The 4th European Sakya Monlam

We are delighted that the Fourth European Sakya Monlam is to be held on Friday 5 July to Sunday 7 July 2024 at the Birmingham Event Centre, Rue de Birmingham, near Brussels, Belgium.

The event will be attended by the presdent Throne Holder of the Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism – HH 43rd Sakya Trizin Gyana Vajra - who will preside over the prayers. His Holiness will be joined by HE 26th Chogye Tri Rinpoche and HE Khangsar Shabdrung Rinpoche.

Many prayers will be recited during the event. The main prayer recited during the prayer sessions will, in accordance with tradition, be the famous “Samantabhadra Prayer” (also known as the “King of Aspiration Prayers”). Prayer books will be available.

In addition, there will be a special programme of afternoon and evening teachings on different aspects of Buddhism. There will be special teachings on the Buddhist path by HE 26th Chogye Tri Rinpoche, HE Khangsar Shabdrung Rinpoche and HH the 43rd Sakya Trizin Gyana Vajra.

Please note: space at the Monlam is limited. Reserving a ticket does not guarantee entry. We reserve the right to refuse admission.

Entry is free but you are welcome to make donations if you wish.

Please note that to attend the events marked *, which are Vajrayana initiations, it is essential to have made a formal commitment to the Buddhist path by the ceremony of taking refuge. If you attend the event without having taken refuge, you will be taking refuge by attending the event and will be making a formal commitment to the Buddhist path by attending.

SCHEDULE

The Schedule will be as follows. Please note that the schedule is likely to change without notice.

FRIDAY 5 JULY

08:30: All attendees to gather in hall ahead of arrival of HH Sakya Trizin 43rd Rinpoche

08:45: HH Sakya Trizin 43rd Rinpoche will arrive in the hall

09:00-12:00: Morning prayer session

10:00: Tea and rice offering

12:00: Lunch break

14:00-16:30: Afternoon prayer session

15:00: Tea offering

16:30: Short break

17:00 – 18:00: HE 26th Chogye Tripa Rinpoche will give teachings on the Bodhicitta Prayer and its importance

SATURDAY 6 JULY

08:30: All attendees to gather in hall ahead of arrival of HH 43rd Sakya Trizin Rinpoche

08:45: HH 43rd Sakya Trizin Rinpoche will arrive and take his seat on the throne

09:00-12:00: Morning prayer session

10:00: Tea and rice offering

12:00: Lunch break

14:00-16:30: Afternoon prayer session

15:00: Tea offering

16:30: Short break

17:00–18:00: HE Khangsar Shabdrung Rinpoche will be giving a teaching on the Three Perfect Principles of preparation, main part and conclusion

SUNDAY 7 JULY

08:30: All attendees to gather in hall ahead of arrival of HH Sakya Trizin 43rd Rinpoche

08:45: HH 43rd Sakya Trizin Rinpoche will arrive and take his seat on the throne

09:00-12:00: Morning prayer session

10:00: Tea and bread offering

12:00: Lunch break

14:00: Long Life Empowerment and Blessing by HH 43rd Sakya Trizin Rinpoche, and public talk on what is to be cultivated and what is to be avoided. (Note: refuge and the bodhisattva vow will be given to everyone during the preliminary part of the empowerment) (please Note: Attendees are requested please to bring their own cushions to make sitting on the floor more comfortable.)

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE EUROPEAN SAKYA MONLAM

The First European Sakya Monlam was held in Antwerp in 2019. The Second European Sakya Monlam was held in Paris in 2022. The Third European Sakya Monlam was held near Zurich in 2023. We are delighted that the Third European Sakya Monlam is to be held in Brussels in 2024.

What are Monlams?

Monlams are traditional Tibetan Buddhist prayer events where “aspiration prayers” are recited collectively in Tibetan for sessions of several hours. The traditional format centres around a famous prayer known as the King of Aspiration Prayers, Samanthabhadra’s Aspiration Prayer for Noble Excellent Conduct, “Samanthabhadra’s Prayer”. These prayers contain many wishes for the benefit and ultimate happiness of all sentient beings without exception and for the spreading of the Buddhadharma in the world.

About the Sakya Tradition

This monlam will be held in accord with the Sakya Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, led and presided over by its current and one of its previous Throne Holders.

The Sakya tradition is known as the ‘holder of all the Buddha’s teachings’ due to the vast extent of teachings and practices it has preserved in its long history. It takes its name from the monastery founded at Sakya in south-western Tibet in 1073 by Könchok Gyalpo of the Khön clan. Since his time the leadership of the tradition has remained within the same family.

Könchok Gyalpo was followed by his son, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, the first of the five ‘gongmas’ (venerable masters), who in turn was succeeded by Sonam Tsemo, Drakpa Gyaltsen, Sakya Pandita and Chogyal Phakpa, teacher of Kublai Khan. These five founding lamas gave the tradition its distinctive shape. Sakya Pandita was particularly renowned throughout Tibet and beyond for the depth of his knowledge and mastery of all the teachings. He was also instrumental in preserving the efficacy of the dharma by clarifying the misunderstandings which arose during the early history of Buddhism in Tibet. The 41st, 42nd and 43rd Sakya Trizins are directly descended from these ‘gongmas’.

Host or Publisher European Sakya Monlam Foundation