Dharma Study & Practice in Kagyu Samye Ling
Since the founding of Samye Ling in 1967, our primary commitment has been to preserve and provide access to the Buddha Dharma of the Karma Kagyu Lineage in its purest, most authentic form. All Dharma activity within the monastery stems from this dedication to genuine study and practice.
Samye Ling Main Temple
Regular Practice Schedule
Green Tara Puja
Daily
6:00 AM
Silent meditation
Daily
8:00 AM
Mahakala Puja
Daily
4:30 PM
(may change to suit daily activity)
Chenrezik Puja
Daily
7:00 PM
Amitabha Puja
Sundays
7:00 PM
before Chenrezik Puja
Please note that during periods of retreat or Dharma teachings, this schedule will change without notice.
Annual Events & Special Prayers
Beyond the daily rhythm of the Temple, Samye Ling hosts several periods of intensive practice throughout the year. These special events are open to all, offering a precious opportunity for the community to gather and dedicate their practice to global peace and the wellbeing of all sentient beings.
Please note: While these events are open to everyone, intensive practice retreats and Dharma teachings require formal registration via the individual event details.
Week long Protector Prayers prior to Losar (Tibetan New Year) to clear away obstacles.
We celebrate Wesak (the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of the Buddha) by holding the UK Kagyu Monlam, which is a great highlight of the year.
Nyungney fasting practice during the ‘Month of Miracles’, traditionally mainly for lay people.
In October we honour the anniversary of the passing of our Founder, Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche, with a week-long intensive practice and teaching retreat, usually led by Drupon Khen Rinpoche.
Nurturing the Future
Thanks to Drupon Khen Rinpoche’s great kindness we have also been able to send many of our ordained monks and nuns as well as a number of lay people to long term retreat under Rinpoche’s direction in the Thrangu Sekhar Retreat center, Nepal. Some have made a commitment to remain in retreat for six years while others intend to stay for longer.
This we feel is the best investment for the future of the Dharma in the hope that these fortunate practitioners will truly assimilate the Buddha’s teachings into their innermost being. If all goes well, some will eventually take over responsibility for continuing Samye Ling’s Dharma activities in years to come.
Closer to home, a dedicated group of practitioners continues with an ongoing series of consecutive one-year retreats. These take place at our Women’s Retreat on Holy Isle and our Men’s Retreat on the Isle of Arran.
We are once again deeply indebted to Drupon Khen Rinpoche’s kindness. Through modern technology every teaching he gives in Sekhar, Nepal, is transmitted directly to our islands. This allows our retreatants in Scotland to receive daily teaching sessions alongside their own intensive practice.
Upcoming Dharma Activities
6th UK Kagyu Monlam
Refuge Ceremony
Samye Ling Dharma Activity Archive:
- Dharma Teaching
- Online
Introduction to the Abhisambodhi of Vairochana
Samye Ling Sangha joined other Kagyu monasteries online to receive teachings from His Holiness 17th Gyalwang Karmapa on the Introduction to the Abhisambodhi of Vairochana.
- Dharma Teaching
Four Session Guru Yoga Visualization Guide
Khenpo Ghawang gave teachings on the visualisation guide for the Four Session Guru Yoga for HH 16th Gyalwang Karmapa
- Dharma Teaching
Sang Puja teachings
Khenpo Ghawang gave teaching on Sang Puja, Smoke Offering prayers
- Dharma Teaching
The Confessional Sutra on Repaying Kindness of the Mother
Khenpo Ghawang gave teachings on ‘The Confessional Sutra on Repaying the Kindness of the Mother’, composed by the 3rd Gyalwang Karmapa Rangjung Dorje
- Dharma Teaching
Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva
Khenpo Ghawang gave teachings on Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva.
Learn about Buddhism
The study and practice at Samye Ling follow the ancient wisdom tradition of Buddhism. To find out more about the Buddha, the Three Vehicles, or Meditation: