Firstly, we are near the end of 2022. I sincerely pray that it is the end of the pandemic throughout the world. For the last few years, during the pandemic we have all faced many challenges and tough times, this has made us not weak yet stronger: may this strength that we have gained during COVID last for the rest of our lives.

The pandemic taught us the value of the mind, no matter if one has power or success, nothing can protect us in this kind of time. Virtually the pandemic has taught us to not rush, as we usually spend so much of our energy and time on external power, we will find that nothing can truly protect us in that way. The Dharma has kept us protected, to have peace within, so the mind can then stay in the state protecting positivity and then experience a great sense of peace.

The reality is whatever we think, and whatever the world says – at the end of the day the cause of all our problems is our defilements. The only remedy for this is the Dharma, for just meeting the Dharma in this very lifetime is to recognise how fortunate we are, we have found the solution from beginningless time until today.

This is the reason why we have established our Dharma Centre. The Centre offers so many teachings, retreats, meditation sessions and courses. There is a direct benefit for those attending and then those people share their experiences with others outside the Centre, so in this way we have reached out to many people within this past year. In order to run the Centre for one person alone is impossible – we need collective effort. In this way I sincerely would like to thank the continually hard-working committee, the hard-working social media support, newsletters, etc. It is very hard to say everyone’s names here, I thank you all. 

Thirdly, all the people helping with cooking throughout retreats, and the one’s organizing morning tea during meditation group times, etc. As well, the Centre has a very large acreage of land to care for – as in cutting grass, maintaining the road and so on. Those who offer karma yoga time and volunteers at other times, this offering is such a beautiful form. To those who came and participated in every program of Centre, the sponsors and friends, anyone who mentally contributes, and who offer economical contributions towards the Centre and to all Centre members, I thank you.

It is nearly Christmas time and welcoming in the New Year, so I encourage people to celebrate, to have a good time with your families and enjoy your lives. I sincerely request everyone to drive and travel safely and maybe not to drink too much! 

I am truly looking forward to 2023, and as a team to flourish the Buddhadharma, and to free all beings from their defilements. 

Khenpo

Photo credit: Dean Dampney

Mentor Penny: 

“I chose to be a mentor this year because I thought it would make me study and it worked! Terror is a much-underrated motivation in the modern day, and the fear of being shown up by my bright, informed students was enough to overcome some of my terrible laziness. 

“It has been good for me as I had hoped, but it has also brought some unexpected treats into my life. My students have been both enthusiastic and perceptive. Not only have they kept me on my toes but have also inspired and revived me. It has been a privilege to share their philosophical enquiries, explorations, and personal insights, and I hope we have all felt we have had companions on the road to understanding the teachings of the Buddha and practising those teachings in our daily lives.”

Susanne, one of Penny’s students:

“Learn to meditate – the reason I first came to Kamalashila. I knew nothing about Tibetan Buddhism. Meeting Khenpo la and the lay Sangha was gratifying and has cultivated my life to be much more meaningful. 

“Upon reflection, Khenpo la has covered this course in his retreats and weekly teachings, and on Zoom during COVID. I am beginning to understand what he means by the vastness of each topic. 

“Every aspect of the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course can be applied to our daily lives to benefit ourselves and others. It is exciting to learn about and study the right path to enlightenment, and inspiring that it is possible to eventually attain Buddhahood. Even though it is intellectually demanding and interesting, practical application to daily activities can be challenging again, enlightening, and satisfying. 

“Completing this first year of the course has entailed discipline to prioritise lasting spiritual development over recurring worldly and mundane tasks. A requirement that is succinctly condensing copious information into effective written communication. Training for this will be implemented whilst revising notes during semester break. 

“I have enjoyed the variety of active learning and assessment methods and appreciate the balance of Dharma teaching followed by contemplation and reflection on practical application. Mentoring sessions have been extremely beneficial – seeing and supporting each other in our studies under the spiritual guidance of our esteemed mentor. At this present moment I am eagerly anticipating The Second Turning of the Wheel.”

Mentor Jane:

“Firstly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Khenpo la for his wonderful, ongoing teaching and guidance, to Venerable Mahinda for his clear and thought-provoking teaching and to Carole and Robert, without whom I can’t quite imagine how this would all work so well and so smoothly – their efforts have been incredible. 

“Ever since first meeting Khenpo la, I have been strongly drawn to his thorough, approachable and practical approach to teaching the Dharma. 

“I enjoy both the study and practice aspects of the Path and have found that engaging in this course has helped me structure my own study and practice more effectively. I knew that being required to assist others in a mentoring capacity would be both exacting, and at times challenging, but I was not prepared for how profoundly and how positively this would affect me. It has made me study and contemplate the material in a different way.

