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 Shravakayana, 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 Shravakayana tradition, and in the following years the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions are covered.
This is the second time this course has been offered, after the first successful program from 2022 to 2024.
The Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course provides:
Khenpo la’s monthly teaching session are recorded for you to access at your convenience via videos on Moodle, our learning platform. You can choose the time of your monthly mentor session as there will be multiple options through the week.
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 $375 AUD per semester, or $750 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.
Upon enrolment, an in-depth course curriculum, online student support materials and background readings will be made available.
Members and Friends of Drogmi get a 15 per cent discount. Health Care Card and Pensioner Card holders get a 20 per cent discount.
For more information, email [email protected].
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 Shravakayana tradition, and in the following years the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions are covered.
This is the second time this course has been offered, after the first successful program from 2022 to 2024.
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 are recorded for you to access at your convenience via videos on Moodle, our learning platform. You can choose the time of your monthly mentor session as there will be multiple options through the week.
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 $375 AUD per semester, or $750 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.
Upon enrolment, an in-depth course curriculum, online student support materials and background readings will be made available.
Members and Friends of Drogmi get a 15 per cent discount. Health Care Card and Pensioner Card holders get a 20 per cent discount.
- To receive a discount, select the option you want then go to the checkout. Choose the 'coupon' option.
- For Members and Friends, enter the discount code you have been given. For Health Care Card and Pensioner Card holders, use the discount code: Concession.
- Enter the discount code and click on ‘Apply’.
For more information, email [email protected].
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.
All mentors have also completed a Drogmi Buddhist Institute mentor training program.
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Nathan CooneyNathan has been interested in Buddhism since he was a teenager. After facing some significant losses in his early adulthood, Nathan sought out a Buddhist teacher and found Khenpo-la when he was teaching at Strathfield in Sydney in 2003. Nathan was fortunate enough to have regular teachings with Khenpo-la over the next few years and found the teachings on ‘The Way of the Boddhisattva’ – on patience, compassion and bodhicitta – life-changing.
Although losing regular touch with Khenpo-la and the teachings while moving away for work as well as establishing a young family and business, Nathan is so grateful to be much more involved with the teachings and the Buddhist community since starting and completing the first Autumn Buddhist Philosophy course. He is very excited to be contributing to the ongoing wheel of authentic and comprehensive dharma that Khenpo-la, Carole and the ABPC team are offering in this new course. Nathan lives is the southern highlands with his partner and two children. He is a health practitioner and finds the dharma invaluable for his work and family life. |
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Ruth EveringhamRuth first met Khenpo-la in 2006 after volunteering to assist with Buddhist scripture at Milton Public School. She was immediately drawn to his gentle, humble and supportive way of teaching.
Ruth jumped at the chance to become a student of the inaugural ABPC. Under Khenpo-la’s guidance her knowledge and love of the dharma deepened. She has now been inspired to take on the role of mentor for this next course due to the commitment and care with which her mentor facilitated our group. Ruth is the mother of three beautiful girls and has worked for over 30 years in health. This included the opportunity to provide both one-on-one and group wellbeing mentorship to NSW Health staff. |
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Nilmini FernandoNilmini Fernando is a Sri Lankan Australian who was introduced to Tibetan Buddhism on her travels in Dharamshala and Ladakh. Since 2005, Nilmini has studied and practiced with Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition London, Dzogchen Beara Ireland and Lerab Ling France and was blessed to receive teachings from some great teachers.
Nilmini met Khenpo La during a fortuitous visit to Kamalashila Centre one summer morning to attend the morning meditation practice. Arriving at the centre felt like coming home, and Khenpo La's presence, warmth, humility, clarity and wisdom made a deep impression. Nilmini completed the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course in 2024. She has a background in race and gender scholarship and education, and is the mother of a young adult son. |
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Jason Harper
Due to illness in 1998, Jason was recommended to start practicing Transcendental Meditation. He enjoyed the practise of TM and noticed its positive mental and physical effects.
In 1997, Jason observed a friend's manner was very clam, clear and present and asked him what he was practising. He answered it was Vipassana Meditation taught by S.N. Goenka. Jason commenced practicing Vipassana which was also very helpful. A friend in 2018 introduced him to Mahayana teachings. He found these to be full of wisdom and compassion. He had a yearning to learn more and his friend suggested that he needed a teacher. Meeting Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe at a public talk in 2020, Jason found his demeanour and words full of wisdom and great compassion along with a wonderful sense of humour. His teachings are clear and concise. After completing the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course Jason was keen to become a facilitator. Since 1998, Jason has run a health care clinic which is based on Ayurvedic nutrition and lifestyle advice along with acupuncture and herbal medicine for general well-being and muscular skeletal health. He has a lovely wife and two lovely children in their late teens. |
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Milhara Kankanamge
Born into the Theravadan Buddhist tradition, Milhara stepped away at age six, proclaiming atheism and immersing herself in sciences and western philosophy for 25 years. Life organically led her back to Buddhism through contemporary mindfulness teachers; but after many years of exploring this something felt missing—the deep wisdom and compassion seemed diluted.
Finding Khenpo-La and the wisdom he offered felt like discovering the path she'd been seeking always – a coming home, a returning to something already there. Completing the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course provided a profound understanding of both her inner world and how to navigate her reactions to external pressures. Khenpo-La's guidance has helped Milhara glimpse wisdom and develop deeper compassion in both her personal and professional life for herself and others. As a corporate consultant, emerging social worker, dharma teachings have become integral to everything she does, including her day-to-day relationships and interactions, creative work and grassroots social justice advocacy. She looks forward to sharing what wisdom and insight she has gained over the past years, and sharing a continuous journey of growth and learning in compassion and wisdom. |
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Leanne TylerLeanne’s journey into Buddhism began in 2014 through meditation with Ben Addock. In 2015, she travelled to Katoomba to hear His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and even from the back row, felt his presence touch her heart.
That same year Leanne found the Milton Buddhist Centre, where she joined the committee and became part of a supportive community. It was there she first met Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe, whose compassion and humility inspired her deeply. Over the years she has received many teachings, and in 2024 graduated from the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course. Today, Leanne shares mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and Buddhist philosophy with clients and staff at Yumaro Ulladulla. |
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Pippa WhytePippa recently moved to Alice Springs after eight months in Yulara, Central Desert. She has worked for past 25 years as psychologist.
After attending many retreats Pippa felt the call to sign up for the three-year Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course. She says the journey, under the guidance of Khenpo, gave her an amazing science of practical tools for daily life. Pippa says the more she learns the more she realises she’s in a beginner mind. She seeks to aspire simplicity and authenticity, and cultivate intention through love grace and gratitude. Pippa says Buddhism and this amazing three-year course have been a beautiful grounding, with many practical tools. As a mentor, Pippa seeks to create a space to facilitate access to these amazing teachings, tools, wisdoms and community – beautiful teachings that can create seeds for a better life for all. |
Course convenor
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Carole KayroozCarole has been a Buddhist practitioner since 2007, 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. |
