A TIBETAN Buddhist monk, third in line to the Dalai Lama, is visiting Ammanford this week to spread love and compassion across the town.

The visit will be the third time Geshe Lama Ahbay Tulku Rinpoche has come to the town, but this time a special ceremony is taking place in his honour.

Helen Norman, owner of Harmony and Reflections on Quay Street, has arranged the visit.

Helen said: “I am honoured Ahbay is coming back to Ammanford. The town needs to be blessed with some positive energy.

“I am looking forward to him joining my classes this week. The classes are already to capacity and my clients are looking forward to meeting him.”

The monk will take part in private healing classes at Harmony and Reflections today, Wednesday, and tomorrow.

He will also be conducting a Puja ceremony at the Pensioners Hall on Sunday.

More than 40 people have signed up to take part in the three-hour session where he will share what he has been taught by the Dalai Lama and spread compassion to members through Buddhist teaching.

“During the Puja ceremony the guests receive individual blessings and are given a biscuit and a cord bracelet which are blessed,” said Helen, who is helping with the healing at the event.

“There will also be an opportunity to ask him questions during the ceremony. The last time Ahbay visited Ammanford in 2011 my shop was situated in the arcade and loads of people came to speak to him.

“I took him to Caldey Island six years ago and it was excellent to see him sharing his philosophies with the other monks.”

There will be an opportunity for residents to see him on Thursday afternoon when he will be in Quay Street.

The monk will also visit the Temple of Light in Ystradgynlais and Swansea's Peace Mala.