At a glance:

Dec 31 - April 7 - Snows Retreat

April 13 - 16 - Avalokiteshvara Fasting Retreat

April 25 - May 3 - Refuge Retreat

May 16 - 20 - Pre-Spring Festival Retreat -
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

May 26 - 31 - Post-Spring Festival Retreat -
Vajrapani Retreat

June 6 - 14 - Guru Yoga and Mandala Offering Retreat

June 20 - 22 - Dorje Shugdan Empowerment Weekend

July 4 - 6 - Weekend Meditation Retreat

August 11 - 16 - Post-Summer Festival Retreat -
Universal Compassion

Aug 29 - Sept 6 - Lamrim Retreat

- Upcoming Events
Booking Not Yet Open

September 20 - Day Course - Concentration

Sept 26 - 28 - Weekend Meditation Retreat

Oct 3 - 5 - Heart of Wisdom
Weekend Retreat

Oct 10 - 18 - Guru Yoga and Mandala Offering Retreat

Nov 14 - 19 - Tranquil Abiding Retreat

Dec 8 - 11 - Post-Scottish Dharma Celebration Retreat

Dec 31 to April 1 2009 - Snows Retreat

Info:

All retreats at Tharpaland are silent for all or part of the retreat.

All of the retreats start on the evening of the first day and finish with lunch on the final day. Except for the Preliminary retreats which end at 9.30pm on the seventh day (an eighth night of accomodation is included in the cost and dates).

Costs:

Casual rate for additional nights
Single £30 Twin £25 Dorm Cubicle £18 Dorm £15

Please contact us for details of Solitary Retreat availability and cost.

Booking and Enquiries:

Please click on the link below to book:

For enquiries please Email
or Telephone: +44 (0)1387 860 618

Retreats & Courses

"Dear One, withdraw into solitude,
generate strong effort,
and quickly accomplish the final goal" Je Tsongkhapa

By removing ourselves to the isolated and peaceful environment of Tharpaland we can accomplish physical retreat and by maintaining the retreat condition of silence we can accomplish verbal retreat.

Together these two create the best possible conditions for us to accomplish powerful mental retreat and to gain deep feeling and experience in our spiritual practice.

Tharpaland offers guided group retreats for all levels of experience as well as solitary retreats for those practicing within the New Kadampa Tradition. Details of our group retreat programme are below, please contact us directly to enquire about solitary retreat availablity.

Snows Retreat
Tharpaland
Dec 31 - April 7

The snows retreat currently taking place at Tharpaland is a very special opportunity to be guided in deep retreat by Venerable Tharchin, and to engage in spiritual practice in the powerful context of a group silent retreat.

Based on the text, 'Mahamudra Tantra' by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, and on his commentary to Vajrayana Mahamudra given at this year's Summer Festival, this three month silent retreat is a unique opportunity to put these precious instructions into practice under ideal retreat conditions.

The retreat began with a Je Tsongkhapa and Dorje Shugdan empowerment and runs until early April.

Photo newsletter from this years Snows Retreat

Avalokiteshvara Fasting Retreat
Tharpaland
April 13 - 16

This weekend is a powerful purification retreat emphasising fasting, prostrations and praises to Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of compassion.

The 15th of April is Buddha's Enlightenment Day, greatly increasing the power of this retreat.

The retreat starts with an introduction after supper on Sunday night and finishes at dawn on Wednesday the 16th. The retreat will include breakfast and lunch on the Wednesday after the retreat.

As space is limited for this retreat please contact us prior to booking.

Single £90 Twin £75 Dorm Cubicle £54 Dorm £45

Refuge Retreat
Tharpaland
April 25 - May 3

The gateway to the Buddhist spiritual path is to seek refuge and protection from within.

During this week-long silent retreat we can gain deep experience of what it means to seek and find refuge within.

By developing our refuge internally we create a powerful inner resource we can rely upon for the real security and protection we seek.

Single £255 Twin £220 Dorm Cubicle £168.50 Dorm £145
(Includes breakfast on the 3rd)

Pre-Spring Festival Retreat -
Three Principal Aspects of the Path
Tharpaland
May 16 - 20

A systematic and practical presentation of 'The Three Principal Aspects of the Path' by Je Tsongkhapa.

Through engaging in this retreat we have the precious opportunity to deepen our renunciation, our good heart of love, compassion and bodhichitta and our understanding and experience of emptiness.

This silent retreat is perfect preparation for receiving the empowerment of Buddha Vajrapani at the Spring Festival from Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

The retreat finishes prior to the Spring Festival ordination; those not attending the ordination are welcome to stay on at Tharpaland until the festival starts.

