A rich array of events, teachings and retreats are held at the Peaceful Land of Joy Meditation Centre throughout the year. Here are some highlights from the past six months and a glimpse of others to come.
Volunteer thank you event
This year’s volunteer thank-you event was held on April 11 at the Living Legends Café in Woodlands Historic Park. Around 20 people gathered for a warm and enjoyable afternoon of good food and good company.
Our annual volunteer thank-you is a wonderful opportunity for the volunteer community to come together over an afternoon tea hosted by the Tibetan Buddhist Society (TBS), celebrating and acknowledging everyone’s contribution during the past year. If you are interested in becoming involved, please explore the Volunteer Hub.
Geshe Doga’s special teaching on bodhichitta
On May 16, we were honoured to welcome Geshe Doga from Tara Institute. A long time friend of our founder, Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden and our centre, Geshe Doga gave a beautiful teaching on bodhichitta that blessed all those gathered in the temple.
Loden Rinpoche turns 10 years old!
Loden Rinpoche recently turned 10 years old and celebrated his birthday in the warm-hearted presence of his teacher Geshe Penpa (with Rinpoche above right) and other members of his household at Loden Labrang. Loden Rinpoche is the re-incarnation of our holy teacher, Geshe Loden and currently attends the Sera-Je School in India.
Retreat news
Winter retreat: This year’s winter retreat, led by Martin Horan centred on Geshe Chekawa’s seminal text, Mind Training in Seven Points. Over six days, attendees enjoyed a masterful explanation of the root text and Geshe Loden’s commentary, complemented by beautiful meditations. Beyond this detailed study of the text, Martin’s presentation skilfully wove in all the key aspects of the path to enlightenment, giving the retreat a richness and breadth that extended well beyond the topic of mind training.
Day retreats: The centre also delighted in presenting two one-day retreats; Medicine Buddha – reflection, practice and healing led by Anna Goldstein in July, and A celebration of meditation – four joyful practices led by Nick Sleeman in August. Over 50 people attended these two events which were thoroughly enjoyed by participants.
Upcoming retreat: Our annual Vajrayana retreat starts next week! We are delighted that Les Sheehy, director of the Perth TBS centre, will lead this three-week retreat that will focus on the full array of meditative practices as presented in Geshe-la’s Path to the Union of Clear Light and Illusory Body. Les is a long-time student of Geshe Loden and is renowned as a wonderful and generous teacher.
Study group
Our current study group began in October 2022 after the idea was suggested at a TBS community meeting. Since then, we have explored Geshe-la’s profound teachings on Buddha potential and emptiness drawn from his texts The Fundamental Potential for Enlightenment and Great Treasury of Mahamudra.
Past and present members alike have all contributed to sessions that stay engaging and thought-provoking term after term. This year, our focus has been tantra mahamudra, open to practitioners who hold highest yoga tantra initiations. Term 4 begins on October 10 and will explore the concluding chapters of Great Treasury of Mahamudra.
Upcoming events
Spring festival: The annual Buddhist Spring Festival on Saturday 8 November from 10 am and 3 pm promises to be a beautiful event. The theme of the festival is Being present, grateful and happy! Activities include the very special Ceremony for World Peace, guided meditations, an address by a visiting teacher, temple tours, children’s meditation, garden tours, and the festival cafe.
TBS community meeting: All members, students and friends of the TBS are warmly invited to be part of our next biannual community meeting. It will be held in the temple on November 28 at 2:00pm. If you can’t make it in person, you can also join online. Everyone is welcome to participate. Watch out for an email with more details closer to the event.
Garden open day: Many people comment on the serenity and peace they experience at the Peaceful Land of Joy Meditation Centre. In Spring, this tranquillity is even more pronounced with roses and golden robinias encircling the temple lawn, Californian redwoods providing welcome shade, wildlife enjoying the lakes, and thousands of other flowers and foliage. Our garden open day on 21 November is a golden opportunity to relax, meander and unwind. Enjoy a Devonshire tea, browse the Enjoyment Shop for beautiful gifts for Christmas or join a guided meditation or garden tour.
And, if you’d like to help prepare the gardens and temple for the spring festival and garden open day, come along to the working bee on 17 October.
Term 4 Sunday classes begin on 11 October at the Tibetan Buddhist Society, 20 Cookes Road, Yuroke. Join us for Introduction to Buddhist philosophy and meditation at 1:30 pm and the Path to enlightenment series at 3:00 pm. All welcome.