About Event:
Our annual Lamrim retreat has been running at Chenrezig Institute since 1974, benefiting many thousands of people seeking to understand and integrate the Buddha’s teachings into their everyday lives. Path to Peace offers a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of the Buddhist path while immersing yourself in meditation and practice.
Through the Lamrim, or Stages of the Path, we develop an awareness of our present situation and gain a deeper understanding of the nature and causes of dissatisfaction and unhappiness. We learn practical methods for working with the mind and responding more effectively to every situation, whether positive or challenging. The teachings provide a clear framework for cultivating wisdom and compassion – the two essential qualities of the path to enlightenment.
Our resident Tibetan teacher, Geshe Phuntsok Tsultrim, will guide participants step-by-step through Buddhist principles, psychology and meditation. He will be assisted by monk Ven. Tenpa, who will support the retreat through guided meditations and discussion groups, helping participants engage with and explore the teachings in a practical and meaningful way.
This year’s retreat will draw on Lama Tsongkhapa’s famous prayer, The Foundation of All Good Qualities, with a strong emphasis on meditative practices that develop our ability to benefit others. We will dedicate time to the uplifting practices of the Four Immeasurables – Equanimity, Loving Kindness, Compassion and Joy – as well as Tong Len (Giving and Receiving meditation).
Participants will also have the opportunity to experience daily life within Chenrezig Institute’s thriving Buddhist community and discover the relevance and freshness of traditional Buddhist teachings in their own lives.
The Lamrim has been appreciated by people from many different religious and philosophical backgrounds as a profound and practical way to clarify our direction in life and cultivate greater peace, wisdom and compassion.
The retreat will be available to attend in person, or online.
At the conclusion of the retreat, there will also be a Refuge ceremony for students who wish to take the formal step of becoming a Buddhist. In person only.
If you are taking Refuge for the first time, please let us know at spc@chenrezig.com.au.
About our Teacher:
Geshe Phuntsok Tsultrim is immensely popular for the warm and approachable way in which he presents the Dharma and inspires our community. He became a monk in Tibet and did extensive study at Sera Je Monastery in India, where he was awarded his Geshe degree (the equivalent of a doctorate in Buddhist studies) in 2005. He began teaching at Chenrezig Institute in 2014 after being chosen for our community by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. He teaches in Tibetan with the help of an interpreter.
Geshe Tsultrim has a warm hearted, caring and practical approach to teaching Dharma. He has been the resident Geshe at Chenrezig Institute since 2014. Since then he has taught Dharma both in the Gompa and by the example he sets outside of the Gompa.
About our Teaching Assistant:
Ven. Tenpa was ordained by Khensur Rinpoche, Geshe Tashi Tsering in 2003 and received his Gelong vows from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2022. From 2003 onwards, he studied the FPMT Basic Program with Khensur Rinpoche while also teaching Law at the Australian National University where he was an Associate Professor and Buddhist Chaplain. Until 2010, Ven. Tenpa was the Director and Principal Teacher at the FPMT Chengawa Study Group in Canberra, where he taught various modules of the DB Program, BSP and the Lamrim Chenmo.
With the kind recommendation and assistance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he studied for and completed a DPhil (doctorate) in Advanced Buddhist Philosophy and Christian Theology at the University of Oxford between 2016 and 2024. Toward the end of this program, Ven. Tenpa served as the online Teaching Assistant for Nalanda Monastery's two-year Lamrim Chenmo Program in 2021-2022 and for Nalanda's Precious Garland Program in 2023. In early 2024, he served as the online Teaching Assistant for Nalanda's Masters Program.
Ven. Tenpa is currently a Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Queensland. He also holds a PhD in Law from the Australian National University and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Ven. Tenpa loves teaching and sharing the Dharma in a clear and accessible way with a just a dash of spicy humour...
Registration and Donations
The suggested donation for this 10-day retreat is $400. A donation of $400 covers our costs and helps sustain the Centre so we can continue offering teachings to the wider community.
However – you are welcome to offer whatever amount you feel comfortable with.
Your donation helps keep the Centre open and running. It supports operational costs, facilities, and the ability to offer teachings.
A donation of $300 makes a meaningful contribution toward maintaining our space.
A donation of $150 helps us cover our most basic costs.
Please note: all donations are non-refundable and go directly to supporting the ongoing operations of the Centre.
You are always welcome to attend our courses free of charge but we kindly ask that you register so we can provide you all the information about the course.
Sangha are always able to attend our courses free of charge but are requested to please register.
Accommodation & Meals Package: 20% Early Bird Discount
To receive the 20% off Early Bird discount on our Accommodation & Meals Package, please email reception at info@chenrezig.com.au to say what type of accommodation you would prefer (see room types here) and they will include your meals and take 20% off from whole package. You do not need to book accommodation yourself via the buttons below.
This package starts with supper on 3rd January and finishes with lunch on 14th January.
Please note that this early bird discount applies for registrations until 31st October, 2026.
If you need financial support to attend the retreat, or have any questions regarding the retreat, please contact us at spc@chenrezig.com.au.
Note: when you register to attend online, please read the attached information and requests for the benefit of our students and volunteers: Information for online participants