Tara Institute

10/08/2026

Geshe Doga offered to the Tara Institute community a White Tara Long Life empowerment on Saturday. Some 140 or so people attended.

09/08/2026

During the Machig Labdron Gompa Consecration there were some casual interactions that were also very special. This short advice by Geshe Doga after lunch recorded here and translated by Geshe Tenzin Zopa.

09/08/2026

Still looking for Yesterday's me, I am sure it is still here.
Lama Yeshe offers some guidance on this question.

Lama Yeshe gives powerful advice on the way to understand emptiness.

04/08/2026

Make Skies of Merit following in the Footsteps of the Buddha. Notification of Tara Institute Pilgrimage planned for Jan 1 to Jan 19 2027.
A pilgrimage of the four main places of the Buddha's life is being planned. Starting in Bodhgaya and travelling through to Kathmandhu, the pilgrimage will visit Bodhgaya, Vultures peak at Rajgir, Nalanda, Sarnath (Varanasi), Kushinagar, Sravasti, Lumbini and Kathmandhu.
The cost will be $2000 (AUD). This covers Coach travel and Lumbini - Kathmandu flight, breakfasts, accommodation twin share basis in Premium hotels, transfers, taxes, tour guide. Flights to India not included.
To register your interest and to get more detailed information contact Jeremy on Email at [email protected]

Please make an expression of interest or query about more details before August 20.

Pilgrimage is an important and extremely rewarding activity in Buddhist practice. Previous pilgrimages have resulted in life changing experiences for the participants. A group Pilgrimage offers a great way connect with the Life of the Buddha and to see India in style and comfort.

When asked by Ananda about what to do in the future. Lord Buddha said: Monks, after my passing away, if all the sons and daughters of good family and the faithful, so long as they live, go to the four holy places, they should go and remember: here at Lumbini the enlightened one was born; here at Bodhgaya he attained enlightenment; here at Sarnath he turned twelve wheels of Dharma; and here at Kushinagar he entered parinirvana.
Monks, after my passing away there will be activities such as circumambulation of these places and prostration to them.
Thus it should be told, for they who have faith in my deeds and awareness of their own will travel to higher states.
After my passing away, the new monks who come and ask of the doctrine should be told of these four places and advised that a pilgrimage to them will help purify their previously accumulated negative karmas, even the five heinous actions.

04/08/2026

This Saturday, Geshe Doga is offering the White Tara Long Life empowerment. This empowerment can be beneficial for our physical well being and longevity.
This annual empowerment is a way to reset our focus on our Dharma practice and the need for a long and healthy life.
10am till 12pm Saturday Aug 8. Arrive early is suggested.

02/08/2026

The Nunnery consecration opening ceremony speeches are in this YouTube video.
One of the observations was that to be part of the the Nunnery consecration was a once in a lifetime event.

The opening ceremony speeches at the Machig Labdron Nunnery in the ...

23/07/2026

Last weekend the new Gompa, called the Yeshe Gompa, at the Machig Labdron nunnery was officially opened and consecrated.
Geshe Doga, Geshe Rabten, Geshe Lobsang Dorje, Geshe Tenzin Zopa, Geshe Jangchob, Ven. Dorje the two Gyuto ritual masters Ven. Kedrub and Ven. Konchok conducted the rituals along with Ven Tsapel and all the nuns of Machig Labdron and Ven Cathy and Ven Anna from Melbourne. Many benefactors and friends of the nunnery were present also.
The ceremonies took place over three days. The first day were the official speeches by Geshe Doga, Ian Green, Geshe Rabten and Ven. Tsapel. One important point that Geshe Doga made extensively was the kindness of Ian and Judy Green (directors of the Great Stupa) ranging from the hospitality that they first showed to Geshe Doga in 1982 on his arrival in Atisha centre and greeted by them and looked after by them on the land donated by the Green family for Atisha centre and later to become the great Stupa. Geshe put the cause and the benefit of all of his 44 years of teaching in Australia firmly into the hands of the generosity of Ian and Judy Green particularly the donation of the land. This land is now the basis for the Machig Labdron nunnery, even more continuing the benefit from those actions.
Geshe Doga recounted the story about his immigration interview, when asked had he experienced anything remarkable in Australia and he replied that he had been kissed for the first time by a woman when Judy Green greeted him on his arrival at Atisha centre.

21/07/2026

Celebrating Ven Roger Kunsang

As FPMT marks its 50th anniversary, we have been honored to receive so much important history from FPMT’s early students. Today, we are delighted to share a conversation with Venerable Roger Kunsang, Board Member, Interim Executive Director, and Senior Advisor of FPMT Inc. This year also marks fifty years since Ven. Roger’s ordination — a milestone that has quietly inspired the monks and nuns of the International Mahayana Institute (IMI) and the wider FPMT family. Ven. Thubten Chokyi sat down with him via Zoom to hear the story behind half a century in robes.

🪷🙏🪷We are especially happy to share this interview today, as July 18 marks both the observance of Chokhor Duchen and FPMT’s celebration of International Sangha Day! International Sangha Day offers an opportunity for monastic and lay communities to come together in recognition of their interdependence, celebrating the ways they mutually rely on one another’s practice of the Dharma.🪷🙏🪷

Ven. Roger has dedicated his life to Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and to the FPMT organization. From 1987 until Lama Zopa Rinpoche showed the aspect of passing away, he served as personal attendant, secretary, and assistant, accompanying Rinpoche on the road seven days a week, day and night, for thirty-eight years of continuous service. After Rinpoche’s passing, he joined the search team for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s reincarnation.

We truly rejoice in Ven. Roger’s lifetime of service to the FPMT organization and his lamas. From his earliest days as a young student drawn to the Dharma, through thirty-eight years of tireless devotion at Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s side, to his continuing leadership as Senior Advisor, Ven. Roger’s fifty years in robes stand as a testament to what one life dedicated to the guru and to the benefit of all sentient beings can accomplish. May his example continue to inspire for generations to come!

We are truly honored to share this interview with Ven. Roger, conducted by Ven. Thubten Chokyi, Director of IMI (International Mahayana Institute):

https://fpmt.org/fpmt-community-news/fifty-years-of-ordination-an-interview-with-venerable-roger-kunsang/

16/07/2026

The stars are out tonight in preparation for the consecration of the Machig Labdron nunnery in the great Stupa precinct.
The three days of events celebrates the opening of the nunnery gompa.
Another remarkable step in fulfilling the vision of Lama Yeshe.

14/07/2026

Geshe Doga turned 91 years old yesterday. On Sunday we celebrated that birthday with an afternoon tea. Geshela gave a short speech about how through the invitation of Lama Yeshe he came to Australia and to Tara Institute. Remarking that he has spent the last 40 years in Australia fulfilling the wishes of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa. The welcome speech to everyone was done by Tara Institute Director, Kerry and Adair spoke about the Publishing team's efforts in assembling many books of Geshela's teachings over the years. Sandup Tsering who has translated for Geshe Doga over a timeframe spanning nearly the entire 40years gave a heartfelt tribute to the personal guidance he has received from Geshe Doga and gratitude for feeling that his life has been made meaningful by being able to translate the Dharma for Geshela.