28 December 2015

January Newsletter - New Year Resolutions - Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre - Citizenship Award

Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre

35 Merthyr Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 1DB  07875 716644

January Newsletter 2016

All of us at Aro Ling Cardiff hope that you have enjoyed a splendid Yuletide and wish you all the best for 2016. Have you made any resolutions? How about resolving to establish a daily meditation practice in 2016. Ten minutes of silent sitting every day can enable us to be calmer and more content, creating a peaceful atmosphere around us.

2016 at Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre begins with our regular monthly introductory session Discovering the Spaciousness of Mind on Saturday, 2nd January. The spring schedule then begins with our usual opening days, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5th January. Look out for the two new sessions: Dances of the Jane Austen Era, Wednesdays at 16:30, and a new meditation group, also on Wednesdays, at 18:00. Please see details below.
  
There are only about 4 places remaining for the January retreat with the Aro gTér Lineage Holders teaching on Dzogchen at Aro Ling. This is a rare opportunity to hear these teachings from realised Dzogchen practitioners. If you would like to attend, booking soon is recommended.

Other news – Aro Ling Buddhist Centre has been nominated for a Citizenship Award. 
 

Please vote for us here before the end of the year.
Voting closes on December 31st 2015.

Thank you.


New for 2016
Dances of the Jane Austen Era - Wednesdays 16:30

Have you enjoyed the dancing in classic drama productions such as ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Emma’? Come to Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre and learn how to practise them.
To dance these Georgian dances well requires passion and precision; respect and consideration; good humour and sensitivity – all valuable qualities Buddhists develop. While dancing we must be aware of our partner and our neighbour, and the overall pattern of the dance – and still have fun.
The class is suitable for adults, and children aged 10 and above with a supervising adult.
Adults £3, accompanied children £1.
Meditation Group - Wednesdays 18:00
A new, one hour, early-evening meditation session - the perfect way to end your work day and feel refreshed to enjoy the rest of your evening.
Short periods of silent meditation are interspersed with chant and song. Beginners and experienced meditators welcome. Requested donation £4.
Saturday retreats for the new year (details below)
January 23: Dzogchen, Wonderment & Vividness
February 13: Wearing the body of Visions
March 12: The Mahasiddhas
April 09: The 5 Principles of Awareness


Weekly schedule January 2016
Tuesdays:

sKu-mNyé 10:30; Meditation & Song 12:00; Meditation Group 19:00 – 20:30

Wednesdays:
sKu-mNyé 14:00; Meditation & Song 15:15; Dancing of Jane Austen Era 16:30; Meditation Group 18:00
sKu-mNyé is a physical yoga practice. It offers a range of movements, from simple and gentle to demanding and vigorous – so there is something for everyone. All are welcome whatever age or level of fitness. A wonderful form of exercise that is refreshing and invigorating. Each class is 1 hour and a donation of £4 is requested.
Meditation groups and daytime meditation – beginners and experienced meditators welcome. Short periods of meditation are interspersed with yogic song and chant. Discover emptiness and self-awareness.  Daytime £4, evening £5 donation requested. Introductory session every first Saturday of the month – £8 donation requested.

Monthly schedule:
First Saturday of month: Discovering Spaciousness of Mind  10:00 – 12:00; an introduction to the Aro gTér Lineage and its practices, and to the Nyingma school of Buddhism; £8 donation requested.
Retreat days – one Saturday a month as advertised, 10:00 to 19:00; £30 in advance, or £35 on the day. Concessions available on application and if paid in advance.
January 23: Dzogchen, Wonderment & Vividness
February 13: Wearing the body of Visions
March 12: The Mahasiddhas
April 09: The 5 Principles of Awareness


January 23: Dzogchen, Wonderment & Vividness
In their first teaching at Aro Ling Cardiff, the Lineage Lamas will give direct introduction to Dzogchen sem-dé – the totality teaching of the ‘nature of Mind’. Dzogchen is unique in dealing with the experience of being human at the most essential level of perception. Dzogchen lays bare the problems which arise through our dualistic vision – and creates a sense of wonderment at the immense possibility for each individual.
10:00 – 19:00; £35 if paid in advance, £40 on the day
**Booking recommended as this event will be likely to be oversubscribed. This retreat is charged at slightly more than usual so that Aro Ling Cardiff can make an offering to Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen, and pay their travel expenses. **


February 13: Wearing the Body of Visions
Explore the rich and dramatic symbolism of inner Tantra, through practices of vision, yogic song, chant, mudra, and Tantric music. We are symbols of our true enlightened selves, and through ‘wearing’ the visionary body of the awareness-beings we can reveal our true nature. The peaceful, joyous, and wrathful awareness-beings are the key to both personal dignity and to perceiving the dignity of others. The day will conclude with an empowerment into the
practice of Yeshé Tsogyel, the female tantric Buddha of Tibet.
10:00 – 19:00, £30 if paid in advance, £35 on the day

March 12: The Mahasiddhas
The 84 Mahasiddhas were early Tantric practitioners who discovered complete liberation through outrageously conventional or unconventional means. The lives of the Mahasiddhas emphasise that spiritual realisation is found within ordinary life, not in a special realm outside it. Stories of some of the 84 Mahasiddhas will presented from the unique perspective of Dzogchen. This method of integrating practice into the experience of everyday life is a profound practice of finding the presence of awareness in all of one’s experience.
10:00 – 19:00, £30 if paid in advance, £35 on the day


April 09: The 5 Principles of Awareness
The method of the Owl Precepts undermines the confusion that creates unhappiness and dissatisfaction. Living within the Owl Precepts is an invaluable method of realising the spiritual path through everyday life. This Dzogchen view of the Five Buddhist Precepts originates in the Heart Essence Sutra of the Owl-headed Dakini, from the gTérmas of Khyungchen Aro Lingma (1886-1923).
10:00 – 19:00, £30 if paid in advance, £35 on the day

For fuller details of events at Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre, please visit

aro-ling.org/cardiff or meetup.com/arolingcardiff

16 December 2015

Regional Awards Nomination - please vote for us!

