The Vajrayogini program with His Eminence Luding Khen Rinpoche was an incredibly humbling experience on so many levels.

This time, driving away from the retreat, instead of suffering my usual withdrawals from being so close to my teachers for 3 weeks, I felt super charged, by this particularly explosive creative compassionate energy of a thunderbolt sealed Vajrayogini empowerment. 

I was blown away by the amazing profundity of the teachings and practices we are being offered. I am so touched by the generosity of His Eminence; offering such depth and breadth in the teachings and empowerments, not to mention the immense time and care that went into preparing each of the groups.

It was very obvious just how much time and joyous effort members of the committee and community has put into bring about this auspicious event. Thank you so much. 

I am also touched by and so grateful for the willingness of many senior student sharing what they can with us newbies. 

However, I was humbled by my current absolute under-preparedness for the level of concentration one can develop from these practices.

The retreat was an emotional journey for me, particularly when I had two critically unwell dear pets who I could be caring for. This loaded me up with unrealistic opportunity cost expectations. Cluttering my mind with thinking like I better make this worth sacrificing.  But then I remembered that renunciation is renunciation on the inside not just necessarily on the outside. 

And the quote from an old teaching I heard came to mind: just like how “the wild geese do not intend to cast their reflection, and the lake has no mind to receive their image”, “it is only when we don't get caught up in the words that we can hear.”

This allowed me to accept my current capacity and appreciate that it too is impermanent, and even though I may not have complete faith in my current understanding of the method, I can have faith in the method to discover the true nature of the mind. 
May we inwardly and outwardly free ourselves and others from karma and afflictions. 
David T. (Sydney, NSW)

Given the apparent amount of free time between scheduled sessions during the three weeks of empowerments and teachings, you would think there would have been plenty of time to reflect and formulate a response to your experiences. However, my mind was blank, and it wasn't until I was reading through the Vajrayogini sadhana on the bus back to Sydney that a deeper appreciation of the transformational power of His Eminence's teachings began to coalesce. Of course, it was all the same message about nurturing bodhicitta and developing wisdom, but as always, on the rare occasions when I truly gain a little more understanding, I was shocked by how little I understood before and how transforming this little bit of deeper insight could be. I began to see how the sadhana was a reminder as well as a technique for training the mind. The ritual of the empowerments had been intriguing and fun, but the effects are deeper than conscious awareness.  At least at a superficial level, I understand that I need to keep up the commitments to practise, so that each day and night is increasingly positive and empowering, and to recall the gratitude I owe to Khenpo, His Eminence Kyabje Luding Khen Rinpoche, his Root Guru’s and Lineage Masters.

​Personally, I stepped off the plane in Brisbane and found myself in the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital, surrounded by sick children crying in the night (my two-year-old grandson had had his first asthma attack, but thanks to the hospital and medicine is fine now). Like David, Siv and others, practice was put straight to the test.
Love from
Raelene (Brisbane, Qld)

“Situated at the foot of Mount Gulaga, perched high above the canopies of the lower forest is this amazing place, Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre. On arrival four days ago, I felt immediately at ease. Such a calming, friendly space.

“Two months ago, I didn't know this place existed. I now feel so privileged to be part of this special moment of sacred teachings. This is where I am meant to be at this time in my life. These lessons, re-enforcing my thought pattern, which has enabled me to get through recent troubled times. The setting is tranquil. Gazing out of the gompa, through the eastern glass doors, the garden offers tranquillity, extending to the surrounding bushland. All students have become one large caring family. I feel at peace.”
Thoughts by Susan who was an attendee at the Healing & Purification Retreat.

The Annual Healing & Purification Retreat concluded on 1 January 2019.  Within the first few days, Khenpo la bestowed the Vajrasattva Transmission and began detailed teachings on the practice. Khenpo la taught on the reasoning behind taking the Vajrayana path. If we can help one person that is good enough. There are two ways to help others; One is to stop causing trouble/disturbance to others and Two - Go out and help others in their daily lives. These are the basic principles of a Buddhist Practitioner.

There were continual comments from attendees of how profound and detailed Khenpo la's teachings on Vajrasattva Practice have been.  On the third day Khenpo la very kindly gave the Medicine Buddha Transmission and began teachings on Medicine Buddha practice. Such an opportunity!  He continued to teach in detail on the Eight Medicine Buddhas.

On the last night of retreat, it was New Year’s Eve and traditionally in this retreat we have a New Year’s celebration. Ani la and Aylar cooked a wonderful meal, and we enjoyed lots of laughs and jokes. A fun night for everyone!

