. This module, titled Wisdom of Emptiness, will take place on six Tuesday evenings, beginning 18th September 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 25th October, offering students the opportunity to deepen their understanding through personal reflection and guided practice

The realization of emptiness is crucial for the attainment of liberation and enlightenment. Teacher Geshe Rinchen gives a clear and concise presentation on this very difficult topic and introduces various methods to meditate on emptiness that are indispensable for generating realizations within the mind

What to Expect in This Module

Deepen your understanding of the ultimate nature of reality with The Wisdom of Emptiness Module. 

This module explores the profound teachings on emptiness as taught by the Buddha – the key to breaking the cycle of suffering and achieving liberation. Through:

• Guided meditation

• Analytical inquiry 

• Accessible commentary

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

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

You can begin to experience how understanding emptiness transforms perception and brings genuine inner freedom. Suitable for both new and experienced students ready to delve into the heart of wisdom.

Join Us

Classes will be held weekly Online through Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds. To register, visit Registration Link

We warmly invite you to join us for this enriching journey with Geshe Rinchen. Together, let us explore how to bring the timeless wisdom of Buddhism into our everyday lives. 3pm, for this module it is on 12 April. If you can’t join the meditation days in person, you will be able to join them online if you wish to do so.

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

ABOUT YOUR Teacher: Geshe Rinchen Wangyal

We are delighted to say that Geshe Rinchen (Geshe La) has kindly agreed to be our resident teacher from January 2025. Many of you will already have met him as he volunteered with us teaching at the centre through the  Summer of 2024. He has also led Vipassana meditation since Autumn 2023 on Monday mornings online. As well as kindly teaching online during the time he was studying at Winchester.

Geshe La has many skills. He is a teacher, translator, researcher and Editor. He studied at Drepung Losel Ling Monstaery in India, then Institute of Buddhist Dialectics gaining his Geshe Degree in 2015. Since 2021 he has studied at the University of Winchester, UK, gaining a BA (Hons) Degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics. He has had articles published in “The Scientific American” in 2020 including ‘Hygiene of Hand and Mind During the Pandemic’ and translations and original articles published in Tibet Times and Tibet Express. He has also won Awards and Honors include awards for essay competitions at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics and Certificate honoring translation work at Emory-Tibet Science Summer Workshop 2019-2020. Geshe La was born in Tibet so Tibetan is his mother tongue. He teaches fluently in English.

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 ferasons. 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 “General Fund”

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.

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

Vipassana (Special Insight Meditation), also called analytical meditation, is primarily a practice of wisdom. It is a form of concentration that focuses single-pointedly on the ultimate nature of phenomena through analytical reasoning. Analysing phenomena is a key aspect of Vipassana practice, as it helps develop a definitive understanding of the nature of reality—such as the self, mind, emotions, and thoughts.

As Je Tsongkhapa explains, shamatha (calm abiding) is like a lamp that remains clear and steady in a place without wind, whereas vipassana (special insight) is like seeing the nature of phenomena clearly through such a steady and clear lamp. Therefore, the usual order of these two meditations is: first, achieving calm abiding or mental stability as a foundation, then engaging in special insight meditation through analysis. However, Vipassana meditation can also be practised by analysing and observing sensations, thoughts, and emotions without first achieving shamatha. This practice should still begin with focusing on the breath or another object of meditation. In our case, we will focus on the breath to start analysing the nature of the mind in relation to our sense of self, emotions, and thoughts.

The session begins by focusing on the breath—either the rise and fall of the abdomen or the sensation of air entering and leaving the nostrils. This practice calms the mind and helps establish a deep sense of presence.

Next, we move into a guided body scan, bringing awareness to different parts of the body and observing subtle sensations without judgement. This helps develop a greater connection to your physical experience.

As we proceed, you will practise observing and analysing sensations, thoughts, and emotions as they arise, learning to witness them without attachment or aversion. This fosters a deeper understanding of the impermanence and interconnectedness of the mind and self. Finally, you will rest your mind either in the natural state of awareness or in the analytical clarity gained through observation and reasoning.

Through regular practice, Vipassana meditation cultivates wisdom, encouraging a balanced and objective view of internal experiences. This session is ideal for those seeking greater insight and calmness in their daily lives.

The Yamantaka practice is held on the Mondays weekly. The schedule for the coming weeks is below, please note that it doesnt always alternate weekly.

