Interfaith Council for Wales event, Cardiff United Synagogue, Tues Nov 15 2016, 6 - 8

Film by Big Big Buddha Films - Still Loved - Friday 7th October, Vue cinema, 7pm, followed by Q&A. Tickets £4.

A trailer can be viewed at the website.
Tickets are available via Ourscreen.

Chamtrul Rinpoche UK teaching tour - Wales dates

The Tibetan Buddhist teacher Chamtrul Rinpoche will be touring and teaching throughout England and Wales in June 2016. The dates for Wales are listed below, for further information on this teacher and the tour please visit the Bodhicitta website.

PONTYPOOL, MONMOUTHSHIRE, SOUTH WALES

Monday, 13th June, 7pm to 9pm

Lower House Farm Barn, Old Abergavenny Road, Mamhilad, Pontypool, NP4 0JF

ENERGY CHANNELS, WINDS, AND DROPS OF THE SUBTLE BODY

NO BOOKING REQUIRED - JUST COME ALONG

NEWPORT, SOUTH WALES

Tuesday, 14th June, 10.30am to 12pm

Share Centre, 88 Stow Hill, Newport, NP20 4DW

MEDITATION FOR THE RELAXATION OF BODY AND MIND

NO BOOKING REQUIRED - JUST COME ALONG

CARDIFF, SOUTH WALES

Tuesday, 14th June, 7pm to 9pm

Chapter Arts Centre, 40 Market Road, Cardiff, CF5 1RZ

IN SEARCH FOR THE MEANING OF LIFE

NO BOOKING REQUIRED - JUST COME ALONG

BRYNMAWR, BLAENAU GWENT, SOUTH WALES

Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th June, 7pm to 9pm

Palpung Changchub Dargyeling, 96 King Street, Brynmawr, NP23 4SY 

THE ESSENCE OF 'THE WORDS OF MY PERFECT TEACHER'

NO BOOKING REQUIRED - JUST COME ALONG

BISHOPTON, SWANSEA, SOUTH WALES

Friday 17th June, 7pm to 9pm

Bishopton Community Centre, Murton Green, Bishopton, SA3 3AA

MEDITATION FOR MIND AND BODY - TEACHING WITH GUIDED PRACTICE

NO BOOKING REQUIRED - JUST COME ALONG

LLANDOGO, MONMOUTHSHIRE, SOUTH WALES

Saturday 18th June, 3pm to 5pm

The Wye Valley Arts Centre, Llandogo, NP25 4TW 

THE NATURAL LAW OF CAUSE AND EFFECT

NO BOOKING REQUIRED - JUST COME ALONG

The Dharma Bum - A Documentary

Ian Lawton, a film maker based in the midlands of Ireland, is making a film about the lost Irish historical figure, U Dhammaloka, the first western Buddhist monk.

Ian Lawton speaks in more detail about the film and of Dhammaloka as a guest on a recent episode of the Mindrolling Podcast hosted by David & Raghu of Ram Dass Love Serve Remember Foundation, which is available to listen to here or on iTunes (Episode 96) and has also written an article on Dhammaloka for Elephant Journal. There are also more articles and information available on The Dharma Bum Facebook page.

Information about how to support the project can be found on the campaign page at www.dana.io/thedharmabum where contributions can be made in exchange for rewards.

Race Equality First event for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2015

Representatives of the Buddhist Council of Wales attended the Race Equality First event for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Friday 20th March in Cardiff.

International Day for the

Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2015

Sadly, even democratic and peaceful societies are not immune to prejudice and violence. With the anti-immigration views expressed by some media and politicians in the lead up to the elections, there is growing hostility and discrimination towards many communities.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination event with Race Equality First shared the facts as well as the concerns around immigrants, migration and asylum seekers in Wales.

The event included presentations and workshops to celebrate our multicultural society and explore the opportunities and challenges of immigration. The event ended with entertainment from Cardiff Bollywood Dance Society and a networking lunch.

NATO SUMMIT 2014 PROTESTS IN WALES (August 30-5 September)

NATO SUMMIT 2014 PROTESTS IN WALES (August 30-5 September)

60 WORLD LEADERS MEETING AT CELTIC MANOR, NEWPORT

At this year's summit the US will be pressuring European governments to increase their already huge military budgets at a time when poverty and inequality are soaring. NATO expansion has contributed to a dangerous crisis in Ukraine threatening a regional war. The week of action will open on Saturday 30 August with a mass march through Newport. There will also possibly be an multi-faith vigil, details to be confirmed.To add your name or your organisation to the statement below please email

NO MORE WARS:

PROTEST THE NATO SUMMIT

No to NATO. No to War. No to Austerity.