“I have felt the need to be as clear and straightforward as I could be, to try not to get over-excited and go off on tangents, to be properly prepared and to investigate the points I was struggling with more thoroughly. I note there has been little time for procrastination, so this has been a very useful discipline. I have also felt the need to be transparent about my shortcomings. 

“I also feel a genuine wish to be useful to the students – it’s not just for me, and this has been a real blessing. I have found my group to be delightful, eager to learn, thoughtful and insightful. Rather than a distinct mentor/student divide – even though I may be a little more experienced with this material – I have felt a strong sense that we are all Dharma students helping each other. 

“I consider the students to be very fortunate to have entered this course and to be under the guidance of a truly authentic teacher and am so looking forward to continuing next year.”

Tracey, one of Jane’s students:

“I was attending a calm-abiding meditation course in my local area with a friend when I heard other members of the sangha mentioning that they had enrolled in and were enjoying the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course through the Drogmi Buddhist Institute. After some research I realised the course had started, made an inquiry and found out I could enrol and catch up the month I had missed. I was delighted as I had been dabbling in meditation and done some readings, listened to podcasts not really knowing what was or wasn’t authentic. I really had just scraped the surface and was eager to find out more. The course so far has been very inspiring. The course format has been well paced and easy to navigate using Moodle.

“Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe’s teachings have been rich and dense with complex information conveyed in a way that is thought-provoking and sprinkled with a gentle sense of humour. I love having a mentor and Jane is so approachable and thoughtful. Her love of the Dharma is both infectious and inspiring. Having a group response to the teachings enhances your individual level of understanding and feels like a warm and safe way to learn.

“I am in awe of how much others know and understand, for this is just the beginning of a very long journey. I enjoy that everything we do is linked to how we engage with the world that we live in and not just studied as an intellectual and dry study. 
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“The retreat at the conclusion of each semester is perfect as it enables us to meet our fellow participants, mentors and teachers and soak in the atmosphere in the peaceful setting of Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre nestled at the foot of Mount Gulaga. Our understanding of the coursework is further enhanced, and we can truly experience the Triple Gem the Buddha Dharma and the Sangha.”

Mentor Sue T.:

“I have always valued the concept of mentoring and I’ve been fortunate to experience the benefits that can be gained from it. I was therefore very eager to participate in the mentoring program when the opportunity first arose, however my eagerness soon changed to trepidation. 

“I questioned my ability to be able to assist others when my own knowledge and understanding of the dharma is so limited. Carole encouraged me to give it a go and I am so pleased that I did. I was fortunate to have students with a broad range of experiences in my mentor group and the sharing of these personal experiences in relation to the teachings has provided me with added insights into my own practice and understanding. Our mentoring sessions never seemed long enough as we discussed, questioned, and mentored each other. Having access to such valuable teachings from Khenpo la and Venerable Mahinda and the resources that accompanied them has enriched my own knowledge as we examined and discussed some of the fundamental Buddhist teachings. 

“Being a mentor, this year has been an absolute privilege and has enriched my own practice. I can only hope the students gained as much from the course as I did. 

“Thank you, Khenpo la, Venerable, Carole, Robert and all involved in the implementation of the first year of the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course.”

Evelyn (Ev), one of Sue’s students:

“Although I have been involved with Buddhism for many years and had teachings from various masters and lamas, I found this a great opportunity to go back to basics and consolidate all the bits and pieces I’ve heard before, but not fully understood. 

“A busy life with rostered work shifts and other volunteer commitments meant that I could rarely attend longer teachings such as Lam Dre, major empowerments and more recently the first Three Years of The Complete Path Teachings. 

“Khenpo la has been planning this course for a number of years, and now through modern technology, written texts and retreats we can access these precious teachings. 
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“I have heard teachings on The Four Common Foundations many times, the Noble Eightfold Path and Shamatha practices on Sundays at Kamalashila and our previous centres, but this course gives the opportunity to learn about and understand (eventually) the concepts of Buddhism in the three major traditions. 

“It has been great to have teachings from different traditions. The words of the Buddha are the same but explained a bit differently by Venerable Mahindra. I am in awe of Khenpo la’s ability and profound knowledge of the Dharma. How can Khenpo la sit and lecture to us for over an hour without notes, and rarely skipping a beat? 

“For those of you who are new to Buddhist teachings, I’m sure you have become aware of the depth and detail. Especially when a topic for example has – six parts, each of these six is divided into more parts, and those parts into more sections, again. Yet Khenpo can deliver this to us succinctly. 

