The Hermitage: Kunzang Samten Yangtse
A Kagyu Meditation Centre in the West

The Dharma Fellowship of His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa maintains a Hermitage for meditation and spiritual practice on Denman Island, one of the small gulf islands that lie off the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada.

Founded in 2005, the Hermitage provides simple facilities for those seeking spiritual renewal, for inner peace and self-realization, within a serene Buddhist setting. Still very new, and with no funding other than what comes from dedicated members, the property is very much in an early stage of development; nevertheless events, meditation retreats, teaching sessions, the participation of Lamas and meditators, and the growth of a definite spiritual presence, has already begun to emerge.

The Hermitage is made up of 60 acres of extremely beautiful gently rolling farm land, consisting of four open grassy meadows bounded by thick forest, and a number of buildings including a 30 foot Yurt used as our temple. Deer roam freely throughout the day through the fields. The place is utterly fantastic!

Your Support

The Dharma Fellowship is able to fund the costs associated with running classes and retreats at the Hermitage, and managing the Hermitage property, through your donations alone. To grow our community and vision for the Hermitage, we need your financial support. We need to pay off the property's mortgage and build accommodations for retreat participants. We also wish to develop a small collection of meditation huts (kutis) scattered through the forest for meditation practice. Our budget requires that we raise $500,000 over the next three years. The Hermitage has been granted charitable status by the Government of Canada, which means we can issue tax receipts for donations. Can you help? If so, please click the image at right to donate online, print our PDF donation form, or contact us for more information about becoming a patron.


Meditation Retreats

Each year, the Hermitage holds a series of 5 and 10 day guided meditation retreats for both beginners and experienced meditators. These group retreat sessions have typically involved 12 to 15 people and we now find ourselves with a waiting list of applicants who wish to attend upcoming retreats. Hermitage meditation retreats are open to all who apply and are entirely supported by your generous donations.

Meditation Retreat Schedule

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Becoming Ordained

It is hoped that a small ordained resident community of Buddhist monks and nuns will evolve naturally, over time, at the Hermitage. If you are thinking of dedicating yourself to a life of prayer and meditation in the Kagyu tradition, please see What it means to be Buddhist monk or nun »

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