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

• 6, 13, 20, 27 Feb
• 6, 13, 20, 27 March
• 3, 10, 17, 24 April
• 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 May
• 5, 12, 19, 26 June

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: Each course runs for 5 weeks on Wednesday evenings

Course 1 – February 6, 13, 20, 27 March 6

Course 2 – March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24

May 1st and May 8th Special classes – all welcome

Course 3 – May 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12

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

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: Thursday

• 7, 14, 21, 28 Feb
• 7, 28 March
• 4, 11, 18, (no class Anzac Day 25th April)
• 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 May
• 6, 13, 20 June

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

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: Every Thursday

• March 7, 14, 21, 28
• April 4, 11, 18, (no class Anzac Day 25th April)
• May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• June 6, 13, 20, 27

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

Cost: $260/$230 (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.

Dates – Friday

• 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Feb
• 8, 15, 22, 29 March
• 5, 12, 26 April (19 April Public Holiday)
• 3 May

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

• 22, 29 Feb
• 8, 15, 22, 29 March
• 5, 12, 19 April
• 3 May

Time: 11.15am -12.30pm

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

Join senior students Phil and Tania for an evening of teachings with Rinpoche.

Known for his unpredictable teaching style, Lama Zopa Rinpoche often will change the subject to better suit the needs of the students. As an FPMT centre we place all our vision, practices, and programs under his guidance. Just meeting Rinpoche is extremely special, much less directly hearing his unique humour, insight, and compassion! Rinpoche will be returning to Australia next year so this is a good opportunity to familiarise yourself with his teaching style & language etc. before the Bendigo 2020 retreat.

This months video teaching is on the 8 Verses of Thought Transformation from Rinpoche’s 2018 visit to Hobart.

In this video Rinpoche begins the teaching by explaining that the Eight Verses of Thought Transformation was composed by Kadampa Geshe Langri Tangpa. This is a Bodhichitta practice equalising I and others and exchanging oneself with others. Nagarjuna said “whatever suffering the sentient beings have, may it be ripened to me, all that. Whatever happiness merits I have collected may it ripened upon all sentient beings” 

Phil and Tania are on the FPMT transcribing team & regularly help with Rinpoche’s teachings. They do transcribing & have attended many retreats with Rinpoche so are familiar with his language and teachings style. Tania actually did the transcribing for the Hobart teachings so will be able to help clarify anything you may not understand.

Date: 3rd May

Time: 7pm

Cost: Suggested donation $10

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.

Paul provides participants teaching and instruction every second week. Students are encouraged to attend and self direct on the alternate weeks.

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 office@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

• 3 Feb
• 3 March
• 7 April
• 5 May
• 2 June

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.

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

• 3, 10, 17, 24 Feb
• 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 March
• 7, 14, 28 April
• 5, 12, 19, 26, May
• 3, 9, 23, 30 June

Time – 10.30am – 11.30am

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 – Monday

• April 29
• May 5, 13, 20, 27
• June  3, 10, 24

Time – 6pm – 6.50pm

Cost $10

These days many films explore themes of spirituality, narrate the history and evolution of Buddhism, and invite us to consider life’s bigger ideas. Join us each Monday night for a fun social evening watching a Dharma movie on our new AV system in the Gompa.

May 27th – Cave in the Snow

June 3rd – Journey to Enlightenment

Everyone welcome! Donations appreciated!

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

• February 26
• March 5, 12, 19, 26
• April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• May 7, 14, 21, 28

Time: Tuesday evenings, 7pm – 8.30pm

Cost: $250/$225 for the Semester Package or  $15/$13 per session. Please use the register button below to book the package or pay for single sessions at reception before class.

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

• 6, 13, 20, 27 Feb
• 6, 13, 20, 27 March
• 3, 10, 17, 24 April
• 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 May
• 5, 12, 19, 26 June

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: Each course runs for 5 weeks on Wednesday evenings

Course 1 – February 6, 13, 20, 27 March 6

Course 2 – March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24

May 1st and May 8th Special classes – all welcome

Course 3 – May 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12

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

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: Thursday

• 7, 14, 21, 28 Feb
• 7, 28 March
• 4, 11, 18, (no class Anzac Day 25th April)
• 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 May
• 6, 13, 20 June

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

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: Every Thursday

• March 7, 14, 21, 28
• April 4, 11, 18, (no class Anzac Day 25th April)
• May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• June 6, 13, 20, 27

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

Cost: $260/$230 (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.