Statement issued by No NATO Newport 03.02.2014

Wales could see its biggest protests in a generation as 60 world leaders meet at the Celtic Manor in Newport for the NATO summit on 4th -5th September to plan their war on the world. Previous summits in Chicago and Strasbourg saw thousands protest war, austerity and global inequality.

From August 30th people will flock to South Wales for international actions including a weekend march and Counter Summit, week-long peace camp, and protests on the summit’s opening day.

NATO is the nuclear-armed military alliance binding Europe to US foreign policy, a foreign policy post-Iraq increasingly unpopular around the world. It is also the military alliance currently occupying Afghanistan.

War is the enemy of the poor. The world’s 85 richest people have as much as poorest 3.5 billion. The annual sum needed to end world hunger is $30 billion while the US Military’s budget is $530 billion per year.

Money into war is money out of our communities. In the UK, 500,000 people had to resort to food banks last year. While public services are slashed, one day of war in Afghanistan could fund 100,000 nurses.

This autumn the powerful will make their voices heard at the NATO summit. We must make sure that the voice of the millions around the world who need peace and justice is also heard.

Supported by - Stop the War Coalition, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), People's Assembly Against Austerity, Public & Commercial Services Union (PCS), Student Assembly Against Austerity, Black Triangle, Anti-Defamation Campaign in Defence of Disability Rights, Veterans for Peace UK, Child Victims of War, CND Cymru, Plaid Cymru Youth, Green Left, Wales Green Party, Rhondda Cynon Taf UNISON, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg/Welsh Language Society, Swansea Community Palestine Link, Swansea Action for Palestine, Swansea University People & Planet, Disarm Swansea University, Cardiff Stop the War Coalition, Aberystwyth Peace & Justice Network, Bro Emlyn for Peace & Justice, Bangor & Ynys Môn Peace & Justice, Plymouth Stop the War Coalition, Newcastle Stop the War Coalition, Newcastle Palestine Solidarity Campaign, North East People's Assembly, Food Not Bombs Wales, South Wales Anarchists, Socialist Resistance, Socialist Labour Party, Socialist Party Wales, Newport Against The Bedroom Tax, Newport People's Assembly, Wrexham People's Assembly, Cardiff People's Assembly, RCT People's Assembly, Cardiff Trades Council, Merthyr Trades Council, Newport Trades Council, Torfaen Trades Council, Cardiff Left Unity, Cymru Wales IWW, Yr Aflonyddwch Maw

