Sakya Changlochen Ling
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Founded in 1990, and named by Karma Thinley Rinpoche, Dechen’s rural retreat centre, Sakya Changlochen Ling, lies in the heart of Perigord Noir in the Dordogne region of South West France.
It is in this tranquil environment that Lama Jampa Thaye gives teachings and leads retreats according to the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. These events take place during the summer on an annual basis.
Two stone barns have been renovated, one housing a large shrine room with Lamas’ accommodation above, the smaller one comprising retreat facilities. Surrounding the buildings are four acres of land, with extensive woods and pastures lying beyond. All this provides a conducive environment for retreats and dharma courses.
View a Photo Album of recent years at the Summer School at Changlochen Ling.
Sakya Changlochen Ling is administered by the Thinley Rinchen Ling Trust, registered charity no. 282717
Courses
When Sakya Changlochen Ling was first purchased in 1989 by a group of Lama Jampa Thaye’s students it was opened as a retreat centre, where Lama Jampa gave teachings and led retreats on a biannual basis. This, however, has now become an annual event, with a course and/or a retreat being held there each summer.
Past Teachings
Since the inception of Sakya Changlochen Ling, Lama Jampa has given teachings there, initially on a biannual basis, and more recently, annually. He has given extensive teachings on texts such as Shantideva’s Bodhisattvacharyavatara, Sonam Tsemo’s Tantra Sets and Sakya Pandita’s Discriminating the Three Vows as well as teachings on Parting From the Four Attachments. He has also given various empowerments there over the past 16 years, including those of Chenrezig Mahamudra, Manjushri Arapatsana and White Manjushri, The Three Bodhisattvas, Green Tara, White Tara, Yellow Dzambala, and White Tara of the Wish-Fulfilling Wheel.
Recent courses include: in 2006, a one-week course on Lama Jampa’s own recent work, Rain of Clarity, providing a definitive overview of the Sakya tradition; followed by a one-week retreat on Manjushri Arapatsana led by Lama Jampa.
In 2007, Lama Jampa gave the initiation, tri (commentarial explanation) and led a one-week retreat of the Wish-Fulfilling Wheel of White Tara. In 2009, he gave the initiation of Saraswati and led a one-week retreat on the goddess who is famous as one of the principal wisdom deities in Vajrayana Buddhism and patroness of poetry and music.
Development of the Property
The land which was purchased with the property is largely on a steep incline, and over the years this has been terraced to provide more useful space for purposes such as camping during courses.
Between 2000 and 2002 renovations were carried out by members of Dechen, with help from a local builder, and the small barn was converted to provide a retreat facility. Much work was also carried out on the land to make it more accessible, including a road being created for direct access to the buildings.
More recently, between 2004 and 2006 the main building was renovated to provide a large shrine room, with self-contained accommodation above for the visiting Lama and his family or attendant.
Owing to generous contributions from Dechen sangha members and friends, a further parcel of land adjacent to the original property was purchased in early 2007 to enlarge the surrounding grounds.
In June 2007 the decoration of the shrine room in traditional Tibetan style was completed. A shrine is yet to be built along the back wall, and a beautiful buddha statue has been purchased from Nepal to form the centrepiece of the shrine. A large marquee is used during teachings as an extension to the main shrine room, in order to provide extra space for those attending courses each summer.
Future Plans
As and when funds become available, improvements are planned to provide further facilities for sangha members who may come to visit Sakya Changlochen Ling.
Contact information
Sakya Changlochen Ling
For all enquiries please contact:
Sakya Thinley Rinchen Ling Buddhist Centre
121 Sommerville Road
St Andrews
Bristol
BS6 5BX
Phone: 0117 924 4424
E-mail: changlochen@dechen.org
