Discovering Buddhism Retreat
We review the main points of the Discovering Buddhism topic covered in the previous weeks. The day is a wonderful opportunity to review and deepen your understanding of the material from the previous weeks. This is a required integration activity for all those doing the Discovering Buddhism course, but the day is also open to anyone with an interest in the topic.

The day is open to everyone though - so don't worry if you have not done the DB unit on the topic! This is an ideal way to get an experiential overview of the material, a a great introduction to the topic.

About the Day
We have 4 sessions throughout the day, each session concentrating on a different aspect of the practice. We also watch the especially prepared 20 minute DVD on the topic in the session after lunch.

About the retreat leader Eddie Peet

Sunday 14 December - Death and Rebirth
10.00 am - 5.00 pm (arrive any time after 9.30 am)
Suggested donation $55 (BYO lunch)

Back to Top

How to Enjoy Buddhist Studies
Studying a new topic is not easy, but it is possible to overcome difficulties and stress and learn to enjoy the study of Tibetan Buddhism. As a student I say this from experience. Because I enjoy studying, I want others to get the same, or a greater, enjoyment than my own. So I would like to share my methods with you.

Having gained this rare ship of freedom and fortune,
Hear, think and meditate unwaveringly night and day
In order to free yourself and others
From the ocean of cyclic existence –
This is the practice of Bodhisattvas

(From Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas)

Through the use of modern study techniques, books, oral teachings and the internet, you will first learn how to accumulate information, then how to think about it without getting confused, and finally how to meditate upon it correctly and joyfully. These methods can be applied to any topic of Buddhist thought.

You will learn various study techniques such as mind mapping, and simple yet effective memorisation techniques. You will also learn a little about the background of the major Tibetan traditions, their similarities and their differences. This information will help you to put the books you read into context, and will clear up many seeming contradictions.

Bring several different coloured pens and some notepaper.

We have a Pocket Dharma CD on how to enjoy Buddhist study, with memorisation techniques, mindmap software, and comparisons between Buddhist lineages.

About the teacher Eddie Peet

Sunday 14th September
10.00 am - 5.00 pm (arrive any time after 9.30 am)
Suggested donation $55 (BYO lunch)
Class notes and study CD provided

Back to Top

Mindfulness Retreat Day
We all get stressed. We all seek relief. Mindfulness can help. Mindfulness is, in its simplest mode, paying attention to each moment of experience with freshness, silence, clarity and precision. Originally taught by the Buddha some 2,500 years ago, mindfulness continues to benefit minds and hearts with its profound simplicity and richness of methods. Modern psychologists and doctors have seen its value and utilized mindfulness in therapy for conditions such as depression, anxiety, pain and stress.

A monthly retreat day to learn and practice mindfulness skills, attitudes and mindsets to foster serenity and insight, deepen our presence, soften our hearts and nurture a more stable inner peace. Guided retreat including short, mindful recitations from the Buddhist tradition, silent sitting alternated with walking meditations. Key instructions at each session, ending with question and answer.

Led by Chris Kang
Contact him direct on (07) 3865 0219 or 0422 295 738

Saturday 1st November
Saturday 13th December
9.00 am - 4.00 pm (arrive from 8.30 am)
By donation

Back to Top

The Dharma Kit-Bag
Everything you ever wanted to know about Buddhist ritual but were afraid to ask!
This is a very popular course that is run once a year. We learn how to set up an altar and offer water bowls, and the meaning behind these activities. We also learn how to do long and short prostrations and the visualisations accompanying this practice. The course covers gompa etiquette, how to treat the Sangha, and how to relate to Geshe-la. We spend a large part of the day learning and practicing the long mandala - the 3-tiered rice offering representing an entire and perfect world-system.

What to Bring

• Piece of fabric 1 metre square (clean, preferably not slippery)
• 1kg bag of rice ('fat' rice, like Arborio)
• New 1 litre jug (plastic is OK, with a good pouring spout)
• New tea towel
• Mala (rosary) if you have one

About the teacher Miffi Maxmillion

Pocket Dharma CD with instructions on offering the long mandala, tunes for different occasions, and a 20-page booklet to print out.

Next workshop early 2009
Please email us if you want to be reminded
10.00 am - 5.00 pm (arrive any time after 9.30 am)
Suggested donation $75/$95 (with free vegetarian lunch)

It is essential you book at least 1 week in advance so we have time to prepare the materials (the last course was cancelled due not not enough people, and then we had 4 enquiries on the day before the course! - this is just not enough time for us to prepare all the wonderful goodies you get on the day!)

Back to Top

Meditation Practice Day
Next Topic Yet to be announced
Deepen your understanding and experience of the Buddha's teachings by actually training the mind in compassionate and constructive activity. These meditations are a way of connecting with our own 'buddha nature', our pristine blissful mind, and removing obscurations and negativities that cloud our experience. Instead of focusing on and identifying with our usual limited self-image, we connect ourselves to an enlightened experience, thus bringing the future result into the present.

About the Day
You can come for the whole day, or just one session. Each session will concentrate on a different aspect of the practice. The day is open to everyone - those who are familiar with the practice and done the initiation, as well as those completely new to meditation or to Buddhism. There is plenty of opportunity to ask questions as we go.

Session 1 - 10 am - 11.30 am
Session 2 - 11.45 am - 1.00 pm
Session 3 - 2.00 pm - 3.15 pm
Session 4 - 3.30 pm - 5.00 pm

About the retreat leader Miffi Maxmillion

Date yet to be announced
10.00 am - 5.00 pm (arrive any time after 9.30 am)
Suggested donation $20/$5 per session (BYO lunch)