This is a photo of the Padmaloka Padmasambhava Day shrine.
Padmasambhava is known in Tibet as the second Buddha. He is a semi-historical figure credited with bringing Buddhism to Tibet. He did this by transforming the 'demons' that each night tore down the monastery that he had built in the day. For this reason he is associated with transformation, particularly with the transformation of our subconscious 'demons' so that they work for us, rather than against us.
Last month we held our second Ordination Training Weekend of the year. The theme of the weekend was 'Desire for Training'.
During the weekend Padmavajra gave a talk on the Padhana Sutta from the Sutta Nipata, a sutta that focuses on the Buddha's striving.
That talk is now available on Free Buddhist Audio, you can find it here: http://bit.ly/BuddhasStriving
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Image: Line drawing by Aloka©
Here is Paul Klein with his completed Buddha Tile.
Earlier this month, Paul left Padmaloka to go back home to the Cuernavaca Buddhist Centre in Mexico. He has been living here for the past 8 months as a long term working guest. He has been working in the garden along with helping out in the kitchen when needed.
During this time Paul has contributed greatly to Padmaloka. He has worked really hard and the fruits of his efforts were visible in the beautiful flower beds during the summer. He's also been a kind and inspiring presence in the community as a whole.
Thank you to Don Allan from the Glasgow Buddhist Centre for his Buddha Tile photo.
If you'd like to be involved with this project, email info@padmaloka.org.uk to be added to the waiting list for when more tiles become available.
How can we live a satisfying and meaningful life in the face of fear?
Join Prajnahridaya, Satyakirti and a team of young Order members this November for a weekend of meditation, talks, discussion, ritual and friendship.
You can find a video about this retreat here: https://youtu.be/tBlEGo2lXPg
Book your place here: http://bit.ly/sub35s2019
Thank you to Jacqui from the Cambridge Buddhist Centre for her Buddha Tile photo.
If you'd like to be involved in the project. Email info@padmaloka.org.uk to be added to the waiting list for when tiles become available again.
Thanks to Lizzie from the Colchester Buddhist Centre for her Buddha Tile photo.
If you'd like to be added to the waiting list for when tiles become available again, email info@padmaloka.org.uk.
After a pause in posting these photos, I think it's about time to show you all some more.
Here is the newly ordained Dharmachari Devaghosha from the London Buddhist Centre with his Buddha Tile. It's lovely to see him wearing his robe and kesa.
If you'd like to be notified when tiles become available again, email info@padmaloka.org.uk to be added to the waiting list.
Last month the annual East Anglian Men's Retreat took place at Padmaloka. This retreat brings together men from various centres, including Cambridge Buddhist Centre, Colchester Buddhist Centre, Ipswich Buddhist Centre and Norwich Buddhist Centre.
During this weekend, Dh Sarvananda gave a talk entitled 'From Literal to Liberated Mind' in which he spoke about how engaging with the arts can awaken our imagination and open up the rich world of myth and symbol.
Here is my attempt at painting a Buddha Tile. Like so many others I really enjoyed it as a practice of mindfulness and devotion.
If you'd like to be involved with the project, email info@padmaloka.org.uk to be added to the waiting list to receive a tile when they next become available.
