Both Wangpo Thetong, director of International Campaign for Tibet Europe, as my Czech friend Jirka had recommended I visit Tibet Open House, a Tibetan cultural centre which is open to anyone with an interest in Tibetan culture and religion.
So Friday evening around six o'clock I headed there with Jirka. We entered through a cosy courtyard, followed by a small bar with teas and some non-alcoholic drinks, a class room and a small temple. Both the Dalai Lama and the Karmapa (head of the Kagyu tradition) visited and blessed Tibet Open House.
A range of different activities offered, including meditation courses, multi-day retreats, exhibitions, and Dharma classes (teachings of the Buddha) by Tibetan lamas or other teachers.
Just the Friday I was there, a series of three classes began by Lama Chamtrul Rinpoche (main photo). The first lesson was about Buddha nature, a gift that everyone intrinsically has within them but which must be developed through practice. I attended that lesson, a good repetition of what I had already heard or read before.
Altar in temple room
The founder Jan Mayer also initiated the Project Buddha 108 Ft - Mahasangha Centre: the joint construction by Prague and Ladakhi artists of a large cultural and educational centre in Ladakh, India. An ambitious project, as I could read in an info flyer.
Jan Mayer in Ladakh
The youth library of Shatsa Organisation in Ladakh is on a smaller scale, but equally important because youth determines the future. If young people in exile become alienated from their home culture, Tibetan culture is doomed unless China finally waters down Tibet.
Support for Shatsa is accepted with many thanks to account no BE63 8918 7405 7108 of Reach Out asbl.
16 September: Opening the door at Diamondway Buddhist Centre in Tallinn The centre's meditation sessions are open
