Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe visits Cairns regularly giving teachings from his extensive Dharma experience.
The term "Khenpo" has at least three meanings in Tibetan Buddhism:
The Khenpos have been the main channels for keeping the purity of Buddha's teachings alive from generation to generation within the Tibetan monastic tradition, acting as a kind of university tradition.
It is extremely rare for monks or Lamas to qualify as a Khenpo; there are thousands of monks, but only very few Khenpos. Monks who have studied for many years do not receive the title as a matter of course; it is bestowed in recognition of special qualities such as profound knowledge and extraordinary skill in helping to teach others.
In this way the bestowal of the term Khenpo recognises something considered rare and precious in the same way as the term Rinpoche does. This is why His Holiness the Sakya Trizin recognised Khenpo's special qualities and deep understanding of Buddhist philosophies, both sutra and tantra. For more information see his website at: www.drogmi.org
Venerable Thupten Lekshe (Ivan Milton) is a clinical psychologist with wide ranging experience in psychiatry, tertiary education and private practice.
Alongside his work as a clinical psychologist for more than thirty years Thupen Lekshe has been a student of Tibetan Buddhism. He was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2000 by His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, and now works actively to bring a western psychological perspective to Buddhist practice and a more spiritual dimension to psychotherapy.
Thupten Lekshe specialises in the use of mindfulness practice as an adjunct to evidence based psychotherapies, and in secular approaches to Buddhism. He has trained in the delivery of Culitvation Emotional Balance (CEB) a new course for the general public designed by Dr B. Alan Wallace and Dr Paul Ekman. CEB mixes contemplative and emotional regulation skills drawn from western science and mind training practices drawn from Buddhism.
As well as Buddhist teachings and mindfulness training, Thupten Lekshe currently offers CEB courses in Cairns, Melbourne and around Australia.
Venerable Ani Tsedron (Teresa Milton) is a fully ordained nun who has over thirty years of experience working as a clinical psychologist in mainstream mental health services and private practice. She has developed an inclusive and enabling style of therapy that incorporates the best aspects of western psychology as a ground for mature spiritual practice.
Ani Tsedron has also spent many years exploring her spiritual life and took ordination as a Buddhist nun in June 2001 also under the late His Eminence Chogye Trinchen Rinpoche. We hosted our first visit with Ani Tsedron in March this year and look forward to further visits from her, hopefully in June 2012. Ani Tsedron now practices as a psychotherapist and counsellor from her base in Melbourne.
