Buddha Land KBC Blog

To keep our monthly newsletter brief we have mainly kept to explaining upcoming courses and events. However, lots of other things happen every week and to keep you in touch with these developments we have created a blog. Browse here to learn about developments in the centre and see how the courses and events turned out. If you have attended one of our events and would like to make a contribution please send it to us by email.

Why Me? Day Course 23.5.10

If you have ever wondered why you are the unique person you are and why you experience what you do (probably not enough happiness and way too many problems) then this was the course for you. Paljin explained that we need look no further than the law of karma to explain all this which basically means that if we perform a good ie virtuous action, we shall experience a good i.e. a positive result in the future and if we perform a bad or negative action we shall experience suffering and discontent. We need to make sure we do the good ones and not the bad ones. Easy! Even better, we can get rid of the negative imprints from previously created bad actions so we don't have to experience the suffering. However, you're gonna have to come back to a Day Course on purification (hopefully in the Autumn term) if you want to find out more about this...

Posted by Helen Richardson 24/05/2010

Stop the Week May

Keighley doesn't have a vegetarian restaurant yet, but you can enjoy a vegetarian gourmet meal on a Friday evening each month at the Stop the Week event. This month we hosted Middle Eastern evening where we catered for 13 people including 4 vegans. The highlight for me of the evening was that rare thing (in my opinion) a simple and nutritious pudding that was also delicious. For those who are interested, here is the recipe for our Turkish pudding, Fig and Apricot Compote. Serves 4-6 4oz dried figs 4oz dried apricots (use organic if possible, they really do taste different) 3oz sultanas ½ tablespoon corn flour ¼ teaspoon turmeric 2oz hazelnuts, roasted & chopped 1) Chop up figs and apricots into bite sized pieces and put in pan with sultanas 2) Mix cornflour with a little cold water then add 350ml water. Stir in turmeric and pour over fruit. 3) Brig mixture to the boil and then simmer for 30-40 mins then leave to cool 4) Once cold, serve with greek yoghurt topped with chopped hazelnuts 5) Enjoy !

Posted by Helen Richardson 24/05/2010

Centre Retreat

For those unfamiliar with Madhyamaka Buddhist Centre, they may be forgiven for thinking they had taken a wrong turning as they pulled up outside the Georgian splendour of the former Kilnwick Percy Hall. Now a thriving Buddhist community, it played host to 15 of us from Buddha Land Centre and its branch classes who had gathered together for our centre weekend retreat. Paljin led 6 retreat sessions during the weekend on the practice of cherishing others with teachings and meditations to help us to gain some practical experience of this simple yet profound mind. Outside of these sessions, there was plenty of time to relax, talk with others or simply enjoy the peaceful and stunning grounds. Madhyamaka Centre provided simple but comfortable accommodation, tasty food, plentiful drinks and most importantly a warm welcome. The weekend flew by and all too soon it was time to leave. So keen was everyone to go back, we have provisionally booked 5-7 November. Why not join us and see for yourself?

Posted by Helen Richardson 24/05/2010

Meditation Workshop

The clocks going forward and losing one hour of sleep did not deter 10 people from attending the Meditations for a Clear Mind Workshop on 28.3.10 Many of the attendees were new to meditation or had had just attended a couple of classes before. Paljin explained that the true nature of our mind is clarity and stillness and guided meditations to enable us to gain experience of this state of mind. Our usual experience is anything but this but in the Workshop there were plenty of opportunities to practice meditation and discuss our experiences with others.

Posted by Helen Richardson 15/04/2010

Stop The Week

Did you know HP sauce goes really well with Irish Stew? Naomi, our authentic Irish cook of the stew, encouraged us to try. Some accepted, some declined, and personally I loved it with or without! Irish STW saw 18 people from across West Yorkshire and Lancashire, sample the varied delights of Irish cuisine, well, with a little bit of leeway on the 'authentic Irish'. Irish stew and soda bread for the main, carrot & orange soup for the starter and baked apples for pudding. Authentic or not, it was delicious. Our next culinary globetrotting will take us to Mexico. Come and find out what's on offer on Fri 23 April.

