The Beginnings of Phuntsok Choeling

Early in 1999 Hawkes Bay was blessed with a visit by Lama Choedak as he was then known. Lama had been to Hawkes Bay several years earlier as translator for the Lama from Dorje Chang Institute in Auckland . In the intervening years Lama established a very active study and practice centre in Canberra and was regularly travelling to the other main centres in Australia , giving teachings at the request of his students.

Joan Buchanan invited Lama to visit Hawkes Bay . Lama was happy to reacquaint himself with Hawkes Bay and his old contacts and friends here, Peter Alexander and Maureen Ward.

A one day workshop on Meditation was held at the Cancer Society buildings followed by an evening of presentations and open questions on ‘Using Meditation for Healing'. Approximately 25 health professionals attended.

Following on from these two events, interest in meditation was (re)kindled and a fledging group was formed. Lama returned the following year by which time a group was regularly meeting. Flyers were sent over from Australia promoting their Annual 10-Day Calm Abiding Meditation Retreat and teaching tapes started to circulate among the regular attendees.

During the hosting of the Sand Mandala Tour in Napier 2001, it became apparent that the meditation group needed a name. A request was made to Lama and we were bestowed with ‘Phuntsok Choeling', meaning PLACE OF SPIRITUAL ABUNDANCE by Lama's spiritual father His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche.

Phuntsok Choeling hosted its first Annual 3-Day Calm Abiding Meditation Retreat in September 2001 at the Maryknoll Centre, Taradale, Napier. Since that time, Phuntsok Choeling members have continued to hold weekly practice sessions, hosting visiting teachers, form study groups, Dharma talks in schools and teaching 8-Week Meditation courses in the community.

By April 2006, Phuntsok Choeling was registered as a charitable trust. This also allowed donors a Tax Rebate Claim for donations given to Phuntsok Choeling's ever-growing building fund.

In 2006 Phuntsok Choeling took up official residence at 10 Herschell Street Napier. In October 2006, His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche officially opened and consecrated the Centre's building during his short visit to New Zealand , while on a teaching tour of Australia .

Phuntsok Choeling members have a vision of developing a thriving Dharma Community in the Hawkes Bay region, a resident teacher based in a Dharma House, an ever-expanding library and schedule of events and teachings for spreading the Dharma to New Zealand residents under the spiritual patronage of His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche and his successors.

May Phuntsok Choeling Buddhist Centre continue to be a Place of Spiritual Abundance.

Contact Us
For enquiries and details contact us at the below address
Phuntsok Choeling
Hawkes Bay Tibetan Buddhist Centre
10 Herschell Street, Napier-1021-New Zealand
Ph. +64 08 329 4108
email: phuntsokchoeling@gmail.com