Kopan Downunder with Geshe Phuntsok Tsultrim

Our annual lam-rim (Graduated Path to Enlightenment) retreat is affectionately called Kopan Downunder as a nod to the iconic Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, where the first lam-rim courses for westerners were held in the seventies with our founders, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe.

Do not engage in any harmful actions;
Perform only those that are good;
Subdue your own mind –
This is the teaching of the Buddha.

Why choose to go on a lam-rim retreat? Because, as Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains: the lam-rim contains every single teaching of the Buddha, and is incredibly beneficial due to its specific purpose – to subdue the mind. As Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains: ‘The more you renounce delusion and the suffering nature of samsara, the more content and peaceful the mind becomes.’

Our distilled 10 day lam-rim is an amazing opportunity to gain a complete overview of the Buddhist path and fully immerse yourself in practice. Our resident Tibetan Lama Geshe Tsultrim will take you step-by-step through Buddhist principles and psychology; you will investigate ways of subduing the mind, and explore methods of cultivating wisdom and compassion, the two goals of the path to enlightenment. This fascinating retreat encompasses guided meditation sessions, discussion groups and explanations of the Buddhist world-view and psychology.

You will be able to experience daily life in our thriving Buddhist community, and discover the relevance and freshness of traditional Buddhist teachings to your own life. The lam-rim has been greatly appreciated many thousands of people as an excellent means for clarifying their direction in life, no matter their religion or philosophy.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained that even one syllable of a lam-rim teaching is powerful and can be seen by the practitioner as a personal instruction towards achieving enlightenment.

Join us at the start of the New Year for this wonderful retreat, and discover ways to transform your own life. All welcome!

When you transform your heart, you are the creator of your happiness and peace, liberation and enlightenment. Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Saturday 2nd January 6.30pm – Tuesday 12th 1:30pm. Facility fee $550.

No vouchers or redemption’s accepted for this Retreat. The only discount that applies is a 10% discount for members and concession card holders. Accommodation and meals available separately. Book online.
——–

Geshe Tsultrim was born in Tibet and at age 14 was admitted to Sera Je monastery, where after 18 years of studying the five textual systems, he completed his Geshe degree (the equivalent of a doctorate in Buddhist studies). He taught Buddhist philosophy at TCV School, Bylakuppee for two years before returning to Sera Je. Geshe Tsultrim also spent some time teaching at Root Institute where he was immensely popular for the warm and approachable way in which he presented the Dharma.

Having met the Dharma in 1990, Venerable Chokyi ordained with Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche in 2006. Venerable Chokyi lives at Vajrayana Institute where she has been studying the Basic Program with Geshe Samten for the past ten years. Venerable Chokyi is Spiritual Program Coordinator at Vajrayana Institute where she has been leading meditation and teaching foundation Buddhist studies, such as Discovering Buddhism, for some years. Venerable Chokyi has been the Director of Liberation Prison Project since 2010. Prior to ordination, she taught at university and in the community sector for over 20 years.