Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course
The Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course is a precious opportunity to join a three-year comprehensive spiritual training in the three main Buddhist traditions of Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. This is an incredible chance to study Buddhist philosophy in-depth and to experience how this ancient spiritual knowledge can help you improve all aspects of your life - your relationships, your work and your study.
The Course is taught by Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe, an experienced and much loved teaching ordained monk, who holds a Masters degree and a Loppon degree (equivalent to a PhD) in Buddhist Studies from the Sakya College in Dehradun, India. We are so fortunate to have Khenpo as our spiritual director for his depth of knowledge of the Dharma and for his wisdom and insight in its practice. Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe has been teaching in Asia and Australia for over forty years so well understands both the western and eastern mind.
The course is presented in the true spirit of ‘rime’ or non-sectarianism. In the first year the course covered the Hinayana tradition, and in the following years the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions are covered.
The Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course provides:
Khenpo la’s monthly teaching session will be recorded for you to access at your own convenience via videos on Moodle, our learning platform. You can choose the time of your monthly mentor session as there will be an option of a morning, afternoon or evening over seven days of the week. We have 20 trained mentors so there will be lots of options.
The Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course is open to anyone who is interested in Buddhist philosophy and practice. Those who complete the Course will receive a Certificate of Completion and those who opt to complete the assessable component will receive a Certificate of Graduation in Buddhist Philosophy.
This is an important opportunity to thoroughly learn the precious teachings passed down by Khenpo from many great Masters over the centuries. You will study, contemplate and meditate in the company of a wise teacher, registered mentors and a warm sangha.
The course cost will be $350 AUD per semester, or $700 for the full year if you wish to pay for both semesters at once.
Retreats are optional and will cost $120 AUD per day and include teachings, accommodation and food.
Members and friends of Drogmi Buddhist Institute receive a 10 per cent discount. To receive the discount, select the semesters you want, then go to the checkout, choose the ‘coupon’ option, enter the discount code and press 'Apply'.
Upon enrolment, an in-depth course curriculum, online student support materials and background readings will be made available.
For more information, including about the waiting list, email autumn@drogmi.org.
The Course is taught by Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe, an experienced and much loved teaching ordained monk, who holds a Masters degree and a Loppon degree (equivalent to a PhD) in Buddhist Studies from the Sakya College in Dehradun, India. We are so fortunate to have Khenpo as our spiritual director for his depth of knowledge of the Dharma and for his wisdom and insight in its practice. Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe has been teaching in Asia and Australia for over forty years so well understands both the western and eastern mind.
The course is presented in the true spirit of ‘rime’ or non-sectarianism. In the first year the course covered the Hinayana tradition, and in the following years the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions are covered.
The Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course provides:
- regular online teachings by Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe in the three traditions
- regular guided study, contemplation and meditation practice in small groups by specially trained and registered Drogmi Buddhist Institute mentors
- online teachings from guest speakers from the different Buddhist traditions.
- two annual retreat intensives conducted by Khenpo at the beautiful Kamalashila Buddhist Centre, in Tilba, NSW. These can be taken either face-to-face or by zoom.
- Extensive transcribed teachings of Khenpo that provide students with thorough background reading.
Khenpo la’s monthly teaching session will be recorded for you to access at your own convenience via videos on Moodle, our learning platform. You can choose the time of your monthly mentor session as there will be an option of a morning, afternoon or evening over seven days of the week. We have 20 trained mentors so there will be lots of options.
The Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course is open to anyone who is interested in Buddhist philosophy and practice. Those who complete the Course will receive a Certificate of Completion and those who opt to complete the assessable component will receive a Certificate of Graduation in Buddhist Philosophy.
This is an important opportunity to thoroughly learn the precious teachings passed down by Khenpo from many great Masters over the centuries. You will study, contemplate and meditate in the company of a wise teacher, registered mentors and a warm sangha.
The course cost will be $350 AUD per semester, or $700 for the full year if you wish to pay for both semesters at once.
Retreats are optional and will cost $120 AUD per day and include teachings, accommodation and food.
Members and friends of Drogmi Buddhist Institute receive a 10 per cent discount. To receive the discount, select the semesters you want, then go to the checkout, choose the ‘coupon’ option, enter the discount code and press 'Apply'.
Upon enrolment, an in-depth course curriculum, online student support materials and background readings will be made available.