On New Year’s Day Khenpo la offered an elaborate ceremony on a very auspicious day conducive of hanging prayer flags that bless the gompa, the whole dharma property of KTBC, Tilba and beyond. This day was extremely auspicious due to its positive elemental combination. He mentioned specifically that it was extremely fortunate that all of us attending retreat could be a part of this ceremony. It was a most precious and beautiful way to commence the last session of retreat. Thank you Khenpo la!!!
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Happy New Year everyone, we hope you have a great year in 2019, in the dharma.

To my dear Dharma friends,

I am writing to extend a sincere and welcoming invitation to you for a most wondrous event. The Drogmi Buddhist Institute is very fortunate that His Eminence Kyabgye Luding Rinpoche has accepted our invitation to visit Australia and join us at the Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Center during 5-25 January 2019 for an extended period. His Eminence Kyabgye Luding Khen Rinpoche will bestow the Chakrasamvara Empowerment and the Vajrayogini Blessing along with a comprehensive Teaching on the profound Vajrayogini sadhana practise and other Empowerments.

This is a very rare and precious opportunity. I cannot encourage you enough to attend. This complete cycle will enable Vajrayana practitioners to practise this highest Tantric method considered one of the swiftest paths to attain Buddhahood. The importance of a great Vajrayana Master such as His Eminence Kyabgye Luding Rinpoche bestowing this mystic teaching cannot be overstated. Please make every effort to welcome His Eminence Luding Khen Rinpoche to our Centre in Tilba, Australia.

His Eminence Kyabje Luding Khen Rinpoche is the 76th throne-holder of the Ngorpa lineage of the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and is the holder of a very ancient lineage. His mother is Her Eminence Jetsun Chime Luding Rinpoche who embodies Vajrayogini herself and is the greatest living female Vajrayana teacher and elder sister to His Holiness Vajradhara Sakya Trichen who is his Uncle and one of his Great Teachers. His Eminence Kyabgye Sharchen Luding Khen Rinpoche has trained and studied extensively under several of the greatest living Buddha Dharma Masters including Vajradhara Luding Khenchen Rinpoche his paternal Uncle, as his father was born into the Sharchen Luding lineage. Therefore, through both parents, he is linked to ancient spiritual lineages unbroken down to the present day. Rinpoche also studied under the guidance of the Late and Most Revered Khenchen Appey Rinpoche becoming an accomplished philosophical scholar and a graduate of the Sakya College of Higher Buddhist Philosophy. (For further biographical details refer to the Teachers tab on the DBI website).

If we sincerely wish to practise Vajrayana it is imperative to receive Empowerment (Permission) and learn from a perfect Guru. Luding Khen Rinpoche is one of the finest Vajrayana Gurus I have encountered during this lifetime. I spent time with Rinpoche at Sakya College where I was greatly impressed by his down-to-earth manner and by the love and compassion he demonstrated daily towards others. In my experience, Luding Khen Rinpoche embodies all the qualities required of a perfect teacher.

The Fifty Verses of Guru Devotion state: 

“A guru should be; stable in his/her actions, cultivated in his/her speech, wise, patient and honest, neither concealing his/her shortcomings nor pretending to possess qualities he lacks, an expert in the meanings of Tantra, its ritual procedures of medicine and removing obstacles and have loving compassion and a complete knowledge of the scriptures.”

I have great respect and reverence for His Eminence Luding Rinpoche, not only because he is a direct member of the distinguished Khon family and is thus a senior member of the oldest royal family in Tibet, but because His Eminence is a beautiful, down-to-earth Bodhisattva. His life has been entirely committed to complete study and practice of the vast Buddhadharma. Luding Khen Rinpoche is a most humble enlightened being and is extremely generous in sharing his immeasurable knowledge and wisdom with students. It will be an event you are sure to remember and will have the blessing of this great Being with you for your whole life and beyond.

The merit and protection offered in the bestowing of the Empowerment, Blessing and Teachings is priceless. It will bring blessings that are unimaginable for Vajrayana Dharma students and practitioners, or anyone fortunate enough to meet His Eminence Luding Rinpoche. The good karma to be invited and attend signals that you have acquired merit for the selfless sharing of the highest Dharma by a Great Bodhisattva. 

I really wish this benefit for you, I earnestly recommend that students and practitioners do not miss the opportunity of receiving Empowerments from His Eminence, please do not miss this occasion. Life is impermanent, opportunities may not arise again, so it is good to recognise and act on them when they appear. Also, to be in the presence of such a great Vajrayana Master and by being near a living example of a true Bodhisattva will hasten your path to your own Buddhahood. 