Aro Ling Buddhist Centre has been nominated in the not-for-profit category of the Regional Awards in Cardiff.



Please vote for us here before the end of the year.
Voting closes on December 31st 2015.

Thank you.


You've been nominated!
The Regional Awards has now launched in Cardiff.  Bringing a transparent and completely independent judging format that recognises the achievements, expertise and hard work of the most remarkable businesses and individuals in the region.  We are pleased to inform you that your entry or nomination has been accepted.

 

Cardiff Media Partners & Venue Announced
December 1, 2015
|
The Regional Awards

The Regional awards are pleased to announce both RedHanded Magazine and Buzz Magazine as media partners for The Regional Awards event in Cardiff.

With an estimated 250 entries the first event in Cardiff looks set to be one amazing event, lasting in total a staggering 6 months for the entry, voting, judging process and of course the awards evening.  

Paul Mulligan of RedHanded Magazine said "RedHanded is proud to be associated with The Regional Awards because they genuinely reflect and recognise what’s great about the inspirational people and businesses of Cardiff. Key to this is the independence and transparency of the judging process – it’s reassuring to know that the winners will be judged solely on merit. May the best business win!"

Matt Lissack from Capital FM's South Wales Breakfast Show is set to be hosting the evening which will be held at the prestigious Mercure Holland House Hotel on Thursday 7th April 2016.

 

03 December 2015

September 2013 - From Office to Opening Day

Inspired by Aro Ling Bristol, we looked for a place in Cardiff to create a small Buddhist Centre. Aro Ling Bristol had shown how much of a difference it made  to have a public space in the city.

We were looking for a place that was within walking distance of our home in Whitchurch, and of course, not too expensive to rent. After viewing several places we eventually found a room to rent over Chambers Estate Agents in Whitchurch village.

At the time we looked at the place it had only just ceased being an office and still had all the desks, chairs and cupboards that you would expect.  The walls were a plain magnolia.  We measured the room, and talked to Chambers about renting.  We then went across to Coffee#1 to make the big decision.

We signed for the place at the end of August 2013, with the intention of opening one month later.  So began the process of transforming a plain room in Whitchurch into a traditional Tibetan shrine room.  This involved Ngakma Nor'dzin in working long days and late nights to ensure that everything was ready on time.

The slideshow shows the gradual transformation of the room and includes photographs from the blessing by Ngak'chang Rinpoche and the Opening Day on 28th September 2013.

..

02 December 2015

December Newsletter - Aro gTér Lineage Holders teaching at Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre

Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre

35 Merthyr Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 1DB  07875 716644

December Newsletter 2015


As the festive season approaches, the courses for the new year have been decided and scheduled - please see below and at Meetup.com/arolingcardiff, and aro-ling.org.cardiff. 2015 has been most successful at Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre and we look forward to another inspiring year for 2016.

Before the new year we have two more Saturday events. The introductory session Discovering the Spaciousness of Mind is this coming Saturday, 5th December. The following Saturday, 12th December, is Dignity and Heroism - exploring the meaning of Natural Heroism and how to live our lives in this way.
 
In January we are delighted and honoured to have the Aro gTér Lineage Holders teaching on Dzogchen at Aro Ling. This is a rare opportunity to hear these teachings from realised Dzogchen practitioners. Aro Ling Cardiff is small, and we have to limit numbers to 15, so we strongly recommend advance booking for this event.
New for 2016
Dances of the Jane Austen Era - Wednesdays 16:30

Have you enjoyed the dancing in classic drama productions such as ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Emma’? Come to Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre and learn how to practise them.
To dance these Georgian dances well requires passion and precision; respect and consideration; good humour and sensitivity – all valuable qualities Buddhists develop. While dancing we must be aware of our partner and our neighbour, and the overall pattern of the dance – and still have fun.
The class is suitable for adults, and children aged 10 and above with a supervising adult.
Adults £3, accompanied children £1.
Meditation Group - Wednesdays 18:00
A new, one hour, early-evening meditation session - the perfect way to end your work day and feel refreshed to enjoy the rest of your evening.
Short periods of silent meditation are interspersed with chant and song. Beginners and experienced meditators welcome. Requested donation £4.
Saturday retreats for the new year (details below)
January 23: Dzogchen, Wonderment & Vividness
February 13: Wearing the body of Visions
March 12: The Mahasiddhas
April 09: The 5 Principles of Awareness


Weekly schedule January 2016
Tuesdays:

sKu-mNyé 10:30; Meditation & Song 12:00; Meditation Group 19:00 – 20:30

Wednesdays:
sKu-mNyé 14:00; Meditation & Song 15:15; Dancing of Jane Austen Era 16:30; Meditation Group 18:00
sKu-mNyé is a physical yoga practice. It offers a range of movements, from simple and gentle to demanding and vigorous – so there is something for everyone. All are welcome whatever age or level of fitness. A wonderful form of exercise that is refreshing and invigorating. Each class is 1 hour and a donation of £4 is requested.
Meditation groups and daytime meditation – beginners and experienced meditators welcome. Short periods of meditation are interspersed with yogic song and chant. Discover emptiness and self-awareness.  Daytime £4, evening £5 donation requested. Introductory session every first Saturday of the month – £8 donation requested.