Initial Signatories include - in a personal capacity - Rt Rev. Dr Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales; Jeremy Corbyn MP, Chair, Stop the War Coalition; John McDonnell MP, Chair, Labour Representation Committee; Jill Evans MEP, Plaid; Bethan jenkins AM, Plaid; Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, Plaid; Simon Thomas AM, Plaid; Pippa Bartolotti, Leader, Wales Green Party, Dr Derek Wall, International Co-ordinator, Green Party of England & Wales, Jack Mcglen, Equalities & Diversity Coordinator, Green Party of England & Wales, Andrew Murray, Unite the Union, Chief of Staff, Paul Mackney, Former General Secretary, UCU, Co-Chair, Greece Solidarity Campaign, Mark Campbell, UCU National Executive Committee, Marianne Owens, PCS National Executive Committee, Darren Williams, PCS Acting Wales Secretary, John Davidson, PCS Scotland Committee, R&C Assistant Group Secretary, National Editorial Board , Steve Ryan, PCS Wales Committee, Belinda Robertson, Robertson, Unite Wales, Regional Women's and Equalities Officer, Joanne Galazka, Unite Wales, Unite Community Co-ordinator, Ramon Corria, Secretary, Cardiff Trades Council, Roy Davis, President, Caerphilly Trades Council, Richard Morse, Secretary, Torfaen Trades Council, Terry Evans, Secretary, Policy Development & Campaign Committee, Cymru Wales UNISON, Ian Thomas, UNISON, Senior Steward, Cardiff and Vale Health Branch, Martin Chapman, UNISON, Senior Steward, City and County of Swansea Branch, Comrade Jamie Von Insole, NUJ, South Wales, Alan Milne, Wirral West Constituency Labour Party, Cllr Sue Lent, Deputy Leader, Cardiff Council, Cllr Darren Williams, Cardiff, Labour; Cllr Dilwar Ali, Cardiff, Labour; Cllr Jonathan Evans, Cardiff, Labour; Cllr David Groves, Cardiff, Labour; Cllr Daniel De'Ath, Cardiff, Labour, Cllr Iona Gordan, Cardiff, Labour, Cllr Garry Hunt, Cardiff, Labour, Cllr Chris Davis, Cardiff, Labour, Cllr Siobhan Corria, Cardiff Labour, Cllr Mary McGarry, Cardiff, Labour, Cllr Cecilia Love, Cardiff Labour, Cllr Susan Elsmore, Cardiff, Labour, Cllr Ray Davies, Vice-Chair CND Cymru, Caerphilly, Labour, Cllr Peter Foley, Bridgend, Independent, Emma Hughes, Co-editor, Red Pepper, Asa Winstanley, Journalist, Associate Editor, Electronic Intifada, Emily Trahair, Editor, Planet - The Welsh Internationalist, Andy Worthington, Journalist & Author of "The Guantanamo Files" & "The Battle of the Beanfield", Jonathan Neale, Author & Climate Activist, Johnny Void, Blogger, Jonny Jones, RS21 Website Editor, former Deputy Editor, International Socialism Journal (2009-13), Tom Fowler, Website Editor, Radical Wales, Kelvin Mason, Peace News, Dr Lina Dencik, Lecturer, Cardiff School of Journalism; Professor Christopher Norris, Philosopher and Literary Critic, Mab Jones, Comic Poet, Stevie Krayer, Writer, Lindsey German, National Convenor, Stop the War Coalition, Dr Kate Hudson, General Secretary, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), Chris Nineham, Vice-Chair, Stop the War Coalition, Prof Dave Webb – Chair, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), Betty Hunter, Honourary President, Palestine Solidarity Campaign; Roger Cole, Chair, Peace & Neutrality Alliance, Ireland, Joe Lombardo, Co-coordinator, United National Anti-war Coalition (UNAC), USA, Joanne Baker, Coordinator, Child Victims of War, Rob Griffiths, General Secretary, Communist Party of Britain, Hanef Bhamjee OBE, Secretary, Action for Southern Africa/Formerly Wales Anti-Apartheid Movement,Dr Carol Norris MBE, Jill Gough, National Secretary, CND Cymru, Robin Gwyndaf, Is-Lywydd Cymdeithas y Cymod yng Nghymru / Vice-President of the Fellowship of Reconciliation in Wales; Jane Harries, Cydlynydd Cymdeithas y Cymod a Chrynwraig / Coordinator of the Fellowship of Reconciliation in Wales & Quaker; Dr John Cox, Vice-Chair, CND Cymru, Ben Griffin, Ex-SAS, Veterans for Peace; Chris Cole, Drone Campaign Network/Drone Wars UK; Adam Johannes, Secretary, Cardiff Stop the War Coalition; Ross Saunders, Secretary, Cardiff Against The Cuts; Phil Steele, Bangor & Ynys Môn Peace & Justice; Lotte Reimer, Aberystwyth Peace and Justice Network; Wendy Lewis, Cor Cochion/Cardiff's Red Choir; Paolo Fiora, FFCHS, Freedom From Covert Harassment surveillance; John McArdle, Black Triangle, Dee Murphy, Swansea Community Palestine Link, Uma Sims, Secretary, Cardiff Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Harry Rogers, Bro Emlyn for Peace & Justice, Hayley Kemp, Plymouth Stop the War Coalition; Roger Nettleship, South Tyneside Stop the War Coalition; Stuart Evans, Treasurer, Welsh National Rights Movement/Mudiad Hawliau Cenedlaethol Cymru; Alan Thornett, Socialist Resistance; Peter Davies, Cymru IWW; Simon Hales, Derbyshire Green Party member, Peter Edwards, Cardiff SWP, GMB member, Len Arthur, Left Unity Wales, UCU member, Rob Abrams, Disarm Swansea University, Liz Screen, Socialist Labour Party Wales; Jan Underwood, UCU member, Bangor; Rev. Rufus Maychild, Iseum of Pandora; Dr Tomasz Pierscionek, Academic Clinical Fellow in Psychiatry, Editor, London Progressive Journal, North East Regional Council Executive, BMA; Aaron Kiely, NUS Black Officer; Fiona Edwards, Secretary, Student Broad Left; Sam Dathi, Organiser, Student Assembly Against Austerity/National Officer, Stop the War Coalition; Tom Costerton, Organiser, Student Assembly Against Austerity; Ally Rooms, SOAS Stop the War; Marienna Pope-Weidemann, Counterfire; Clare Birkett, SOAS Counterfire; Ruairidh Paton, SOAS Counterfire; Glenn Page, National Chair, Plaid Cymru Youth; Aled Morgan Hughes, National Secretary, Plaid Cymru Youth ; Daniel Roberts, Director of Policy and Campaigns, Plaid Cymru Youth; Cerith Dafydd Rhys Jones, Director of Press and Communications, Plaid Cymru Youth; Peter Gillibrand, Chair, Carmarthenshire Plaid Cymru Youth, Local Plaid Cymru Youth chair for Carmarthenshire; Sebastian Power, , Former Co-Spokesperson, Federation of Young European Greens, Green Party International Committee, Young Greens of England and Wales Committee

