Workshops & Events

Our meditation courses and retreats are an ideal way to get experience of meditation and inner peace. These courses examine a particular topic in greater depth than would be possible in a Drop-in class.

Our courses and retreats are open to everyone and are suitable for all levels of experience, including beginners. For more information about specific courses or retreats, select a course from the list below.

Emptiness Retreat with Gen Dornying

Online and In-Person Retreat | Saturday 21 Nov and Saturday 5 Dec

Of all of Buddha’s 84,000 teachings, the most profound and transformative are the teachings on emptiness, the true nature of reality.

It’s through emptiness – understanding that things do not exist outside the mind, but as mere appearances to our mind – that we’ll solve all our problems, find freedom from all limitations, and be of maximum benefit to the world.

This short, guided retreat is a perfect opportunity to embark on or deepen your understanding of the true nature of all things.

“There’s no greater method for experiencing peace of mind and happiness than to understand and meditate on emptiness” Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, How to Transform Your Life

The Teacher

Gen Kelsang Dornying is the Resident Teacher of both Kadampa Meditation Centre Australia, Kadampa Meditation Centre Melbourne, Darwin and Alice Springs. He has been teaching Kadam Dharma in Australia for over 16 years. He is an inspiring and light-hearted teacher of modern Buddhism who makes Buddha’s teachings clear, accessible and applicable to modern life.

Contentment with Gen Dornying

Online and In-Person Workshop | Saturday 12 Dec

“Always be content. If you practice contentment, even though you have no wealth, you are rich.” -Nagarjuna, Buddhist philosopher

Contrary to how it may seem, getting what you want isn’t necessarily the way to be happy. Many outwardly successful people are deeply dissatisfied.

Instead, learn how to feel happy with who you are and what you have, the roles you play in the world, and the material possessions that you own. This is contentment.

The Teacher

Happiness and the Power of the Mind with Gen Dornying

Live From Darwin | Online and In-Person Workshop | Saturday 19 Dec

What’s the most important, influential, rewarding thing you can do in this life? According to Buddhism: it’s to learn how to be truly happy,
and to share that experience with others.

If we know how to be truly happy, we can be like a wish-fulfilling jewel, with the power to bestow peace and happiness on everyone around us.

At this one-day workshop Gen Dornying returns to Darwin after a nine month absence due to COVID. Learn what happiness is (and
isn’t); how to develop the power to be happy; and how to maintain it, no matter what challenges life brings.

The Teacher

Australian Festival 2021

Online | Friday 1 Jan – Wednesday 6 Jan

At this years Australian Festival with Gen-la Kelsang Jampa, we will receive the blessing empowerment of Manjushri, the embodiment of all the Buddhas’ wisdom, and receive teachings on dependent relationship.

In The New Heart of Wisdom, Venerable Geshe-la says, “It is said that dependent relationship is the king of all the logical reasonings to establish emptiness that Buddha revealed in the Sutras.” Through understanding dependent relationship we can overcome the causes of suffering we carry in our heart, and in this way find permanent freedom for ourself and others. Everyone is welcome.