‘I bow to the one who, with no beginning, middle or end, has a serene stillness and is clear-minded and fully evolved, who became clear from his own aspects and once clear, shows fearless, constant paths of the mind to bring realisation to those with no realisation… ‘ Maitreya Buddha

One of the major texts studied in all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, Maitreya’s Sublime Continuum clarifies the meaning of our tathagata essence or buddha potential in particular the emptiness of the mind that allows evolution to a state of complete enlightenment. The first chapter of this work which explains four related ‘vajra’ subjects – Buddha, Dharma, Sangha and buddha potential – is the focus of this teaching.

This is an advanced level course on Buddhist philosophy.

Audio recordings of Basic Program subjects taught by Geshe Samten are available on the VI website on our Resources page.

Dates: Every Thursday

• August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• September 6, 13, 20, 27
• October 4, 11, 18, 25
• November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• December 6

Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
[Discussion group from 6:00pm – 6:45pm]

Cost: $285/$245 (General semester pass / VI member semester pass)  OR $15/$13 (Per session / VI member per session)

At VI we aim to make Dharma teachings as accessible as possible, so if you wish to attend but are unable to afford the full cost of classes at this time please email spc@vajrayana.com.au

Peace begins in the mind and a peaceful mind benefits both you and those around you. Join Alan in meditation to cultivate a peaceful and loving mind. The session includes mindfulness of breathing meditation and analytical meditation. Ideal for anyone wishing to kick start their own meditation or to be supported in their on-going practice by meditating with a group. Suitable for beginners and seasoned meditators.

Yoga works with the body and the breath to still the mind. Through regular practice, achieve a sense of lightness and ease in the body and clarity and stillness of mind. At VI, we teach an integrated style of classical yoga incorporating breath, movement and meditation.

Classes are suitable for all ages and abilities. Mats provided.

Dates: Friday mornings

• August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• September 7, 14, 21, 28
• October 5, 12, 19, 26
• November 2, 16, 23, 30
• December 7, 14

Time: 11.15am -12.30pm

Cost: $15 per class or buy a 10-pack of classes for $120

A puja is a special ceremony in which prayers are offered to the Buddhas or different manifestations of enlightened beings to request their blessings or invoke their help.

Pujas are performed to avert and clear the three types of obstacles which arise due to the lack of merit, which prevent us from achieving our worldly and spiritual goals. These include issues affecting our day to day life, our mental and physical health and difficulties we might be experiencing in Dharma practice. Removing these obstacles will help us to achieve happiness and good fortune in all our activities.

The following pujas are held at VI each month:

• Guru Puja with Tsog
• Tara Puja
• Medicine Buddha Puja
• Yamantaka Self Initiation (Restricted attendance)
• Vajrayogini Self Initiation (Restricted attendance)

There is also an opportunity to observe a Precepts Day at home by taking the 8 Mahayana precepts and devoting the day to practice.

Guru Puja with Tsog (also known as Lama Chopa) – twice each month

During the practice of Lama Chopa, we invoke all the lamas of the graduated path lineage beginning with Shakyamuni Buddha himself, extending to our present direct teachers who have shown us the path. We pay homage to them, make offerings, and request each of them to please bless our minds with the same realizations that they themselves have generated. By offering sincere, heartfelt requests, we make our minds ripe to receive the full blessings of this precious lineage and quickly actualize the realizations we need to attain enlightenment.

Note: starting times for Pujas vary – please check the calendar for exact times.

Learn the art of mantra rolling and help prepare mantras for statue filling. Any students requesting statues to be consecrated should attend these sessions, to roll the mantras for their statues. All are welcome to participate in learning this wonderfully meditative practice.

Dates: Saturday

• August 11
• September 1
• October 13
• November 3

Time: 2:30 – 4:30pm

Cost: Donations welcome

Dharma for Kids uses the Ready Set Happy, a set of practical, inspirational tools to encourage children to think about ethics and values.

