Saturday 28th February 2026 2.00pm - 4pm | Landcox Hall
Sound Healing
EVENT FULLY BOOKED
(If you missed out on registering for this event and would like to be notified of any future Sound Healing events that may occur at Tara Institute please email fundraising@tarainstitute.org.au )
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SOUND HEALING is coming to Tara Institute – 28 February 2026
Join us for a deeply restorative experience designed to harmonise your mind, body, and spirit.
The afternoon will begin with a traditional Tibetan prayer blessing led by Geshe Lobsang, and include a brief explanation of how singing bowls are used in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Then through the soothing vibrations of sound from a variety of cultural instruments, you’ll be guided into a state of relaxation and inner balance, helping release stress and invite calm.
Whether you’re new to sound healing or a long-time practitioner, this event invites you to rest, reconnect, and be carried by sound and vibrations into a spacious calm.
The schedule for the day is:-
2:00pm Geshe Lobsang blessing
2:15pm Danny - Sound Healing
3:15pm Chat & Chai
Please register your interest and make payment in this form to secure your spot.
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Event cost: $45
(* fees are nonrefundable, unless TI is informed one week in advance of event)
Sunday 1st March 2026 10am - 12pm | Brighton East
2026 Annual Tara Puja
Geshe Doga warmly invites everyone to join him for the special Tara Puja where prayers will be offered for the long life, health, prosperity and happiness of Tara’s friends and families.
Tara is the female Buddha of enlightened activity. The Tara puja includes making
offerings and requests to help us overcome outer and inner obstacles in our lives, and
to achieve wisdom and compassion in our minds.
You are welcome to bring offerings of flowers, food and incense.
Everyone is most welcome to join us for lunch afterwards.
TUESDAYS ~ 8 pm
Aspects of the Path to
Enlightenment
with Jeremy Cohen
3, 10 & 17 February 2026
For the first three weeks in February,
Jeremy will review Geshe Doga’s previous teachings on the Path to Enlightenment.
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WEDNESDAYS ~ 8 pm
Guide to the
Bodhisattva’s Way of Life
Discussion
with Damien Busby
4 & 11 February 2026
Damien will review Chapter 6: Patience in Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life up to
verse 21, where Geshe Lobsang finished teaching in 2025.
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The Healing Group is held fortnightly on Thursdays, from 11am to 12.30pm
Each session includes:
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Guided meditations – no experience necessary
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Explanatory talks – with time for questions you may have
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Discussions and group sharing – so valuable to connect with and learn from each other
…Followed by tea and cake and time to chat
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The structure of each session is relaxed and informal. Every session is complete in itself but also sequentially builds on previous ones.
Tara Institute is a Buddhist Centre but you don’t need to be Buddhist in order to benefit from the Healing Group programme. Our approach is simply to introduce you to a variety of avenues - both ancient and contemporary - promoting health and well-being.
The Healing Group welcomes all those who are facing life-threatening, chronic or other significant health issues, including anxiety, depression, grief and loss.
In offering a safe space to explore your options we hope to show you how you might make your own breakthroughs. Our new and revised programme is specifically designed to guide you through a range of healing and meditation techniques that can function as a valuable adjunct to
Western-based medical approaches.
This approach can support you, your family and those who love you
In this busy world, where can you turn to when you are dealing with chronic pain and illness? Or when you are confronted with overwhelming challenges which can threaten your health and way of life?
The Healing Group
With Kathi Melnic, William Liew, Kerry Whitlock
Held fortnightly on Thursdays, from 11am to 12.30pm
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5 th and 19 th February 2026
Sourcing both ancient and contemporary approaches to health and well-
being, the Healing Group incorporates guided meditations, explanatory
talks and discussions in each session.
Healing Life
Whether you’re dealing with acute or chronic illness or facing a health crisis, we offer techniques to support and guide you to better manage life’s challenges.