For more information, including about the waiting list, email autumn@drogmi.org.
2023 course information - The Mahayana tradition
Registrations are now open for the second year of The Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course. This coming year, 2023 will focus on the precious Mahayana teachings.
This will be such an important year in the Course. In the first semester, we will study:
In the second semester, we study:
As with first year, Khenpo hopes to have a couple of guest speakers to provide an authentic perspective on the Mahayana, but more on that later. Also, we will continue our series on Conversations in Science and Buddhism with a focus on the self and consciousness.
For Semester One, teachings and mentor sessions occur in March, April and May in first and third weeks respectively. The Semester One retreat will be 2-4 June, at the Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Tilba.
For Semester Two, teachings and mentor sessions occur in August, September and October in the first and third weeks respectively. The Semester Two retreat will be 9-12 November at the Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Tilba.
If you have any questions, email autumn@drogmi.org.
Cost: $350 per semester or $700 for the full year.
Members and Friends of Drogmi receive a 15 per cent discount. To receive the discount select the option you want then go to the checkout. Choose the 'coupon' option, enter the discount code and click on ‘Apply’.
This will be such an important year in the Course. In the first semester, we will study:
- Bodhicitta and Buddha nature,
- Parting from the Four Attachments, and
- Shantideva’s Bodhicharyavatara, the chapter on Patience.
In the second semester, we study:
- the Two Truths,
- the Six Paramitas, and
- Shantideva on Wisdom.
As with first year, Khenpo hopes to have a couple of guest speakers to provide an authentic perspective on the Mahayana, but more on that later. Also, we will continue our series on Conversations in Science and Buddhism with a focus on the self and consciousness.
For Semester One, teachings and mentor sessions occur in March, April and May in first and third weeks respectively. The Semester One retreat will be 2-4 June, at the Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Tilba.
For Semester Two, teachings and mentor sessions occur in August, September and October in the first and third weeks respectively. The Semester Two retreat will be 9-12 November at the Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Tilba.
If you have any questions, email autumn@drogmi.org.
Cost: $350 per semester or $700 for the full year.
Members and Friends of Drogmi receive a 15 per cent discount. To receive the discount select the option you want then go to the checkout. Choose the 'coupon' option, enter the discount code and click on ‘Apply’.
New entrants in 2023
There are a few places for new entrants to the course in 2023. New entrants would need to catch up with the 2022 teachings while undertaking the second year of the Course. This involves reviewing six videos from Khenpo and others from the first and second semester 2022 and by writing one page summaries of what they have learnt in each video. The review of the 2022 material can be spread out over the year.
In addition to the $700 fee for 2023, and additional fees for the two optional retreats, new entrants will need to pay $500 to access the teachings from 2022, which are a prerequisite for taking part this year.
If you would like to join the course in 2023, please email autumn@drogmi.org for more information.
In addition to the $700 fee for 2023, and additional fees for the two optional retreats, new entrants will need to pay $500 to access the teachings from 2022, which are a prerequisite for taking part this year.
If you would like to join the course in 2023, please email autumn@drogmi.org for more information.
Posters and flyers
Download a poster for the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course
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Download a flyer for the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course
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course mentors
The Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course includes regular guided study, contemplation and meditation practice in small groups led by especially trained and registered Drogmi Buddhist Institute mentors.
All mentors have also completed a Drogmi Buddhist Institute mentor training program. Mentors are all graduates of the Australian component of the Complete Path, a training program organised by the International Buddhist Academy in Kathmandu, Nepal, that encompasses the Tibetan Buddhist path in its entirety.
Here are your mentors:
All mentors have also completed a Drogmi Buddhist Institute mentor training program. Mentors are all graduates of the Australian component of the Complete Path, a training program organised by the International Buddhist Academy in Kathmandu, Nepal, that encompasses the Tibetan Buddhist path in its entirety.