Practices 2025:

Geshe-la will guide students through weekly topics based on the core teachings found in three essential texts. Each week’s session will explore key themes and practical insights drawn from these works, making complex ideas accessible and personally meaningful.

Introductory students are encouraged to download the first two books—See Yourself As You Really Are and Becoming Enlightened by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. These offer a clear and compassionate introduction to foundational Buddhist concepts, including the nature of mind, the cultivation of compassion, and the path to liberation.

The third book, Wisdom Energy by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, is highly recommended as a supplemental text. It provides practical guidance on integrating Tibetan Buddhist teachings into daily life. Students are advised to make a donation when accessing this book as a gesture of appreciation for the teachings.

Together, these texts form an excellent reading list for those new to Buddhism, offering both philosophical depth and practical tools for inner transformation.

1. See Yourself As You Really Are – His Holiness the Dalai Lama

2. Becoming Enlightened – His Holiness the Dalai Lama

3. Wisdom Energy – Lama Yeshe & Lama Zopa Rinpoche

This is a rare and valuable opportunity to study Buddhism directly with a qualified Tibetan Buddhist monk. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or looking to deepen your understanding, this course offers authentic guidance in a supportive learning environment.

SUGGESTED DONATION FOR DROP IN CLASS:

Non-members – £10 per drop in class. This will contribute to the centre’s running costs and include a donation to the teacher.

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.

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 £4 per class) We will make the donation to the teacher on your behalf.

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.

ABOUT YOUR Teacher: Geshe Rinchen Wangyal

We are delighted to say that Geshe Rinchen (Geshe La) has kindly agreed to be our resident teacher from January 2025. Many of you will already have met him as he volunteered with us teaching at the centre through the  Summer of 2024. He has also led Vipassana meditation since Autumn 2023 on Monday mornings online. As well as kindly teaching online during the time he was studying at Winchester.

Geshe La has many skills. He is a teacher, translator, researcher and Editor. He studied at Drepung Losel Ling Monstaery in India, then Institute of Buddhist Dialectics gaining his Geshe Degree in 2015. Since 2021 he has studied at the University of Winchester, UK, gaining a BA (Hons) Degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics. He has had articles published in “The Scientific American” in 2020 including ‘Hygiene of Hand and Mind During the Pandemic’ and translations and original articles published in Tibet Times and Tibet Express. He has also won Awards and Honors include awards for essay competitions at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics and Certificate honoring translation work at Emory-Tibet Science Summer Workshop 2019-2020. Geshe La was born in Tibet so Tibetan is his mother tongue. He teaches fluently in English.

SESSION RESOURCES:

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.

Join us for a unique opportunity to speak our minds freely in an Empathy Circle, where you have an opportunity to speak openly with a chance for a listener to reflect back the essence of what you are expressing, without judgement. The Circle includes the values of Respect, Clarity and Equanimity.

The Topic of this Empathy Circle is "Whatever is on your mind or How do you perceive what is you?

Please feel free to email: jampakytsom@gmail.com with any questions

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

Buddhism for Intermediate students: 

This series of teachings aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of key Buddhist texts and practices, offering both theoretical knowledge and practical guidance for those interested in deepening their spiritual practice. Each monthly session is carefully designed to build a holistic understanding of Buddhist philosophy and meditative practices.

This series of sessions will focus upon the key text: Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life.

Drop in class – no need to register.

Registration will be required for the retreat in September at Land of Joy.

SUGGESTED DONATION FOR DROP IN CLASS:

Non-members – £10 per drop in class. This will contribute to the centre’s running costs and include a donation to the teacher.

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.

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 £4 per class) We will make the donation to the teacher on your behalf.

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

ABOUT YOUR Teacher: Geshe Rinchen Wangyal

We are delighted to say that Geshe Rinchen (Geshe La) has kindly agreed to be our resident teacher from January 2025. Many of you will already have met him as he volunteered with us teaching at the centre through the  Summer of 2024. He has also led Vipassana meditation since Autumn 2023 on Monday mornings online. As well as kindly teaching online during the time he was studying at Winchester.

Geshe La has many skills. He is a teacher, translator, researcher and Editor. He studied at Drepung Losel Ling Monstaery in India, then Institute of Buddhist Dialectics gaining his Geshe Degree in 2015. Since 2021 he has studied at the University of Winchester, UK, gaining a BA (Hons) Degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics. He has had articles published in “The Scientific American” in 2020 including ‘Hygiene of Hand and Mind During the Pandemic’ and translations and original articles published in Tibet Times and Tibet Express. He has also won Awards and Honors include awards for essay competitions at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics and Certificate honoring translation work at Emory-Tibet Science Summer Workshop 2019-2020. Geshe La was born in Tibet so Tibetan is his mother tongue. He teaches fluently in English.

