WHATS ON

Happy New Year - may 2012 bring much happiness & love into your life and peace to Tibet.

It was such an auspicious start to 2012 with His Holiness offering the Kalachakra Initiation in Bodh Gaya India to over 250,000 people. With many Australian's there, our February Newsletter will include some first hand stories of the experience of attending such a wonderful opportunity. In the meantime, try to find the time to listen to this interview that His Holiness gave to NDTV during the closing days of the event.

FESTIVAL OF TIBET

Back for its fourth year at the Brisbane Powerhouse, the Festival of Tibet 2012, is a five day feast for the senses. This year we welcome back the Tashi Lhunpo Monks of Tibet and welcome charismatic and passionate Tibetan activist and author Tenzin Tsundue as well as Dr Tsering Thakchoe from the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute in Dharmsala, India. The impressive line up of musicians includes Tenzin Choegyal, the Roaring Fire Choir and Tibet2Timbuk2 and internationally renowned artist Karma Phuntsok, Geshe Lobsang Jamyang and many others will also share their profound gifts with us.

Celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Tibet, acknowledging the present challenges and looking to the future, the Festival of Tibet 2012 features music, film, concerts, art exhibitions, talks, and workshops for all ages. Many events are free - please check the full program for online booking details
at www.festivaloftibet.com.au

Or Phone Brisbane Powerhouse box office on 07 3358 8600

Festival Package Deals are also available.

DO NOT MISS THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO IMMERSE YOURSELF IN TIBETAN CULTURE - MAKE THE TRIP TO BRISBANE AND SUPPORT THIS WONDERFUL EVENT.

HAPPINESS & ITS CAUSES

It's on again - the engaging Happiness and Its Causes Conference. If you have never attended this conference, this should be the year you do.

Be motivated and inspired by an extraordinary roll call of 40+ speakers from Australia and abroad!

Keynotes include world-renowned Tibetan Buddhist teacher, Sogyal Rinpoche; founder of positive psychology Dr Martin Seligman; acclaimed ethicist, philosopher and author, Peter Singer; pioneering researcher into successful ageing Ellen Langer; playwright and National Living Treasure, David Williamson and ground-breaking journalist, Ita Buttrose.

For further details and tickets visit www.happinessanditscauses.com.au

NATIONAL MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL

The National Multicultural Festival is Canberra's premier cultural event, which actively involves over 200 community groups, local and national arts groups, up to 70 diplomatic missions, numerous businesses and over 200,000 people who attend over 150 activities and events over the three day period.

The Festival celebrates the cultural diversity of the ACT by providing events that positively showcase cultural differences and encourages people to share in and celebrate differences by enjoying arts and music, dancing, laughing and eating together.

The Tibet Culture Centre and the Canberra Tibetan Community will be participating with a stall over the weekend of 11^th & 12^th. Get along and enjoy some Mo Mo's and sock up the atmosphere of Australia's unique and special blend of cultures.

For further details and tickets visit www.multiculturalfestival.com.au

GYUTO MONKS of Tibet

In April, the internationally renowned Gyuto Monks of Tibet will be bringing their inspiring ' Infinite Present Tour of Australia' to Sydney's Bondi Pavilion from 9 - 22 April 2012.

Known locally due to their extensive work in the area since 2004 and their recent appearance on Masterchef with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, an experience with the Gyuto Monks of Tibet is always unique - special, powerful and emotionally inspiring.

Throughout the two weeks, the Gyuto Monks of Tibet will run workshops on meditation, chanting, childrens activities and daily talks about how to live a happier life. These workshops are open to anyone looking for tips from spiritual leaders who are living, breathing examples of leading a happy life.

A highlight of the program this year is the photographic exhibition "In the Studio" by local Bondi photographer Tobi Wilkinson. This intimate photographic exhibition captures the essence of the Gyuto Monastic community, allowing us to peek behind the stereotype and engage with these remarkable men who are attempting to living a spiritual life in their every thought, every word and every deed, each moment of every day.

Tobi said, " The sight of monks always stops me in my tracks. I get drawn to the peace and the energy that they carry. Photographing them in the studio is not their normal environment. It's very intimate and as a result you get to photograph the individual as well as the monk. The studio element allows the fullness of their individual personalities to shine through and the photos capture this essence ."