“Many thanks also go to those behind the scenes. Mentors working with their groups, those involved in recording and disseminating Khenpo la’s lectures and all the others involved in making this course possible and accessible. And not to forget my fellow students.

“I am looking forward to the next two years. And to be honest, I think I have put more effort into this study than when I did my master’s degree! In the case of the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy course, there is a reward for effort.”

​The 22nd day of the ninth lunar month is known in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar as Lhabab Düchen. It is one of the four most holy days of the year, each of which commemorates a major event in the life of Shakyamuni Buddha. Lhabab Düchen, meaning “Descent from the Celestial Realm”, is a day commemorating Shakyamuni Buddha’s descent from the Celestial Realm (god realms) of the Thirty-Three, after spending three months there in the these realms teaching the Dharma and repaying the kindness of His dear mother, Mayadevi, by liberating her from samsara. Mayadevi had been reborn in a god realm after passing away one week after giving birth to Buddha.

Lhabab Düchen provides us all with an opportunity to accumulate great merit. As a merit multiplying day, the karmic results of actions done on this day are multiplied 100 million times. This amazing result is taught in the Vinaya text “Treasure of Quotations and Logic”.
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Along with increasing our daily practices on this most auspicious day, Khenpo la also encourages up to light candles throughout – bringing all suffering mother sentient beings within our mind stream, praying for them to experience happiness and all of its causes, to be free from samsara.

Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe, all members and friends of Drogmi Buddhist Institute would sincerely like to wish Her Eminence Sakya Jetsun Chimey Luding Rinpoche a very happy 84th birthday on 14 November, to have a long and healthy life so She may continue to Turn the Wheel of Dharma for all mother sentient beings to be free from suffering and their causes. Her Eminence’s birthday this year falls on the eve of Lhabab Düchen. 

About Her Eminence Jetsun Kushok Chimey Luding

Photos below were taken at The LamDre Teachings and Empowerments, Balmain 2009

We celebrated the 92nd birthday of the most precious Guru, His Eminence Luding Khenchen Rinpoche, on 7 November 2022. 

Khenpo la shared at our gathering at Shamatha Practice on 6 November that it is important to know and realise, even though His Eminence is in His nineties, his schedule is extremely busy. He is always travelling to different parts of India helping countless sentient beings, it truly is incredible. Normal people in their nineties are most likely in a nursing home. His entire life has been dedicated in helping others. 

His Eminence’s family come from an anciently structured family of Tibet, many many generations. The system has been that when there are two brothers, one will marry and one will become a monk, this then is holding the lineage. 

The celebrations in India will be very big, then a few weeks to follow there will be another big celebration in Bodhgaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment. In our own way here at Kamalashila, we wish that this Great Master has a long and healthy life and continues to help countless beings. 
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Khenpo la and all attending chanted His Long-Life Prayer on this celebration day and sang Happy Birthday as well, with a beautiful cake by sangha member Penny. His Eminence is an extraordinary inspiration and light of hope for us all, being one of the great living Buddhist Masters in this world. 

In Dehradun on 28 October 2022, Sakya College, based in Rajpur, held celebrations of its 50th Anniversary of Founding.

The celebration began with an inaugural ceremony of lamp lighting by His Holiness Sakya Trichen Rinpoche, after which Dr Tashi Tsering delivered the welcome address, followed by Principal Khenpo Jamyang Jinpa’s introductory speech. Subsequently, Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang and special guest Sikyong Penpa Tsering inaugurated a book of essays on the 50th anniversary.

In his address, the special guest stated, “through dedicated efforts made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang and other heads of Tibetan Buddhist lineages, Tibetan Buddhism had been revived in India.” 

Similarly, addressing the gathering, Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang stated that atheists and theists alike all seek happiness, adding that real happiness could be found in the messages of religion. Furthermore, Rinpoche recounted the initial hardships faced on arrival into exile and the founding of the monastery in 1972 and extended his gratitude to the government and the people of India.

Before concluding the event, Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, chief guests, and the special guest jointly inaugurated the Great Pillar: an emblem of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary.
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The photos are from the third day of the ceremony for the launching of Khenchen Appey’s biography, the Grand Long-Life ceremony for His Holiness Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche in the morning, and the bestowal of oral transmission and Dharma teachings by His Holiness Sakya Gongma Trichen. Then there was the Inaugural launching of the five-volume set of books of Khenchen Appey Rinpoche’s biography by Khenchen Sonam Gyatso in the evening. 

