Teachers
Therese Bottomley Founder and Spiritual Leader
Therese was born in Istanbul in 1936. Her mother was Armenian born, her father, Greek decent, also born in Istanbul. They travelled across many countries, often in harsh and poor conditions, before she travelled with her mother and older sister to Australia at 13 years of age.
With a thirst for knowledge, she was successful in gaining entry to a local Catholic school, whilst her sister of 15 years of age was forced to enter the work force to support the family, as they had become separated from their father. She tells many stories of gratitude being taught by the nuns, although she was not a highly compliant student, often chastised for asking too many questions!
Therese’s self exploration continued, despite experiencing great conditions in a happy marriage, with the joy of two healthy daughters, and financial security not experienced in her childhood, she continued to search for the true nature of happiness.
It was upon meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1982, that she was selected for a private audience, with the opportunity to ask His Holiness a question. He provided her guidance, to explore the teachings of Buddhism, however, with the clear instruction, question everything! In complete contrast to her experience of her Catholic upbringing, this appealed to Therese, who started her journey with no expectations or understanding how this would lead to the birth of the Beaumaris Buddhist Meditation Centre, some 10 years later.
Her students over many years, have dedicated the following prayer for Therese for her long life:
Prayer for Therese
With renunciation, the awakening mind of Bodhichitta, and wisdom realizing emptiness, as the fundamental tenets on our path
We pay homage to Shakymuni Buddha, and the lineage of Geshes that have gone and taught before us.
We give heartfelt thanks to you Therese, for the opportunity to study the profound aspects of the dharma.
Your understanding and experience with the dharma,
– is our window to insights and realizations
– our inspiration for greater discipline
– and allows us to transform our minds
It is with gratitude, we give thanks for the teachings we receive.
It is with respect, we ask you to remain our teacher into the future.
And it is with love, we wish you peace, good health, and long life.
Therese Bottomley ounder and Spiritual Leader
Therese was born in Istanbul in 1936. Her mother was Armenian born, her father, Greek decent, also born in Istanbul. They travelled across many countries, often in harsh and poor conditions, before she travelled with her mother and older sister to Australia at 13 years of age.
With a thirst for knowledge, she was successful in gaining entry to a local Catholic school, whilst her sister of 15 years of age was forced to enter the work force to support the family, as they had become separated from their father. She tells many stories of gratitude being taught by the nuns, although she was not a highly compliant student, often chastised for asking too many questions!
Therese’s self exploration continued, despite experiencing great conditions in a happy marriage, with the joy of two healthy daughters, and financial security not experienced in her childhood, she continued to search for the true nature of happiness.
It was upon meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1982, that she was selected for a private audience, with the opportunity to ask His Holiness a question. He provided her guidance, to explore the teachings of Buddhism, however, with the clear instruction, question everything! In complete contrast to her experience of her Catholic upbringing, this appealed to Therese, who started her journey with no expectations or understanding how this would lead to the birth of the Beaumaris Buddhist Meditation Centre, some 10 years later.
Her students over many years, have dedicated the following prayer for Therese for her long life:
Prayer for Therese
With renunciation, the awakening mind of Bodhichitta, and wisdom realizing emptiness, as the fundamental tenets on our path
We pay homage to Shakymuni Buddha, and the lineage of Geshes that have gone and taught before us.
We give heartfelt thanks to you Therese, for the opportunity to study the profound aspects of the dharma.
Your understanding and experience with the dharma,
– is our window to insights and realizations
– our inspiration for greater discipline
– and allows us to transform our minds
It is with gratitude, we give thanks for the teachings we receive.
It is with respect, we ask you to remain our teacher into the future.
And it is with love, we wish you peace, good health, and long life.
Venerable Toby Gillies Spiritual Director
Venerable Toby Gillies (Spiritual Director), Beaumaris Buddhist Meditation Centre (BBMC) has been presenting courses in Buddhist philosophy and theory and practice of meditation since 1980. He was granted full ordination in 1986 and accepted into Sera Jey Monastic University in Mysore, India.
He has completed a study of the five major fields; Logic, Phenomenology, Ontology, Transcendental Wisdom and Monastic Discipline. He regularly teaches these fields as well as esoteric Vajrayana {tantric) theory and practice.
He has conducted numerous group and solitary mediation retreats ranging from two weeks to five months in duration.
Venerable Toby gives meditation classes and retreat days in Melbourne with his regular teaching program in Hawthorn (The Augustine Centre) and classes at BBMC.
He has been teaching for forty years, focusing on making practice clear, accessible and free of dogma.
Toby understands the demands of modern Western life, acknowledging the gradual progress that needs to take place. He has taught thousands of people how to meditate in an engaging, down to earth manner.
Toby and Therese share a long friendship over many years and share wisdom of the dharma in accessible language.
