Stupas, Family & Babies! A special visit from Dominique Briggs and family
It was a warm summer’s day when Lam Rim Wales had the pleasure of greeting Dominique Briggs and Noelia Nogales with their 8 month old daughter while visiting from Bolivia. Dominique was invited by his brother, a trustee of the Centre. Both are long term students of the late Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Upon his arrival, Dominique gifted the Centre with a special stupa made with the relics of Lama Zopa Rinpoche who passed into Tugdam in 2023. Lama Zopa Rinpoche is a well known Lama across all Tibetan traditions and was especially close to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The stupa was made by the Stupa Onlus group in Italy https://www.stupa-onlus.org/.
Dominique has been a student of Lama Zopa for many years and also offered a beautiful piece of art which he has created and which depicts Lama Zopa Rinpoche sitting on a mountainside next to Kopan monastery, which Lama Zopa founded. In the artwork, Lama Zopa Rinpoche sits peacefully smiling with his head surrounded by a halo of rainbow light. “The mountains represent Lawudo,” Dominique says, “a remote cave in Nepal where Lama Zopa’s previous incarnation had lived and meditated.”
You can view the painting here and also order free prints if you wish.
'The Bodhichitta Lama - Thubten Lama Zopa', postcard by Dominique Briggs
Dominique placed both the stupa and his artwork in the Gompa of Lam Rim Wales. He hopes that by bringing the relic stupa and painting to Lam Rim, the special energy of Lama Zopa will help the Centre as it transitions to its next phase.
“We prayed that the Centre re-opens for all to enjoy and receive the dharma from authentic Buddhist teachers once again.”
Family donating Lama Zopa stupa to Lam Rim Wales shrine
Lama Zopa stupa with painting behind
Dominique’s interest in supporting Lam Rim Wales was extended further as he agreed to do some fundraising for the garden and grounds. This generous aspect of Dominique is also noticed in his involvement in the Global Tree Initiative in Bolivia - a project of Osel Hita (recognised reincarnation of Lama Yeshe). Dominique also helped to raise funds to successfully improve conditions at Bodhichitta Land in the French Pyrannees, raising several thousand pounds.
“I really loved visiting Lam Rim Wales. I had seen an old website of the place many many years ago and always wanted to visit. Since my brother is now been involved, it was a great chance to finally see the Centre. We had such a nice welcome from everyone there and felt immediately at home. It was a little like a homecoming in fact. My family loved it there and we both felt the living energy of the history and all the great teachers who have visited there.
Not long after visiting,I had a beautiful dream of Geshe Damcho the former teacher at the Centre, leading me by both hands into the gompa to receive teachings. He had such a warm presence and vibrant smile. This was particularly significant since I had never met Geshe Damcho - at least not in this lifetime.
I have no doubt the Centre is on the verge of yet again becoming an important place for Buddhism in the UK. It’s almost as though the place is resting, waiting to reawaken with new energy for all to enjoy.”
Baby blessings! Statue is soon due renovations by kind volunteers.