Phil has been practising Buddhism for almost 50 years and is traditionally trained in the Kagyu and Sakya traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. His principal teacher is Lama Jampa Thaye and he has received teachings from HH Sakya Trichen and his sons, HH Karmapa Thaye Dorje, Karma Thinley Rinpoche and other Buddhist masters.

Phil has led Buddhist meditation and study groups for many years. He is married to Angela and they have two adult children. He is retired and enjoys being in a community choir, playing guitar and piano, and travel.

Andrew has been practicing Buddhism since 1989, primarily in the Kagyu and Sakya traditions, and his principal teacher is Lama Jampa Thaye. He has led meditation and study groups at Dechen centres for many years and is a trustee on the Kagyu and Sakya Dechen Buddhism boards.

He has worked for over 20 years in management positions in financial services regulation in London and Zurich.

Angela has been a student of Lama Jampa Thaye since the inception of our first centre at Kagyu Ling in Manchester.

She has received many Kagyu and Sakya teachings from Lama Jampa, Karma Thinley Rinpoche and other leading masters of these traditions.

In her spare time she enjoys walking, watching dance and studying textile arts.

Ben has been practising Buddhism for over 25 years and is traditionally trained in the Sakya and Kagyu traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. His principal teacher is Lama Jampa Thaye and he has received teachings from HH Sakya Trichen and his sons, HH Karmapa Thaye Dorje, Karma Thinley Rinpoche and other Buddhist masters.

Ben has led Buddhist meditation and study groups for many years in London. He is married and has 4 children. He works in the Energy sector. In his spare time he enjoys the vibrant music and art found in London.

Liz began practising as a Buddhist in 1996 when she took refuge with Lama Jampa Thaye, who remains her principal teacher. Since then she has received teachings in the Nyingma, Kagyu and Sakya traditions from Lama Jampa, Karma Thinley Rinpoche and other masters.

Liz grew up in rural Hertfordshire and has since lived in Botswana, Manchester and London. She is married and has two (almost grown up) boys. She is a fully qualified UK Architect and currently manages a small practice in Bristol. She enjoys things of beauty and delight.

Joe has been a Buddhist since the mid 90s as a student of Lama Jampa Thaye. He has also recieved teachings from Ngor Phende Rinpoche, HH Sakya Trichen, HH Ratna Vajra Rinpoche and Karma Thinley Rinpoche.

Born in London, Joe lived in Taiwan for many years. He now lives back in London with his wife and two daughters, with whom he tries to keep his Mandarin language skills active. He works in enterprise software.