BUDDHISM: AN INTEGRATED PATH OF LOVING AND CARING – KEN HOLMES 3 – 11 NOVEMBER 2015

Ken Holmes teaches from a heart space of great care and warmth, humility and humour. He is one of the lineages most experienced teachers and Buddhist practitioners, having taught for over 30 years internationally, and holds the title of dharmacharya (Dharma Teacher). He has spent years studying dharma under the greatest masters of the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions, including the teachings of Mahamudra, under Akong Rinpoche and the Tai Situpa. He is the Director of Studies at Kagyu Samye Ling, and has produced many translations of key Tibetan texts.  Ken continues to interpret for visiting Tibetan lamas and teachers.

We are very privileged to have a teacher of this calibre visiting South Africa, from Scotland and France. He will be visiting KSDJ from Tuesday 3 to Wednesday 11 November.

Tues 3 Nov 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm Buddhism as a path of love as well as a path of peace. How do the two fit together?

Peace is often seen as a sort of withdrawal into oneself through meditation, whereas love is by definition an engagement with others and a commitment to their happiness.  How are these reconciled?

Public  R100;Members R 80Plus dana
Wed 4 Nov Pretoria Study GroupVoidness for Dummies

Please note this talk is in Pretoria

Pretoria
Thu 5 Nov 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm Meditation: the secret key to caring for oneself and caring for others

Buddhist meditation is usually described as a “path”, being a structured journey of self-knowledge and self mastery. Ken will explain how although some of its simpler meditations are those shared by other faiths and systems, the context in which they are used makes a world of difference.

Public  R100;Members R 80Plus dana
Fri 6 Nov 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm A Time for Song

One ancient way of teaching was through song, uttered spontaneously in moments of direct transmission that touched the heart. Ken will talk about the doha tradition that went from India to Tibet with our lineage. Dohas also gave a compact way of remembering more complex teachings. Ken will “unpack” a couple of his modern dharma songs to illustrate the principle. A relaxed evening giving a different slant on dharma.All around the theme of “loving and caring”

Please bring any donations of canned/dry food or clothing for the Soup kitchen or women’s clothing and children’s toys for a Woman’s Shelter

R50 donationBring and share vegetarian meal
Sat 7 Nov 10:30 am to 4:00 pm A More Powerful Way of Connecting with the Goodness inside You

Ken will take us through the Chenrezik practice step by step, bringing out its meaning and explaining how to use the mind to bring it to life. This will be as taught by the present Karmapa and include some insights into the Buddha Nature teachings.

Public R 250  Members: R200

Plus dana

Bring and share vegetarian lunch

Cost for both days:

Public: R 440 Members R350

Sun 8 Nov 10:30 am  to 4:00 pm Voidness for Dummies

Voidness (“Emptiness”) is as important a topic for Buddhists as “God” is for Christians.Ken will give a useful, if brief, overview of the various meanings—from non-ego through to Middle Way—conveyed by this one term. Some of the teachings will be accompanied by simple meditation exercises.

Cost: per dayPublic R 250  Members: R200Plus danaBring and share vegetarian lunch
Mon 9 Nov 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm A World in Peril: What should Buddhists be doing about it?

The world is at a unique time in its history. Many famous Buddhist teachers, and in particular the present Gyalwang Karmapa, have spoken clearly and intensely about our response as Buddhists.

Public  R100;Members R 80Plus dana
Tue 10 Nov 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm A Path of Gentleness

Ken will explain the ahimsa element central to Buddhist life. The usual translation of “non-violence” only portrays one aspect of this basic attitude towards oneself and life circumstances.

Public  R100;Members R 80Plus dana
Wed 11 Nov  ??? Farewell supper with Ken. Bring and share supper. More song and poetry No charge;Bring and share supper