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
 

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]

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.

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]

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.

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.

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]