Courses and events
Drogmi Buddhist Institute offers courses and events at Tilba and elsewhere. We also have advanced courses for experienced practitioners.
For quick reference there is a list of the full 2025 program at the bottom of the page.
For quick reference there is a list of the full 2025 program at the bottom of the 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 [email protected].
Find out more:
Courses and events at Tilba
Online courses and events
External courses
Advanced courses
Full 2025 program
Sponsor a meal or tea at retreats
Cancellation of bookings
Courses and events at Tilba
Online courses and events
External courses
Advanced courses
Full 2025 program
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
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Sunday MeditationEvery Sunday, 10-11am -
Shamatha or "Calm Abiding" Practice led by Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe. Learn and practice the fundamentals of meditation by an accomplished meditation master. Stay for a cuppa and chat afterwards. Every second and fourth Sunday of the month 11-11.30am - starting 9th February. Medicine Buddha Practice led by Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe. Medicine Buddha is effective in healing physical and mental sickness, for oneself and others. You do not require any pre-requisite when attending this practice in the group setting. By donation Go to this page and scroll down to the Donations section. |
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Six dome White Tara practiceSix Dome White Tara Practice will be held the first Sunday of each month at 12 noon to 1 pm, recommencing for 2025 on Sunday 2 February.
The practice will also be available on Zoom. Open to everyone who has received the Six Dome White Tara empowerment from a qualified teacher. For bookings, email [email protected]. By donation. Go to this page, and scroll down to Donations. |
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Ngondro retreatThursday 22 to Sunday 25 May
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. The centre is offering 40 per cent off the usual pricing to encourage serious practitioners. Because of this there is no member/friends discount.
When: 1pm Thursday 22 to 1 pm Sunday 25 May Cost: On site stay: $290 (includes teachings/accommodation/ meals) On-site stay: own van/camping $280 (includes teachings/meals/facilities) Off-site stay: $250 (includes teachings/meals) |
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Family retreatSaturday 6 - Sunday 7 September
Starts 11am on 6th, finishes 2pm on 7th. This retreat offers families the opportunity to spend quality time together, strengthening and deepening relationships and opening our hearts to each other. In this retreat Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe will lead us on short meditation sessions and Q&A for parents, interspersed with fun family activities for all ages. It is a great follow on from our first retreat and the Family Online Course. Cost includes accommodation, meals and program. Families are accommodated together. Cost: $70 per adult Dorm or Hut/ $60 camping $30 per child Dorm or Hut/ $20 camping $50 per adult Day only/$15 per child Day only 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’. |
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Saga Dawa Holy MonthSaga Dawa is a month of very auspicious and holy occasions: the anniversaries of Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth, enlightenment and passing into Mahaparinirvana. The celebrations run from 28 May to 25 June, with a peak on 11 June, known as Saga Dawa Düchen.
Drogmi Buddhist Institute celebrates Saga Dawa in three ways:
Continuous mantra recitations on Zoom, Thursday 5 to Wednesday 11 June, 7 to 8 pm Khenpo la leads us in a special program of Continuous Mantra Recitations. Here is the Zoom link for the mantra recitations. Everyone is welcome. Saga Dawa Düchen - 12 Deeds of the Buddha - light offerings and morning tea at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre, Tilba, Wednesday 11 June 10 – 11 am Light offering sponsorship Candles will be offered daily throughout the month. If you wish to sponsor a light offering, you can do so by donations of $1 for one candle; $40 for 50 candles; $75 for 100 candles. Candles can be offered on another’s behalf or for a particular reason. |
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SHRI VAJRAPANI BHUTADAMARA RETREAT
Friday 6 June to Monday 9 June (Kings 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: $410 - includes teachings, all meals and centre facilities. Offsite: $360 - Includes teachings and all meals |
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Karma Yoga Group retreatFriday 1 to Sunday 3 August
“For the sake of creating a beautiful home for the Dharma” Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe This is our ninth 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 concludes 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. Friday and Saturday: 8 am to 6 pm; Sunday: 8 am to 1 pm Bookings essential for for organisational needs - please email [email protected]. |
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Annual Shamatha retreatFriday 3 October to Saturday 11 October
Shamatha Meditation translates as “tranquillity of the mind” or “calm - abiding”. It helps stabilise the mind by cultivating awareness of the object of meditation. The traditional practice of shamatha uses different kinds of supports or anchors for practice. During this nine-day retreat Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe will detail teachings on Shamatha Meditation. This is a great opportunity to learn and practice these methods of meditation that have been tried and proven through the centuries to help relax and focus our concentration, leading to improved mental health. Starts 7pm 3 October finishes 1pm 11 October Cost: Onsite: - $990 includes all meals, teachings and accommodation. Onsite camping or own van: - $980 includes teachings, all meals and centre facilities. Offsite: - $900 Includes teachings and all meals. |
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Shamatha-Vipassana Retreat
Thursday 13 - Sunday 16 November
