The Wisdom Age Newsletter of Drogmi Buddhist Institute A Tibetan Buddhist Centre in the Sakya Tradition Issue 68 December 2023 Dear Dharma Friends, Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe and the Drogmi Buddhist Institute Committee wish you to have a very happy, safe, and joyous holiday season, in this last issue of The Wisdom Age for 2023. For the last four years, during and now living in post-Covid, we have all faced many challenges and extremely tough times. This has made us much stronger – whether we feel this way or not we are. May this strength that we have gained last for the rest of our lives. For the reality is, whatever we think and whatever the world says, at the end of the day the cause of all our problems are our defilements. The only remedy for this is the Dharma, for just meeting the Dharma in this very lifetime is to recognise how fortunate we are, that we have found the solution from beginningless time until today. We are incredibly honoured and most pleased to announce officially the proposed visit of His Holiness the 43rd Sakya Trizin Gyana Vajra Rinpoche , at the request of Khenpo la, to visit Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre, to bestow empowerments and precious teachings in October/November 2024. Fuller details will be available next year. We would also like to announce that Khenpo la will take a group on Pilgrimage to many of the most holy sites in India and Nepal in December 2024 for a three-week period, a once in a lifetime opportunity that must not be missed. Again, more details will be available in early 2024. May every single being be safe and experience true and lasting happiness, to remember mindfulness in each and every present moment, to share our loving-kindness and compassion for all beings, especially at this time. Please enjoy the read. Yours in the Dharma SAKYA NEWS His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin’s Birthday Although His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin was in South America during his birthday recently, long life pujas were held at the Sakya Centre in Dehradun on that day. We all take this opportunity to yet again wish His Holiness a long and healthy life. Read More His Holiness Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorjechang’s Birthday We gathered to celebrate His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche’s Birthday during our karma yoga retreat. Khenpo la led sangha members at this retreat chanting His Holiness’ Long-Life Prayer, and we all offered birthday cake and khata offerings to His Holiness.  Read More Her Eminence Sakya Jetsun Chimey Luding Rinpoche’s Birthday On behalf of Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe, Drogmi Buddhist Institute Committee and from all members and friends of DBI residing at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre and from all over the world – we continually and joyously pray for Her Eminence’s long life, to experience extraordinarily good health, so as to protect us not to fall over the cliff of samsara. Read More UPCOMING COURSES & EVENTS AGM Saturday 9 December, 4pm The 2023 AGM will be held at Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre, also available via Zoom. We look forward to your attendance if possible. VISITING TIBETAN DOCTOR Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 December Dr Tsundu Dolma will give a public talk and private consultations at the Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre (spaces available for both). Tibetan Medicine can offer preventive care and treatment for some disorders, namely psychiatric disorders, and chronic disorders, for which western medicine is not so effective or becomes handicapped. More details and bookings ANNUAL HEALING & PURIFICATION RETREAT 27 December – 1 January (commences 7pm Wednesday, concludes 1pm Monday) During this retreat Khenpo la will give detailed teachings on Vajrasattva and Medicine Buddha Practices. This retreat is designed to help practitioners new and experienced, to clear away and heal any negativity from the past year, to come into the New Year rejuvenated and refreshed, with a positive mind and perspective for the year ahead. More details and bookings 2024 PROGRAM A few dates for the diary. More information on the 2024 program in next year’s Wisdom Age issues. THE SIX DOME WHITE TARA RETREAT Thursday 1 – Sunday 4 February Prayers to White Tara are especially effective for health, healing, and longevity. She offers healings to our wounds, whether it is our bodies or our minds that have been hurt. White Tara is extremely powerful. Like a mother to a child, she is very quick to fulfil our wishes and to grant us happiness and a long life, as well as to help us develop wisdom. LOSAR CELEBRATIONS Sunday 11 February 10am Sunday Meditation 11am Offerings for Losar Prayer Flags and Tara Recitation 12pm Light Lunch BEGINNERS MEDITATION 5-WEEK COURSE Tuesdays, 13 February – 12 March 10am – 11:30am FAMILY MEDITATION 5-WEEK COURSE Sundays, 18 February – 17 March 11:30am – 12:30pm SHAMATHA & MINDFULNESS RETREAT Easter Long