Nayaka

Nayaka came to Dhanakosa in 1996 after learning to meditate with the Newcastle Buddhist Centre. Drawn by the mountains, he quickly felt at home here and became increasingly involved in the running of the centre. He became part of the management team in 1999, was ordained into the Western Buddhist Order in 2001 and became Centre Director in 2006. He has a background in earth and life sciences, a long standing interest in natural history and a love of the wilderness. He lives at Dhanakosa with Dharmavasini and their 2 children.

Autumn rain on Still Waters: Contemplating the five Skandas

Friday, 20 October 2023 to Friday, 27 October 2023 2023

The five skandhas are a description of human experience often evoked in both early and later Buddhism to point to the nature of reality through reflection. When tackled experientially this list, that at first glance seems rather dry and abstract, becomes rich and wondrous. And, has the power to lead us to deep transformation.

Booking Fee: 
£100.00

Alive in Nature: Part Three

Saturday, 22 May 2021 2021

A series of Dharma micro-adventures live from the Scottish Highlands!

Saturdays May 8, 15, 22

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First daily session (2 hrs): IE & UK 07:30 | Europe CET 08:30 | India 12:00 | Australia AEDT 16.30 | New Zealand 18.30

Second daily session (2 hrs): USA PST 11:00 | México 13:00 | USA EST 14:00 | IE & UK 19:00 | Europe CET 20:00 | India 23:30 | Australia AEDT 04.00 (next day) | New Zealand 06.00 (next day)

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Alive in Nature: Part Two

Saturday, 15 May 2021 2021

A series of Dharma micro-adventures live from the Scottish Highlands!

Saturdays May 8, 15, 22

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First daily session (2 hrs): IE & UK 07:30 | Europe CET 08:30 | India 12:00 | Australia AEDT 16.30 | New Zealand 18.30

Second daily session (2 hrs): USA PST 11:00 | México 13:00 | USA EST 14:00 | IE & UK 19:00 | Europe CET 20:00 | India 23:30 | Australia AEDT 04.00 (next day) | New Zealand 06.00 (next day)

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Online Weekend: The Tree, the Snake and the Goddess

Friday, 16 April 2021 to Sunday, 18 April 2021 2021

Exploring the Buddha’s relationship with nature: a study practice weekend with Dhivan

The teaching of the Buddha is practical and concerned with the ending of dukkha or suffering. But the life-story of the Buddha shows him becoming Awakened at the foot of the Bodhi tree, encouraged and sheltered by the nāgas or mythical snakes, and having defeated Māra with the help of the Earth Goddess. These symbols of tree, snake and goddess tell us something on the level of myth and story about the animistic context of Awakening.

Hillwalking and Meditation

Friday, 6 August 2021 to Friday, 13 August 2021 2021

Nature is for many of us an important source of spiritual nourishment in an increasingly busy world.  On these retreats we will combine traditional Buddhist teachings with the simple practice of spending time walking in the rich and beautiful landscapes that surround Dhanakosa.  Guided walk options will be available to suit all levels of fitness.

For more information read the retreat information sheet.

Booking Fee: 
£100.00

Wild Swimming, Embodied Movement & meditation

Friday, 21 July 2023 to Friday, 28 July 2023 2023

This retreat will take a playful approach to reconnecting with the body through the elemental experience of water and through movement. Each day we will have the opportunity to swim in the local lochs and rivers as well as other explorations of water and wet places. We will also be using movement to support embodiment and connection. There will also be introductory meditation teaching, daily collective meditation practice, and a practical contemporary look at some traditional Buddhist teachings.

Booking Fee: 
£100.00

Mula Yoga Order Retreat

Friday, 26 May 2023 to Friday, 2 June 2023 2023

This retreat is based on conversations that Parami held with Sangharakshita over a few months in 2015 and 2016. We will be doing the practices as revised in those conversations. Sangharakshita suggested that any retreats on these practices would not be purely meditation retreats but be held within a context of appropriate study and devotion.

This retreat is for members of the Triratna Buddhist Order. For more information read the retreat information sheet.

Booking Fee: 
£100.00

Spring Rain on Still Waters: Contemplating the five Skandas

Friday, 12 March 2021 to Friday, 19 March 2021 2021

This retreat will now be running online. For more information and booking see our online retreat calendar.

Watching raindrops fall on still water is a magical experience.  It is also one of a number of images the Buddha uses to communicate what it is like to contemplate the nature of our existence through the five skandhas. This retreat will take a direct and experiential approach to exploring that nature of existence.

 

men's going for refuge week

Tuesday, 15 December 2020 to Monday, 21 December 2020 2020

For men training for ordination into the Triratna Buddhist Order. The retreat will explore the four lineages of the Triratna Buddhist Order. 

The retreat will start on Wednesday 16th at 10.15 am and end on the evening of Monday 21st December.

Four sessions will run each day at the following times:

Booking Fee: 
£50.00