The Annual Shamatha Retreat led by Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe was into its fifth day of wonderful teachings and guided meditations. Khenpo gave very detailed explanations on how and why to do Shamatha meditation, including the tremendous benefits. We all thank you Khenpo la for being so kind and sharing of your vast wisdom. Such a beautiful group of likeminded people thoroughly enjoying this retreat. A thank you to Pippa for the lovely photos of the grounds at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre.

Coming to the retreat at Kamalashila has been a very empowering and transformative experience. Gaining so much knowledge and understanding about our human tendency’s to be able to gain control of our own mind into the future has been so great. To be better able to manage my mind and emotions will create a more harmonious relationship with my family. Being in a nurturing and peaceful environment with gorgeous views and amazing food makes a perfect place to be able to reflect and gain insight into myself and the world around me with such a wonderful teacher and guide, Khenpo la. 
~ Bobbi

This was my first Shamatha Retreat at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre which was truly profound. Khenpo la’s teachings and guided meditations within a group setting with opportunities for discussion as well, added to our extensive understanding of learning this meditation process. To give yourself the time and space for reflection and to embed the Shamatha meditation practice in such a beautiful and peaceful place with such caring people is gift we can all treasure for our future.
~ Jacqueline

I would just like to share some reflections on the amazing nine day Shamatha Meditation Retreat I recently attended at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre, under Drogmi Buddhist Institute down the far south coast of NSW. The environment was beautiful, situated on acreage within a beautiful and supremely peaceful setting. The bush and the local animals were a highlight for me and added to the harmonious surroundings. The food was awesome, the best I have had on a retreat. Most importantly the teachings were a beautiful gift to me. This has helped beyond words in my meditation practice with a hugely beneficial new outlook and range of techniques for peace and harmony within. 
~ Craig T.

Khacho Yulo Ling Buddhist Centre welcomed our esteemed teacher, Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe, for a weekend of teachings in September this year.

On the Friday night Khenpo presented a public talk on the Benefits of Cultivating Loving Kindness and Compassion in Daily Life. 

Over the next two days Khenpo brought to life the ancient teachings contained in a letter of advice from Nagarjuna to his friend King Gautamiputra. Through Khenpo’s words we came to see how these Buddhist teachings from 2,000 years ago are still relevant in our modern era. 

We in the far north of Queensland feel most fortunate to have such an accomplished and selfless teacher in Australia who finds it in his heart to travel up to us to teach. We respectfully request Khenpo continues to find time in his busy schedule to visit the Cairns sangha and guide us with his admirable knowledge of the Dharma.

Two day pujas for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness Sakya Gongma Trinchen Rinpoche the 41st Sakya Trizin, and for World Peace

It was an incredibly special two days at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre. The attending esteemed Rinpoches, Khenpos and Lamas conducted the most profound pujas dedicated for the Long Life of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche the 41st Sakya Trizin and peace in this world. 

On the first morning the three Long Life Deity Puja was conducted followed by the afternoon session of the Mahakala Puja. It was a wonderful atmosphere in the Gompa, with many people attending and staying on site for full two days. Beautiful offerings were made to the shrine and generous sangha sponsored meals and teas. Two days of overflowing giving and joy honouring our most precious Gurus.

​Thank you to all the sangha for conducting these pujas, and for so many people making offerings.

On the special occasion of your 80th birthday, all members of Drogmi Buddhist Institute and all students at our Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre, as well as the wider Sakya sangha, wish you excellent health so that you may live a long life. From the depths of our hearts, we offer our most sincere appreciation for these 80 years that you have so kindly and tirelessly spent spreading the precious Buddhadharma around the world and ensuring the flourishing of the Great Sakya tradition. We continue to pray for your good health and long life so that you can help sentient beings, not just Sakyapa’s, but the entire world. 

ངག༷་དབ༷ང་སྒྱུ་འཕྲུལ་ལྷ་རིགས་འཁོན་གྱི་གདུང་། །འགྲོ་ཀུན༷་དག༷འ་མཛད་ཐེག༷་ཆེན༷་མདོ་སྔགས་ལམ། །ཕན་བདེའི་དཔལ༷་དུ་འབ༷ར་བའི་ཕྲིན༷་ལ༷ས་ཅན། །བས༷མ་འཕེ༷ལ་དབ༷ང་གི༷་རྒྱལ༷་པོ༷་ཞབས་བརྟན་གསོལ། ། 

Ngawang Kunga, line of Khon, divine, giving benefit and joy to all… Owner of the great and secret path, wish-fulfilling great king, please live long.

