Karma Zangpo is a South African Buddhist monk from Port Elizabeth. Zangpo first met Lama Yeshe Rinpoche in Kagyu Samye Dzong Johannesburg in the early 1990s when he was a resident volunteer, helping with building repairs and construction. He spent eight years in retreat on the men’s retreat on Arran, and then went to Sekar Retreat in Nepal for a further six years, to practice and study under Drupon Rinpoche. Zangpo returned from Nepal to Samye Ling in 2021 and has recently returned to live on the Holy Isle on the west coast of Scotland where he is director of Holy Isle and the women’s and men’s retreats.

Zangpo will be leading 10 days of practice and instructions at KSDJ from Sunday 13 August to Sunday 20 August.

There is no charge or dana for the teachings, but donations will be gratefully accepted to cover centre costs.

WhatsApp KSDJ on +27 62 913 4436 for more info, or email Mandi at johannesburg@kagyu.org.za.

*Bring your own breakfast, and Bring and Share Lunch

Zangpo will also lead Chenrezik Prayers from Sat 12 to Sun 20^th at 7 pm (except Thursday 17^th), And Green Tara Prayers from 6 am to 7 am except Sundays, which will be from 7 to 8 am.

The Four Immeasurables – Sunday 13 August

The Four Immeasurables is a short prayer that is often recited in our centres. The Buddha introduced the four qualities of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity to Vasettha, a young Brahmin, in the Sutra of the Threefold Knowledges.

“And it is by this meditation, Vasettha, by this liberation of the heart through loving-kindness, that the disciple leaves nothing untouched, nothing unaffected in the whole world. This, Vasettha, is the way to union with the Divine.”

Karma Zangpo will delve into the four qualities and offer guidance on how to apply them in our practice and daily lives.

Instructions on Chenrezik Practice – Sunday 20 August

Chenrezik is the embodiment of the compassion of all of the Buddhas. The practice is the main Tibetan Vajrayana practice at our centre, and this is a wonderful opportunity to learn about why and how we do the practice. This day retreat is suitable both for beginners, as well as more advanced practitioners who would like to consolidate their knowledge.

“The meditation of Chenrezig is not just a fragment of the Dharma, it encompasses all aspects of the spiritual path. It is complete in itself and allows us to develop all the qualities necessary for the path and the six perfections of the Mahayana” – Chenrezig Lord of Love, Bokar Rinpoche.

We will look at the various aspects of the puja, including the correct motivation, the mantra, and visualizations. We’ll learn about the benefits, and how to dedicate the practice for the benefit of all beings.