Posted by Helen Richardson 15/04/2010

In the Footsteps of Buddha

On the 6 Feb Buddha Land was fortunate to receive a visit from our National Spiritual Director, Kadam Bridget Heyes. Kadam Bridget gave teachings on of Buddhist Refuge and granted Refuge vows with 35 people attending. People came from our various classes as well as from all the nearby centres and even a few came from Newcastle. This event was a bit of a christening for the centre as is our first major course since opening. Thank you to everyone who attended.

Posted by Helen Richardson 02/03/2010

Weekend Meditation Retreat

During retreat we cut back on our normal activities and focus on spiritual development. As this can be difficult to do while in our normal environment each year the centre runs a residential retreat at one of the larger centres. This year we shall be holding the retreat at Madhyamaka KMC which is near York in May. Last year it was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by those who came. Details are on our Weekend Meditation Retreat page.

Posted by Helen Richardson 02/03/2010

January Retreat

January is always a special time of year for us as we during this time we focus on meditation retreat in order to gain deep experience of the teachings we have studied. This year in the centre held two weeks of retreat; one week of Lamrim and one week on Vajrayogini. The weather made it an extra special retreat as due to the snow a lot of our normal activities were on “ice” so to speak!

Posted by Helen Richardson 02/03/2010

Promise Auction - Saturday 14 November

About 20 of us gathered to bid for 17 promises kindly donated by local businesses and friends of Buddha Land. The mood of the evening was informal and relaxed enhanced by a welcoming glass (or two) of hot non-alcoholic punch.

Following a delicious buffet, we sat down to bid for a varied selection of promises hosted by our novice but competent auctioneer James. Bidding was brisk for a visit to some alpacas and we even had a telephone bid for the Thai massage (well an advance e -mail bid). Everyone joined in the spirit of the event and were happy to bid and bag a promise. All in all, we raised over £500 towards the ongoing refurbishment and we had a great time too.

Posted by Helen Richardson 24/12/2009

Fall Festival, Montecatini-Terme, Italy

This was a real Kadampa family get together with practioners coming from centres all round the globe. After the 5,000 who attended the Summer Festival this was a cozier affair with 500 attending. The festival was held in the Italian spar town of Montecatini in Tuscany, site of the Italian Hotel Kadampa, a stunningly beautiful town which I suspect we caught it at its best - out of season in the clear autumn sun. Again if you get a chance to visit the Hotel Kadampa there don't hold back as you will love it.

Gen-la Dekyong led the teachings and granted Medicine Buddha Empowerment. Gen-la is a real inspiration and we all left full of energy for the practices she taught especially Guru Yoga and the practice of making offerings. The festival diary site is up where you can watch some of the teachings: see it here. If you have yet to make it to one of the festivals, I thoroughly recommend it - they bring the teachings so close to your heart, and surrounded by so many spiritual friends the path seems so easy.

Posted by Kelsang Paljin 24/12/2009

Open Day - Saturday 24 October

This was another big event to prepare for as it marked our official opening (by the Mayor of Keighley no less) and formed part of the Treasures Revealed week (sort of open churches events). So we had a lot at stake as we were going to be visited hopefully by lots of members of the public.

In the busy run up to the event, discoveries were made about skills we never knew we had such as Paljin's efforts at skimming plaster (check out the entrance to the building) and Jim's efforts to create a sandwich board to display our events (actually Jim's skills with wood and hinges have never been in doubt).

During the day, we offered people opportunities to sample meditation, try out some of our homemade cakes in our new cafe area, grab a bargain in our fine selection of second hand books and simply enjoy this historic building that has been renovated and transformed for everyone. We had lots of people through the doors, perhaps between 50-60, so for us it was a success and a sign that people are starting to know that we are here in the centre of Keighley.