The Annual Shamatha Retreat commenced in the evening with Khenpo la giving detailed explanation about the three levels of retreat, each one relating to our own motivation and applied effort in retreat. As the rain fell Khenpo la, guiding us in meditation, led us to use the sound of the rain falling as a focus of our meditation. We all looked forward to learning more and being in this supportive and perfect environment for retreat for 9 days.

On day 3 a meditation was led by Khenpo la, then an insight meditation by Venerable Jayasara: 

​“The compassionate heart of Avalokiteshavara graced us today as we slowly commenced contemplation on the famous 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva. From the preliminary verses we reflected thus: 

Graced with the freedom and riches of this human body we recollect our good fortune to meet the Dharma in this very lifetime. This vast wisdom mind inherent within us all has the capacity to embrace all sentient beings as oneself; to free us from all delusive attachments and afflictive emotions; and to journey with great confidence on the path of Liberation.”

Reflections from the retreat

“In the environment of such a tranquil, peaceful and beautiful retreat centre setting, Khenpo la taught us again with incredible skill, depth of experience and knowledge, warmth, clarity, and plenty of humour too! Opening our minds and hearts further to the capacity we all must transform our minds in the ways most positive and beneficial to ourselves and others. Describing the precise methods to do this. Reminding us of and encouraging us too: this is do-able, it’s all within our reach. 

May we all nurture those precious seeds which have been planted, so that they can sprout, grow, and bear magnificent fruit for the benefit of all! 

Thank you Khenpo la and sangha for another wonderful retreat!”
~Nicola

Another wonderful (and productive!) day at the Karma Yoga Retreat. Meditations led by Khenpo la framed a day of good humour, hard work and connection. Several of us reflected today how meaningful these retreats are: all our efforts, though small, have made useful changes to the centre over time. And each time we visit, we see those changes, our teamwork, woven into this place, just as this place is now woven into us. How lucky we are to be in this community so wisely guided by Khenpo la.

On the last tea break at the weekend Karma Yoga Group Retreat everyone was treated to a freshly brewed cup of coffee from the centre’s new coffee van and newly trained barista Jack! The van was a generous offering by a sangha member.

​In celebration of our precious Guru His Holiness Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche’s 77th birthday, during Healing Practice, Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe led us chanting His Holiness’s Long-Life Prayer for His Holiness to have a long and healthy life and continue to benefit countless sentient beings in this world.

​Sangha present and online offered His Holiness a khata and then Khenpo la offered His Holiness a delicious birthday cake so devotedly baked by Penny – and then we all shared in the cake. Some attended in person and a number on Zoom. It truly was a beautiful evening.

The Mind and Body Workshop with Dr Tony Richardson and William Penhale was held over the weekend at Kamalashila. At the invitation of Khenpo la, Dr Tony and William led a wonderful experience of connecting our physical body experience in meditation and a spiritual process. We learnt ways to experience joy in our bodies through simple exercises that we can access easily.

​Thank you, Dr Tony and William, for sharing your knowledge and time for others and supporting the centre. We look forward to your return. Thank you to our master chef cook Tony for his delicious meals and to everyone who came and shared in this very special event.

Her Eminence Dagmo Kalden La took Her children on a twelve-hour day trip in Kathmandu, Nepal, along with Their teachers. We share a few images from this journey.

“Travel with us on our Choekar Düchen pilgrimage with the (Royal) children and their teachers to Swayambhunath Stupa, Namo Buddha, and Boudhanath Stupa!” Her Eminence continues to say, “We set out at 8am and returned at 8pm, a slightly long, slightly wet, but very happy day”. Her Eminence offers thanks to Khenpo Jordhen la for the car, and Kusho Tsering Norbu la for driving them everywhere! 

Thank you so very much Your Eminence for sharing on @dagmokalden

To read more on Choekar Düchen please go to an earlier Wisdom Age article, Choekar Düchen, the Buddha’s First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma.

Since the beginning of the very auspicious month of Saga Dawa (Wesak), the centre offered butter lamps (candles), daily on behalf of many sponsors. We rejoiced in these great meritorious acts, especially during the most holy month in the Buddhist Calendar. May all beings benefit. The centre continued these offerings throughout this precious and auspicious month. 

On the date of Saga Dawa Düchen (the Full Moon date), marking the anniversaries of the Buddha’s enlightenment and His passing into Mahaparinirvana, we gathered in the gompa physically at Kamalashila in Tilba, in Croydon (Sydney) and online, whilst Khenpo la led sangha in a beautiful ceremony of light offerings, practices, and auspicious prayers. It was a very special evening.
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As we entered the final week of Saga Dawa the centre continued light offerings on behalf of sponsors each and every day. We dedicated these to their wellbeing and for the benefit of all mother sentient beings, that these light offerings may help to awaken their Buddha Nature mind and for all to be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.

