12TH AUSTRALIA KAGYU MONLAM FESTIVAL

Kagyu Monlam Chenmo – the Great Prayer Festival is the most important Tibetan celebration where Buddhists gather & pray for world peace.

book ticket now 

DATE & TIME

13 -16 August 2025

8.00 am – 6.00 pm

LOCATION

Grand Ballroom, Bankstown Sports Club

8 Greenfield Pde, Bankstown NSW 2200

ABOUT THIS EVENT

Kagyu Monlam is to spread the seeds of loving kindness and pure motivation, to activate their power, and hence bring about genuine peace, love, happiness and well-being in the world.
~ 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

The Kagyu Monlam is an auspicious Buddhist Prayer Festival that celebrates the interconnectedness of all sentient beings in our world. It is a great occasion when all monastic bodies together with the lay Buddhist communities unite together to pray for world peace, harmony, happiness and the wellbeing of our global community.

 

This year’s festival program includes:
  • The visit of The 12th Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche, who shall lead 12th Australia Kagyu Monlam.
  • Visiting monastic sangha (monks) from the Sikkimese , Nepalese & Bhutanese regions will demonstrate the sacred art of torma (Tibetan butter sculptures) and the creation of a Buddhist mandala. Join in the daily guided tour to see the intricate mandala and learn about its historical and religious significance.
  • Precious Buddhist relics will be on display, for viewing and veneration.
  • Share in the Marme Monlam (Lamp Prayer) experience, the symbolic lighting of an aspiration lamp to culminate the prayers for peace and harmony amongst sentients beings.
  • Participate in a daily Shamatha or ‘Tranquillity’ meditation, under the guidance of our monastic sangha.
  • Discover and learn about the wisdom of the Buddha’s teaching through our Dharma Activities.
  • Purify one’s body, speech and mind by the symbolic and mindful act of offering and pouring fragrant water over the Baby Buddha’s left shoulder.
  • Listen to beautiful Buddhist chants and prayers from different schools of Buddhism.
  • Celebrate Tibet’s art & cultural heritage with lively musical performances and thangka exhibition.
        Take time away from the busy world and join us on this auspicious occasion and let us pray together for world peace!

        To learn furthermore on the history of Kagyu Monlam, click on About (kagyumonlam.org)
        Look out for our 4 full days program on MonlamAustralia shortly! 
        Follow us on KDBM Facebook for our latest news! 

        Transport/parking options to and from the venue

        To reach Bankstown Sports Club, the Bankstown Station is just a short walk away. For those driving, the club provides free on-site parking accessible from Mona Street. 

        What NOT to bring into the event

        To comply with the venue’s guidelines and requirements, we ask participants to NOT bring any food or drink inside the Grand Ballroom at Bankstown Sports Club! Refreshments and meals are readily available on-site at the numerous dining outlets at Bankstown Sports Club.

        Are there any Buddhist etiquettes for Kagyu Monlam's visitors ?

        • Please dress modestly and avoid short skirts or low tops.
        • Refrain from touching any ordained monastics, especially monks from the Theravada tradition.
        • Maintain the serenity within the Main Shrine/Altar Area by speaking softly.
        • Do not step over any religious texts/books left on floor cushions.

        Can I take photographs at Monlam?

        Buddha images are sacred objects, so do not pose in front of them. Always ask for permission when taking photographs.

        Will there be a program for Australia Kagyu Monlam?

        Yes, a detailed program for Monlam will be created for the 12th Australia Kagyu Monlam Prayer Festival; full program will be posted in on monlamaustralia.com shortly.

        DISCLAIMER:

        Programs may change or be postponed due to circumstances outside of KDBM control. If this happens you will receive an email notification. A reminder/confirmation email is sent 48 hours prior to the event to confirm the event is going ahead.

        Bookings are made through Humantix, which is an external website. Please read their privacy policy and other disclaimers for how they store and use your information.

        Photos and/or video recordings may be taken during KDBM- run events and may be used on KDBM’s website, social media or publications. KDBM may also send images to media outlets, such as local newspapers, to assist with publicity for KDBM events. Please notify and write to KDBM if you do not want your or your children’s image or video taken [[email protected]].

        MONLAM CHENMO

        ” I make this aspiration that when you recite these prayers during the Monlam, each word may first arise in your heart, and then emerge from your mouth. I pray that every letter and syllable becomes a golden image and that every word fills the entire world. May all the sounds of lament and war as well as the poisonous winds in the environment be dispelled. May these words of love and compassion blend with the innate goodness of every single being and coalesce into one powerful force. Like the light of the sun, moon and stars, may love, compassion and wisdom shine forth. May they strike every single living being and dispel the darkness of ignorance, attachment and hatred that has lurked for ages in their being. When any living being meets another, may it be like the reunion of a mother and child after a long separation. In a harmonious world such as this, may I see everyone sleep peacefully to the music of non-violence. This is my dream.”

        ~ The 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje’s Aspiration for the Kagyu Monlam~

        [Source: Kagyu Monlam]