TARA INSTITUTE
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Centre for Buddhist Study and Meditation
HIS HOLINESS DALAI LAMA
WELCOME TO TARA INSTITUTE
Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre in Brighton, Melbourne Australia
Welcome to everyone who aspires to gain happiness and inner peace, through the study,
meditation and practice of Mahayana Buddhism.
Our programmes suit beginners and more advanced students in the quest for a more meaningful life.
BUDDHIST TEACHINGS & PROGRAMMES
WEDNESDAYS
Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life
with Geshe Lobsang Dorjee
8, 15, 22 & 29 April at 8pm
Geshe Lobsang Dorjee will continue his teachings on Chapter 6: Patience, from Shantideva’s text, Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life.
Venerable Geshe Lobsang will teach on Shantideva’s text The Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life.
Dharma Club for Children
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One Sunday a Month
SUNDAY 19 APRIL, 10:15am
Sunday 15 March; 19 April; 17 May; 14 June.
The Dharma Club offers Buddhist teachings for children aged between 4 and 15, understanding of how to be happy through listening to stories, learning meditation, acting in plays and joining discussions.
The Healing Group
With Kathi Melnic, William Liew and Kerry Whitlock
Held fortnightly on Thursdays, from 11am to 12.30pm​
2, 16 & 30 April at 11am
Healing has a great deal to do with the mind. In each session this year the Healing Group invites us to acknowledge what is currently undermining our health and well-being, including the challenges of disturbing emotions, and while benefitting from the mutual support and shared experience of the group, examine ways to create the conditions to restore balance.
School Program
Introduction to Meditation for Students
This session is available for students to experience an Introduction to Buddhism meditation class at Tara Institute, or at your school if that is your preference. The session can follow a secular presentation of mindfulness and meditation if that is more suitable.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday 25th April 10am - 4pm | Tara Institute
Immerse yourself in the culture and stories of Tibetan Art
Tibetan Art Workshop with Venerable Lobsang Konchok
Discover the beauty, symbolism, and meditative depth of Tibetan Art in this special one‑day workshop led by Venerable Lobsang Konchok, a master artist trained in the traditional lineage of thangka painting and Tibetan handmade crafts.
Throughout the day, participants will explore the foundations of Tibetan artistic practice, including:
· Traditional drawing methods — learning the proportions, grids, and sacred geometry that underpin enlightened forms.
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Colour, symbolism, and iconography — understanding why Tibetan art looks the way it does, and how each element carries spiritual significance.
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Guided creative practice — hands-on drawing / painting sessions with personalised guidance from Venerable Lobsang Khonchuk.
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Art as meditation — discovering how the act of painting becomes a contemplative pathway to clarity and inner stillness.
This workshop is suitable for complete beginners, experienced artists, and anyone drawn to Tibetan culture, Buddhist imagery, or meditative creative practice. All materials are provided, and participants will take home their own completed painting on canvas, along with a deeper appreciation for the beauty and discipline of Tibetan art.
A delicious vegetarian meal provided by Bliss Café will be provided for lunch, morning tea and afternoon tea will also be provided.
Join us for a day of quiet focus, cultural richness, and heartfelt connection with a master artist sharing the living tradition of Tibetan creativity.
All participants must register, limited spaces available and no walk-ins will be accepted.
Saturday 16 May, 10am to 4pm | Melbourne Town Hall
21 Taras Thangka @ Melbourne Town Hall
Come and see this colossal painting of the 21 Taras, who are waiting to release a rain of blessings upon you! This one-day-only display is part of Victoria’s UN Day of Vesak celebrations, which also include a Buddhist relics exhibition from the Great Stupa, and a procession of sangha from different Buddhist traditions starting at Parliament Gardens and proceeding down Collins Street to the Melbourne Town Hall at 1pm.
Sun, 17 May, 10am - 12pm | Tara Institute
Jenang
White Tara Jenang with Venerable Geshe Doga
Let us rejoice in our good fortune from last year, when HHDL recommended that Tara Institute students engage in the practice of White Tara for the long life and good health of His Holiness and Geshe Doga.
This year, Geshe Doga has encouraged students to complete a White Tara home retreat in June and has kindly offered to confer the White Tara empowerment on May 17 to support those wishing to undertake this retreat. How wonderful!
Students are warmly invited to participate in a White Tara home retreat, with the aim of each student accumulating 100,000 White Tara mantras. Excitingly, Geshe Lobsang has also suggested that students may begin the retreat earlier in preparation for this commitment.
We rejoice in our great good fortune to have such a precious opportunity to dedicate our White Tara practice to the long and healthy life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and our precious Venerable Geshe Doga.
Fri, 22 May, 8pm - Mon, 25 May, 7am | Tara Institute
Retreat
Nyung Nye Retreat
Nyung nye means “abiding in the retreat.” In other words, you are retreating from negative karmas of body, speech and mind.
