Dharma talks & Empowerment
Date: Sunday 24 August 2025 , 9:30am – 16:00pm
Location: Centennial Hall, Sydney Town Hall
In an extraordinary event that bridges generations and traditions, respected Buddhist teachers are coming together to share timeless teachings and offer blessings for peace, harmony, and inner strength. This significant gathering, held at the historic Sydney Town Hall, brings together wisdom holders from the Theravāda, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna traditions. It is a rare and meaningful occasion for the wider community, providing an opportunity to experience the shared wisdom flowing through centuries of living Buddhist tradition.
This sacred day welcomes people of all backgrounds, whether they are seasoned practitioners or newcomers, to receive Buddhist teachings and blessings grounded in the Four Immeasurables – Loving-kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity. These values are fundamental to Buddhist practice and offer a pathway to inner peace and a harmonious life. Attendees will have the chance to engage in guided meditations, listen to insightful teachings, and participate in rare blessing ceremony designed to deepen their understanding and practice of these universal values.
In a time of global turmoil and uncertainty, marked by generational and technological changes, Buddhist leaders will share words of wisdom from the Buddha’s teachings and offer practical guidance on how to embody the values of Loving-kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity in our daily lives. By coming together in this way, we can create a ripple effect of positive change, making these values real in our hearts and in the world around us.
Throughout July and August, Kadri Bodhi Monastery will host Buddhist programs in various parts of Sydney, culminating in this auspicious event at Sydney Town Hall. Join us for this extraordinary event and be part of a movement towards a more peaceful and compassionate world.
Preliminary Program (subject to change) :
| Time | Program and Speaker |
| 9:30 – 9.45 am | Welcome to Country |
| 9:45 – 9:55 am | Monastic Sangha Procession |
| 9:55 – 10:15 am | Welcome Remarks & Introductions by MC |
| 10:15 – 10:40 am | Bhante Sujato’s Dharma Teaching, Q&A [Bhante Sujato is the project leader and co-founder of SuttaCentral, a Buddhist scholarly platform where earlier Buddhist texts are translated into modern languages. He is the author of several Buddhist publications and the founder of Santi Forest Monastery, which became a Buddhist Nunnery in 2012]. |
| 10:40 – 10:44 am | Performance from Vietnamese Buddhist Community |
| 10:40 – 11:15 am | Venerable Ban Ruo’s Dharma Teaching, Q&A [Venerable Ban Ruo, Abbot of Prajna Monastery Australia, is widely recognised for his service as a Buddhist Chaplain and Spiritual Counsellor to the New South Wales Police Force. He advocates for animal welfare through the establishment of a rescue program dedicated to aged and ill racing horses. Additionally, he holds the position of President of the Australia-China Buddhist Association.] |
| 11:15 – 11:25 am | Performance from Shaolin Monastery Australia |
| 11:25 – 11:45 am | Intermission |
| 11:45 – 11:50 am | Performance from Korean Buddhist Choir |
| 11:50 – 12:05 pm | Khenpo Lekthong’s Dharma Teaching, Q&A [Khenpo Lekthong serves as the Abbot of Densa Palchen Chosling in Sikkim, India, and is the principal English translator for the 12th Kyabgon Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche. He is a distinguished author of several Buddhist publications, specialising in the works and history of the Karma Kagyu tradition.] |
| 12:05 – 12:15 pm | Performance from Buddhist Children |
| 12:15 – 12:30 pm | Ceremonial Gift Offering & Group Photo |
| 12-30 – 14:00 pm | Lunch Break |
| 14:00 – 16:00 pm | Dzambhala Empowerment by the 12th Kyabgon Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche |
