About Us
Our Mission Statement
Following the inspirational example of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Langri Tangpa Buddhist Centre is dedicated to serving others with kindness and wisdom, and to educating people in ways to reduce suffering and promote the development of a more kind, compassionate and peaceful human family.
We Achieve Our Mission By:
- Aiming to realise the vision and achieve the goals of our precious teachers Lama Thubten Yeshe (1935-84) and Lama Zopa Rinpoche (of the FPMT).
- Personifying the teachings of our namesake the 11th century Buddhist master Geshe Langri Tangpa, by putting into practice his Eight Verses for Training the Mind.
- Providing our members and the wider community with a safe, friendly, inclusive and supportive environment for the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism (in particular the teachings of Je Tsong Khapa) and a forum for spiritual discussion.
- Providing our members and visitors with the appropriate education and tools to overcome their suffering and become more caring, peaceful and happy members of society.
- Abiding by and requiring all members and visitors to abide by the five Buddhist precepts while on LTC property; that is, to refrain from killing, stealing, lying, improper sexuality and intoxicants (including tobacco).
What is the Dharma Centre For?
“…the centre is in this world to educate people … giving education in how to practice kindness toward others in everyday life.”
“The Dharma centre is an emergency rescue operation, like when police go in with sirens blaring, helicopters whirling – to rescue people in distress! Like that, the meditation centre plays a very important role in the emergency rescue of people, human beings, using the seat belt and life jacket of the lam-rim.”
– Lama Zopa Rinpoche (Founder, FPMT)
Proudly Affiliated with the FPMT
Langri Tangpa Centre is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), an international not-for-profit organisation devoted to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.
We take our spiritual guidance and protection from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, from the FPMT Board, and from the teachings of Lama Thubten Yeshe and Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche.
About our namesake, Geshe Langri Tangpa
Geshe Langri Tangpa (1054-1123) is an important figure in the lineage of the Kadam and Gelug schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
He was born in Central Tibet, as Dorje Senge. His name derives from Langtang, the area in which he is said to have lived. He was a Kadampa master, and disciple of Geshe Potowa. Langri Tangpa is said to be an emanation of Buddha Amitabha.
He was the author of Eight Verses of Thought Transformation, considered a succinct summary of the Lojong teachings of Mahayana Buddhism, a radical yet highly effective method for transforming problems into happiness.
Radical transformation in eight short verses to turn your life around!
A practical and inspiring commentary on the Eight Vereses by Geshe Sherab.
Here’s a story for you…
One day, one of Geshe Langri Tangpa’s close attendants told him, “The others call you Langri Tangpa Gloomy-face.” Geshe-la replied “How could my face be bright and cheery when I think about all the sufferings in the three worlds of samsara?”
It is said that Geshe Langri Tangpa only ever smiled once. He saw a mouse trying to move a turquoise that was on his mandala. But the mouse could not lift the jewel on its own, so it called, “Tsik! Tsik!,” and another couple of mice came along too. They maneuvered the turquoise onto the belly of one, whilst one mouse pushed and the other pulled him along by his tail.
Seeing this, Geshe Langri Tangpa smiled!