Monthly schedule:
First Saturday of month: Discovering Spaciousness of Mind  10:00 – 12:00; an introduction to the Aro gTér Lineage and its practices, and to the Nyingma school of Buddhism; £8 donation requested.
Retreat days – one Saturday a month as advertised, 10:00 to 19:00; £30 in advance, or £35 on the day. Concessions available on application and if paid in advance.
January 23: Dzogchen, Wonderment & Vividness
February 13: Wearing the body of Visions
March 12: The Mahasiddhas
April 09: The 5 Principles of Awareness


January 23: Dzogchen, Wonderment & Vividness
In their first teaching at Aro Ling Cardiff, the Lineage Lamas will give direct introduction to Dzogchen sem-dé – the totality teaching of the ‘nature of Mind’. Dzogchen is unique in dealing with the experience of being human at the most essential level of perception. Dzogchen lays bare the problems which arise through our dualistic vision – and creates a sense of wonderment at the immense possibility for each individual.
10:00 – 19:00; £35 if paid in advance, £40 on the day
**Booking recommended as this event will be likely to be oversubscribed. This retreat is charged at slightly more than usual so that Aro Ling Cardiff can make an offering to Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen, and pay their travel expenses. **


February 13: Wearing the Body of Visions
Explore the rich and dramatic symbolism of inner Tantra, through practices of vision, yogic song, chant, mudra, and Tantric music. We are symbols of our true enlightened selves, and through ‘wearing’ the visionary body of the awareness-beings we can reveal our true nature. The peaceful, joyous, and wrathful awareness-beings are the key to both personal dignity and to perceiving the dignity of others. The day will conclude with an empowerment into the
practice of Yeshé Tsogyel, the female tantric Buddha of Tibet.
10:00 – 19:00, £30 if paid in advance, £35 on the day

March 12: The Mahasiddhas
The 84 Mahasiddhas were early Tantric practitioners who discovered complete liberation through outrageously conventional or unconventional means. The lives of the Mahasiddhas emphasise that spiritual realisation is found within ordinary life, not in a special realm outside it. Stories of some of the 84 Mahasiddhas will presented from the unique perspective of Dzogchen. This method of integrating practice into the experience of everyday life is a profound practice of finding the presence of awareness in all of one’s experience.
10:00 – 19:00, £30 if paid in advance, £35 on the day


April 09: The 5 Principles of Awareness
The method of the Owl Precepts undermines the confusion that creates unhappiness and dissatisfaction. Living within the Owl Precepts is an invaluable method of realising the spiritual path through everyday life. This Dzogchen view of the Five Buddhist Precepts originates in the Heart Essence Sutra of the Owl-headed Dakini, from the gTérmas of Khyungchen Aro Lingma (1886-1923).
10:00 – 19:00, £30 if paid in advance, £35 on the day

For fuller details of events at Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre, please visit

aro-ling.org/cardiff

Meetup.com/aro-ling-cardiff

30 October 2015

November Newsletter – Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre

Aro Ling Buddhist Centre

35 Merthyr Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 1DB  07875 716644

November Newsletter 2015

Yeshé Tsogyel - the female tantric Buddha
The autumn term has got off to a good start with many new people finding their way to Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre. Unfortunately—despite the best laid plans of mice and men—we are not able to continue with the Thursday evening meditation group at the moment. Due to changes in their circumstances, Ngakpa Samten and Ngakma Ta’tsal are no longer living close to Aro Ling and so are not available to lead the session. It did seem helpful to be able to offer two evening meditation sessions a week however, so we are looking at ways to continue.

We would welcome your feedback on the possibility of a Wednesday evening session instead. Would 6 pm be too early? Would Wednesday be convenient?

Our first Saturday only event—Myriad Meditations—was a great success. Three people came from Cornwall and one from Bristol, plus a few local people. Two more one day retreats are scheduled up till the end of the year:

November 28: Liberating Emotion

December 12: Dignity & Heroism

 

Weekly schedule
Tuesdays:
sKu-mNyé 10:30; Meditation & Song 12:00; Meditation Group 19:00 – 20:30
Wednesdays:
sKu-mNyé 14:00; Meditation & Song 15:15; Siop Siarad 16:15; sKu-mNyé 17:30

Monthly schedule:
First Saturday of month: Discovering Spaciousness of Mind  10:00 – 12:00; an introduction to the Aro gTér Lineage and its practices, and to the Nyingma school of Buddhism; £5 donation requested.
Retreat days – one Saturday a month as advertised, 10:00 to 19:00; £20 in advance, or £25 on the day. Concessions available on application and if paid in advance.

November 28: Liberating Emotion
​Every emotion that we experience, however distorted it may be, has a connection with our enlightened nature. We can familiarise ourselves with the five distorted patterns and the five enlightened patterns connected with the elements earth, water, fire, air and space. Weave an amulet to influence elemental patterns for the benefit of ourselves and others. Everyone will have the opportunity over the weekend to weave their own amulet to take away with them.
There will be a small extra cost for materials.

December 12: Dignity & Heroism
Aspire to awaken and discover the Buddha within. Discover beginningless enlightenment. The practices of Natural Heroism enable us to communicate openly and honestly, allow us to be dignified and honourable people, and to liberate joy and good humour. This weekend will introduce the principles of Natural Heroism and how to embrace them: politeness and honour; everyday creativity; our physical presence in the world; the natural dignity of the dancing of the Jane Austen era.

sKu-mNyé is a physical yoga practice. It offers a range of movements, from simple and gentle to demanding and vigorous – so there is something for everyone. All are welcome whatever age or level of fitness. A wonderful form of exercise that is refreshing and invigorating. Each class is 1 hour and a donation of £3 is requested.

Meditation groups and daytime meditation – beginners and experienced meditators welcome. Short periods of meditation are interspersed with yogic song and chant. Discover emptiness and self-awareness.  Daytime £3, evening £5 donation requested. Introductory session every first Saturday of the month – £5 donation requested.

Siop Siarad is hosted by Aro Ling and is a gathering for those learning Welsh through ‘Say Something in Welsh’. Games and activities.

For all details of events at Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre, please visit

aro-ling.org/cardiff
Meetup.com/aro-ling-cardiff

29 October 2015

Shi-nè meditation practice at Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre

The primary meditation practices at Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre are the Four Naljors of Dzogchen Sem-dé. The first of these Four Naljors is called shi-nè. This is a practice of letting go. We let go of our involvement with the content of mind. We do not force anything, we just let go. This is where we start, and we commit to this practice until we have gained experience of emptiness, né-pa. Shi-nè is simple and direct. It is not a glamorous practice, but it is most effective in revealing the nature of our confusion and learning to let it go, so that we can rest naturally in the present moment.