Dates – Friday

• 10, 17, 24, May
• 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 June

Time – 10am – 11am

Suggested donation $10

The three higher trainings — triśikṣa in Sanskrit — are arguably the most important teachings to a Buddhist. Sometimes the three trainings are described as “ethics, concentration and wisdom” and other times as “discipline, meditation, and wisdom” — but, either way, the words don’t capture the essence of these higher trainings, which after all, ultimately are the path to full liberation.

Even though they sound straight-forward — there’s nothing complicated about the notions of ethics, concentration and wisdom — they are considered higher trainings, and by definition, are sophisticated and nuanced teachings. They apply to all Buddhists, regardless of path: Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana.

Date: Saturday 11th May

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

• 3, 10, 17, 24 Feb
• 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 March
• 7, 14, 28 April
• 5, 12, 19, 26, May
• 3, 9, 23, 30 June

Time – 10.30am – 11.30am

Suggested donation $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.

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 – Monday

• April 29
• May 5, 13, 20, 27
• June  3, 10, 24

Time – 6pm – 6.50pm

Cost $10

These days many films explore themes of spirituality, narrate the history and evolution of Buddhism, and invite us to consider life’s bigger ideas. Join us each Monday night for a fun social evening watching a Dharma movie on our new AV system in the Gompa.

May 27th – Cave in the Snow

June 3rd – Journey to Enlightenment

Everyone welcome! Donations appreciated!

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.

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

• February 26
• March 5, 12, 19, 26
• April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• May 7, 14, 21, 28

Time: Tuesday evenings, 7pm – 8.30pm

Cost: $250/$225 for the Semester Package or  $15/$13 per session. Please use the register button below to book the package or pay for single sessions at reception before class.

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

• 6, 13, 20, 27 Feb
• 6, 13, 20, 27 March
• 3, 10, 17, 24 April
• 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 May
• 5, 12, 19, 26 June

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: Each course runs for 5 weeks on Wednesday evenings

Course 1 – February 6, 13, 20, 27 March 6

Course 2 – March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24

May 1st and May 8th Special classes – all welcome

Course 3 – May 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12

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

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: Thursday

• 7, 14, 21, 28 Feb
• 7, 28 March
• 4, 11, 18, (no class Anzac Day 25th April)
• 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 May
• 6, 13, 20 June

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

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: Every Thursday

• March 7, 14, 21, 28
• April 4, 11, 18, (no class Anzac Day 25th April)
• May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• June 6, 13, 20, 27

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

Cost: $260/$230 (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.

Dates – Friday

• 10, 17, 24, May
• 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 June

Time – 10am – 11am

Suggested donation $10

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.

Paul provides participants teaching and instruction every second week. Students are encouraged to attend and self direct on the alternate weeks.

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 office@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

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 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

• 3, 10, 17, 24 Feb
• 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 March
• 7, 14, 28 April
• 5, 12, 19, 26, May
• 3, 9, 23, 30 June

Time – 10.30am – 11.30am

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 – Monday

• April 29
• May 5, 13, 20, 27
• June  3, 10, 24

Time – 6pm – 6.50pm

Cost $10

These days many films explore themes of spirituality, narrate the history and evolution of Buddhism, and invite us to consider life’s bigger ideas. Join us each Monday night for a fun social evening watching a Dharma movie on our new AV system in the Gompa.

May 27th – Cave in the Snow

June 3rd – Journey to Enlightenment

Everyone welcome! Donations appreciated!

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

• February 26
• March 5, 12, 19, 26
• April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• May 7, 14, 21, 28

Time: Tuesday evenings, 7pm – 8.30pm

Cost: $250/$225 for the Semester Package or  $15/$13 per session. Please use the register button below to book the package or pay for single sessions at reception before class.