Radio 4 - Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day - 14/05/2014 - Vishvapani

This week Buddhists around the world celebrate the Buddha’s Enlightenment in the festival of Wesak or Buddha Day. Buddhists believe that on night of the May full moon he sat beneath a spreading fig tree and entered a state of deep concentration. Exploring his consciousness in its profoundest depths, he saw the ingrained, instinctual responses, such as craving and ill will, that shaped his mind and sowed the seeds of future suffering. Then something changed. A new vision of existence opened, as if he’d been asleep and now he’d woken up. 

This experience made him the Buddha, ‘the One who has Awakened’. It guided how he taught others in the remaining 45 years of his life, informed the practice of his disciples and inspired a pan-Asian civilisation. But what is its significance today? 

The Buddha’s teachings resonate, to a surprising extent, with a secular outlook. He didn’t believe in a creator God or insist on the need for a saviour. He said reality was impermanent and insubstantial, and suggested that our failure to live in accordance with it produces suffering. Then he taught practices like meditation that reshape our minds accordingly. Their continuing relevance is seen in the current popularity of mindfulness practices. These have served centuries of Buddhist practitioners and are now being adopted in secular settings from parliament to schools as an antidote to our speedy, stressful lives.

But the goal of Buddhist practice is more than psychological health. It aims for the same liberation the Buddha experienced in his Enlightenment. While ideas and teachings are helpful in grasping this, images can evoke it. 

So let us imagine a clear, blue sky stretching infinitely in all directions. We’re in the space of the creative imagination, and before us we see a light. It resolves into a figure and we sense that this figure embodies wisdom: our capacity to know, deeply and truly, the real meaning of our lives. It embodies compassion: the force that flows through us when self-preoccupation falls away. It embodies energy, creativity and beauty. 
In Buddhist art the figures that appear in this space are defined by traditional iconography, but perhaps we can also allow room for our own intuition. What does wisdom look like to you? For Buddhists, the Buddha is both an individual and a symbol for a new way of being. So, in marking Buddha Day, we’re celebrating the human capacity to develop awareness, wisdom and compassion, and their potential to transform both individuals and the world.

Transcript from BBC iPlayer

The speaker is a member of the Triratna Tradition

Bodhicitta and Chamtrul Rinpoche's 2014 UK Teachings

Chamtrul Rinpoche came to the UK for the first time in 2013. His teaching tour took him to several places across the land, where he captivated and inspired many old and new students with his uplifting presence and renowned teachings.  The teachings are open to all, and are by donation. Booking isn't required, please just come along.

Please find your way to the venues in good time so that you can settle yourself in, well before Chamtrul Rinpoche begins to teach. 

For further information please visit the Bodhicitta website 

PORTHCAWL, WALES

ST CLARE'S PRAYER & RETREAT CENTRE, CF36 5NR
30 MAY 7-9PM

The Practice of the Four Immeasurables
To Open the Heart

By thinking about and meditating on the Four Immeasurables, we lessen our disturbing emotions and attitudes, and we begin to open the heart, benefiting ourselves and others.

