What we offer – the centre’s programme and events
 Regular Programme @ Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling 

Through the kindness of our resident teachers, facilitators and staff at the centre, we are able to offer the following classes, retreats, empowerments and courses, etc. 

We do hope that you are able to make the most of this extra-ordinary opportunity and attend some of the events on offer. 
 

Teachings and Retreat weekends with Ven. Geshe Sangey Thinley (Geshe-la)
Our Resident Spiritual teacher
Taught in Tibetan and translated into English by Mr. Tenzin Thubwang:

Classes with Ven. Geshe Jamyang Sherab
translated by Mr. Tenzin Thubwang

Classes with Ven. Ani Jampa Tsekyi

Classes with Mr. Tenzin Thubwang

 
Cost to attend
Everything is by donation.  If you budget on donating $5 upwards for each time you come to the centre for the class/course – then you are getting it about right.  Your donation enables us to make a donation to the tutors at the end of the year, and covers some of the cost of providing the facilities etc.  Please make your donation to the facilitator if you require a tax receipt, or simply place in the donation box in the meditation room. 
 

Monthly Buddhist Practices
Celebrations of special Buddhist days take place at the centre on a regular basis. 

Monthly Calendar
Check the calendar for weekly, monthly events.  If you are coming to the centre for the first time, it may be wise to give Ani Tsekyi a call first, to confirm that the event you wish to attend is on, and she can also be there to welcome you. 
 
 
Weekly Classes and Teachings with Ven. Geshe Sangey Thinley (Geshe-la) 
our Resident Spiritual teacher.   Taught in Tibetan and translated into English by Mr. Tenzin Thubwang. 

Each Monday  -  7.00 to 9.00pm:  
Buddhist Teachings. Ven. Geshe Sangey Thinley teaches on the great Buddhist text: The Bodhisattva’s Way of Life by the Indian Master Shantideva.   

Each Thursday  -   7.00 to 9.00pm:
Pujas and Ceremonies.  Ven. Geshe Sangey Thinley is teaching us different traditional Buddhist ceremonial prayers each Thursday, with each Thursday in the month being a different ceremony: Green Tara, Chenrezig (Buddha of Compassion), Medicine Buddha and the last Thursday of the month, Geshe-la will teach different hand mudras and rituals. 

Each Sunday - 10 to 11.30am
Spiritual Advice. Geshe-la will give a short talk, question and answer session and short meditation followed by Tea and Biscuits.  This is an especially good day for beginners.   
 
 
Workshop Weekends and Practice Retreats with Geshe Sangey Thinley 

A precious opportunity to receive the oral transmission of these teachings and empowerments from Geshe Sangey Thinley, and participate in a practice retreat in a supportive environment. Weekends are teachings based, during the week we practice. Everyone is welcome ~ check the website or call for information. Bookings are essential.

You are most welcome to attend these teachings and/ or practice retreats at Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling, taught and guided by Ven. Geshe Sangey Thinley.  

It is possible just to attend either the weekend teachings, or the week-long practice retreat, or both.   

It is even ok to attend a few of the retreat practice sessions if you can.   

There are three Retreat and Practice weeks @ the Centre this year: 

The week-long practice retreat will be held in silence, and all food offered during this time will be vegetarian. 

Accommodation:  There is simple, limited and shared accommodation available for retreatants, early booking is recommended.  Bookings for accommodation will only be confirmed with full payment for the accommodation.
 
Contribution towards retreats: Anyone who wishes to attend the teachings or retreats is welcome. Please donate according to your ability, or you can give service in exchange.

Donations go towards helping cover our costs; contribution to the Sangha, translators, cost of meals, provision of materials, etc.  All donations are tax deductible and gratefully received.   

These amounts are guidelines only - if you are unable to contribute financially, there may be another way (contact Ani Tsekyi to arrange this):   

Weekend teachings: $50
Week Practice Retreat (unaccommodated):  $100  
Accommodation: $20 per night, paid in advance to confirm booking
(plus contribution to other costs.) 

Call Ani Tsekyi at the Retreat House, to book or for more information: 09 435 4401 

 
Sunday 21st to Friday 26th June - Tara Empowerment, Commentary and Retreat 
  
..


