Today is Chokhor Düchen, a “Ten Million Multiplier”

July 23rd, 2012
Buddha's first discourse

Buddha’s first discourse, watercolour feature of a Perfection of Wisdom Sutra manuscript from Nalanda, circa 700-1100 CE

The picture above is a painted detail from an 8th-12th Century palm leaf manuscript of the “Perfection of Wisdom Sutra in 8,000 Lines”, produced by the Nalanda Buddhist University. It survived the sacking and burning of Nalanda University, was preserved in Tibet for hundreds of years and now forms part of the collection of the Asia Society Museum. It depicts Buddha Shakyamuni’s first discourse, turning the Dharma Wheel.

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H.H. 17th Karmapa in London – the Wish Fulfilling Jewel and the Victorious Banner

July 23rd, 2012
The Wish Fulfilling Jewel

The Wish Fulfilling Jewel

Victorious Banner

The “Victorious Banner” (Tib. Gyaltsen) was originally a military standard of ancient Indian warfare. Early Buddhism adopted the banner as a symbol of Buddha Shakyamuni’s triumph over the armies of Mara, the personification of obstacles on the path to enlightenment, whose demonic warriors bore it as an emblem. Legend says that this banner was placed at the summit of Mount Meru, the mythological centre of the cosmos, as a symbol of the Buddha’s victory over the entire universe. The top of the banner was surmounted by the “Wish Fulfilling Jewel” (Tib. Yidzhin Norbu), which is a famous epithet of the Karmapa…

July 2012 marked some of the most significant events in the history of the Karma Kagyu lineage in the United Kingdom: the Wish Fulfilling Jewel appeared once again in the UK, and a victorious banner was raised above the Beaufoy Institute in Lambeth. In the midst of the celebrations of the enormous success, after a long process of planning consultation, in planning permission being granted for Diamond Way Buddhism’s new London Centre at the Beaufoy Institute, H.H. 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje arrived in the UK for a momentous 10 day visit.

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Celebration! Diamond Way paves the way to London’s largest Buddhist Centre

July 9th, 2012
Initial design for the New London Diamond Way Buddhist Centre at the Beaufoy Institute, Lambeth

Initial design for the New London Diamond Way Buddhist Centre at the Beaufoy Institute, Lambeth

On 3 July 2012, Diamond Way Buddhism was granted Planning Permission to complete the sale of the Beaufoy Institute, 39 Black Prince Road, Lambeth. We will transform the Beaufoy into the biggest Buddhist meditation centre in central London, and brought back into use for the whole community. Our vision for the Beaufoy is one that will breathe new life into the building, preserving the heritage of the original listed building, whilst ensuring it meets the needs of the Buddhist community in London, local people in Lambeth and London as a whole (click on thumbnails below to see artists impressions of the project).

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Video of Diamond Way Buddhism’s exhibition “Space for Art” in Lambeth

June 28th, 2012

This video captures the “Space for Mind, Space for Art” exhibition in Lambeth, London at The Spring from 28th May – 3rd June 2012, the first major exhibition the Diamond Way Foundation has undertaken in the UK. The exhibition linked Tibetan Buddhist treasures with modern art and local artists.

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Diamond Way Buddhism’s exhibition “Space for Art” in Lambeth draws acclaim

June 25th, 2012

The “Space for Mind, Space for Art” exhibition was the first major exhibition the Diamond Way Foundation has undertaken in London or the UK. For the first time the exhibition linked the treasures of Tibetan Buddhism to modern art and local artists.  It was held in Lambeth at The Spring from 28th May – 3rd June 2012, and was made possible by a number of donors and sponsors.

Diamond Way Buddhism exhibition setup at The Spring, Lambeth

The interior of The Spring was transformed into a gallery

The exhibition aimed to build a rich and atmospheric experience for people to enter into the realms of the Buddhas and a contemporary art response. This came from local artists in Lambeth whose works were displayed alongside pieces of national significance kindly loaned by the British Council Collection.

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Diamond Way Buddhism at Exeter Respect Festival

June 17th, 2012

Exeter Respect 2012

Exeter Buddhist Centre recently manned a stall for the two day Exeter Respect Festival in Belmont Park, Exeter on 2-3 June 2012.

The Exeter Respect Festival is an expanding and very popular local community festival. It was launched in a very small way a few years ago to celebrate cultural diversity in the city. Since it moved outdoors, into Belmont Park, it has increased hugely in popularity and now has lots of delicious and exotic food on offer, as well as music, singing and dance from around the world.

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Lama Jampa Thaye speaks about Buddhist Art at Statue Exhibition in Kennington

June 14th, 2012

At the exhibition of Buddhist art in Kennington entitled “Space for Mind, Space for Art: treasures of Tibetan Buddhism, and contemporary responses“, on 29 May 2012, there was a great programme of events and talks about Buddhist art.
We were honoured to have as keynote speaker at the private view Lama Jampa Thaye, a scholar and meditation master trained in the Sakya and Karma Kagyu traditions of Buddhism, who found time in his busy schedule to visit the exhibition and give this wonderful welcoming speech:

The event, a display of some of the finest Buddhist statues ever exhibited in London, was hosted by Diamond Way Buddhism UK. As part of the exhibition, several striking pieces of contemporary art were shown next to the Tibetan Buddhist statues and thangkas. The exhibition was held at The Spring, on Vauxhall Walk in the Kennington area of SE11.

A full report of the event along with photographs will follow soon!

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Today is Saga Dawa Düchen, a “Ten Million Multiplier”

June 4th, 2012
Buddha statue in Bodh Gaya

Buddha statue in Bodh Gaya

Today, 4 June 2012, is “Saga Dawa Düchen”, the full moon day on which the birth, enlightenment and passing into Parinirvana of the Buddha is celebrated in Tibetan Buddhism.

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