About Event:

Are you new to Buddhism? Do you want to see what it’s all about and perhaps use its teachings and meditation practices to improve your daily life?

Buddhism in a Nutshell is an FPMT introductory course that provides an overview of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and practice. It is excellent for people encountering Buddhism for the first time, as well as for people who have heard or read some Buddhist teachings but would like a more structured approach to understanding the path to enlightenment as taught by Shakyamuni Buddha.

It consists of three sessions each day, sessions that cover topics including the life of Shakyamuni Buddha, the four noble truths, and the three principal aspects of the path to enlightenment—renunciation, bodhicitta, and what is called ‘the view’ – how things exist in reality. The course also provides a brief presentation of meditation, and five guided meditations suitable for beginners.

We are offering this course over two Saturdays in July – 15th and 29th July. People are encouraged to attend both days for the best experience, but those who are unable to do so are welcome to attend only one. It can be attended in person in our gompa – online through the Zoom link and also at any chosen time on our YouTube channel.

About Teacher:

Peter Shepherd was introduced to Buddhism in 2009 when his friend lent him a copy of ‘What Makes You Not a Buddhist’, by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. It was the first time he’d ever read anything that was explicitly talking about our reality. This led him to attend the Discovering Buddhism Course with Venerable Tenzin Tsepal at Chenrezig Institute shortly after, to which he is still grateful for and drawing inspiration from today.

He has a very keen interest in how dharma is relevant to us each day and how it can be applied in every moment. He’s passionate about how this ancient wisdom tradition can be applied to us living in a different part of the world in a very different culture. Whilst at our core we are no different to the Indians and Tibetans of the past centuries, we have a very different education system, upbringing, social circumstances and exposure to a much wider range of experiences and information. As some of our great teachers have shown us in recent years, there are a few very important considerations, to make sure the dharma is received and practiced as intended. 

He has attended numerous study and meditation retreats at Chenrezig Institute and other locations. He currently lives in Caloundra with his partner and works part-time as a landscape architect and Zenthai Shiatsu therapist. His study of Zenthai Shiatsu, Chinese Five Element Theory and Ayurveda have led him to explore the body-mind relationship in greater depth and he is passionate about how other traditions and modalities can support Buddhist practice.

Daily schedule

9:00-10:30 (1.5 hrs)

11:00-12:00 (1 hr)

1:30-3:00 (1.5 hrs)

Register to attend in person:

The recommended contribution for this one day event is $60.

However, please don’t let finances get in the way of your attending. Feel free to contact spc@chenrezig.com.au to request financial assistance to take part and contribute what you can to enable Chenrezig Institute to continue to offer the dharma to all.

Sangha are always able to attend our courses free of charge but are encouraged to please register (using their coupon).

Register to attend online:

The recommended contribution for this one day event is $60.

However, please don’t let finances get in the way of your attending. Feel free to contact spc@chenrezig.com.au to request financial assistance to take part and contribute what you can to enable Chenrezig Institute to continue to offer the dharma to all.

Sangha are always able to attend our courses free of charge but are encouraged to please register (using their coupon).