BUDDHIST GUMBA READING UK EVENTS REPORTS
1. Established:
On the 21st of April 2018, a meeting was held at 140 Northumberland Avenue, Reading. The members decided to form an Ad hoc Committee (7 Members) named BUDDHIST GUMBA READING UK (BGRUK), which consisted of the following members:
Ad Hoc Committee:-
- Chairman: Insp Khem Bahadur Gurung
- Treasurer: Maj Buddhi Bahadur Gurung
- Secretary: Kamal Gurung
- Assistant Secretary: Yubaraj Gurung
- Legal: Subin Gurung
- Members from Mothers Group: Mrs Rajani Gurung
- Members from Mothers Group: Mrs Mina Gurung
2. 03 June 2018 Oral Transmissions to Buddha Amitabh:
After establishing the organisation, a second committee meeting on the 19th of June 2018 was called to formally enlarge the committee size. The committee appointed four vice-chairman, one assistant Treasurer, five members property committee, five Puja co-ordinators and eighteen more committee members.
Subcommittee members’ name and proposed advisors’ names can be found within our minute book if requested.
After having established and expanded the committee, the BGRUK organised an event with the help of the organization’s religious teacher, Guru Khenrinpoche Shir Lama Gurung in Rivermead, Leisure Complex Centre, Reading.
During the event, Kyabje Khenchhen Pema Sherab Rinpochhe, the senior-most Khenpo in the Nyingma Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism gave the oral transmission of Buddha Amitabh, bestowing empowerment and showers of blessing to all the devotees present with the translation being done by Khenrinpoche Shir Lama Guru. It was a huge success and people from all walks of life came to pay homage and pray with over 500 in attendance.
3. 02 Sep. 2018 (Youth Interaction Programme):
After the successful event on the 3rd Jun 18, Buddhist Gumba Reading UK came up with the idea of hosting a Youth Interaction Programme on 2nd Sep 2018 to educate and teach the younger generations about Buddhism principle and philosophy at the Pakistani Community Centre, Reading. Even though it was the first of its kind, it was still a huge success with everyone attending finding it informative and fruitful. BGRUK religious teacher, Guru Khenrinpoche Shir Lama spoke about the Buddha Dharma and its core disciplines that are used to live a happy and simple life. The class was free for everyone with free food being served throughout the event.
BGRUK felt that it is very important to organise events like this in the future to encourage and inspire our younger generations to involve in community support works and learn Buddhism. This will help our future generations to understand our culture, customs and religion in order to preserve our traditions in the UK.
4. 30 Sep. 2018 (Tara Dolma Puja):
On the 30th of September 2018, the BGRUK organised a Tara Dolma Puja with the help of Khenpo Shir lama Guru at Pakistani Community Centre, Reading. It was yet another a rewarding event with a huge number of attendees, mostly from Khenpo Shir Lama guru’s followers. The teaching was purely on the Buddha Dharma and main role of the Tara Dolma which signifies the power of women who we regard as a Goddesses. It is believed that when we have a Tara Dolma Puja, it will protect us from fear and dangers, while fulfilling all our wishes, especially ones on the spiritual path. Meditation on the Tara brings life on our spiritual path and feeds us with endless energy to continue the path.
5. 17 Nov. 2018 Zambhala Puja:
On the 17th of November 2018, the BGRUK organised a Zambhala Empowerment Teaching session at the John Madejski Academy college, Reading. It was lead by 5th H.H. Kyabje Karma Kuchen Rinpoche in collaboration with the Buddhist Community Centre (BCC Kent) Kent and the Palyul Centre, London. The entire programme was arranged with the help of the Buddhist Gumba Reading UK religious teacher, Guru Kenrinpoche Shir Lama Gurung.
Due to the scale of the event, a number of Khenpo gurus and other gurus all over the UK took part in the event, and they are Khenpo Pema Chhophel, Khenpo Thubten Wangchuk, Khenpo Pema Tsering Sherpa, Lopen Dawa Sherpa, Lopen Phurba Tenjin, Lama Chumei Hoiser, Lama Kaji Gurung and Lama Dawa Norbui.
