Smritiratna first took up Buddhist practice in 1977 at the age of 21 while studying Developmental Psychology at Sussex University. At 27, he began training in earnest with the FWBO and entered the Western Buddhist Order in 1991.

In 1996, he came to Scotland, joined the Dhanakosa project and spent five years on-site, teaching and house-keeping. In 2001, he gave up house-keeping to concentrate on study, contemplation and teaching. He now lives in a forest hut near Dhanakosa. He still leads Dhanakosa retreats and continues to delight in introducing meditation to newcomers.

Acharashraddha attended her first retreat at Dhanakosa in 1997 and immediately fell in love with this beautiful place.  She attended retreats here regularly and also taught Yoga here for many years.  In 2011 she was ordained and shortly after that joined the Retreat Leading Team.  In March 2015 she came to live and work at Dhanakosa as Housekeeper.

Open to all, these retreats are suitable for both beginners and those with more experience, but no previous experience is assumed. All these retreats include introductory meditation teaching and periods of silence.