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Gelong Thubten


Gelong Thubten became a Buddhist monk 24 years ago at Kagyu Samye Ling in Scotland, Europe's oldest and largest Buddhist monastery. He spent many years as secretary and personal assistant to Akong Tulku Rinpoche.

Thubten has spent over six years in intensive meditation retreats and specialises in teaching meditation internationally, in businesses, hospitals, schools, universities, prisons and addiction counselling centres. He works with major clients such as Google, Lloyds Bank, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Siemens, Accenture, the NHS, Clifford Chance and Linklaters.

He was the meditation consultant on the set of Marvel's latest movie, Dr. Strange, where he trained Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton in meditation techniques while they were filming. This took him to Hollywood on the red carpet with the movie stars!

He has lectured on Buddhism and meditation at the universities of Oxford, Helsinki and Cardiff, as well as for Mindvalley. He teaches in several schools and is often interviewed by the world's media. He designs and delivers mindfulness programmes for medical students at the National University of Ireland, and he has lectured to Parliament on the Channel Islands. He is co-authoring a book on mindfulness with Ruby Wax and a neuroscientist, and he runs meditation centres in the UK.

Gelong Thubten visit 3 to 6 October

In August 2016 we were blessed to have the visit of Tulku Ogyen (Minyak Rinpoche) to the region.  Tulku Ogyen kindly gave several Vajrajana empowerments.

This October, Tuesday 3rd to Friday 6th, Gelong Thubten will be returning for a short visit to Cape Town.

The focus of Thubten’s visit is to provide support for practitioners, this will be done through personal interviews, Guru Rinpoche & Amitabha practice instructions and 2 Dharma talks.

We are also very fortunate to have Thubten – who served as Akong Rinpoche’s personal secretary for many years visiting the region on the eve of the 4th year anniversary for Rinpoche’s death.  Thubten will be introducing the first public screening in Cape Town of Akong – a remarkable life on Thursday 5 October at the Labia. He will also be sharing more in his talk entitled Guru Rinpoche: His teachings and energy in today's world on the Friday evening.

The benefit of Thubtens visit, teachings and instructions will be far reaching.  There will be no charge for the talks and practice instructions.  To make this possible we are asking everyone to reach into their pockets and help sponsor this visit.  The emphasis is on as many people as possible contributing to meet the expenses, no matter how great or small your contribution.  As a Centre we’d like to try other means of covering expenses, rather than charging for the dharma.

The financial cost of the visit is approximatley R18 000. 

A reminder that Tax certificates can be issued for larger donations received as we are a registered PBO

Kindly donate via EFT to the following account - 

Rokpa Trust 

ABSA Claremont 632005

Account no: 922 4851 341

Reference: Your Name/ Thubten sponsor

Or snap scan here, please remember to reference

Teaching programme:

Wednesday 4 Oct

3pm to 6pm Amitabha practice instructions

Bring and share supper

7pm Sustaining practice and developing devotion

How to bring greater inspiration to our path, and methods for maintaining a stable daily practice both on and off the cushion. There will also be teachings on devotion, in terms of its nature and development. This talk will be of interest to Buddhists and non Buddhists alike.

Thursday 5 Oct

Morning available for interviews

6.15pmScreening of Akong a Remarkable Life at the Labia, introduced by Gelong Thubtenbe co-hosted by Rokpa Circle of Nourishment & Exploring Consciousness – for more info. Or to book your tickets click here

Friday 6 Oct

Morning available for interviews

1.30pm to 5pm Guru Rinpoche practice instruction, including actual Puja

6pm Guru Rinpoche: His teachings and energy in today's world

Guru Rinpoche is seen as the "Second Buddha". He brought Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th Century. More than a historical figure, Guru Rinpoche represents the enlightened potential within the mind streams of all sentient beings. Through the blessing of Guru Rinpoche's emanations within today's Vajrayana lineages we can gain deeper connection with our practice and progress more swiftly on the path.

This talk will particularly emphasise the life and activity of Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche, who was seen as an emanation of Guru Rinpoche and who has a particularly powerful connection with Africa.

Followed by bring and share farewell supper!

Please Note:

  • ·         Practice instruction for Amitabha & Guru Rinpoche Puja are only available to practitioners who have taken refuge and received the specific empowerment. Please confirm with Penny if you plan to attend either/ both practice instruction sessions – Texts will be for sale in the shop
  • ·         Thubten is available for interviews on Tuesday, Thursday & Friday mornings. Please contact Penny should you wish to have a personal interview with Thubten
  • ·         There is no charge for practice instructions and dharma talks – please donate/ sponsor where you can.  A reminder that dana for Thubten will be welcome
 
Earlier Event: 7 August
Mindfulness to Buddhism – Choden
Later Event: 4 October
Akong - A Remarkable Life