Welcome!
We warmly invite you to visit, learn and practise at Drogmi Buddhist Institute.
If you are attending any of our events and have time, you are very welcome to arrive half an hour early and have a cup of tea and rest before the beginning of the programme.
About Drogmi Buddhist Institute
Drogmi Buddhist Institute aims to promote the understanding, study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism in Australia, in line with the Great Sakya Tradition, under the guidance and support of His Holiness the Sakya Trizin. The centre is open to all who are interested in the precious Dharma and its teachings.
[About Drogmi Buddhist Institute...]
[Support Drogmi Buddhist Institute...]
[Become a member of Drogmi Buddhist Institute...]
[About the Sakya tradition...]
Our teacher
Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe is one of the most knowledgeable and respected teachers of the practice and philosophy of Tibetan Buddhism in Australia. His excellent command of English and understanding of Western ways provides his teachings with a clarity and wisdom accessible to all, Australia-wide and overseas. He is the Founder and Spiritual Director of the Drogmi Buddhist Institute in Sydney
Khenpo has taught all over Australia and internationally in the last 15 years, and maintains a busy schedule. He regularly gives talks and conducts meditation programmes in central and western Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the New South Wales south coast, Queensland and many other locations.
[About Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe...]
[Khenpo's overseas teaching programme...]
Drogmi events
Drogmi Buddhist Institute conduct regular practices in Sydney and the Blue Mountains, various retreats throughout the year, as well as Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe's extensive teaching programme around Australia and overseas.
Khenpo and members of Drogmi Buddhist Institute have a strong connection with communities in the Blue Mountains and have an ongoing spiritual programme in those areas.
- Upcoming events
- Meditation practices
- Teaching programme in and around Sydney
- Teaching programme around Australia and New Zealand
- Retreats
Unless otherwise listed, events are held in Ashfield, Sydney. Please contact us at info@drogmi.org or on (02) 8005 1757 for more information about any of these events. To make advanced bookings for all events, email info@drogmi.org (for payment options see Programme bookings and online payments).
Upcoming events
- Saga Dawa - 9 May to 8 June
It is soon to be Saga Dawa, the holiest time of the Tibetan year. Saga Dawa is the entire fourth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. This year the dates are 9 May to 8 June. However, Buddha's birth, enlightenment and entry into Nirvana at his death are observed together on the 15th day of Saga Dawa, know as Saga Dawa Duchen, which in 2013 is Saturday 25 May. It is said that the positive results of positive deeds committed on this day are multiplied by a million. The negative results of all negative deeds committed on this day are also multiplied by a million.
To mark this month long festival, Drogmi Buddhist Institute will be making a light offering of 100 candles every day for the first 16 days from 9-24 May at the centre in Ashfield in Sydney. On 25 May 500 candles will be offered.
Drogmi Buddhist Institute is giving you the opportunity to sponsor the light offerings on one of these days by making a donation of $20 to the centre. This can only be done online. This gives everyone the opportunity whether you live in Sydney or not, to participate in this very special event. These offerings will be made on your behalf. If you wish to dedicate the offering to a family member or friends, please let us know. Once your payment has been received, you will be sent an email of confirmation of the day allocated to you. If you wish to make your offering on a specific date you will need to let us know via email at info@drogmi.org.
In the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, offerings of light have great significance. The symbolism of light dispels the darkness of ignorance through the light of the Buddha's teachings, wisdom, and compassion for all beings. Light is also said to represent the flame of awakened mind, which illuminates reality as it is. An offering of light represents the aspiration to attain buddhahood and celebrates enlightenment. The most auspicious light offerings are made before consecrated images of fully enlightened beings such as those at a temple.
Programme for Saga Dawa Duchen 25 May
You have the opportunity to spend the day, or what time you can spare, engaged in Dharma activities at the centre. You are most welcome to bring a family member or friends. Please note, the meditation on this day replaces the regular Sunday Practice scheduled for 26 May.
6.30am-7.30am: Taking of 8 Mahayana Precepts
7.30am-8.30am: Breakfast courtesy of Khenpo-la and Lama Kalsang
9.00am-9.30am: Offering of 500 candles
10.00am-11.30am: Shamatha Meditation/Practice
11.30am-12.15pm: Bring a plate of vegetarian food to share for lunch
1.00pm: Fish Release Ceremony - the fish released are being rescued from Sydney restaurants (to be held at Strathfield Golf Club, 84 Centenary Drive, Strathfield)
The significance of animal release
Animal release (fang sheng) is a term used by Chinese Buddhists to refer to the practice of purchasing animals that are due to be slaughtered and letting them go. While the rationale for this practice is the Buddha's teaching of kindness and compassion to all creatures, even the most humble, the earliest evidence of the practice actually comes from the Pali Tipitaka. According to the Vinaya, a monk once came across a pig caught in a hunter's trap and feeling compassion for its plight he released it. By the convention of the time he was guilty of theft. When the matter was brought to the Buddha's intention he said that from the perspective of the Dharma the monk had committed no offence because he had acted 'out of compassion'. [Buddhist Animal Release Practices, H. Shiu and L. Stokes in Contemporary Buddhism, Vol.9 No2, 2008]
Members have the opportunity to sponsor a fish for release. It is a very special time to be able to offer this during Saga Dawa Duchen. The overall cost of the fish is $400 from the markets. You are invited to sponsor any amount you wish towards this cost. If the centre receives more than this amount for the release, the funds will go towards other Dharma activities of the centre. Please make any donations online no later than 24 May.