Date & times: April 9 - 22, 2012
Admission: All Welcome. Entry by donation.
Location: Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach NSW

LIBERATION PRISON PROJECT EXHIBITION

More than 70 original and varied artworks from prisons across the globe are currently taking pride of place at Maitland Gaol, as the historic site, now a cultural centre, hosts the Liberation Exhibition.

Where: The Chapel, Maitland Gaol, 6-18 John St East Maitland.
Date: 7 January to 28 April
Open Time: Daily from 10am to 4pm

The creations featured in this eye-opening exhibition provide a private insight into life behind bars. Twenty of the artworks are a unique style of 'envelope' art, prisoners sent to the Liberation Prison Project with their students' letters. Renowned Thangka painter, Andy Weber, kindly offered a print of his Akshobya Mandala to Liberation Prison Project for this inaugural Liberation Exhibition. The print will be raffled on the final day of exhibition.

Accompanying the Liberation Exhibition is the soundscape 30 Voices, a recording of poems by Liberation Prison Project student inmates, read by Sydney actors, Danny Adcock, Steve Bisley, Peter Carmody, Benita Collings, Noel Hodda, Tracy Mann and Fiona Press.

The exhibition will also host monthly free film and live performance evenings in Maitland Gaol Auditorium - dates for the diary are;

Saturday 21 January 2012 6:30pm Performance by Newcastle based Tibetan musician, Lhamo Dolma, followed by the film screening: I Am by Director, Thomas Shadyak [Bruce Almighty, The Nutty Professior]:

• Saturday 18 February 2012
• Saturday 17 March 2012
• Saturday 21 April 2012

AUSTRALIAN TIBET COUNCIL TALKS

TIBETAN HEALING - 8^TH FEBRUARY

Tibetan medicine is a science, art and philosophy that provides a holistic approach to health care. Dr Tsering Thakchoe Drungtso will share his insights into how the ancient tradition combines the three elements of Buddhist principles, scientific knowledge and diagnostic techniques. Dr Tsering Thakchoe Drungtso is a practitioner and lecturer of Tibetan medicine at Men-Tsee-Khang (the Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute) in Dharamsala. He is the author of many books including The Healing Science of Tibet.

WHEN: 8 February, 2012 (6pm - 8pm)

THE TIBETAN ART OF RESISTANCE - 13^th FEBRUARY

Tibet's new generation has taken their resistance against Chinese rule to a new level in a cultural renaissance of music and writing and by taking part in the Lhakar movement. Since 2008, musicians, writers and bloggers have been using their craft to assert their national identity. Over 30 of them have been detained or sentenced after expressing views or sharing information about Chinese government policies and their impact in Tibet today. At the same time, ordinary Tibetans have been channelling their spirit of resistance into social, cultural and economic activities that are self-constructive (promoting Tibetan language, culture and identity) and non-cooperative (refusing to support Chinese institutions and businesses).

Tenzin Tsundue and Kyinzom Dhongdue will explore these inspiring developments in Tibet. Tenzin Tsundue is a celebrated activist based in Dharamsala. He has published two books of poetry and has written in various publications worldwide. Kyinzom Dhongdue is a campaigner with Australia Tibet Council and a former journalist in India.

WHEN: 13 February, 6pm for 6.30pm start; finish by 8pm

Both talks will be held at the Mitchell Theatre

Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney

BUY TICKETS ONLINE

OR CALL AUSTRALIA TIBET COUNCIL ON 02 9283 3466

HIS EMINENCE CHODEN RINPOCHE TEACHINGS

"The Six Yogas of Naropa" are one of the most highly regarded teachings in Vajrayana Buddhism, they are the crystal-clear basis for developing the body, speech and mind of a Buddha.

Receiving them in this lifetime is a rare and amazing chance and ripens and creates the cause for our enlightenment.

AWAKENING VAJRA AUSTRALIA

MARCH 20^th TO 1st APRIL

BALMAIN TOWN HALL - SYDNEY

Six Yogas of Naropa, Calm Abiding, Heruka

For further information and tickets visit www.awakeningvajraaustralia.org

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity.

Visit our website to find out What's On near you and for daily updates on His Holiness, become a friend of Dalai Lama in Australia on Facebook.

Until next month,

The Board of Dalai Lama in Australia and
Lynn Bain, General Manager DLIA