Dharamshala: The 43rd Sakya Trizin, Kyabgon Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, held a series of spiritual engagements in Melbourne, Australia, following his arrival on 6 March 2026.

At the request of Sakya Choekhor Lhunpo and the Tibetan Community of Victoria, Kyabgon Gyana Vajra Rinpoche bestowed the combined empowerment of the Three Wrathful Deities, granted a public audience, and gave teachings on the Phurpa (Vajrakilaya).

On 18 March, the Rinpoche visited the SIBA Retreat Centre of Lama Choedak Rinpoche, where he gave teachings, including the Hevajra initiation and other dharma teachings.

On 28 March, the Rinpoche graced the inauguration of the newly constructed Sakya Temple of Peace. Distinguished guests at the ceremony included the Australian Federal Minister for Finance, the Honourable Katy Gallagher; the Representative of the Office of Tibet in Canberra, Karma Singey; a senior archbishop of the region; and many other local dignitaries. It was also attended by Lama Choedak Rinpoche and many of his centre’s patrons, as well as local Tibetan residents and other devotees, totalling around 300 turnouts.

Following the speeches by Kyabgon Gyana Vajra Rinpoche and Honourable Katy Gallagher during the gathering, Representative Karma Singey read the message from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama for the occasion.

The event also featured the presentation of thangkas to the ten patrons and the formal inauguration of the temple. Vibrant cultural performances by the Canberra-based Tibetan and Bhutanese devotees.

On 30 March, Kyabgon Gyana Vajra Rinpoche bestowed a long life initiation on the general public and granted a special audience to the members of the ACT Tibetan Community and bestowed the Vajrakilaya Kago blessing and words of advice at the Sakya Temple of Peace in Canberra, the capital of Australia.

In the afternoon, the Rinpoche arrived in Milton, a town on the south coast of Australia, from Canberra. There, Rinpoche bestowed the Vajrakilya Kago blessing and audience to the members of the Tibetan community of Nowra. Later in the afternoon, Rinpoche gave a talk on Educating the Heart and Mind at Ulladulla High School. And in the evening, Rinpoche bestowed initiation of the Avaloketeshwara from the Tsimbu tradition and imparted the Refuge vow to a fortunate group of new Dharma entrants.

Lama Choedak Rinpoche, who oversaw the project of building Temple of Peace, emigrated to Australia in 1985. While pursuing higher academic studies, he simultaneously introduced Buddhism and taught meditation and related practices, establishing over ten dharma centres, including the Sakya Losal Chod Zong, and invited His Holiness the Dalai Lama; Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Rinpoche; as well as the 42nd and 43rd Sakya Trizin Rinpoches; and the late Sakya master Chogye Trichen Ngawang Khyenrab Thupten Lekshe Gyatso, thereby planting the seeds of liberation for many thousands of devoted followers. He has also taught Buddhist psychology and ethics in numerous Australian schools and rendered extensive community service, for which he has received many awards and recognition from both local and federal governments.

In 2017, the Australian government granted a plot of land in the national capital territory for the establishment of a Temple of Peace. Over the years, a beautifully designed Tibetan-style temple complete with all interior and exterior sacred objects was constructed. A stupa of enlightenment in memory of the late Chogye Trichen Ngawang Khyenrab Thupten Lekshe Gyatso, standing 28 feet tall, was also completed. The 43rd Sakya Trizin, Kyabgon Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, performed a one-day consecration through the Hevajra ritual, and a three-day Khön tradition Vajrakilaya (Dorje Phurpa) practice was held in Australia for the very first time, dedicated to the flourishing of the teachings and the long life of the reverend lamas.

According to a report filed by Tibetan Parliamentarian Ven. Lopon Thubten Gyaltsen, this is also aligned with the celebration of the Year of Compassion.