There are currently 10 centres in Australia, in most major cities and some regional areas. Lama Ole Nydahl founded and directs these and more than six hundred Diamond Way Karma Kagyu Buddhist groups and centres worldwide. All the centres are under the spiritual guidance of the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Trinlay Thaye Dorje.

The people running the centres and taking part in the centres’ activities are lay Buddhist practitioners. They work or study, while integrating Diamond Way teachings and meditation into their daily lives. Members share responsibility for guiding group meditations and giving explanations about Buddhism. Their work is unpaid and based on idealism and friendship. Some students also give public talks and interviews about Buddhism on radio and television.

The main practice in all the Diamond Way Buddhist Centres around the world is the Guru Yoga meditation on the 16th Karmapa. This meditation is guided in English, uses visualisation and mantra recitation, and lasts about twenty minutes. There is a relaxed social atmosphere in the centres, questions are encouraged, and practitioners share readings, teachings and videos. These weekly meditation evenings are open to the public.

Diamond Way centres work together to organise retreats, lectures and workshops throughout the year. See our events page for courses near you.

The centres are financed mainly with the help of voluntary membership contributions. All surplus from courses and public lectures is used for Diamond Way Buddhist projects in Australia and around the world.

You can see where all Diamond Way centres in Australia are below, and if you zoom out you can see all centres worldwide:

Centres FAQ

What should I do on my first visit to a Diamond Way Buddhist centre?
On the scheduled meditation nights people start arriving approximately 15 to 30 minutes before the program starts.

When attending for the first time it’s best to arrive about 20 to 30 minutes before the scheduled start to allow some time for a brief orientation before meditation begins.

When can I come to the centre?
Each centre has it's own timetable. A list of centres is shown to the right hand side of this page. Please see the page of your local centre for their schedule of regular meditations.

What happens during the meditation program?
There is a ten minute talk before the guided meditation begins. The ten minute talks are given by regular members of the group who are keen to practice sharing their knowledge. The guided meditation runs for about 20 to 30 minutes. The presenter for the evening will outline the details of the meditation prior to commencing. Please check the centres schedule for their weekly program.

Is any meditation experience or reading necessary before I come for the first time?
No, newcomers are welcome at all of our regular meditations, the meditation is guided and the host of the meditation session can answer your questions.

Do I need to bring anything?
You don’t need to bring anything along. After the main meditation there will normally be some kind of Buddhist teaching scheduled—see the Sydney Diamond Way Centre Programme for details. Not everyone is able to stay for this each week, so it’s completely fine to leave after the main meditation if you’d like to.

Do I have to sit cross-legged on the floor?
Mats, cushions and chairs are all provided. During the actual mediation time the most important aspect in terms of posture is a straight back. It is important to be comfortable and this can be done on a mat, cushion, kneeling or on a chair. It’s your mind that gets enlightened, not your knees.

Is there a fee for the meditation evening?
There is no fee. If you start to come along regularly we encourage you to put in something for tea and coffee.

Do you have a bookshop and library?
Each centre has a bookshop containing meditation booklets and Buddhist books. Most centres also have a library where regular members can borrow from the range of Buddhist books.

Is there any joining fee?
There's no joining fee. Diamond Way Buddhist Centres around Australia are run entirely on idealism and the energy and work of volunteers. Some regular members chose to pay a yearly membership fee that provides discounts on courses and lectures.

The membership money goes toward bringing out travelling dharma teachers, organising meditation courses, and so on. Membership is entirely voluntary though, and all meditations, courses and lectures are open to members and non-members alike.