Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery and Tibetan Centre

Welcome to

Who We Are

Founded in 1967, Samye Ling was the first Tibetan Buddhist Centre in the West. We are a community of monastic and lay practitioners dedicated to benefiting all beings through the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism.

By making these teachings available to everyone, we strive to foster a path of mental and physical health, rooted in the growth of compassion and wisdom.

We are under the direct guidance of Khyabje Akong Tulku Rinpoche’s brother, Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, and Venerable Lama Katen.

More about Samye Ling

Upcoming Activities

CourseYoga

Yoga for Meditation Bank Holiday Weekend Retreat

27 Nov 2026 at 7:00pm30 Nov 2026 at 12:30pm

£100

Led by:Johnny Glover

Johnny’s popular weekend yoga course offers practical support and encouragement to those who wish to develop a consistent meditation practice. Throughout this practical workshop, we will explore a range of…

Yoga for Meditation January 2027

8 Jan 2027 at 7:00pm10 Jan 2027 at 12:30pm

£65

Led by:Johnny Glover

This popular weekend course offers practical support and encouragement to those who wish to develop a consistent meditation practice. Throughout this practical workshop, we will explore a range of traditional…

THE 7TH UK KAGYU MONLAM

10 May 202715 May 2027

£Free of Charge

The Kagyu Monlam will take place during Saga Dawa, the most auspicious month in the Tibetan calendar, where the anniversary of Lord Buddha’s Birth, His Enlightenment and Parinirvana all occur. The…

Samye Ling Dharma Activity Archive:

On Akong Rinpoche’s 13th Anniversary, there was a Refuge Ceremony in the beautiful Chenrezig Shrine, where in the past His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa and many other great Kagyu Masters gave Refuge, empowerments and teachings.

Later in the morning, we gathered to remember Akong Rinpoche, his tremendous skill and kindness and vast activities, in the beautiful temple that he built. Abbot Lama Yeshe Rinpoche gave a short talk, then Drupon Rinpoche led the chanting of Akong Rinpoche’s Swift Return prayer while everyone made offerings to Rinpoche’s throne.

After lunch Drupon Rinpoche gave the first teaching of the Anniversary Retreat in the temple.

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Every year we commemorate our Founder, Khabje Akong Tulku Rinpoche, with a short retreat. We practice together and receive teachings. This year, Drupon Khen Rinpoche kindly returned to lead the retreat and to continue teaching from Gampopa’s ‘Jewel Ornament of Liberation’.

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On week days, Khenpo Phurpa Wangchuk continued teaching from ‘The Essence of the Great Ocean of Abhidharma’ by His Holiness the 9th Gyalwang Karmapa, which Khenpo Drodul had started teaching earlier in the year.

Khenpo Purpha completed Chapter 3 and also Chapter 4 (on Karma).

At weekends, Khenpo taught Tranquility Meditation based on Chapter 6 of the same text, as well as leading meditation practice sessions.

We hope that visiting teachers will continue teaching this important text in future years, thus giving students the opportunity to study a text usually only available to Shedra (Monastic College) students.

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Latest updates

Forthcoming Dharma activity in 2026
May 31, 2026
Following the completion of the 6th UK Kagyu Monlam in May (photos of each day’s proceedings are available on the Samye Ling Facebook page), we look forward to further Dharma activities later this year. While some dates are still being finalized, we want to share our upcoming plans for visiting teachers and events over the…
Read more →: Forthcoming Dharma activity in 2026