Immeasurable Love is the wish for all beings to have both happiness and its causes.

Immeasurable Compassion is the wish for all beings to be free from suffering and its causes.

Immeasurable Joy is the wish for all beings to never be apart from happiness and for it to increase more and more.

Immeasurable Equanimity is the wish for all beings to be free from attachment and aversion, that keeps some close and others distant.

Chamtrul Rinpoche will also speak about how these four are the foundation of bodhicitta - the mind of enlightenment - the compassionate wish to attain the enlightened state of a Buddha for the benefit of all beings.


LLANDOGO, WALES
WYE VALLEY ARTS CENTRE, NP25 4TW
1 JUNE 3-5PM

Finding Meaning in Everyday Life

Chamtrul Rinpoche will explain how by recognising the conditions that create suffering and those that generate inner peace, we can find greater meaning and purpose in everyday life, helping ourselves and others.

BRIDGEND, WALES
FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE, CF31 4AZ
2 JUNE 7-9PM

The Healing Power of Tonglen

Tonglen is a Tibetan word - 'tong' means giving, and 'len' means taking.

In brief, this practice aims at taking on the suffering and pain of others, while giving them well-being.

If Buddhism asserts that it's not possible to literally take away and experience somebody else's karma, how does tonglen work?

It is said that for tonglen to be most effective, we would first have to have a deep karmic connection with the other individual, built up from this life, or a previous life.

Tonglen would then act as a condition for the surfacing and ripening of a portion of each individual's karma, which would otherwise be buried under their other ripening karma. This causes the person performing tonglen to experience something similar to what the other individual had been experiencing, while they experience well-being instead.

On this deepest level, tonglen is an incredibly powerful practice to engage in. A practice that relies not just on a deep karmic connection, but on great compassion and courage too.

Whether we have the ability to practice this deepest level or not, there are other levels of practice too. Whatever level that we engage in, it's extremely beneficial, as it will dramatically weaken the self-cherishing attitude, and will undoubtedly strengthen our positive qualities, and our bodhicitta aim - the compassionate wish to attain the enlightened state of a Buddha for the benefit of all beings.

Aberystwyth Buddhist Group

The Aberystwyth Buddhist Group is for people interested in Buddhism in Aberystwyth.



The group meets for Buddhist meditation and general discussio every Wednesday at Merched y Wawr, Vulcan Street, SY23 1JH (Map) at 7.45 for 8pm.

They are a friendly, non-sectarian group interested in exploring Buddhism, its relevance and benefits for modern living.

All are welcome, beginners and more experienced meditators; of whatever religious belief, or none.

Web site http://aberbuddhism.wordpress.com/

Further details from:
Ian: 01970 625762
Maurice: 01970 627356

Tibetan monk rescues German teenager from the streets of Cardiff

A wonderful story from Wales Online

NHS Chaplains

The National Secular Society (NSS) are opposing the need for Hospital Chaplains in the NHS.  The following extracts are from an article on Hospital Chaplains which can be read in full here and you can also sign an e-petition in support for NHS Chaplaincy services here.

"[hospital chaplains] spend only a minority of their time with people of explicit religious affiliation. Much more time is spent on people of no explicit religious belief, but whose illness has brought them to a place of uncertainty, anxiety, and questioning, and who ask the chaplain to accompany them through that experience. [Chaplains] don’t proselytise (it’s against their code of conduct), and are bound by their professional standards to be open, accepting and non-judgemental to those who ask for their help. [Chaplains] are likely to have well developed skills in secular ethics, philosophy, sociology and many other disciplines, and also often have a profound body of experience to draw on. Almost uniquely in the contemporary NHS, chaplains organise their time so as to give their patients the attention they need, rather than working strictly to timed appointments. 

[Secularists] tend to argue simply that chaplaincy should be taken out of NHS hands altogether and, in effect, privatised by handing it over to religious organisations. [This] would make chaplaincy more narrowly religious, less helpful to patients, and virtually useless to NHS professionals and the institutions in which they work. A chaplain employed by a Church would see only patients who were members of that Church; a chaplain employed by the NHS is available for anyone. A chaplain employed by a Church would have no commitment or loyalty to the hospital they worked in. An NHS chaplain not only has that commitment and loyalty, but has an often explicit remit to help guide and challenge the institution when needed. The chaplain is also one of a usually small group of professionals whose role is to resist the tendency of modern technological biomedicine to see sick people merely as broken-down machines, and  who try to affirm and promote the human values of good healthcare."