His Holiness Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche Visited Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling Vancouver, Canada

At Sakya Tsechan Thubten Ling, Vancouver Canada, Khenpo la respectfully joined His Holiness from the events 16-18 August 2024. His Holiness Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche first bestowed the Vajrayogini Blessing, followed by Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe teaching on the Common Vajrayoini Sadhana, for one day. Then His Holiness further bestowed the empowerments of Guru Rinpoche, Chenrezig, and White Tara, and Khenpo la proceeded to teach on the practices of Chenrezig and White Tara. 

We very much would like to share some of the photos, where sangha members, Dharma students, the Tibetan community and the Bhutanese community attending the programs and kago blessing were bestowed by His Holiness Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche.

Our deep gratitude to His Holiness Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche for bestowing the precious empowerments, as well as tirelessly giving blessings to each and every attendee. 

Our sincere thanks to Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe who taught the practices of the empowerment given by His Holiness, providing students with valuable knowledge of integrating the view and practice, as well as patiently answering questions.

Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling would also like to take this opportunity to thank each and every volunteer who helped out in these events one way or another, which was essential to ensure the smooth running of the programs. You have been so amazing and dedicated; it would not have been possible to run such big programs without your help.

Photo credit: Jackie Liu during empowerments

A beautiful and super productive Karma Yoga Group Retreat was held over the first weekend of August in remembrance of dear Peter. We made three light offerings and Khenpo la held prayer meditations in the mornings and we worked during the days, then gathered around the fire in the evenings. 

For the past few years, Peter had organised these retreats which have been instrumental in maintaining the centre and getting many new projects done. Peter brought people together, working together with joy. Seeing the spirit in which people came and worked and remembered him this weekend was very moving.

Thank you to Scott and Rob who held all the jobs, and all who have participated this time and, in the past: May we continue to hold many more Karma Yoga Group Retreats at Kamalashila and continue Peter Tooth’s legacy; May Kamalashila remain a home for the Dharma well into the future. Thank you.

~Tjenka

“This past weekend, our community at Manjushri Buddhist Centre (MBC) had the immense pleasure of hosting Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe for an enriching series of teachings and celebrations. Khenpo graced us with his wisdom, marking a milestone in his twenty years of teaching at MBC!

“The weekend was filled with profound insights and heartfelt moments. Khenpo la’s teachings delved into the depths of the Dharma, providing our community with invaluable guidance on integrating these principles into our daily lives. His words resonated with all attendees, from long-time practitioners to newcomers to children and their families.

“The Sunday was particularly special over the weekend as Khenpo la dedicated time to a family session. This unique gathering offered a wonderful opportunity for our younger members and their families to engage together in a fun and accessible way. Khenpo la’s gentle and compassionate approach made the teachings relatable and inspiring for children.

“Another highlight of the weekend was the celebration of Khenpo la’s 20th anniversary of teaching at MBC. The weekend gifted us all many moments to reflect on the countless lives Khenpo has touched and the wisdom he has imparted in Milton and all over Australia, over the past three decades.”

Some deep heart thoughts from Peter’s wife Vasi, for sangha members…

The realisation of impermanence feels as if it is lurking in the shadows as I am numb and choosing denial as my default position just to give my heart a rest. Then I watch Peter’s service again, prayers, love and Petey stories flood back in and this does help my heart to stabilise. Sangha is palpable and it’s a ‘we are all doing this together for Pete’ which brings so much comfort and ease. It’s a profound oscillation from samsaric patterning wrapped in, poor me, I have lost my Dharma life mate, to an oceanic vastness of – all will be OK. Peter is OK, held and loved by so many wishing the ultimate for him. How blessed we truly are.

In the lead up to his funeral we had prayers over Peter's body – when Khenpo la and some of the sangha came and prayed for him – they then turned to me, eyes filled with love and sensing that Peter was at ease and doing well. I am not sure how else to say this, but I truly believe with all my heart that collectively we are helping him traverse the bardo knowing he was so loved and cherished. 

