Green Tara statue in Tara Shrine, Kagyu Samye Ling
Dharma Study & Practice in Kagyu Samye Ling
Since its founding in 1967, Samye Ling has been committed to preserving and providing access to pure, authentic Dharma. Every activity within the monastery flows from this dedication to genuine study and practice. Everyone is welcome to participate in daily puja and meditation in the main Temple, join annual events, and receive Dharma teachings, which are always freely offered.
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 island retreats. This allows our retreatants in Scotland to receive daily teaching sessions to complement their own intensive practice.
Upcoming Dharma Activities
Refuge Ceremony
Teachings by Khenpo Karma Drodul
Teachings by Khenpo Ghawang
Samye Ling Dharma Activity Archive:
- Dharma Teaching
- Prayer & Puja
6th UK Kagyu Monlam
Drupon Khen Rinpoche Karma LhabuChoje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche
A large community of lamas, ordained Sangha and lay practitioners from UK and abroad gathered at Samye Ling for the 6th UK Kagyu Monlam during the holy month of Saga Dawa. Drupon Khen Rinpoche Karma Lhabu and Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche presided over this week of prayers for World Peace and well-being. Drupon Khen Rinpoche gave teachings on Fivefold Mahamudra.
- Prayer & Puja
Annual Protector Practice 2026
Lama Katen, Samye Ling Sangha, and lay community performed a 5-day annual Protector practice in the Samye Ling Temple – clearing away negativity and obstacles left over from the old year before Losar (Tibetan New Year).
- 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
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: