Jamchen Buddhist Centre is a non-profit association set up to further the study and practice of Mahayaha Buddhistm – as taught by the Tsarpa lineage of the Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism. The centre is based in Melbourne, Australia.
Our honorary patron is the 26th partriach of the Tibetan Nalendra Monastery, His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche who is also the abbot of several monasteries in Nepal. Our spiritual director, Lama Choedak Rinpoche, is one of His Eminence’s most senior and highly regarded students.
Mailing address
Jamchen Buddhist Centre,
PO Box 356,
Balwyn, Vic. 3103.
Australia
For inquiries (including venue details) call the Centre on (03) 9857-3612
Email inquiries to: info@jamchen.com.au
The History of Jamchen Buddhist Centre, Melbourne
In 1996, at His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Kalachakara teachings in Sydney, Ani Tsedron, Thubten Lekshe and Ani Samten first met Lama Choedak, speaking on a panel. A year later Ani Samten was inspired to invite Lama Choedak to teach in Melbourne; he gave a weekend workshop on “Dream Yoga”.
In 1998 Ani Tsedron, Thupten Lekshe and Ani Samten began the Rongton Study group, a distance education program following the teachings given by Lama Choedak in Canberra. Also in 1998, more Melbournians received tantric initiations from Lama and a monthly White Tara practice began from a private home, which was also host to the Rongton Study group and many meetings. Later, an additional monthly practice was run from a second home. In May 1998 Lama was again invited by Ani Samten and taught “Dealing with Emotions” and “Calm Abiding Meditation” in Melbourne. This was followed by further teachings in November 1998 - “Health and Healing” and the “Vajrasattva Practice”. During this busy year, Ani Samten also hosted the Melbourne visit of Venerable Khenpo Migmar Tsering, the Abbot of Sakya College.
In 1999, Lama continued twice yearly visits to Melbourne. White Tara practice was held weekly, with Green Tara and Chenrezig also added to the practice schedule. In March, Ani Samten organised the first Melbourne Calm Abiding Meditation retreat at Atisha Centre in Bendigo.
In 2000, Lama suggested that a centre for Melbourne become formalised. With Rinchen Choesang and Gerry Michel’s help, Ani Samten established the newly created centre as an incorporated association. Lama requested a name from his own teacher, His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche. The centre becomes: Chogye Jamchen Choe Dzong, or Jamchen Buddhist Centre with His Eminence as chief patron, Lama Choedak as Spiritual Director and Ani Samten as founding president. (Chogye Jamchen Choe Dzong means “Fortress of the Great Loving Kindness of Chogye.”) During this year, Simon Edwards began creating a permanent sound archive of all Lama Choedak’s teachings and Peter Kent took over the graphic design for Jamchen fliers and CDs.
In March of 2001, Ani Samten organised the first Ngondro retreat at Atisha Centre. A very special and auspicious event for this year was the Melbourne visit of Lama Choedak’s own teacher, His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche hosted by Jamchen. Sally Polmear organised a fund-raising event for the visit. His Eminence and entourage gave many blessings for the success of Jamchen’s activities in Melbourne. Also during this year Lama (now Lama Choedak Rinpoche and shortened to “Rinpoche”) designs an 8-lesson “Introduction to Calm Abiding” course. The 8-week course became a central part of the Jamchen teaching program, running four times a year at the Balwyn Library. It also became a course offered by many other sister centres in Australia and New Zealand. In 2001, Rinchen Choesang also opened the Jamchen Bookshop.
In 2002, Rinpoche began four yearly visits to Melbourne. A second Calm Abiding retreat was organised at Healesville by Suzie Capell. During this year Jamchen weekly practice out-grew the private home. A room was rented at the Kew Community Centre. Weekly Sadhana practice continues. Fortnightly Calm Abiding Meditation practice was added to regular “Introduction to Calm Abiding Meditation” courses.
In 2003, Jamchen rented a premises for the first time. Rinchen Choesang became the resident at the new centre. In March, a Third Calm Abiding Meditation retreat is organised by Wendy Mence at Merricks. During the year Jamchen hosted a “Healing Buddha Empowerment” by His Holiness Sakya Trizin. His Holiness blessed the new centre's premises and gave his blessing for the success of Jamchen activities. Later in 2003, Calm Abiding Meditation became a weekly practice, as did Soor practice for the deceased. Another important event in late 2003 was Jamchen’s first major raffle--the main prize being a place on a pilgrimage led by Rinpoche to the main Buddhist holy sites in India and Nepal. Genevieve Timmons won the prize. In December, eleven Jamchen members, some with their families, accompanied Rinpoche on the Pilgrimage.
In 2004, Jamchen hosted the visit of His Eminence Ludhing Khenchen Rinpoche to Melbourne. His Eminence and entourage stayed at Jamchen and gave many teachings and blessings. Ani Samten and Rosey Chang organised Jamchen’s first garage sale for fund-raising. In mid 2004, Jamchen hosted the visit of Acharya Lama Lekshey, the Abbot of the Sakya Centre in India. Lama Lekshey stayed at Jamchen and gives many teachings and blessings.
In 2004, Jamchen senior students piloted a 10-week “Introduction to Buddhism” course following Rinpoche’s sequence of teachings in his Rongton Buddhist Philosophy class.
Jamchen Buddhist Centre continues to grow. See Courses and Spiritual Programme for our current activities.