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.
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
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
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Sunday MeditationSundays, 10-11am
Meditation led 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. |
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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, starting Sunday 3 September.
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 info@drogmi.org. By donation. Go to this page, and scroll down to Donations. |
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Annual Shamatha Retreat with Khenpo Ngawang DhamchoeFriday 29 September to Sunday 8 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 ten-day retreat Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe will detail teachings on Shamatha Meditation and on Nāgārjuna's – Essence of all the Dharma Teachings. The great Indian scholar Nāgārjuna gave this teaching directly to his best friend, the King Gautamiputra, and indirectly it benefits many others in this modern life, bringing a more meaningful life. This succinct teaching details the reality from the mundane to the ultimate goal of liberation. This is the perfect teaching for busy people, capturing the main points of the Dharma. Nāgārjuna was an Indian Mahayana Buddhist thinker, scholar-monk, philosopher and the founder of the Middle Way School. He is widely considered one of the most important Buddhist scholars, and some consider him to be "one of the greatest thinkers in the history of Asian philosophy". His Mūlamadhyamakakārikā (Root Verses on Madhyamaka) is the most important text on the Madhyamaka philosophy of emptiness. This text has inspired a large number of commentaries in Sanskrit, Chinese, Tibetan, Korean and Japanese and continues to be widely studied today. 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. Time: Starts 7 pm Friday 29 September, ends 1 pm Sunday 8 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 Daily with accommodation: - $140 per day Daily without accommodation: - $120 per day 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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Three Visions FestivalSaturday 28 October, 11 am to 4 pm (Gate opening at 10am)
A festival celebrating Tibetan, Indigenous and non-Indigenous Cultures. The festival is a symbol of joy and connection, bringing different communities and families together to share in a cultural exchange and celebration through food, music, dance and local crafts. This is all taking place at the base of the sacred Gulaga Mountain. Three Visions is the idea of the resident teacher and founder of Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe. Khenpo himself is a former Tibetan refugee, and is a highly regarded buddhist ordained monk and scholar. He runs a busy teaching schedule locally, around Australia and overseas. His ambition is for peoples of different cultures and backgrounds to come together for a day of harmony and joy, sharing and celebrating our differences and similarities. The Program includes a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, chanting, cultural performances from the three cultures, traditional foods and crafts, as well as jazz and folk bands. There will be tea, coffee and a chai van, children's activities and market stalls. Performers include
Pay what you can Inclusive pricing allows you to register at the economic tier that honours your resources and this event. Selecting the tier that is right for you ensures we can make this event accessible to all while supporting Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre to continue to host community events. Ticket prices Adult: $5 Family of two: $8 Family of three: $10 Family of four or more: $15 There are also options for family tickets plus donation: $15, $25, $50, $75 Bookings Click on the link or scan the QR code Please direct any booking queries to: helpanz@showfilmfirst.com |
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shamatha and Vipassana Retreat with AyYAs Jayasara and JitindriyaFriday 17 November to Sunday 19 November
with Ayyas Jayasara and Jitindriya. In person and Zoom options. In this weekend retreat we will explore the practice of calm and insight within the framework of mindfulness, taught by the Buddha as a path to liberation. The Buddha offered many teachings to help us calm the restless mind and gain a clear understanding of the nature of this mind-body experience, and the nature of reality as such. Offering formal guided meditations as well as instructions for everyday life, we will show how Shamatha-Vipassana can be engaged in all situations, bringing ever-deepening peace and freedom from stress and suffering. Both Ayyas have 35 years experience in the Theravada Tradition of Buddhism. Registrations open from 1pm-3pm. Please be on site by 3pm and ready to start at 4pm to reduce any disturbance and for respect for the teachers. Retreat Starts at 4pm Friday 17 November, and ends 1 pm Sunday 19 November Cost Onsite: $350 - includes all meals, teachings and accommodation. Onsite camping or own van: $340 - includes teachings, all meals and centre facilities. Offsite: $300 - Includes teachings and all meals Zoom option: $160 - you will be sent the Zoom link and retreat timetable upon booking. All proceeds from this retreat will go to support Kamalashila Buddhist Centre. Accommodation: at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre is rather rustic, either in caravans or share dorm-style rooms. Being off-grid, the amenities are outside compost toilets and outside private showers (with hot water). This is reflected in the very reasonable cost for the onsite accommodation option on retreats. However, if you wish to stay elsewhere, we offer an off site option and there are plenty of holiday rentals in the area: Tilba, Wallaga Lake, & Mystery Bay are all within a 10 min drive from the centre; Bermagui* is about 15 mins & Narooma about 20 mins away, so there are many options to choose from online. (*Please note that during a period of months from late 2023 to early 2024 Bermagui bridge is likely to be closed for repair work and so Bermagui will not be easily accessible for a time). 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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Healing and purification retreat
Wednesday 27 December to Monday 1 January
with Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe During this retreat Khenpo la will give detailed teachings on Vajrasattva and Medicine Buddha Practices. The retreat is designed to help practitioners new and experienced, to clear away and heal any negativity from the past year and come into the New Year rejuvenated and refreshed, with a positive mind and perspective for the year ahead. The setting of the retreat is very peaceful and grounding at the base of Gulaga, a mountain of great spiritual and cultural significance for the local Aboriginal peoples. Even to spend a few hours in this environment is very special. Starts 7 pm Wednesday 27 December, ends 1 pm Monday 1 January Cost: Onsite: $630 - includes all meals, teachings and accommodation. Onsite camping or own van: $620 - includes teachings, all meals and centre facilities. Offsite: $540 - 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’. |
Online courses and events
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Green tara puja weekend teachingSaturday and Sunday, 21-22 October, 9.30 am to 4 pm
Sydney in person, and on Zoom With Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe Khenpo will teach on the Green Tara Puja practice, including the aspects of the Twenty-one Taras. Green Tara is a fully enlightened female Buddha, being the actuality of compassion and wisdom. She is known as “the mother of all the buddhas” and “she who ferries beings across the ocean of samsara”. There are numerous healing stories of Tara from removing fears, sickness and danger. Generally, Tara removes the sense of fear through accomplishing the mundane and the supermundane. All those attending, in person or on Zoom, must complete the full two-day teaching. Prerequisites In person: There are no pre-requisites as Khenpo la will bestow the Green Tara Transmission. Via Zoom: To attend via Zoom you will need to have received the Green Tara Empowerment from a qualified Teacher. Cost In person: $160 – please book early as spaces are limited Zoom: $110 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’. Please note Lunch is not included. Please bring your own cup for tea. |
Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course
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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
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Green Tara puja weekend in Sydney and onlineSaturday and Sunday, 21-22 October, 9.30 am to 4 pm
Sydney in person, and on Zoom For informaton about this event see above under Online Courses and Events |
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RegulaR meditation at Croydon, NSWThe regular meditation sessions at Croydon are cancelled until further notice.
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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.
