Kagyu Samye Dzong London

Kagyu Samye Dzong London initially opened in 1998 in the former Holy Trinity School near Waterloo station in the London Borough of Lambeth. The centre remained here until 2007 when the site became subject to redevelopment as part of the Terry Farrell-designed Founder's Place scheme.{{Cite web|url=https://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/2960|title=Founder's Place wins go-ahead from Hazel Blears|first=|last=|website=London SE1}} This development was subsequently cancelled in 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/4620 |title=Founder's Place development cancelled by Guy's and St Thomas' [17 June 2010] |publisher=London-se1.co.uk |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}}

The current Samye Dzong London centre is located in the former Bermondsey public library in Southwark, South East London, close to the River Thames, Tower Bridge and London Bridge.

Designed by John Johnson, the building dates from 1892{{cite web|url=http://www.southlondonguide.co.uk/bermondsey/history.htm |title=Bermondsey History Guide |publisher=Southlondonguide.co.uk |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43026 |title=Parishes – Bermondsey | A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 4 (pp. 17–24) |publisher=British-history.ac.uk |date=22 June 2003 |accessdate=26 July 2014}} and was one of the first free public libraries in London. Dr Alfred Salter MP and his wife Ada (the first woman mayor in London){{cite web |url=http://www.infed.org/socialaction/ada_salter.htm |title=exploring social action: ada salter, clean air and housing |publisher=Infed.org |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014 |archive-date=26 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726170114/http://www.infed.org/socialaction/ada_salter.htm |url-status=dead }} used the library as a base from which many public health initiatives were launched.{{cite web|url=https://spartacus-educational.com/PRsalterA.htm |title=Alfred Salter |publisher=Spartacus-Educational.com |date= |accessdate=26 February 2019}} It remained in operation as a public library until the 1980s after which it was used as office space by London Borough of Southwark. The Grade II listed building{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-471351-bermondsey-public-library-and-attached-r |title=Bermondsey Public Library and Attached Railings and Piers |publisher=British Listed Buildings |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}} is adjacent to the Bermondsey Town Hall and opposite Spa Gardens.{{cite web |url=http://ayearofservice.org.uk/days-of-volunteering/buddhist/buddhist-resources |title=Get Involved with Buddhist Action Day | |accessdate=4 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130616012356/http://ayearofservice.org.uk/days-of-volunteering/buddhist/buddhist-resources |archivedate=16 June 2013 }} It is within the Bermondsey Spa Regeneration area.{{cite web |url=http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200180/bermondsey_spa |title=Bermondsey Spa | Southwark Council |publisher=Southwark.gov.uk |date=1 April 2005 |accessdate=26 July 2014 |archive-date=12 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812064806/http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200180/bermondsey_spa |url-status=dead }}

The building was bought by Kagyu Samye Dzong London from Southwark Council in 2009. It was renovated by a volunteer workforce{{cite web|url=http://www.resurgence.org/magazine/article3535-life-happens.html |title=Resurgence • Article – Life Happens |publisher=Resurgence.org |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}} and opened to the public in June 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/4628 |title=Tibetan Buddhist centre opens at Bermondsey Spa |publisher=London-se1.co.uk |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}}

The day-to-day running of the centre is overseen by resident director and teacher Lama Gelongma Zangmo. Danish by birth, Lama Zangmo has been practising Buddhism since arriving at Samye Ling in 1977.

The main shrine room can seat around 200 people and is used for large events and teachings. The shrine houses a Buddha statue which is approximately 3 metres in height.

Image:Kagyu Samye Dzong London Main Buddha.jpg

In April 2013 a second shrine room was opened by Akong Tulku Rinpoche. This followed a five-month project of traditional Tibetan artwork by volunteer artists{{cite web|url=http://www.andrewmcconnachart.com/index.aspx?sectionid=1207676 |title=Andrew McConnach: Kagyu Samye Dzong London |publisher=Andrewmcconnachart.com |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}} under the guidance of renowned thangka painter Lama Rigzin who travelled from Nepal to oversee the work.{{cite news|url=http://www.darshanaphotoart.co.uk/ksdl2012 |title=2012 |newspaper=Darshana Photo Art |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}} This shrine room is located in the main hall of the original Victorian library.

