Meet the Community
The resident Dhanakosa community consists of 7 people living in the community house behind the retreat centre, and another house on the site, which houses two team members and their two children. There is also Padme the cat who lives in the community house, and Ace the dog who lives in the family house.
We are a diverse crew of folks, who practice in the Triratna Buddhist Community, and who see living and working to support retreats as an integral part of our spiritual practice. It provides ample rewards, in terms of supportive conditions like daily meditation, and support to attend retreats throughout the year. As well it offers plenty of challenges providing the groundwork for practice of the ethical precepts of body, speech and mind, which are at the core of Buddhist practice.
Acalasiddhi (they/them) came to us via Buddhafield and Windhorse Trading. They were ordained in August 2021 and their name means 'they whose accomplishment comes from resolute perseverance.' Cycling locally is a growing interest. They works as part of the House and Grounds team.
Chris joined our team in March 2018 and works in the House and Grounds team. He has been practicing Buddhism since 1993, mostly in Triratna. Art is the other half of his life and he finds Dhanakosa an inspiring place to live.
Dharmavasini was ordained in 2004 and moved here in 2006, and has managed to participate in all the areas of work here while raising two children with Nayaka. After many years as the gardener she now works mainly in the Office team. She maintains a deep love for the Northern Highlands and Islands, escaping to them whenever she can. Dharmavasini also works as a craniosacral therapist, practicing in Balquhidder and Glasgow, more on her website here.
James joined the community in August 2021 and is part of the office team. He is inspired by being of service, being part of a team holding Dhanakosa for the people who come here on retreat. He loves the constantly changing beauty of Loch Voil, and enjoys walking and cycling.
Nayaka came to Dhanakosa in 1996 and fell in love with the place; the mountains, the water and, the wilderness. And, as a way of life lived for the benefit of all. He became Centre Director in 2006. Nayaka lives at Dhanakosa with Dharmavasini and their two children.
Stephen (he/him) is our Kitchen Manager and creates delicious vegan meals for retreats as well as managing our team of volunteer cooks. He moved to Dhanakosa in December 2022 and previously was part of the Worcester sangha. He enjoys swimming in the loch.
Su has been involved in Triratna since 2008 and was drawn to live and work at Dhanakosa as a way of going deeper with her practice; arriving in January 2023. Her interests lie in working with the body, the connection between body and earth, and the imagination in playful and experiential ways.
Subhanaya (she/her) looks after the garden and is part of the management team. She came to Dhanakosa from south east England in 2014. The big landscape here holds her heart and provides a reflection of spaciousness which nourishes her practice. Dance is an important part of her life and she is currently training to teach Open Floor movement practice, you can find out more on her website here. Subhanaya was ordained in September 2021.