At Sunday meditation mid-June during Saga Dawa Month, Khenpo la led us in prayers and chanting to commemorate the 49th day of the passing of our beloved gompa dog Gyri Dolma. Khenpo la led prayers in the gompa dedicated to Gyri and all beings recently deceased, then we recited more prayers at her gravesite. The Three Traditions of Buddhism were represented, the Venerable’s Jitindriya and Jayasara led prayers in the Theravadin, followed by Venerable Tsultim in the Mahayana, then Khenpo la in the Vajrayana. We then enjoyed a delicious morning tea sponsored by members whilst reflecting on Gyri’s remarkable life.

The Shri Vajrapani Bhutadamara Retreat was held in the middle of the Saga Dawa Month. Khenpo la was joined by Lama Konchok Choephel, the Spiritual Director of the Melbourne Sakya Centre in leading a Fire Puja near the end of retreat, along with sangha members. Those in retreat and those joining outside of retreat attending, felt so fortunate to have had this opportunity. As Khenpo la and Lama la commenced the puja, the weather varied throughout with gentle rain for a short time, wild winds, and then again gentle rain at the end of the puja, Khenpo commented on how auspicious this was of a very successful puja.
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At the conclusion of the Shri Vajrapani Bhutadamara Retreat the next day, Khenpo la expressed once more how this was a very successful retreat, conducted in the most complete and authentic manner, with all the practice instructions and rituals including the Fire Puja assisted by Lama la. 
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From all of the retreat sangha and locals joining in on the fire puja day we offer our heartfelt gratitude to Khenpo la and Lama la, who took such care for us all throughout. Thank you to Ani Nyidon la for cooking us such delicious and nutritious meals. Thank you to all the lovely sangha and volunteers. May any hindrance or obstacles to practice for dharma practitioners everywhere, be extinguished.

On 3 June the opening evening of the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course Retreat commenced, students having travelled from as far away as Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. There was a large group of online students attending too who could not be at the centre in person, as well as all of our mentors as part of this program. Khenpo la discussed the intention of the course to help foster and nurture the students’ potential, to sprout fully in the coming of spring. It was a wonderful first weekend retreat of this particular three-year course.

Reflections from Tjenka

The Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course Inaugural Retreat was held at Kamalashila. This retreat was the culmination of the first Semester of the course and the first big get together of all the students, mentors, course convener, Carole Kayrooz, her husband/assistant/tech guy, Robert Garran, and our precious Teacher Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe. 

The Gompa was full of 43 students and 14 mentors, there were also 13 students on Zoom – that’s 73 altogether! It was a lovely atmosphere of keen investigation and discussion of the Dharma and how we try to apply it in our lives, there were interesting question times and of course great mealtime conversations.

Students have been meeting with their mentors on Zoom and listening to Khenpo la online during this first semester, so it was a buoyant feeling by meeting everyone and Khenpo la, in person. 

This semester Khenpo la has been teaching on the Foundations of the Buddhist path from the Hinayana perspective, beginning with the Four Common Foundations – having a precious human rebirth, the law of karma, the truth of impermanence, and the sufferings of samsara. Then continuing on to learn about The Four Noble Truths – suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path that leads to the cessation of suffering.

Lastly Khenpo la wove it all together explaining how following a teacher, leading a virtuous life, and understanding how to live ethically supports our entire Dharma path.
There were many smiles and a strong feeling of sangha as people said farewells till the next retreat at the end of Semester two, as we continue on our three-year journey together. 

Finally, as one student said, drawing our attention to Ann’s words of wisdom in her orientation talk: “stay on the path!” (meaning the path through the bush), though as Dharma students we knew it really meant “the path that leads to the cessation of all suffering!!!”. 

We are so fortunate to have Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe as our teacher and inspiration in the new Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course. The Course began in the first week of March 2022 and, in June, will conclude its first semester. 

Khenpo’s coverage of the Hinayana has been so clear and comprehensive. It gives students a firm basis for understanding the first of the three major traditions of Buddhism. We have covered The Four Common Foundations, The Four Noble Truths, and a Virtuous and Ethical Life. Khenpo la has shown great equanimity and kindness in conducting this Course. May all find benefit to increase their own happiness and the happiness of others! 

The Course now has 67 students. The students’ progress is assisted in specific mentor sessions by our 16 mentors and the students’ study is supported by resources in a learning management system and a set of readings in The Hinayana Booklets prepared specifically for the Course. Whilst the Course has been fully online to date, we are all looking forward to the first of our residential retreats in June.

