“In Kuching, Malaysia, Venerable Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe has concluded his two weeks’ teaching programme which coincides with the auspicious Chökör Düchen month, during which the Buddha first turned the wheel of Dharma. It was an amazing learning experience for all of Khenpo la’s students and everyone expressed their wishes to see Khenpo la in Kuching 2020.”
Words from a student

Around 60 people attended the Annual Family Day at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre this past July. The day’s theme was all about Compassion, to oneself and others.

​This was a very special and unique day, where Khenpo la spent time with families, all sharing in how to have fun together and at the same time learning about Loving-Kindness and Compassion to oneself, family and others, reaching out to the wider community. Then all shared in the annual soccer match... the kids won again!! A spectacular day all round, thank you Khenpo la!

Photo credit Dean Dampney (Cloudface Photography and dharma dad)

“We had a wonderful weekend of teachings with Khenpo la at Khacho Yulo Ling Tibetan Buddhist Centre under Ani Rinchen la, Cairns QLD. Fortunately, as well on this weekend fell His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday celebrations. Also, two of our centre’s students took refuge with Khenpo la, Dearne L. and Heather H.  Thank you Khenpo la for continually travelling to our centres nationally bringing the teachings.” 

Celebrating Saga Dawa Düchen at Tilba Tilba and at Croydon, Sydney – sangha members came together to celebrate the very special time of Saga Dawa, in particular Saga Dawa Düchen. 

At Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre at Tilba Tilba, Khenpo la gave a talk about the meaning and significance of this very holy month, and then lead sangha members in a beautiful Sixteen Arhat Puja. With everyone participating, 100 candle offerings were made. We then all shared in a delicious lunch. 

At Croydon chanting of prayers and light offerings were made to mark this most auspicious of occasions in the Tibetan Calendar.

​We wished and prayed for everyone to increase their positive thoughts, speech and actions during this time.

Both His Holiness the 41st and 42nd Sakya Trizins gave teachings on Lam Dre at the New York Centre in Walden this past June 2019.  Some of our sangha members were fortunate enough to attend!

Penny M. made a Mandala Offering to His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin on behalf of Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe and all at Drogmi Buddhist Institute.

​May His Holiness continue to remain in this world and turn the Wheel of Dharma for the sake of all sentient beings.

“Brilliant – amazing teacher with wonderful explanations especially on emptiness which has really helped me with these teachings. Only regret is that I couldn’t attend the second day due to other commitments. Thank you Khenpo!!”
​Beverley H.

“The way Khenpo was able to simply and clearly explain this teaching was wonderful and appreciated. His emphasis on beginning with close one’s was very helpful as were his examples for post-meditation – gives us a greater chance for ‘actually doing it’. Thank you Khenpo.”
Anonymous

“Thank you so much Khenpo. To be in your presence is so beautiful and encouraging, I am so blessed.  I truly appreciate your teachings. Thank you and bless you.”
Jules

Khenpo la commenced this retreat in a full day of teachings on Compassion. Participants came from as far away as Melbourne in the south and Richmond, NSW in the north, all sharing with each other in this beautiful place. Khenpo la taught on the real enemy for us is self-cherishing and the mind that does this is called ‘ignorant’. This is the base of our discrimination mind which causes us so many difficulties. Khenpo la stressed that when we really look at this type of mind, it is very insecure. Khenpo talked about compassion having two aspects: 1, a good heart and 2, wisdom. We need the good heart of loving kindness, and the wisdom to know actually know how to help others. A quote from Khenpo la, “Wisdom makes meditation authentic”.

Khenpo la concluded the final day of the Mindfulness and Compassion Retreat with a summary of teachings on Compassion which included insightful instructions on the ‘Four Dharma Seals’. And how this can really help us maintain a positive mind. It is not the size of our problems that decide our negative mind, it is what methods we use to deal with the problem. Khenpo then gave concise and profound teachings on Mindfulness, which He explained to use to protect our mind. Having a strong, positive and focused mind is enough to lighten up our negative mind. Thank you Khenpo la for your great patience and guidance. Thank you to lovely Taylor who cooked us delicious food, and to the retreat group who were wonderful.

“I was very pleased when my wife Annie agreed to come to the recent Compassion & Mindfulness retreat. It was a wonderful experience to share with her and all the great people assembled at the beautiful Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre. Annie has been delivering social services and therapeutic programs to offenders in NSW prisons for the last 19 years. The retreat has helped her to relieve the burnout and compassion fatigue which comes with such a career.

