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.
related »
Upcoming Events
The Hermitage hosts a number of highly venerated Lamas, spiritual teachers
and scholars for teaching sessions and retreats. These events are open
to all who apply to the Dharma Fellowship registrar.
Teaching sessions are subject to fees that help cover travel expenses,
support and remuneration of teachers, as well as Hermitage expenses.
At present, the Hermitage has only a few available rooms, and while
camping on Hermitage land is allowed when permission is sought, our
advice is to find accommodation at one of the wonderfully comfortable
B&Bs on
the island.
upcoming teachings »
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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