He was truly happy these past several months, the most I have ever felt from him. He would beam with so much enthusiasm preparing for the end of the 3-year Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course, absolutely loved Dino and their group. He was overjoyed to be organising another Karma Yoga Group Retreat in August, at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre (KTBC) in Tilba, this filled his heart. As Tony Richardson said, “it was as though his heart was too big for his body, so he had to leave it behind”. May it be so. May it be so for us all!

Pete was brimming with delight having ordered the ‘beaut tilt trailer’ for a carting rocks job near the water tank at KTBC, an otherwise time-consuming and laborious job. His mode was, here one minute, gone the next. There could be no other exit for Pete, as hard and challenging as it has felt for so many of us. Maybe that rude awakening was his parting gift – “c’mon don't waste time – we could be gone tomorrow!”

We put in a request for no autopsy on religious grounds – with Khenpo’s guidance and Jack’s emails – miraculously his body was released from the coroners the very next day. I think as practitioners we would be wise to include this in our final requests. Don’t disturb the body. Do we really need to know cause of death. He had no embalming done and had colour right till the end where we had prayers again for his body before he entered the fire. He looked beautifully at peace.

What a journey for us all – he certainly touched us with his grace. 

Around the turn of the century, Aenpo Rinpoche came into our orbit – for 15 or so years He stirred us all up, opened our hearts, and then vanished, so to speak. Peter was heartbroken. We all were.

In 2016, Penny M. and I were in Spain with our teachers. We got the brochure for The Complete Path (TCP) there. Penny then tried very hard to encourage me to do TCP the following year. I showed the brochure to Peter. Without hesitation he said “FANTASTIC. Khenpo la is teaching, it’s only down the road (5 hour drive) and we won’t be trekking off around the world Vasi, we are supposed to be living more lightly on the planet, let’s do the three years and see what happens!”

Khenpo la helped to heal Peter’s heartbreak. Tilba became Peter’s chalice.

I will miss you dearly my heart’s companion, my Dharma mate on this immense path! You are now helping so many of us deepen our realisation of impermanence. Thank you for all the goodness you brought into our lives, and your determination to add value to all that you did will linger on in all of us.

Thank you ALL for the prayers you have been saying for Peter and for all the very kind support you have sent my way and to the way of Pete’s family, it’s all been so deeply appreciated. I especially thank all the Great Masters who have been praying for Peter and who have cleared his path in some remarkable ways. 

Om Mani Padme Hum.

~ Vasi

Peter worked so hard and did so much magnificent work at the centre and it was always a great joy to be in his company. He was such a beautiful man with a deep devotion to his practice and we will miss him so much. We will remember all that he did for others and the Dharma. We pray for his swift human rebirth and his continued connection with the precious Buddhadharma.

~ Jack H. (President of Drogmi Buddhist Institute)

Khenpo la led a beautiful Shamatha practice this morning at Kamalashila, reminding us how fortunate we are, to live in a place where we can come and practise together, and have the right conditions to practise and live at the same time as many Great Teachers. We are so fortunate to live at the same time as His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

After practice we celebrated, with a delicious cake. Happy Birthday your Holiness! May you have a long and healthy life, and much happiness, may you continue to benefit so many beings and be a shining light for Tibet.
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Happy Birthday Your Holiness the 14th Dali lama. We are so fortunate to share this day with you, may you continue to live a long, happy and healthy life.

The Ananda Buddhist Meditation Centre in Rockhampton were extremely fortunate to be able to host Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe for a weekend of teachings and a Public Talk this July. Buddhist practitioners throughout Central Queensland travelled long distances to attend his Public Talk on that Friday evening and also to Khenpo la’s weekend teachings. Although it was cold in our normally hot Central Queensland town, Khenpo provided warmth in his teachings to fire up the enthusiasm of those who attended.

The first day of teachings included the importance of taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha as well as The Four Common Foundational Meditations: a precious human rebirth, impermanence, the law of cause and effect, and the suffering of samsara. It was inspirational for the students to understand that these Buddhist teachings, which are over 2,500 years old, brought an up-to-date scientific approach to overcoming all of the current mental health problems of the world. Khenpo impressed on the students that the method of application of the Buddhist teachings was about 10% study of the scriptures/sutras, around 30% contemplation and analytical meditations of the teachings, and 60% is the application of meditation on those teachings. The clear message was that we do not have to experience problems of suffering if the mind does not consider it to be a problem or suffering, the answer lies in the continuous mind training on the Buddha’s teachings.

