Office

The office is open Monday to Friday 10.30am to 5.00pm, as well as just before 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.

Student Lounge/Bookshop

Students and visitors are welcome to relax, meet friends or enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in our student lounge/bookshop, during office hours and before teachings. Enjoy browsing or purchasing a range of items from the shop including books, jewellery, statues, postcards, prayer flags and other dharma items. Eftpos is available.

Library

The library is open during office hours, and before 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.