They both seek opportunities to share Buddhist teaching via authentic Tibetan lineage: this has occurred and continues to through retreats and one day teachings at BBMC.
Venerable Toby Gillies Spiritual Director
Venerable Toby Gillies (Spiritual Director), Beaumaris Buddhist Meditation Centre (BBMC) has been presenting courses in Buddhist philosophy and theory and practice of meditation since 1980. He was granted full ordination in 1986 and accepted into Sera Jey Monastic University in Mysore, India.
He has completed a study of the five major fields; Logic, Phenomenology, Ontology, Transcendental Wisdom and Monastic Discipline. He regularly teaches these fields as well as esoteric Vajrayana {tantric) theory and practice.
He has conducted numerous group and solitary mediation retreats ranging from two weeks to five months in duration.
Venerable Toby gives meditation classes and retreat days in Melbourne with his regular teaching program in Hawthorn (The Augustine Centre) and classes at BBMC.
He has been teaching for forty years, focusing on making practice clear, accessible and free of dogma.
Toby understands the demands of modern Western life, acknowledging the gradual progress that needs to take place. He has taught thousands of people how to meditate in an engaging, down to earth manner.
Toby and Therese share a long friendship over many years and share wisdom of the dharma in accessible language.
They both seek opportunities to share Buddhist teaching via authentic Tibetan lineage: this has occurred and continues to through retreats and one day teachings at BBMC.
Lisa Bottomley Centre Director
Student and youngest daughter of Therese Bottomley, Lisa was raised with many unique spiritual experiences, as her mother explored various paths to happiness. Introduced to Venerable Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden from a young age, provided Lisa with a deep understanding of Tibetan Buddhism, its practices, traditions and rituals, often with no awareness of its meaning or significance, other than enjoying the warm environment of being surrounded by love, care and tolerance.
With a clear understanding of our responsibility to help all humanity, Lisa completed her university studies in social work to work with the most disadvantaged young people in our community, who were subject to correction and protection orders. She has enjoyed many promotional positions, including management responsibility that provided advice to the State Parliament on child death inquiries. After more than 20 years appointed as a child expert for the Family Court, Lisa currently provides advice to the Courts in the most complicated parenting disputes.
Lisa believes her knowledge and practice of Buddhist Philosophy has been integral in guiding her work practice, with clear thought, calm mind and sincere motivation to alleviate parents and children who suffer so greatly after separation, many of whom experience depression, anxiety, agitation, anger and conflict.
Lisa Bottomley Centre Director
Student and youngest daughter of Therese Bottomley, Lisa was raised with many unique spiritual experiences, as her mother explored various paths to happiness. Introduced to Venerable Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden from a young age, provided Lisa with a deep understanding of Tibetan Buddhism, its practices, traditions and rituals, often with no awareness of its meaning or significance, other than enjoying the warm environment of being surrounded by love, care and tolerance.
With a clear understanding of our responsibility to help all humanity, Lisa completed her university studies in social work to work with the most disadvantaged young people in our community, who were subject to correction and protection orders. She has enjoyed many promotional positions, including management responsibility that provided advice to the State Parliament on child death inquiries. After more than 20 years appointed as a child expert for the Family Court, Lisa currently provides advice to the Courts in the most complicated parenting disputes.
Lisa believes her knowledge and practice of Buddhist Philosophy has been integral in guiding her work practice, with clear thought, calm mind and sincere motivation to alleviate parents and children who suffer so greatly after separation, many of whom experience depression, anxiety, agitation, anger and conflict.
Whilst Lisa has no intention to attempt to replace her mother’s legacy, she is committed to ensure that the Centre, situated on her private home, continues to benefit those who seek to undertake spiritual practice together as a Sangha. Lisa encourages everybody to come along and enjoy the virtuous activity of reciting Tibetan prayers and a weekly practice of meditation and basic Buddhist philosophy, however, with the expectation of many laughs, as a sense of humour is vital in enjoying any virtuous activity.
Lyn James
Lyn has been attending BBMC for over 10 years and student of Buddhism for more than twenty five years.
Travelling extensively through Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet attending teachings across these countries and in Australia attending teachings with H.H. The Dalai Lama and with Therese Bottomley.
Buddhism provides a philosophy that adds perspective to the complexity of our confronting and confusing western life. A balanced view with compassion and wisdom that Lyn is grateful to be able to share.
Lyn James
Lyn has been attending BBMC for over 10 years and student of Buddhism for more than twenty five years.
Travelling extensively through Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet attending teachings across these countries and in Australia attending teachings with H.H. The Dalai Lama and with Therese Bottomley.
Buddhism provides a philosophy that adds perspective to the complexity of our confronting and confusing western life. A balanced view with compassion and wisdom that Lyn is grateful to be able to share.
