Tharpaland
Within all Buddhist traditions, the development of concentration is understood to be a vital part of the spiritual path, because the experience of peace of mind, lasting happiness and human freedom, as well as all the essential spiritual realizations that lead to liberation and full enlightenment depend upon it.
The principle goal of meditative retreat is to gain deep and stable experience of such spiritual subjects as inner peace, universal love and compassion, and wisdom, through the development of deep internal states of concentration. The main purpose of the retreats carried out at Tharpaland is to attain these deep levels of concentration that are difficult, if not impossible, to reach in daily life.
Thus, the principle function of a qualified retreat centre is to provide ideal conditions conducive to the development of concentration. Furthermore, it is said that a suitable place for developing concentration (tranquil abiding) must possess five special qualities:
1. it is easy to obtain all necessities
2. Buddhas or a highly realised being (our Spiritual Guide), has blessed it.
3. the environment is healthy – the water supply is clean
4. there are Spiritual friends nearby to offer us their support
5. it is quiet
Tharpaland possesses these five conditions and many more. It is one of the most beautiful and qualified retreat centres in Europe, if not in the world.
Many different types of retreat are offered (simultaneously) at Tharpaland; however they are all of two types: solitary and group retreats. Use the menu above to learn more about these two types of retreat.