The main function of the centre is to provide a place for meditation and teaching on Tibetan Buddhism within the Kagyu Tradition. Other activities include Yoga, Tai Chi, martial arts, Parkour dancing, mindfulness training and meditation. A Tibetan Doctor visits the centre monthly for consultations.

Image:Akong Rinpoche Opens KSDL Vajrayana Shrine.jpg

In addition to teachings and empowerments from Akong Tulku Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, Kagyu Samye Dzong London has, since its foundation, hosted a number of visiting lineage teachers including Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, Ponlop Rinpoche, Mingyur Rinpoche, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, Khenpo Damcho Dawa Rinpoche and Drupon Rinpoche Khenpo Lhabu.{{cite web|url=http://www.rinpoche.com/drupon_bio.htm |title=Biography of Drupon Rinpoche |publisher=Rinpoche.com |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}}

Rob Nairn, Alistair Appleton and Clive Holmes{{cite web |url=http://www.cliveholmes.net/ |title=Tibetan Buddhist Meditation |publisher=Clive Holmes |date=16 January 2010 |accessdate=26 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517040814/http://cliveholmes.net/ |archive-date=17 May 2014 |url-status=dead }} regularly teach at the centre on various dharma topics, meditation and mindfulness. The Mindfulness Association{{cite web|url=http://www.mindfulnessassociation.org/Home.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208101950/http://mindfulnessassociation.org/Home.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 February 2014 |title=The Mindfulness Association – Our objectives are to offer high quality trainings in mindfulness and compassion which help people to establish a regular and effective mindfulness practice and which help people to bring mindfulness into all aspect of their daily lives |publisher=The Mindfulness Association |date=23 February 2014 |accessdate=26 July 2014}} also runs certificated training courses at the centre.

File:Akong Rinpoche and Lama Zangmo.jpg

For most of the year Lama Zangmo teaches a weekly class based on a core Buddhist text. She also regularly gives instruction on central Kagyu practices.

The London Bardo Group,{{cite web|url=http://www.londonbardogroup.com |title=Page Redirection |publisher=Londonbardogroup.com |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}} which is run by volunteers connected with Kagyu Samye Dzong London, can provide assistance to people with critical or terminal illness. It offers both practical and spiritual help.

A second, smaller centre was located about {{convert|1|mi|spell=in}} away at the Manor Place Baths in Manor Place,{{cite web|url=http://www.southwarknews.co.uk/00,news,10016,5757,00.htm |title=Elephant & Castle – History |publisher=Southwark News |date=21 April 2008 |accessdate=26 July 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/2619 |title=Waterloo Buddhist community opens new centre in Walworth |publisher=London-se1.co.uk |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}} Kennington. This Victorian building, of a very similar age to the Bermondsey centre, was the original public baths and wash-house for the local population.{{cite web |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-471093-manor-place-baths-and-attached-wall-pier |title=Manor Place Baths and Attached Wall, Piers and Railings |publisher=British Listed Buildings |date= |accessdate=26 July 2014}} It was leased and renovated by Kagyu Samye Dzong London as a temporary home before the Bermondsey centre was bought and renovated. The Manor Place centre was used as a meditation centre with regular teachings, introductory meditation classes and short meditation retreats until 2015.{{Cite web|url=http://www.london.samye.org/news/general/farewell-to-manor-place/|title=Farewell to Manor Place » Kagyu Samye Dzong London|website=www.london.samye.org|access-date=15 February 2019}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.kagyuoffice.org Official Site of His Holiness 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje]
• [http://www.samyeling.org Samye Ling website]
• [http://www.london.samye.org Kagyu Samye Dzong website]
• [http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/news/2010/06/100609_austerity_lama_zangmo_et_hs.shtml Lama Zangmo on BBC World Service]
• [http://www.londonbardogroup.com London Bardo Group]
• [http://www.tararokpa.org/medicine/index.html Tara Institute of Tibetan Medicine]
• [http://www.darshanaphotoart.co.uk Darshana Photo Art]
• [http://www.mind-springs.org Alistair Appleton's Meditation website]

Category:Tibetan Buddhist organizations

Category:Buddhist charities

Category:Buddhist temples in London

Category:Religion in the London Borough of Southwark

Category:Buddhist organisations based in the United Kingdom

Category:Grade II listed buildings in the London Borough of Southwark

Category:Bermondsey

Category:Religious organizations established in 1998