Session 7: Understanding the Nature of Existence
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Interdependence - The Way Things Exist
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Science Meets Spirituality
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The Ultimate Nature of Disease
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Meditation - Penetrating Reality​
Session 8: Empowering Meditation Practices
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​Calming
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Healing
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Single-pointed Focus
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Visualization
Session 9: The Fragility of Life
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The Transient Nature of Life
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The Message of Mortality
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The Singular Opportunity – Once in a Lifetime
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Our Inner Friend
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These 9 sessions repeat throughout the year, however it is not essential to start at session 1,
you are welcome to attend at any time
Session 1: Foundations of Health and Well-Being
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Causes of Disease
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Managing Pain and Distress
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Creating Mental Space
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Meditation
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Promoting Positive Outcomes
Session 4: The Power of Forgiveness
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For Self and Others
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Working with Guilt and Shame
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Regret and Resolution
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Purifying Destructive Mind-states​
Session 2: Addressing Disturbing Emotions
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​Why all this Suffering in Life?
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A Catalyst of Disease
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Dealing with Depression, Fear, Anger, Grief, etc.
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Acceptance or Resistance - Suppression or Release
Session 5: Transformative Qualities – love and compassion
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Attachment Vs Love
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The Power of Compassion and Altruism
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Taking and Giving
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Infinite Gratitude​
Session 3: The Human Potential
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Our Unique Opportunity as Human Beings
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Constraints of Illness
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Making Life Meaningful
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Priorities and Goals
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Meditation – Establishing a Regular Practice​
Session 6: Living with Chronic Illness and Pain
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Coping Strategies
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Loneliness and Isolation
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Overwhelm
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Mental Imprints and Predispositions
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Sourcing Inner Strength​
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Saturday February 21st 2026 | 10am to 2pm | Brighton East
Remembering FPMT Founder Lama Yeshe
Remembering Lama Yeshe at Losar
Losar is also the time where Lama Yeshe passed into parinirvana in 1984.
Who is Lama Yeshe?
For many who don’t know or who are new to TI, Lama Yeshe was the founder of FPMT. Together with Lama Zopa Rinpoche (Lama Yeshe’s heart disciple) FPMT began to expand across many countries around the world.
On 21st February Saturday, TI will hold a morning session over a cup of tea and biscuits as we gathered together to remember Lama Yeshe, his deeds, his immense kindness and his humour etc. There will be video sessions shared by FPMT on how it all started etc..
Do please come along to join us to listen and/or share how Lama Yeshe transformed you, either meeting him personally or just reading his books or stories of him and be inspired by his deeds and compassion.
Sunday 16th November 2025 ~ 9am - 5pm | Brighton East
Explanation of Bodhisattva Vows
with Geshe Lobsang Dorjee
2025 November One Day Course
In this course, Geshe Lobsang will elaborate more on what bodhisatta vows entails and how to practice them, and how to keep them and hence enhance our bodhicitta attitude limitlessly.
The main deeds of bodhisattvas, the beings who have bodhicitta, are the observation of a high code of ethics. How quickly or slowly we achieve enlightenment is solely dependent on how purely we observe bodhisattva vows.
It is not enough just to habituate our mind and generate or cultivate the altruistic mind in our meditation—besides generating the altruistic mind, we also need to actually venture into the deeds of such a mind. To do this, we take the bodhisattva vows which need to be received or taken from a lama and then all the various aspects of the vows need to be observed. (Lhama Lhundrup Rigsel, late Abbot of Kopan Monastery)
You’re welcome to attend even though you have not taken the bodhisattva vows.
26th October 2025 ~ 10am - 12pm | Brighton East
White Tara Sadhana Group Practice
The White Tara sadhana group practice provides an opportunity for participants to practice the sadhana together for the purpose to increase the number of recitations as part of 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.
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.
Sunday 19th October 2025 ~ 9am - 5pm | Brighton East
Combining the two methods of generating Bodhicitta
2025 October One Day Course
“Bodhicitta is the essence of all the Mahayana teachings. Whether what we study and practise becomes a Mahayana practice or not, depends upon whether bodhicitta is incorporated into it” quote from GesheDoga in his book on Developing Bodhicitta Through the Seven Fold Cause and Effect practice.
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There are two methods of Generating Bodhicitta: Seven Causes and Effect and Exchanging Oneself for others. Geshe Lobsang Dorjee will present the combination of these two methods to cultivate Bodhicitta. By meditating on the two methods you will generate bodhichita more quickly and with less hardship (RiburRinpoche)
Sunday 21st September 2025 ~ 10am - 3.30pm | Landcox Hall @ Tara Institute
WORKSHOP
2025 Mantra Rolling Workshop #2
Following on from last year’s workshop, this is a further opportunity for those who previously registered to continue learning how to roll mantras for filling statues or stupas prior to consecration. Those who don’t have a statue to fill and would like to be involved are also welcome to join in and help others roll mantras.