The Aro gTér Lineage offers the facility of signing up to receive a regular quotation via Aro Quotation. Here is an example of a recent post:
 
 ‘Shi-nè equates to the path of renunciation, because one renounces attachment to that which arises in mind. It also equates in Sutra with the path of compassion, because one is also compassionate with regard to that which arises in mind. It is not that I sit there and kill all that arises. If it arises, I allow it to arise. And if it remains, I allow it to remain. If it dissolves, I allow it to dissolve. So I have in this practice endless accommodation for that which arises; I do not stop it from arising; I do not protract it either; I do not become attached to it; I do not contain it; I do not control it. I allow it to perform.’ Compassion, Ngak’chang Rinpoche, Aro Encyclopaedia
 

11 October 2015

Yeshé Tsogyel

Yeshé Tsogyel
Born on 11th October, Yeshé Tsogyel (ye shes mTsho rGyal) is the primary figure of devotion and inspiration in the Aro gTér lineage of the Nyingma tradition. Padmasambhava is no less important in the Aro gTér lineage than in the other lineages of Nyingma – but in the Aro gTér lineage it was Yeshé Tsogyel from whom the gTérma was received by Khyungchen Aro Lingma. Yeshé Tsogyel’s equality with Padmasambhava in the Aro gTér is displayed through her adoption of the identical physical position of Padmasambhava, as well as the adoption of his implements and ornaments: the khatvangha (which symbolises Padmasambhava as her ‘inner method-display’); the dorje (rDo rJe); and, the kapala (skull bowl).

[See Aro Encyclopaedia]

28 September 2015

October newsletter – Aro Ling Buddhist Centre

Aro Ling Buddhist Centre
35 Merthyr Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 1DB  07875 716644
October Newsletter 2015
Shang – the bell used to mark the end of a meditation session.
Summer is now at an end and we hope you are inspired by the upcoming events at Aro Ling Buddhist Centre. The new Thursday evening meditation group is up and running and we hope to welcome you there soon, or to the on-going Tuesday evening group. The daytime classes are now open as usual – please see the schedule below.

In response to feedback about our weekend retreats, we are changing these to one-day events. A number of people have found that they can only attend on a Saturday, and others have said that they would like to attend but could not because of the need to find accommodation in Cardiff. Hence the advertised weekend events for this year will all now take place just on the Saturday. The cost  will be £20 if paid in advance, or £25 if paying on the day. Please see details at  aro-ling.org, meetup.com/arolingcardiff.

Weekend retreat days:
October 24: Myriad Meditations
November 28: Liberating Emotion
December 12: Dignity & Heroism

Weekly schedule
Tuesdays:
sKu-mNyé 10:30; Meditation & Song 12:00; Meditation Group 19:00 – 20:30

Wednesdays:
sKu-mNyé 14:00; Meditation & Song 15:15; Siop Siarad 16:15; sKu-mNyé 17:30

Thursdays:
Meditation Group 19:00 – 20:00 (starts September 24th)

Monthly schedule:
First Saturday of month: Discovering Spaciousness of Mind  10:00 – 12:00; an introduction to the Aro gTér Lineage and its practices, and to the Nyingma school of Buddhism; £5 donation requested.
Retreat days – one Saturday a month as advertised, 10:00 to 19:00; £20 in advance, or £25 on the day. Concessions available on application and if paid in advance.

sKu-mNyé is a physical yoga practice. It offers a range of movements, from simple and gentle to demanding and vigorous – so there is something for everyone. All are welcome whatever age or level of fitness. A wonderful form of exercise that is refreshing and invigorating. Each class is 1 hour and a donation of £3 is requested.

Meditation groups and daytime meditation – beginners and experienced meditators welcome. Short periods of meditation are interspersed with yogic song and chant. Discover emptiness and self-awareness.  Daytime £3, evening £5 donation requested. Introductory session every first Saturday of the month – £5 donation requested.

Siop Siarad is hosted by Aro Ling and is a gathering for those learning Welsh through ‘Say Something in Welsh’. Games and activities.

01 September 2015

A-Kyong Düd’dül Dorje

A-Kyong Düd’dül Dorje
Born on 1st September, A-Kyong Düd’dül Dorje was a friend of ’a-Shul Pema Legden. He joined with Aro Lingma and ’a-Shul Lama on their way South from Khordong. He was a ngak’phang Lama connected with ’a-Shul Lama’s family clan. He was a cousin on ’a-Shul Lama’s mother’s side of the family – a son of ’a-Shul Lama’s maternal aunt called Nor’gyal Pema. A-Kyong Düd’dül Dorje was a Dorje Phurba master. He was extraordinarily skilled in making phurbas in metal and wood, (as well as bone, ivory, and other materials). Whilst living at the Aro gar he made over one hundred and eleven wooden phurbas with the assistance of the disciples of Aro Yeshé. He was known for his deftness in carving and for the perfection of the expression which he gave to the wrathful faces on the phurbas.

[See Aro Encyclopaedia]

28 August 2015

September Newsletter – Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre

Aro Ling Buddhist Centre
35 Merthyr Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 1DB  07875 716644
September Newsletter 2015

Summer is coming to an end and it seems quite autumnal already. We hope you have had an enjoyable summer despite the rain. Although we may regret the end of the summer, at least there is the new programme at Aro Ling to look forward to – an additional evening meditation group every week, and four interesting courses to take us up to the end of the year.

During the recess with Aro Ling closed during the day, we have been doing a little tidying up and rearranging – including putting up picture rail. This makes the thangkas much easier to hang and really adds a finishing touch to the room.



Until 22nd September, Aro Ling Cardiff is only open for the Tuesday evening Meditation Group. From Tuesday 22nd September, 10:30am, the new programme commences. Please see details of daytime opening, weekly evening groups, and monthly events below. We look forward to seeing you at Aro Ling soon.

For full details of all events please go to aro-ling.org, meetup.com/arolingcardiff or check out the static pages of this blog.

