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.

Kusalajoti works as Kitchen Manager and Housekeeper. Originally from Argentina, she lived in Barcelona for some years and spent 6 months volunteering with the women of Taraloka retreat centre in Wales where she worked mostly in the kitchen, before making her way north to Dhanakosa in October 2016. Kusalajoti has always been moved by the idea of putting her energy into a project where her practice, living and working can create something really substantial for the benefit of many people. The DK community is the perfect place to make that happen! Kusalajoti will was ordained in September 2021.

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.