Silent Practice Retreat: Green Tara: Monday 8th to Friday 12th June

*Sessions:
*5am to 8am
8:15am - Breakfast
*9:30 to 11:30am
12pm - lunch
*2:30 to 4:30
5pm - Dinner
*6 to 9pm 
 

Last Practice Session: Friday 12th June
*6am to 8am
Silence broken: 8:15am - Breakfast
9:30 to 11:30 – Teachings with Geshe Sangey Thinley
12pm - lunch 
 

Friday 25 September to Friday the 2nd October 
Cultivation of Love, Compassion and Wisdom Retreat: 
 

Teachings Weekend: Friday 25 September to Sunday 27th November:

Schedule:
Friday 25th September
7pm to 9pm – Teachings with Geshe Sangey Thinley 

Saturday 26th September
9am – Meditation with Ani Tsekyi
10am to 11:30am – Teachings with Geshe Sangey Thinley
12pm - Lunch
2pm to 3pm – Discussion Group
3:30 to 5:00 – Teachings with Geshe Sangey Thinley
6:00pm – Dinner
7:00 – Tara Puja 

Sunday 27th September
9am – Meditation at the Stupa with Ani Tsekyi
10am – Chenrezig Empowerment with Ven. Geshe Sangey Thinley
12pm – lunch
2 to 4pm – Commentary on Chenrezig Practice with Ven. Geshe Sangey Thinley
5pm – Dinner

*6 to 9pm: Retreat and silence Starts 
 

Silent Practice Retreat: Chenrezig: Monday 28th September to Friday 2nd October

*Sessions:
*5am to 8am
8:15am - Breakfast
*9:30 to 11:30am
12pm - lunch
*2:30 to 4:30
5pm - Dinner
*6 to 9pm 

Friday 3rd October
Last Practice Session 
*6am to 8am
Silence broken: 8:15am - Breakfast
9:30 to 11:30 – Teachings with Geshe Sangey Thinley
12pm - lunch 
 

Friday 20th to Friday 27th November 2009
Teachings on Four Noble Truths with a Vajrasattva Initiation and Practice Retreat. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to receive the oral transmission of these teachings, initiation and guidance from Geshe Sangey Thinley, and participate in a practice retreat in a supportive environment.

It is possible to attend JUST the weekend retreat, or JUST the week-long practice retreat. And of course, best if you are able to do both.
You are most welcome to join in any of the sessions - just be mindful of the full time retreatants.

The week will consist of:
Teachings Weekend: On the Four Noble Truth - the very first set of teachings the Buddha gave, after he became Enlightened.

Schedule:
Friday 20th November
7pm to 9pm – Teachings with Geshe Sangey Thinley

Saturday 21st November
9am – Meditation with Ani Tsekyi
10am to 11:30am – Teachings with Geshe Sangey Thinley
12pm - Lunch
2pm to 3pm – Discussion Group
3:30 to 5:00 – Teachings with Geshe Sangey Thinley
6:00pm – Dinner


Sunday 22nd November
9am – Meditation at the Stupa with Ani Tsekyi
10am – Vajrasattva Initiation with Ven. Geshe Sangey Thinley
12pm – lunch
2 to 4pm – Commentary on Vajrasattva Practice with Ven. Geshe Sangey Thinley
5pm – Dinner

*6 to 9pm: Retreat and silence Starts

Silent Practice Retreat: Vajrasattva
Sunday 22nd to Friday 27th November:

*Sessions:
*5am to 8am
8:15am - Breakfast
*9:30 to 11:30am
12pm - lunch
*2:30 to 4:30
5pm - Dinner
*6 to 9pm

Last Practice Session on Friday:
*6am to 8am
Silence broken: 8:15am - Breakfast
9:30 to 11:30 – Teachings with Geshe Sangey Thinley
12pm - lunch

The week-long practice retreat will be held in silence, and all food offered during this time will be vegetarian.

Accommodation: There is simple, limited and shared accommodation available for retreatants, early booking is recommended. Bookings for accommodation will only be confirmed with full payment for the accommodation.

Contribution towards retreats: Anyone who wishes to attend the teachings or retreats is welcome. Please donate according to your ability, or you can give service in exchange.

Donations go towards helping cover our costs; contribution to the Sangha, translators, cost of meals, provision of materials, etc. All donations are tax deductible and gratefully received.

