Our Gallery

We were extremely fortunate that His Holiness the Dalai
Lama visited our centre in November 2004 and blessed our lovely shrine room.

His Holiness planting a tree in the gardens of Lam Rim

His Eminence Jangtse Choeje Rizong Rinpoche, We were blessed to receive Teachings from His Eminence, Jangtse Choeje Rizong Rinpoche, in Johannesburg & Durban in 2007 (see Patrons for further details).

Geshe Phende-la skillfully painted the throne in preparation for Rinpoche’s visit; it is really lovely and we would like to thank everyone who was involved in the building of the throne, the paint and extra skills it has taken to make this such a beautiful offering.

Refuge with our spiritual director,
Venerable Geshe Damcho Yonten, in 2008

Lam Rim fund raising buffet, Dalai Lama 50 years in Exile,
Geshe Dhonden and Sonam Tenzing, 2009

Raising new prayer banner and prayer flags, Saka Dawa, 2009

Buddhist Relic Tour, August 2009

During the first visit to Africa the holy relics of the Buddha, his disciples and many great Buddhist masters was displayed at the Kargyu centre in Capetown and then here to the Lam Rim centre in Johannesburg. This incredibly significant event was well supported by people of all faiths and many were able to have their pet animals blessed as well. In total nearly 3,000 people attended both centres.

Our greatest thanks go to all our teachers and spiritual guides (Geshe Damcho Yonten, Gyalrong Khentrul Rinpoche, H.E. Rizong Rinpoche and H.E. Denma Locho Rinpoche and our previous resident teacher Geshe Phende) without whom we would have no centre and no karma to have made this wondrous event possible. We especially thank Lam Zopa Rinpoche for his lifelong efforts in collecting the relics and his great compassion in making them available to all beings around the world over the last 8 years. The Maitreya Project is something that will benefit countless beings and it’s effect is already being felt.

To the members of the tour itself, Victoria Ewart (the Director), Ven. Nyingje and Ven. Samden we extend our gratitude for their devotion to the Maitreya project, the relics themselves and their deep concern for our well-being.

On the final day of the Relic Tour a remarkable event emphasised the auspiciousness of the entire tour when the relic of Lama Geshe Konchog glowed spontaneously during the closing ceremony. Over 20 people were there to witness this, and several photos were taken in which the glowing orange light is clearly visible. A letter from Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains the significance of this extremely rare and blessed occurrence.

World Peace & Compassion Tour

The Tibet Society of South Africa brought six Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Rizong monastery in Ladakh who constructed a sand mandala for World Peace & Compassion in 2010 at the Lam Rim centre. The centre has one of the few sand mandalas in the world which has been preserved.

Chenrezig Retreat with Geshe Samten-la, 2010

Refuge with Geshe Samten-la, 2010