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

• 6, 13, 20, 27 Feb
• 6, 13, 20, 27 March
• 3, 10, 17, 24 April
• 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 May
• 5, 12, 19, 26 June

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: Each course runs for 5 weeks on Wednesday evenings

Course 1 – February 6, 13, 20, 27 March 6

Course 2 – March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24

May 1st and May 8th Special classes – all welcome

Course 3 – May 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12

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

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: Thursday

• 7, 14, 21, 28 Feb
• 7, 28 March
• 4, 11, 18, (no class Anzac Day 25th April)
• 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 May
• 6, 13, 20 June

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

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: Every Thursday

• March 7, 14, 21, 28
• April 4, 11, 18, (no class Anzac Day 25th April)
• May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• June 6, 13, 20, 27

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

Cost: $260/$230 (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.

Dates – Friday

• 10, 17, 24, May
• 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 June

Time – 10am – 11am

Suggested donation $10

The greatest danger about the past is its becoming our future. The Will to Awaken is the determination not to allow this to happen. It requires us to re-evaluate many of our unexamined assumptions about ourselves and our life and what we could possibly do with both. The Will to Awaken along with the Awakened Heart and Mind comprise the Three Principal Aspects of the Buddhist Path.

Through talks, meditations and discussions we’ll explore the contemplations included in the Will to Awaken that help us to leave behind the fixed, repetitive stories that more-or-less keep us stuck and to genuinely open to change for the better.

Suitable for all.

Dates: Saturday May 25

Time: 10am – 4pm

Cost: $60 / $53 (VI Members) per day

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.

Paul provides participants teaching and instruction every second week. Students are encouraged to attend and self direct on the alternate weeks.

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 office@vajrayana.com.au

Who is Vajrayogini? She is the ultimate flowering of the female energy that lies within all of us, a fully enlightened buddha, the essence of totality- beyond duality, beyond ego, and fully controlled. Emphasizing wisdom, the yoga method of Vajrayogini trains us to identify with her divine qualities and leads us on the quickest path to enlightenment.

“The Vajrayogini yoga method is extremely powerful. It is just what we need in these degenerate times, with our delusions running rampant and our minds grasping at concretized sense pleasures. Therefore, a method such as this, which has the wisdom to transform delusions, is of the utmost need, especially as it has the profound property of becoming more powerful as delusions becomes stronger.” –Lama Thubten Yeshe

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 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

• 3, 10, 17, 24 Feb
• 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 March
• 7, 14, 28 April
• 5, 12, 19, 26, May
• 3, 9, 23, 30 June

Time – 10.30am – 11.30am

Suggested donation $10

Given the rising number of individuals working in high stress occupations, Balancing Emotions is especially relevant. It provides a number of different, practical emotional skills which lead to a better understanding of our emotional life and support an increase in constructive emotional episodes.

Through careful investigation of our mental and emotional life and our embodied experience, we can generate superb emotional balance. Suitable for everyone whether you are religious or not.

A series of five workshops based on the Cultivating Emotional Balance program will be presented centering on emotional experiences of anger, sadness, fear, disgust & contempt, and the enjoyable emotions including happiness. These workshops will run for four hours and will introduce people to the psychology of emotions and contemplative practices in order to bring awareness to those emotional experiences. The workshops will consist of presentation, discussion, group participation, personal reflection and journaling, and importantly contemplative practice to cultivate attentional balance, emotional balance and understand the stories and thoughts that arise when we are in the grip of an emotional experience.

Dates – Sunday

• 24 Feb – Anger
• 24 March – Sadness
• 28 April – Fear 
• 26 May – Enjoyable Emotions *Unfortunately this event has been CANCELLED
• TBA – Contempt and Disgust

Time – 1pm – 5pm

Cost – $50 / $40 Members or package all 5 for $240 / $190

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

About the Teacher

Angela Blazely is a certified Cultivating Emotional Balance trainer and qualified Clinical Neuropsychologist, with over 20 years experience in clinical practice.  Angela’s interest in contemplative practice developed out of a personal desire to understand the nature of the mind, what it is, how it works and how we experience the world we inhabit.  After many years of studying and practising Neuropsychology, Angela pursued a personal contemplative practice and attended retreats under the guidance of Dr Alan Wallace.  Through this, she was introduced to the programme of Cultivating Emotional Balance, finding there an opportunity to explore the intersection between the science of emotion and contemplative practice.  Her interest in teaching Cultivating Emotional Balance lies in offering people the opportunity to explore their emotional world, the mind, and what it can mean to develop a genuine sense of well-being. Her personal interests include spending time with her husband, and spoiling her cats.