Weekend events:
September 25 – 27: How to be Human
October 23 – 25: Myriad Meditations
November 27 – 29: Liberating Emotion
December 11 – 13: Dignity & Heroism

Weekly schedule
Tuesdays:
sKu-mNyé 10:30; Meditation & Song 12:00; Meditation Group 19:00 – 20:30

Wednesdays:
sKu-mNyé 14:00; Meditation & Song 15:15; Siop Siarad 16:15; sKu-mNyé 17:30

Thursdays:
Meditation Group 19:00 – 20:00 (starts September 24th)

Monthly schedule:
First Saturday of month: Discovering Spaciousness of Mind  10:00 – 12:00; an introduction to the Aro gTér Lineage and its practices, and to the Nyingma school of Buddhism; £5 donation requested.
Weekends – one weekend retreat a month Friday 19:00 to Sunday 12:00, 5 sessions; £6 a session or £25 for the weekend

sKu-mNyé is a physical yoga practice. It offers a range of movements, from simple and gentle to demanding and vigorous – so there is something for everyone. All are welcome whatever age or level of fitness. A wonderful form of exercise that is refreshing and invigorating. Each class is 1 hour and a
donation of £3 is requested.

Meditation groups and daytime meditation – beginners and experienced meditators welcome. Short periods of meditation are interspersed with yogic song and chant. Discover emptiness and self-awareness.  Daytime £3, evening £5 donation requested. Introductory session every first Saturday of the month – £5 donation requested.

Weekend events encompass teachings on Vajrayana Buddhism, practice in everyday life, and living as honourable people with humour and warmth. Some events include Vajrayana craft activities. The weekend is divided into 5 sessions and charged at £6 a session or £25 for the whole weekend.

Siop Siarad is hosted by Aro Ling and is a gathering for those learning Welsh through ‘Say Something in Welsh’. Games and activities.

31 July 2015

August Newsletter – Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre


Well the weather is not very summery even though we are moving into August and peak holiday season. We hope you are having an enjoyable summer nevertheless.

Aro Ling Cardiff will be open as usual for the first two weeks of August, and then closed for about a month – except for the Tuesday evening Meditation Group which will continue.

The programme for the autumn term will start on Tuesday 22nd September.
The main change to the schedule is the addition of another meditation group at 19:00 on Thursdays. This will be led by Ngakpa Samten and Ngakma Ta-tsal.
The Tuesday evening meditation group will continue to be led by Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin.

There will be four weekend events in the autumn term:
September 25 – 27: How to be Human
October 23 – 25: Myriad Meditations
November 27 – 29: Liberating Emotion
December 11 – 13: Dignity & Heroism

For full details of all events at Aro Ling, please visit aro-ling.org or the Aro Ling Cardiff blog.

Weekly schedule

Tuesdays:
sKu-mNyé at 10:30; Meditation & Song at 12:00; Meditation Group 19:00 – 20:30


Wednesdays:
sKu-mNyé 14:00; Meditation & Song 15:15; Siop Siarad 16:15; sKu-mNyé 17:30


Thursdays:
Meditation Group 19:00 – 20:00 (starts September 24th)

Monthly schedule:

Saturday - first of month: Discovering Spaciousness of Mind  10:00 – 12:00
Weekends – one weekend retreat a month Friday 19:00 to Sunday 12:00, 5 sessions


sKu-mNyé is a physical yoga practice. It offers a range of movements, from simple and gentle to demanding and vigorous – so there is something for everyone. All are welcome whatever age or level of fitness. A wonderful form of exercise that is refreshing and invigorating.
Each class is 1 hour and a donation of £3 is requested.

Meditation groups and daytime meditation – beginners and experienced meditators welcome.
Short periods of meditation are interspersed with yogic song and chant. Discover emptiness and self-awareness.  Daytime £3, evening £5 donation requested.
Introductory session every first Saturday of the month – £5 donation requested.

Weekend events encompass teachings on Vajrayana Buddhism, practice in everyday life, and living as honourable people with humour and warmth. Some events include Vajrayana craft activities. The weekend is divided into 5 sessions and charged at £6 a session or £25 for the whole weekend.

Siop Siarad is hosted by Aro Ling and is a gathering for those learning Welsh
through ‘Say Something in Welsh’. Games and activities.

18 July 2015

Rang-rig Togden

Rang-rig Togden
Born on 18th July, Rang-rig Togden was the sang-yab and disciple of Jomo Pema ’ö-Zér.  Jomo Pema ’ö-Zér and Rang-rig Togden were the parents of Khyungchen Aro Lingma. It was from Rang-rig Togden that the Aro tradition inherited the style of using the gÇod Drum to accompany awareness-spell and many other practices. Rang-rig Togden was a gÇod-pa when he met Jomo Pema ’ö-Zér, and from her he received the Dzogchen long-dé teachings of Jomo Chhi’mèd Pema. Rang-rig Togden is one of a small number of great male practitioners within the Mother Essence Lineage of the Aro tradition.

[See Aro Encyclopaedia]

29 June 2015

July Newsletter – Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre

​​
The ​Aro Ling Buddhist Centre in Cardiff is a lovely place to be on a sunny day. The high vaulted ceiling with sky lights makes it bright and airy. The room is decorated in the traditional Nyingma style, with a deep blue ceiling, and stripes of orange and green on yellow and deep red. It is not
easy to express the atmosphere this manner of decoration evokes​. I​t is peaceful and calming, whilst ​also ​enlivening awareness.  

As we approach July and August, the season of holidays and retreats, there will be some periods when Aro Ling is closed. Aro Ling​ will be closed from 1st July​ to ​13th July​ ​completely, as we will all be away for the summer encampment retreat​. This retreat, ​for the students of Ngakma Nor'dzin and Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin​, takes place in Shropshire​. Aro Ling will then reopen ​as usual ​until ​mid ​August. From 17th August till 21st September all daytime and weekend
courses will be suspended, with only the Tuesday evening meditation group running.

To summarise:
July ​01 - ​13​:​ closed completely​  
July 14​ - Aug ​16:​ open as usual
Aug ​17​ - Sept ​21: ​only the Tuesday evening meditation group running  
Sept ​22​​:​ ​opening hours back to normal and the start of the ​autumn programme  

All these dates and changes to the schedule can be found at aro-ling.org/cardiff or on Meetup.com/aro-ling-cardiff.   

