Renowned Tibetan Buddhist Lama and best selling author Lama  Surya Das will be visiting from the US in June 2012. There will be a public talk and a one day workshop on June 15th & 16th 2012 respectively.

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 us to register your interest early

Happy New Year everyone. We are busy preparing for a very busy schedule this year.

Main classes will be as follows:

Monday 7.30pm Introduction to Meditation

Tuesday 7.30pm Meditation and Teachings

Wednesday 10.00am/7.30pm Tibetan Yoga and Meditation

Thursday 7.30pm Tibetan Preliminary Practices

Friday 10am Hatha Yoga

Sunday 10am Tibetan Yoga and Meditation

Please contact the centre for all bookings and enquiries

Also in June we have a public talk and one day meditation workshop with Lama Surya Das details TBA.

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

Lama Surya Das Visits Australia June 2012

Reknowned Tibetan Buddhist Lama and best selling author Lama  Surya Das will be visiting from the US in June 2012. The plan at this stage is for a public talk and a one day workshop on June 15th & 16th 2012.

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 us to register your interest early

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.

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