The event was immensely prosperous and all local and neighbouring organizations were present. The events purely run by voluntary contributions with both the BCC Kent and the BGRUK sharing the financial responsibilities equally.
6. 02 March 2019: Mahakal (Clearing away obstacle) and Sang Puja (Smoke Offering):
On the 2nd of March 2019, the Buddhist Gumba Reading UK organised a Mahakal and Sang Puja at the Pakistani Community Centre, Reading, led by Khenpo Santosh Guru. Buddhist followers believe that performing Mahakal (Clearing away obstacles) and Sang Puja (Smoke offering) will help in bringing positive vibes and clearing all obstacles and difficulties one may face.
The event was also a success with all who attended feeling blessed.
7. 18 May 2019: 2563 Buddha Jayanti Celebration:
The BGRUK celebrated the 2563rd birthday (Buddha Jayanti) of Buddha at the South Reading Community Centre, Reading led by Khenpo Dawa Guru. Khenpo Dawa Guru preached about Buddha philosophy and encouraged all to practice basic Panchasheel (Five Precepts of Buddha). The local Reading Borough Councillor, Mrs Rachel Eden was also attended the event as a guest.
The Buddhist Gumba Reading UK took the opportunity of this special day to collect dry food from all attendees on a volunteer basis and donate to the local charity food bank. BGRUK member, Mrs Raj Kumari Gurung coordinated the event immaculately, as a result a van full of food was donated to the local Food-Bank charity representative. The event was hugely successful, and we hope to do it again in 2020.
8. 07 July 2019: Ani Choying Drolma Charity Concert Dinner Night:
This was a historical event in UK for us as an organisation. On the 7th of July over 1000 people attended with the main guest of the event being the local MP Matt Rodda from East Reading, along with around 100 organizations.
The charity event was coordinated by VP Krishna Bahadur Gurung with the main purpose of the event being to raise fund to build a Gumba in Reading.
The event was started with the welcome song of ‘’Jaha Chhan Buddhaka Ankha…’’ performed by Assistant Treasurer, Mr Chandra Bahadur Gurung.
Ani Choying Drolma, also known as the “Singing Nun”, performed spell binding songs with her melodious voice that captured the audience creating an unforgettable night.
She sang both Buddhist Chants and songs including her most famous ‘’Fulko Ankhama Fulai Sansara..’’. She was also supported by well-known musicians Nhyoo Bajracharya (A judge from Nepal Idol) and his musician Co.
There is no doubt, it was one of the best events in BGRUK history which shone a spotlight and brought our organization to the world.
9. 14 July 2019: Race for Life to help Cancer Research UK.
The Buddhist Gumba Reading UK Mother and Puja group (Prayer service rituals) participated in 5K Park Run at Prospect Park, Reading on the 14th of July 2019. There were nearly 50 participants in the race who helped us raise £917.51 for Cancer Research UK. The cheque was jointly handed over to the representative by chairman Insp Khem Bahadur Gurung and race coordinator Mrs Raj Kumari Gurung.
A lunch and refreshments during and after the event for all attendees was kindly provided by BGRUK member, Mrs Min (Dut) Kumari Gurung at her house who lives close to the event park. The event was a step forward in paying back to the community that we were a part of.
10. 25 Aug 2019: Nepali Mela:
The Buddhist Gumba Reading UK Mother Group booked two Stalls, one for food and other for hot beverages, to advertise the Buddhist Gumba Reading UK Gumba and raise funds for Gumba project at the Nepali Mela.
The event ran auspiciously and managed to raise A handsome sum of money towards the Gumba. It was also very fun to watch the mother’s being busy for a good cause.
Even in the warm weather, the Mother team cooked live Sel-Roti and Stir-Fry Noodles for all to enjoy. Some of the team were busy helping other members at the other tent advertise the Gumba to the public.
Within the other tent, men were busy and sweating in the heat while cooking a BBQ, which was a pure joy to watch as both teams were working hard for a good cause.