The Sun Beaten Path

The film The Sun Beaten Path is touring Wales in the Wales One World Film Festival 15th March - 3rd April 2013 and will be shown in Aberystwyth, Cardigan, Swansea and Cardiff.

Film synopsis:

The Sun Beaten Path (PG)

Director: Sonthar Gyal
Starring: Yeshe Lhadruk, Lo Kyu
Tibet, 2011, 1 hour 29 minutes, subtitles

With vast, desolate landscapes and often dream-like sequences, this cinematic gem is a really authentic portrait of contemporary Tibet. Walking home to a remote part of Tibet through barren mountains and dusty wind-swept plains, the troubled Nyma is joined by an old man whose gently persistent good sense allows Nyma to gradually unburden himself. A simple tale, elliptically told that really shows how Tibet is now with smart Chinese buses speeding past Tibetan couples prostrating themselves on the hard shoulder all the way to Lhasa.

Sutra

On the 29 and 30 of March a production called Sutra is coming to the Wales Millennium Centre in the Donald Gordon Theatre, which features 20 practicing Buddhist Monks from the Shaolin Temple in China.  

The production is a collaboration between  the choreographer Sidi Larbi, the sculptor Antony Gormley (Angel of the North) and the Warrior monks themselves. Aged between 10 and 26 the monks performing follow a strict Buddhist doctrine, with kung-fu and tai chi martial arts forming a part of their daily ritual.

Buddhist Art

A collection of Buddhist Art for sale from Keith Brainin.

• A superb collection of antique and modern statues, masks and ritual objects
•  A fabulous collection of rare antique Thankas from Tibetan temples as well as modern Nepalese Thankas painted by contemporary masters
•  A comprehensive compendium of antiquarian, rare and outstanding books covering a wide range of topics including Buddhism, early Himalayan travel, Tibetan culture, history and art

http://keiths-buddhist-art-antiques.co.uk/

Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project.

The Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project are offering a free talk to Buddhist groups in the UK on the subject of 'Hongik Ingan', the founding philosophy of Korea. This philosphy has found expression through numerous works of Buddhist art, such as the Tripitaka Koreana woodblock library and Sarira reliquary. It is also visible through the advances in society made in the past 50 years in South Korea, an inspiring story achieved through people working together for the common good, and one that remains largely uncovered by the world press.

The philosophy of Hongik Ingan or "living for the benefit of all" is a message of universal value, and of particular interest to those with a faith in the ability of human beings to interact for the good of the world. Aside from the core message of the talk, the items of Buddhist heritage discuss provide a deep insight into the distinctiveness of Korean Buddhist art.

The talk is accompanied by short videos and free books, including a biography of the great Buddhist Master Wonhyo, are also made available.  There are no fees or expenses for the talk on weekends. During the week a contribution to travel expenses is appreciated, and evenings are preferred.

For further information contact Matthew Jackson at matthew.jackson@kscpp.net

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving

On Thursday 26th April two representatives of the Buddhist Council of Wales attended a Service of Thanksgiving at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.  Ngakma Nor’dzin Pamo (Chair) and Padmasimha (Vice Chair) joined the cathedral clergy and other faith representatives in procession through the cathedral before HRH Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip arrived.

The procession included: firstly Her Majesty's Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms; then the Queen's Body Guard of the Yeoman of the Guard; then the Cathedral Choir; then the faith representatives; then the Cathedral Clergy, the Chapter and Diocesan Officials; and finally the Bishops of the Church in Wales.  It was a most colourful procession with the yeoman all in red and the clergy in their finery.  The Archbishop of Wales looked splendid in his white cloak decorated in gold.

Ngakma Nor’dzin comments: “We sat beyond the choir stalls near the altar, which meant we had a wonderful experience of the full richness of the cathedral organ, but had a poor view of the Queen and Prince Phillip who were seated the other side of the choir stalls nearer to the congregation.  The service was joyful and the singing most beautiful.  After the royal party had left we then processed back through the cathedral.  Thankfully the rain held off and it was a most pleasant and enjoyable day.”

Wales One World Film Festival

Wales One World Film Festival brings films from around the world to various arts venues across Wales.