Dates & time: Sunday 10.00-11.15am

• 5 August
• 2 September
• 4 November
• 2 December

Cost: By donation

Peace begins in the mind and a peaceful mind benefits both you and those around you. Join Alan in meditation to cultivate a peaceful and loving mind. The session includes mindfulness of breathing meditation and analytical meditation. Ideal for anyone wishing to kick start their own meditation or to be supported in their on-going practice by meditating with a group. Suitable for beginners and seasoned meditators.

Dates: Sundays

• November 4, 11, 18, 25
• December 2, 9

Time: 10:30am – 11:30am

Cost: $10/$9 VI member

Find out what it means to take refuge in the Three Jewels and the essential practices of refuge. Learn about the advantage of taking lay vows and their role in enhancing our spiritual growth.

Dates: Monday

• October 29
• November 5, 12, 19

Retreat Day Sunday 2 December

Time: 7 – 8.30pm

Cost: $90 / $72 VI members;  Single sessions $25/$20 VI members. Book Retreat day separately.

At VI we aim to make Dharma teachings as accessible as possible, so if you wish to attend but are unable to afford the full cost of classes at this time please email spc@vajrayana.com.au

Nagarjuna is renowned for his penetrating analysis of reality.  In the Precious Garland Nagarjuna describes the cause & effect sequences for the  development of happiness within ordinary life, as well as the practices of wisdom, realizing emptiness & compassion that lead to enlightenment.  He describes a Buddha’s qualities & offers encouraging advice on the effectiveness of practices that reveal the vast attributes of Buddhahood.  The Precious Garland includes a detailed analysis of attachment to sensual objects as a preparation for realization of the profound truth that, when realized, makes attachment impossible.

Dates:  Tuesdays

• August 7, 14, 21, 28
• September 4, 11, 18, 25
• October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• November 6, 13, 20, 27
• December 4

Time: Tuesday evenings, 7pm – 8.30pm

Cost: $265/$225 semester package or  $15/$13 per session

At VI we aim to make Dharma teachings as accessible as possible, so if you wish to attend but are unable to afford the full cost of classes at this time please email spc@vajrayana.com.au

Students will learn the meaning and practice of drawing and painting traditional Buddhist art in the Tibetan style, beginning with the face of the Buddha and progressing through to completion of a thangka for those who wish to participate on an ongoing basis. Guidance is also offered in these sessions to those who have one work or more in progress.

A list of art materials required will be provided upon registration.

Participants receive teaching and instruction from Paul every second week. At other times participants are self directed.

Dates: Wednesdays

• October 10, 24
• November 7, 21
• December 5, 19

Time: 10:30am-12:30pm

Cost: $20/$18 VI member

Peace begins in the mind and a peaceful mind benefits both you and those around you. Join Alan in meditation to cultivate a peaceful and loving mind. The session includes mindfulness of breathing meditation and analytical meditation. Ideal for anyone wishing to kick start their own meditation or to be supported in their on-going practice by meditating with a group. Suitable for beginners and seasoned meditators.

Dates: Wednesdays

• August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• September 12, 19, 26
• October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• December 7, 12, 19

Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Cost: $10/$9 VI member

‘I bow to the one who, with no beginning, middle or end, has a serene stillness and is clear-minded and fully evolved, who became clear from his own aspects and once clear, shows fearless, constant paths of the mind to bring realisation to those with no realisation… ‘ Maitreya Buddha

One of the major texts studied in all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, Maitreya’s Sublime Continuum clarifies the meaning of our tathagata essence or buddha potential in particular the emptiness of the mind that allows evolution to a state of complete enlightenment. The first chapter of this work which explains four related ‘vajra’ subjects – Buddha, Dharma, Sangha and buddha potential – is the focus of this teaching.

This is an advanced level course on Buddhist philosophy.

Audio recordings of Basic Program subjects taught by Geshe Samten are available on the VI website on our Resources page.

