According to a Nation story today, the Dalai Lama's cousin is in Bangkok and wanting to start a Vajrayana meditation centre here. It will be interesting to see if the government allows it, since we are so cosy with China these days.

Hello.

If you'd like to meet him (Lama Sange Gyatso), he'll be at Yoga Elements Studio, Chitlom, this Saturday August 21 from 6pm. He's been a Lama for 45 years, is a master astrologer and healer in the Tibetan tradition. There will be a meditation and question time, with a translator (he speaks Tibetan and Mandarin).

For more information, go to www.yogaelements.com.

Entry is by donation, 300 baht is suggested, and the proceeds go toward building a monastery.

Jen.

Jen,

Is he related to Geshe Kelsang Gyatso?. I have just read a very informative and well written book by him called "Intro to Buddhism"....Is he related to the honourable Dalai Lama?

..Sorry, if this question is stupid, I'm a newbie trying to find "peace of mind".

Is he related to Geshe Kelsang Gyatso?

There not related by family, but they probably share the same root Guru. The Dalai Lama has never officially acknowledged anyone as his root Guru, but it is generally thought that within the Gelukpa Tradition (the Buddhist group to which the Dalai Lamas belong) his closest teacher was Trijang Rinpoche.

Venerable Geshe Kelsang's root Guru is Trijang Rinpoche. He founded the New Kadampa Tradition, which now has nearly seven hundred Kadampa Buddhist centres in thirty-six countries, each with qualified teachers and a full program of introductory classes, structured study programs and meditation retreats.

Take a look at:

http://www.kadampa.org

I've been a student of Geshe Kelsang's for over 12 years and have nothing but the highest regard for this fully qualified meditation master.