The Sunday’s teachings then explored more closely some of the scientific approaches to overcoming the problems of the world. That is comprised of two main topics: Renunciation of being “definitely free”, and then teachings on Bodhicitta. The easier to relate to is Conventional Bodhicitta, whereas the much more complex teachings were on Ultimate Bodhicitta, dealing with the interrelationship of all phenomena – emptiness.

Certainly, there is a practical wisdom in considering the suffering of others and doing all one can to help them rather than just looking at your own difficulties and concerns. Whilst looking outwards there is no time for depression or melancholy. This outward-looking perspective brings an enthusiasm and purpose for life. It seems the character of a Buddhist practitioner requires an eagerness to work within oneself each and every day in the transforming of our negative habitual patterns into positive habitual patterns.

Through study, contemplation, and meditation we can go from chasing fake happiness to understanding and appreciating true and everlasting happiness. 
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~Allan G.

At the conclusion of a very successful Shri Vajrapani Bhutadamara Retreat, Khenpo la led the Fire Puja. It was an incredibly beautiful ritual, with very elaborate preparations by Khenpo la. May all beings everywhere benefit and rejoice. Thank you Khenpo la for providing this opportunity for us and to all the sangha.

A last-minute decision and encouragement from Ann found me at KTBC for this retreat. The community was inviting, open, warm, inclusive and inspiring. Having a room to myself allowed me to embrace and continue my solitude and minimise my delusions. The food was super yummy, substantial and Ani la made sure we were all full and taken care of. Khenpo held the space safe, whilst I flitted around in my crazy mind to settle and experience a place of expansion and contemplation alongside his inspiring teachings. I found the Fire Puja extraordinary.

Sheltered amongst the trees, the mirage and smoke, water reflections, purifications and blessings, all consolidated my retreat – and ongoing practices. Khenpo gave my rescue puppy in Melbourne a long-distance blessing, and I was on my way home. To all, thank you. 

~Emma

Khenpo la joined many ordained sangha across all Buddhist traditions to attend the inaugural Vesak Celebration at the NSW Parliament kindly hosted by Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper MP and shadow minister Mark Coure MP and supported by the Buddhist Connection – Buddhist Council of NSW. Opposition leader Marl Speakman gave an insightful address capturing the key elements of Buddhist practice. Chanting took place from the three traditions including a light offering and bathing of the Lord Buddha ceremony. We rejoice that this will now become an annual event at the NSW Parliament to mark the commencement of Saga Dawa.

One hundred light offerings were made every single day during this most holy month of Saga Dawa. During retreats these offerings were made twice daily! We would like to thank the 67 families, individuals, friends and members who sponsored these offerings. May all the Gurus and Bodhisattvas enjoy good health, live long lives and through their teachings ensure the flourishing of the precious Buddhadharma. We invite all sponsors to dedicate your merit for peace in the world and the benefit of all sentient beings.

A few special days stand out, shared by Khenpo la.

Saga Dawa Day 5

Lamp Offering Prayer
(Marimei monlam choden gya tso zhug so)

Visualise and recite as follows:

Rin chen dang po’i kong po ni 
Firstly, the butter lamp base is made out of many precious jewels.
Tong sum khyun tang nyam pi nang / tsi mar chod kyi yong kang wa’i 
Inside it is as vast as the three thousand realms, filled with butter of the most exquisite quality.
Kyil du dong bu ri rab tsam 
Place a wick in the middle of the butter as large as Mount Sumeru.
Tsug la bar we me che yi / ngo wo ye shi nga den la 
The flame of this butter lamp is in the nature of the five wisdoms.
Nam pa nyi ma dung chur gyi 
The form of this flame is as bright as a billion suns.
Zi kig bar wi mar me dhee / chok chu nam khe kham kun khyub 
A powerful light radiates from this lamp that pervades space in all the ten directions.
Oe kyi long ne kun zang gi / choe trin gya tsoe trin trho wa / si thi bar du tak choed pe 
Through this immeasurable light, unsurpassable objects of offering arise like vast cloud banks, which I offer until samsara ends.
Dag dang dag la drel thog kyi / mig yul shin son chi chee pa’i / tsog nyi dzog shing drib nye jang 
Through this, may all beings and myself, whether they are living or have passed on, purify the two obscurations and accomplish the two accumulations (of merit and wisdom).
La med chang chub nyur thob shog 
May we swiftly attain the highest enlightenment (Buddhahood).

