DCI
Dorje Chang Institute for Wisdom Culture is a Registered Charitable Trust and Tibetan Buddhist Centre offering meditations, classes and a peaceful, beautiful oasis in the city –OPEN to ALL Serving the Auckland community for 50 years by the end of 2026 (since 1976).
Dorje Chang Institute is affiliated with the FPMT.
About us
What tradition of Buddhism?
- Tibetan Buddhist
- Based on the tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught to us by our founder Lama Yeshe and spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche
- Dorje Chang Institute is affiliated with the FPMT. The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) is an international affiliated network of over 130 centers, projects and services (and probationary centers, projects and services – known as study groups) in 31 countries which follow the spiritual direction of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and FPMT International Office. To read more click here. To visit the FPMT main website click here.
In Auckland over 49 years
- A Registered Charitable Trust since 1976
- Oldest Tibetan Buddhist Centre in New Zealand
What do we do?
- Serve others by creating the conditions for people of all interests and inclinations to contact, study and practice the teachings of the Buddha.
What do we offer?
- Meditation
- Classes in Buddhist philosophy and practice (introductory to advanced) including the Buddhist Mind Science series and others
- Pujas and Practices (traditional prayer/meditation ceremonies, sutra recitations, meditation, etc.)
- Retreats
- Occasional Book Clubs, Discussion Groups
- Community Events
- A variety of other services (including prayers for those who are sick, dying or experiencing obstacles, private appointments with teachers or members of the Sangha to ask questions, discuss one’s personal practice and enjoy support for one’s practice and exploration of Buddhism, etc.)
For more information on the spiritual program please visit our program page.
Our Teachers
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Inspiration and Guide of the FPMT
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people and an inspiration to many people worldwide as an authentic spiritual teacher and kind human being. His Holiness was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and continues to inspire the world with His total embodiment of loving-kindness and compassion towards all living beings (without exception).
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s principal commitments include:
“Firstly, as a human being, His Holiness is concerned with encouraging people to be happy, advocating the cultivation of warm-heartedness and human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline…
“Secondly, as a Buddhist monk, His Holiness is committed to encouraging harmony among the world’s religious traditions…
“Thirdly, His Holiness is a Tibetan and as the ‘Dalai Lama’ is the focus of the Tibetan people’s hope and trust. Therefore, he is committed to preserving Tibetan language and culture, the heritage Tibetans received from the masters of India’s Nalanda University…” [Excerpted from “Principal Commitments”]
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s praise of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Dec 2006: “Rinpoche is someone who follows my guidance sincerely, very expansively and with one hundred percent trust. He possesses unwavering faith and pure samaya; not only has he pure samaya and faith but whatever I instruct, Zopa Rinpoche has the capability to accomplish it. So whatever dedications Lama Zopa Rinpoche makes I also pray to accomplish this and you should do the same thing.” (Photo by Olivier Ada.)
For a Collection of Advice from His Holiness the Dalai Lama Regarding Dholgyal (Shugden) please click here. For the results of the referendum on this issue click here.
Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Spiritual Director and Founder
Kyabje Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche (1945-2023) was born in Thami, in the Mount Everest region of Nepal, not far from the Lawudo cave where his predecessor had meditated for the last 20 years of his life. Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche was a Tibetan Buddhist scholar and meditator who, for 39 years, oversaw the spiritual activities of the extensive worldwide network of centers, projects and services that form the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), which he founded with Lama Thubten Yeshe. To read more click here. (Photo by Ven Roger)
Our Founder, Lama Yeshe (1935-1984)
Founder
Lama Thubten Yeshe was born in Tibet in 1935. At the age of six, he entered Sera Monastic University in Tibet where he studied until 1959, when as Lama Yeshe himself has said, “In that year the Chinese kindly told us that it was time to leave Tibet and meet the outside world.” Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, together as teacher and disciple since their exile in India, met their first Western students in 1965. By 1971 they settled at Kopan, a small hamlet near Kathmandu in Nepal. In 1974, the Lamas began touring and teaching in the West, which would eventually result in the FPMT. Now there are over 150 centres, study groups and projects worldwide. Lama Yeshe died in 1984, his reincarnation Lama Tenzin Osel Rinpoche was born to Spanish parents in 1985. To read more about Lama Yeshe’s life please click here.
Ösel Hita (Lama Ösel Rinpoche), Lama Yeshe’s reincarnation
Lama Ösel who likes to be known as Ösel Hita, has received a combination of traditional Tibetan monastic training, as well as a Western education. To read more about his life and recent times visit here. To watch recent video teachings by Ösel Rinpoche click here. To watch Ösel Rinpoche’s inspiring talk given at Dorje Chang Institute in October 2024 click here. (Photo by Tan Seow Kheng and Stephen Ching)
Our Resident Teacher, Lharampa Geshe Thupten Wangchen
Geshe Wangchen came to Dorje Chang Institute in 2003 at the request of Our Spiritual Director, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Geshe-la is a highly qualified Lharampa Geshe who has done extensive study, retreats and has taught at Kopan monastery in Nepal and at Varanasi University in India. We invite you to read more about Geshe Wangchen’s life experience.
Resident Sangha
Lharampa Geshe Wangchen
Resident Teacher
Ven. Gyalten Wangmo
Spiritual Program Coordinator
Supporting Our Resident Sangha
We welcome contributions to the DCI Sangha Support Fund which is set up to help support the needs of our resident Sangha members.
Lay FPMT Registered Teacher
Simon Harrison
FPMT Registered Teacher
DCI’s Translator
Rinchen Dhondup
DCI’s Tibetan-English Translator
Holy Objects
Our Facilities
Meditation Hall
Book and Gift Shop
Library of Buddhist books
Accommodation
(long and short term)
Visitors
We welcome you to come and visit DCI anytime during the day or early evening. The Prayer Wheel room is open during the daytime and the Stupa can be circumambulated during the day and early evening. It is possible to use the Meditation Hall (gompa) to meditate, do prayers, prostrations or make offerings when it is not in use. You are welcome to call to check or request a time.
If you would like to have a tour, wish to discuss our Spiritual Program, ask questions or are coming with a large group, please call us to make an appointment in advance. (09) 828 3333 or (09) 828 8776.
Getting Here
We are located at 56 Powell Street (off of Blockhouse Bay) in Avondale. We are close to the motorway, bus and train. For driving directions we suggest you visit google maps. For bus and train schedules and information in Auckland please visit at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/ . There is a bus stop at the end of Powell Street (two blocks from the centre) as well as others nearby. The Avondale train station is about a 11 – 15 minute walk away and offers very direct transport to and from the centre of Auckland as well as other localities. If you would like a shuttle service to or from the airport we recommend supershuttle.
