Term one classes commence on Sunday 2 March: an insightful five week introduction series at 1.30 pm and the remarkable Path To Enlightenment series resumes at 4 pm.
Buddhist meditation and philosophy – supporting our journey through the current world
Five week course from 1.30 pm Sunday 2 to 30 March
Buddhism offers insights on how to deal with any situation or crisis. We cannot change everything that happens in our external environment. But by adopting a different approach, based on qualities such as love, compassion, patience, calm and clarity, we will gain inner peace and contribute to a better world.
The new introduction series, Buddhist meditation and philosophy – supporting our journey through the current world, will introduce the Buddha’s profound core teaching, the four Noble Truths and wonderful Buddhist meditations. These topics will be a starting point to explore Buddhist teachings and philosophy using Essence of the Path to Enlightenment, the extraordinary text by Venerable Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden.
The course teacher is Chris, a long-time student of Venerable Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden.
Both classes are held in the temple. If you live a long distance in the country or interstate, or you are unwell, you can request online access via events@tushita.org
Path to Enlightenment classes resume Sunday 2 March at 4 pm
The vast and profound Path to Enlightenment teachings are based on Geshe Loden‘s definitive lam.rim text, Path to Enlightenment in Tibetan Buddhism.
The lam.rim, or graduated path, tradition covers the entire scope of Buddhist thought. It begins with the foundational subjects showing how we can establish an effective meditation practice and gain insight into our own experience and perspectives. It leads us through the special understanding of impermanence, and the nature of cause and effect, or karma, and how it shapes our lives.
Reaching our highest potential
The Path explains how we can reach our highest potential based on the all encompassing positive minds of great love and great compassion.
With these most powerful of all motivations we are able to perfect all of our qualities. Ultimately we can realise the deepest wisdom and experience the enlightened mind – with limitless capacity to benefit others.
Life-changing
One of the special qualities of path to enlightenment texts is that the focus is primarily practical rather than theoretical. Each subject includes an explanation of how to cultivate meditation to deepen our understanding of it. The practice of lam.rim is life-changing.
If you are able to study the entire book you will emerge with an holistic understanding of the most important subjects and practices of the Mahayana Buddhist path and how to practise them.
Or you can choose to attend individual sections of the Path course that will give you an understanding of key concepts – e.g. impermanence, karma, cyclic existence, great love and compassion – and show you how to bring these understandings into your daily life.
Course teachers
Course teachers for 10 weeks each in 2025 are Nick Sleeman and Martin Horan, both long-time students of Venerable Geshe Loden. A third teacher for later in 2025 will be announced in due course.
About the classes
You can join the classes in the magnificent traditional Tibetan temple. All welcome.
The temple is a wonderful and serene space, featuring a 12-foot statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and unique Tibetan artworks called thangkas. Cushions for those who like to meditate cross-legged, and chairs to suit others’ comfort. Delicious refreshments and an opportunity to chat after each session.
Sunday classes comprise a guided meditation, a talk, Q&A. A $10 facility charge. All proceeds support the upkeep of the temple and gardens. No need to register.
You can also visit the beautiful 10-acre gardens, and Enjoyment Shop before classes start. The gates open at 1 pm.
Address: Tibetan Buddhist Society, 20 Cookes Road, Yuroke, Vic 3063
Queries: events@tushita.org