The Complete Path group gathered for the opening of the last term of the three-year program in Australia at Kamalashila, with Khenpo-la leading Sixteen Arhat Puja. It was lovely to see everyone again. Khenpo-la described this as the Spring Term of TCP – sowing seeds in Australia over the last three years, with the opportunity for those seeds to flourish for students continuing the seven-year program in Kathmandu in 2020. He gave an overview of the last term, outlining the key points and commenced teachings on the Mandala Offering and the reasons why to do this practice, being the accumulation of merit, which then leads to the accumulation wisdom.

Upon Khenpo-la concluding the teachings on the Uncommon Guru Yoga, individual presentations to the whole class were given. Khenpo-la asked each of us to present in no more than 2 minutes what our overall view was of the past three years of The Complete Path and how it has affected our everyday lives.

Following this Khenpo-la presented Certificates for 2019 to those completing all the necessary assessments. We then concluded with Mandala and Guru Yoga practice together, followed by concluding prayers and a Thanksgiving Mandala Offering, Dedication and Long-Life Prayers. 

The course has been a great success, and we thank His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin, for through His great wisdom in providing this course for us here in Australia, and to Khenpo-la for teaching the course and in making these profound teachings, so much more accessible. We then held a celebratory dinner, which was lots of fun with delicious food and entertainments. Thank you to Karma-la for heading the catering team for the week and for all who contributed.

Many are continuing their studies for the remaining four years of this wonderful course with His Holiness 42nd Sakya Trizin in Kathmandu, Nepal (solely offered at IBA).

We wish each of them every success in their studies and Dharma activities. Thank you, Dean for the lovely group photo.

Khenpo-la conducted the special Naga Puja and Naga Sang with several sangha members in attendance. These ancient Tibetan rituals can assist with bringing rain. The ceremony was very elaborate with many offerings being made. Afterwards everyone shared in a delicious lunch. Thank you Khenpo-la for conducting this for all beings and the environment. Thank you as well to Al and Annie for hosting this very special morning. That afternoon some gentle rain fell around the Eden and Bega areas.

Khenpo-la made His annual teaching visit to the NSW mid north coast last weekend, visiting Tuncurry. All who attended were so happy to be able to listen to Khenpo-la’s wise words. Thank you, Jule, for organising a lovely program.

“We are very grateful to Khenpo-la for taking the time to come and give us so much of his time. All who attended send their heartfelt thank you to Khenpo and to ask can he please make the journey back here in the not too distant future. 
Yours in gratitude, Jule and all at TBIS”

The Men-Tsee-Khang Medical and Astro-science team arrived at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre late August this year from Dharmsala India. Doctor Dolma and Ms Tsundue gave very informative talks on their specialties and conducted consultations for two days. 

Then visiting Dr Dolma and Ms Tsundue and the administrative team visited Bega, NSW to run a program, a Public Talk and more consultations with the local community. It was a lovely day for everyone in attendance.

Khenpo-la joined Dr Dolma-la and Astrologer Tsundue-la, and support team for a lovely lunch overlooking the beautiful ocean and Gulaga Mountain. Dolphins played in the water below. This was the final day on the South Coast for the team after a very successful program. The visiting Medical and Astro team travelled up to Sydney, sharing a very delicious breakfast with Khenpo-la before departing Tilba. 

There was a stop at Nowra to see some patients organised by the local Tibetan Community. The community’s President Phurbu Tsering and family hosted a wonderful luncheon for everyone. Finally, onto Sydney, with a quick stop at the harbour to complete a very full yet wonderful day.

The Men-Tsee-Khang team were based at the Vajrayana Institute, giving consultations and a Public Talk. The event was very well received and attended, with many requests for a return visit soon. The knowledge and expertise of these practitioners is very gratefully received. Thank you to Geshe-la, the committee at Vajrayana Institute and all the sangha there for being so hospitable and welcoming for Drogmi Buddhist Institute to run this Sydney part of the Men-Tsee-Khang tour from their beautiful centre.

“Prior to the weekend retreat, I had been looking forward to listening to Khenpo Ngawang Damchoe teach due to his excellent reputation as a dharma teacher and am thankful to everyone involved in organising his visit to Rockhampton. I found the teachings we received were as expected concise, but I appreciate the time taken by Khenpo to explain the teachings in a way that was intended to be applied in our day to day lives. We also received good advice on working through the difficulties we are likely to encounter when practicing the meditation techniques and applying them in life off the cushion. The teachings drew a large number of long-time practitioners to the centre as well as a number of people new to the dharma.”
I hope to see Khenpo visiting Rockhampton next year. Alex M.