Posted by Helen Richardson 24/12/2009

Blessing Ceremony - Sunday 23 August

I walked into the gompa on the Sunday afternoon of the blessing having last seen it the afternoon before. Then it was a mass of material, a shrine cabinet in several pieces and Buddhas resting in temporary abodes on gompa tables, it seemed an unlikely task that it would all be ready for the blessing.

But thanks to the dedication of a few people and the inspiration and tireless example of our teacher Paljin, the space had been transformed from a work in progress to a beautiful and magnificent gompa that was ready to host the blessing ceremony. It was indeed a sight worthy of a few tears.

Over 30 people wanted to share in this special event of reciting the auspicious and ritual prayers of Lama Chopa. During the recitation of this puja, the Buddhas are invited into the room and will remain there to guide and inspire all those who thereafter use the room. As Geshe Kelsang would say 'How wonderful!'.

Posted by Helen Richardson 24/12/2009

More Good news!

The 23 August saw two events, summer event the garden party and the blessing of our new meditation room. After several months work on our new building the meditation room was ready, well almost. Fortunately the lack of lights didn't hold us back and we went ahead anyway. It is so beautiful and will be a place of real inspiration everyone who is able to visit. The blessing was attended by about 30 people - an auspicious begining, many of whom had helped with the project. Now we are looking forward to holding courses and events in the new building which initally will be held on the ground floor.

Posted by Kelsang Paljin 31/8/2009

Good news!

We've been granted planning permission to change the use of Lawkholme Cr from ‘municipal offices to a Buddhist meditation centre with ancillary community café’. The grant says that: "The proposed use will allow for a productive new use to be found for this Grade II listed building with minimal changes to the interior or exterior and therefore with no harm to the special architectural and historic character of the building". We can now finalise the Building regulation application and the Building listed consent. The latter will allow us to remove a Victorian fire place so that we can make a disabled toilets.

Posted by Pascale Pirrat 13/6/2009

Last Stop the Week was Swiss

and at the very last moment we decided change our menu and make rosti for as a starter. and i have to say that it was good decision. i was living in switzerland for about 4 years so i was very happy to have a go and try to make rosti. there is a trick how to be successful with this very simple meal. we have had to cook or bake potatoes one day before and keep in over night in the fridge. Helen did what was said - baked them they before. the first rosti didn't look very good, but with the practice improve and the last looked beautiful. there is no doubt that with practice and familiarity everything become easier and easier. all evening was very successful - there was no food coming back into kitchen.. :o) next STW will be chinese, so please if you have any idea of what to cook or if you would like to be part of our STW team, please contact Helen on info@enjoymeditation.org. thank you and hope to see you on 26 June - date for next STW..:o)

Posted by Kelsang Lhasang 29/5/2009

Kelsang Dra-ma's broken leg

Not from falling off a ladder at the new building but unfortunately due to collision with a car while walking home from the Interfaith AGM. It was broken in two places but now put back together with a very long cast. However, following the mind training advice Dra-ma is keeping a happy mind and proving through her example that inner peace is our real protection from harm.

Posted by Kelsang Paljin 15/5/2009

Renovations - Week 7

Off to the Spring Festival which is one of the highlights of our year. Geshe Kelsang will be granting the blessing empowerment of Maitreya, Buddha of loving kindness, and giving teachings on the practice. It is a worldwide event which will see four thousand people travel to the World Peace Temple in Ulverston. There are details on the main Kadampa Website the address of which is on our links page.

Posted by Kelsang Paljin 15/5/2009

Renovations - Week 6

Up to date with the postings at last! This week saw the start of work on the entrance hall and stair way. There is a lot of it. Thanks to the Community Repaint, a local recycling initiative for community groups, we had gallons of paint for the job. First though it all needed to be sieved through an old pair of tights and mixed up to an appropriate colour. Colour charts are out the window on this job - contentment is the most beautiful shade.