Saga Dawa Day 24 

The Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course Retreat commenced during this holy month. 

This very day marked the Anniversary of Mahasiddhi Virupa’s attaining realisations. May we all aspire to reach that same state for the benefit of sentient beings.

Saga Dawa Day 25

Such an auspicious month with the final day of the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course 1st Semester retreat, and many students making the light offerings on behalf of the sponsors.

On day 18 of Saga Dawa, the Sunday practice was held in our new little Gompa, when Khenpo la led all attending in the Sixteen Arhat Puja. This was followed by a delicious community luncheon. A beautiful day of joyful celebration. 
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The photos are showing the end results of its construction inside with Khenpo la’s blessings and the first gathering to commemorate this precious building built by so many generous hands, a great credit to the sangha community, thank you to all who helped in any way with this treasured little Gompa

The Annual Ngondro Retreat was held during this most auspicious time of Saga Dawa. Thank you Khenpo la and to all who attended, to all who volunteered cooking and serving the dharma.

Ayyas Jitindriya and Jayasara led a beautiful Mindfulness Day-long retreat yesterday at the centre. A large gathering in person and online really appreciated the Ayyas’ depth of knowledge and kindness. Thank you to everyone involved.
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I attended the Mindfulness Day on Saturday sitting in quietness together meditating, listening to gentle guidance and encouragement. It was delightful and for me so wonderful to see my friends from different traditions coming together to enjoy the connections, to be surrounded by beauty of that land that has witnessed and held practices from many Masters and many traditions all welcomed. An experience of the generosity of a Dharma home, and the dedications of the teachers to be there and available for us all. 
~ With appreciation, Glenda

Khenpo la’s visit to Rongton Buddhist Centre this year was a greatly anticipated and joyful occasion, with all members of the sangha relishing face to face connection with one another here in Brisbane.

The teaching program in 2024 consisted of two topics: an introductory one-day teaching on The Fundamental Verses of the Middle Way (Prajna Nama Mulamadhyamakakarika), followed by a one-day teaching on the 21 Taras.

The Mulamadhyamakakarika is part of the Perfection of Wisdom teachings according to the common history of the Three Turnings of the Wheel by Shakyamuni Buddha. It is a Mahayana text composed out of great compassion by Nagarjuna, illuminating the Middle Way, free from the extremes of nihilism and eternalism.

Khenpo la explained that the Buddha gave many teachings, but with only one purpose: for sentient beings to become free from our ignorance mind. Individual mind comes from individual perception, which constitutes conventional reality – that is, the way that each of us thinks. However, absolute reality or truth is of one flavour, and is far more profound than conventional truth.

As Dharma practitioners, we need to first understand interdependent origination in order to overcome nihilism, which will then help us to understand and realise ultimate truth. Clinging to our ordinary perceptions of who we think we are, needs to be remedied by re-identifying ourselves, and this is achieved by studying teachings on the clarity of the mind (conventional truth) as well as by studying teachings on the emptiness of the mind (absolute truth). When we realise the union of these two, we realise no-self, which is nirvana. As Khenpo la said, wisdom mind will never deceive you, and therefore we need to work with our mind to see and understand reality correctly. 

Candrakirti (a disciple of Nagarjuna’s) taught that we should accept conventional reality, otherwise it’s confusing; however, when mind is caught up in negativities, we then need to investigate the mind and find out whether conventional reality is valid in an ultimate sense, in order to free ourselves from attachment and aversion. If we’re really caught up with something, it is best at that time to remember emptiness, and then we won’t blame something or someone for a situation that we find ourselves in. 

Khenpo la then outlined the eight conceptualisations that keep ordinary beings in samsara: the concepts of going and coming, cessation and arising, nihilism and eternalism, and separation and one (or oneness). The main topic of Nagarjuna’s text therefore deals with the refutation of phenomena arising. So, for example, when something appears (e.g., a rice plant), if this truly exists separate from our mind, there are only four possibilities as to how it arises: from self, from other, from both self and other, and from neither self nor other.

