Kagyu Samye Dzong Johannesburg (KSDJ) is part of the worldwide network of Samye Dzong centres, under the guidance of the late Akong Rinpoche and his brother, Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, the Abbot of Kagyu Samye Ling Buddhist Monastery in Scotland.

KSDJ has served the community of Johannesburg by providing a space where Buddhist teachings and meditation can be learned. Over the years the centre has hosted many great Tibetan lamas, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The centre offers activities in four spheres of endeavour: Spiritual, Therapy, Humanitarian, and Environmental. 

When Lama Yeshe Rinpoche visited the centre in March 2019, he envisioned a traditional Tibetan Temple perched on top of the Kensington Ridge, to serve as a base for the next Akong Rinpoche’s activities in Africa.  Since then Lama Rinpoche’s team of local professionals has proceeded with plans to make this vision a reality. 

The temple building will house a large shrine room, special accommodation for visiting High Lamas, and a multifunctional space.  This temple will be dedicated to the peace and wellness of the people of Africa, and the blossoming of the Buddha’s teaching of loving-kindness and compassion for all living beings. 

The main statues for the shrine have been commissioned and completed and are ready to be installed when the temple is complete.  Copies of the Kangyur and Tengyur texts have also been specially printed and bound in the famous Dege Print House in Tibet.  A beautiful shrine has also been designed and is in the process of construction. 

Since the shrine will be large there is plenty of space for the traditional 1008 Buddha statues. KSDJ is now offering the opportunity to make a positive connection with this positive project by sponsoring a Buddha statue.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted the office to sponsor a Buddha already, your donations are deeply appreciated. To sponsor a Buddha at R2900 (or donate any amount for the project), please email 1008buddhas@gmail.com.