“Tashi Delek! Dear Khenpo-la, I was very happy to see you again and would like to thank you Khenpo-la for arranging this trip to Kuching. I would like to share some of my feelings over these few days of your teachings and although it was a last-minute programme, the result was great. I had a wonderful time and have enjoyed every moment of your teachings. It was a surprise for me that I have had this opportunity to experience from the Vajrayana way of doing the Vipassana meditation, a teaching of which I have been waiting for a long time ago. Again, thank you, Khenpo-la for your great compassion to brief us on the importance of the fundamentals of Vajrayana Buddhism, and to remind us on how important it is to understand our mind and how to carefully use our minds for the right actions and activities. My best wishes to you, Khenpo-la that you always stay healthy and happy. Thank you.”
Linda T.

“It has been decades ago since we (my wife, myself, and Khenpo-la) met. The nature of our relationship is like that of a very profound friend and dear precious guru which is reviving as ever through the years. We are extremely fortunate and grateful for Khenpo-la’s guidance and teachings in Dharma. Thank you, Khenpo-la.”
Mr. & Mrs. Peter S.

“Tashi Delek, to all dharma brothers and sisters in Australia. I am so humbled to be asked and given an opportunity to pen down a few words about our Tibetan Buddhism spiritual teacher, Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe-la. I first came to know about Khenpo-la more than 16 years ago. It was in one of the Dharma centres here in Kuching. My daughter, who was studying for her PhD in robotics at Sydney Uni then, wanted to give up her scholarship. She was very depressed as she found it difficult to cope. Our whole family was affected and felt sad about it. Someone then told me about this spiritual teacher and asked me to see him and talk to him about our trouble. Khenpo la is so full of compassion. He even asked for our family photos, and yes, he said that he would pray for my daughter and my family. Due to Khenpo-la’s blessings, my daughter is now a research fellow and is married with one son.”
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu.

“Khenpo-la’s teachings touch on our daily life encounter and experiences. His words of wisdom and explanations are something we want and need to hear, to gain insight, to understand, and to contemplate. Last month when he came over to Kuching, I spoke to Khenpo-la over the phone. He still remembers me and has been keeping all my family photos through all these years. I felt so much of joy and happiness from my heart to hear that. I also enjoyed reading Khenpo-la’s first book on the Four Noble Truth and the also the second book, ‘Creating Happiness in Troubled Times’. Thank you, Khenpo-la. My respect, compassion and loving kindness to you.”
Mrs. Ong Chey Hiang

“It was again an inspiring experience being able to attend Khenpo-la’s meditation sessions. I humbly admit that, so far, I haven’t been engaging myself diligently in meditation. However, having attended Khenpo-la’s meditation sessions in the 3-day Retreat (3rd - 5th Aug), I am feeling much inspired to do more meditation. Many thanks to Khenpo-la for taking time and putting in effort to guide us.”
Liew Jee Lim

“I felt very fortunate to attend Khenpo-la’s Meditation Retreat and Pujas. Khenpo-la gave teachings on and explanations in a very simple way, yet in-depth in order to make us understand what we are doing during the program. I highly recommend everyone to attend Khenpo-la’s programs. Thank you Khenpo-la and hope to see you soon. Namaste.”
Tracy Y.
 
“I joined Khenpo’s guided meditation and teachings on meditation retreat recently in Kuching. Being a newcomer on meditation, I found them easy and clear with gentle guidance. There were fun and laughs occasionally too!!! His voice was so soothing and calming to listen to with wise words. Thank you Khenpo-la”
Bong J.H.

“Under the guidance and blessings of the most compassionate, respected, and learned Venerable Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe, I feel abundantly fortunate to be able to listen and receive all the precious teachings by Khenpo-la and since then, my perspective on the four domains or aspects under Sattipathana, has been enhanced and shifted. I understood the domain of mindfulness of the body (kaya) wherein it is extremely difficult to obtain this precious human life and body; the domain of mindfulness of feeling or sensation (vedana) wherein this whole life is full of suffering; the domain of mindfulness of mind or consciousness (atta) which shows the impermanent nature of our minds; and the domain on the mindfulness of dhammas wherein there is a focus on non-self-grasping. On a deeper level of practice, under Khenpo la’s guidance, I was also able to learn how to generate bodhicitta and understand that with the presence of our worldly experiences, we can utilise these experiences and transform them into our spiritual and Buddhist path of practice. I was further able to gain better understanding on the nature of emptiness and gain valuable insights and that all sentient beings are inseparable; thus, transforming my mind to be more awakened and joyful always. Kind regards.”
Mdm. Sim

“The two weeks spent with Khenpo-la was, still is and certainly shall continue to be one of the most valuable, precious, and extremely blessed experiences gained in my personal life, not only in terms of my spiritual path but also in this mundane, samsaric life. I have had the greatest honour of being in Khenpo-la’s presence since 2015 and within these very short 4 years, it feels that we have met since countless aeons ago; as greatly testified and agreed upon by all members of the Dharma family who have had the pleasure of meeting Khenpo-la. Khenpo-la exudes the most beautiful and calm aura and energy which permeates the space between everyone present; putting everyone around him instantly at ease with greatest feeling of immense of instant gratitude and peace. 