Posted by Kelsang Paljin 15/5/2009

Renovations - Week 5

Moving swiftly onwards we began the decorating in the café room starting with the ceiling which has fantastic mouldings (difficult to paint!). More staining and varnishing followed and later in the week we had the great good fortune to receive help from the Leeds and Bradford Centres' resident teachers. This meant we managed to paint the walls of the serving area. Paul, a very kind and skilled plaster came and skimmed the main stair well wall which need it badly and repaired plaster work in the cafe. With the daily commute to the new property one sees a lot more of the seasons, spring moved on and the cherry blossom vanished as quickly as they arrived - as Buddha taught all (produced) things are impermanent. As this includes our precious life we really do need to grasp it's essence and find some lasting inner peace.

Posted by Kelsang Paljin 15/5/2009

Renovations - Week 4

This week, now vanished into the haze of time, sped by in the midst of acres of varnishing and staining. The oak panels in the sitting room came up wonderfully leading us on to the cafe where there was plenty more wood and walls to clean up. This was, I think, the week the cherry blossom came out and in the sunshine the town square was filled with people reading, eating their lunches and chatting with friends. Everyone is looking for a place to relax and we hope the World Peace Café and Meditation Centre will provide such an oasis of peace year round.

Posted 15/5/2009

Renovations - Week 3

The FP group sanded down the banisters and hall, which looks a lot bigger when you think about painting it! Later in the week we painted the community sitting room but before we were allowed Paul insisted in cloaking the woodwork in yellow fabric. Good job he did as there were drips all over it by the end. Finally the strip lighting started to disappear. But as it wasn't replaced it's a bit dark at night!

Posted 29/4/2009

Renovations - Week 2

Week 2 saw the completion of the parquet floor sanding. Once the big industrial floor sander had done its work then some finer work was required. The bigger holes in the floor needed new blocks while the smaller ones needed wood slivers. There was an aborted attempt to fill the very small gaps but time was against us on this one but we managed to get it sealed and varnished. Work also began on the corridors upstairs.

Posted 29/4/2009

Renovations - Week 1

Week 1 made great progress on the building as we were in term break and we able to dedicate ourselves to the project and had lots of help. The café and community sitting room were prepped for decorating. With the woodwork and windows sanded and the walls needing quite a lot of filling. At the end of the week we started to sand down the parquet wood block floor.

Posted 29/4/2009

Work Days and Working Visits

The centre is holding a number of working days in the new property to get the renovations started and give everyone a chance to see the project for themselves. They will be on Sat 28 March and Sat 4 April from 10am to 4.30pm. Then around Easter we will be working every day from the 6 April until the 19 April. Please if you are able come along and lend a hand as it will make a real differnce.

Posted by Kelsang Paljin 16/3/2009

Buying a property at auction: not so hard!

The auction took place at Leeds United football ground in a light and clinical room adorned with photos of footballers from the past. Assembled were a variety of bidders ranging from smart professionals to more grungy looks, there was even a Buddhist monk but he was with us! Waiting for the auction to start, I was tensed, with a knot in my stomach. I had the thought that everyone was there to buy the same building as us. There were 17 lots at this auction, but I had the idea that everybody was interested in the same property as me! And of course there were some hints of dislike towards them - except the monk! - viewing them as rivals, little enemies. Fortunately the Buddhist teachings were not far from my mind and they allowed me to turn round these foolish thoughts and simply enjoy the experience. Number 1 Lawkholme Crescent was the 5th lot. Just 2 other people showed interest -not the entire room! - and the price climbed but not too high, as the auctioneer started the final call our solicitor placed our bid - nobody followed. The final call started again, this time seeming to last an eternity. The knot in my stomach jumped in size as I was expecting a last minute bid; but it never came and the gavel fell. Straight away with no time to relax a hostess invited us to sign the legal documents - Buddha Land had a new home! Finally, before leaving the venue, we took some time to celebrate this great and slightly surreal event by sharing a bottle of ginger beer!