SESSION RESOURCES:

SESSION schedule:

May 2025
1. A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life – Weeks 1, 2, 3
o This classic text by Shantideva is a step-by-step guide to the Bodhisattva path. It covers topics such as the cultivation of bodhicitta (the mind of enlightenment), the
practice of the six perfections, and how to deal with anger and other afflictive emotions. This topic taught over two months will offer a deep dive into Shantideva’s
profound teachings, providing a roadmap for those committed to the path of compassion and service to others.
o 15-Minute Practice for Each Section: Analytical Meditation – Vipassana.

2. The Concept of Universal and Particular – Week 4
o Exploring philosophical concepts of universal and particular in Buddhist thought and their implications for understanding reality.
o 15-Minute Practice for Each Section: Analytical Meditation – Vipassana.

June 2025
1. A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life – Weeks 1, 2, 3
o This month will continue the study of Shantideva’s text, focusing on the later chapters.
o 15-Minute Practice for Each Section: Analytical Meditation – Vipassana.

2. Buddhist Philosophy and Language – Week 4
o An examination of how language shapes our understanding of Buddhist philosophy and the implications for interpreting core teachings.

11th – 14th September 2025 –  Lamrim Retreat at the Land of Joy
The Lamrim, or “The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment”; is a structured presentation of the Buddha’s teachings designed to lead practitioners
progressively from the initial stages of spiritual development to full enlightenment.

This retreat will offer participants an immersive experience, focusing on meditation, contemplation, and discussion based on the Lamrim teachings.

It’s an opportunity to integrate the knowledge gained throughout the year into a cohesive practice.

Retreat Components:
o Meditation: Guided sessions on Lamrim topics, including developing renunciation, bodhicitta, and insight into emptiness.
o Discussion: Group discussions and Q&A to deepen understanding.
o Practice: Engaging in practices like prostrations, offering mandalas, and purification practices.

Geshe La is also teaching Buddhism for Beginners on Monday evenings 7pm to 8:30pm and will teach Discovering Buddhism from January to April on Thursday evenings online

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 and Chrissie

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

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

Here is the timetable for September 2025 to December 2025 with 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 Geshe Rinchen, a highly respected scholar and teacher, will be leading the next module of the Discovering Buddhism programme at Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds. This module, titled Wisdom of Emptiness, will take place on six Tuesday evenings, beginning 18th September 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 25th October, offering students the opportunity to deepen their understanding through personal reflection and guided practice

The realization of emptiness is crucial for the attainment of liberation and enlightenment. Teacher Geshe Rinchen gives a clear and concise presentation on this very difficult topic and introduces various methods to meditate on emptiness that are indispensable for generating realizations within the mind

What to Expect in This Module

Deepen your understanding of the ultimate nature of reality with The Wisdom of Emptiness Module. 

This module explores the profound teachings on emptiness as taught by the Buddha – the key to breaking the cycle of suffering and achieving liberation. Through:

• Guided meditation

• Analytical inquiry 

• Accessible commentary

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

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

You can begin to experience how understanding emptiness transforms perception and brings genuine inner freedom. Suitable for both new and experienced students ready to delve into the heart of wisdom.

Join Us

Classes will be held weekly Online through Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds. To register, visit Registration Link

We warmly invite you to join us for this enriching journey with Geshe Rinchen. Together, let us explore how to bring the timeless wisdom of Buddhism into our everyday lives. 3pm, for this module it is on 12 April. If you can’t join the meditation days in person, you will be able to join them online if you wish to do so.

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

ABOUT YOUR Teacher: Geshe Rinchen Wangyal

We are delighted to say that Geshe Rinchen (Geshe La) has kindly agreed to be our resident teacher from January 2025. Many of you will already have met him as he volunteered with us teaching at the centre through the  Summer of 2024. He has also led Vipassana meditation since Autumn 2023 on Monday mornings online. As well as kindly teaching online during the time he was studying at Winchester.