with Ayyas Jitindriya and Jayasara The Anatomy of Experience – a deep dive into the Buddha's teaching on the five aggregates of existence. During this retreat, the initial focus will be on developing shamatha (the calming and stilling of mind), which will serve as the support for our experiential enquiry into the five aggregates: physical form, feeling, perception, mental formations and sense consciousness. The Buddha makes it clear that clinging to these aggregates of existence keeps us bound in a sense of stress and unsatisfactoriness, while the full understanding of them leads to liberating insight and freedom from the traps of spiritual ignorance, which is merely the misunderstanding of the nature of reality. This retreat spans over four days, running from 4pm on Thursday 13th through to lunchtime on Sunday 16th. It will engage the practice of noble silence for the most part, and include periods of group Q&A with the teachers. Attendance for the whole length of the retreat is required. About the teachers: The retreat is led by Ayya Jitindriya and Samaneri Jayasara, both are ordained nuns in the Theravada Tradition, and each have over 38 years’ experience as Buddhist practitioners. Ayya Jitindriya was a nun for over 16 years in the Thai Forest tradition, from 1988-2004. She then pursued a master’s degree in Buddhist Psychotherapy Practice while continuing to teach meditation and retreats. For a decade she worked in the mental health sector, as well as teaching and acting as Director of Training for AABCAP in their Buddhism and Psychotherapy course. In early 2018 Ven. Jitindriya re-entered the monastic life at Santi Forest Monastery, in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Ayya Jayasara has been practising Buddhism since the mid-1980’s. She has a PhD and master’s degree in education, focusing on comparative spiritual traditions, Buddhism, and psychotherapy. She has also taught at secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels in psychology and counselling. Ven. Jayasara spent two years as an eight-precept nun in the Theravada Tradition in the early 2000’s, and in 2018 took ordination as a Samaneri (10-precept nun) at Santi Forest Monastery. Her main focus of service is providing spiritual resources on her 'Wisdom of the Masters' YouTube channel and podcast. Both currently live at Viveka Hermitage in Southern NSW, Yuin Country. When: 4pm Thursday 13th November to 1pm Sunday 16th November. * The Ayyas have generously given all proceeds towards supporting Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre at Tilba. Cost: Onsite: $420 includes teachings, meals and accommodation Onsite camping/own van: $410 includes teachings and meals and centre facilities Off site: $360 includes teachings and meals. Accommodation Accommodation offered onsite at Kamalashila is rather rustic, either in older style caravans or dorm-style share rooms. Being off-grid, the amenity blocks are separate dwellings to the accommodation. The loos are composting and showers have hot water. This is reflected in the low extra cost for the onsite accommodation option on retreats. However, if you require something else for your retreat accommodation, there are plenty of holiday rentals in the area: Tilba, Wallaga Lake, and Mystery Bay are all within a 10 min drive from the centre; Bermagui and Narooma are about 15 mins away, so there are many options to choose from online. |
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Autumn Buddhist Philosophy CourseThe 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. The course will be run again, starting in 2026. Click here for more information on the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course |
Online courses
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Second Online Family Meditation CourseThis is our second online family meditation course for 2025. Over five sessions, it offers your family an opportunity to try meditation together in your own home. Values of togetherness, kindness and mindfulness are also explored through simple games and story.
Facilitated by Zara Kaye. When: 7 to 7:30 pm Wednesdays, 30 July, 6, 13, 20 and 27 August. This course is by offering only. Bookings are essential at [email protected]. Once you have booked you will be sent the Zoom link to join in. |
External courses and events - nil scheduled at this time.
Full DBI program 2025
Come and join us for these enriching events that cater to both beginners and experienced practitioners. These retreats and gatherings are designed to provide a space for deep reflection, meditation, and community connection. Whether you are seeking spiritual growth, peace of mind, or a supportive community, these events offer something for everyone.
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18 Feb to 18 Mar
Introduction to Meditation 5-week course on Tuesdays 6, 13, 20, 27 Mar and 3 Apr Thursday nights for 5 weeks. Online Family Meditation Course led by Zara (7-7:30pm). Open to families with young children. 5 Apr Three Vision Festival. Gates open at 10.30am 17-20 Apr Shamatha and Mindfulness retreat (Easter long weekend) (Starts: Thu 17th at 7pm, Finishes: Sun 20th at 1pm). Open to all. 26 Apr Mindfulness Daylong Retreat (9am-4:30pm) with Ayya Jitindriya. Open to all. 3-4 May Family Retreat (Starts: Sat 3rd at 11am, Finishes: Sun 4th at 1pm) Open to all. 22-25 May Ngondro Retreat (Starts: Thu 22nd at 1pm, Finishes: Sun 25th at 1pm) Pre-requisite Hevajra Empowerment. Special pricing for serious practitioners 60% of overall retreat cost. Then offer attendees extra 2 weeks self-directed Ngondro retreat in retreat huts 6-9 Jun Vajrapani Bhutadamara Retreat (Kings Birthday long weekend) Pre-requisite Vajrapani Bhutadamara Empowerment. 28 May to 25 June Saga Dawa Holy Month Daily light offering sponsorships 5-11 Jun On Line Mantra Recitations for Saga Dawa 7-8pm Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88044687140?pwd=eApp72pMfhqJNFiN3qHIrBTsBnvwBk.1 11 Jun Saga Dawa Duchen special practice and light offerings 10-11am 14-15 June 1st Main Garden Upgrade working group 12-13 July 2nd Main Garden Upgrade working group 1-3 Aug Karma Yoga Group Retreat (Starts: Fri at 8am, Finishes: Sun at 3pm). Open to all 5-6 Sept Family Retreat. Open to all. 13-14 Sept Teachings on Medicine Buddha Weekend in Sydney 3-11 Oct Annual Shamatha Retreat (Labour Day long weekend) (Starts: Fri 3rd at 7pm, Finishes: Sat 11th at 1pm) Open to all. 13 Nov World Kindness Day Online (6pm AEST) link TBA 13-16 Nov Shamatha - Vipassana Retreat (Starts: Thu 13th at 4pm, Finishes: Sun 16th at 2pm). Open to all 6 Dec Annual General Meeting 27 Dec-1 Jan Healing and Purification Retreat. Open to all. |
Advanced courses
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The Complete PathThe 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.
