Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World
24 Apr 2012
Here are a few Pictures of Lama David during his recent visit to Bhutan for the funeral of Dungsay Thinley Norbu Rinpoche as well as a couple from our retreat centre in Foster Vic which is expected to reach completion in June 2012
2 Feb 2012
KU SUM LHUN DRUP NGÖN DU GYUR WA’I KU
Self-manifesting actual wisdom body of the Three Kayas,
On Dec 27th 2011 The great Nyingmapa Master Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche passed away in New York City aged 80. The son of HH Dudjom Rinpoche, Thinley Norbu was a great teacher, writer and father of several other great masters including Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Dungse Garab Dorje Rinpoche. Our Lama David Christensen spent time living and studying with Thinley Norbu in Nepal during the 1980′s and will also be attending the funeral in Bhutan in March this year. Below is a note released by his son Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. Below that are links to other tributes by various Dharma teachers and centres from around the world. May his rebirth come swiftly for the sake of all sentient beings…
For those of you with ‘superior qualities’—or who aspire to develop such qualities—and are able to see Thinley Norbu as a perfect being, this is yet another opportunity to shrug off impure perception and generate pure perception, so that eventually you will go beyond perception altogether.
‘Awareness’ is the quintessential teaching of the Buddha—from the awareness of cool air as you breath in and then out, to the profound awareness of natural perfection. And with boundless compassion and courage, the sole purpose and activity of all the buddhas it is to ring the alarm bell that brings us to this awareness.
With enough merit, the passing of this great being can be interpreted as the ringing of that alarm bell, and a timely reminder of all the teachings, from the simple truth of impermanence, all the way up to the realization of unobstructed compassion. In this way, as much as this deluded mind of ours appreciated and valued his appearance in this world, it should also appreciate and value his disappearance.
Touching as it is to hear from those who are offering various prayers, recitations, butter lamps and many other wholesome activities at this time, allow me to remind myself and all those who are interested, that none of the practices we are currently engaging in are for him, but for ourselves.
However brilliantly the moon appears in the sky, if the pond is muddy, the moon will not be reflected in its waters. In the same way, it is through the purification of defilements and accumulation of merit within our own minds that will enable us, in time, to perceive a reflection of the Buddha, fully intact and never to depart.
So, rather than congratulating ourselves with the thought that we have accomplished all these practices during this special time, bear in mind that we should already have been doing them—and for that matter, we should continue doing them throughout this and all our future lives. But to imagine that our practise is something like providing this great being with the ‘last rites’ is definitely not the best way to go.
I have also been asked which specific practices should be done. Again, I will repeat that mindfulness, in other words ‘awareness’, is our practice. We are ignorant beings, and as such require constant reminders about the importance of making the effort to land in this awareness. Therefore all our guru’s activities—from when he yawns or coughs, to when he appears or disappears—are his way of reminding us to come back, again and again, to mindfulness.
And as long as we are mindful and aware, no one practice is better than another.
Written and dedicated to the enlightenment of all sentient beings in the presence of the rupakaya of Thinley Norbu.
21 Jan 2012
Public Talk Friday June 15th 7.00pm Melbourne High School, Alexandra Avenue, South Yarra
$35/$25 concession
Renowned Tibetan Buddhist Lama and best selling author Lama Surya Das will be visiting from the US in June 2012. This event will also feature live performances by ARIA award winning performer Kavisha Mazella. Contact the Odiyana Centre for more information and to register your interest info@odiyanacentre.org (03) 9813 2431
One day Meditation workshop Saturday June 16th 10.00am - 4.00pm
Abbotsford Convent, 1-3 St Heliers St, Abbotsford, VIC 3067
$180/$150 concession
Surya will continue his Melbourne visit with a one day meditation workshop to be held at Abbotsford Convent. Surya is the author of book’s such as ‘Awakening the Buddha within’ and his new release ‘Standard Buddha Time’. Many Western Buddhists came to the Dharma through his books. Surya was coined ‘The American Lama’ by the Dalai Lama.
Contact the Odiyana Centre for more information and to register your interest info@odiyanacentre.org (03) 9813 2431
21 Jan 2012
3 Dec 2011
Dear Friends
Owing to unforeseen circumstances we regret to inform you that we are unable to go ahead with the planned event of the Buddha’s Garden Party.
Thanks for your support and understanding
Yours sincerely
David Christensen
10 Oct 2011
8 Sep 2011
31 Mar 2011
The Flower Sermon
Toward the end of his life, the Buddha took his students to a quiet pond for instruction. As they had done so many times before, the Buddha’s students sat in a small circle around him, and waited for the teaching.
But this time the Buddha had no words. They sat and waited and waited but still nothing. Some of the disciples began to get a little uncomfortable.
Finally the Buddha simply held up a flower. And he held it silently before them…
The disciples were greatly confused. Buddha quietly displayed the flower infront of them without speaking. In turn, the disciples did their best to expound upon the meaning of the flower: what it symbollized, and how it fitted into the body of Buddha’s teaching.
Suddenly the Buddha’s student Mahakasyapa smiled and burst into laughter. He laughed harder and harder but not earthly laughter. The divine laughter of Mahakasyapa told the Buddha that he had understood.
Buddha handed the lotus to Mahakasyapa and began to speak:
“What can be said I have said to you,” smiled the Buddha, “and what cannot be said, I have given to Mahakashyapa.”
Mahakashyapa became Buddha’s successor from that day forward.
It is said that this was the first teaching of Zen.
27 Mar 2011
The Odiyana Tibetan Nyingma Buddhist Centre was founded by David Christensen (Lama Urgyen Yeshe Ozer) and provides a peaceful and inspiring setting for people to discover the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism.
Odiyana was the birthplace of Padma Sambhava (which means Lotus Born). He was also known as the Precious Master of Odiyana. During his illustrious lifetime his spiritual creativity transformed the wild inhabitants of the Tibetan plateau. In the 8th century he founded the Ancient Order (Nyingma) of Tibetan Buddhism, and his teachings are still very much alive today. The present Dalai Lama has mentioned the importance of Padma Sambhava for this day and age.
The Odiyana Centre, Melbourne, is affiliated with the Shechen Tennyi Dargye Ling Monastery in Nepal. The Monastery was founded by the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and is presently under the direction of his grandson, the current abbot Rabjam Rinpoche.
David Christensen is a western Lama of the Nyingma school. He completed his traditional training under the guidance of his main teachers, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Dudjom Rinpoche, Nyoshul Khenpo and Tulku Pema Wangyal in a four-year retreat in Dordogne, France. David has spent over 30 years studying and practicing Buddhism in Australia, Nepal, France and the USA. Fluent in Tibetan, he is highly regarded for his work in translating Dzogchen texts and has taught and translated at various retreats in the United States.
As the founder of the Odiyana Centre, David provides a site for individuals to rediscover their own wisdom and health (the word “health” comes from holiness and wholeness) inspired by the wisdom energy of these ancient teachings. There are three main ways for us to discover balance and freedom : through our physical body, our voice-breath, and directly through our mind. David teaches a wide range of Buddhist courses with an emphasis on Tibetan Healing and Yoga, and the wisdom of the Dzogchen Teachings.
Lama David is also available for spiritual counselling, healing sessions and for house blessings. Contact centre.
The Odiyana Centre encourages a non-harming diet and sustainable lifestyle