Posted by Pascale Pirrat 6/3/2009

Weekend Meditation Retreat

The weekend at Madhyamaka Centre was my first experience of a retreat and one I enjoyed tremendously. The first glimpse of Madhymaka impressed me and when I walked in I realized it was both a beautiful and special place. The meditation room was amazing; I felt very lucky to meditate there and it really made it easy to concentrate. About 30 people came from Buddha Land and also Bradford's Kashyapa Centre. Starting on Friday evening it ran through to Sunday lunch time. The teaching and meditation sessions I found to be inspiring but also at times they challenged me to look deeper. The sessions were guided so suited both the new and experienced. In all it was a good experience and everyone was very friendly, amazingly on the Sunday night I need a good rest!

Posted by Annie Hawkins 5/3/2009

Stop the Week in Style

In our travels around the globe to sample the delights of the various cuisines, we kept a little closer to home in February and hosted Welsh night. In spite of suggesting this theme, I was little surprised how popular the evening was and we were fully booked (24 people). However, I have been told by attendees in the past that regardless of the culinary theme is, they always enjoy the evening - the combination of a short teaching and meditation in which to reflect on our week, gourmet style food at a reasonable price and pleasant company all serve to make this event one not to be missed. For those who would like to know what the menu was, we had: -leek and potato soup -vegetarian Glamorgan sausages served with plum chutney, mashed potato and savoy cabbage -apple cake served with mature Welsh cheddar and Caerphilly cheese Rounded off with coffee and mints Let us not forget the vases of daffodils on the tables for that authentic Welsh touch!

Posted by Helen Richardson 5/3/2009

Glamorgan Vegetarian Sausages

Makes 8 large sausages INGREDIENTS 5oz breadcrumbs 1 small leek, finely chopped 3oz Caerphilly cheese, finely chopped 1 tablesp parsley, finely chopped 3 eggs Salt & pepper Flour Further breadcrumbs for coating 1. Mix breadcrumbs, leeks, Caerphilly, parsley and S & P 2. Beat 2 eggs and the yolk of 3rd egg and add to mixture 3. Divide into sausage shapes and roll in flour 4. Beat egg white and brush over sausages, coat in breadcrumbs and chill in fridge for 20 mins 5. Bake on greased baking tray in oven at 200C for about 15-20mins or until sausages are crisp and beginning to brown 6. Enjoy!

Posted by Helen Richardson 27/2/2009

Events of January

January is retreat month here at the centre so all has been quiet, although our classes started after two weeks of retreat so the second two have been busier. The month and year started with prayer, meditation and a special pure intention at our New Year's Eve meal and candle lit vigil dedicated to world peace. The proceeds were donated to the International Temples Project so that others throughout the world can have access to sacred spaces and receive the benefit of Buddha's teachings.

Lamrim and Vajrayogini retreat went very well, yet somehow seemed not long enough, but classes were starting so after having spent time reflecting inwardly it was time once again to go outwards and help others develop inner peace.

Courses are proving popular with our weekend retreat in late Feb booking up fast and our Jan STW fully booked, so this is shaping up to be a busy year.

On the property front a city centre location has been spotted for auction and we are beginning the process of investigating it. Perhaps this will be the centre's new home!

Posted 29/1/2009

Work a Day for World Peace

Individuals from the centre contributed £269 to the International Temples Project, by donating a day's wage they helped to develop Kadampa Temples and KMC world wide. KMC France was the most recently opened and the Temple in Brazil is almost complete. See Kadampa.org for more details.

Posted 20/12/2008

Christmas Party

Lots of cake, decorations and a party game (the unfortunate game organizer had come down with a virus). Most people were from the main Keighley classes although others came from the various branch classes and it is lovely for everyone to get together. For the raffle 1st prize went to Karen Parrish of Halifax, 2nd Prize to Barrie Oddy from Otley, 3rd Prize Viv from Guiseley and 4th Prize Alan Mottershead from Cullingworth. Various smaller prizes were also won. £53.30 was raised which is being put towards the previously mentioned camera and some photos will hopefully appear in due time.

Posted 15/12/2008

Christmas STW

This went down extremely well. We started the evening with mince pies and a tasty fruit punch, which was followed by a calming meditation (for most of us!) and a talk, explaining methods to maintain a peaceful mind in the midst of our busy activities, drawn from the Kadampa mind training teachings. The cooks had really pulled out the stops and the food was delicious, five courses in total. A satisfying evening all in all.

