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.