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November, 2009:

Why Tibet? – Grassroots Workshop

Nov 25th, 2009
by admin.

Ever wanted to take action for Tibet but don’t know where to start? Australia Tibet Council works alongside the local Tibetan community to promote the human rights and democratic freedoms of the Tibetan people and encourage a peaceful and lasting solution to the Tibetan situation. Whether you have one minute or one hour to spare a day, there are many simple but effective things you can do to help. This workshop will be an opportunity to meet others who care about Tibet and will introduce participants to some of the ways we can all help create a better future for the Tibetan people.

Why Tibet? – Grassroots Workshop

Calming One’s Mind Meditation

Nov 25th, 2009
by admin.

Join the monks from Tashi Lhunpo for a special meditation experience. Practicing meditation which calms the mind involves the elimination of inner and outer distractions and overcoming of afflictive emotions. In a state of calmness the mind is capable of achieving equanimity, peace and clarity and with practice the potential for these capacities is limitless. This session will offer a general understanding of effective meditation and methods to create a mind which is stable, calm and alertly clear.

Healing Sounds Workshop

Nov 25th, 2009
by admin.

Join Michael Askill and participate in a sound healing workshop using his extensive collection of Himalayan singing bowls and Chinese gongs. Michael has spent the past twenty–five years quietly but effectively carving a niche for himself as performer, composer, musical director and recording artist. In 2001 he was the Musical Director of a special concert for HH Dalai Lama held in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House.

Tibetan Ritual Dance Workshop

Nov 25th, 2009
by admin.

Cham or sacred dance is a feature of many Tibetan festivals. This ancient dance possesses many levels of meaning and is seen as a practice for purification and overcoming negative obstacles. It is said the great religious master Padmasambhava first performed the dance to purify the ground for the building of Samye monastery. Accompanied by monks using traditional Tibetan instruments, the Cham dancer performs solemn movements passed on in oral instruction from master to student.The dance is like a “meditation in action”. Each gesture has significance, creating a sacred space where the dancer concentrates on specific centers and chakras throughout the performance.

Tibetan Painting Workshop

Nov 25th, 2009
by admin.

Come spend time with master painter Karma Phuntsok and learn some simple techniques of Tibetan Painting. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The art of Karma Phuntsok is a unique and dynamic expression of contemporary Buddhist Art. The startling beauty and richness which graces his work is influenced by his diverse life experiences: from a childhood in Tibet under Chinese oppression to life as a refugee in India; his love life in the Australian Bush, and the veneration with which he holds His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Internationally acclaimed, Karma’s work is scattered throughout the world, in private collections and galleries, and in Australia at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and Queensland Art Gallery.
Create your own Buddha with Karma’s assistance.
No experience required.   Simple, step by step process.
Leave with a finished Buddha, ready to hang on your wall.
Materials for Students:
Required:      A3 Stretched canvas  (16×20 inches)
Paint Brushes        (1, 2,3)
Pencil            (1 soft, 1 hard)
Drawing Paper    (A4 x 1)
Acrylic Paint        (red, blue, yellow, white, green, black, orange)

Optional:    Right triangles        (2 recommended)
T-square or Ruler
Compass
Tracing Paper (A4 x 1)

Mantra Healing Workshop

Nov 25th, 2009
by admin.

Mantras are energy-based sounds, which produce vibrations in the Universe. “Mantra” is derived from two Sanskrit words. Man for Mind and Tra for “to protect or to free from”. Saying any word produces an actual physical vibration. When we know what the effect of that vibration is, then the word may come to have meaning associated with the effect of saying that vibration or word.

Sand Mandala Workshop

Nov 25th, 2009
by admin.

Participants in these workshops learn about the meaning and history of the sand mandala. The Tashi Lhunpo Monks will share their knowledge of the traditional techniques using the small metal funnel known as the chak phur to create designs with coloured sand, allowing everyone to experience the beauty and challenges of the art form.

PUBLIC TALK: Seed of Compassion: The Art of Happiness

Nov 25th, 2009
by admin.

