Join us for an unforgettable event full of community, culture, and celebration at the inaugural Big Love Festival 2024...

Held on the vast grounds of Chenrezig Institute, Sunshine Coast, the Big Love Festival marks the 50th anniversary of Chenrezig Institute and 50 years of Tibetan Buddhism in Australia. 

FEATURING:

Talks and other practices with Geshe Phuntsok Tsultrim, Chenrezig Institute's resident Tibetan teacher:

Touring teacher Geshe Zopa, leading the Lama Tsong Khapa Bhumtsok (100,000 offerings) daily in the Gompa (temple):

Image courtesy of tushita.info

Featuring Tenzin Choegyal: 

Image courtesy of tenzinchoegyal.com

Sacred Earth:

Image courtesy of sacredearthmusic.com

Also featuring daily meditation and puja practices, contemplative and enlightening Dharma talks by established Buddhist teachers, workshops and activities for all ages to embody peace, loving-kindness and compassion, and live music that will uplift your spirit and connect you with the essence of Big Love...and of course, the best and blessed Big Love Cafe chai :-)

More wonderful Dharma teachers, incredible artists, facilitators and presenters feature daily - to be announced soon!

Super early bird Full Festival tickets have just been released - SAVE 30% by securing yours now (only available for the first 300 tickets purchased).

Festival days and times:

• Thursday 26th September: 10am - 8pm
• Friday 27th September: 10am - 8pm
• Saturday 28th September: 10am - 8pm

During this festival, you might choose to immerse in:

• Artistic Expressions of Devotion: Marvel at the beauty of Buddhist art displays showcasing vibrant expressions of devotion. Option to participate in hands-on workshops and activities that allow you to engage with the rich artistic heritage of Tibetan culture and deepen your understanding of its significance (more details coming soon)
• Live Music: Internationally-renowned artists Tenzin Choegyal, Sacred Earth and more will be offering their powerful music during late afternoon/evening concerts. Other artists feature throughout the festival.
• Practices to open the Mind & Heart: Be guided through contemplative meditations, join in pujas (offering ceremonies/celebrations), chant mantras, and join in other Buddhist practices. 
• Culinary Delights: Including the vegetarian offerings of the Big Love Cafe, renowned for its delicious lunches and delightful treats, as well as other onsite food and beverage offerings prepared with love.
• The Big Love Chai tent: Step into the cozy ambiance of the Big Love Chai Tent and savour the aromatic delights of the renowned chai, as you connect with fellow festival-goers.
• Engaging and meaningful activities for the whole family: Throughout Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the festival, Dharma Kids will be offering creative and meaningful activities tailored to inspire young minds in a fun and engaging, peaceful and kind ways.

About Chenrezig Institute

In September 1974, the first Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Australia and one of the oldest in the west was established here in Eudlo by two visionary Tibetan lamas, Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and named Chenrezig Institute for Wisdom Culture. Here we are now in 2024, rejoicing in 50 years of offering a huge range of teachings, retreats, and programs, through which people’s minds and hearts can be transformed for the benefit of others!

Chenrezig Institute was also one of the very first centres of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), an international organisation which now nurtures over 130 centres across 31 countries – all thanks to the vision of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche's fifty years ago.

"Each centre which teaches how to develop compassion step-by-step makes a contribution to world peace every day."
—Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Chenrezig Institute is a Buddhist centre in the Tibetan Gelug tradition, established for meditation, study, retreat and spiritual growth. It is home to a Tibetan teacher, resident nuns and monks, and a community of lay students, volunteers, and guests. Many great Buddhist masters including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Thubten Yeshe, Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche and many other highly respected Rinpoche's, Geshe's and Tibetan and western sangha, have been hosted here while teaching their profound wisdom, insights and practices on the Buddhist path.

Perched on the edge of the Blackall Range in the Sunshine Coast hinterland inQueensland, Australia, Chenrezig Institute is tucked away in a stunning rainforest setting, seven kilometres beyond the township of Eudlo. As well as our beautiful Gompa (meditation hall) - the very heart of our centre - we also offer a vegetarian cafe, an extensive library, art studio, the Garden of Enlightenment memorial gardens, and extensive rainforest grounds, all of which have been created and cared for by very many generous and kind volunteers and staff over the past 50 years.

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which we work and live, the Gubbi Gubbi/Kubbi Kubbi Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge their living culture and ongoing connection with and care-taking of these lands and waters. We acknowledge that the land on which we stand always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

Within the space of working to benefit all sentient beings, Chenrezig Institute promotes and encourages acceptance and inclusion. All are welcome to attend the centre and are not excluded because of race, creed, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other attribute.

Festival Parking

Free car parking for festival go-ers will be made available close to Eudlo township, with shuttle buses running regularly between the car park and Chenrezig Institute. No onsite parking will be available to the public at Chenrezig Institute.

Accommodation

Following your ticket purchase, you will receive suggestions for approaching accommodation, should you choose to stay nearby for the duration of your festival experience. No onsite accommodation will be available at the centre since it will be needed for visiting Sangha.

The festival occurs during the September school holidays, therefore it's recommended you book your tickets and any accommodation required early.

Super early bird full festival tickets have just been released - SAVE 30% by securing yours now! (only available for the first 200 tickets purchased) 

Chenrezig Institute is a not-for-profit charity. This event would not be possible without your ticket purchase - thank you! Single day and evening-only tickets may be made available in the future depending on remaining capacity following Full Festival ticket purchases.