Weekend: Thursday 28 – Sunday 31 March Commences 7pm Thursday, concludes 1pm Sunday A wonderful opportunity in these turbulent times to learn and practice these methods of meditation that have been tried and proven throughout the centuries to help relax and focus our concentration, leading to improved mental health. Open to those new to meditation and to everyone else. SHAMATHA & VIPASSANA DAY-LONG RETREAT Saturday 27 April 8:30am – 4:30pm With Ayyas Jitindriya and Jayasara NGÖNDRO RETREAT Thursday 16 – Sunday 19 May Khenpo la will instruct on the first three practices of Ngöndro: Refuge, Vajrasattva and Mandala Offerings. Khenpo la will give the required transmissions. VAJRAPANI BHUTADAMARA RETREAT King’s birthday long weekend: Friday 7 – Monday 10 June Commences 7pm Friday, concludes 1pm Monday ANNUAL SHAMATHA RETREAT Labour Day long weekend: Friday 4 – Sunday 13 October Commences 7pm Friday, concludes 1pm Sunday RECENT EVENTS Family Day 2023 After a three-year hiatus due to Covid, we have finally been able to hold our regular Family Day once more at Kamalashila. As Khenpo la shared a little about his own childhood in India, it was interesting to note that although that was a very different time and place, childhood has not changed so much - the children today cited their favourite things too as in soccer and friends! Read More Shamatha & Vipassana Retreat with Ayyas The 2nd Shamatha & Vipassana Retreat led by Ayyas Jitindriya and Jayasara commenced at Kamalashila in mid-November with participants from many locations – from the USA, NZ, WA, Brisbane, Melbourne to name a few. Ayyas Jitindriya and Jayasara guided attendees in person and online, through the methods of Shamatha meditation leading to insight awareness.  Read More The Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Course – Year 2 Students in the Autumn Buddhist Philosophy Court have completed Year 2, the Mahayana year. The insights, thoughtfulness and respect that emerged in the retreats, mentor groups and assignments has been inspirational. Thank you all so much for your dedication and commitment to your own and others’ development!  Read More The 2nd Three Visions Festival Our 2nd Three Visions Festival truly was a wonderful day of joy and celebration of these three cultures, the local Yuin peoples, Tibetan and non-indigenous. The feedback from the performing groups, the general public and our wonderful volunteers has been resoundingly positive. To see the children playing together, in such harmony and joy was a definite highlight of the success of this event. Read More Green Tara Puja – Two Day Teachings In October, Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe provided Sydney students, friends and zoomers with a special teaching on the Four Mandala Ritual of Arya Tara at our Croydon centre. Some made the trip from Queensland, others from the South Coast and some were travellers from the USA along with the Sydneysiders who had requested Khenpo la to give teachings earlier this year. Read More Annual Shamatha Retreat 2023 At the start of the ten-day Shamatha Retreat at Kamalashila, Khenpo la noted this was our 8th Annual Shamatha Retreat held at Kamalashila, although he has led many others over the years and different locations around Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Khenpo la invited us to meet and mingle with each other before giving an overview of the retreat, and then a profound teaching on the core reason why we need to learn Shamatha Meditation. Read More Fifth Karma Yoga Group Retreat Thank you to everyone who attended our 5th group karma yoga retreat at Kamalashila. Heaps of jobs were done and Khenpo la led impromptu dharma discussions in the evenings. Thank you for all of your wonderful contributions. Read More Wombat Care Kamalashila is a true refuge for humans and wildlife alike. We have a number of wombats that live at the centre and who have had significant health issues with mange, a condition that affects a lot of wombats and is an extremely uncomfortable condition. With the help of our local wise and compassionate wombat expert Danie and a team of volunteers at the centre, we have successfully treated Tashi who came out to tell us he was feeling better! Read More FROM OUR MASTERS “All of our practices, such as our sadhana practices, ritual practice, and meditation, are methods for us to be awakened. The practices show us the path – the ultimate truth, the truth of reality, or the true nature of all phenomena.” “When we see others are performing good deeds, we should rejoice, thinking I am so happy for them.” “A genuine kind heart cares for all beings, irrespective of their culture, race, religion, language, or other differences. It has no boundaries; it extends to all without any discrimination or exception.” ~ His Holiness the 43rd Sakya Trizin, Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, taken from “A Teaching on Renunciation, Bodhicitta, and the Pure Land of Amitābha”. Source: https://sakyatradion.org/archived-teaching/renunciation-bodhicitta-amitabha Find out more by visiting our website. Home Courses