Super summer retreats
A very happy group of 30 retreaters completed a wonderful Mahamudra retreat led by Les Sheehy, January 19-25, 2025. An additional 17 participants completed the retreat online.
The first of the 2025 day retreat series also began with a beautiful day led by Tim McKibben. The topic was White Tara – finding beauty within.
Next up is the Easter retreat on the topic Path of Serenity: Calm abiding. It is suitable for both experienced Buddhist students and newcomers. Click here for further information.
A warm welcome
We would like to welcome five new or returning residents to the TBS centre. Welcome to Annie, Brian, Ven Chris, Tom and Sally.
Residents play an important role in the community life and daily functioning of the centre. If anyone is interested in joining the resident community please contact Anna or Sox via email events@tushita.org.
A sizzling social outing
An intrepid group of 12 centre students and friends, ventured to the beautiful grounds of the Blue Lagoon Lotus Gardens at Yarra Junction in early February. Great company, a peaceful wander amongst wonderful foliage including lotus and water lily lakes, and an afternoon tea was enjoyed by all despite hot weather!
There will be another social outing on the 26 July – location yet to be determined. Everyone is welcome – watch out for an email invite closer to the date.
Annual pilgrimage by Vietnamese Buddhist friends
More than 1000 pilgrims from our dear friends at Quang Minh Temple in Braybrook, Sunshine Temple and the Phat Quang Temple in Footscray, visited the Tibetan Buddhist Society on February 2 and 9 to pray, listen to talks and make offerings as part of their annual pilgrimage. They were offered refreshments in the gardens.
New Year Meditation Festival – February 2025
At a time of great uncertainty and concern, this year’s meditation festival was on the theme of Courage and Patience: navigatiing our current world. The festival was graced by a teaching with the Japanese Zen master, Ekai Korematsu Roshi. Our State and council representatives, Mr Iwan Walters, MP for Greenvale and the Mayor of Hume City Council, Cr Jarrod Bell, kindly spoke at the New Year Blessing Ceremony, with prayers and insightful comments by Venerable Geshe Rabten, Resident teacher of Atisha Centre in Bendigo.
From left: Ekai Korematsu Roshi, temple talk attendees, festival volunteers at day’s end
Volunteers’ thank you!
Without our marvellous volunteers, Tibetan Buddhist Society activities would not be possible.
Every aspect of the Tibetan Buddhist Society is run and managed by volunteers. Our teachers, those invaluable people who work in the garden, prepare food, make beds before retreats, undertake the many administrative tasks or assist at major functions such as festivals and pilgrimages – all these people are volunteers.
This year’s thank you afternoon tea was held on the 5 April at the Forget Me Not Eatery in Greenvale.
If you might like to volunteer in the future please see our Volunteer hub for lots of helpful information.