TARA INSTITUTE
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Centre for Buddhist Study and Meditation
HIS HOLINESS DALAI LAMA
WELCOME TO TARA INSTITUTE
Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre in Brighton, Melbourne Australia
Welcome to everyone who aspires to gain happiness and inner peace, through the study,
meditation and practice of Mahayana Buddhism.
Our programmes suit beginners and more advanced students in the quest for a more meaningful life.
BUDDHIST TEACHINGS & PROGRAMMES
The Healing Group
With Kathi Melnic, William Liew, Kerry Whitlock
Held fortnightly on Thursdays, from 11am to 12.30pm
4 & 18 September 2025
Sourcing both ancient and contemporary approaches to health and well-
being, the Healing Group incorporates guided meditations, explanatory
talks and discussions in each session.
School Program
Introduction to Meditation for Students
This session is available for students to experience an Introduction to Buddhism meditation class at Tara Institute, or at your school if that is your preference. The session can follow a secular presentation of mindfulness and meditation if that is more suitable.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday 28 September 2025 ~ 10am - 12pm | Brighton East
White Tara Empowerment with Venerable Geshe Doga
White Tara is associated with practices which can contribute to enhancing one’s life span and overcome life-threatening hindrances. White Tara practice can also be done on behalf of someone who is ill.
Tara Institute is indeed very fortunate, as Venerable Geshe Doga will confer a White Tara empowerment, and dedicate the positive energy to our physical, spiritual and mental well-being. Geshe-la has said that he has seen sick and critically ill people regain their health after being given the White Tara mantra to recite.
Even those without problems can avert future sickness and obstacles to a long and healthy life. By relying on White Tara and reciting her mantra, we can achieve a deep level of inner well-being so that we can truly be of help to ourselves and others.
The atmosphere during these initiations is inspirational. Through the Spiritual Teacher’s blessings, we are opened to the presence of White Tara and the healing dimension of Buddhism.
Please email spc@tarainstitute.org.au for further information
Sunday 21st September 2025 ~ 10am - 3.30pm | Landcox Hall @ Tara Institute
WORKSHOP
2025 Mantra Rolling Workshop #2
Following on from last year’s workshop, this is a further opportunity for those who previously registered to continue learning how to roll mantras for filling statues or stupas prior to consecration. Those who don’t have a statue to fill and would like to be involved are also welcome to join in and help others roll mantras.
You are welcome to drop in any time during the session.
Self-Practice Programme
White Tara Practice
At the completion of the 3000 recitations of the Golden Light Sutra in May 2025, the students at Tara Institute requested His Holiness the Dalai Lama to advise what practice to do for the long life and good health of both His Holiness the Dalai Lama
and Venerable Geshe Doga.
Rejoice, students of Geshe Doga can now practice the following:
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White Tara Long Life Sadhana at home or group practice days-
o The White Tara Sadhana group practice dates will be announced regularly throughout 2025 and will continue to be shared each year through 2028
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White Tara Mantra –
o Goal is 10 million mantras by July 2028
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer Book & Gift Shop Manager
Love books, beautiful gifts, and community spirit? Tara Institute, a Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Brighton and part of the FPMT network, is looking for a warm and organised volunteer to manage our not-for-profit shop. This flexible role is perfect for someone passionate about service and meaningful impact.
Click the Job Description for more information.To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter explaining your interest in working with Tara Institute and the FPMT to bookshop@tarainstitute.org.au. For all inquiries, please use the same email.
CENTRE UPDATES
Tibetan Community Prayers
for the Tibet Earthquake
Organised by Geshe Lobsang on behalf of the Tibetan Community of Victoria and Tara Institute, a prayer session was held at Tara Institute on Sunday 12 January for over 200 Tibetans from our local community. This was for the recent earthquake that struck Eastern Tibet, particularly in the Tringri region, which has claimed the lives of at least 126 Tibetans, with 337 more injured so far. This devastating event brought immense sorrow to the Tibetan community.
The prayer session honored the memory of our Tibetan brothers and sisters who lost their lives and to send collective prayers for the speedy recovery of those who are injured.
Shopping at the
TI Bookshop
The TI Bookshop stocks a range books on Buddhism, from introductory to advanced, including children’s books and books by the Dalai Lama, Lama Yeshe, Lama Zopa, Geshe Doga, and our Monday night teachers. It also stocks gift items like incense, malas, singing bowls, cushions, Tibetan rugs and more. TI members enjoy a 10% discount on all purchases. End-of-year specials include Meditation for Modern Minds, Vol 3, an introduction to meditation and Buddhism by our Monday night teachers.
NOTE: Thank-you to all our wonderful hardworking bookshop volunteers!
Café Bliss: Great Coffee, Delicious Food on TI’s Doorstep
Next door to TI, Café Bliss is a great spot for a coffee, chai latte, or vegetarian meal or snack with friends. It’s open for eat-in (or take-away) breakfast, brunch, lunch and snacks. The Bliss menu is available for delivery through Uber Eats or online take-away. Bliss also offers a dinner service prior to teachings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30pm to 8:00pm, served in the TI dining room – available to all, no booking required.
For more information, visit.
Tara Institute is now a donation partner in the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme!
You can now exchange eligible drink containers for 10 cents.
Together we can make a positive difference to our community and our environment.
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All eligible drink containers are worth a 10 cent refund that you can either keep, or donate to a community donation partner. If you would like to donate the refund to Tara Institute, you can use this barcode or Donation Partner ID at the refund point when you deposit your containers.
To find your nearest donation point, go to https://www.returnit.com.au/vic/recycling-locations-return-it-vic/
MEMBERSHIP & SUPPORT
This enables the Tara Institute community to support the dharma and allow us all to receive precious teachings from Venerable Geshe Doga and Geshe Lobsang
Lama Zopa said: My point here is for you to understand what we are doing and what you are helping with. This is so that you can rejoice. It really is unbelievable, incredible, what you are helping with, and this creates so much benefit for the world and for sentient beings. This actually creates the cause to liberate so many beings. This is an incredible opportunity for you to rejoice, and if you rejoice and then dedicate the merits, it is amazing.
Tara Institute is a Buddhist centre located in Melbourne, Australia. Tara Institute is a non-profit incorporated association that is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a group of over 150 meditation centres worldwide.