You are welcome to drop in any time during the session.
Monday 22nd September 2025 ~
White Tara Puja @ 10am – 12 noon
Hayagriva Puja @ 1:00pm – 2.30pm
PUJA
White Tara Puja & Hayagriva Puja @ TI with Sera Jey Geshes
TI has the good fortune to host three Geshes from Sera Jey Monastery, South India, during their visit to Melbourne next week. As suggested by Venerable Geshe Doga, they will lead two special practices dedicated to the long life, health, and flourishing activities of Venerable Geshe Doga, while also helping to remove obstacles for Tara Institute and its members.
From 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, the Geshes will conduct a White Tara Puja,recommended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a powerful practice for supporting Geshe Doga’s life and activities.
From 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, Geshes will perform a Hayagriva Puja, to purify negativities, dispel obstacles, and create conducive conditions for successful practice.
You are welcome to drop in any time during the session.
Tuesday - 23rd September 2025 ~
6.30pm - 8.30pm | TI Dinning Hall
Fundraising Dinner
Fundraising Dinner for Sera Jey Main Kitchen Reconstruction
The purpose of this fundraising is for Sera Jey monastery’s main kitchen which is in need of renovation or refurbishment.
Henceforth, to help fund this renovation, as well as an opportunity for the TI community and friends, to accumulate an enormous amount of merit, TI will hold a fundraising dinner on 23rd September at $30 per head. This include main course, and dessert, and tea and/or coffee.
Sunday 31st August 2025 ~ 9am - 5pm | Brighton East
How to use Vajrasattva Practice to Purify Negativities
2025 August One Day Course
Purifying negative karma makes it much easier to attain liberation and actualize the path to enlightenment. It also decreases our suffering and any obstacles that might arise. Purifying negative karma with the four powers means that we won’t have to experience the many eons of suffering in the lower realms that result from not purifying even one negative karma, and we won’t have to experience again and again without end the four suffering results that arise from each unpurified negative karma.
Sunday 21st September 2025 ~ 10am - 3.30pm | Landcox Hall @ Tara Institute
WORKSHOP
2025 Mantra Rolling Workshop #2
Following on from last year’s workshop, this is a further opportunity for those who previously registered to continue learning how to roll mantras for filling statues or stupas prior to consecration. Those who don’t have a statue to fill and would like to be involved are also welcome to join in and help others roll mantras.
You are welcome to drop in any time during the session.
Monday 22nd September 2025 ~
White Tara Puja @ 10am – 12 noon
Hayagriva Puja @ 1:00pm – 2.30pm
PUJA
White Tara Puja & Hayagriva Puja @ TI with Sera Jey Geshes
TI has the good fortune to host three Geshes from Sera Jey Monastery, South India, during their visit to Melbourne next week. As suggested by Venerable Geshe Doga, they will lead two special practices dedicated to the long life, health, and flourishing activities of Venerable Geshe Doga, while also helping to remove obstacles for Tara Institute and its members.
From 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, the Geshes will conduct a White Tara Puja,recommended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a powerful practice for supporting Geshe Doga’s life and activities.
From 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, Geshes will perform a Hayagriva Puja, to purify negativities, dispel obstacles, and create conducive conditions for successful practice.
You are welcome to drop in any time during the session.
Tuesday - 23rd September 2025 ~
6.30pm - 8.30pm | TI Dinning Hall
Fundraising Dinner
Fundraising Dinner for Sera Jey Main Kitchen Reconstruction
The purpose of this fundraising is for Sera Jey monastery’s main kitchen which is in need of renovation or refurbishment.
Henceforth, to help fund this renovation, as well as an opportunity for the TI community and friends, to accumulate an enormous amount of merit, TI will hold a fundraising dinner on 23rd September at $30 per head. This include main course, and dessert, and tea and/or coffee.
