We are delighted to host the Maitreya Heart Shrine Relic Tour at our London centre, from August 31st to September 2nd.

This is a rare opportunity to view these relics, which were found among the cremation ashes of Buddhist masters. The relics resemble beautiful, pearl-like crystals which are believed to embody the master’s spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom and are deliberately produced by the master at his death.

Visitors often report experiences of inspiration and healing when in the presence of the relics. While some are inspired to pray for world peace and to develop their inner wisdom, others are overcome by emotion as the powerful effects of the relics open their hearts to compassion and loving-kindness.

This erudite great Master of the Drukpa lineage is well-known as one of the most important scholars of Tibetan Buddhism. By sharing His experiences and knowledge through a dynamic and lively teaching style as well as His compassion and His wisdom, He helps the greatest number of beings on the path to liberation.

It is at the request of His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa that Khenpo Sonam Gyatso Rinpoche comes to offer His immense knowledge to students at Drukpa centres in Europe. We must appreciate how fortunate we are to welcome the visit of such a great Master in philosophy and take advantage of this excellent occasion to study and instruct ourselves in the light of His profound teachings.

Major Earthquake Devastates Sikkim, Darjeeling and Nepal

On the evening of September 18th, the Himalayan region was hit by an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter Scale. The epicentre was in Sikkim and at least 63 people have been killed there and in the surrounding areas of Bihar, West Bengal, Nepal and Tibet. Hundreds more have been injured by the subsequent mudslides and falling debris and the death and injury toll is rising as rescue workers continue to use shovels and bare hands to pull bodies from destroyed buildings.

Many buildings in and around Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, have collapsed and around 85 per cent of structures and houses have developed cracks. It is estimated that 100,000 homes in the Himalayan region are affected. Areas in north Sikkim have been cut off from the rest of the country as roads are blocked and communication lines damaged by the earthquake.

Click here for live webcast of Throma Nagmo retreat with His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa and His Eminence Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche, broadcast live from Kathmandu, from October 18th to 25th. Video on demand of previous sessions also available.