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 – Friday

• Aug 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• Sep 6, 13, 20, 27
• Oct 4, 11, 18, 25
• Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• Dec 6, 20

Time – 10am – 11am

Suggested donation $10

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

• Aug 9, 16, 23, 30
• Sep 6, 13, 20, 27
• Oct 18, 25
• Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• Dec 6, 13, 20

Time: 11.15am -12.30pm

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

The Practices of Love and Fear
with Jampa Jaffe

Our practices are the ways that we routinely orient ourselves towards what we
want to do and be in our life. The problem is that what we want is often not
recognized by what we practice. In this workshop, through talks, discussions and
meditation, we’ll explore two of life’s most fundamental practices—love and fear—
and what they orient us towards. Suitable for everyone.

Dates: Saturday, November 2nd

Time: 10am – 4pm

Cost: $60 / $50 (VI Members) Please BYO Lunch or a plate to share

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

Jampa Jaffe has been teaching Buddhism for over 20 years. American by birth, he was a monk in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition for 17 years and studied for over 14 years in India at the Tibetan Library of Works and Archives and the Buddhist School of Dialectics. He spent one year in Thailand, studying and meditating in the Theravada tradition, and in 2005 completed a solitary one-year retreat in Spain. He has been the resident teacher at Buddha House, South Australia and the teaching assistant in the first FPMT Masters Program for Buddhist Studies in Italy.

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.

Paul provides participants teaching and instruction most Saturdays. Please confirm dates on the website calendar.

Students are also able to come on a Wednesday morning to use the space as a group for self-directed progression with their artworks.

Please email assistantspc@vajrayana.com.au  for further inquiries, such as a list materials needed for the class.

Dates with Paul Smith: Saturdays (check calendar for dates)

Time: 1pm – 3pm

Cost: $20 / $18 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 assistantspc@vajrayana.com.au

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

• Aug 4
• Sep 1
• Nov 3
• Dec 1

Cost: By donation

About the teachers
Jackie and Lesta have been leading dharma classes and meditation in primary schools for many years and are regular students at VI.

Have you noticed the water bowls filled with golden water and wondered what they are and why they’re there?

The practice of offering  water bowls is one of nine preliminary practices or “ngöndros” performed in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The preliminary practices are designed to accumulate merit and purify negativeness in order to quickly generate realizations on the path.

This beautiful practice of generosity supports  starting your day with the motivation to benefit numberless sentient beings.

“You collect skies of merit from each and every  water bowl offering. This means, for example, offering universes filled with water and so forth to the buddhas, or offering even the seven different kinds of jewels, diamonds, gold and so forth to the buddhas. So here this means even having the thought to benefit just one person, your mother, and also to benefit numberless sentient beings.” Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Come and learn how to make water bowls offerings and how to empty them with Jackie and Lesta Coughlan, affectionately known as “the Twins.”

Sunday 3rd November

Between 12-1pm

Suggested donation $10

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:

Sundays

• September 22nd
• November 1st
• December 3rd

Time: 1.30pm – 4:30pm

Cost: Donations welcome

Peace begins in the mind and a peaceful mind benefits both you and those around you. Join Venerable Dekyi 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 – Mondays

Starts August 5th

Time – 6pm – 6.50pm

Cost $10

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.

The realization of emptiness is crucial for the attainment of liberation and enlightenment. Learn to develop calm abiding and different methods of meditation on emptiness.

Dates: Monday

• October 21, 28
• November 4, 10

Retreat day Sunday 17th November

Time: 7 – 8.30pm

Cost: $55 / $45 VI members;  Single sessions $15/$12 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 Buddha-hood.  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 6, 13, 20, 27
• September 3, 10
• October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• November 5, 12, 26  (No class 19th November – Lhabab Duchen Puja w Geshe Samten)
• December 3, 10, 17

Time: Tuesday evenings, 7pm – 8.30pm

Cost: $15/$13 (VI Members) 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

Whether we are religious or not, we all want to make the most of our life and not be caught wasting time on distractions. Discover how to make every moment of the day more meaningful and how to transform our mundane activities into the path to lasting happiness.

These teachings are open to everyone!

Dates: Wednesday

• Sep 11, 18, 25
• Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• Nov 6, 13

Time: 10am – 11.30am

Cost: $15 / 13

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 – Wednesday

• Aug 7, 14, 21, 28
• Sep 4, 11, 18, 25
• Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• Nov 6, 13, 20, 27
• Dec 4, 11, 18

Time – 6pm – 7pm

Suggested donation $10

Key Buddhist topics to help us live with an open heart and a clear mind (how to meditate, our potential for Buddha-hood, faith based on logic and experience, death and reincarnation, karma and compassion) Includes hands-on practice in sitting comfortably, setting up an altar and a developing a daily practice.

Dates:

Course 1

Aug 7, 14, 21, 28

Course 2

Oct 23, 30 Nov 6, 13, 20

Time: 7pm – 830pm

Cost: $15 / $13 or package a whole course for $70 / $60

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.

In this class, Geshe la will focus on the famous wisdom chapter (chapter 9) of Shantideva’s classic text ”Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds” on Bodhicitta and the six perfections.  This chapter is a detailed and profound exposition on emptiness, ultimate reality according to Buddhism.

