Kopan Down Under Lam Rim Retreat

The Annual Lam Rim course at Chenrezig Institute began in 1974 in Diamond Valley with Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa. It was the first Lam Rim course that the Lama’s taught outside of Kopan Monastery, Nepal. Since then the course has been held every year and has been attended by hundreds, if not thousands of people looking for meaning and happiness in their lives. The course follows the Tibetan Gelug Tradition of Buddhism, and is based on Lama Tsong Khapa's Graduated Path to Enlightenment (Lam Rim), one of the most important texts of the Gelug Tradition.

Once again this year our Resident Geshe, Geshe Phuntsok Tsultrim, will teach this course, assisted by Venerable Chokyi, who will lead meditations and be there to assist students.

The course will cover many important topics such as, to name just a few, the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, the Four Noble Truths, Karma, The Nature of our Mind, Conventional and Ultimate Truth, Twelve Links of Dependent Origination and Bodhicitta. The Lam Rim text used this year, will be the Third Dalai Lama’s ‘Essence of Refined Gold’.

The course is based on the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, which form a complete and gradual spiritual path (Lam Rim), leading to ultimate happiness and enlightenment. Through cultivating an awareness of our present conditions, we gain an understanding of the nature of our dissatisfaction and unhappiness, the causes of these states of mind and how we can overcome them. We can then direct our energy to deal more effectively with any situation, be it positive or negative. Many of the ideas presented will be new and sometimes contrary to Western beliefs. We request you to come with an open mind and a willingness to analyse, question and contemplate the teachings as well as your own beliefs.

But most of all this is an experiential course. Most people are touched by the teachings at a very deep level. The teachings are challenging long held and treasured beliefs, and at the same time offer a new perspective on a range of issues.

It takes courage to take this course, and patience. Courage because you will see yourself in a new way, listening to teachings that might sound strange and challenging. Patience because it takes time to change old habits. Developing a good heart, learning to be more tolerant and loving takes time.

Accommodation and meal packages are available separately for purchase. There will be a Refuge ceremony at the conclusion of this retreat for students wanting to take the formal step of becoming a Buddhist.