Courses and events

Drogmi Buddhist Institute offers courses and events at Tilba and elsewhere. We also have advanced courses for experienced practitioners. 

Some courses and events have been cancelled due to the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic. For more information read the message from the DBI committee on the home page. 

Support to attend Drogmi Buddhist Institute events

It is our sincere wish that the Buddha's teachings are available to all regardless of income. The Centre can offer support to those in need. So, if you wish to attend a course or event and do not have the income to allow that, please email the Spiritual Program Coordinator at info@drogmi.org.
Find out more:
Courses and events at Tilba
Online courses and events
External courses
Advanced courses
Sponsor a meal or tea at retreats
Cancellation of bookings

Courses and events at Tilba 

Courses held at the Kamalashia Tibetan Buddhist Centre, 9000 Princes Highway, Tilba NSW

Sunday Meditation

Sundays, 10-11am - resuming on Sunday 15 January 2023
Meditation lead by Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe. Learn and practice the fundamentals  of meditation by an accomplished meditation master. Stay for a cuppa and chat afterwards.

By donation
Go to this page and scroll down to the Donations section.

Tuesday Shamatha practice with Venerable Tsultim

Tuesdays, 10-11 am - resuming Tuesday 17 January
Followed by a community cuppa and yarn afterwards.
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All welcome, by donation.
Go to this page and scroll down to the Donations section.

Karma Yoga Group Retreat

Friday 24 to Sunday 26 March

 ‘For the sake of creating a beautiful home for the Dharma’ –
Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe

This is our fourth Karma Yoga Group retreat.  It will be a weekend where our body and mind work together to help others.
 
The days start with a meditation session led by Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe and conclude with a campfire yarn.

Come and join us with work in the garden, building maintenance, cleaning and painting or assisting with the catering. There is a job for everyone!    

Meals and accommodation are offered free of charge.

Times
Friday and Saturday, 8 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 8 am to 1 pm

Bookings are essential, for for organisational needs - please email us at www.drogmi.org​

Shamatha and mindfulness retreat

Thursday 6 April (7pm) to Sunday 9 April (1pm) - Easter long weekend

Led by Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe

Open to everyone, from those new to meditation to those with more experience.
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A wonderful opportunity in these turbulent times to learn and practice these methods of meditation that have been tried and proven throughout the centuries to help relax and focus our concentration, leading to improved mental health. 
 
Cost
Onsite: $420 – includes teachings, all meals and accommodation
Onsite camping or own van: $390- includes teachings, all meals and onsite stay
Offsite:  $360 – Includes teachings and all meals
 
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’.

Wellbeing retreat using positive psychology

Positive Psychology Tools for Enhancing Wellbeing
 
Positive psychology is a strength-based scientific approach to understanding and cultivating happiness, meaning and resilience.
In this weekend retreat, led by Tara and Doug Skipper, participants will be invited to explore and practice a range of evidence-based positive psychology tools that have been shown to promote positive changes in people’s lives.   

Tara Skipper is a Clinical Psychologist who has conducted post-graduate research in the field of positive psychology. Doug Skipper is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and has a passion for positive psychology.  He has been a dedicated practitioner of meditation and yoga for 25 years. Guest facilitators, Jenny Daly and Susy Chin, have both completed further studies in positive psychology.
 
When
Registration from 4-6pm Friday 14 April - Conclusion 2pm Sunday 16 April.

​Cost
Onsite $280; Onsite camping, own van $260; Off site $240.
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’.
 
All proceeds from the retreat will go to support Kamalashila Buddhist Centre

Ngondro retreat

Thursday 18 May (1 pm) to Sunday 21 May (1 pm)

Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe instructs us on the first three practices of Ngöndro:
Refuge, Vajrasattva and Mandala Offering.
 
Khenpo la will give the required transmissions. This retreat is open to everyone who has received the Hevajra Empowerment.  
 
Ngöndro refers to the preliminary or ‘foundation’ practices of Vajrayana Buddhism. The Ngöndro practices are profound and powerful means for effecting a deep purification and transformation, at every level of our being. Not only do they prepare the practitioner for the profound path of Vajrayana, but they also lead us gradually towards the experience of Enlightenment. 
  