Geshe La has many skills. He is a teacher, translator, researcher and Editor. He studied at Drepung Losel Ling Monstaery in India, then Institute of Buddhist Dialectics gaining his Geshe Degree in 2015. Since 2021 he has studied at the University of Winchester, UK, gaining a BA (Hons) Degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics. He has had articles published in “The Scientific American” in 2020 including ‘Hygiene of Hand and Mind During the Pandemic’ and translations and original articles published in Tibet Times and Tibet Express. He has also won Awards and Honors include awards for essay competitions at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics and Certificate honoring translation work at Emory-Tibet Science Summer Workshop 2019-2020. Geshe La was born in Tibet so Tibetan is his mother tongue. He teaches fluently in English.

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 ferasons. 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 “General Fund”

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.

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 Spiritual Programme Coordinator for the zoom link by emailing spc@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.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83466951221

Meeting ID: 834 6695 1221

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.

The Yamantaka practice is held on the Mondays weekly. The schedule for the coming weeks is below, please note that it doesnt always alternate weekly.

Practices 2025:

Geshe-la will guide students through weekly topics based on the core teachings found in three essential texts. Each week’s session will explore key themes and practical insights drawn from these works, making complex ideas accessible and personally meaningful.

Introductory students are encouraged to download the first two books—See Yourself As You Really Are and Becoming Enlightened by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. These offer a clear and compassionate introduction to foundational Buddhist concepts, including the nature of mind, the cultivation of compassion, and the path to liberation.

The third book, Wisdom Energy by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, is highly recommended as a supplemental text. It provides practical guidance on integrating Tibetan Buddhist teachings into daily life. Students are advised to make a donation when accessing this book as a gesture of appreciation for the teachings.

Together, these texts form an excellent reading list for those new to Buddhism, offering both philosophical depth and practical tools for inner transformation.

1. See Yourself As You Really Are – His Holiness the Dalai Lama

2. Becoming Enlightened – His Holiness the Dalai Lama

3. Wisdom Energy – Lama Yeshe & Lama Zopa Rinpoche

This is a rare and valuable opportunity to study Buddhism directly with a qualified Tibetan Buddhist monk. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or looking to deepen your understanding, this course offers authentic guidance in a supportive learning environment.

SUGGESTED DONATION FOR DROP IN CLASS:

Non-members – £10 per drop in class. This will contribute to the centre’s running costs and include a donation to the teacher.

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.

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 £4 per class) We will make the donation to the teacher on your behalf.

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.

ABOUT YOUR Teacher: Geshe Rinchen Wangyal

We are delighted to say that Geshe Rinchen (Geshe La) has kindly agreed to be our resident teacher from January 2025. Many of you will already have met him as he volunteered with us teaching at the centre through the  Summer of 2024. He has also led Vipassana meditation since Autumn 2023 on Monday mornings online. As well as kindly teaching online during the time he was studying at Winchester.

Geshe La has many skills. He is a teacher, translator, researcher and Editor. He studied at Drepung Losel Ling Monstaery in India, then Institute of Buddhist Dialectics gaining his Geshe Degree in 2015. Since 2021 he has studied at the University of Winchester, UK, gaining a BA (Hons) Degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics. He has had articles published in “The Scientific American” in 2020 including ‘Hygiene of Hand and Mind During the Pandemic’ and translations and original articles published in Tibet Times and Tibet Express. He has also won Awards and Honors include awards for essay competitions at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics and Certificate honoring translation work at Emory-Tibet Science Summer Workshop 2019-2020. Geshe La was born in Tibet so Tibetan is his mother tongue. He teaches fluently in English.

SESSION RESOURCES:

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.

Join us for a unique opportunity to speak our minds freely in an Empathy Circle, where you have an opportunity to speak openly with a chance for a listener to reflect back the essence of what you are expressing, without judgement. The Circle includes the values of Respect, Clarity and Equanimity.

The Topic of this Empathy Circle is "Whatever is on your mind or How do you perceive what is you?

Please feel free to email: jampakytsom@gmail.com with any questions

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

Buddhism for Intermediate students: 

This series of teachings aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of key Buddhist texts and practices, offering both theoretical knowledge and practical guidance for those interested in deepening their spiritual practice. Each monthly session is carefully designed to build a holistic understanding of Buddhist philosophy and meditative practices.

This series of sessions will focus upon the key text: Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life.

Drop in class – no need to register.

Registration will be required for the retreat in September at Land of Joy.

SUGGESTED DONATION FOR DROP IN CLASS:

Non-members – £10 per drop in class. This will contribute to the centre’s running costs and include a donation to the teacher.

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.