Your friend in the Dharma, 
Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe

The guru is Buddha, the guru is Dharma,
The guru is the Sangha, too.
The guru is the creator of all happiness.
To all gurus, I prostrate…

Over many recent weekends at KTBC, there have been some incredibly productive working bees especially in preparation for the prestigious visit of His Eminence Kyabje Luding Khen Rinpoche. Road base has been laid to repair some of the road along the side of the gompa. The outside wood beams of the gompa have been re-oiled, a wonderful group of sangha helping with the mulching of the new gardens, lots of running repairs and tidying of the office, amongst a million other things.

Thank you to everyone who have come over these past hard-working weekends, giving so much time and effort, so grateful. On one of the weekends just as the group left, a great storm hit the mountain with huge amounts of rain, so good for the newly laid compost and mulch.

​At the AGM Khenpo la talked about how successful the year has been from a dharmic perspective for the centre, with people attending and the improvement in those people’s lives turning to more of the positive… Please read Khenpo la’s AGM report.

Some images of the Annual Holiday end of year gathering/dinner. It truly was a delicious dinner with first class entertainment by musicians Chris and Matty! Thank you so much to everyone who came, who helped and enjoyed this very lovely night. We also celebrated Ani Nyidon la’s birthday… Happy birthday Ani la, many many many happy returns!!!

Good afternoon everyone, I thank you all so much for attending this AGM, which is the legal aspect of an organisation.

We’ve been here at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre (KTBC) Tilba, for just over three years, within these three years it has been quite successful – the move here and our dharma activities, yet still I have a vision, not so much about construction aspects, more for the benefit to anyone who has interest in the Buddhadharma. Quite often when people have heard about this new centre, with myself moving down south, they always seem to ask, not necessarily how do people learn about Buddhism, or how will people succeed in their meditation, or how much are people changing from difficulty to comfortable, rather they always seem to ask how many members have you got, how many buildings are finished…

So, I am not here to collect members, to increase numbers, I’m not here to build more houses, that’s not my reason. The primary reason is to have the right place for people to come ad settle their mind, to find peace and then most importantly is wisdom. So once people benefit in such a place, then naturally they just come. This is my wish, that people see this place as a benefit, this place can offer them value within their own life, and in this way more members come. My philosophy being quality is more important than quantity. The numbers are not a big issue for me. In this way, the last three years, people who have come to KTBC, have been involved, are really quite genuine, trying their best, because us as humans – none of us are perfect, we all have our own difficulties, our own issues but everyone recognises this and this being the reason they come here is to change, to progress.

I can see from little to big, changes in their lives, this is really great success within a Buddhist centre, not in terms of increased numbers, I do not call this a successful centre or the increasing building sites. I don’t call this a successful organisation. My view of successful is when people come to the centre and benefit, changing their life from negative to positive, unkind to kind, restless to restful. If these things happen then I call this a successful place. I can see this really happening, we’re running lots of different programs, such as The Complete Path twice a year, during that time people come here leaving full of joy, full of wisdom, then share whatever they learn and experience back to their own community, so this is great success.

Then some other times we run different annual retreats, then people come, some older students, some very new. Which you can see when they first come into retreat, they are a bit nervous, unsure and a bit lost. Then by the end everyone is smiling, their faces are friendlier, their heart is a bit more open. 

All these aspects are the main purpose of the dharma centre here. In this way I’d like to express there has been great success at this centre over the last three years. This success doesn’t happen without the organisation, by the law. We have such a wonderful committee, as many of our committee members have been doing it for decades now, not new yet a very long time, so really they have the heart and mind to help, not to me for I always say I can survive myself, but helping the community. When you help from your heart, this is most joyful, because giving is the cause of joy. This is a place where we’re creating joy and contribute wherever we can for the community.

​In this way I would like to say thank you to all the committee, for they tirelessly work hard and do their best. I also would like to say thank you to all the volunteers, because unconditionally people help in so many ways as in lawn mowing, gardening, collecting all the leaves, there are infinite jobs on this property, impossible to say everyone’s name, there are so many people contributing. I would like to say thank you to every one of them. Thank you to all the members and friends who monthly and yearly contribute financially to run this centre, thank you so much to all the generosity shared of the members and friends.

In this way from my heart, I equally say to everyone thank you so very much. That’s all… 

Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe

2018 has been a year of consolidation for Drogmi Buddhist Institute. Under Khenpo la’s skilful guidance we have strengthened links with the local community as a number of Khenpo’s students relocated to the local area to be closer to their precious teacher. Students have deepened their understanding of the Buddhadharma through studying The Complete Path as Khenpo la has continued to teach around Australia and in New Zealand. 