Regular events:
Saturday: Discovering the Spaciousness of Mind: first Saturday of each month, 10 – 12, £5      (NB August only - not July and September)  
Tuesday: sKu-mNyé (Tibetan Yoga) for the over 50s, 10:30 – 11:30 requested donation £3  Tuesday: Song &  Meditation, 12:00 – 13:00 requested donation £3  
Tuesday: Meditation Group, 19:00 – 20:30 requested donation £5  
Wednesday: sKu-mNyé (Tibetan Yoga), 14:00  –  15:00 requested donation £3 
Wednesday: Yogic Song & Mantra, 15:15 – 16:00 requested donation £3  

Wednesday: sKu-mNyé (Tibetan Yoga), 17:30 – 18:30 requested donation £3    

01 June 2015

June Newsletter – Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre

June Newsletter – Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre

Aro Ling had a stall at the Whitchurch May Day Carnival organised by Welsh Hearts. The weather was kind and Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin enjoyed chatting to people and selling bric-a-brac in aid of the Drala Jong appeal, whose aim is to establish a residential retreat centre in Wales. A week later Ngakma Nor’dzin, one of the main teacher’s at Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre, celebrated her 60th birthday. She teaches Tibetan Yoga, leads Meditation and Yogic Song, and with her husband, Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin Tridral, leads the weekend events and retreats. Do come and long and find out about the practices of the Aro gTér Lineage which is part of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism.


The regular scheduled events will continue through June and there will be a retreat on the weekend of June 12th to 14th. Full details for all events can be found at the Aro Ling website. All are welcome.


The Elements of our Emotions  
a weekend retreat June 1214
£6 each session or £25 for the whole weekend
(plus a small extra charge for materials, approx £3)
5 sessions: join us for 1 session, several or the whole weekend
(1) Friday 19:00 – 20:30
Saturday (2)10:00 – 12:00, (3) 14:00 – 16:00, (4)
17:00 – 19:00
(5) Sunday 10:00 – 12:00
Ngakma Nor’dzin & Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin will teach on the elements earth, water, fire, air & space. Our emotions and emotional responses are patterned by distortion of the elements. This distortion can be unravelled. Discover the enlightened qualities of the elements & how to liberate these qualities. The weekend will include the practice of working with emotional patterning—for ourselves or others—through weaving the elements to create namkha: woven thread crosses.

Regular events at Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre:
Discovering the Spaciousness of Mind – first Saturday of each month, 10 – 12, £5
Tibetan Yoga for the over 50s – Tuesday 10:30 11:30 requested donation £3
Song & Meditation – Tuesday 12:00 – 13:00 requested donation £3  

Meditation Group – Tuesday 19:00 – 20:30 requested donation £5
Tibetan Yoga – Wednesday 14:00 15:00 requested donation £3
Yogic Song & Mantra – Wednesday 15:15 – 16:00 requested donation £3

Tibetan Yoga – Wednesday 17:30 18:30 requested donation £3

01 May 2015

Ma-gÇig Labdrön

Ma-gÇig Labdrön
Born on 1st May, Ma-gÇig Labdrön (Ma gCig Lap sGron – 1055-1145) ‘Unique Mother Torch of Practice’ was the incarnation of Yeshé Tsogyel. Ma-gÇig Labdrön took incarnation as Jomo Menmo and then as Khyungchen Aro Lingma. Ma-gÇig Labdrön was the great Tibetan yogini who was the originator of the practice of gÇod – the Visionary practice of cutting attachment to corporeal form (in terms of the dualistic proclivity to relate to ones corporeal form as a reference-point that proves ones existence).

[See Aro Encyclopaedia]

28 April 2015

May Newsletter – Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre

Pear blossom
The fruit tree blossom seems to be especially beautiful this year. I hope you are enjoying it. It is still quite cold however, but nice and snug at Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre. Nestled in the heart of Whitchurch Village, we offer Tibetan Yoga (sKu-mNyé), Meditation and Yogic Song. Please see the schedule below for our regular weekday events.

The introductory session—Discovering the Spaciousness of Mind—will take place this Saturday, 2nd May, 10 – 12. Do come and long and find out about the practices we use at Aro Ling Cardiff, and about the Aro gTér Lineage which is part of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism.

On bank holiday Monday, 4th May, Aro Ling has a stall at the Mayday Carnival organised by Welsh Hearts. This takes place on Whitchurch Common from 11am till 5pm. Free entry. Do visit us and say hello if you are sampling the delights of the Carnival. We look forward to chatting with you.

There will not be a weekend retreat in May because Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin are teaching a weekend in Cornwall. So the next weekend event at Aro Ling Cardiff will be in June – details below.

The Elements of our Emotions  
a weekend retreat June 1214
£6 each session or £25 for the whole weekend
(plus a small extra charge for materials, approx £3)
5 sessions: join us for 1 session, several or the whole weekend
(1) Friday 19:00 – 20:30
Saturday (2)10:00 – 12:00, (3) 14:00 – 16:00, (4)
17:00 – 19:00
(5) Sunday 10:00 – 12:00

Ngakma Nor’dzin & Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin will teach on the elements earth, water, fire, air & space. Our emotions and emotional responses are patterned by distortion of the elements. This distortion can be unravelled. Discover the enlightened qualities of the elements & how to liberate these qualities. The weekend will include the practice of working with emotional patterning—for ourselves or others—through weaving the elements to create namkha: woven thread crosses.

