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.