Vajrayana Institute (“VI”) is a spiritual oasis in the heart of the city, dedicated to the study and practice of Buddhism in the Tibetan tradition. It is VI’s goal to bring benefit to people by providing quality teachings, meditation classes, retreats and conferences.

Aim of Vajrayana Institute
Our aim is to provide the opportunity for people to transform their minds and hearts into their highest potential for the benefit of others. We offer practical and effective solutions to the problems of suffering and dissatisfaction in daily life.

Brief history of Vajrayana Institute
Vajrayana Institute was established in 1984 with the aim of providing busy city people with a peaceful place to study the profound path of Tibetan Buddhism and a chance to integrate spiritual values into their everyday lives.

The centre is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a worldwide network of 150 Buddhist centres founded by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche. Lama Yeshe and his disciple Lama Zopa have been instrumental in introducing this tradition of Buddhism to the western world since the 1970s.

With VI moving to new and larger premises, we now need your help. Making a donation or monthly pledge to Friends of Vajrayana Institute is the best, most tax effective way of doing this. Contributions to Friends of Vajrayana Institute Building Fund are tax deductible.

We are pleased to welcome visitors to the centre and to share our resources, including a library, bookshop, student lounge and quarterly newsletter, Vajrayana News, with all who are interested.

Facilities at Vajrayana Institute

Office
The office is open Tuesday to Friday 1.00–5.00pm, as well as just before and after most teachings. Please call our office staff for assistance with any queries or drop in to the centre during office hours to use our facilities.

Gompa
The Gompa is a place of meditation, worship and devotion. It is used for formal meditation sessions, teachings and pujas. It is available for individual use during opening hours.

Bookshop
The bookshop is open during office hours, Tuesday to Friday 1.00–5.00pm, and before and after most teachings. Enjoy browsing or purchasing a range of items from the shop including books, jewellery, statues, postcards, prayer flags and other dharma items. Please call the office with any bookshop queries or orders. Eftpos is available.

Library
The library is open during office hours, and before and after teachings; all are welcome to read and browse, however only VI members may borrow. The library has an extensive range of books on various aspects of Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism in particular. For further information on recent additions, the classification system, lists of books, audio and visual tapes, the borrowing and returning procedures, please refer to the Library Information folder which can be found on the bookshelf containing the returns box or ask the office staff for assistance.

Donations to the library are most welcome. If you would like to donate from your personal collection or purchase a book from the bookshop for donation, please contact the librarian via the office.

Stupa
Stupas have existed in Buddhist countries since the time of the Buddha. The stupa is a very important symbol in Buddhism, especially Vajrayana Buddhism. It is said that as long as the symbols of Buddhist teachings such as stupas remain on this earth, the Dharma will be preserved. A stupa symbolizes the mind of a Buddha, that is, a mind free of all obstacles and one that has attained all knowledge. It is this state of mind that people pay respect to by building stupas. Building and circumambulating stupas is considered a good way to earn merit.

Vajrayana Institute’s precious three-metre high Namgyalma Stupa (One of the three long-life deities), the style of which dates from fifth century India, was build by Vincent Tassiello.
The stupa is completely filled with objects necessary to maintain one’s physical and spiritual existence. These include millions of rolled up mantras, tsas tsas, medicines, Buddhist texts, tools, model guns representing protection, incense, dried flowers, toys and five wealth vases which are said to generate wealth to continue Dharma activities. The wealth vases contain soil from holy places such as Sera Monastery and Bodhgaya in India where the Buddha manifested enlightenment under the Bodhi tree; water, stone and wood from holy places, food, precious stones, the five grains, five nectars, the five jewels, the five perfumes and the five medicines as well as money and objects considered attractive.

Volunteering at VI
Vajrayana Institute has always relied on the ongoing commitment of volunteers for the centre to remain viable and to flourish. Volunteers take on many responsibilities at the centre, including working in the office, book shop and library, as well as assisting with the newsletter and facilitating teachings. Volunteers also contribute by ensuring the Gompa is clean and tidy, helping with the gardening and cleaning duties and cooking meals for the Sangha.

Dharma-in-Action
The ultimate goal of the Mahayana tradition is to achieve enlightenment in order to help all sentient beings. Working for the benefit of others is dharma-in-action.

Accumulating Merit
Because of the power of the guru, dharma and sangha, any action of giving to these (including dharma centres) results in tremendous merit.

To find out more about volunteering at Vajrayana Institute, email the office or call 02 9798 9644.

In this section

Aim of Vajrayana Institute

Brief history of Vajrayana Institute

Facilities at Vajrayana Institute

Volunteering at VI