FAQs

Do I have to be Buddhist to come to Sakya Tubten Ling?

You do not have to be Buddhist to attend sessions at The Sakya Thubten Ling our doors are open to anyone wishing to learn about Buddhism and Meditation. Everyone is always welcome! See our Weekly Programme.

On Tuesdays we run sessions called Sadhana these are sessions for those who have taken refuge with a Lama as well as the Vajrayana initiations to do the practice of either Green Tara or Medicine Buddha.

Do I need to phone and book to attend a session?

All sessions are open to everyone and you do not need to book to attend. If you do have any questions please contact us.

Do I need to bring anything to the sessions?

You do not need to bring anything to the sessions. We provide cushions on which you can sit but please feel free to bring your own if you are more comfortable.

We ask that you make a donation of whatever you can afford. However, the suggested amount is £5.00 per session if you are working full-time or £2.50 for concessions. All donations go into the running and up keep of the centre as well as our mortgage.

How does the centre fund itself. Where does the money go?

As a registered charity The Sakya Thubten Ling is run completely by our passionate and dedicated volunteers, the money that you donate goes into the upkeep and running of the centre and pays for our mortgage. We also do a lot of fundraising activities to help to fund the centre. View our upcoming events.

We also have many members that contribute via monthly direct debit, usually paying a minimum of £10.00 per month.

What does the name Sakya Thubten Ling mean?

Sakya is the lineage of Tibetan Buddhism to which we belong. There are four lineages or schools of Tibetan Buddhism; Kagyu, Nyingma, Gelug and Sakya. Thubten is in honour of The Venerable Khenpo Thubten Nyima Brother of our founding Lama The Venerable Khenpo Jamyang Lekshey.

What does Tashi Delek mean?

Tashi delek, also written zhaxi dele, tashi deleg, tashi deley, or trashi delek;

Tibetan: བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས

is a traditional Tibetan greeting. Tashi, means auspicious and Delek (or Deleg, Deleh) means fine or well. It is difficult and perhaps impossible to translate properly into English. Different authors render it as “Blessings and good luck” or “May all auspicious signs come to this environment.”

Do I need to read about meditation before I do it?

At The Sakya Thubten Ling we aim to give basic instruction on meditation posture and practice as taught to us by our Lamas, so you do not have to have any prior knowledge to attend the sessions.

What kinds of meditation does the centre offer?

The main type of meditation that we practice uses focusing on our breath to allow the mind to settle and calm. If you are interested specifically in meditation then the session on Wednesdays at 7:30pm is for you as this is purely a meditation session.

I want to learn more about Buddhism how can I do that?

On Sundays at 6:00pm and Thursday at 09:30am we offer introductory sessions to Buddhist philosophy, in which a new topic is covered each week. These sessions primarily cover the Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path, which are the foundation of Buddhist teachings. The sessions are facilitated and lead by our lay Buddhist core volunteers and anyone is welcome to attend. We have readings about the topic of the week, often a video is shown and we end with a meditation session. Then we have tea and biscuits at which time people can socialize and ask questions.

What happens If I miss a session?

The sessions are merely to give you a basic introduction, to inspire you to find out more yourself. If you miss a session it’s no problem.

Can I come on to the centre on Tuesdays?

On Tuesdays we run sessions called Sadhana these are sessions for those who have taken refuge with a Lama as well as the initiations to do the vajrayana practice of Green Tara.

If you have taken refuge and the initiations then you are welcome to attend. 

What do you have to do to become a Buddhist?

To become a Buddhist we do what is called “taking refuge” or “going for refuge”. This is a ceremony conducted by a Lama in which we take refuge in what are known as the three jewels. The first jewel is The Buddha – as a guide, a teacher that points the way toward freedom from suffering. The second jewel is The Dharma, these are the teachings of Buddha the wisdom that will help us on our path. Last but by no means least is The Sangha, this is the community of Buddhist friends that will help you along the way.

For those interested in affirming their intention to follow a Buddhist path by taking refuge and becoming Buddhist, please click here.

When I go into the shrine room do I have to bow or prostrate myself as I have seen others doing?

If you are not a Buddhist you do not have to do anything when you enter the shrine room. If you wish, as you enter, you can place your hands together and bow gently at the waist but this is not expected.

Is there any etiquette that I should be aware of whilst in the centre?

The main things to remember are:

Turn off your mobile phone.

Take off your shoes and place them in the rack provided.

Be silent in the shrine room when waiting for session to commence as people may be meditating.

For further information please click here for ‘Buddhist Etiquette’.

What do I wear in the centre?

The core message is to dress modestly when in the shrine room. For meditation we suggest that you wear loose fitting comfortable clothing.

Who runs the centre when Khenpo is not here?

Our centre is run in guardianship by our trustees and core volunteers who have been given permission to do so by Khenpo Lekshey our founding Lama.

How can I get involved?

We are always looking for volunteers if you have particular skills that you can offer such as fundraising or publicity, then please contact us via email to express your interest and someone will get back to you.

Does the Centre have a Facebook Page?

Yes the centre does have a Facebook page, just search ‘Sakya Thubten Ling’ or click here.

Can you suggest any books that I can read?

For suggested reading – click here.

Also see the useful links section.

We also sell selected book in the centre’s shop.

Is there a connection with Sakya Thubten Ling and the Tibetan shop in Boscombe?

The Sakya Thubten Ling and Tibet Culture Trust are both founded by The Venerable Khenpo Jamyang Lekshey. For more details on the Tibet Culture Trust Please go to:

http://www.tibetculturetrustshop.co.uk

What are the brightly coloured flags hanging at the front of the building?

These are called prayer flags. They are coloured Red (Fire), Yellow (Air), Green (Water), Blue (Earth) and White (Space). They are printed with prayers and it is believed that when the colour fades the prayer has been taken by the elements and spread throughout the world.

What is the white scarf I have seen placed around peoples necks?

This scarf is made of silk and is called a kata. This is an offering made to our Lamas and other visitors, which is placed around the neck as a blessing.

What incense do you use in the centre?

The incense that we use most often in the centre is called Original Healing Incense. It is a traditional Tibetan blend of 31 different herbal ingredients and has been widely used for centuries to reduce stress and relieve tension as well as enhancing meditation and to promote physical and mental well being. It is non-toxic and non-addictive. This incense is available from the Centre’s shop for £2.50 per pack.