Posted 15/12/2008

Camera

Lhasang has bought a very qualified camera so now we are one step closer to making on-line photo galleries. In the meantime paparazzi activity is arising around the centre until she gets used to it.

Posted 15/12/2008

Patience Workshop

Events conspired against this workshop with sickness, weather and other factors meaning a lot of the people who intended to come were not able to. So we had to practice patience - its all in the title!

Posted 15/12/2008

Tara Chanting

This was a beautiful event re-establishing our connection with Arya Tara, who is the spiritual mother of Kadampa Buddhist. We chanted the praises to Tara seven times in each session of which there were six in total spread over 24hrs. There were are core of four or five to the night sessions with more coming during the day time. It is such a wonderful practice for receiving blessings and making spiritual progress. For those who would like to try a single session we have a regular Monday morning Tara Puja.

Posted 15/12/2008

Busy weekend

There was a lot on this weekend past with an American STW on Friday evening, The Stillness With Day Course on Sunday and Long Protector Puja on Saturday. About 15 people came to STW where we also celebrated Lhasang's birthday. A similar number came to the day course which dealt with increasing our concentration. People mainly came from the branches including Burnley, Grassington, Ilkley and Otley and we were inspired to put effort into our meditation practice.

Posted 3/12/2008

Camera

It's said that a picture can tell a thousand words, so we are thinking that photo galleries of our events would add a new dimension to the web site. We are looking to get a new digital camera before Christmas so if anyone has any knowledge on choosing cameras or in making web based photo galleries please let us know.

Posted 22/11/2008

Weekend Meditation Retreat

Madhyamaka Centre near York has kindly offered to host our annual weekend meditation retreat which will be based on meditations for developing cherishing love. Residential accommodation is available starting at a very reasonable £45 for the whole weekend in a dormitory including meals. Single, twin rooms etc are also be available.

Posted 22/11/2008

Paris NKT Autumn Festival

Nine of us from the centre went to the autumn international festival near Paris and enjoyed greatly listening to Venerable Geshe-la teach on wisdom. He also taught of the power of belief explaining how it brings our practice to life. The Festival was held at Euro Disney which gave an interesting backdrop to a Buddhist Festival with probably the best fire works we will see for a while! Next festival is the Northern Dharma Celebration near York in March.

Posted 22/11/2008

Keighley GPs

We maybe spoke too soon on the Keighley GP front as all has suddenly gone quiet. It is, however, very nice to have two levels of classes so hopefully we can continue this in the New Year.

Posted 22/11/2008

New Property

Unfortunately the Eastwood Tavern mentioned previously is under offer from another party and so currently is unavailable. We are keeping our eyes out for any other properties so if you see one you think might be suitable please let us know.

Posted 22/11/2008

New Property

After a while of little happening on the property front a new building has come into view. Its in Keighley very close to the train station and the site of the new Asda. It's an old public house which could provide the option of a café in a very visible and accessible area. We will keep you up to date on developments.

Posted 18/10/2008

Coffee Morning

This went very well with over 40 people coming and enjoying the centre. There were tea and cakes aplenty and the two guided meditation were attended by about 16 people each time. A real mix of people came with some just curious, some re-establishing contact with the centre and others who come regularly. Approximately £100 was raised which will be put towards the centre move.

Posted 18/10/2008

Introductory and Intermediate GP Meditation Classes

Opening a second GP in Keighley has been a wonderful development and shows how the centre is maturing. It has allowed the Thursday class to explore subjects in greater depth while those wishing for an introduction have the, now almost, brand new Monday night class.

Posted 18/10/2008

Vajrayogini Class

For those with HYT empowerments this class has started to look at the practice of Vajrayogini. Running more or less once a month we will work our way gently through Guide to Dakini Land and the Dakini Yoga Sadhana. It has been lovely to have some of our Sanga from Bradford's Kashyapa centre along as well as many of the regulars from Buddha Land.

Posted 18/10/2008