The text then goes on to explain the philosophical views of different schools in relation to the above, and then shows from a logical point of view, that these four possibilities can all be refuted. As it’s beyond the scope of this article to go into any more depth here, and as it’s also beyond my own understanding to elaborate much further on Khenpo la’s teaching, I will now briefly outline his teaching on the 21 Taras.

Sunday’s session began with Khenpo la giving a transmission of the 21 Praises to Tara, in order to connect our mindstream to the blessed lineage of Tara. Khenpo la then gave three brief historical accounts of Tara, including how she came to be an enlightened Buddha many aeons before Buddha Shakyamuni. He also explained how in Vajrayana there are four main classes of tantra (Kriya, Charya, Yoga, and Anuttarayoga), and while Tara practice can be done at all four levels, it is usually practised at the Kriya level. In Kriya, the emphasis is on cleanliness and diet (practice is most effective when one is vegetarian); the practice can be done at any time of the day, and it’s important to have a consecrated image of Tara.

Following transmission of the Tara mantra, Khenpo la went through each of the verses of the Praises to 21 Taras (composed by Buddha Vairocana), explaining that her 21 primary emanations perform different activities, of which there are four main types: pacifying, increasing, overpowering/magnetising, and wrathful. Each of these four activities are symbolised by the colours of white, yellow, red and black, respectively. They all come from Green Tara, as green is the colour of the Buddha’s enlightened activities (symbolised by Amoghasiddhi). 

Tara is often referred to as the mother of all the Buddhas as she embodies wisdom and all enlightened activities; praying to Tara is the same as praying to all the Buddhas. Just as a mother who hears her child crying, drops everything immediately to rescue her child, so too when we call on Tara, she swiftly appears like lightning, in order to help suffering sentient beings. The Sanskrit name “Tara” therefore means Protectress or Saviour. In the Mantrayana tradition, one needs countless skills to help sentient beings due to their different dispositions and levels of intelligence, hence the need for Tara’s different emanations and activities as described above.
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On behalf of Rongton Buddhist Centre, I would like to thank Khenpo la for his great kindness in teaching these topics, and for the meticulous detail he gave for each. By dedicating the merits of these teachings, may all beings be blessed by realising the ultimate truth of existence! 
~ Robin M

Thank you Khenpo la and the two Venerables, as well as the volunteers who assisted in making this retreat a time of reflection and connection for all who attended. The understanding of commitment to practice and the sharing of wisdom and insights continues to assist us in our everyday lives. 
~ Jacqueline

I really enjoyed the Shamatha & Mindfulness Retreat. The meditation part of the retreat was very relaxing and calming, as we listened to Khenpo la guide us through with his words of wisdom. I did find the session after lunch extremely hard, it felt very long, and I couldn’t help my mind to focus, it was just wandering around. Noble silence for half of each day was quite enjoyable with not having to think about what people are saying or feel like I had to start a conversation with someone. The lunch break was very nice though, because people were able to speak again and have a conversation. I really liked how everything was very open and you could ask questions about anything. My favourite part of the retreat was on the last evening, the sun was setting over the hills making the sky dance with colours of pinks and reds, as everyone sat around the fire and did a meditation session together. I had a great time and will definitely do it again. 
~ Lauren H.

Realising that I have no need to continue to look back at my past, due to learning that the past is essentially dead and by not projecting and looking into the future because it is unborn; I can remain in the present. By practising Shamatha and being grateful for what I have I will be more peaceful and thus more joyful. In this way, my life will be easier to navigate, especially in this ever fast and changing world. To be calm, happy, and clear minded, I will have a far better chance of remaining sovereign to my own mind, not being pulled in every direction. By understanding my own mind better, I will have a much better chance of understanding others. 
~ Andrew M.

At the Shamatha & Mindfulness Retreat, Easter Long Weekend, Khenpo la began by explaining how we can apply these teachings in our lives to help ease difficulties in coping with this ever-changing world. We can develop gratefulness in realising and to constantly contemplate, to learn in having awareness of this precious opportunity we all have in being in a human form, for this likened to having a unique power to potentially help countless sentient beings to create an undisturbed and peaceful mind through Shamatha meditation.