Dates: Every Thursday

• August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• September 6, 13, 20, 27
• October 4, 11, 18, 25
• November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• December 6

Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
[Discussion group from 6:00pm – 6:45pm]

Cost: $285/$245 (General semester pass / VI member semester pass)  OR $15/$13 (Per session / VI member per session)

At VI we aim to make Dharma teachings as accessible as possible, so if you wish to attend but are unable to afford the full cost of classes at this time please email spc@vajrayana.com.au

Peace begins in the mind and a peaceful mind benefits both you and those around you. Join Alan in meditation to cultivate a peaceful and loving mind. The session includes mindfulness of breathing meditation and analytical meditation. Ideal for anyone wishing to kick start their own meditation or to be supported in their on-going practice by meditating with a group. Suitable for beginners and seasoned meditators.

Yoga works with the body and the breath to still the mind. Through regular practice, achieve a sense of lightness and ease in the body and clarity and stillness of mind. At VI, we teach an integrated style of classical yoga incorporating breath, movement and meditation.

Classes are suitable for all ages and abilities. Mats provided.

Dates: Friday mornings

• August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• September 7, 14, 21, 28
• October 5, 12, 19, 26
• November 2, 16, 23, 30
• December 7, 14

Time: 11.15am -12.30pm

Cost: $15 per class or buy a 10-pack of classes for $120

This public talk with engaging speaker Renate Ogilvie addresses secular ethics according to His Holiness the Dalai Lama at a time when most people in the world do not identify with organised religion. The current discussion seems to be more and more about religion becoming a personal pursuit, and ethics gaining increasing interest.

Date & Time: Friday 9th November 7:00 – 8:30pm

Cost: $25 / $22 for VI members $190 /$170 for public talk and weekend workshop (Everyday Kindness & Life’s Unfinished Business)

At VI we aim to make Dharma teachings as accessible as possible, so if you wish to attend but are unable to afford the full cost of classes at this time please email spc@vajrayana.com.au

The unfinished business that most of us carry with us is like a constant white noise of stress in our lives. This would be reason enough to address it. But asking for or granting forgiveness, expressing our love properly, our gratitude and appreciation to those who have inspired us, is of utmost importance as we practice the teachings and prepare ourselves for death, when any unfinished business will distract and disturb the mind at a crucial time.

Date & Time:

• 10 – 11 November
• 9:30am – 4:30pm

Cost: $190/$170 for Friday’s public talk (Why Buddhism? A secular perspective) and weekend workshop; Saturday only $90/$80. Attendance for Sunday only is not permitted.

For catering purposes please book online.

At VI we aim to make Dharma teachings as accessible as possible, so if you wish to attend but are unable to afford the full cost of classes at this time please email spc@vajrayana.com.au

The unfinished business that most of us carry with us is like a constant white noise of stress in our lives. This would be reason enough to address it. But asking for or granting forgiveness, expressing our love properly, our gratitude and appreciation to those who have inspired us, is of utmost importance as we practice the teachings and prepare ourselves for death, when any unfinished business will distract and disturb the mind at a crucial time.

Date & Time:

• 10 – 11 November
• 9:30am – 4:30pm

Cost: $190/$170 for Friday’s public talk (Why Buddhism? A secular perspective) and weekend workshop; Saturday only $90/$80. Attendance for Sunday only is not permitted.

For catering purposes please book online.

At VI we aim to make Dharma teachings as accessible as possible, so if you wish to attend but are unable to afford the full cost of classes at this time please email spc@vajrayana.com.au

Peace begins in the mind and a peaceful mind benefits both you and those around you. Join Alan in meditation to cultivate a peaceful and loving mind. The session includes mindfulness of breathing meditation and analytical meditation. Ideal for anyone wishing to kick start their own meditation or to be supported in their on-going practice by meditating with a group. Suitable for beginners and seasoned meditators.

Dates: Sundays

• November 4, 11, 18, 25
• December 2, 9

Time: 10:30am – 11:30am

Cost: $10/$9 VI member

Find out what it means to take refuge in the Three Jewels and the essential practices of refuge. Learn about the advantage of taking lay vows and their role in enhancing our spiritual growth.

