The Wisdom Age Newsletter of Drogmi Buddhist Institute A Tibetan Buddhist Centre in the Sakya Tradition Issue 62 May 2022 Dear Dharma friends, The Holy Month of Saga Dawa 31 May to 28 June 2149 (2022) A Message from Khenpo la The name Saga Dawa is of a particular star for which only appears within the fourth month of the lunar calendar. The Saga Dawa month is an incredibly special month, for the Buddha performed Six Noble Activities: the first being that the Buddha was conceived; secondly the Buddha was born, thirdly the Buddha took ordination; the fourth the Buddha completely defeated His own mara’s, the fifth He attained full enlightenment, and lastly, He passed into Mahaparinirvana - all within this specific month; therefore, this is a very special month in the Buddhist calendar. Within this month whatever positive and negative thoughts and actions one carries out are then multiplied 100,000 times. Read More ​ CANDLE OFFERING SPONSORSHIP AND SAGA DAWA DÜCHEN PROGRAM Candles can be sponsored for $1 per candle, $40 for 50 candles or $75 for 100 candles, and then lit on your behalf. Please follow the link below to make an offering during this most auspicious month – on one day, all month, on certain dates of your choice, if you wish any specific names of loved ones to be included or for any particular reason for making the offering please contact us at [email protected] . There will be a program at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre, Tilba and simultaneously in Croydon, Sydney – all on Zoom on the Full Moon date, 14 June, celebrating Saga Dawa Düchen. Read More Yours in the dharma NEWS FROM DROGMI BUDDHIST INSTITUTE His Holiness 43rd Sakya Trizin’s Enthronement Ceremony Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe and all the members and friends of Drogmi Buddhist Institute rejoice in the most blessed and auspicious occasion of the Enthronement Ceremony of His Holiness Khöndung Gyana Rinpoche as the 43rd Sakya Trizin.  Read More Gyri Dolma’s passing (Our Gompa Dog) It is with a heavy heart that we let you know that our dear Gyri Dolma passed away around 4.00am on 2 May 2022. As some of you might know Gyri had been declining in her health over time, and more recently had reduced her food intake. Khenpo la had been giving her some broth and water up until her passing that morning.   Read More Update on the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course We are so fortunate to have Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe as our teacher and inspiration in the new Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course. The Course began in the first week of March 2022 and, in June, will conclude its first semester.  Read More Cutting the Defilements – New Mower Appeal A big thank you to everyone who has generously contributed to our Mower Appeal kicked off by Khenpo la’s very kind gift of $500. We have now raised $15,149 so we’re now heading to the finish line with only $1,841 to go! The rough and hilly terrain of our centre at Tilba, coupled with the extensive undergrowth brought on by all the recent rains, means it’s essential that we keep the property safe as well as looking nice. If you are able to make a contribution, please visit https://drogmi.org/support-us.html , select “KTBC Mower Appeal” and enter your gift amount. With your support we can start mowing in spring and have the property in a good state for the coming summer. Thanks so much! UPCOMING COURSES & EVENTS INTRODUCTION TO SAKYA PANDITA’S THREE VOWS Monday 23, Wednesday 25 and Friday 27 May, 1.00 – 2.30pm AEST via Zoom Khenpo la will conduct an introductory course via Zoom on the Three Vows, by Sakya Pandita. The course is hosted by Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling, the Vancouver Sakya Centre. This text, written by Sakya Pandita, discusses the Hinayana, Mayahana, and Tantric vows of Buddhist conduct, which often diverge and contradict each other — an essential study for Buddhist practitioners who wish to deepen their understanding and practice. It is one of the must-reads that the late Khenchen Appey Rinpoche advised some of his lay students to study. More details and bookings at https://www.sakyatsechenthubtenling.org/2022/03/31/introductory-course-on-the-three-vows/ JUNE LONG WEEKEND: 2ND ANNUAL SHRI VAJRAPANI BHUTADHARMARA RETREAT Friday 10 – Monday 13 June ​ Vajrapani Bhutadamara is the Master of Unfathomable Mysteries who upholds truth of darkness and ignorance. In general, Vajrapani Bhutadamara is the remover of all sorts of obstacles, in particular to overcome difficulties for serious Vajrayana practitioners. Traditionally in the Sakyapa, practitioners complete this retreat before conducting a major retreat. Khenpo la will be giving detailed teachings and practice together. The retreat will conclude with a fire puja! Visit our website for pre-requisite and attendance information. More details and bookings MEDITATIONAL EXPERIENCES IN MIND AND BODY WORKSHOP WEEKEND Friday 26 – Sunday 28 August With Dr Tony Richardson and William