Regular events at Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre:
Discovering the Spaciousness of Mind – first Saturday of each month, 10 – 12, £5 (not April 4th)
Tibetan Yoga for the over 50s – Tuesday 10:30 11:30 requested donation £3
Song & Meditation – Tuesday 12:00 – 13:00 requested donation £3  

Meditation Group – Tuesday 19:00 – 20:30 requested donation £5
Tibetan Yoga – Wednesday 14:00 15:00 requested donation £3
Yogic Song & Mantra – Wednesday 15:15 – 16:00 requested donation £3

Tibetan Yoga – Wednesday 17:30 18:30 requested donation £3

Aro Ling Cardiff Buddhist Centre also hosts
Siop Siarad
conversation group for Welsh learners: Tuesday 13:15,
Wednesday 16:15



01 April 2015

’a-Shul Pema Legden

’a-Shul Pema Legden
Born on 1st April, ’a-Shul Pema Legden was the gTér scribe and visionary artist of Khalden Lingpa. He was recognised by A-Kyong Düd’dül Dorje Rinpoche as the rebirth of a daughter of the Sixth Dala’i Lama. He was not known as a great Lama, or as an intellectually gifted practitioner – he simply worked hard, and was devoted to Khalden Lingpa. He was a meticulous artist and scribe, and a kind, gentle person. He was a monk, but had been instructed by Khalden Lingpa not to cut his hair.

Aro Lingma took ’a-Shul as her consort and disciple, and travelled with him to the border lands near Nepal, where they established the Aro Gar.

[See Aro Encyclopaedia]

31 March 2015

A-yé Khandro

A-yé Khandro
Born on 31st March, A-yé Khandro Tsé-drüp Déchen Lhamo (A ye ’mKha’ ’gro Tshe grub bDe chen lha mo) was the younger of the two sisters who were the sangyums of Aro Yeshé. The older sister was called A-shé Khandro. The two girls were childhood friends of Aro Yeshé and they were given all the transmission which Khyungchen Aro Lingma gave to Aro Yeshé.

Although it was Aro Yeshé who was the son of Aro Lingma – it was A-yé Khandro and A-shé Khandro who actually passed the teachings on to the other disciples of Aro Lingma. Aro Yeshé himself taught very rarely because the transmissions were seen as more powerful if they were received from women – and particularly from A-yé Khandro – who was regarded as epitomising the Mind transmission of Aro Lingma. A-shé Khandro was regarded as epitomising the Speech transmission of Aro Lingma. Aro Yeshé epitomised the body transmission of Aro Lingma. When transmissions were given, A-yé Khandro would hold up the mirror, A-shé Khandro would give the cryptic introduction to the nature of Mind, and Aro Yeshé would simply sit. Aro Yéshe sat in the centre, with A-shé Khandro on the right and A-yé Khandro on the left.

[See Aro Encyclopaedia]

27 March 2015

April Newsletter – retreat: Heroes and Heroines of Enlightenment

Spring seems to be having trouble deciding whether or not it has arrived. I hope you are enjoying the sunny days and managing to keep warm in the evenings.

Aro Ling Buddhist Centre will be closed for the first week in April because we are away on retreat. So please note that our 1st Saturday of the month event, Discovering the Spaciousness of Mind, will not take place on Saturday 4th, and classes and groups for the following week are cancelled.

We will be open again on Tuesday 14th with a slightly adjusted schedule for the summer term. Please do check out the revised schedule at the bottom of this post.

Our April retreat is entitled Heroes and Heroines of Enlightenment.

April 24 –26
Heroes & Heroines of Enlightenment
A weekend retreat of 5 sessions – attend 1 or as many sessions as you wish
£6 a session, £25 for all 5 sessions paid as one sum

Session 1:  Friday April 24th  19:00 – 20:30
Buddhasstories of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha; and Padmasambhava and Yeshé Tsogyel, the Tantric Buddhas.
 

Session 2:  Saturday April 25th  10:00 – 12:00
Tibetan YogisMany realised masters wandered Tibet as incognito yogis and yoginis, often unrecognised – such as Dza Paltrül Rinpoche and Do Khyentsé Yeshé Dorje.


Session 3:  Saturday April 25th  14:00 – 16:00
Wisdom Eccentrics Kyabjé Chhi’mèd Rig’dzin Rinpoche and Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche were modern-day mahasiddhas – realised masters who manifested crazy wisdom.
 

Session 4:  Saturday April 25th  17:00 – 19:00
Tantric Empowerment

Session 5:  Sunday April 26th  10:00 – 12:00
The Aro gTér Lineage the Aro gTér Lineage traces its origins back to Yeshé Tsogyel through a lineage of realised women – the Mother Essence Lineage.


Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin will lead this weekend of stories of realised Buddhist practitioners. These tales function as inspiration for our own Buddhist practice, but are also often most entertaining. They may challenge our view of morality and societal norms, and enable us to step out of our habitual patterns of perception and conduct. Questions about the stories are warmly welcomed throughout the weekend, so that they can provide a basis for further insight into Buddhist view and practice.

On Saturday evening, Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin will offer tantric empowerment.

Regular events:
Discovering the Spaciousness of Mind – first Saturday of each month, 10 – 12, £5 (not April 4th)
Tibetan Yoga for the over 50s – Tuesday 10:30 11:30 requested donation £3
Song & Meditation – Tuesday 12:00 – 13:00 requested donation £3  

Siop Siarad Tuesday 13:15  
Meditation Group –
Tuesday 19:00 – 20:30 requested donation £5

Tibetan Yoga – Wednesday 14:00 15:00 requested donation £3
Yogic Song & Mantra – Wednesday 15:15 – 16:00 requested donation £3

Siop Siarad Wednesday 16:15
Tibetan Yoga – Wednesday 17:30
18:30 requested donation £3



21 March 2015

Jomo Menmo

Jomo Menmo
Born on 21st March, Jomo Menmo was the incarnation of Ma-gÇig Labdrön. She was born in Zarmolung , in the vicinity of the cave in which both Padmasambhava and Yeshé Tsogyel once stayed. Zarmolung is located in an area of Tibet called É-yül, which means ‘primordial-awareness country’. Her father, Dorje Gyalpo, was an accomplished Tantric practitioner. Her mother was a dakini named Padma Paltsum. Her parents named her Pema Tsokyi which means ‘Lotus of the Ocean’. Jomo Menmo spent her life as a wandering yogini; changing people’s lives irredeemably merely through the fact of their adventitiously finding themselves in her presence. In this way she engendered many lineages of female practitioners, two of whom entered the sky-dimension with her at the time of her disappearance from the world. At the age of thirty-six, she climbed to the summit of Tak-lha-ri (Mountain of the Sky Tiger), and on the tenth day of the seventh month (4th of August 1283) she and her two female disciples offered a Tsog; they then entered the sky-dimension.

