The Buddha Project 
Retreats
A retreat is a unique opportunity to have one’s depth of practice reinvigorated by doing multiple daily group meditations in silent, beautiful, and inspiring surroundings, feeling the bonds of spiritual friendship while following the supportive rhythm of the gong.
A retreat is a moment for immersed focus, feeling of community and energizing inspiration. Every meditator has experienced that their meditative practice is regularly challenged by social pressures, lack of time, the appeal of various distractions, and the absence of a supportive environment. This influences the intensity and continuity of their practice resulting in less meditative progress.
Allowing yourself to take time for one or two retreats each year, will give the necessary support to keep a stable practice, and as you will receive new input, to be able to experience new insights and rekindle your joy for meditating. The opportunity to be in direct contact with an experienced teacher for a week or longer, is possibly its greatest benefit. A retreat will give you the opportunity to stand still for a moment to focus on training your mind without the turbulence and pressures of your regular daily life.
Welcome to the Retreats!
Sign up through one of the centres
3 TYPES OF RETREATS
Retreats cover 3 interconnected topics tailored to suit practitioners of varying skill levels. There are 4 annual retreats.
In-depth Meditation Training
Vipassana is a form of Buddhist meditation that focuses on developing insight or “clearly seeing” into the true nature of reality. It is one of the oldest and most widely practiced forms of meditation in the Buddhist tradition.
The practitioner observes the nature of their own mind and body, and learns to see things as they really are, without the distortions of their own thoughts, emotions, and desires.
The focus of these retreats is on basic Vipassana methods as taught in the Theravada Forest Tradition of Myanmar, grounded in the deeply compassionate motivation, of wanting to become enlightened for the welfare of all sentient beings.
Compassion and Lojong
Lojong practice involves using the challenges and difficulties of everyday life as opportunities to transform negative emotions into positive qualities.
These mind training retreats focus on a combination of training in serenity (shamatha) and developing the four great qualities of the heart: equanimity, empathetic joy, love, and compassionate care.
These Four Immeasurables ‘flow like rivers into the great ocean of bodhicitta’, the altruistic mind of awakening.
Mahamudra
The goal of Mahamudra is to directly experience the nature of mind, the source of all wisdom and compassion. Mahamudra, or “great seal”, refers to the ultimate truth that everything in the world lacks a fixed, independent essence, but exists interconnected and depends on various causes and conditions.
This profound and advanced meditation practice forms the pinnacle of the portfolio of Tibetan meditative methods. Daily meditation focused on the nature of the mind will be enhanced by incorporating the Gaden Lha Gyema, a guru yoga practice that lies at the intersection of both sutra and tantra traditions. This essential technique is a core component of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.
Upcoming
Retreats
Theme Day on Refuge and Lay Vows
Maitreya Instituut Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Commentary on the meaning of Refuge, the Refuge Vows and the Lay Vows. In the afternoon Ven. Gendun will offer Refuge and (optional) Lay Vows. We'll also celebrate Ven. Genduns ordination anniversary. Online and in person.
Beyond the Illusion: A Weekend Journey Through Emptiness
Yeshin Norbu, Stockholm, Sweden
Through guided meditation, contemplation, and accessible discussion, we'll trace the evolution from foundational views on non-self to explorations of subject- object duality and the fundamental interdependence of all phenomena, examining their psychological, social, environmental, and political consequences. Online and in person.
Practicing Compassion in a Fragmented World
Tara Liberation, Helsinki, Finland
This weekend retreat offers a deep immersion into Atisha's classic Bodhisattva's Jewel Garland, a practical and powerful guide to transforming everyday challenges into the path of awakening. Online and in person.
City Weekend on Madhyamaka Negations
Maitreya Instituut Amsterdam, The Netherlands
An in-depth exploration of Madhyamaka philosophy, focusing on the precise analysis of how phenomena appear and exist, with particular attention to imputation, the object of negation, and the role of non-affirming negations in the Prāsaṅgika Madhyamaka system. Online and in person.
From Lamp to Light: a Journey through Lamrim
Institut Vajrayogini, France
One month retreat: a rare opportunity to integrate the Stages of the Path, supported by an experienced guide, a structured daily practice and a community of sincere fellow practitioners. Each Sunday Ven. Gendun will offer in-depth commentary on the chapters on Calm Abiding and Special Insight of Je Tsongkhapa’s median Lamrim. In English and French. Online and in person.
Archive
Retreats
Why We Meditate – Clarifying the Path, Exploring the Methods
Tse Chen Ling San Francisco, US
Meditation is everywhere—but what is it really? And why does it matter? In these two evenings we take a fresh look at the meaning and purpose of meditation from a Buddhist perspective. In person and online.
Essential Skills for Yogis
Ocean of Compassion, Campbell, USA
Establishing a daily meditation practice can feel daunting. A tendency to avoid, rather than work with, personal challenges often leads to disappointment. This evening offers practical tools and insights to support both new and seasoned practitioners. In person and online.
City Weekend on Engaging Bodhisattva Vows
Maitreya Instituut Amsterdam, The Netherlands
A precious opportunity to receive the extraordinary Engaging Bodhisattva Vows from Ven. Gendun, with a full weekend of commentary on their meaning and practice. Onsite and online.
The Breath of the Path
Maitreya Instituut Loenen, The Netherlands
A weeklong retreat in mindfulness with breathing, based on the Ānāpānasati Sutta. This practice gently integrates samatha (calm abiding) and vipassanā (clear seeing), cultivating a mind that is both tranquil and wakeful. Onsite and online.
The Breath of the Path (Vipassana retreat)
Institut Vajrayogini, France
A 10-day retreat in mindfulness with breathing, based on the Ānāpānasati Sutta. This practice gently integrates samatha (calm abiding) and vipassanā (clear seeing), cultivating a mind that is both tranquil and wakeful. Onsite and online.