Setting Sun North Fife 28th October 2013

I never cease to be enraptured by the sky over North Fife, this photo taken at 5-30 pm looking West to Perthshire on 28th October. A row of wind turbines on the horizon, blades slowly rotating, generating.

Two minuets later it had morphed, ever changing.

Panning North West away from the sun glare reveals a more subtle sky colouration and a view of The River Tay and confluence of the River Earn.

Traveller in Space, In search of female identity in Tibetan Buddhism

Traveller in Space, In search of female identity in Tibetan Buddhism by June Campbell.

June Campbell, when I first met her June was interpreter for Kalu Rinpoche who accompanied him on his world tour. I personally have a deep connection with Kalu Rinpoche as he was the Lama with whom I took refuge and was given the Tibetan name Karma Yeshey Dargye. ( much the same as being christened ) from then on I have followed the teachings of Buddha, philosophy and meditational practices. My name means:- growth of transcending awareness..... it remains to be seen.

Kalu Rinpoche wearing a Gampopa hat.

This is the setting. June's book reveals aspects of tantric practices and her association with her Lama.


June is 3rd from the right.
Take a look
A reviewer,
This is one of the best books I've ever read! It's a historyof the evolution of thinking. It focuses on the ways thinking has been manipulated, for example, by Tibetan Buddhists to be anti female, to be rigid, limited and fearful.It covers a wide range of time, thousands of years before Buddhism arose as a thinking style as well as the Tibetan version of Buddhism...June Campbell is not only scholar whose meticulous research shines through each sentance of the book but her real life experience studying with Tibetan lamas for 20 years gives deep insight into the reality of Tibetan Buddhism. Having been Tibetan Buddhist myself for 25 years, I can honestly say that Traveller In Space is an exceptionally clear book about how Tibetan Buddhism is actually taught,the core attitudes of Tibetan lamas, as well as serious misunderstandings Tibetan lamas have about human relationships and why. Many of the Tibetan teachers have become unethical and the author has the courage to gently reveal the truth. In the end Traveller In Space left me feeling more in touch with the truth that authentic spiritual awakening cannot be conveyed in the traditional Tibetan atmosphere...I believe the point Ms. Campbell is making is that being truly fulfilled as a human, means becoming more at one with the "spacious",unconstucted aspects of one's being.

Kalu Rinpoche.
His Eminence the Ven. Kalu Rinpoche Meditation Master of the Shangpa and Karma Kagyu Lineages passed into Paranivana at his monastery Samdrub Darjay Choling on May 10 1989. One of the greatest Buddhist Teachers of our time was highly respected and loved by countless beings that I had the great fortunate to meet and receive empowerments and teachings from this Extraordinary Saint. From his humble birth in a remote location in eastern Tibet his enlightened activity brought benefit to countless beings. His heart son Bokar Rinpoche wrote about Kalu Rinpoche "The gentleness of his being, the pervasiveness of his kindness, the brilliance of his wisdom and the irresistibly of his sense of humour has touched hearts in every part of the world".
Traveller in Space: In Search of Female Identity in Tibetan Buddhism

The River Tay 26th October 2013

An largely overcast day and relatively calm given the weather forecast is that we're heading for a severe storm to spread across the country. A deepening depression is winding itself up over the Atlantic. More rain for sure, stripping autumnal leaves from the trees, suddenly foliage and colour gone, bare trees and winter beckons. Bbrrrr.

Akong Rinpoche a remarkable life.

Akong Rinpoche a remarkable life.

Mugdrum Island River Tay

The last few days it has rained intermittently, occasionally the clouds opened and for parts the sun did shine.

As a guide, the solar panels on the roof generated 9.507 kWh of electricity. I must be thankful for small mercies.

Prayer Message For Akong Rinpoche by His Eminence the 12th Khentin Tai Situ Rinpoche.

The video message is in three parts; the message in English until 12:05 followed by the message in Tibetan until 19:17 then the closing message in English.



Tonight at 10-00 pm GMT The body of Akong Rinpoche was cremated at his Monastery, Dolma Lhakang.

Akong Rinpoche 4 April 1940 - 8 October 2013

Chöje Akong Rinpoche (4 April 1940 – 8 October 2013) was a Tulku in the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and a founder of the Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland.
On 8 October 2013, it was reported that Akong Tulku Rinpoche had been murdered in a dispute over money in Chengdu, China, along with two other monks, including Rinpoche's nephew. Stabbed to death.

Rinpoche pictured on 8- 8- 88 wearing the gold insignia as president of ROKPA. ROKPA means to give help where help is needed.
Rinpoche introduced Western people to Tibetan religion and culture.  In addition, he helped found ROKPA International, an international humanitarian organisation that works principally in Tibet and Nepal. The charitable aims of ROKPA are: "To promote Buddhism and to foster non-sectarian inter-religious dialogue and understanding. To provide medical care and therapy. To provide education. To relieve poverty." Samyé Ling has a separate charitable foundation called ROKPA Trust that performs fund-raising for and contributes considerable funds to ROKPA International.
 In 1992, Akong Rinpoche was one of the main people to discover one of the two claimed reincarnations of the 16th Karmapa, Urgyen Drodul Trinley Dorje, and took him to two of the regents, Their Eminences Tai Situ Rinpoche and Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche responsible for locating the reincarnation.

Rinpoche had thousands of followers, for 40 years he was my friend, teacher and guide and along with all of us he will be remembered for his kindness, understanding and compassion. It's one thing for an eminent  being to pass away through natural causes, another to be assassinated over an alleged dispute over money.
The three perpetrators  have been arrested, it remains to see the outcome.
May all beings be happy and free of the causes of suffering. OM MANI PADME HUNG.