Every Saturday during the Victorian school term, the Nalandra Buddhist Institute (NBI) hosts a unique Dharma discussion for its community. This gathering, which began in 2015, is a rare and valuable opportunity for students to not only deepen their own understanding but also to cultivate the skills of naturing the mind. 

The format is centred on classic Buddhist texts, and commencing in Term 2 of 2026 the topic of study is the Dhammapada, authored by Buddha Shakyamuni (see below for details). Four days before each session, participants receive an email with specific verse numbers to study and contemplate. The session itself is a time for everyone to share their insights on samsara and nirvana as they relate to these verses, fostering an environment of active learning and personal reflection. Rinpoche highly values this engagement, referring to it as the "engineering of the mind." He believes that bringing these contemplations to the level of speech helps "oil" the mind's engine, ensuring wisdom doesn't become stagnant. However, if one prefers to remain a silent observer, they are also more than welcome to attend. As Rinpoche often says, "If the gift of dharma (GOD) is supreme of generosity, gratitude is also supreme amongst all virtues."

The session concludes with Rinpoche dedicating the merits of the practice, offering his own illuminating talk to polish relevant points, and providing a "missing link" that connects the verses to a broader understanding. This ancient method, emphasizing hearing, reflecting, and contemplating, is a powerful way to make these profound concepts practical.

Following a refreshing lunch break, Hezr offers a brief Q&A and “moonlight” talk. He offers a guided meditation that shines the yogi's potential, either before or after the lunch break. The meditation reflects on silhouettes of  one's internal and external presence, allowing participants to carry a sense of strength and awareness into every aspect of their lives—walking, sitting, and even during sleep.

Online registration is essential to attend.

13:00 Lunch Break

14:00 Moonlight talk & Meditation by Hezr

The Wisdom of the Dhammapada: A Guide to Inner Transformation

By Buddha Shakyamuni.

The Dhammapada is a collection of the Buddha’s sayings in verse form, offering profound benefits for practitioners and philosophical seekers alike. Often called a "teacher in your pocket," this text provides actionable wisdom for personal growth, inner peace, and a clearer understanding of life that remains strikingly relevant in the modern world.

1. Mastery of the Mind & Emotional Regulation

The Dhammapada teaches that the mind is the architect of our reality. By studying its verses, you learn to:

•  Reframe Your Thoughts: "All that we are is the result of what we have thought." Transform self-sabotaging patterns into peaceful ones.

• Tame the Ego: Master the "unruly heart" by balancing automatic emotional reactions with rational awareness.

• Develop Self-Control: Achieve the ultimate victory—self-mastery—which the text highlights as the most rewarding battle one can win.

• Dissolve Hatred: Practice the timeless truth that hatred is never ended by hatred, but by love.

2. Practical Life Guidance & Ethical Living

Beyond abstract philosophy, the Dhammapada serves as a manual for daily conduct and integrity.

• Actionable Wisdom: Short, pithy verses are easy to memorize and apply during moments of conflict or distress.

• Ethical Foundation: It promotes a universal framework of non-violence and personal responsibility.

• Finding True Value: Shift your priority from the chase for fame and wealth toward virtue and mindfulness.

• Perspective on Mortality: Contemplating impermanence helps reduce anxiety over minor problems and encourages meaningful living.

3. Spiritual Growth & Enlightenment

As a distillation of the Buddha’s core teachings, the text is both a starting point for beginners and a well of depth for advanced practitioners.

• The Path to Freedom: It outlines the Noble Eightfold Path guiding seekers toward the cessation of suffering.

• Cultivating Wisdom (Paññā): Constant reflection sharpens the mind to understand the true nature of reality.

• Universal Accessibility: It bypasses rigid dogma to offer a direct experience of spiritual liberation.

• Psychological & Mental Health Benefits: Modern psychology often mirrors the insights found in these ancient verses, particularly regarding cognitive health.

• Enhanced Mindfulness: The text emphasizes "vigilance" as the path to life, encouraging constant awareness of one's actions.

• Stress Reduction: The principles of detachment align with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help manage psychological distress.

• Overcoming Pain: Learn to manage physical and mental suffering through a disciplined, well-cultivated mind.

How to Get Started with studying the Dhammapada:

To truly reap the rewards of the Dhammapada, consider these three practices:

1. Daily Contemplation. Read just one chapter or verse a day to allow for deep reflection or a blessed sleep.

2. Repeated Study.Treat the text as a lifelong companion; its meaning evolves as you do. 

3. Use Commentaries. Explore the ancient stories behind the verses to understand their practical context. 

"The mind is wavering and restless, difficult to guard and restrain: let the wise man straighten his mind as a maker of arrows makes his arrows straight." The Dhammapada