Retreat Facilities

The monastery has three retreat huts that are fully set up to enable solitary retreat. Each hut has independent self contained facilities, to enable complete isolation to be achieved. All three huts are further away from the main area than other huts of the monastery. None of the retreat huts have electricity and rely on the use of gas for cooking and lighting. Use of candles is restricted to the shrine area due to the fire risk.

For those wishing to do longer retreats, food orders on a weekly basis can be arranged through the office. All huts have drop off points where shopping lists can be collected and food delivered. An amount of cash can be left at the office from which purchases will be made and receipts given to you, or you can hold the money yourself. All food can be purchased only with cash; the monastery is unable to carry credit for retreat supplies. Ritual items, sadhanas, incense, saffron etc, are available from our shop located in the Bodhi House.

Gas (except heating gas) is included in the cost of renting the huts and each hut has a spare gas bottle. Huts are designed for self sufficiency and therefore we do not provide a meal service.

Persons wishing to do solitary retreat, are recommended to discuss their intentions with either of our resident Lamas, especially if this is your first visit to the monastery or the first retreat you have done. Both Lamas have done a considerable amount of retreat work and are very experienced in being able to give guidance on how to go about doing a retreat. They are also available for further guidance during retreat, if necessary, which can be arranged through the office.

The monastery has been very fortunate to have had many different High Lamas visit over the years, all of whom have blessed the land, the buildings, the stupas and the Buddha statue, and by so doing acknowledged the capacity for healing that exists here at Karma Choeling. Among these distinguished visitors have been His Holiness Dalai Lama (1992) and His Holiness Sakya Trizin (1997).

If you have any other queries about the facilities, or wish to make an appointment to see one of the Lamas, please contact the office. If you are not a financial member there is a $15 charge for an interview.

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