Dates: Monday

• October 29
• November 5, 12, 19

Retreat Day Sunday 2 December

Time: 7 – 8.30pm

Cost: $90 / $72 VI members;  Single sessions $25/$20 VI members. Book Retreat day separately.

At VI we aim to make Dharma teachings as accessible as possible, so if you wish to attend but are unable to afford the full cost of classes at this time please email spc@vajrayana.com.au

Nagarjuna is renowned for his penetrating analysis of reality.  In the Precious Garland Nagarjuna describes the cause & effect sequences for the  development of happiness within ordinary life, as well as the practices of wisdom, realizing emptiness & compassion that lead to enlightenment.  He describes a Buddha’s qualities & offers encouraging advice on the effectiveness of practices that reveal the vast attributes of Buddhahood.  The Precious Garland includes a detailed analysis of attachment to sensual objects as a preparation for realization of the profound truth that, when realized, makes attachment impossible.

Dates:  Tuesdays

• August 7, 14, 21, 28
• September 4, 11, 18, 25
• October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• November 6, 13, 20, 27
• December 4

Time: Tuesday evenings, 7pm – 8.30pm

Cost: $265/$225 semester package or  $15/$13 per session

At VI we aim to make Dharma teachings as accessible as possible, so if you wish to attend but are unable to afford the full cost of classes at this time please email spc@vajrayana.com.au

Peace begins in the mind and a peaceful mind benefits both you and those around you. Join Alan in meditation to cultivate a peaceful and loving mind. The session includes mindfulness of breathing meditation and analytical meditation. Ideal for anyone wishing to kick start their own meditation or to be supported in their on-going practice by meditating with a group. Suitable for beginners and seasoned meditators.

Dates: Wednesdays

• August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• September 12, 19, 26
• October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• December 7, 12, 19

Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Cost: $10/$9 VI member

A puja is a special ceremony in which prayers are offered to the Buddhas or different manifestations of enlightened beings to request their blessings or invoke their help.

Pujas are performed to avert and clear the three types of obstacles which arise due to the lack of merit, which prevent us from achieving our worldly and spiritual goals. These include issues affecting our day to day life, our mental and physical health and difficulties we might be experiencing in Dharma practice. Removing these obstacles will help us to achieve happiness and good fortune in all our activities.

The following pujas are held at VI each month:

• Guru Puja with Tsog
• Tara Puja
• Medicine Buddha Puja
• Yamantaka Self Initiation (Restricted attendance)
• Vajrayogini Self Initiation (Restricted attendance)

There is also an opportunity to observe a Precepts Day at home by taking the 8 Mahayana precepts and devoting the day to practice.

Tara Puja – once each month

The Tara Puja is a practice focusing on Tara, making offerings and giving praise, as a way of creating merits and strengthening our connection with our own enlightened potential. Tara is also known as the “Mother of all Buddhas” because she embodies wisdom – all buddhas are born from this wisdom, she is the manifestation of the Buddha’s omniscient mind.

“Reciting the 21 Taras’ prayer with devotion – remembering Tara singing praises and reciting mantras at any time of the day or night – protects you from fear and dangers, and fulfils all your wishes.” Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Green Tara is especially swift in granting the wishes of sentient beings.

Note: times for Tara Pujas vary – please check the calendar for exact times.

‘I bow to the one who, with no beginning, middle or end, has a serene stillness and is clear-minded and fully evolved, who became clear from his own aspects and once clear, shows fearless, constant paths of the mind to bring realisation to those with no realisation… ‘ Maitreya Buddha

One of the major texts studied in all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, Maitreya’s Sublime Continuum clarifies the meaning of our tathagata essence or buddha potential in particular the emptiness of the mind that allows evolution to a state of complete enlightenment. The first chapter of this work which explains four related ‘vajra’ subjects – Buddha, Dharma, Sangha and buddha potential – is the focus of this teaching.

This is an advanced level course on Buddhist philosophy.

Audio recordings of Basic Program subjects taught by Geshe Samten are available on the VI website on our Resources page.

