White Tara empowerment and blessing
Venerable Geshe Lobsang Dorje Doga, resident teacher of the Tara Institute, very kindly accepted our invitation to visit the centre in May for a White Tara empowerment and blessing. Geshe Doga, now 90, is a wonderful friend and supporter of the centre, and was a dear friend of Geshe Loden. Over 160 people attended the beautiful White Tara empowerment and blessing. Our heartfelt gratitude to Geshe Doga and our team of volunteers that made this precious event so special.
A lively mid-year community meeting
The biannual community meeting of members, students and friends of the Tibetan Buddhist Society was held on May 31. The meeting, which was attended by more than 20 people on site and online, heard the latest news of Loden Rinpoche from director, Michael Joseph. The communication strategies and data for the Society’s Melbourne website, social media outlets, newsletter and volunteer hub were also presented with a discussion following. Lots of great ideas were generated in this lively meeting. The next meeting will be November 15. All welcome!
Celebrating His Holiness’ 90th birthday
A celebratory birthday lunch followed by prayers in the temple was held on the historic and auspicious occasion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, 6 July 2025. Celebrations were held all over the world.
Our homage to His Holiness can be found here and a report on celebrations in India here. The image at left shows His Holiness in the Tibetan Buddhist Society temple during his 2002 visit. On that occasion, His Holiness officially opened and blessed the newly constructed temple.
Wonderful Autumn-Winter retreats
Jean D’Cruz led a wonderful retreat on the Six perfections from 8-14 June. Read her terrific blog on this topic here. On 19 July, Venerable Anna Goldstein led a timely day retreat on Cultivating joy in trying times which was attended by over 60 people.
Our next retreat starts 14 September, three weeks focused on Yamantaka including teaching, mantra recitation and a fire puja. It will be led by Tim McKibben and Michael Joseph.
Atisha Centre friends visit
Atisha Centre organised a temple tour in early July – led by their Resident teacher, Geshe Thubten Rabten – of three Buddhist temples in Melbourne, starting with the Tibetan Buddhist Society. Geshe Rabten delivered very kind comments, encouraging a close connection between our two centres. Our volunteers served the visitors a lovely morning tea.
Our centre’s sangha were invited to become part of the tour and several joined. The image shows the group with Geshe Rabten and Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan, Abbott of Quang Ming temple in Braybrook, outside the second stop on the temple tour.
Visit of His Eminence Ling Rinpoche
His Eminence Ling Rinpoche blessed a packed temple of over 210 people (and a further 50 online) with wonderful teachings on bodhichitta and buddha potential on Saturday 9 August. The following day a Medicine Buddha empowerment was offered to over 260 people who attended the temple.
His Eminence’s presence was beautiful, gentle and powerful. A summary of the Saturday teachings can be found here [LINK].
A gallery of photos from the visit is found here with thanks to photographers Michael Joseph, Daniel Sheehan and others.