Registrations for the Course have closed now but we are keeping a waiting list for any vacancies for the remainder of the year. If you are interested, please contact the Course Convener, Dr Carole Kayrooz by email to place your name on the waiting list at autumn@drogmi.org.

​The name Saga Dawa is of a particular star for which only appears within the fourth month of the lunar calendar. The Saga Dawa month is an incredibly special month, for the Buddha performed Six Noble Activities: first, the Buddha was conceived; second the Buddha was born, third the Buddha took ordination; fourth the Buddha completely defeated his own maras; fifth, he attained full enlightenment; and lastly, he passed into Mahaparinirvana. All these occurred during this this particular month, making it a very special month in the Buddhist calendar. Within this month whatever positive and negative thoughts and actions one carries out are multiplied 100,000 times. ­

The sutras state that the Buddha performed many of The Twelve Great Deeds within the month of Saga Dawa. The sutras say that to go to these holy sites, such as the places of the Buddha’s birth and other major events, are more effective, for these places are more powerful than ordinary places. As the Buddha blessed this month, in particular the first 15 days when he carried out the Six Noble Activities, all virtuous activities will be multiplied. Because this particular month has been blessed by Buddha Shakyamuni and many other enlightened beings, whatever we do virtuously – in our practices, mantras and any other practices – will then be multiplied 100,000 times. Such practices are much more effective than at any other time.

Whatever one can manage, it is important to make a pledge for one day, fifteen days, or for the entire month, to avoid any negative thoughts. It is also important not to carry out any negative deeds. If you do not feel strong enough to make such a pledge, just simply be as positive as possible, try not to be negative, this is good enough. Try to do this for at least the first 15 days; try to perform as many virtuous activities as possible at this very blessed time.
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I encourage you all to look at this month differently, to do something for oneself, to try our best in being virtuous – for this is the source of all happiness, to avoid all non-virtuous things – for this is the cause of all suffering. I also encourage and ask you all to follow a vegan or vegetarian diet during this most auspicious month, remembering all precious mother sentient beings are searching for everlasting happiness.

Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe

*2149 is the date for 2022 in the Tibetan calendar

It is with a heavy heart that we let you know that our dear Gyri Dolma passed away around 4.00am on 2 May 2022. 

As some of you might know Gyri had been declining in her health over time, and more recently had reduced her food intake. Khenpo la had been giving her some broth and water up until her passing that morning.  

Gyri was so peaceful, Khenpo la described coming out to check on her and all the environment was very calm and peaceful as she passed. Her little face looked so youthful and content.  

Khenpo la conducted a ceremony that morning, where we lit 100 candles for Gyri, chanted prayers, and mantras, and then carried her outside the gompa for one final circumambulation of the gompa before putting her to rest. She has been buried in the ground in view of the gompa, with her head turned towards the gompa and her position in full sunlight during the day. We then had a lovely time together enjoying some lunch and talking about her, rejoicing in her very special life and circumstances for a favourable rebirth. Gyri taught us all so much, and as a sangha we are the stronger for having her as part of our community and our lives. 

Gyri came to the centre in 2016 during the Easter long weekend working bee. She walked up the drive from next door, ate some lunch with everyone, and took up a position at the gompa door, greeted all that arrived each and every time, and never left. It is so unusual for this to happen, she never wanted to return to her other home. In time we approached her owners and they said we could keep Gyri at the centre. 

Many people helped care for Gyri over the years, and many sponsored her food, veterinary bills, all sorts of things to help her, as the centre would like to thank each and every one of you on Gyri's behalf. For many years she was so independent and seemed to be getting younger not older. She would often be seen trotting off on her morning walk, keeping guard of the gompa and surroundings.

Then in September 2019 she suddenly lost the use of her back legs and became paralysed. After a period of getting used to this new way of being in the world, Gyri accepted all the care from everyone with such grace. She would have setbacks, but always bounced back stronger than ever. Her overall health was quite exceptional. 

Gyri was 22 years old. She says she will see you in the next life. 
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We ask for you to pray for Gyri, saying mantra and lighting candles for her fortunate rebirth. 

“I left the Easter Shamatha and Mindfulness Retreat with a sense of peace, calm and clear instructions for a regular practice.”
Jane P.

“As an older student, it is extremely beneficial to receive Shamatha and Mindfulness teaching instructions yet again and again, to clarify how you are travelling on the path. Khenpo la offered very clear teachings on mindfulness and meditation about the interdependent nature of causes and conditions. 

