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Bodhicharya Buddhist Group

BODHICHARYA SOUTHAMPTON YEARLY REVIEW

SEPTEMBER 2008 TO SEPTEMBER 2009

REJOICING

We continue to meet once a month for meditation, study, discussion, refreshments and offerings for Rinpoche's activities through Rigul Trust

1. We have studied, reflected on and discussed the following:

a)    Dilgo Khyentse's instructions on meditation

b)    Ringu Tulku's instructions on meditation

c)    Listened to the CD of Rinpoche's London teachings on Death. 

Some of us are interested in pursuing this line of interest and the possibility of helping each other at this delicate time.

Some of us are looking at workshops, teachings on Death related subjects, there is a day at Jamyang in October 

d)    An evening on Dilgo Khyentse's pith instructions

2. We hold a weekly Chenrezig Puja at Maggie's home and all are welcome but please make contact beforehand as if we get too many we need to meet at Margaret's as the walls are further apart

3. Carey came up with the idea of having regular Rejoicings and Dedications, as we are a small group and it is a nice way of sharing the rejoicings and the difficulties that we and our families and friends have and getting to know each other more this way.

4. Several of us have agreed that we can be contacted at any time in times of need and help wanted. So if you need some shopping and you are stuck indoors with the flu, one of us can deliver as well as Waitrose! If someone needs a lift to hospital, a discussion over a difficult time, supporting through a difficult patch, we are here for each other.

5. Nine of us have now received the lung for HH Karmapa's short Ngondro text and we try to meet regularly, once a month to practise together and if some of us would like to do extra together in between we can practise in twos and threes or whatever. We can just email each other spontaneously 

6. We celebrated HH Karmapa's birthday with a candle light offering for world peace, a Chenrezig Puja and a yummy bring and share supper

7. We continue to have 2 weekend retreats at Hilfield in Dorset, a house in a Franciscan Friary and we all tootle off together with food, prayers, bells, candles, incense etc and the kitchen sink

We have a very good structured, timetabled plan and we keep to it. We all meet for a planning evening and share our needs as to the shape and content of the retreat - this is a good, friendly way to meet too round David's big kitchen table with lots of tea flowing and tasty biscuits

Rachel and Dave managed to join us, from Exeter, for one of the weekends, there isn't a group in Exeter.

8. On Rinpoche's birthday we held a Tara Puja, a candle light offering for world peace and bring and share supper and lots of long life prayers.

9.Six of us in the group,who also do the Ngondro practise,went to Summer Camp in France this August.

Rinpoche was teaching, "Pointing out the Dharmakaya" - The Clarifying Torch of the Essential Instruction Manual on Coemergent Mahamudra composed by Wangchuk Dorje, 9th Karmapa.

For many of us this was a very special time where we felt that we opened up with our hearts even more with the wonderful way that Rinpoche delivers his clouds of offerings manifesting from the splendour of the Dharma.

We felt part of the larger Bodhicharya sangha, with people from France, England, Finland, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Ireland, Denmark and the USA. We made new friends.

10. When Rinpoche came to Sussex in May, we were so pleased that we were able to join with the wider group from Sussex, London, Somerset and many other places to celebrate Rigul Trust's 1st Birthday

David and Sue set up a photo presentation that Rinpoche kindly gave us his own commentary about Tibet, Sue was the in-house photographer, Jo made a huge Birthday Cake, and Jude videod the presentation.

Claire, Julie and Ilse ran the second-hand bookstall, the plant stall and the raffle with all proceeds going to Rigul Trust, Margaret came up with the idea of a food mandala, Meriel, Maggie and lots of us helped set up the food mandala and organise the party. Pam made her tasty apple cake and lots of us offered yummy food for the food mandala.

11. Although we meet in each other's homes people are most welcome to join us

12. Four of us have followed the Bodhicharyavatara study course at Bosham

DEDICATION

May the wholesomeness that we try to practise together, help to bring about an open friendship and support in our lives for our own benefits and thus to spread out for the benefit of all beings in the greatest way and our own defilements diminish and the wisdom and compassion, that is inherent in us, shine forth more and more and be of the greatest benefit to all beings.

A dedication for the long life of Ringu Tulku Rinpoche - our spiritual guide, our friend and our inspiration

Bodhicharya Buddhist Group

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