Here are your mentors:
Ben AdcockMentor sessions: Mondays, 7 pm
Ben first encountered Buddhism in 1999 in India, when he attended teachings in Bodhgaya by HH Dalai Lama. Back in Australia, Ben helped set up the Manjushri Buddhist Centre in Milton. Ben has been teaching meditation at the centre for much of the time since, and was its president for 19 years. Khenpo la has been one of Ben’s main teachers. Ben is inspired by Khenpo's remarkable stability, clarity and kindness. Ben lives on the NSW South Coast. He has three daughters and is an aged and disability care worker, a keen surfer and lover of all things outdoors. |
Jane BodleMentor sessions: Tuesdays, 2 pm
Jane has studied and practised Buddhism for 20 years, mostly in the Nyingma and Sakya traditions. She has travelled on pilgrimage to many of the holy sites in India, Nepal and Tibet, once for the Dalai Lama's Kalachakra teachings in Bodh Gaya and on another occasion to circumambulate Mt Kailash. Jane met Khenpo 10 years ago and was immediately attracted to his thorough and scholarly approach to presenting the Buddhadharma, his compassion and his generosity as a teacher. She considers him a true inspiration and a living example of the teachings in practice. Jane has been a physiotherapist for 40 years. |
Dean DampneyMentor sessions: Wednesdays, 2 pm
Since spending his preschool years contemplating the meaning of life Dean has been drawn to a spiritual path. Dean’s investigations have explored and bridged his worlds of surfing, yoga, a bachelor of science, and most recently becoming a holistic counselling and psychotherapy practitioner. In the past 15 years Dean’s leading philosophical influence has been Buddhism, guided primarily by his teacher, Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe. |
Emily DohertyMentor sessions: Mondays, 10.30 am
Emily first became involved in Buddhism in the mid 1990s in Sydney when she met Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe when he first arrived in Australia. She has travelled to India and met and received many teachings and empowerments from several high lamas. Emily’s studies with Khenpo la have given her a deeper understanding of Buddhism and helped deepen her Buddhist practice, equipping her well to share this knowledge and experience with others. Emily is a mental health nurse and psychotherapist and has worked in the public sector and private practice for more than 35 years. |
Anthony GrenfellMentor sessions: Thursdays, 10.30 am
Born and raised in Wales, Anthony emigrated with a young family to Sydney in 1988. 10 years later, in a search for meaning, he attended his first Buddhist retreat at Wat Buddha Dharma. In 2004 he was most fortunate to receive teachings from Khenpo la and has been practicing in the Tibetan Tradition ever since. Anthony feels blessed to have completed four years of the Complete Path course, and finds joy in helping present Buddhist scripture to children at Milton Public School. |
Jack HeathMentor sessions: Sundays, 2 pm
After attending the Kalachakra Initiation with His Holiness Dalai Lama in September 1996, Jack immediately went looking for a Tibetan Buddhist teacher. He was blessed to meet Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe and has been a student of Khenpo’s ever since. Jack was first drawn to Khenpo’s deep caring and calmness and, over time, has come to appreciate Khenpo’s great wisdom and compassion. Jack has recxeived teachings and empowerments from many of the great Sakya Masters. He has also led mental health and philanthropic organisations and worked in government. Jack is a husband, and father to two children in their 20s. |
Jacky HowarthMentor sessions: Mondays, 7 pm
Jacky embraces a gentle, dedicated Buddhist path, like a meandering river. Her inspirations include reading Tenzin Palmo’s Cave in the Snow and meeting Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe 15 years ago in her local town of Milton. She has been passionately teaching Buddhism to primary school kids ever since. Watering the seeds of dharma with all beings is Jacky’s greatest love and purpose. Jacky is a mum, a carer, and a yoga and meditation teacher who runs a small studio on the NSW South Coast. She also guides meditation practice and other dharma activities at the Manjushri Buddhist Centre, Milton. |
Ann KellyMentor sessions: Sundays, 7 pm
Ann met Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe 21 years ago and has been practising Buddhism ever since. She has been a Registered Nurse for 37 years, working in various settings such as hospitals and community, in urban, rural and remote communities. Ann currently works for Katungul, an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation on the NSW South Coast. For many years Ann has mentored younger health professionals and indigenous health care workers. Ann loves imparting the knowledge or skills she has learnt from others and also learns from those she mentors. She says Buddhism helps her keep a good motivation when trying to help others. |
Penny MoodyMentor sessions: Wednesdays, 11 am
