Founded in 1990, and named by Karma Thinley Rinpoche, Dechen's rural retreat centre, Sakya Changlochen Ling, lies in the heart of Perigord Noir in the Dordogne region of South West France. It is in this tranquil environment that Lama Jampa Thaye gives teachings and leads retreats according to the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. These events take place during the summer on an annual basis.
Originating as two stone barns the property has been developed over recent years and between 2010 and 2012 work has been done to double its size. There is also an additional smaller building comprising retreat facilities. Surrounding the buildings are four acres of land, with extensive woods and pastures lying beyond. All this provides a conducive environment for retreats and dharma courses.
In August 2012 Lama Jampa Thaye started teaching Sakya Pandita’s renowned work “Elucidating the Thought of the Sage”. Over 80 people gathered daily to hear this seminal text which clarifies the essential Buddhist teachings, tracing them back to their original sources. This teaching will be continued in August 2013.
When Sakya Changlochen Ling was first purchased in 1989 by a group of Lama Jampa
Thaye's students it was opened as a retreat centre, where Lama Jampa gave teachings and led retreats on a biannual basis. This, however, has now become an annual event, with a course and/or a retreat being held there each summer. Lama Jampa Thaye gives teachings and leads retreats according to the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Past Teachings
Lama Jampa Thaye has previously given extensive teachings on texts such as Shantideva's Bodhisattvacharyavatar, Sonam Tsemo's Tantra Sets and Sakya Pandita's Discriminating the Three Vows as well as teachings on Parting From the Four Attachments. He has also given various empowerments there over the past 16 years, including those of Chenrezig Mahamudra , Manjushri Arapatsana and White Manjushri, The Three Bodhisattvas, Green Tara, White Tara, Yellow Dzambala, and White Tara of the Wish-Fulfilling Wheel.
Recent courses include: in 2006, a one-week course on Lama Jampa's own recent work, Rain of Clarity, providing a definitive overview of the Sakya tradition; followed by a one-week retreat on Manjushri Arapatsana led by Lama Jampa.
In 2007, Lama Jampa gave the initiation, tri (commentarial explanation) and led a one-week retreat of the Wish-Fulfilling Wheel of White Tara. In 2009, he gave the initiation of Saraswati and led a one-week retreat on the goddess who is famous as one of the principal wisdom deities in Vajrayana Buddhism and patroness of poetry and music. In 2010 Lama Jampa bestowed the initiation followed by a one-week retreat of Vajrapani Bhutadamara. in 2011 Changlochen was closed due to the extensive building development and in August 2012 Lama Jampa gave part 1 of Sakya Pandita's text, 'Elucidating the Thought of the Sage' during the first week (to be continued in August 2013), follwed by an initiation and one-week retreat practice on White Tara of the Wish-Fulfilling Wheel.