These amounts are guidelines only - if you are unable to contribute financially, there may be another way (contact Ani Tsekyi to arrange this):

Weekend teachings: $50
Week Practice Retreat (unaccommodated): $120
Whole week/weekend $170
Includes simple vegetarian meals and materials.

Accommodation:
$20 per night (members)
$25 per night (non-members),
paid in advance to confirm booking.

Call Ani Tsekyi (pronounced: Seki) at the Retreat House, to book or for more information: 09 435 4401

 

Teachings Weekend: Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd November: 
 Schedule:

Friday 20th November
7pm to 9pm – Teachings With Geshe Sangey Thinley 

Saturday 21st November
9am – Meditation with Ani Tsekyi
10am to 11:30 – Teachings with Ven. Geshe Sangey Thinley
12pm - Lunch
2pm to 3pm – Discussion Group
3:30 to 5:00: Teachings with Ven. Geshe Sangey Thinley
6:00pm – Dinner
7:00 – Tara Puja 

Sunday 22nd
9am – Meditation at the Stupa with Ani Tsekyi
10am – Refuge Ceremony with Ven. Geshe Sangey Thinley
12pm – lunch
2 to 4pm – Teachings on Dharma Practice with Ven. Geshe Sangey Thinley
5pm – Dinner
*6 to 9pm: Retreat Starts 
 

Silent Practice Retreat: Vajrasattva: Monday 23rd to Friday 27th November
*Sessions:
*5am to 8am
8:15am - Breakfast
*9:30 to 11:30am
12pm - lunch
*2:30 to 4:30
5pm - Dinner
*6 to 9pm 

Friday 27th November
Last Practice Session 
*6am to 8am
Silence broken: 8:15am - Breakfast
9:30 to 11:30 – Teachings with Geshe Sangey Thinley
12pm - lunch
2pm – Tsog Offering 


 

Classes with Ven. Geshe Jamyang Sherab
 translated by Mr. Tenzin Thubwang 

Tools for Life for Teenagers
Ven. Geshe Jamyang the Spiritual and Cultural Director at Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling, is also a qualified spiritual teacher.  It takes many many years to become a Geshe through the monastic system, and it is reallyF wonderful that Ven. Geshe Jamyang Sherab is teaching teenagers in preparation for their years to come. 

Ven. Geshe Jamyang Sherabs classes are on Fridays from 4pm to 5pm.
They will start again from Friday 19th June and are open to anyone between the ages of 12 to 19. 
 

Classes facilitated by Ven. Ani Jampa Tsekyi
 
Weekly Meditations for tranquillity, Inner Peace and/or Healing
Meditations @ the centre are guided and contain two parts: a stabilisation meditation and an analytical meditation. For the stabilisation meditation we usually focus our awareness upon the breath. The purpose of this meditation is to quieten down our rushing thoughts and to achieve a focussed and single pointed mind. When we have quietened down our busy minds we move to the next stage: the analytical meditation. For the analytical meditation every time we focus on a different subject. Analytical meditation means simply: thinking deeply about a specific subject without being distracted by thoughts other than the subject itself. This meditation will be an analysis about a specific subject like: What is the mind, this precious human life, equanimity, death and impermanence, loving kindness, transforming problems etc.

Ven. Ani Tsekyi (Seki) is the facilitator at the centre for meditation.   
She gives two classes a week at the centre:

Always check the Calendar to see when special events like Buddha Days or Pujas take place instead of the Meditation. 

Spiritual practices for families - Tuesdays from 4 to 5:30pm
Ani Tsekyi (Seki) is a Tibetan Buddhist nun of 6 years.  She is wonderful with children and has a lot to offer families through this course.  You and your children are welcome to attend her ‘family days’ – to work on spiritual activities and practices together.  Develop these simple and effective practices now as training for your children so that they have happier and more fulfilling lives.
For more information, please call Ani Tsekyi on 435 4401 
 
 
Classes with Mr. Tenzin Thubwang  

Mr. Tenzin Thubwang:  Discovering Buddhism, Tibetan Language Classes and Mandala Art Workshops
Tenzin was a monk at Namgyal Monastery in Dharamsala for many years.  Although he is no longer a monk, the skills and training from Namgyal Monastery remain with him and is what he has to offer at the centre through his classes.  He is a hugely talented person, and it is a privilege for the centre to be able to offer these courses with Tenzin. 
 