Dates: Every Thursday

• August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• September 6, 13, 20, 27
• October 4, 11, 18, 25
• November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• December 6

Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
[Discussion group from 6:00pm – 6:45pm]

Cost: $285/$245 (General semester pass / VI member semester pass)  OR $15/$13 (Per session / VI member per session)

At VI we aim to make Dharma teachings as accessible as possible, so if you wish to attend but are unable to afford the full cost of classes at this time please email spc@vajrayana.com.au

Peace begins in the mind and a peaceful mind benefits both you and those around you. Join Alan in meditation to cultivate a peaceful and loving mind. The session includes mindfulness of breathing meditation and analytical meditation. Ideal for anyone wishing to kick start their own meditation or to be supported in their on-going practice by meditating with a group. Suitable for beginners and seasoned meditators.

Yoga works with the body and the breath to still the mind. Through regular practice, achieve a sense of lightness and ease in the body and clarity and stillness of mind. At VI, we teach an integrated style of classical yoga incorporating breath, movement and meditation.

Classes are suitable for all ages and abilities. Mats provided.

Dates: Friday mornings

• August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• September 7, 14, 21, 28
• October 5, 12, 19, 26
• November 2, 16, 23, 30
• December 7, 14

Time: 11.15am -12.30pm

Cost: $15 per class or buy a 10-pack of classes for $120

Geshela will give a brief teaching on what it means to take refuge and vows of individual liberation and offer refuge to those who wish to formalise their commitment to following the Buddhist path.

Dates: Saturday 17th November

Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Cost: $35/$32 VI member

At VI we aim to make Dharma teachings as accessible as possible, so if you wish to attend but are unable to afford the full cost of classes at this time please email spc@vajrayana.com.au

A puja is a special ceremony in which prayers are offered to the Buddhas or different manifestations of enlightened beings to request their blessings or invoke their help.

Pujas are performed to avert and clear the three types of obstacles which arise due to the lack of merit, which prevent us from achieving our worldly and spiritual goals. These include issues affecting our day to day life, our mental and physical health and difficulties we might be experiencing in Dharma practice. Removing these obstacles will help us to achieve happiness and good fortune in all our activities.

The following pujas are held at VI each month:

• Guru Puja with Tsog
• Tara Puja
• Medicine Buddha Puja
• Yamantaka Self Initiation (Restricted attendance)
• Vajrayogini Self Initiation (Restricted attendance)

There is also an opportunity to observe a Precepts Day at home by taking the 8 Mahayana precepts and devoting the day to practice.

Guru Puja with Tsog (also known as Lama Chopa) – twice each month

During the practice of Lama Chopa, we invoke all the lamas of the graduated path lineage beginning with Shakyamuni Buddha himself, extending to our present direct teachers who have shown us the path. We pay homage to them, make offerings, and request each of them to please bless our minds with the same realizations that they themselves have generated. By offering sincere, heartfelt requests, we make our minds ripe to receive the full blessings of this precious lineage and quickly actualize the realizations we need to attain enlightenment.

Note: starting times for Pujas vary – please check the calendar for exact times.

This Yamantaka self-initiation is a brief text composed by the early twentieth-century master, Khangsar Thubten Chökyi Wangchuk, based on the secret oral instructions of the Ganden Hearing Lineage. In order to engage in its practice, one must have received the empowerment of Vajrabhairava (i.e., Yamantaka), completed an authorizing retreat of 100,000 mantras together with the traditional concluding fire puja.

This practice is restricted to only those with the appropriate tantric empowerment.

Peace begins in the mind and a peaceful mind benefits both you and those around you. Join Alan in meditation to cultivate a peaceful and loving mind. The session includes mindfulness of breathing meditation and analytical meditation. Ideal for anyone wishing to kick start their own meditation or to be supported in their on-going practice by meditating with a group. Suitable for beginners and seasoned meditators.

Dates: Sundays

• November 4, 11, 18, 25
• December 2, 9

Time: 10:30am – 11:30am

Cost: $10/$9 VI member