Basics

Amitabha Foundation Australia is fortunate to have for our Spiritual Director His Eminence Choje Ayang Rinpoche, one of the most senior Lamas to be teaching in the western world. At 71 years old, Rinpoche is one of the fast disappearing last generation of Masters to have completed their Dharma education in old Tibet. He makes regular, generally annual, teaching visits to our Centre in Waitara near Hornsby. He offers high level Vajrayana teachings in English, Mahamudra/Dzogchen teachings, and is also regularly available for practice and personal interviews. Many of Rinpoche's teachings are based on Buddha Amitabha sadhana practices, and appeal to students from Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and other Pure Land traditions, as well as to those from other backgrounds.

One of the pioneers of the spread of Tibetan Buddhism throughout the world, Rinpoche is the wisdom emanation of Terton Rigzin Choegyal Dorje. He has long been recognized as the pre-eminent Master of the practice of Phowa (transference of the consciousness at death to the Pure Land of Buddha Amitabha) living in the world today. After leaving Tibet in 1959 at the age of 17, he was requested to teach internationally by HH Dalai Lama, HH 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, and HH Dudjom Rinpoche.

Rinpoche teaches in English, in a characteristically clear, warm and compassionate manner. His teachings are always fully comprehensive, with precise and detailed meditation instructions that enable any student to engage confidently with high-level teachings. It is common for students to have powerful and transformative experiences that deeply enrich their spiritual lives simply through being in Rinpoche's presence or by hearing his voice.

Known for his active compassion as well as for the depth of his realization, Ayang Rinpoche is the founder and Spiritual Director of the Amitabha Foundation which has branches in many countries dedicated to charitable and development projects supporting impoverished people in India, Nepal and Tibet. He has recently re-established his monastery in Tibet, and has founded monasteries, nunneries, temples and retreat centres in India and Nepal.