Ths is the meaning of life... as it's lived at Jampa Ling

Deep in the heart of the Bawnboy countryside is a haven or peace and tranquillity with a difference. Tara House in the townland of Owendoon has been home to Jampa Ling Tibetan Buddhist centre for two decades now, and as temperatures soared to 25 degrees on Sunday, May 23, people from all over poured into the beautifully decorated marquee for the celebrations. The centre has been 20 years a growing and everyone responsible had lots to celebrate. It was unique and magical to see a Roman Catholic parish priest, a Buddhist nun and a Cavan county councillor share a joke in this relaxed setting. Tara House originated from a vision of Panchen Ötrul Rinpoche, the spiritual director of Jampa Ling Tibetan Buddhist Centre. The Tibetan words Jampa and Ling translate as place of loving kindness. Since its establishment in 1989, the centre's main aim has been to promote peace and happiness for all living things. Tara house is a restored 19th century coach house and is ideal for workshop and courses of all kinds. It is fully equipped for self-catering family holidays or personal retreats. The building includes a beautiful timber floored workshop room, sleeping accommodation for 16, a purpose-built kitchen and a dining room overlooking a 150-year-old walled garden. Tara House is deep in the ancient landscape of west Cavan. The silence and unspoilt natural beauty of this special environment make it an ideal location to relax and to recuperate away from the stresses and strains of modern life. One person who sought that escape is Bonnie Lynch from Kingscourt, who went to the centre for a weekend five years ago to relax... and never left. She had just returned from travelling around various countries when she landed in Tara house and fell in love with the way of life. "I had only planned to stay a few weeks, but it has evolved into five years," she explained. She oversees the running of the centre and works in the office and a typical day for Bonnie is to get up for first practice (7-8.30am), then have breakfast. Visitors do their daily work and have lunch at 1pm. There is meditation at 4pm, when people can also do practice and self reading. There is a soup at 6pm and another practice at 7pm. That finishes up around 8pm and the lights go out at 10pm. It's early to bed in the dormitories. "People come here to learn about Buddhism and not just to hang out. But you don't have to do all the practices - you put in whatever you want to get out of it," said Bonnie. Will she stay for the rest of her life? Bonnie explained that she arrived out of the blue and she could leave in the same way. Ven Margery Cross from Lancashire, England is the founder of Jampa Ling at Bawnboy. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun by the Dalai Lama 12 years ago and is known as Ani La. "We started the centre here in 1990 and that was shortly after my husband died," said Ani La. "I met the Lama who is our teacher now. I didn't know what to do with the house and I thought it would be good to start a Buddhist retreat centre - I was already a Buddhist and had been for many years." She and her late husband had purchased the house when it came up for sale after he retired early, with a view to starting a small guest house. "We renovated it, and then unfortunately he passed away. It was then I decided to use it as a Buddhist retreat. I asked the Venerable Panchen Ötrul Rinpoche if he would like to come and be a resident teacher here. He gave his first teachings at Easter 1990... now we're celebrating that moment 20 years on today." The fundamental elements of Tibetan Buddhism are compassion and wisdom. Developing those qualities improves every aspect of life and ultimately brings the freedom of enlightenment with the capacity to help others effectively. "People from all over Ireland and overseas, and all walks of life, come here. We have one monk and a nun and of course the Rinpoche," said Ani La, who has now been in the Bawnboy area for 24 years and finds the people are great and totally accepting. She added that the Rinpoche is delighted if people feel better having visited the centre. "He doesn't want to make people into Buddhists at all. If somebody comes here and finds the teachings helpful, that's fine. They don't have to convert to use the teachings. We fundamentally feel that everybody has a right to be happy but not with a materialistic way of life." The day of celebration commenced with a huge purification to get rid of negative energy. Then they gave blessings and offerings to Rinpoche. "We want him to stay here as our teacher - we offered him all the good things in life like various fruits and flowers and for him to be free of negativity," explained Ani La. The Rinpoche works in Mongolia as well and many people from there were at the celebrations. Everyone has the potential within themselves to have the peace and the calmness of the Buddha. "That is where we are hoping our practice will take us one day," said Ani La. In terms of advice for the young people of today Ani La said: "Find a meaning in life. The meaning of why we are here has disappeared for a lot of young people. Without that meaning you are drifting through life and you do not know why you are here. Find something that makes your life worthwhile and gives you a good feeling about yourself." People come to Jampa Ling for Buddhist teachings, training in medication, periods of retreat and for spiritual guidance and renewal. Jampa Ling means place of loving kindness and people visit from all walks of life and the length of stay varies from a few days to a number of weeks. Visitors are left free to establish their own daily programme. If they wish they can join in the daily religious activities or help with the work at the centre.