Doing a nyung nye means your body is abiding in retreat, your speech is abiding in retreat and your mind is abiding in retreat. The essential meaning of retreat is retreat from nonvirtuous actions of body, speech and mind. Nyung nye is an unbelievably powerful practice of purification, purifying negative karmas and downfalls, and purification is the most important thing to do all the time, especially for us beginners.
The Nyung Nye meditation practice, based on Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion, is a concentrated practice consisting of seven meditation sessions, with praises, prostrations and mantra recitations over two days. The emphasis of this practice is on developing compassion.
The eight Mahayana precepts are taken and, on the second day, additional vows of not drinking any fluids, eating or talking are observed. The benefits of engaging in this practice are inestimable. We rejoice that Geshe Lobsang Dorjee will be joining us at this Nyung Nye.
We rejoice that Geshe Lobsang Dorjee will be joining us at this Nyung Nye (to be confirmed)
To learn more about the practice click here
Limited dormitory-style accommodation is available on a first-come first-served basis. If you wish to stay overnight, please register early to avoid disappointment (bring your own pillows; linens and quilt cover will be provided).
Sun, 31 May, 10am - 12pm | Tara Institute
Puja
Saka Dawa Puja
Saka Dawa is a special month in the Buddhist calendar. During this month we celebrate the anniversary of Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and parinirvana.
Spiritual practice is encouraged during this time because of the power of these auspicious events. It is a particularly good time to be mindful of our actions: avoiding those that harm others and cultivating those that help others. It is, therefore, most beneficial to practise generosity (see SakaDawa donation to Sacred Heart poster)
On Sunday 31st May, Tara Institute will offer a Guru Puja (devotional offering ceremony). Prayers will be recited in Tibetan and English and all offerings will be blessed.
Prayers will be made for the health and wellbeing of TI’s members, families, friends and the world community. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please join us. You can also take this opportunity to accumulate enormous amount of merit by supporting the Saka Dawa puja in ways like: making offerings for Tsog, flowers, torma offerings, light offerings, sangha offerings, participate in karma yoga for set up and clean up.
Donations in form of monetary offerings toward this puja is appreciated.
Please email spc@tarainstitute.org.au if you are interested or to find out more, in supporting this very special occasion.
Sun, 31 May, 6am - 7:30pm | Tara Institute
Practice Day
Saka Dawa Special Practice Day (Merit Multiplying)
Saka Dawa is a special month in the Buddhist calendar. During this month we celebrate the anniversary of Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and parinirvana. Spiritual practice is encouraged during this time because of the power of these auspicious events which is believed to multiply the power and effect greatly.
It can be very enjoyable and relaxing to take a day out of our busy life to focus only on spiritual practice.
Please join us for a full day of precepts, prostration, meditation, puja, prayers, sutra recitation, and water bowl offerings to accumulate vast merits, purify negativities, and deepen your spiritual practice.
The program will include several breaks to relax, rest and walk in the park.
The Eight Mahayana Precepts will be given during the first session by Geshe Lobsang Dorjee.
All are welcome — beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
Participants are also encouraged to bring a shawl, water bottle and note book. Seating in chairs or cushions on the floor are provided.
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Program:
Session 1 - 6.00 - 7.00am - precepts and prostrations
Session 2 - 7.30 - 9.00am - prostration, prayers, meditation.
Session 3 - 10 - 12pm - Saka Dawa puja
Lunch Break - 12.00 - 2.00
Session 4 - 2.00 -3.00 - water bowl offerings
Session 5 - 3.30 - 4.30 - prostration, prayers, meditation.
Session 6 - 5.00 - 6.00 - prostration, prayers, meditation.
Session 7 - 6.30 - 7.30 - prostration, prayers, meditation.
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Wed, 10 Jun, 5am - Wed, 24 Jun, 12pm | Tara Institute
Retreat
White Tara Retreat
White Tara is associated with practices which can contribute to enhancing one’s life span and overcome life-threatening hindrances. White Tara practice can also be done on behalf of someone who is ill.
Tara Institute is inviting interested participants to engage in White Tara retreat. The retreat is from 10th June to 24th June 2026, followed by a fire puja on 24th June 2026.
It is also with a deep sense of respect and devotion to continue last year’s celebration of their 90th birthday year, this retreat is an opportunity of accumulating merit and creating conducive conditions for the long life and good health of Venerable Geshe Doga and His Holiness the Dalai Lama
The collected mantra recitations will also contribute to
TI community’s commitment to meet the 10 millions recitations for the long and healthy life of our most Venerable Geshe Doga.
