A few students requested a number of years ago that Khenpo la accompany them on the walk up Gulaga Mountain, a sacred mountain to the Yuin Nation. Khenpo la kindly agreed and the Centre arranged a program with Uncle Warren Foster, a local elder. 

By coincidence, the chosen day was on a Medicine Buddha Day, and mother Gulaga is known by traditional elders as a place of healing and birth. 
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It was exquisitely beautiful weather, as we had postponed from the day before due to strong winds. Such an incredible cultural education, from Uncle Warren who was so generous to give us his time and knowledge to explain some of the very sacred places on this mountain. Khenpo la led us in Medicine Buddha chanting and meditations on the mountain as well. For those who could not make it this time, Khenpo la indicated he will hold another such program in the future. Thank you Khenpo la, Uncle Warren and all who attended.

I have shared yoga and breath activities with my five-year-old granddaughter, Toby from an early age and I was keen for her to join the Family Meditation online course. Toby’s parents committed time each week to the course that is just finishing now and it has been delightful to hear about how much they all enjoyed the experience. 

Toby’s comments on the course are “I really like the meditation course. The thing I like most is the story. I liked learning about Buddha; he is a kind person. I learnt that when you keep your back straight it tells your mind that you want to be awake. We played games and I had a good time, and I want it to keep going”.

Toby’s parents also appreciated the opportunities the course provided. They commented that “This is something we have really enjoyed doing together. It’s a lovely way to end the day and calm all our minds. This has become one of our favourite moments in a busy week”. 

Participation in the course has been a great introduction to meditation and Buddhism. Importantly the course has provided an opportunity to take some time out from busy schedules to spend time together in reflection.
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 I am very grateful to Zara and to Drogmi Buddhist Institute for enabling my family to have this experience. 
~ Sue Taylor 

Khenpo la visited the White Conch Group in Brisbane, Queensland for a weekend of teachings and meditation practice in August. He very generously offered teachings on The Twenty-One Praises to Tara and The Root Verses of the Middle Way, Mūlamadhyamakakārikā, composed by the great Indian philosopher Nāgārjuna.

Dr Tony led workshops at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre. He was also a very generous yet humble benefactor sponsoring many projects and buildings for Drogmi Buddhist Institute. His generosity transformed the old pizza hut into the beautiful Tara Gompa which was recently completed. The Tara Gompa will be a constant reminder of our dear Dharma brother’s support for the precious Buddhadharma. 

Tony was also renowned and respected for his leading work as a somatic therapist and psychiatrist through which he helped so many people. In his work as both a doctor and psychiatrist, he was mentor to many young doctors who will also feel his loss. 

And, it has to be stated that Tony was a big personality, often irreverent, with a cheeky smile and wicked laugh and never shy. Tony was larger than life which is why his passing has impacted so many of us so deeply. 

We pass on our sincere condolences to Tony’s partner Mark, to Tony’s family, to his many Dharma brothers and sisters and to all those who benefited from his kindness, counsel and therapy.

Leading Sakya masters, and people all around the world are already praying for Tony’s passage through the bardo so that he can swiftly take human rebirth and continue on his journey with the precious Buddhadharma. 

We would like to share some images of some of our sangha gathered in the main gompa at Kamalashila to make light offerings and recite prayers for our dear Tony. 

Tony would not want us to be sad at this time for him and would wish that we devote our energies to our practice and helping other sentient beings. 

Vale Tony and hope to see you again soon in the mandala.

Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe was invited to teach at the Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling Centre in Richmond, Canada by Her Eminence Jetsun Kushok Chimey Luding Rinpoche la over these past few months. Khenpo la graciously led Sangha through a White Tara Retreat, as well as offering teachings on “The Bodhisattva’s Way of Life” by the great scholar Shantideva. Khenpo la also held a Shamatha Weekend Retreat during his time there.
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The Centre referred to Khenpo la as a renowned scholar and practitioner, expressing how incredibly grateful and blessed they were for his profound wisdom and presence. The teachings were offered in person and on Zoom in English and Chinese translation.

Three Teachings this Summer with Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe

In July and August, we gathered at Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling
a quiet brightening of the day, cushions like small islands shared in an island chain
As Khenpo led three teachings,
the White Tara retreat, the Shamatha Retreat,
and the Bodhisattva Way of Life teachings on patience and meditation. 

White Tara retreat
A lotus, a moon, a figure of brightness is
White Tara with seven eyes
not to scrutinize or criticize, but to witness what we hardly dare to hold.
Nectar poured through the crown; the body mended from within
We dedicated the sweetness to the long life of,
the teacher and guru, the flourishing of Dharma,
and the widening circle of beings.  
 
Shamatha retreat
We practiced building a shelter, a refuge for our attention
step by patient step with 
placement, continuous placement,
returning, close placement, taming, pacifying, fully pacifying,
to find single-pointedness, balanced ease,
a palace of steadiness in a stormy world.
When the mind scattered outward like startled birds, we softened.
When it sank like dark rainy weather, we brightened.
As the boat did not capsize or stall, our oars began working as one.   

Bodhisattva Way of Life teaching
We studied how anger destroys merit like fire in a dry field,
and how patience is strength, not surrender
We endure harm without returning it,
and accept suffering without despair,
to keep faith with the Dharma over years and decades.
From emptiness, compassion naturally appears
for the one who harms, for the one who is harmed,
Both are less solid than the story shouts.   
Then meditation is a vow to be loving and kind
With solitude not as exile but as clear space
The yoga of calm-abiding and insight
One river held in bodhicitta,
Our path is inspired to extend beyond the self.   
And when the teachings end, and when the doors closed each evening,
The evening light and the ocean scents reflect the teachings
be here, return, be kind, return,
until returning is no longer a journey but a home.
This was our summer’s practice, and its result,
a steadier presence, with sparks of awareness and insight,
and the quiet courage to keep returning, to keep opening.

