Amoghavira first encountered Buddhism in 1979 while struggling through a mathematics degree at Glasgow University. Ordained into the Western Buddhist Order in 1982 he then started working at the Glasgow Buddhist Centre. 

He worked for 2 years at the Sydney Buddhist Centre in Australia from 1988, and on his way back to Britain in 1990, spent 3 months in Kathmandu helping run meditation and Buddhism course there. Falling in love with Nepal, he’s been a regular visitor there ever since.

In 1996, he moved to Dhanakosa to help with retreat leading here, which he’s been doing ever since. He loves being in the mountains and this has led to a passion for landscape photography and he now lives in the village of Callander, about 15 miles from Dhanakosa.

Dhiraka has been practicing since his student days and was ordained in 2005. He is fascinated by the 'problem' of teaching meditation - of communicating what is a very private practice and helping others to 'get it' when he can't 'see' directly the fruits of their efforts. It is a subtle art and one that Dhiraka takes seriously, but does so with a lot of humour as well. He also teaches meditation in secular contexts.

An ideal first regulars retreat. These retreats take themes from our introductory programme and introduce a stronger Buddhist context through meditation, teachings, up to 3 days of silence, ritual and chanting.

Open to anyone who has done an introductory retreat or has been attending a local Buddhist centre, is familiar with Buddhist practice and is looking to take it a bit deeper.