Discovering Buddhism Courses
We run two courses at the Centre, one for beginners – for folk with no or very little Buddhist knowledge or experience, just checking it all out.  What is Tibetan Buddhism about – is it something for me or not?  Tenzin will talk about Tibetan Buddhism, it’s history, roots and what it all means. 

The intermediate course is for folk who have a basic understanding, are a bit more serious about the study of Tibetan Buddhism, and want to learn more. 

The Discovering Buddhism Courses run on Tuesdays from 7 to 9pm.  
If you are interested in doing a course, please contact Tenzin at the centre to  
confirm dates.  435 4444 


Tibetan Language Classes 
 Tenzin has been teaching Tibetan to foreign students for years, and is a wonderful language teacher.  Learning Tibetan is an important thing for anyone seriously interested in learning about Tibetan Buddhism.  It’s also fun and interesting.  If you have not attended a class before, and are interested in coming along – please give Tenzin a call on 435 4444 
Tenzin teaches Tibetan language on Fridays from 5:30 to 7pm. 

Private lessons are available too.  Please chat to Tenzin about these. 
 

Mandala Art Workshops
Tenzin is also a skilled artist.  Ven. Geshe Jamyang Sherab and Tenzin will run these art workshops together – they are guaranteed to be both fun and a learning experience.  Please give Tenzin a call on 435 4444 to book your workshop space and for details about what you need to bring for the afternoon.   
Cost $45 per person, per workshop. Space is limited.   

2009 Workshop Dates:
 Art Workshops with Tenzin Thubwang - from 2 to 5pm on these Saturday afternoons:

Costs: $55 per person. When you book, Tenzin will let you know what to bring.

Buddhism for beginners -

Discovering Buddhism for Beginners
26 May, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Sept 15, 22, 29, & Oct 6

Discovering Buddhism, going deeper
July 21, 28 & Aug 4, 11, 18, 25
Oct 20, 27 & Nov 3, 10, 17, 24
 

Monthly Buddhist Practices

With the support of our resident monks, the centre practices the following Tibetan Buddhist monthly practices: 
Please check the monthly calendar for confirmation of the practices, their times etc.  If you are coming to the centre for one of these practices for the first time, please give Ani Tsekyi a call on 435 4401 so that we know you are coming.   

The usual time for Tsog and Medicine Buddha Pujas is at 7pm, and Tara Puja is 10am.

Sponsorship
Sponsorship of these ceremonies is a very good way to make merit (positive spiritual energy), and can be very helpful for difficult times – for either yourself or someone else.  Please give Ani Tsekyi a call on 435 4401 if you would like to do this.

May: 
Guru Puja with Tsog May 4; Guru Puja with Tsog May 19  
Tara Puja, May 2 and May 31  
Medicine Buddha, May 9  
 
June:  
Guru Puja with Tsog June 2; Guru Puja with Tsog June 18  
Saka Dawa, June 7  
Tara Puja, June 30  
Lord Buddha's birth, enlightenment and parinirvana

July:  
Guru Puja with Tsog July 2 and July 31; Guru Puja with Tsog July 17  
HH the Dalai Lama's birthday July 6  
Medicine Buddha, July 7  
Tara Puja, July 29

August:  
Gury Puja with Tsog August 15; Guru Puja with Tsog August 30  
Medicine Buddha, August 5  
Tara Puja, August 28

September:  
Guru Puja with Tsog Sept. 14; Guru Puja with Tsog Sept. 28  
Medicine Buddha, Sept. 4  
Tara Puja, Sept. 26

October:  
Gury Puja with Tsog Oct. 13; Guru Puja with Tsog Oct. 28  
Medicine Buddha, Oct. 4  
Tara Puja, Oct. 26

November: Gury Puja with Tsog Nov. 11; Guru Puja with Tsog Nov. 27  
Medicine Buddha, Nov. 2  
Lord Buddha's descent from Tushita Nov. 9
Tara Puja, Nov. 25

December:  
Guru Puja with Tsog Dec. 11; Guru Puja with Tsog Dec. 26  
Medicine Buddha, Dec. 2 and Dec. 31  
Lama Tsongkhapa day, Dec. 11  
Tara Puja, Dec. 24