“The negative mind will no doubt bring negative outcomes, therefore mindfulness meditation is extremely rewarding, for through this discipline the wisdom mind can arise, then can dispel the three types of sufferings (suffering of suffering, suffering of change, suffering of conditional phenomena). 

“A few aspects that truly resonated with me – through the practice of the four mindfulness meditations:

1. Mindfulness of body (the body is made up of a pile of flesh, bone, blood, look at it without attachment).
2. Mindfulness of feeling (if you can look at one’s feelings without judgement, otherwise sufferings arise).
3. Mindfulness of mind (there are numerous kinds of minds, and mind is very illusive, so don’t get attached to anything, nothing is truly existent).
4. Mindfulness of phenomena (here refer to uncompounded phenomena, realisation of this free us to attachment of any existence).

“We began the guided practice: 

1. Prostration a method to purify our body then we sit on the cushion, with correct seven-point meditation posture.
2. Exhale to clear old air from our body and veins, helps to clear the mind.
3. Motivation doing meditation to overcome afflictive mind.
4. When mind is calm one can feel one’s presence.
5. During meditation if mind wander away, bring it back, by remembering mind is safer here than wandering off.
6. Mindfulness is part of Vipassana and is part of phenomena, it sees phenomena as own nature. Vipassana is mindfulness insight meditation to phenomena rising meditation. 

“Thank you Khenpo la, may all your students on this retreat minds flourish unceasingly for the happiness of all beings.”
Serene

“This retreat like the first retreat I attended has recharged my batteries. It feels like medicine for my soul. Your community’s effort to provide a safe sanctuary, filled with peace as a vessel for clear instruction from Khenpo is truly inspiring, plus the added bonus of delicious food makes it an experience I want to return to again.​”
Leanne

Such a wonderful hard-working group of Sangha got together for the weekend on our 2nd Karma Yoga Group Retreat. So much is being accomplished after all the rains in the garden and mowing, painting the gompa wood, constructing a carport and much more. Thank you Khenpo la and all our wonderful centre family for such amazing contributions, looking forward to the next Karma Yoga Weekend Retreat in September.

Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe and all the members and friends of Drogmi Buddhist Institute rejoice in the most blessed and auspicious occasion of the Enthronement Ceremony of His Holiness Khöndung Gyana Rinpoche as the 43rd Sakya Trizin. While COVID-19 has prevented us from attending the ceremony in person, we will be participating with our fullest of hearts and minds through the livestream of the event. 
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Your Holiness, we pray and wish for your Dharmic activities to flourish throughout the entire world for the benefit of all sentient beings. We pray for your good health and long life and humbly request that you to continue to Turn the Wheel of the Precious Buddhadharma.

As President of the Drogmi Buddhist Institute in Australia, and on behalf of all our members and our Founder and Spiritual Director Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe, it is a great honour to offer our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Your Holiness Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche on this very auspicious occasion of Your Enthronement as the 43rd Sakya Trizin.

Your Holiness is a true emanation of Manjushri. Through Your loving-kindness and the radiance of Your supreme knowledge, may You completely cleanse the darkness of deluded minds throughout the entire world. Through Your tireless efforts, may the temporal and spiritual ways of the glorious Sakyapa’s flourish. May Your enlightened activities pervade all space.

From the depths of our hearts, we pray for Your long life, and we also pray that You can visit Australia and turn the Wheel of Dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings. Thank you.
​Jack Heath

Following on from the Losar celebrations the weekend prior, a group of sangha gathered for the Six Dome White Tara Retreat. Khenpo la so carefully arranged for this retreat to commence on the evening of the 8th day of the first Tibetan Lunar calendar month, during the first waxing moon phase, when all attainments are increasing. And then on day three of retreat was the 10th day of the Tibetan Lunar calendar which was auspiciously Guru Rinpoche and Vajrayogini Day and we held a brief Tsog at the end of a beautiful day of teachings on White Tara sadhana. Khenpo la talked during this retreat, about using our opportunities to their fullest, and He led us with this great example, so very kind for us all. 

Thank you Khenpo la and all who attended to make this a very special time together in the Dharma. May all our precious Gurus and Dharma Teachers have healthy and long lives – and us all so that we can maximise to the fullest our opportunity to help mother sentient beings.

Some comments from attendees:

“The calmness and clarity of the authentic teachings that particularly resonated with me were the teachings and explanation of the Lineage Gurus, which brought to life the qualities of the Gurus past and present.”
​Katarina

“Khenpo la stressed the importance of holding genuine Bodhicitta and focusing on the quality of the practice rather than being caught up in the small details of the sadhana.”
Jack

“Due to the love and compassion of White Tara and Khenpo la’s guided meditations, by the end of the retreat there was a palpable sense of healing and calmness, I felt restored”.
Vanessa. 

