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.