You are welcome to join us for the New Year Meditation Festival from 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday 3 March at the Peaceful Land of Joy Meditation Centre – to enjoy the serenity and beauty of the 10-acre gardens, extraordinary Tibetan temple and gentle activities. There is something for everyone – see the full list of activities below.
We are honoured to welcome wonderful guest teachers and speakers – Venerable Geshe Rabten, resident teacher of Atisha Centre for the Dharma talk at 2pm, and Venerable Chi Kwang Sunim, Abbess of the Seon Centre in Kinglake and Venerable Thich Linh Tan, Abbot of Deer Park Dharma Centre during the New Year Blessing Ceremony at 12 noon. See more details following.
Compassion in action
The theme of this year’s New Year Meditation Festival is Compassion in Action*. A myriad of issues and challenges continue to trouble the world. Kind and caring action, based on genuine love and compassion, is the key to addressing suffering and the expansion of individual and universal peace and happiness.
Feature Dharma talk at 2 pm
Join Venerable Geshe Rabten, the Resident Teacher at Atisha Centre for the feature talk. Geshe Rabten will explore the festival theme, Compassion in Action.
Geshe Rabten, joined Sera Jey Monastery in 1978 at the age of fourteen. In 1980 he received novice ordination from Ling Rinpoche and in 1984 full ordination from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
In 1999 Gen-la received his Geshe Lharam degree and in 2000 he undertook tantric studies in Gyume Tantric Monastery, successfully completing his tantric studies examination in 2002.
Following that, Geshe Rabten held various teaching and other important positions in Sera Jey Monastery including “Disciplinarian” and “Master of the Debate Ground”, where he supervised and guided the monks whilst they were debating.
New Year Blessing Ceremony at 12 noon
The festival program features the beloved New Year Blessing Ceremony in the temple at 12 noon.
We are delighted to announce the Ceremony speakers, Venerable Chi Kwang Sunim, Abbess of the Seon Buddhist Centre, and Venerable Thich Linh Tan, Abbot of Deer Park Dharma Centre.
The Ceremony will also include the procession of the ordained community, prayers for the new year and a short guided meditation.
Plenty of joy for everyone
The festival program also includes a guided meditation, the special Dharma talk, tour of the garden and guided encircling of the magnificent traditional Tibetan temple, children’s meditation and Festival café where you can purchase delicious refreshments.
There will be plenty of opportunities to browse wonderful goods in the centre’s Enjoyment Shop. We look forward to welcoming you to the festival for a day of peace and joy.
Gorgeous gardens
- Relax in the peace and serenity of the centre gardens
- Garden tour at 11 am, covering organic cultivation and the art of rose and salvia pruning
- Meander around lawns, lakes with many birds and wildlife
- Unwind under the shade of golden robinias and Californian redwoods
- Enjoy the beauty of many-coloured salvias, roses, marigolds, satin hibiscus and many more plants and trees
Viewing the magnificent temple
- View the magnificent traditional Tibetan temple with amazing golden roof, spires and ornaments
- A quiet reflection with the 12 ft statue of Shakyamuni Buddha
- Encircle the magnificent temple, with a guide explaining the iconography and Tibetan culture, at the end of the New Year Blessing Ceremony
Learning in the temple
- Guided meditation at 10.30 am
- New Year Blessing Ceremony at 12 noon with esteemed speakers Venerable Chi Kiang Sunim, Abbess of the Seon Centre in Kinglake and Venerable Thich Linh Tan, Abbot of the Deer Park Dharma Centre. There will also be prayers for good conditions in the New Year and a guided meditation.
- Talk and guided meditation at 2 pm with Venerable Geshe Rabten, Resident teacher at Atisha Centre
More enjoyment…
- Delicious vegetarian food for sale throughout the day, including momos (Tibetan dumplings), and fresh tea, spicy chai and coffee and cakes
- Children’s meditation at 1.30 pm
- Visit the Enjoyment Shop with beautiful gifts and Tibetan items
Festival gate entry* *
- $15 single, $10 concession
- $20 for one adult & one or more children, $15 concession
- $25 for two adults and school age children
Proceeds support maintenance of the temple and gardens.
*Thanks to Tara Sleeman for design of the beautiful festival image.
**The facility charge includes entry and access to – Lectures & meditation, New Year Blessing Ceremony, Children’s meditation, Gardens and Garden Tour, Guided Temple Walk.
Where to go
Tibetan Buddhist Society, 20 Cookes Road, Yuroke (five minutes west of Craigieburn, 15 minutes north of the Tullamarine Fwy along Mickleham Rd.)