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 £4 per class) We will make the donation to the teacher on your behalf.

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

ABOUT YOUR Teacher: Geshe Rinchen Wangyal

We are delighted to say that Geshe Rinchen (Geshe La) has kindly agreed to be our resident teacher from January 2025. Many of you will already have met him as he volunteered with us teaching at the centre through the  Summer of 2024. He has also led Vipassana meditation since Autumn 2023 on Monday mornings online. As well as kindly teaching online during the time he was studying at Winchester.

Geshe La has many skills. He is a teacher, translator, researcher and Editor. He studied at Drepung Losel Ling Monstaery in India, then Institute of Buddhist Dialectics gaining his Geshe Degree in 2015. Since 2021 he has studied at the University of Winchester, UK, gaining a BA (Hons) Degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics. He has had articles published in “The Scientific American” in 2020 including ‘Hygiene of Hand and Mind During the Pandemic’ and translations and original articles published in Tibet Times and Tibet Express. He has also won Awards and Honors include awards for essay competitions at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics and Certificate honoring translation work at Emory-Tibet Science Summer Workshop 2019-2020. Geshe La was born in Tibet so Tibetan is his mother tongue. He teaches fluently in English.

SESSION RESOURCES:

SESSION schedule:

May 2025
1. A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life – Weeks 1, 2, 3
o This classic text by Shantideva is a step-by-step guide to the Bodhisattva path. It covers topics such as the cultivation of bodhicitta (the mind of enlightenment), the
practice of the six perfections, and how to deal with anger and other afflictive emotions. This topic taught over two months will offer a deep dive into Shantideva’s
profound teachings, providing a roadmap for those committed to the path of compassion and service to others.
o 15-Minute Practice for Each Section: Analytical Meditation – Vipassana.

2. The Concept of Universal and Particular – Week 4
o Exploring philosophical concepts of universal and particular in Buddhist thought and their implications for understanding reality.
o 15-Minute Practice for Each Section: Analytical Meditation – Vipassana.

June 2025
1. A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life – Weeks 1, 2, 3
o This month will continue the study of Shantideva’s text, focusing on the later chapters.
o 15-Minute Practice for Each Section: Analytical Meditation – Vipassana.

2. Buddhist Philosophy and Language – Week 4
o An examination of how language shapes our understanding of Buddhist philosophy and the implications for interpreting core teachings.

11th – 14th September 2025 –  Lamrim Retreat at the Land of Joy
The Lamrim, or “The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment”; is a structured presentation of the Buddha’s teachings designed to lead practitioners
progressively from the initial stages of spiritual development to full enlightenment.

This retreat will offer participants an immersive experience, focusing on meditation, contemplation, and discussion based on the Lamrim teachings.

It’s an opportunity to integrate the knowledge gained throughout the year into a cohesive practice.

Retreat Components:
o Meditation: Guided sessions on Lamrim topics, including developing renunciation, bodhicitta, and insight into emptiness.
o Discussion: Group discussions and Q&A to deepen understanding.
o Practice: Engaging in practices like prostrations, offering mandalas, and purification practices.

Geshe La is also teaching Buddhism for Beginners on Monday evenings 7pm to 8:30pm and will teach Discovering Buddhism from January to April on Thursday evenings online

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 and Chrissie

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

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.

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

Here is the timetable for September 2025 to December 2025 with 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 Geshe Rinchen, a highly respected scholar and teacher, will be leading the next module of the Discovering Buddhism programme at Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds. This module, titled Wisdom of Emptiness, will take place on six Tuesday evenings, beginning 18th September 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 25th October, offering students the opportunity to deepen their understanding through personal reflection and guided practice

The realization of emptiness is crucial for the attainment of liberation and enlightenment. Teacher Geshe Rinchen gives a clear and concise presentation on this very difficult topic and introduces various methods to meditate on emptiness that are indispensable for generating realizations within the mind

What to Expect in This Module

Deepen your understanding of the ultimate nature of reality with The Wisdom of Emptiness Module. 

This module explores the profound teachings on emptiness as taught by the Buddha – the key to breaking the cycle of suffering and achieving liberation. Through:

• Guided meditation

• Analytical inquiry 

• Accessible commentary

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

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

You can begin to experience how understanding emptiness transforms perception and brings genuine inner freedom. Suitable for both new and experienced students ready to delve into the heart of wisdom.

Join Us

Classes will be held weekly Online through Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds. To register, visit Registration Link