Thank you to the very experienced and qualified Venerables Ayya Jitindriya and Jayasara who led the Day Retreat at Kamalashila at Khenpo la’s invitation. Thank you Khenpo la. 

This day’s Mindfulness Retreat was both simple and revelatory. As Ven. Ayya Jitindriya pointed out, practicing awareness is like entering a learning space, like a research laboratory, within which we can develop Mindfulness to direct our attention. She underlined that mindfulness alone is merely the sharpening of our ability to focus and needs to be practiced within a context of ethical behaviour in order to realise its potential for awakening and wisdom.

After leading the group on a walking meditation, Ven. Jayasara offered the analogy of a river to help us understand the process of working with our chattering thoughts. Like a quiet witness, we watch the flow of thoughts rush by, without jumping in. Sometimes our attention may be like a stick caught on a rock, but as soon as our mindfulness realises our ‘stuckness’, we can let go and return to the bank to quietly watch the stream of thoughts. 
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Our heartfelt thanks to Venerables Ayya Jitindriya and Jayasara for their warmth, wisdom, and humour, inspiring us to develop our mindfulness in our own everyday lives. Thank you to everyone who came and participated, and for asking those questions that help us all. The group were very enthusiastic to see the Venerables again very soon.

Happy Losar from Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe and all at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre!

The day began with rose-golden clouds and soon saw new and old friends gathering on the mountain to raise prayer flags for the new year. Khenpo la explained that this is like raising our mind to the positive, straight, and tall.

As Khenpo la led us in a ‘Sang’ Smoke offering puja, fragrant smoke billowed around us, through the trees and into the sky, cleansing us of negativities.

To bless us with sweet and caring speech, Khenpo la and Ani la offered us traditional home-made Tibetan ‘Khabze’ biscuits. 

Then, after some instructions from Khenpo la, we all raised our arms to the sky and called out, from the top of our lungs, the traditional, ‘So, so, so…’ to declare our positive minds victorious over the negative. Smiles and laughter all round. Together, we entered the gompa, took our places and began The Sixteen Arhat Puja to seal our wishes for a positive mind and New Year for all sentient beings.
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Thank you to all who came and to those of you who could not come, please know that you were in our hearts on this day. May all of us conquer our own anger, jealousy, and negative emotions this year and place in our mind the tall flags of kindness.

Chötrul Düchen ("Great Day of Miraculous Manifestations")
སྲིད་པ་གསུམ་ན་དཔྗེ་མྗེད་ཡྟོན་ཏན་གྱི། །
Homage to you, who performed great miracles in Śravastī,
མཉན་དུ་ཡྟོད་པར་ཆྟོ་འཕྲུལ་ཆྗེན་པྟོ་བསྟན། །
Unmatched in their splendour in all the three realms,
ལྷ་མི་འགྟོ་བ་ཀུན་གིས་རབ་མཆྟོད་པས། །
And through the offerings made by gods, humans, and other beings,
བསྟན་པ་རྒྱས་པར་མཛད་ལ་ཕྱག་འཚལ་ལྟོ། །
Caused the teachings to prosper and increase. 

Chötrul Düchen is one of four events in the life of the Buddha, according to Tibetan traditions. Chötrul Düchen closely follows Losar, the Tibetan New Year. It takes place on the fifteenth day of the first month in the Tibetan calendar during the full moon. The first fifteen days of the year celebrate the fifteen days during which the Buddha displayed miracles for his disciples so as to increase their devotion. During Chötrul Düchen (“Great Day of Miraculous Manifestations”), it is believed that the effects of both positive and negative actions are multiplied ten million times.

This was the first Vajrayogini Practitioners’ Retreat lead by senior students of Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe’s held at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre. 

Khenpo la was so very kind and generous to approve of the content offered under the transcript of His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, when visiting the Whyalla Buddhist Centre in South Australia in 2003. These were edited with permission from the Whyalla Sangha for teaching and meditation sessions during this time. There were no online sessions or Q & A with Khenpo la, under strict guidelines to not share any tantric teachings online. 

We hope that this will become an annual event so many more practitioners can join in, to carry on our practice together and to continue studying on from the most precious and auspicious Australian visit of His Eminence Kyabje Luding Khen Rinpoche back in January 2019. 

Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre holds a Vajrayogini Tsog fortnightly via Zoom. Please contact us at info@drogmi.org if you would like to join in (you will be asked details of your empowerment, Vajrayogini Blessing and 7 day teaching dates with a Sakya lineage holder).