[See Aro Encyclopaedia]

Aro Yeshé

Born on 21st March, Ngak’chang Drüpchen Aro Yeshé Wangdrak Düd’dül Dorje (sNgags ’chang grub chen a ro ye shes dBang sGrags dud ’dul rDo rJe, 1915-1951) was the son and only child of the Nyingma gTértön Khyungchen Aro Lingma. He received Khyungchen Aro Lingma’s gTérma cycle, as well as gTérmas of Jomo Chhi’mèd Pema, Jomo Pema ’ö-Zér, and A-Kyong Düd’dül Dorje. Aro Yeshé, Khyungchen Aro Lingma’s successor, held these lines of transmission in concert with his two consorts – A-yé Khandro and A-shé Khandro, but it was the two consorts who actually gave teachings and transmissions. Aro Yeshé manifested secret activity as a khandropa – never giving teaching or transmission on anything but an individual basis.

The three Lamas – Aro Yeshé, A-yé Khandro and A-shé Khandro, taught and gave transmission as an inseparable set, and their disciples considered the silence of enigmatic Aro Yeshé to be as loquacious as the oral instructions of the two khandros. Aro Yeshé was said to be very much a male reflection of his mother and disciples often saw the two of them merging during the times when transmissions were given to the vajra assembly.

[See Aro Encyclopaedia]

03 March 2015

Happy New Year & March Newsletter

Happy Losar – Tibetan New Year. Everyone at Aro Ling Buddhist Centre wishes you a healthy, happy and prosperous year of the Wood Ewe.

We have one main event in March, a new scheduled event plus the ongoing regular classes and groups. Don't forget that this Saturday, 7th March, is the first of the month. Do come along to Discovering Spaciousness of Mind, 10 - 12.

March 13 – 15
Songs of the Owl Faced Dakini
A weekend retreat of 5 sessions – attend 1 or as many sessions as you wish
£6 a session, £25 for all 5 sessions paid as one sum

Session 1:  Friday March 13th  19:00 – 20:30
Fundamental Certainties the first and most fundamental teaching of Buddhism: the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path

Session 2:  Saturday March 14th  10:00 – 12:00
Being a Buddhist taking refuge, becoming a Buddhist, and living within the five precepts; understanding the principles of Buddhism (NB this is a teaching on the topic. Attending this session does not mean you are committing to becoming a Buddhist or to the Aro gTér Lineage. There will be a refuge ceremony on the Sunday morning if it is requested.)

Session 3:  Saturday March 14th  14:00 – 16:00
Irrepressible Expansiveness the 10 paramitas as a means of becoming a Bodhisattva, an Awakened-Mind Warrior

Session 4:  Saturday March 14th  18:00 – 20:00
Tantric Empowerment – transmission of the practice of Padmasambhava, the tantric Buddha and founder of the Nyingma tradition of Buddhism in Tibet

Session 5:  Sunday March 15th  10:00 – 12:00
Cyclic existence the mechanism of samsara; how we maintain the cycle of dissatisfaction and how to let this patterning dissolve and unravel itself of itself


Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin will lead this weekend of teachings. The Songs of the Owl-faced Dakini encompass the teachings of Sutra presented from the basis of Inner Tantra.

Please let us know if you would like to be included in the booking for lunch on Saturday 14th at a local restaurant.

New event at Aro Ling starting Tuesday 10th March:
Siop Siarad
Aro Ling is hosting two Welsh language conversation meetings for Welsh learners: Tuesdays at 13:15 and Wednesdays at 16:15. Everyone welcome whatever your level of competence with the language.

Regular events:
Discovering the Spaciousness of Mind – first Saturday of each month, 10 – 12, £5
Tibetan Yoga for the over 50s – Tuesday, one hour class 10:30 re,quested donation £3
Guided Meditation – Tuesday, 12:00 – 13:00, requested donation £3  

Siop Siarad Tuesdays, 13:15  
Meditation Group –
Tuesday, 19:00 – 20:30, requested donation £5

Tibetan Yoga – Wednesday, one hour class 14:00, requested donation £3
Children’s Story-time – Wednesday, 15:45 – 16:15, requested donation £1

Siop Siarad Wednesday, 16:15
Tibetan Yoga – Wednesday, one hour class 17:30, requested donation £3

Tibetan Yoga – Thursday, one hour class at 10:30, requested donation £3
Guided Meditation – Thursday, 12:00 – 13:00, requested donation £3  


01 March 2015

Khandro Shardröl Rinchen Wangmo

Khandro Shardröl Rinchen Wangmo
Born on 1st March, Khandro Shardröl Rinchen Wangmo was the incarnation of Khandro Losèl Drölma – the sister of DoKhyentsé Yeshé Dorje.Khandro Shardröl Rinchen Wangmo held a family tradition concerning birds which she had received from her mother – A-shong Rig’dzin Gyalmo (A shong rig ’dzin rGyal mo) and received a considerable body of teaching from Aro Lingma on this subject.

Khandro Shardröl Rinchen Wangmo did not see a great deal of her mother when she was a young child as she was brought up by her father’s other two wives. She would however go up into the mountains to spend some of each summer with her mother and at these times she learnt a great deal about practice. She was unafraid of wild animals and was never injured by them – no matter how ferocious they were toward human beings. She left home permanently to live in the mountains as her mother’s attendant and disciple when she was thirteen, and remained with her until her death.

After her mother’s death she left the area and travelled as a wandering practitioner until she met with Aro Lingma’s party as it travelled south from Golok. She taught Aro Yeshé how to play flute and dramyen and many practices of envisionment. She had experience of rTsa rLung exercises and was highly proficient in the sKu-mNyé and A-tri systems of the Aro gTér.

[See Aro Encyclopaedia]