In summer’s calm at Tsechen Thubten Ling,
We sat on cushions, Khenpo pointed three ways
White Tara’s seven eyes, a watchful love,
Poured nectar through the crown to heal our ways.
To life we pledged, that Dharma’s bloom increase,
And vows grew broad to all who breathe and turn
In shamatha, we built a seat of peace,
From placement into pacifying, return.
The boat held true, our oars began as one.
As Shantideva warns, anger fuels the flame
From emptiness, compassion’s rivers run,
And patience stands, a strength that will not shame.
Be here, return, be kind, return again
Then home is presence, awake once again.
 
~ Poems composed by Gordon Grant inspired by teachings that Khenpo la gave this summer

A most wonderful Karma Yoga Group Retreat was held the first weekend of August. A tremendous amount of work was completed in painting, digging for the garden makeover, moving rocks, cooking, and cleaning. It truly is amazing how everyone keeps contributing no matter the weather. Incredible generosity. 
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The mornings started with a guided meditation; hearty breakfast, then to work. In the afternoons we worked to around 4.30pm, then did yoga and stretching. Thank you so much to everyone who came, who cooked, lifted, gardened, cleaned and laughed! Thank you to our fearless Scott, you are a beautiful and gentle leader.

​Beautiful images shared at IBA in Kathmandu, Nepal at the reception of His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin, at the commencement of the 6th year of The Complete Path teachings. Many of our sangha were there receiving these teachings, we rejoice in their great fortune.

On the morning of Buddha Shakyamuni Day of the new moon 24 July 2025, students attending The Complete Path Teaching by His Holiness the 42nd Kyabgon Gongma Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche at the International Buddhist Academy in Kathmandu Nepal made a Mandala Offering to His Holiness on behalf of Drogmi Buddhist Institute, our beloved and precious Teacher Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe, and all other students of Khenpo la and friends of DBI. 

The offering was made on the eve of the anniversary of the untimely passing of our dear Dharma Brother Peter Tooth, and the following prayer was read out to all those attending the ceremony:

“To the Holy Lotus Feet of the Great Assembly of the Lord of the Wheel, Master of the Ocean of mandalas and families, the Great Protector, embodying great loving kindness and compassion – His Holiness the 42nd Kyabgon Gongma Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche – along with all the venerable reincarnate lamas, abbots, spiritual friends, and the community of monks and nuns.

“On this holy Buddha Shakyamuni day of the new moon, at this very auspicious time when the Teacher, the era, the sacred place, the Dharma teachings and the fortunate disciples are all perfectly gathered together in the five favourable conditions, 

“Drogmi Buddhist Institute, on behalf of our precious founder and teacher Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe and all his students, and all other friends of Drogmi Buddhist Institute make this offering as follows:

“We pray for the longevity of our Precious Gurus, for His Holiness the Sakya Trichen, for His Holiness Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, for His Holiness Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, for His Eminence Luding Khen Rinpoche, for Her Eminence Jestun Kusho la and for the wellbeing of all their Noble Families.

“We pray for the preservation of the precious Buddha Dharma and the flourishing of the Great Sakya lineage. 

“We pray for all our precious teachers – may they turn the minds of all beings towards the Dharma and lead them on the path of Ultimate Happiness. 

“We pray for the happiness of all mother sentient beings. 

“We pray for our Vajra brothers and sisters all gathered here in Kathmandu, along with all our other Dharma brothers and sisters, that we all become strong in our practice as an expression of our sincere gratitude and deep devotion to His Holiness and our other precious teachers. We pray that all obstacles are removed from our practice and that all beings progress swiftly towards Enlightenment. 

“We pray for our beloved Dharma brother Peter Tooth as tomorrow marks the first anniversary of his passing. We pray for all who have passed away recently and for all in the bardo state.

“May the precious Gurus enjoy excellent health and live long lives as we beseech them to continue to turn the Wheel of Dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings.

“We humbly request your prayers and blessings for these aspirations.”

We completed our second Gardening Upgrade Group Weekend. Thank you to everyone for offering your time and energy towards this important project. A huge thank you to Vasi for leading us these past two gardening weekends, not just in the garden, but for stretching and relaxation sessions as well, and to our cooks, sponsors and everyone who has contributed.

His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday celebrations at Kamalashila were held on 6 July. Such a beautiful and joyous morning was shared with our local community on this wonderful occasion. 

The morning started with 108 light offerings for His Holiness’s Long Life, followed by shamatha practice and a guided meditation from His Holiness’s teachings on equanimity and compassion. We then offered His Holiness birthday cake and khatas whilst reciting His Long-Life Prayer. We all then enjoyed cake and tea. 
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Everyone expressed how happy they were to come and celebrate His Holiness’s life. May His Holiness continue to live a long and healthy life for the benefit of all mother sentient beings. Thank you, Kathleen, for baking and offering such a delicious cake.

It was a beautiful winter’s day at Moruya local markets with the Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre Dharma Shop. Being in community, selling some great dharma shop items and meeting friendly people. It truly was a wonderful morning. Thank you so much to Vasi and Ann, for running the stall a few times in Moruya during these winter months!