Khenpo la explained the meaning of the Triple Gem of course in such a beautiful way. The Buddha was able to diagnose any problem in order to offer a Dharmic treatment. In reality we don’t actually know ourselves, so in knowing our limitations this will bring one happiness. The Buddha is not just to worship, for the teachings offer us a way to study so we can understand ourselves.

The Dharma is of wisdom and having a compassionate mind, for the task of wisdom is to free us from our negative mind. The ultimate object of refuge is residing in wisdom and compassion.

The Sangha is a friend that helps us in virtuous ways, in positive ways. To stay in this state no matter where you are in the world whether in your home on your meditation cushion or even in an unsafe place.

Khenpo la went through the nine stages of Shamatha meditation, going through the important Vairocana posture and its crucial importance of how our veins and oxygen work so we know why to practise this posture, what are the common objects of meditation and the sacred objects of our Shamatha meditation.

On the final day, Khenpo la offered all retreatants a most exquisite teaching on Mindfulness carrying on from the Shamatha meditation teachings, incorporating the three vows, protecting the mind (tenpa) through remembering the instructions and antidotes, to remember with a wisdom aspect. Explaining the Four Wrong Views, combined with the Four Noble Truths, including wonderful teachings on the Eightfold Noble Path.

It was a glorious retreat, also enjoying some walking meditations led by Venerable Tsultim and Ayya Jayasara. Such a special weekend of the precious teachings seeing new and returning students. Once more a most heart-felt gratitude to our most precious teacher, Khenpo la for an absolutely inspiring and moving three days of learning and hearing the treasured Buddhadharma. And to all involved with organising, delicious cooking and to all attendees. 
~ Lael

Another hugely successful Karma Yoga Group Retreat concluded today at Kamalashila. Twice a year we get together as a large group and work on various projects to upgrade the centre’s facilities. Everyone came with such a strong motivation to work in joyful effort for the centre, which in turn has the potential to help so many sentient beings.
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After a day of hard work, we all relaxed around our new campfire place that Khenpo la built, enjoying the beautiful sunset.

A big thank you to everyone who made this wonderful weekend come to fruition, in particular our inspirational Teacher Khenpo la who leads from the front every time, and Peter who so skilfully puts all the work projects together.

Over the weekend of 9-10 March 2024, Khenpo la led a two-day teaching on Mind Training to a full house of students at Croydon in Sydney along with Zoom-ers joining us from right around Australia. Saturday’s teaching commenced with Khenpo taking us through the importance of the preliminary practices in the training of the mind: the Four Common Foundations, Taking Refuge and Generating Bodhicitta which is the main cleansing of our minds. He then taught the Four Reasons we recognise the Lord Buddha as perfect. In the main practice of mind training, Khenpo la taught that if we are to turn our mind into the Dharma we cannot be attached to this life. It is important that we don’t undertake our practice to achieve material success or fame in this life. If we have attachment to self-purpose, then we cannot be a Mahayana practitioner and if we have grasping, we do not have the view.
 
Khenpo then spoke about the four ways we can turn unwanted experiences into the path – how to respond when (1) someone takes advantage of our material possessions by appreciating the opportunity to practice generosity; (2) when people do things that create misery for us by developing Great Compassion; (3) when someone speaks negatively of us by welcoming the mirror and responding in a way that helps transforms the other person’s mind; and (4) when people point out our faults to view them as our teachers.

​Sakya Pandita told us that to learn from others they don’t have to be Great Masters or Enlightened Beings, that any person can be our teacher. Khenpo spoke to the importance of generating loving-kindness and compassion so that we can come to appreciate that any difficult circumstances we find ourselves in provide a special opportunity to transform our mind. He explained the Tong Len practice of exchanging self with others and led meditations for the students. 

On Sunday Khenpo taught on how our suffering is generated through the Three Poison Minds and how they can be transformed through abandoning clinging to self through the wisdom mind. Khenpo spoke of the importance of keeping our mind in a safe place including through Shamatha practice. Khenpo urged us to be conscientious 24/7 in training our mind and appreciate that with the wisdom mind all obstacles and hindrances become an opportunity to deepen our practice and ultimately achieve Buddhahood. At the conclusion of the weekend, students offered khatas and expressed their deep appreciation for Khenpo’s wonderful teachings.