At the same time, for our own benefit, to dedicate the positive energy to our physical, spiritual and mental well-being. Geshe-la has said that he has seen sick and critically ill people regain their health after being given the White Tara mantra to recite.
By relying on White Tara and reciting her mantra, we can achieve a deep level of inner well-being so that we can truly be of help to ourselves and others.
Please email spc@tarainstitute.org.au if you have further questions
Sat, 27 Jun, 6pm - 10pm | Landcox Hall Tara Institute
Fundraising Dinner
Trivia Night Fundraising Dinner & Silent Auction
This will be a great night out! Have fun dusting off your brain for an exciting trivia night, all while supporting Tara Institute.
Gather your friends, test your knowledge, and enjoy a lively evening filled with laughs, friendly competition and prizes.
There’ll also be a delicious vegetarian dinner to enjoy as you play.
Don’t forget to check out our silent auction, featuring fantastic items and experiences you won’t want to miss.
Join us for a fun-filled fundraiser that makes a difference!
Please purchase your tickets in advance, as space is limited.
Walk-ins may be accommodated if seats are still available.
Self-Practice Programme
White Tara Practice
At the completion of the 3000 recitations of the Golden Light Sutra in May 2025, the students at Tara Institute requested His Holiness the Dalai Lama to advise what practice to do for the long life and good health of both His Holiness the Dalai Lama
and Venerable Geshe Doga.
Rejoice, students of Geshe Doga can now practice the following:
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White Tara Long Life Sadhana at home or group practice days-
o The White Tara Sadhana group practice dates will be announced regularly throughout 2025 and will continue to be shared each year through 2028
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White Tara Mantra –
o Goal is 10 million mantras by July 2028
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer Book and Gift Shop Manager
Love books, beautiful gifts, and community spirit? Tara Institute, a Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Brighton and part of the FPMT network, is looking for a warm and organised volunteer to manage our not-for-profit shop. This flexible role is perfect for someone passionate about service and meaningful impact.
Click the Job Description for more information.To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter explaining your interest in working with Tara Institute and the FPMT to bookshop@tarainstitute.org.au. For all inquiries, please use the same email.
CENTRE UPDATES
Essential teachings by Geshe Doga
Two new books available at the TI Bookshop
If you’d like to arrange a house blessing, please reach out with your details
House Blessing Ceremony
We warmly invite you to experience a traditional house blessing, a sacred and meaningful ritual led by 2–3 Geshes from Tara institute (Tibetan Buddhist monks).
This ceremony brings spiritual clarity, harmony, and peace into your home — helping to remove obstacles and support the well-being of all who live there, both physically and mentally.
Shopping at the
TI Bookshop
The TI Bookshop stocks a range books on Buddhism, from introductory to advanced, including children’s books and books by the Dalai Lama, Lama Yeshe, Lama Zopa, Geshe Doga, and our Monday night teachers. It also stocks gift items like incense, malas, singing bowls, cushions, Tibetan rugs and more. TI members enjoy a 10% discount on all purchases. End-of-year specials include Meditation for Modern Minds, Vol 3, an introduction to meditation and Buddhism by our Monday night teachers.
NOTE: Thank-you to all our wonderful hardworking bookshop volunteers!
Café Bliss: Great Coffee, Delicious Food on TI’s Doorstep
Next door to TI, Café Bliss is a great spot for a coffee, chai latte, or vegetarian meal or snack with friends. It’s open for eat-in (or take-away) breakfast, brunch, lunch and snacks. The Bliss menu is available for delivery through Uber Eats or online take-away. Bliss also offers a dinner service prior to teachings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30pm to 8:00pm, served in the TI dining room – available to all, no booking required.
For more information, visit.
Tara Institute is now a donation partner in the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme!
You can now exchange eligible drink containers for 10 cents.
Together we can make a positive difference to our community and our environment.
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All eligible drink containers are worth a 10 cent refund that you can either keep, or donate to a community donation partner. If you would like to donate the refund to Tara Institute, you can use this barcode or Donation Partner ID at the refund point when you deposit your containers.
To find your nearest donation point, go to https://www.returnit.com.au/vic/recycling-locations-return-it-vic/
MEMBERSHIP & SUPPORT
This enables the Tara Institute community to support the dharma and allow us all to receive precious teachings from Venerable Geshe Doga and Geshe Lobsang
Lama Zopa said: My point here is for you to understand what we are doing and what you are helping with. This is so that you can rejoice. It really is unbelievable, incredible, what you are helping with, and this creates so much benefit for the world and for sentient beings. This actually creates the cause to liberate so many beings. This is an incredible opportunity for you to rejoice, and if you rejoice and then dedicate the merits, it is amazing.
Tara Institute is a Buddhist centre located in Melbourne, Australia. Tara Institute is a non-profit incorporated association that is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a group of over 150 meditation centres worldwide.