Fundraising Party - November 2004

in the presence of His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa, Yoga Therapy Centre, London N1

As part of a visit to London in the autumn of 2004, His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa kindly agreed to be our guest of honour at an event organised to raise funds for the Druk White Lotus School in Ladakh. This event not only raised over £5,000 for this important project but also gave new and old friends and students of His Holiness an exceptional opportunity to enjoy His company in an informal and intimate environment. We were all spoilt by the great choice of good food; the quality of the live entertainment; and, most of all, by the presence of His Holiness whom, as always, emanated so much love and compassion for all. The entertainment began with beautiful oboe music that calmed and uplifted us. Then we were challenged and inspired by the recitation of the profound instructions, in the form of a poem of the Tibetan saint Milarepa. After this, we were all amused by a great storyteller who reminded us of the law of cause and effect. This was followed by an invitation to aspire to be born in the pure lands of the bodhisattvas through listening to the rendition of a beautiful Spanish song. Finally, led by a great magician, we all came together to participate in 'true magic' it was simply fantastic! We all enjoyed ourselves in an open, respectful and dignifying manner. Just as we thought the evening was complete, His Holiness invited us to watch extracts of the video of last summer's pilgrimage to the Naropa Ceremony in Ladakh. In this way, through His great skill and generosity, His Holiness enabled even those who had not attended this ceremony to benefit from its vast and extraordinary potential to liberate by sight. Thank you to His Holiness and to all the people whom, in one way or another, made this event such a successful one.