A huge thank you to Linda McKeone for all the arrangements over the weekend kindly supported by Ann with the registrations and everyone who brought food and took care of Khenpo la on this visit to Sydney. 

​Khenpo la made a return to teach at the Blue Mountains at the community hall in Wentworth Falls, for the first time in almost 10 years! There were lots of old friends and new ones who came to hear Khenpo la’s practical guidance on how to live a meaningful life. Starting with giving to others, even mentally giving if you can’t physically, is a helpful technique to change our minds to have a more meaningful use of this life. Thank you Khenpo la for travelling here and sharing your great wisdom with us. Thank you to all the local organisers Suzi, Peter, Sue, and Pam. We look forward to seeing Khenpo la back again here very soon.

We were delighted with the joyous occasion of Khenpo la’s recent return to the Hawkesbury region. On 5th March, Khenpo presented a teaching entitled, “How to Create Happiness in Troubled Times: A Buddhist Perspective” at Windsor Library. It was the first time Khenpo had graced the Hawkesbury community with his wisdom since 2017, and it was truly a momentous occasion. Despite the passage of time, the enthusiasm for the Dharma was palpable.

From the moment Khenpo began to speak, it was evident that his words resonated deeply with the audience. His profound insights into the human condition and practical advice on how to navigate life’s challenges left a lasting impression on all who were present. What made the evening even more remarkable was the overwhelming turnout. Initially prepared with 72 chairs, we soon found ourselves with standing room only as more and more people flocked to hear Khenpo la’s teachings. The sense of community and shared purpose was truly heartwarming.

Looking ahead, we are filled with hope and optimism for the future. With Khenpo’s continued guidance and the unwavering support of our Dharma friends, we are confident that we can continue to spread the light of wisdom and compassion throughout the Hawkesbury region and beyond.

Our 3rd Annual student-led Vajrayogini Retreat was extremely beautiful. Sangha attended in person and online via Zoom. Khenpo la very kindly accepted our request to lead the final session with a tsog and answered questions. Khenpo la then gave a spontaneous teaching on the absolute essential aspect of all our practice which is to work towards freeing ourselves from suffering with the sole purpose of having the capacity to help all sentient beings to be free from suffering. 

It was a very special time together in this very sacred place, practising and studying together. The students online felt very much a part of the retreat, the energy of this magical place resonates through the Zoom waves. 

Thank you Khenpo la from the depths of our hearts for encouraging us to carry out this retreat each year, so when the masters do return to Kamalashila in the future, we will hopefully understand these teachings on a deeper level.

Wishing you all a very happy Tibetan and Chinese New Year! May your 2151 Wood Dragon Year be filled with Dharma, love, happiness, and world peace, from Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe and Drogmi Buddhist Institute’s family to yours!

On 11 February Khenpo la led the sangha in the celebrations for Losar. We began with writing all dedications on the sponsored new prayer flags and hung them. The old flags were burnt, and smoke cleansed us all of negative thoughts and actions. We offered barley flour to the local spirits as a way to clear obstacles for the year ahead and create positive conditions. We all then ate kupsey, a delicious Tibetan biscuit to help our speech be sweet throughout the year. In the gompa Khenpo led prayers and Tara recitations. Tara is very positive in every aspect so a great way for us all to start the year in reciting Tara’s mantra. Auspicious rice and tea were offered to the shrine and sangha and a delicious luncheon completed what was a beautiful day and start to the New Year. 

The Tibetan tradition in hanging prayer flags at the beginning of the Tibetan New Year, benefits all beings when the wind touches the holy words of the Buddha that are written on the flags, carrying them to every direction. Hanging prayer flags creates the right cause to benefit all beings and the environment, and in particular the person and family who are raising the flag has enormous benefit.

The Annual Six Dome White Tara Retreat began Thursday 1 February 2024, on the Anniversary of the great Sakya master Zangtsa Sonam Gyaltsen, who had a very close connection to the White Tara practice. The retreat concluded with a Tsog offering practice. Over the four days Khenpo la gave very detailed teachings on the sadhana and led practice sessions. Those attending felt very fortunate to have had this wonderful opportunity to really learn about this profound practice in such detail. Thank you Khenpo la.