We’ve seen very generous donations to put in place a new solar system, upgrade of the road and a new storage shed. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered for the working bees, including the ongoing lawn-mowing, gardening and lantana eradication. 

The solid foundation Khenpo la has established at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre has laid the groundwork for the upcoming visit by the great Sakya Master His Eminence Kyabja Luding Khen Rinpoche who will bestow the precious Vajrayogini Blessing and teachings. 

And a final thank you to all the General Committee members for their contribution this past year. 

We look forward to you joining us in 2019. 

Jack Heath

It was a wonderful blessing for us that Khenpo la came to Canberra to teach new and old students.

Through his infinite knowledge and generosity, Khenpo's public talk on “The Benefits of Meditation” covered the entire Lam Dre! 

Then the Saturday workshop on “Parting From the Four Attachments” was full of tender and practical guidance to help us in our quest to tame and transform these minds of ours.

I never cease to marvel that Khenpo speaks in ways so relevant to my life.  Likening the ego to Santa Claus (as children we all believe in Santa, but he doesn't exist) was a very helpful and relevant pith instruction.  

Just being in Khenpo's presence is a teaching. It makes me want to try and turn away from samsara: not just say this. To be a tiny bit more like him.

After the teachings we visited the Old Parliament House Rose Gardens and a "stupa" at the Australian National Gallery called "Skyspace" by the American artist James Turrell. More about reality and illusion this time in sculpture.

It seems that a Canberra visit by Khenpo la may become an annual event.  That would be truly wonderful!

Thank you, Ann, for bringing Khenpo up to Canberra in your car. None of these teachings could happen without a team effort.

Emilia

The 3rd Family Retreat was held so beautifully by Khenpo la and the spectacular environment was a wonderful experience for young and old.

This year saw an expanse in the ages with our youngest just 18 months old right up to grandmothers who came in support of their families.

We all merged from far and wide with old friends re-united and new friends welcomed.

Khenpo la shared his wisdom with us all, skilfully guiding us according to our needs with a younger children’s session followed by the teens session, then the late afternoon saw a parent session which was eagerly attended with many take home gems for us all.

The children enjoyed an inspiring art and craft session in the Pizza Hut and of course one of our favourites a trip to the beach with Khenpo la, an evening bonfire with marshmallows and a singalong was our last activity before we all retired to bed.

Sunday was a day to remember with chanting and meditation in the gompa with Khenpo la and the parents vs kids soccer match on the saddle (score undisclosed).

It is hard to imagine our family life without this special weekend, Khenpo’s presence is a gift to us all with an atmosphere really beyond words.

Thank you to Aylar, Martin and Tjenka for nourishing us all wholeheartedly and to Ann for her amazing work and ease to be around.

So much gratitude to our teacher Khenpo la, the love you share with the children will be with them forever and as for us parents and grandparents thank you so much for being our guide to become better carers and whole human beings.

Karynne

Our beloved Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe was again warmly welcomed by the Warragul sangha for his annual teachings here.  As some readers may know, Penny Moody, who has been the director of Melbourne Sakya for many years, decided to up-sticks and move to be close to Kamalashila Retreat Centre.  With a small and determined group of members here, Khenpo la’s arrival was doubly celebrated with our new director, Clem Jarvis, driving to Tullamarine airport for the first time in decades (yes, true!), to bring Khenpo la safely to us.

The teachings were held in the nearby Yarragon hall, a small town close to Warragul, on the Twenty-One Emanations of Tara. Some of us were quite familiar with both Green Tara and White Tara practice, and others were quite newly introduced.  Khenpo la’s teachings were invaluable to all, as always, and he gave us details on each of her Twenty-One emanations, as well as giving some history on the origins of Green Tara practice and commentary in answer to our questions.  Khenpo la also gave the lineage transmission to recite the Praises to the 21 Taras, and copies of the prayers for us to practice for ourselves.

On Saturday evening after the day’s teaching, several of us dined with Khenpo la at a local Thai restaurant, amid much laughter and happiness.  We so much enjoy his company as well as being exceedingly thankful for such precious opportunities to be close to a truly great teacher.  After conclusion of the teachings on Sunday morning, Clem drove to Tullamarine for the second time in three decades, with Khenpo la safely at his side.

We would like to thank Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe again for his time in coming all this way for a small group of passionate students and will sow the seeds for another visit in 2019. You may see some of us at Kamalashila in the meantime, and all the best for Penny Moody in her new life there.

Yours in the Dharma, Geraldine