“Khenpo’s fearlessness and compassion is undeniable and we received precious teachings and wisdom. It is as if we now have a bigger perspective on life and our own problems have grown smaller in comparison. We are better able to choose how we react to life’s challenges. Acting with more compassion and more mindfulness makes everyone happier.
 
“We offer our heartfelt thanks to many people who worked towards the success of this retreat and a special thank you to our kind teacher, Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe.” 
Anthony G.

Saga Dawa within the Tibetan Calendar falls this year on 4 June to 2 July 2019.

The most important month in the Tibetan lunar calendar is Saga Dawa, the 4th month and the 15th day of the lunar month, the full moon day is called Saga Dawa Düchen which falls on Monday 17 June 2019. Düchen means “Great Occasion” and this day is the single most holy day of the year for Tibetan Buddhists. Saga Dawa Düchen commemorates the Birth, Enlightenment, and Parinirvana of Buddha Shakyamuni marked on the same day of the Full Moon within this month. 

Although, there is a specific separate day in which Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth is celebrated. This is referred to as Tampei Düchen, this year falling on Sunday 9 June. 

In other Buddhist traditions this occasion is known as Vesak or is sometimes called Buddha Day and may fall within a different month, yet around the same time of the year.

Saga Dawa is known as the month of merits. Tibetan Buddhists make extra efforts to practice more generosity, virtue, and compassion in order to accumulate greater merit. Tibetans believe that during this month, the merits of one’s actions are multiplied. On the 15th day of the month the merits of one’s actions are hugely increased. Accumulating this merit is understood in many ways, it could be seen as the fruits of good karma, especially when it brings us closer enlightenment. The three grounds of meritorious actions are generosity and mental culture or meditation. 

Traditionally, the holy day of Saga Dawa Düchen is observed through practice, generosity, and the performance of meritorious deeds, such as the practice of Life Release. This is commonly performed by purchasing animals that are destined to be killed (like worms, crickets, or fish), and releasing them into their natural habitats with prayers and positive aspirations. One must be mindful though that this release does not cause them more suffering. The act of giving life in this way is believed to extend the practitioner or benefactor’s lifespan and create positive circumstances. Another excellent way to make offering of life on this special day is to observe a vegetarian or vegan diet, a common tradition during this month. You can also take an extended vow or vegetarianism, creating vast merit through your noble aspiration to reduce suffering. 

“Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Work hard to gain your own salvation”. The Buddha

A special day of practice will be held for Saga Dawa Düchen at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre, 9000 Princes Highway – programme to be announced shortly.

In the very first gathering in the gompa for the 1st term of year three of The Complete Path (TCP), we offered the Sixteen Arhat Puja. Praying for the long life of all the great masters, may they remain teaching the Dharma and may the Dharma flourish. To dedicate all this merit to all beings for their happiness, liberation and enlightenment.

This concluding year of TCP in Australia is on the vast and foundational teachings on Ngöndro. Here are some excerpts from the eight-day study program.

How to reflect about Refuge: 
Khenpo-la explained the benefits of taking Refuge.

• It's the foundation of all virtues.
• Taking refuge plants seeds for our ultimate Buddha Vajradhara state.
• It helps distance us from wrong views.
• Increases our virtuous activities. 
• Taking refuge is the foundation of our Pratimoksha Vows, Bodhisattva Vows and the Mantrayana Vows. (Anyone can make vows, but without taking refuge one cannot receive vows.)
• We will be protected from human and non-humans causing us suffering both physically and mentally.
• Once we receive Refuge Vows, we can redefine ourselves and even have a new Buddhist family name. 
• Only after taking refuge one can be a holy person.
• If vows are not broken, we will never be parted from the Triple Gem.
• Ultimately, we can be on the path to be all that we want to be and have the methods to help others to be all that they can be.

Teachings on taking vows:
Khenpo-la gave refuge and bodhicitta transmissions to participants and explained in detail the importance of cultivating bodhicitta mind - the genuine, heartfelt and driving motivation to achieve Buddhahood for the benefit of all beings - for Mahyahana (and Vajrayana) practitioners. Put simply, without bodhicitta, Buddhahood is not achievable, and you’ve got to feel it - it can’t be dry and intellectual, it must be juicy, warm and real. The heart must be engaged. All sentient beings - including those really challenging ones - are needed to develop, refine and beautify our mind and heart by practising loving-kindness and Great compassion to generate conventional bodhicitta (both wishing and engaging) and eventually realise Absolute bodhicitta (from the first bhumi onwards). It’s tough, yes, but the samsaric mind is tougher and harder because it’s endless. Bodhicitta is needed at the beginning (to enter the path), in the middle (to stay on the path) and at the end (to share the path by benefiting others).