Penhale. This is the third workshop in this series of events. Following on from a successful program in February this year, when Dr Tony Richardson was joined by Pilates specialist William Penhale, they will both return to South Coast and again lead us in a meditational process whilst looking at ways to work with our bodies, to make friends with our emotions, thoughts, and impulses. Improving our spiritual practices, bringing tolerance and effectiveness in all aspects of our ordinary life. More details and bookings on our website soon. KARMA YOGA RETREAT Friday 23 – Sunday 25 September This is our second Karma Yoga Group Retreat for 2022. It will be a weekend where our body and mind work together to help others. The days start with a meditation session led by Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe and conclude with a campfire yarn. Come and join us with work in the garden, building maintenance, cleaning and painting or assisting with the catering. There is a job for everyone! Meals and accommodation are offered free of charge. Bookings essential for organisational needs. More details and bookings ANNUAL SHAMATHA RETREAT Friday 30 September – Saturday 8 October Our Annual Shamatha Retreat will be held over 8 days from the NSW Labour Day long weekend. More information on this retreat will be available soon. TUESDAY SHAMATHA PRACTICE WITH VENERABLE TSULTIM Thursdays from 10.00-11.00am Followed by a community cuppa and yarn afterwards. All welcome, by donation. RECENT EVENTS Easter Shamatha and Mindfulness Retreat “This retreat has recharged my batteries. It feels like medicine for my soul. Your community’s effort to provide a safe sanctuary, filled with peace as a vessel for clear instruction from Khenpo is truly inspiring, plus the added bonus of delicious food makes it an experience I want to return to again.” Read More Karma Yoga Group Retreat Such a wonderful hard-working group of Sangha got together for the weekend on our 2nd Karma Yoga Group Retreat. So much is being accomplished after all the rains in the garden and mowing, painting the gompa wood, constructing a carport and much more. Read More White Tara Retreat Following on from the Losar celebrations the weekend prior, a group of sangha gathered for the Six Dome White Tara Retreat. Khenpo la so carefully arranged for this retreat to commence on the evening of the 8th day of the first Tibetan Lunar calendar month, during the first waxing moon phase, when all attainments are increasing.  Read More Day-long Mindfulness Retreat Thank you to the very experienced and qualified Venerables Ayya Jitindriya and Jayasara who led the Day Retreat at Kamalashila at Khenpo la’s invitation. Thank you Khenpo la. This day’s Mindfulness Retreat was both simple and revelatory.  Read More Happy Losar – 2149 the year of the Water Tiger Happy Losar from everyone at Kamalashila! The day began with rose-golden clouds and soon saw new and old friends gathering on the mountain to raise prayer flags for the new year. Khenpo la explained that this is like raising our mind to the positive, straight, and tall. Read More Vajrayogini Practitioners’ Retreat This was the first Vajrayogini Practitioners’ Retreat lead by senior students of Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe’s held at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre.  Read More FROM OUR MASTERS “The real enemy when you have anger: this inner anger is reflected back, and the enemy appears outside. If you try to destroy your enemy with anger, the other side will also become angry, and the situation will escalate. Even if you destroy one enemy, there will be another enemy, and more and more enemies will arise. Instead of defeating outside enemies, you should look toward your own anger as the real enemy, the enemy that causes suffering. The real enemy is not outside but within your own mind. Even if you cannot eliminate your anger entirely, trying to see things this way will help you to disrupt it.” ~ His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche @vajra_wisdom “I sincerely hope the ongoing conflict in Ukraine will cease soon. We should all pray for those who have lost their precious lives: may they gain a higher rebirth in the next life. We should also pray for all who have been severely injured: may they be healed. And we should not forget all those who have lost their homes and are suffering in the cold of winter: may they find shelter and warmth. At this time, it is very important to remember the practice of non-violence, loving-kindness and compassion to all. These practices are the true method and solution to overcome war and conflict anywhere. May peace and harmony prevail in the world.” ~ The 42nd Sakya Trizin @42nd_sakya_trizin Find out more by visiting our website. Home Courses & events Venue hire Support us Contact Home Courses & events Venue hire Support us Contact We only use this list for The Wisdom Age newsletter. You can unsubscribe from this mailing list below. To unsubscribe from general mailings from Drogmi Buddhist