There is no better way to give yourself a break from the daily routine and reassess your life, than by engaging in a meditation retreat. Retreat provides an opportunity to gain a deeper experience of meditation. On retreat we withdraw from our usual routine and structure our time and conditions so that we can get the most out of our meditation.
Kalpa Bhadra Centre offers a programme of weekend and week long retreats held at the Centre at various times of the year. The retreats are usually self-guided but often include an introductory talk and instruction during the retreat if required. All retreats are suitable for beginners or those who are more advanced. ..
Each session lasts for an hour-and-a-half and consists of chanted prayers and mantra recitation. You can attend any or all of the sessions and there is no need to book. Please check our calendar on the home page for updated session times.
During retreat everyone is asked to maintain silence from after the last session at night until after the second session the next morning. There is no charge for the unguided retreats – donations welcome.
Lamrim Retreat 20 – 25 January 2024
Stages of the Path or ‘Lamrim’, is a special arrangement of all Buddha’s teachings that is easy to understand and put into practice. By focusing on the 21 meditations systematically, you will bring inner change leading to a complete transformation of your mind through the power of wisdom and compassion.
This retreat is a wonderful opportunity to gain or deepen our experience of the Lamrim meditations presented by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. This retreat will help us understand how to enter, make progress on and complete the entire spiritual path.
Amitayus Retreat 3 – 4 February 2024
On this two day retreat we have the opportunity to increase our lifespan, wisdom and positive energy, through the special meditation practice of Buddha Amitayus.
Amitayus is the Buddha of long life, merit and wisdom. By engaging in Amitayus practice, we can develop these qualities and eventually attain the deathless state of enlightenment. We can also use this practice to help remove obstacles endangering the lives of others, especially our family and close friends.
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Nyungne Fasting and Purification Retreat 13 – 14 April 2024
Nyungne is a special fasting and purification retreat which is done in conjunction with the Buddha of Compassion spiritual practice. Through fasting we can understand the sufferings of others and increase our compassion for them, as well as purify our own negative karma.
On the first day of the retreat we abstain from all meals except for a vegetarian lunch and drink only water. On the second day we abstain from all food and drink for twenty four hours.
Vajrasattva Purification Retreat 15 – 20 June 2024
Vajrasattva is the Buddha of Purification. In our previous lives while under the influence of delusions, we accumulated a lot of negative karma. As a result we now experience suffering and difficulties in our lives.
By deepening our reliance on Buddha Vajrasattva we will cleanse our mind of delusions, negativity and obstacles. Through special meditation and mantra recitation we have the great opportunity to purify our mind quickly, so that we can make swift progress on the spiritual path.
Mahayana Refuge Retreat 21 – 26 September 2024
Going for refuge means finding protection from our problems by developing special Dharma realizations with the help of Buddha’s blessings and encouragement from our Sangha friends. If we go for refuge we are entering the Buddhist path to liberation and enlightenment.
On this retreat we deepen our practice of refuge in the Three Jewels, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Only the Three Jewels have the ability to protect living beings from all suffering.
Guru Yoga and Mandala Offering Retreat 14 – 20 December 2024
Engaging in the practice of Guru Yoga together with making mandala offerings creates a vast collection of merit through which we can receive the powerful blessings of our Spiritual Guide and fulfill our spiritual wishes.
Making mandala offerings is a very beautiful and powerful way to accumulate merit and good fortune. Without merit in our minds our spiritual goals are difficult to attain.