❖    In addition, following the group retreat, we are offering attendees the opportunity to stay on at the centre for a further two weeks to continue with their Ngondro practices in one of the retreat huts. You will need to be early to book a hut. The cost of the hut will be offered at a discounted rate for those interested. Please let us know if you wish to do this, by emailing info@drogmi.org.
 
Cost: 
Onsite: $290 (includes teachings/accommodation/ meals)
Onsite camping or own van: $270 (includes teachings/meals/facilities)
Offsite: $250 (includes teachings/meals)

The centre is offering 40% off the usual pricing to encourage serious practitioners. Because of this there is no member/friends discount.​

shri vajrapani bhutadamara retreat

Friday 9 June (7pm) to Monday 12 June (1pm) - King's Birthday long weekend

Led by Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe

Vajrapani Bhutadamara Empowerment – Shri Vajrapani Bhutadamara is the Master of Unfathomable Mysteries who upholds the truth of darkness and ignorance. In general, Vajrapani Bhutadamara is the remover of all sorts of obstacles, in particular to overcome difficulties for serious Vajrayana practitioners. Traditionally in the Sakyapa, practitioners complete this retreat before conducting a major retreat. Khenpo la will be giving detailed teachings and practice together.

* Please Note: Attendance at this retreat is full time from beginning to the end.
​
Prerequisite: Shri Vajapani Bhutadamara empowerment.
 
Cost:
Onsite: $420 - includes all meals, teachings and accommodation.
Onsite camping or own van: $390 - includes teachings, all meals and centre facilities.
Offsite: $360 - Includes teachings and all meals

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’.

Calendar of future events

15 to 17 September – Karma Yoga Group Retreat (Friday 8 am to Sunday 3 pm)

29 September to 8 October – Annual Shamatha Retreat (Labour Day long weekend – Friday 7 pm to Sunday 1pm)

17 to 19 November –Shamatha-Vipassana Retreat (Friday 4 pm to Sunday 1 pm)
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27 December 2023 to 1 January 2024 –Healing and Purification Retreat (Wednesday 7 pm to Monday 1 pm)

Online courses and events

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Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course

The inaugural Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course began in March 2022. This is a precious opportunity to join a three-year comprehensive spiritual training in the three main Buddhist traditions.

​The course is presented in the true spirit of ‘rime’ or non-sectarianism. In the first year the course will cover the Hinayana tradition, and in the following years the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.

The course will be conducted over two semesters each year with regular online teachings by Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe, teachings by guest speakers drawn from the different traditions, online mentor sessions with Drogmi Buddhist Institute-trained mentors, especially prepared readings by Khenpo and two retreat sessions each year. 

The course is fully enrolled; however we have a waiting list in case vacancies arise.

Click here for more information on the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course

External courses and events

RegulaR meditation at Croydon, NSW

The regular meditation sessions at Croydon are cancelled until further notice, due to the Coronavirus restrictions

Advanced courses

The Complete Path

The International Buddhist Academy in Kathmandu, Nepal, has launched an international seven year training program that encompasses the Tibetan Buddhist path in its entirety. This unique course is for Dharma practitioners of all levels to study and experience training on the theory and practice of the Mahayana and Vajrayana path as transmitted by the founding masters of the Sakya school ofTibetan Buddhism.

Drogmi Buddhist Institute offered the first three years of the international training program. Kamalashila Buddhist Centre, Tilba, from 2017 to 2019. The final four years are offered at the International Buddhist Academy at Kathmandu.  

Read more

Sponsor meal or tea

Consider sponsoring meals or morning and afternoon tea at DBI retreats. It is considered virtuous to provide food to sangha in retreat. This is a way to contribute for those who can’t attend and. for those taking part to make an extra contribution. You can sponsor meals for $100 or tea for $50. When you go to the checkout, write a note telling us the retreat you want your donation to be used for.

Cancellation of bookings

A cancellation fee will be charged for bookings which are cancelled. The fee is 10 per cent of the total price, with a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $50.