Lam Rim Retreat: Exploring the Path to Wisdom & Compassion

The Lam Rim, or graduated path to enlightenment, is one of the most precious teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. It presents the entire Buddhist path in a clear, step-by-step way, guiding us from an initial spark of interest in inner transformation all the way to the vast awakening of wisdom and compassion.

During this five-day residential retreat, Venerable Tony Beaumont will guide participants through essential stages of the path. With warmth and clarity, he will help us reflect on how Buddhist philosophy and practice can be applied in daily life, encouraging us to use our own intelligence and experience as the measure for understanding.

What we will explore together

Through teachings, guided meditation, group discussions, and opportunities for Q&A, we will engage with core Lam Rim topics such as:

• The Buddhist understanding of mind and consciousness

• Our innate potential for awakening

• The reality of death and impermanence

• The workings of karma and cause & effect

• Recognising and transforming afflictive mental states

• The cultivation of wisdom and the development of a compassionate heart

Why join this retreat?

The Lam Rim provides a complete framework for spiritual growth — from establishing a solid foundation for practice to developing profound insight and compassion. Whether you are new to Buddhism or have been practicing for many years, this retreat offers both inspiration and practical tools to deepen your understanding.

Retreat time at Mahamudra Centre also provides a rare opportunity to step away from everyday busyness and reconnect with the inner stillness of the heart. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Coromandel Peninsula, participants will enjoy a supportive environment for reflection, meditation, and personal transformation.

About Venerable Tony Beaumont

Venerable Tony Beaumont first encountered Buddhism in Nepal and India in 1976–77, where he attended two one-month Lam Rim courses at Kopan Monastery as well as a three-month Vajrasattva retreat at Tushita in Dharamsala. These early experiences left a deep impression and set the foundation for a lifetime of dedicated practice.

After returning to Australia, he trained and worked as a psychiatric nurse before becoming based at Chenrezig Institute in the 1980s, where he offered service in many roles — cook, office worker, and gardener.

In 1991, Ven. Tony took novice ordination with Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche at Kopan, and in 1993 he received full ordination with Geshe Yeshe Topden at Lama Tsong Khapa Institute in Italy.

Following his ordination, Ven. Tony lived for seventeen years in FPMT monasteries: Nalanda Monastery in France and Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery in Bendigo, Australia, where he also served as director. Over the years, he has led retreats and courses at FPMT centres around the world and has extended his teaching to prisons and schools.

Ven. Tony is widely appreciated for his clarity, humility, and the warmth with which he shares the Dharma, making profound teachings practical and relevant for modern life.

Practical details

📅 Dates: Wednesday 21 January – Monday 26 January, 2026 

📍 Location: Mahamudra Centre for Universal Unity, Colville, Coromandel 

✨ Format: Residential retreat including teachings, guided meditation, discussion, and Q&A. 

👥 Who can attend: Open to everyone — from complete beginners to experienced practitioners.