Motivation excerpts on taking refuge during the teachings:

• When we think about the confusion and obstructions we have that cover over our minds, and the struggles, we have to progress in our chosen practice or gain realisations, ask ourselves what kind of phenomenon causes them?
• It is clear, one thing that stops our progress on this spiritual path, is ignorance.  The ignorance of the way we view ourselves as truly existent, and the way we observe phenomena as truly existent.

The remedy for this is Wisdom.

• The closer our understanding of the Absolute Truth we develop, the clearer and more joyous our hearts naturally become.
• Remember our purpose for this journey of discovering the Absolute Truth is not to merely become a learned person, but to discover the truths and the causes to discover the truths for all sentient beings.
• When we come to the Dharma, we are not necessarily looking to change our physical appearance, nor do we look to change our vocal expressions but to look at transforming/changing our minds.
• Change can happen when we accept our old mentality, that our mental culture does not help us cultivate true happiness.

Vajrasattva teachings:
We focused on the reasons, practices and benefits of performing Vajrasattva practice as part of uncommon Ngöndro practice.  Khenpo-la explained the symbolism of the father and mother Vajrasattva (clarity and empty aspect) and the common and uncommon visualisations to perform. Khenpo-la recommended students to say the mantra daily (minimum of 21 times) in order to gradually cleanse our mind streams which have been accumulating all manners of habits since beginningless time.  Khenpo-la also explained the meaning of the 100-syllable mantra which is extraordinarily beautiful, profound and heartfelt.

Suzi’s farewell in service to Khenpo-la:
We all gathered to celebrated Suzi Walker who has overseen looking after food for all Dharma retreats for 17 years with Khenpo-la. She has been like a Dharma mum to all of us and has worked tirelessly to make sure we get fed both nourishing food mentally and physically!

A group of us after the exam prepared and performed a live recording of a song dedicated to Suzi called “An Ode to Suzi” to celebrate the love we all share for her. It was written by Russell to the tune of the Australian folk song called “old man emu”, so much fun was had by all.
​
The group photo of the Complete Path students from Year 3 at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre was positioned under the glorious presence of Mount Gulaga.  Thank you to Dean for his beautiful photos during the entire week, as well as some additional images from Khenpo-la, and other students.

Message from Khenpo la: 
“The eight days of the Complete Path program were filled with richness and warmth. I encourage all students to share what you learnt with others and embody the knowledge and practise we did together. See you all in September. Thank you everyone.”

His Holiness then spoke about the significance of the namesake of the centre – Kamalashila, the renowned 8th century Buddhist master from Nalanda University, India – who journeyed to Tibet and the future seat of the Sakya order.

The teaching program commenced with an early Green Tara puja led by Khenpo-la, followed by a tremendous day of two Empowerments bestowed by His Holiness. The King Tradition Avalokiteshvara Empowerment was conducted in the morning and the Six Dome Uncommon White Tara Empowerment in the late afternoon.

His Holiness proceeded to give two teaching sessions for two days on the Uncommon White Tara. He explained the importance of the practice being an unbroken direct lineage traced back to the historical Shakyamuni Buddha in terms of authenticity. The Uncommon White Tara sadhana belongs to the Kriya class of tantra but sealed by higher tantra to perform different practices. His Holiness outlined the three parts of the sadhana practice (preliminaries, main practice and conclusion) and gave detailed guidance on the common and uncommon aspects.

At the end of the last teaching session, His Holiness bestowed the Vajrakilaya Torma Empowerment that has been in the Khon family lineage since around the 10th century, when directly received from Padmasambhava in Tibet!  

In addition to the sadhana teachings and empowerments over the three days, His Holiness shared many pithy and practical teachings for new and old practitioners alike. This included reminding us that we cannot hide any action of body, speech and mind from the Law of Karma (cause and effect), that our mindfulness and vigilance need to act as our teacher.

Over 60 people attended the complete teaching program in Tilba, as all the practitioners look forward to receiving teachings from His Holiness in the future.  

​We wished His Holiness the safest of travels back to India, and thanked Him for turning the Wheel of Dharma for all of us at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre.