The leader of a 1,000-year-old school of Buddhism is bringing his wisdom to Victoria for a pair of public events in April.
His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin Gongma Rinpoche, head of the Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism, is being hosted by the Victoria Buddhist Dharma Society and will speak April 24 and 25.
The first event, a talk entitled Buddhism and the Environment, will be held at the Cadboro Bay United Church, 2625 Arbutus Rd. starting at 7 p.m. The second, a Green Tara Initiation and Teaching session, happens at the White Eagle Hall, 90 Dock St., also at 7 p.m.
The Sakya Trizin Gongma Rinpoche, who in 2017 became the first to be enthroned for a three-year term under the new system of Sakya leadership succession, is considered one of the most highly qualified lineage masters of Tibetan Buddhism. Renowned for his erudition and the clarity of his teachings, Rinpoche belongs to the prestigious Sakya Khon family, whose successive generations have provided an unbroken lineage of masters.
The Victoria Buddhist Dharma Society was founded in 1974 by Geshe Tashi Namgyal and is currently headed by Lama Jampa Tenzin, who acts as president, spiritual director and resident lama.
Tickets are available for each event separately for $33.50 at the McPherson box office (plus $2 by phone or $3 online), by calling 250-386-6121 or visiting rmts.bc.ca online. More information about the events can be found at victoriabuddhistdharmasociety.org.