Single £160 Twin £140 Dorm Cubicle £108 Dorm £88
Retreat cost includes lunch on the 20th.
It may be possible to stay at Tharpaland between the end of the retreat and the beginning of the festival - please enquire at the time of booking.

Post-Spring Festival Retreat -
Vajrapani Retreat
Tharpaland
May 26 - 31

This guided retreat is a special opportunity to take the teachings, empowerment and special blessings of the Spring Festival deeply to heart.

By engaging in this silent retreat we can deepen our connection with Buddha Vajrapani, the Buddha of Spiritual Power, and increase our understanding and practice of Geshe-la's Spring Festival Teachings.

This retreat is only open to those who have attended the spring festival, as the retreat follows on from Geshe-la's teachings at the spring festival.

On Monday evening after arriving at Tharpaland from the Spring Festival there will be a puja and the retreat will start on Tuesday.

There will be a coach from the Spring Festival to Tharpaland, which can be booked through Tharpaland. Please indicate on the booking form if your require a seat on the coach.

Waiting List Only

Single £200 Twin £175 Dorm Cubicle £135 Dorm £110

Guru Yoga and Mandala Offering Retreat
Tharpaland
June 6 - 14

Engaging in the practice of Guru Yoga together with offering the mandala creates a vast collection of merit through which we can receive the powerful blessings of our spiritual guide and fulfil our spiritual wishes.

Single £255 Twin £220 Dorm Cubicle £168.50 Dorm £145
(Includes breakfast on the 14th)

Dorje Shugdan Empowerment Weekend
Gartocharn, Loch Lomond
June 20 - 22

This weekend is a rare opportunity for people to come together in the beautiful and peaceful location of Gartocharn, overlooking Loch Lomond, to receive the blessing empowerment of the Dharma Protector, the Enlightened Being, Dorje Shugdan.

more info on the special page

Weekend Meditation Retreat
Tharpaland
July 4 - 6

Suitable for beginners our weekend meditation retreats are a perfect opportunity to unwind and relax in the peaceful retreat environment at Tharpaland.

With guided meditations and short teachings led by teachers experienced in meditation and retreat, there will be time for silence, time to meet others and time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

These retreats are also suitable for those with more experience of meditation who would like to engage in a gentle and relaxing retreat.

Single £90 Twin £80 Dorm Cubicle £70 Dorm £60

Post-Summer Festival Retreat -
Universal Compassion
Tharpaland
August 11 - 16

This guided retreat is a special opportunity to take the teachings, empowerment and special blessings of the Summer Festival deeply to heart in silent retreat.

By engaging in this retreat we can deepen our connection with Avalokiteshva the Buddha of compassion and gain a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the teachings we have received during the festival. Doing retreat following Geshe-la's teachings is an ideal way to consolidate them within our mind.

This retreat is only open to those who have attended the Summer Festival, as the retreat follows on from Geshe-la's teachings at the Summer Festival.

The retreat will start on Monday evening, allowing everyone a little time to rest after the festival in the peaceful enviornment of Tharpaland.

There will be a coach from the Summer Festival to Tharpaland, which can be booked through Tharpaland. Please indicate on the booking form if you require a seat on the coach.

Single £200 Twin £175 Dorm Cubicle £135 Dorm £110
If arriving immediately after the festival the additional nights are charged at the casual rate per night until the retreat starts. The retreat cost includes lunch on the 16th.

Lamrim Retreat
Tharpaland
Aug 29 - Sept 6

Meditating on Lamrim overcomes all obstacles to our peace of mind, solves our daily problems, and leads us to the final realisation of our spiritual practice, Buddhahood.

By engaging in this special blessed sequence of meditations in silent retreat we can discover the happiness of following a pure spiritual path and create a powerful inner resource for our daily lives.

Single £255 Twin £220 Dorm Cubicle £168.50 Dorm £145
(Includes breakfast on the 6th)

Upcoming Events
Booking Not Yet Open

Day Course - Concentration
Tharpaland
September 20

An introduction into how to train in Tranquil Abiding.

This daycourse is ideal preparation for those who to engage in the Tranquil Abiding Retreat in November which requires two months of training in daily practice.

Weekend Meditation Retreat
Tharpaland
Sept 26 - 28

Heart of Wisdom
Weekend Retreat
Tharpaland
Oct 3 - 5

Guru Yoga and Mandala Offering Retreat
Tharpaland
Oct 10 - 18

Tranquil Abiding Retreat
Tharpaland
Nov 14 - 19

This retreat is based on two months of training in daily practice.

Please note for those unable to attend the full 5 days of this retreat it may be possible to attend the retreat for the weekend only - although priority will be given to those attending the full retreat.

Post-Scottish Dharma Celebration Retreat
Tharpaland
Dec 8 - 11

Snows Retreat
Tharpaland
Dec 31 to April 1 2009