VI offers a variety of classes and workshops suitable for students at all levels.
We offer an extensive program of teachings, meditations, retreats and ritual practices. Our aim is to provide the opportunity for people to transform their minds and hearts into their highest potential for the benefit of others. VI also encourages an active dialogue with western science, psychology and religion on the issues of human development and happiness through a series of ground-breaking conferences in Australia and internationally.
Here is a guide to the different courses and events organized by VI. Click on the question to see what we have to offer. And you can check our Events Calendar for details of the current program.
- Are you new to Buddhism?
- How to meditate? How to deepen your meditation?
- Do you want to further your study of Buddhism?
- Are you looking for opportunities to learn from a qualified Tibetan Buddhist master?
- Is there something for young children?
- Interested in chanting, rituals, and Buddhist ceremonies?
- Do you want to learn more about the meeting of Buddhism and Western Sciences, like neuroscience, psychology, and so forth.
Are you new to Buddhism?
We offer a short evening course on Introduction to Buddhism designed for newcomers to Buddhism, usually lasting 4-5 weeks, throughout the year.
These classes present an overview of Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan Buddhist practices. They are excellent opportunities for people to ask questions on Buddhism that have been puzzling them and seek clarification on the different aspects of the Buddhist beliefs and practices.
For people who are ready to go a step further and wish to learn more about Buddhism, we run an international structured course called Discovering Buddhism. This course comprises a series of 13 modules on specific topics in Buddhism, such as the Buddhist understanding of the mind, death and rebirth, meditation, the Buddhist path to enlightenment, and so forth. They are aimed at the entry-level student of Buddhism and those wanting to integrate study and practice in their daily life. The course is held on Monday evenings with each module lasting 4-6 weeks. Students are welcome to attend specific modules that are of interest to them or to complete all thirteen modules, which are conducted in a two-year cycle.
How to meditate? How to deepen your meditation?
Many people are becoming interested in meditation and the benefits it brings. At VI, we have regular drop-in meditation classes that are tailored to meet the needs of a variety of people. Held on Wednesday evenings (called "Mindfulness and Much More") and Friday mornings (called "Meditation for a Peaceful Mind"), these featured guided meditations and short explanations of different aspects of meditation based on the Buddha's teachings.
These popular classes are ideal for beginners to try out meditation with the help of practical explanation and guidance; they provide a group situation whereby people can receive support to further their meditation practice; and they cover a variety of meditation techniques and styles so that people can broaden their understanding of meditation. Being a drop-in class, you can feel free to come every week or as and when you can make it. Drop in when you need some support or just to try it out.
For parents with babies and toddlers, you are most welcome to attend our Tuesday mornings "Meditation for Parents and Babies-in-Arms." Led by an experienced senior student at VI, this class provides a chance for parents to come together for an hour of meditation, discussion and sharing experiences. You will get to meet other new mums and dads, learn meditation techniques to cope with exhaustion, and learn about the Buddha's teachings in a way to support your busy life as a parent. Go to Top.
Do you want to further your study of Buddhism?
Lam Rim: Progressing on the Path on Monday evenings is a wonderful combination of teaching, discussion, questions and answers with occasional presentations led by students themselves that allow students to deepen their understanding on Buddhist teachings (called Dharma in Sanskrit) based on the classic teaching of "Stages of the Path" in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Taught by VI senior teachers, it is open to students who have completed the Discovering Buddhism course or have a good foundation in Buddhism.
VI hosts visiting teachers, both local and international, to conduct courses, workshops and retreats. We have organized very successful meditation retreats led by B. Alan Wallace, a progressive scholar and practitioner of Buddhism who is the founder and president of the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies. Go to Top.
Are you looking for opportunities to learn from a qualified Tibetan Buddhist master?
Our resident teacher, Geshe Samten, has an on-going teaching programme that is open for all to attend. This is a rare opportunity to receive teachings from a highly qualified lama ("lama" being the Tibetan word for a spiritual teacher).
- Afternoons with Geshe-la
A series of Saturday afternoon programmes presented by Geshe-la that explain, in more depth, key topics in Tibetan Buddhism and opportunities to sit down with a cup of tea/coffee and a piece of cake for an informal discussion with Geshe-la. Introductory level; open to all.
- Tuesday evening classes
This is an on-going class covering classic Buddhist texts that are relevant to our daily life. Geshe-la has been teaching on the celebrated text by Indian buddhist master Shantideva called "A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life." Intermediate level; suitable for students who have some basic understanding of Buddhist terms and concepts.
- Buddhist Philosophical Study: The Basic Program
This is an international course within the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) that focuses on nine classic Indian or Tibetan Buddhist texts that is a part of a comprehensive Buddhist philosophical study. This provides an avenue for students to add a greater depth to their understanding of the Dharma. There are weekly classes on Thursday evenings taught by Geshe Samten, a weekly group discussion before each class and an exam at the end of each text. Advanced level. Go to Top.
Is there something for young children?
On the first Sunday of most months, we have a special class for kids to introduce basic Buddhist ideas. A new initiative in 2010 sees us introducing Dharma for Kids: Ready, Set, Happy. This class is based on the 16 Guidelines for Life, where children are encouraged to explore 16 different ideas and qualities that help them to learn about values and meanings in life and also how to live a happy, ethical life. Go to Top.
Interested in chanting, rituals, and Buddhist ceremonies?
We conduct several offering practices, called puja in Sanskrit, every month. These pujas are wonderful occasions to participate in chanting and reciting prayers in Tibetan and English. These are celebrated on dates determined by the lunar calendar. All are welcome to attend these group practices commemorating a milestone in Shakyamuni Buddha's life or honoring a holy being in the Buddhist Vajrayana tradition.
- Tara Puja. This puja focuses on the female Buddha Green Tara, the liberator from all suffering. Tara is a very popular Buddha figure in Tibetan Buddhism and her practice is known to swiftly bring blessings and inspirations.
Guru Puja with Tsog offering. This puja focuses on the central role our spiritual teacher plays in our development on the path. Through mentally making offering and praises, we open our heart to receive inspiration, enabling us to bring positive changes to our mind, heart and behaviour. "Tsog" means gathering or accumulation. Through gathering a heap of beautiful and delicious offerings and presenting them to the Buddhas and spiritual teachers, we accumulate merits, positive potentials that serve as rocket fuel to propel us onwards.- Medicine Buddha Puja. This puja focuses on the Medicine Buddhas, associated with the power of healing that is not limited to physical ailments. In difficult times, people have turned to this practice to bring healing of the mind, to find release from outer and inner obstacles, and to dedicate their positive thoughts and intentions towards loved ones. Go to Top.
Do you want to learn more about the meeting of Buddhism and Western Sciences, like neuroscience, psychology, and so forth.
VI hosts major international forums on key topics of human interest. We organized two major conferences, both locally and internationally, featuring eminent keynote speakers like His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dr Martin Seligman, Alain de Boton, and so forth. You can check their respective websites for details:
Happiness and Its Causes
Mind and Its Potential
Calendar
You can find the details of our current program under the Events Calendar and in the current issue of Vajrayana News, which you can download to read. Go to Top.
