Atisha Centre is a peaceful retreat centre and hub of Buddhist education, nestled in the quiet native bushland of central Victoria, near Bendigo. Founded in 1981, the Centre provides a serene and welcoming setting for all who seek time out from busy lives or wish to learn about and practise Buddhism.
Situated in close proximity to the Centre is the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, among the most significant Buddhist temples and pilgrimage destinations in the world, and the Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery, where monks devote themselves to study, meditation and spiritual transformation. There is also a virtual nunnery with plans to build a permanent structure. A number of nuns currently live onsite in a temporary nuns' village.
Atisha Centre is a Mahayana Buddhist centre affiliated with the FPMT. Our Spiritual Director is Kyabje Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche and we follow the teachings of His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet.
The Dja Dja Wrung people are proudly acknowledged as the traditional owners of this land.The main focus of the Centre is the Spiritual Programme.
With the very rare exception, all events are open to everybody to attend. Our resident teacher, Venerable Geshe Rabten, together with his translator Venerable Lobsang Dorje are highly qualified to teach the Buddhadharma. We are very fortunate to have such an amazing resource available here at Atisha Centre.
We also enjoy the further benefit of having excellent teachers and meditation leaders among the nuns at Machig Labdron Nunnery and the monks resident at Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery. Additionally, we occasionally have teachings and courses from visiting teachers.
