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What's on? - Buddhist Events

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Initiation and Yamantaka Retreat newsletter

Ongoing teachings at the Tibetan Buddhist Society

Introductory Classes - 1.30 PM Sundays

When we are unhappy or dissatisfied we blame our circumstances. We thus believe that the solution to our unhappiness can be found by changing our job, our friends, our work, where we live, or even our partner. We forget that experience depends not only on our situation, but also our attitude. Ultimately, happiness and unhappiness are states of mind. With a positive attitude we can deal positively with whatever we encounter. With a negative mind, no matter what our circumstances we experience misery.

Buddhist thought investigates the nature of the mind. It explains how to cultivate positive mental states and how to remove the negative. In particular, Buddhism teaches the theory and practice of meditation. Through meditation we can subdue mental agitation, which is the root cause of stress and dissatisfaction. With a still, calm mind experience becomes positive.

During this series you will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of Buddhist thought, including cause and effect, the nature of mind, love and compassion. You will be taught a number of different meditations that include techniques for opposing stress and tension.

Path to Enlightenment 4.00 PM Sundays

The range of Buddhist thought and teachings is vast. The special feature of the Path to Enlightenment is that it presents the essence of all Buddhist teachings, and in particular explains how to apply these teachings to our daily lives. These teachings, which are presented throughout the year, are based on Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden’s book Path to Enlightenment in Tibetan Buddhism. The Path to Enlightenment covers essential subjects, including cause and effect, impermanence, the mind of enlightenment and emptiness. Through the practice of the path to enlightenment, one can progress from the stage of a beginner to complete enlightenment.

Classes are conducted by the Venerable Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden, and include guided meditation instruction.

Vajrayogini Practice - Mondays, 7.30 PM

Vajrayogini is a female deity, whose practice is part of Mother Tantra. As such Vajrayogini teachings emphasise the practice of clear light. Special features of the Vajrayogini Tantra include its straightforward explanation, the eleven generation stages, and especially the very subtle thirty-seven deity body mandala practice.

During these classes Geshe-la provides detailed instruction on the key aspects of both generation and completion stage.

Yamantaka Practice - Wednesdays, 7.30 PM

Solitary Hero Yamantaka is the wrathful manifestation of Manjushri, the Buddha of wisdom. This practice is considered especially useful for removing hindrances, including illness, short life and poor conditions. As one of the Father Tantras, Yamantaka teachings emphasise the practice of illusory body. Yamantaka practice has five extraordinary features:

1. Our practice will be successful even in the most difficult circumstances. 2. The practice includes the profound paths of the illusory body and clear light as explained in Guhyasamaja tantra. 3. The Solitary Hero Yamantaka tantra has the practices of non-dual bliss and emptiness. 4. The tantra has the methods for achieving enlightenment, even for those who have created extremely heavy negative actions, such as the five heinous crimes and so on. 5. Through this practice one becomes closer to Manjushri, and more easily receives his blessings. During these classes Geshe-la provides detailed instruction on the key aspects of both generation and completion stage.

Views of Reality - 7.30 PM Thursdays

Led by the Venerable Toby Gillies, this series discusses the various Buddhist tenets on the nature of conventional and ultimate truth.

Highest Yoga Tantra Initiations followed by Vajrayogini Retreat Vajrayana master and Spiritual Head of the Tibetan Buddhist Society, Venerable Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden, will offer Yamantaka and Vajrayogini empowerments on the weekend of 22 and 23 September 2007. Immediately following the weekend Geshe-la will lead a 3 week Vajrayogini retreat, and provide teachings from the Six Yogas of Naropa.

Contact Jean at the Center on +61 3 9333-1770 or use the contact form to email us.


Tibetan Buddhist Society Festivals

The Tibetan Buddhist Society holds two weekend festivals each year. The first celebrates the Tibetan New Year in February/March and the Buddhist Spring Festival follows this each November. Teachers from a variety of traditions including Tibetan, Thai, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese give talks and lead meditations. There are also temple and garden tours, vibrant market stalls, courtyard café and much more.

Festival Dates 2008/2009

Buddhist Spring Festival - Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November 2008

Tibetan New Year Festival – Saturday and Sunday 2009 (tbc)

For more details and photos of our Buddhist festivals click here

Rose Garden Open Days

The Peaceful Land of Joy Rose Garden Open Days, at the Tibetan Buddhist Society in Melbourne, are held in March and November.

The gardens are a prime example of sustainable rose growing using recycled water. Through careful and far-sighted water management and the hard work of many volunteers, these gardens have maintained their beauty in the enduring drought.

The gardens are one of Victoria’s largest and most successful examples of rose companion planting, maintained without herbicides or pesticides. They are proof that beautiful gardens and responsible use of water resources are compatible.

The Tibetan Buddhist Society’s water management initiatives undertaken since acquiring the property at Yuroke 20 years ago include:

  • Significant investment in water recycling equipment, which allows use of house water on the gardens.
  • Rainwater collection systems including big gutters on the traditional Tibetan temple and the main buildings to collect water.
  • The garden, driveway and all paved areas designed and plumbed to channel rainfall to the dam, which is used on the garden.
  • Early adoption of water saving devices, like water efficient showerheads and dual flush toilets.

In the gardens deep mulch covers all rose garden beds and helps reduce water use and conserve moisture. Calendulas (marigolds), which are planted to attract insects away from the roses are subsequently mulched with organic matter to use around the base of trees like the golden robinias.

Under the guidance, inspiration and energetic example of the Society’s Founder and Spiritual Leader, the Venerable Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden, students and residents have made the Peaceful Land of Joy a peaceful haven that brings happiness and a sense of calm to all who visit.

The 10 acre property at Yuroke, just 30 minutes’ drive from Melbourne CBD, features 2,300 rose bushes in 400 varieties. There are also 2,500 trees including 22 Californian redwoods, 36 golden robinias, 31 olive trees, weeping elms and mulberries and blue spruce. Visitors are welcome to enjoy a picnic in the grounds and relax by the tranquil lake.

Thousands of birds of many species, such as ducks, ibis, herons and cormorants also enjoy the environment, and have been attracted in no small way by the bread and rice fed to them every morning for many years.

The Rose Garden Open Days feature:

  • Regular free tours by resident garden guides, with rose pruning demonstration and cultivation tips.
  • Delicious Devonshire teas in an outdoor café, with homemade scones, cakes and a special blend of spiced chai tea.
  • Tours of the stunning traditional Tibetan temple, one of the few of its kind in the West and which was blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 2002 Australian tour.
  • Free relaxation meditation sessions in the temple on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 12.30 pm.

Entry $6, temple tours $5. All proceeds support the temple.

For dates of the Open Days please check this website around late February and mid November, or phone 03 9333 1770.