- Tibetan Language Introductory Course (Term 2, 2013) with Lama Kalsang
Wednesdays 8 May to 12 June, 7.30-9.00pm
In this 6 week course students will learn the Tibetan alphabet, to read and write script and basic vocabulary. It is designed for both those with no prior learning of Tibetan, and for those wanting a refresher. Classes are fun and a great way to fuel our studies. Lama Kalsang has been a Tibetan Buddhist monk for over 20 years. Lama has regularly taught the Tibetan language to Westerners in his monastery in India and has a natural love of teaching. He is assistant Lama at Drogmi Buddhist Institute in Sydney.
At: 37 Albert Parade, Ashfield (Sydney)*
Cost: $50 full course, $10 per class
Bookings: Online or call (02) 8005 1757, email info@drogmi.org
- Coping with Stress: How to Reduce its Effects - a Buddhist talk with Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe (Canberra)
Friday 31 May, 7.00-8.30pm
The world can be a stressful place. In this talk, Khenpo will outline how by using loving-kindness and compassion, we can create a more peaceful and balanced life.
At: The The Civic Library, London Circuit, Civic Square, Canberra
Cost: $10
Bookings: Online or at the door
- Meditation: how it can improve our mental capacity and health in body and mind - a Buddhist talk with Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe (Canberra)
Saturday 1 June, 10.00am-3.00pm
Khenpo will discuss how spending time in daily meditation can bring great benefit to our overall well being. This day workshop will include practical guided meditation and Q & A sessions.
At: Canberra Museum and Gallery, London Circuit, Civic Square, Canberra
Cost: $50/Concession $40 (includes refreshments)
Bookings: Online or at the door
- "The Man in Maroon" - movie fundraiser event
Saturday 29 June, 3.00pm
His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, or The Man in Maroon, calls himself a simple monk but he is much more than that. His words have a power to change humanity, to give us insight, clarity and - at the very least - the ability to be happy. In this inspiring movie we are led on a journey with His Holiness, through issues such as Tibet, The Middle Way, Human Values, Secular Ethics, China, Religion and more. The movie contains previously unseen footage filmed inside Tibet.
At: 37 Albert Parade, Ashfield (Sydney)*
Cost: $25, children $15 (efreshments and popcorn included). All proceeds go to Drogmi Buddhist Institute.
Bookings: Online or email us at info@drogmi.org
* Access via side gate, gompa at back of main house.
Meditation practices
Our current regular meditation practices include:
- Green Tara puja
- Shamatha meditation practice
- Chenrezig sadhana practice
- Vajrasattva/Medicine Buddha practice
[Regular practice programme...]
Teaching programme in and around Sydney
Sapan Shedra
In 2012 Khenpo-la commenced teaching the Sapan Shedra course in three locations: the Sydney Centre, Richmond and Blue Mountains (Lawson). Sapan Shedra is a four year structured Shedra programme, designed to give people an opportunity to study Buddhist philosophy teachings. This course draws on some of the most fundamental and profound texts in the Mahayana tradition of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy.
“Sapan” was a loving name by which Sakya Pandita (1182-1251 AD) was widely and affectionately known and the Drogmi Buddhist Institute Sapan Shedra course is so named in His honour.
[About Sapan Shedra...]
[Sapan Shedra recorded teachings...]
2013 Shedra locations and topics
- Sydney (Ashfield Centre): Topic for 2013 – “400 Verses on the Middle Way” by Aryadeva.
- Richmond: Topic for Terms 1 and 2 – Seven Point Mind Training.
- Blue Mountains (Lawson): Topic for Terms 1 and 2 – Seven Point Mind Training.
[Full details of 2013 Sapan Shedra programme...]
Teaching programme around Australia and New Zealand
Khenpo-la has a busy teaching programme around Australia and New Zealand:
[Full details of Khenpo's teaching programme...]
Retreats
During 2013, the following retreats will be held in Sydney and the Blue Mountains:
- Easter - Shamatha and Mindfulness Retreat: 29-31 March
During this 3 day retreat Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe will give detailed and practical explanations on the practice of mindfulness, both in meditation and everyday life. - Queen's Birthday weekend - Loving Kindness and Compassion Retreat: 8-9 June
Life presents us with many challenges. There are different ways that can help us cope with our everyday problems; however the most complete way is to develop loving kindness and compassion. In this retreat Khenpo will explain how developing these two aspects of ourselves can help us achieve more loving relationships with others and bring a real sense of joy and happiness to our lives.
- Annual Shamatha Retreat: 4-12 October
The Shamatha retreat is all about rejuvenation - being eight days long, this retreat gives time to establish spiritual foundations strong enough to benefit us for the rest of the year, indeed the rest of our lives. Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe will give detailed teachings on the Seven Point Mind Training at this year's retreat. We are most fortunate to have the opportunity to receive these fundamental Buddhist teachings over 8 days.
Any reference to Drogmi Retreat Centre in materials on this website or previously issued via the web, email or hardcopy from drogmi.org relates to either the place known as Drogmi Retreat Centre at East Kurrajong, NSW or the activities of "Drogmi Retreat Centre auspice Sakya Tharpa Ling NSW Inc".