A segment of the WOW 2012 programme has a distinct emphasis on films from far-flung parts of Asia, with two films from Mongolia; the incredible music documentary; AnDa Union, From The Steppes to the City and the beautiful The Eagle Hunter’s Son, a Mongolian Kes with its exploration of the extraordinary relationship between a nomad boy and his eagle.  Also screening is Old Dog from the wilds of Tibet which works both as the story of an old man and his loyal mastiff and a metaphor for Tibet's relationship with China.

These films are showing on 10th and 11th April Taliesin Arts Centre at Swansea University.

For more information about these films, venues and the rest of the festival programme please visit www.wowfilmfestival.com

You can follow us on Twitter.com/wowfilm and we’re using the hastag #wowfilm2012

The Holocaust Memorial Day, Wales, 2012

Ngakma Nor’dzin Pamo attended the Wales Holocaust Memorial Day Service as Buddhist representative. This was held at City Hall in Cardiff.  The theme for the 2012 service was: Speak Up, Speak Out.  The service was led by The Reverend Stewart Lisk, Hon Chaplain of Cardiff Council, and remembered not only the Holocaust of Nazi persecution but other genocides since that time, such as Cambodia 1975-79, Rwanda 1994 and Bosnia 1995.

Literature accompanying the Order of Service identified eight stages of a gradual process that could enable a basic lack of respect and tolerance to escalate to a Holocaust:

1. Classification – ‘us’ and ‘them’
2. Symbolisation – indicating those who are ‘different’
3. Dehumanisation
4. Organisation
5. Polarisation
6. Preparation
7. Extermination
8. Denial

The Service—conducted in English and Welsh—included several musical interludes by Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan Youth Choir, and Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan String Quartet.  Wreaths were laid by The Rt Hon. Carwyn Jones, AM, First Minister of Wales; by Councillor Rodney Berman, Leader of Cardiff Council; Saleem Kidwai, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Wales; and Norma Golten, South Wales Jewish Representative Council .

The Pledge was originally written by Gwyneth Lewis, National Poet of Wales 2005/6, for the 2006 Holocaust Memorial Day service which had the theme: One Person Can Make a Difference:

The fight for justice starts and ends with me
Truth is the sound of what I may say.
I can only be well when others are free
And right has a price I’m prepared to pay.

I refuse to be afraid
Of force or hatred
I will pull their lie like weeds,
Plant gardens of more generous seeds.

If I turn my back and walk away
Who’ll ask for others what I want for me?
I can only be well when others are free
And right has a price I’m prepared to pay.

Peacebuilders Exhibition

The Holocaust Memorial Day

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust are holding free Holocaust Memorial Day 2012 Workshops in Wales.  There will be a Cardiff workshop on Monday 26 September and a Wrexham Workshop on Wednesday 02 November.  If you would like to book a place on the Workshop you can email the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust at enquiries@hmd.org.uk or call our office on 0845 838 1883.

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place every year in the UK on 27 January and commemorates the millions who have been murdered in the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.  Many inter-faith groups have in the past used Holocaust Memorial Day to raise contemporary issues regarding human rights and equality and the importance of learning the lessons of the past to create a safer, better future. 

As well as highlighting the murder of six million Jews in the Holocaust, faith and inter-faith groups have also drawn on the persecution and murder of Gypsies, Gay men, disabled groups and many others by the Nazis, as well as subsequent genocides.

On the 26 September or on 02 November you’ll have a chance to hear more about the 2012 theme Speak Up Speak Out, receive training in activity organising, and meet others who are also planning to mark HMD within your area.  The Cardiff workshop is being held at Race Equality First, Friary Centre, Grey Friars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3FA between 1.30pm to 4.30pm, and the Wrexham workshop will take place at Wrexham Arts Centre, Rhosddu Road, Wrexham, LL11 1AU with the same running times.  We will be providing refreshments. 

If you are unable to attend the workshop, we will still be delighted to help you mark HMD 2012 and we have a wide selection of free resources to help you mark 27 January.

Speak Up, Speak Out - HMD 2012

‘In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.’ Martin Luther King Jr.

Holocaust Memorial Day Trust

PO Box 61074

London SE1P 5BX

t. 0207 735 7028

m. 07950 672878

e. charlie.lewis@hmd.org.uk 

www.hmd.org.uk

Charity no. 1109348