Geshe Tashi TseringBorn in Kardze in eastern Tibet in 1937, Kuzho Lama, Geshe Tashi Tsering has devoted his life to studying and practicing Buddhism and to conveying the essence of the Buddha’s teachings in cogent, powerful ways. He draws from an unbroken lineage of authentic teachings and presents them in a way that is relevant and highly meaningful to modern life. In Seed of Compassion: The Art of Happiness, Kuzho Lama will discuss the essence of Buddhist psychology which is deeply rooted in the ideal of compassion. He will explain the means for making our minds more positive in order to find happiness in this modern age.

Further info: www.goodfortunetrust.org

DISCUSSION PANEL: Climate Change and Tibet

Nov 25th, 2009
by admin.

DISCUSSION PANEL: Climate Change and Tibet“Climate Change on the Roof of the World: Why Tibet Matters” will bring together five of Australia’s most eminent researchers, campaigners and spokespeople on Tibet for a fascinating live discussion set to shed new light on the importance of Tibet to the future of our planet. The panel will explore the tremendous significance of Tibet, the earth’s “Third Pole”, to the global environment and why the Tibetan people and Tibetan culture are a critical part of the solution to environmental challenges afflicting China, Asia and the wider world.

Hon Peter Slipper MP, one of the most consistent, longstanding and effective advocates for Tibet in the Australian Parliament, will be joined by Mr. Sonam Dagpo, Australian Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Former Democrat Senator for Queensland Andrew Bartlett, Assoc. Prof. William Grey of the University of Queensland, Tibet campaigner Dr. Simon Bradshaw and Geshe Lobsang Jamyang from Chenrezig Institute.

Further info: www.atc.org.au

Healing Mantra Concert 2010

Nov 24th, 2009
by admin.

Healing Mantra ConcertThe Healing Mantra Concert brings together The Australian Voices, Tashi Lhunpo Monks of TIBET and Tibetan musician, Tenzin Choegyal in a concert that will include singing Mantras to create thought energy waves, bring peace to the mind through self realization and connect us to our subconscious mind.

The Australian Voices is a national group of highly awarded young singers who have toured the globe to represent the spirit of Australian music alongside some of the world’s great musicians such as Jose Carreras, Bobby McFerrin (“Don’t Worry, Be Happy”) and Evelyn Glennie. Tashi Lhunpo Monks will join this concert

Mystical Tibet Concert 2010

Nov 24th, 2009
by admin.

Mystical Tibet ConcertMystical Tibet Concert brings rarely seen sacred dances and chants of The Tashi Lhunpo Monks of TIBET and evocative and haunting musical collaboration of Brisbane’s string chamber orchestra, Camerata of St John’s and Tibetan musician, Tenzin Choegyal.

Camerata of St John’s a group of talented, professional Australian string players. Performing without a conductor, Camerata is known for its verve, stylish presentations, and innovative programming. Acclaimed performances provide enduring and treasured memories for its dedicated audience, players and guest artists. From its home in the heart of the emerging cultural city of Brisbane, Camerata adds a refreshing perspective to the nation’s artistic life.

Tenzin Choegyal‘s voice and musical talents are unique and mesmerizing. Tenzin draws on his traditional Tibetan roots to create original compositions which express his devotion to his cultural heritage. Recently at a US concert, a listener described hearing Tenzin Choegyal sing live as ‘heaven on earth’. His voice and music however are only part of his story. Tenzin was born in Tibet, escaped to Nepal and was raised in exile in Dharamsala, India. As a child, Tenzin would listen to his mother singing in the nomadic style of Tibet and he attributes much of his passion for that genre to her early influence.

… in the between – Meditations and Illuminations on the ‘Tibetan Book of the Dead’

Nov 24th, 2009
by admin.

...in the between

‘…in the between’ brings together four of Australia’s finest multi-cultural collaborators in a highly original interpretation of `The Tibetan Book of the Dead’. Using selected readings combined with musical meditations and sound illuminations, this theatrical and musical experience provides an insight into how we can prepare for the mind’s release from the body and the experiences of ‘the between’. The ‘Bardo Thotrol’ (The Great Liberation through Hearing in the Between) text was originally composed by Padmasambhava in the 14th century. It was buried in central Tibet and later discovered by Terton (treasure revealer) Karma-Lingpa. “Although this book is ostensibly written for the dead, it is in fact about life” Francesca Fremantle (author of Luminous Emptiness and co-translator with Chogyam Trungpa of The Tibetan Book of the Dead).

Further info about Trikaya here.