Odiyana Buddhist Centre
Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World

Odiyana Buddhist Centre
14 Auburn Grove, Hawthorn East,
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 3123

The Odiyana Tibetan Nyingma Buddhist Centre was founded by David Christensen (Lama Urgyen Yeshe Ozer) and provides a peaceful and inspiring setting for people to discover the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism.

Odiyana was the birthplace of Padma Sambhava (which means Lotus Born). He was also known as the Precious Master of Odiyana. During his illustrious lifetime his spiritual creativity transformed the wild inhabitants of the Tibetan plateau. In the 8th century he founded the Ancient Order (Nyingma) of Tibetan Buddhism, and his teachings are still very much alive today. The present Dalai Lama has mentioned the importance of Padma Sambhava for this day and age. The Odiyana Centre, Melbourne, is affiliated with the Shechen Tennyi Dargye Ling Monastery in Nepal. The Monastery was founded by the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and is presently under the direction of his grandson, the current abbot Rabjam Rinpoche.

David Christensen is a western Lama of the Nyingma school. He completed his traditional training under the guidance of his main teachers, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Dudjom Rinpoche, Nyoshul Khenpo and Tulku Pema Wangyal in a four-year retreat in Dordogne, France. David has spent 25 years studying and practicing Buddhism in Australia, Nepal, France and the USA. Fluent in Tibetan, he is highly regarded for his work in translating Dzogchen texts. He has taught and translated at various retreats in the United States.

As the founder of the Odiyana Centre, David provides a site for individuals to rediscover their own wisdom and health (the word "health" comes from holiness and wholeness) inspired by the wisdom energy of these ancient teachings. There are three main ways for us to discover balance and freedom : through our physical body, our voice-breath, and directly through our mind. David teaches a wide range of Buddhist courses with an emphasis on Tibetan Healing and Yoga, and the wisdom of the Dzogchen Teachings.

The centre also houses a small gallery of traditional and contemporary Tibetan Buddhist art from Nepal, Bhutan, India, and France.
(click here to see some examples)

Dilgo Khyentse and his grandson Rabjam Rinpoche

The Dharma is offered freely. All class costs support the rent, running of the Centre and the growth of the Odiyana Retreat and temple.

updated : 04 Apr 2008