This April 2016, the Centre Culturel Tibétain Luxembourg will be organising two lectures on Buddhism provided by guest speaker Ven. Lopoen Dekho.

The lectures will aim to provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the history and nature of the Buddhist tradition in Tibet, through the words of Switzerland-based Ven. Lopoen Dekho, a learned Nyingma Buddhist Iama from Golog in East Tibet.

The first talk, taking place from 17:00-19:00 on Sunday 3 April 2016, will focus on how Buddhism came to Tibet, by examining the Indian origins of Buddhism dating back as far as the 5th century BCE. The lecture will follow the religion's passage to Tibet in the 8th century CE, as well as explore the features that distinguish Tibetan Buddhism.

A subsequent lecture taking place from 19:30-21:30 on Monday 4 April 2016 will be centered around the theme 'Going for Refuge: What does it mean to be a Buddhist?', highlighting the poorly-understood primary facet of being a Buddhist known as 'going for refuge'. The expression refers to the point at which one commits to the Buddha's teaching, known as the 'Dhamma', by seeking protection in the three jewels of the Buddha and his true path towards the cessation of suffering; his doctrine which provides for overcoming one's afflictions and their traces; and the community of those dedicating themselves to practising and implementing these teachings.

Ven Lopoen Dekho joined the Nyingmapa monastery in Golog at the age of ten, where he received a traditional Buddhist education and full monastic ordination. He joined the Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery in South India's Bylakuppe in 1997, receving the degree of Lopoen 11 years later before teaching Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan history and language. In 2010 he was selected by his monastery to represent the Nyingma tradition at Switzerland's Tibet Institute Rikon.

The lectures will be held in Tibetan with translation into English provided by Dylan Esler, at the Centre Culturel Altrimenti Centre Convict, 5A, avenue Mari-Thérèse L-2132 Luxembourg. The first talk costs 16€ at standard price, 14.40€ for regular members and 12€ for donating members. Entry to the second talk costs 25€ at standard price, 22.50€ for regular members and 18.80€ for donating members. For more information, contact info@tibetculture.lu or visit www.tibetculture.lu. 

 

Photo by Centre Culturel Tibétain