SIA is a not for profit, member based organisation that was established by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche in 1989 to foster the ongoing study and practice of the Buddhist teachings in Australia.
We offer an extensive Australia-wide program of face-to-face events and online study sessions, online meditation sessions and online sadhada practices.
For general inquiries about Siddhartha’s Intent Australia, email Ari, at [email protected]
See below for Regional Locations
Jakob Leschly
Most of Siddhartha’s Intent Australias’ workshops, retreats and study groups are conducted by Jakob Leschly. Jakob has been appointed by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche as a resident instructor in Australia. He began his studies of Buddhism in 1974 and has studied with numerous great teachers, particularly Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Dudjom Rinpoche and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. Jakob completed a three year retreat in 1984. Since then he has worked as a translator, interpreter and as a philosophy and meditation instructor. He has also completed a BA in Tibetan Studies. He now lives NSW.
Jangchub Haubner
Jangchub has been a student of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche for thirty years. During this time she has been actively involved with Vajradhara Gonpa and was requested by Rinpoche to become an instructor for Siddhartha’s Intent Australia at Vajradhara Gonpa in 1995.
Jangchub completed a three year retreat in France under Pema Wangyal Rinpoche in 2006. Subsequently she was one of the supervisors for the second three year retreat at Vajradhara Gonpa in the first and last year.
Jangchub’s main emphasis is in the area of Pastoral Care for Buddhist practitioners or people who are open to the spiritual values of the Buddha’s teachings, to assist them through the dying process and to provide support for their families
Jangchub can be contacted on [email protected]
Steve Cline grew up in the Seattle area and became a student of Chögyam Trungpa in 1971 in Boulder, Colorado. During that period Steve was also a student and later an instructor of kyudo, the art of Japanese Zen archery, under the guidance of Onyumishi Kanjuro Shibata. In 1991 Steve became a student of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and under Rinpoche’s guidance undertook three year retreat in the Dordogne (France) between 1994 and 1997. In 2003 Rinpoche asked Steve to develop curriculum for three year retreats at Vajradhara Gonpa in Australia and Steve subsequently served as retreat master through two retreat program cycles.
Since his three year retreat in France, Steve has participated in the translation of various Khyentse lineage practice liturgies from Tibetan into English. Steve and his wife Kate Miller (administrator for the Vajradhara Gonpa three year retreats) enjoy spending time in Bir, Himachal Pradesh (India) when not at home in Ballina NSW
Adelaide
For information contact Julianne at [email protected]
Bellingen
You are invited to join us for regular meditation practice on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month at 3:00pm. We live within the peaceful tranquillity of the forest about 13 kilometres from Bellingen on the NSW mid-north coast. Since 1979 we have hosted many eminent Tibetan Buddhist (and other) teachers here.
Contact: Tricia and Stephen Abell. Email: [email protected]
Note: Our Covid compliance agreement requires you to register your intention to attend the face-to-face event in advance by email. Please do not attend if you are Covid symptomatic and/or in close contact with another who may be symptomatic, or if you have been in a Covid “hotspot” area in the last 14 days.
Brisbane
Brisbane hosts a public talk and seminar with SIA instructor Jakob Leschly once a year, usually in May. If you are interested in assisting with or attending future sangha events in Brisbane or wish to be placed on our Brisbane email list please contact Kris Anderson: [email protected]
Canberra
For information contact Ewa Talent at [email protected]
Lismore
*Postponed due to Covid 19
Study and Practice at the Japan Gallery: The SIA Lismore sangha meets on Mondays at the Southern Cross University at the Japan Gallery. From 5 to 6 pm we watch a live Webinar by SIA’s resident instructor Jakob Leschly followed by the practice of meditation from 6 to 7 pm. Venue: SCU Japan Gallery, located between the new Library Learning Centre and the International Office Cost: $5 suggested donation
Contact: Eric van Beurden at [email protected]
Melbourne
For information contact Lianne Metcalf at [email protected]
Mullumbimby
The Northern Rivers’ venue for the weekly SIA study and meditation is located at Pancha Sirsha (5 Peaks), Mullumbimby. Every Monday we offer a programme of study and meditation practice from 5pm – 7.30 pm.
Monday schedule: 5 to 6 pm: General or specific talks on Buddhism. For both old and new students, 6 to 6:30 pm: Introductory talk on the basics of Buddhist meditation, 6:30-7.30 pm: Meditation (20 min sitting, 10 min mindful walking, 20 min sitting). Cost: $5 suggested donation
Click here for more information
Sydney
SIA Sydney Practice Room is at Unit 22/450 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, 2010
Directions: 5-10 minute walk from Central Station. Turn right from Devonshire St onto Elizabeth St (away from the city). The centre is near the corner of Elizabeth and Brumby Streets. Use the intercom for Unit 22. Once you have passed through the second door please take the lift to level one. Street parking can be found on side streets off to the right of Elizabeth St or past Cleveland St.
To enquire about upcoming events at the Sydney Practice Room email Esther at [email protected]
The administrative committee helping run Siddhartha’s Intent Australia includes:
Administrative Director
Lindy Pulsford (Co-director)
Alex Swanson (Co-director)
Secretary
Ari Summa – e-mail: [email protected]
Treasurer
Pantha Blazely
Other Committee Members
Jeannie Alamkara – Programs
Anni Heldtz – Memberships
Tom Gwinn – Web master
Nikki Keefe – Logistics and Regional Coordinator team leader
A worldwide network of buddhist practitioners studying and practising under the guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.
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