At this year’s Australian Dharma Celebration, Gen Kelsang Rabten will grant the Blessing Empowerment of Je Tsongkapa and give an essential commentary to the The Request to the Lord of All Lineages prayer. The Request to the Lord of All Lineages prayer is the most blessed of all the Lamrim (Stages of the Path to Enlightenment) prayers.
It reveals each step of the journey to the fulfilment of our potential for deep lasting happiness. By studying and practising the complete Lamrim we can overcome all painful states of mind because each instruction is a perfect opponent and all painful states of mind find their opponents within Lamrim.
Additionally, with the blessings of Je Tsongkhapa in our mind, we will find it easy to extract all the spiritual treasures from this text and be able to always abide in wisdom and peace.
Festivals and Celebrations are a spiritual holiday like no other. They give us an opportunity to step away from the busyness of daily life and to make time for our inner spiritual development for a concentrated period of time. In this way we accelerate our meditation practice, deepening our understanding and experience in a relatively short period of time. Everyone is welcome.
Teachers.
Gen Kelsang Rabten.
Gen Kelsang Rabten is the Resident Teacher of KMC Australia (Dandenong Ranges) and KMC Melbourne (CBD). Ordained in 1994, he has studied under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for 30 years. He has taught in many centres around the world including Australia, New Zealand, and South-East Asia.
Gen Rabten exemplifies the essence of the modern Kadampa way of life, brings a warm heart and joyful attitude to sharing Buddha’s teachings and the practice of meditation.
Kadam Mick.
Kadam Mick Marcon is the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Newcastle and has been practising meditation and Buddhism since 2004. With his clear understanding of Buddha’s teachings and down-to-earth manner, Mick inspires us to develop a pure and happy mind.
The Program.
The Venue.
Kadampa Meditation Centre Australia.
Kadampa Meditation Centre Australia (KMCA) is the national centre for Kadampa Buddhism in Australia. Located an hour outside of Melbourne in the lush forest of the Dandenong Ranges, it is the perfect place for experiencing inner peace.
To explore the accommodation facilities, please click here.
Address: 25 McCarthy Road, Monbulk
Site Map.
Fees.
In-person & Online
In-person Event Fee.
Whole event (does not include accommodation).
Fri 18 - 21 Apr = $195 (lunch and dinner incl.)
Daily Rates.
Fri 18 Apr = $25 (dinner incl.)
Sat 19 Apr = $90 (lunch & dinner incl.)
Sunday = $75 (lunch & dinner incl.)
Monday = $30 (lunch incl.)
Online Event Fee.
Whole event only = $160
Children Event Fee.
0 - 7 years = Free
8 - 15 years = 50% discount
16 + = adult price
For ages 4 to 7, a daily fee of $8 applies for both lunch and dinner.
Accommodation Price (breakfast included)
Single room with ensuite = $360
Single room = $285
Double/twin room = $450
Dorm = $135
Camping = $90
Camping (per night) = $30
Pre-erected tent = $225
Children's Accommodation
- We regret that we are unable to accommodate children under 16 in shared rooms or dormitory accommodation with adults who are not their parent/legal guardian, nominated carer, or an adult family member.
- Children aged 4 and over who occupy a bed/space in a twin or double room will be charged at the full adult rate.
- Children aged 3 and under who share their parent's bed can stay free of charge.
- Children under 16 who are camping (in their parent's own tent) are free of charge. However, they are not permitted to sleep in their own tent and must share with an adult family member or nominated carer.
- For ages 4 to 15, a $4 daily fee applies for breakfast when staying in a twin/double room already paid for by an adult or when camping with an adult.
Young Adults Accommodation (16 & 17 year olds)
Young adults cannot be accommodated in shared rooms or dormitory accommodation. They may stay in twin accommodation if their nominated responsible adult is also sharing the room.
Belgrave Shuttles.
Shuttles are available from Belgrave Station to KMC Australia (Dandenong Ranges) on Friday 18 Apr (pick-up) and Mon 21 Apr (drop-off). $15 per person, per trip.
Audio Recordings.
All teachings = $55 (does not include morning meditations & retreat).
Bookings.
Bookings for the Australian Dharma Celebration 2025 are now closed.
Joining Online.
It is recommended to attend the event in-person. If you are unable to do so, the event is available to attend online.
Each session will be available for live streaming at the scheduled time. Sessions will then be available 48 hours after the live broadcast to watch on demand.
The recorded sessions will be available until Sunday, 18 May, at 7:30 PM Melbourne Time.
The Empowerment will be available to view for 24 hours only.
Post Dharma Celebration Retreats.
The Australian Dharma Celebration is a precious opportunity to receive empowerment and teachings from our National Spiritual Director, Gen Kelsang Rabten. This experience is greatly enhanced if we can spend some time after the Dharma Celebration in retreat to improve our understanding of the teachings and take their meaning to heart.
Click here to view the list of available retreats.