12th August, 2025 | Brighton East
Advice to Students: 10.30am - 11.30am
Green Tara Jenang: 3 pm - 5pm
His Eminence Ling Rinpoche @ Tara Institute
Advice to Students teaching and Green Tara Jenang
It is with great joy and devotion that we announce an incredibly auspicious event: His Eminence Ling Rinpoche will kindly offer Advice to Students at 10:30 AM and Green Tara Jenang at 3:00PM at Tara Institute.
This rare opportunity to receive direct guidance from a highly realized teacher in the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a precious condition for deepening one’s Dharma practice and cultivating wisdom and compassion on the path. Students are warmly encouraged to attend with a sincere mind and an open heart, ready to absorb the blessings of the teachings.
May this precious encounter plant the seeds of liberation and enlightenment in all who attend.
*For those intending to take Green Tara Jenang it is advisable (on day of event) to avoid consuming black food in the morning & afternoon until event concluded*
Sunday 28 September 2025 ~ 10am - 12pm | Brighton East
White Tara Empowerment with Venerable Geshe Doga
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 indeed very fortunate, as Venerable Geshe Doga will confer a White Tara empowerment, and 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.
Even those without problems can avert future sickness and obstacles to a long and healthy life. 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.
The atmosphere during these initiations is inspirational. Through the Spiritual Teacher’s blessings, we are opened to the presence of White Tara and the healing dimension of Buddhism.
Please email spc@tarainstitute.org.au for further information
Sunday, 24th August | 9am - 5pm | Brighton East
2025 Study Group Workshop
The Three Mental Non-Virtues and Purification Practices
We warmly invite you to this year’s Annual Study Group Seminar, to be held on Sunday, 24th August.
The theme for this year's seminar is: “The Three Mental Non-Virtues and Purification Practices”
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Covetousness
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Harmful Intent
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Wrong View
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Purification Practices
These core topics have recently been the subject of strong emphasis in our Tuesday night teachings by our esteemed teacher, Venerable Geshe Doga, offering us a valuable opportunity to go deeper into these areas of study and practice.
The seminar will be divided into four sessions, each focusing on one of the topics above. Participants are encouraged to reflect on which theme resonates most and enroll in the corresponding group. Team leaders for each group will be announced soon.
As preparation, we recommend using Geshe Doga’s teaching transcripts and The Lamrim Chenmo as excellent starting points for reflection and discussion.
There is a $15 lunch, please click accordingly in the registration form if you want to have lunch.
We look forward to a day of learning, insight, and Dharma connection together.
For further information please email spc@tarainstitute.org.au
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(There are 2 commitments for Students in the Geshe Doga's Tuesday night Study group - to attend the Annual Study Group Seminar and the Cleaning Bee of the Gompa / Meditation Hall at Tara Institute)
Sunday 21st September 2025 ~ 9am - 5pm | Brighton East
Combining the two methods of generating Bodhicitta
2025 September One Day Course
Bodhicitta is what makes life most beneficial for ourselves and meaningful for every single sentient being that exists, because every single one is suffering and needs help. Each time we generate bodhicitta, we collect so much merit and purify negativities (Lama Zopa Rinpoche).
There are two methods of Generating Bodhicitta: Seven Causes and Effect, and Exchanging Oneself for others. Geshe Lobsang Dorjee will present the combination of these two methods to cultivate Bodhicitta. By meditating on the two methods you will generate bodhichita more quickly and with less hardship
Lunch is included in the cost. Please register your interest via this link (CM to embed this). To help with catering, please register prior to day of event.
Monday 22nd September 2025 ~
White Tara Puja @ 10am – 12 noon
Hayagriva Puja @ 1:00pm – 2.30pm
PUJA
White Tara Puja & Hayagriva Puja @ TI with Sera Jey Geshes
TI has the good fortune to host three Geshes from Sera Jey Monastery, South India, during their visit to Melbourne next week. As suggested by Venerable Geshe Doga, they will lead two special practices dedicated to the long life, health, and flourishing activities of Venerable Geshe Doga, while also helping to remove obstacles for Tara Institute and its members.
From 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, the Geshes will conduct a White Tara Puja,recommended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a powerful practice for supporting Geshe Doga’s life and activities.
From 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, Geshes will perform a Hayagriva Puja, to purify negativities, dispel obstacles, and create conducive conditions for successful practice.
You are welcome to drop in any time during the session.