Overview of Programme
TIME: Mondays weekly 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (commencing 15 September until end of October 2025)
LOCATION: In Person and Online
LEVEL: Buddhism – Beginners
Come join Geshe Rinchen as he teaches different topics based around buddhist foundational studies.
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.
See Yourself As You Really Are – His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Becoming Enlightened – His Holiness the Dalai Lama
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.