The dialogue takes place between the Madhyamaka school, represented by the author Shantideva, and various other Buddhist and non‐Buddhist schools.

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: Thursdays

• Aug 8, 15, 22, 29
• Sep 5, 12
• September 19th Q&A with Geshe Samten
• September 26th No Class
• Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• Nov 7, 14, 21, 28
• Dec 5, 12, 19

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

Cost: $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.

Dates – Friday

• Aug 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• Sep 6, 13, 20, 27
• Oct 4, 11, 18, 25
• Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• Dec 6, 20

Time – 10am – 11am

Suggested donation $10

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

• Aug 9, 16, 23, 30
• Sep 6, 13, 20, 27
• Oct 18, 25
• Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• Dec 6, 13, 20

Time: 11.15am -12.30pm

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

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

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 9th 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

Peace begins in the mind and a peaceful mind benefits both you and those around you. Join Venerable Dekyi 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 – Sunday

• November 10th

Time – 10.30am

Suggested donation $10

Peace begins in the mind and a peaceful mind benefits both you and those around you. Join Venerable Dekyi 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 – Mondays

Starts August 5th

Time – 6pm – 6.50pm

Cost $10

The realization of emptiness is crucial for the attainment of liberation and enlightenment. Learn to develop calm abiding and different methods of meditation on emptiness.

Dates: Monday

• October 21, 28
• November 4, 10

Retreat day Sunday 17th November

Time: 7 – 8.30pm

Cost: $55 / $45 VI members;  Single sessions $15/$12 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

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.

Medicine Buddha Puja – once each month

Most commonly this puja is performed on behalf of sick people to assist with recovery from illness or an operation and those who are dying. It is also done to achieve higher rebirth for the deceased and is very powerful in bringing about success, both temporary and ultimate. The prayers invoke help from the Seven Medicine Buddhas and Buddha Shakyamuni.

Note: times for Medicine Buddha Pujas vary – please check the calendar for exact times

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 Buddha-hood.  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 6, 13, 20, 27
• September 3, 10
• October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• November 5, 12, 26  (No class 19th November – Lhabab Duchen Puja w Geshe Samten)
• December 3, 10, 17

Time: Tuesday evenings, 7pm – 8.30pm

Cost: $15/$13 (VI Members) 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

Whether we are religious or not, we all want to make the most of our life and not be caught wasting time on distractions. Discover how to make every moment of the day more meaningful and how to transform our mundane activities into the path to lasting happiness.

These teachings are open to everyone!

Dates: Wednesday

• Sep 11, 18, 25
• Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• Nov 6, 13

Time: 10am – 11.30am

Cost: $15 / 13

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 – Wednesday

• Aug 7, 14, 21, 28
• Sep 4, 11, 18, 25
• Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• Nov 6, 13, 20, 27
• Dec 4, 11, 18

Time – 6pm – 7pm

Suggested donation $10

Key Buddhist topics to help us live with an open heart and a clear mind (how to meditate, our potential for Buddha-hood, faith based on logic and experience, death and reincarnation, karma and compassion) Includes hands-on practice in sitting comfortably, setting up an altar and a developing a daily practice.

Dates:

Course 1

Aug 7, 14, 21, 28

Course 2

Oct 23, 30 Nov 6, 13, 20

Time: 7pm – 830pm

Cost: $15 / $13 or package a whole course for $70 / $60

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

In this class, Geshe la will focus on the famous wisdom chapter (chapter 9) of Shantideva’s classic text ”Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds” on Bodhicitta and the six perfections.  This chapter is a detailed and profound exposition on emptiness, ultimate reality according to Buddhism.

The dialogue takes place between the Madhyamaka school, represented by the author Shantideva, and various other Buddhist and non‐Buddhist schools.

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: Thursdays

• Aug 8, 15, 22, 29
• Sep 5, 12
• September 19th Q&A with Geshe Samten
• September 26th No Class
• Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• Nov 7, 14, 21, 28
• Dec 5, 12, 19

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

Cost: $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.

Dates – Friday

• Aug 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• Sep 6, 13, 20, 27
• Oct 4, 11, 18, 25
• Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• Dec 6, 20

Time – 10am – 11am

Suggested donation $10

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

• Aug 9, 16, 23, 30
• Sep 6, 13, 20, 27
• Oct 18, 25
• Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• Dec 6, 13, 20

Time: 11.15am -12.30pm

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

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.

Paul provides participants teaching and instruction most Saturdays. Please confirm dates on the website calendar.

Students are also able to come on a Wednesday morning to use the space as a group for self-directed progression with their artworks.

Please email assistantspc@vajrayana.com.au  for further inquiries, such as a list materials needed for the class.

Dates with Paul Smith: Saturdays (check calendar for dates)

Time: 1pm – 3pm

Cost: $20 / $18 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 assistantspc@vajrayana.com.au

CANCELLED FOR NOVEMBER

DATE 17th

Apologies for the cancellation. This is due to most participants having gone to Guru Bhomstock on this date.

To be continued next year:

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.

The realization of emptiness is crucial for the attainment of liberation and enlightenment. Learn to develop calm abiding and different methods of meditation on emptiness.

Date: Sunday 17th November

Time: 10 – 3.30pm

Cost: $40 / $35 VI members

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 – Sunday

• November 17th

Time – 10.30am

Suggested donation $10