On 17 and 18 January our dear centre brother Robert Assink installed new book shelving in the Tara Gompa. Robert had built the shelving in his workshop in Queensland and delivered them to the centre on his trailer.

The shelving costs were donated to the centre as a gesture of deep appreciate to Khenpo la by a group of the 2024-2025 pilgrims. Robert then kindly agreed to build them. 

Such a beautiful demonstration of craftsmanship and devotion by Robert. We thank him sincerely from the bottom of our hearts, as visitors to the centre are really going to benefit from his great efforts for many years to come. We hope everyone can come to the centre and enjoy. 

​Big thank you to others who helped and to all our pilgrim sponsors. And of course, Khenpo la for his great vision. We will now transfer all our books to this new gompa/library home.

Day 1 of the Healing & Purification Retreat involved Khenpo la giving participants the Vajrasattva transmission and initial instruction on the practice. Khenpo la explained the ancient lineage of the practice (pre-dating the historical Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha) and its purpose being to purify and cleanse the negativities of our minds that we and all sentient beings have accumulated since beginningless time. Once cleansed, our minds are perfected = Buddha pure mind.

Day 2 of the Healing & Purification Retreat involved Khenpo la explaining the different parts of the Vajrasattva purification practice including the symbolism of the visualisation. Khenpo la encouraged us to slowly build our practice in stages (Vajrasattva and Vajragarvi visualisation, mantra recitation and purification visualisation) and to humbly remember that we all have beginner minds. Khenpo la outlined that the teachings are a form of medicine for our minds, showing us what to adopt and what to abandon, with the real buddha being the inner purity of our minds. 

Many brilliant questions were asked during our afternoon Q&A session about the practice and dharma (and life) in general. And a huge shoutout to our wonderful Sangha cooks who kept us well fed and nourished throughout the days.

After five incredible days, the conclusion of the Healing & Purification Retreat was on 1 January 2026. Khenpo la gave further detailed teachings on the qualities and wishes of the Eight Medicine Buddhas and we did our final Medicine Buddha meditation practice to heal and relieve the suffering of all sentient beings and our planet. Retreatants also shared their experiences about the retreat and Khenpo la encouraged us to take the experiences from the retreat into our everyday lives by focusing more on helping others. 
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Our deepest respect and gratitude to Khenpo la for his guidance, kindness and being a living example of the dharma in his actions of body, speech and mind.

Sunday practices

On our final Sunday practice of 2025, local sangha gathered after practice to share lovely festive food and company. Khenpo la prepared auspicious rice for everyone. We wished everyone a happy and safe festive season and so looking forward to sharing the Dharma with all in the years to come.

Thank you to everyone who came and to all those who have attended and contributed to the centre this year. A huge thank you to Khenpo la and ordained sangha for being such a tremendous example of loving kindness in our world. We are blessed to have you all.

Annual Working Project Team

We would also sincerely like to express our deepest of gratitude to all that contributed to the Annual Four Day Working Project, following the Healing & Purification Retreat on 2‑6 January, led by Scott and band of his merry hardest working women and men. What would we do without this dedication, thank you!

On Guru Rinpoche Day, the centre hosted visiting monks from the Sri Lankan Forest Tradition who were travelling from Bhaddeka Vihari Buddhist Monastery in Ripplebrook, Victoria to Brisbane for a meditation retreat.
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Their leader Bhante Aryadeva explained that as Buddhist monks, they always seek to stay at a temple or monastery along their journey, and they came across Kamalashila and requested accommodation at the centre. We were pleased to host the group for the evening and wished them a restful break before their long road trip to Brisbane.

At Sunday practice on 30 November, Khenpo la was presented with a beautiful sacred Guru Rinpoche plaque by our friends and twin sisters Lesta and Jackie. They had been wanting to offer this to Khenpo la for some time and by coincidence chose this day, Guru Rinpoche Day, on the 10th day of this month, which is the 10th month in the Tibetan Lunar Calendar. An incredibly double auspicious occasion. 

Khenpo la will place the plaque in an appropriate place in the Kamalashila garden. Thank you so much Lesta and Jackie, such a special gift.
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The profound meaning behind this Padmasambhava plaque is described below, with a selection of photos showing some of these plaques around the world.

Global initiative to place Sacred Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) plaques: a spiritual response to global crisis

In a time marked by rising global conflict, environmental degradation and widespread uncertainty, a profound spiritual movement is emerging. The International Buddhist Community has launched a Global Guru Rinpoche Plaque Initiative, placing sacred plaques of Guru Padmasambhava, the revered “Second Buddha” of Vajrayana Buddhism, at ecologically and spiritually significant locations across the world.

Rooted in ancient prophecy and timeless wisdom, the initiative seeks to invoke the enlightened energy of Guru Rinpoche to counteract the modern world’s turbulence – restoring harmony, protecting life, and planting seeds of peace where they are most needed. These plaques, imbued with powerful mantras and symbols of resilience, act as spiritual anchors amidst chaos.

Crafted from black diamond stone (Shungite), renowned for its shielding and purifying properties – each plaque is embedded with:
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• Iron beads – representing protection and Vajrayana strength.
• Micro-engraved mantras, including Om Ah Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum, to radiate blessings and dissolve negativity.
• Long-lasting durability, ensuring their presence and purpose to endure for generations.

Following traditional geomantric principles (sac hog), plaques are being placed at mountains, sacred waters, forests, and caves – merging spiritual reverence with ecological care. Already, more than 1,000 plaques have been installed across the world including Bhutan. Devotees worldwide participate by receiving training in consecration rites (rabne), contributing documentation, and spreading awareness. A growing digital archive and global recitation movement unite practitioners in one sacred mission.

This initiative is not only a gesture of devotion – it is a spiritual strategy for peace, environmental balance, and resilience. With the prophesised Iron Dog Year (2030) approaching – a time foretold to carry the threat of deadly war – the plaques serve as protective sentinels, ushering in light where there is fear. 

May Guru Rinpoche’s blessings radiate across all directions, bringing protection, harmony, and awakened courage to a world in need.

~ Phub Dorji Wang 

“As Bodhicitta is so precious, 
May those without it now create it,
May those who have it not destroy it, and 
May it ever grow and flourish.”