Penny has been a Buddhist for 22 years. She has been fortunate to have had the opportunity, to receive precious teachings from great Sakya masters including His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin, His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin, His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche and His Eminence Luding Khen Rinpoche. Two years ago Penny moved from Victoria to live near the teaching and retreat centre of Khenpo Ngawang Damchoe. She feels very lucky to have access to Khenpo’s high-quality teachings and to live in such a beautiful place. Penny was a Social Worker for 42 years, working mostly with children and families. |
Wynford MorrisMentor sessions: Mondays, 2 pm
Wyn became interested in Buddhism in his late teens after reading a series of books passed to him by a friend. Later in life, he read The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche. It gave him deeper insight into the meaning of Buddhism and set him on a quest towards the Bodhisattva path. In 1997 Wyn began taking Buddhist study and meditation classes. He is a member of the Buddhist Light International Australia. More recently Wyn has taken Sakya teachings at the Manjushri Buddhist Centre in Milton, and helps teaching Buddhism to children at the Milton Public School. |
Tjenka MurrayMentor sessions: Mondays, 4 pm
Tjenka’s first encounter with Buddhist teaching in 1997 was a turning point. Practising the Dharma has been a blessing she wishes to share with others. Tjenka has received teachings and empowerments in the Nyingma and Sakya traditions. She met Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe in 2016 and was inspired by his kindness, his knowledge of the Dharma and the clarity and depth of his teaching. Tjenka is grateful to have the Dharma and Khenpo as guides in her life. She has a daughter in her 20s, and works a primary school craft teacher. |
Sherry StummMentor sessions: Thursdays, 3.30 pm
Sherry is a former journalist who became a Buddhist practitioner with Lama Choedak 12 years ago. Sherry travelled with Lama Choedak on a four week pilgrimage to India and Nepal in 2014 to follow in the Buddha’s footsteps. There the group was lucky met privately with the Dalai Lama, major lineage holders of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Sherry went to her first teaching with Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe at Upper Colo and discovered an abiding interest in Buddhist philosophy. |
Suzanne TaylorMentor sessions: Wednesdays, 7 pm
Suzanne’s interest in Buddhist philosophy has developed over many years. She explored a variety of traditions until she met Khenpo in the days when he travelled weekly from Sydney to the Blue Mountains to teach the Dharma. Suzanne has always found Khenpo’s teachings very relevant to her life. With his guidance over the past 12 years Suzanne has taken refuge and become a Buddhist practitioner. Suzanne is a retired school teacher and appreciates the value of mentoring for both students and mentors. She’s excited to have the opportunity to participate in the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course and share the Dharma. |
Peter ToothMentor sessions: Saturdays, 2 pm
Peter has very slowly been absorbing the profound teachings of Buddhas’s path to a most useful way to live. A serendipitous meeting led to his living in Thai monastary for six months. The simple and virtuous practices of the monks inspired him to follow their ways of beneficial happiness. He fumbles and perseveres in how to use these practices more directly in everyday efforts as a husband, father, friend and farmer. Peter feels very fortunate to have completed the Complete Path over three years with Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe, who is wonderful example of the benefits of super rich integrity and dharmic principles which benefit many people. |
Lekshe TsultimMentor sessions: Saturdays, 10.30 am
Inspired by HH Dalai Lama’s first visit to Australia in 1992, Lekshe sought out a Buddhist Centre in Brisbane. Lekshe attended a calm abiding retreat with Lama Choedak in 2000 and after that attended many other retreats. Lekshe received teachings from Khenpo Ngawang Damchoe who visited Brisbane regularly. He found Khenpo la’s clear, learned and humble approach very inspiring. Lekshe’s was inspired to become a Dharma facilitator by Khenpo-la’s teachings. Lekshe was ordained as a novice monk in 2006. He attended the Summer Buddhist Philosophy Courses at the International Buddhist Academy in Kathmandu from 2012 to 2019. |
Dino TurnbulMentor sessions: Tuesdays, 7 pm
Dino has been a student of Khenpo la since 2012, and a follower of HH Luding Khen since 2015. Dino says he found that taking a three year Buddhist course with Khenpo was challenging and worthwhile beyond expectations. He’s really keen to help anyone share that experience. |
Course convenor
Carole KayroozCarole has been a Buddhist practitioner for more than 10 years, learning from Nyingmapa teachers in Bhutan and Sakayapa teachers in Australia. Carole is indebted to Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe for his depth of knowledge, authenticity and compassion.
She is program convener for the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course. Carole is an emeritus professor with a doctorate in psychology and was formerly deputy vice-chancellor of an Australian university. |