“The programmes that ran throughout with Khenpo-la were intensely profound. Khenpo-la has the distinctive and innate ability to link and merge ancient Dharma teachings with the practicalities of modern day life of this 21st century and fostering them into what could only be said to be genuinely the most compelling, practical approach to deal with our everyday lives without segregating Dharma practice to merely sitting on the cushion in a silent meditation hall. 

“A short walk at the beach with Khenpo-la is as great and illuminating as years of reading Dharma texts infused with great personal insights, as from his every single speech or action, no matter how subtle, is a graceful form of teaching. 
“Khenpo-la’s teachings are filled with great clarity and simplicity, and he offers nothing other than the purest form of kindness and compassion in terms of his teachings as well as on a personal level to all that he meets. He skilfully demonstrates how our mental activities affect our daily lives and with his gentle and encouraging tone along with his rich, comforting voice, Khenpo-la effortlessly leads any novice and non-sectarian meditators or practitioners on a successful personal inward journey each time. Khenpo-la demystifies and decodes Buddhism beautifully, scraping away much cultural misconceptions and replacing with them with modern and practical approaches to practice for our lives. 

“Thank you, Khenpo-la, for all that you have done for us, and may we meet very soon in the nearest future. Till then, take care, and may all your Dharma activities flourish to all the continents of the Universe. With respect.”
Chime Dolma

“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

Khenpo-la arrived in Milton on the South Coast of NSW on a very crisp and chilly Friday evening, yet he was so warmly received by over 30 people at the local CWA Hall. To start off the weekend of teachings at the Manjushri Buddhist Centre, Khenpo-la offered a Public Talk on “How to Welcome Change in our Lives”. Khenpo-la paid respect to the Indigenous people of the land past, present and future, then proceeded to talk of the different aspects of the mind that we all have as in the Anger Mind, the Jealous Mind etc. The negative mind has the strong habitual tendencies to blame others for our unhappiness and getting what we want. We all perceive the world externally in different ways, this is due to our own deluded mind, that within the truth of nature and a positive mind there are no differences, and this can create true lasting happiness. Changing our own mind from negative to positive has the power to affect millions of people and the world. It is a choice to be negative as in blaming others, yet the basic problem is within ourselves. Having a clear and positive mind can bring happiness, joy and peace. We all know what good and bad is innately, although externally there is so much distraction, we need constant reminding of this simple aspect. The Renunciation Mind is accepting that our delusional mind is what gives us so much trouble, and to renounce that is what we need to aim for, not to renounce our family, wealth, and fame... This is what the Buddha did and taught. 

The weekend teachings were exquisitely full of grace, humour and wisdom from Khenpo-la. Saturday was jam packed with three different sessions: Firstly “Nurturing the Bodhicitta Mind”, for which Khenpo-la spoke in great depth in a limited amount of three hours on the meaning of Bodhicitta, which is exclusive to Mahayana Buddhism of the View, Meditation and the Buddhist way of life. The benefit of the Greatest Compassion is that it brings joy to oneself by giving to others. The second session was a Teaching on Mind Training – Lojong: The main point of this teaching is Conventional Truth, with meditations on loving-kindness and compassion, where the object is all sentient beings. Tonglen is based on the exchanging of breath with all beings, demolishing the root cause of all suffering, our self-cherishing mind, so that misfortune turns into enlightenment. Lastly, Khenpo la sat with an intimate group of children and their families and spoke of how we can be compassionate towards others that are suffering but to take good care of ourselves too. He expressed strongly to limit time on phones, laptops and any type of social media, to be outside as much as possible in the fresh air to exercise and to be happy. 
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Sunday was a most wonderful day once more with teachings on The Heart Sutra – Prajnaparamita. Emptiness makes everything changeable, that awareness does not exist in the Absolute State, there is no cause, it is unborn, un-dwelling, no cessation... That we must accept Conventional Perception, mere awareness is created by the Four Aspects where Absolute Truth is beyond mind, beyond word, emptiness is beyond thought likened to the limitless vastness of the clear blue sky, space beyond directions no east, south, west or north, etc... Once more our deepest of gratitude for your spiritual friendship and guidance Khenpo-la and in sharing your knowledge and deep wisdom of the dharma with us here in Milton at the Manjushri Buddhist Centre. We thank you for your continual turning the wheel of dharma and visiting our small country village.