Emptiness Retreat with Geshe Dorji Damdul

We look forward to welcoming you to our first summer retreat with Geshe Dorji Damdul in Sweden!

This retreat will be a combination of teachings on emptiness, the cornerstone of Buddhist philosophy, and bodhicitta, the mind aspiring to become awakened for the sake of others. The course is a balance of teachings, meditation and practice. The style of teaching will be interactive, supported by group discussions.

Who can come?

The retreat is designed for both beginners and experienced practitioners alike.

About Dorji Damdul:

In 1988, Geshe Dorji Damdul joined the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, Dharamsala and went on to gained his Geshe Lharampa Degree in 2002 from Drepung Loseling Monastic University. He then joined Gyudmed Tantric College for Tantric studies. In 2003, recommended by the Office of H.H. the Dalai Lama Geshi La studied English language at Cambridge University, England UK.

Appointed as translator to H.H. the Dalai Lama since 2005, he also translates texts such as Arya Nagarjuna’s “Mulamadyamikakarika” (Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way), Acharya Shantideva’s “Bodhicaryavatara” (Wisdom Chapter). Geshi La has co-authored, scientific, philosophical, Buddhist and secular books with prominent professors in the UK and USA as well as with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Since 2011 Geshe La has served as Director of Tibet House, Cultural Centre, New Delhi where he gives weekly teaching Buddhist philosophy, psychology, logic and practice. He has also lectured at Delhi University and presented papers for National and International Conferences held in Delhi and Mumbai and is presently writing two books; “Journey into the Paradox of Brain and Mind” and “What Constitutes the Ultimate Reality: The Effects of Understanding the Ultimate Reality.”

Geshe la’s passion is to help students gain deep understanding of the Nalanda tradition of Buddhist philosophy and imbue that knowledge with the heart of Bodhichitta, so that practitioners can transform their own continuum into the path of enlightenment. Geshe la’s knowledge of science and interactions with world renowned physicist give him the unique ability to teach Buddhist philosophy with a modern twist that many of his non-Tibetan students appreciate.

Where will it be held?

Oshofors is situated in the village of Olofsfors in the heartland’s of Bergslagen, 17 Swedish miles (172 Km) northwest of Stockholm. Oshofors was started by a group of people who have been longing to meditate together, regularly and in a simple way and to live close to each other. The property /estate/ consists of a number of houses. In one of the houses, there is a big meditation hall, group and session rooms. In another house, there is a dining-hall, a large-scale kitchen and workshops. 

How to get there?

By air:
GETTING FROM STOCHOLM ARLANDA AIRPORT TO OSHOFORS BY TRAIN

There are two train lines that serve Arlanda airport.
One line is called Arlanda Express and goes exclusively from the airport to the Stockholm central station. This is ONLY if you want to go into Stockholm . DO NOT take his one if you’re going to Oshofors.
The station you want is where the long distance trains arrive and depart. It’s located in SKY CITY at the airport. The station is called ARLANDA C .
Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the station.
You will travel to a station called AVESTA KRYLBO.
The usual travel time is 1 hr 15 min.
Between Arlanda C and Avesta Krylbo there are two stops, they are Uppsala and Sala.
When buying your ticket make sure you get a direct ticket (no train changes). Train change implies longer journey and usually more expensive ticket.
Ticket online available at: www.sj.se/start/startpage/index.form?l=en (in English)
It’s best buy a rebookable ticket before arrival at the airport because it happens (rarely but it does happen) that the train is small and fully booked. Then you’d have to wait for the next train.
When you know what time you’ll be arriving e-mail or SMS your Oshofors contact to arrange for someone to pick up at the train station.

The maximum cost for pickup at Avesta Krylbo is € 15 if you are alone.
If you share the car between 2 people the minimum cost is € 8/person.
If you share the car between 3 people the minimum cost is € 7/person.
If it is not possible to arrange for a pickup by someone at Oshofors you will have to take a taxi which will cost about € 30-35.
The destination for the taxi is a small community called Olofsfors about 10 Kms outside of Avesta.

By car:
Oshofors is located in the village of Olofsfors which is located in a triangle formed by the larger towns Avesta, Norberg and Hedemora.

Direction from Avesta :
From road 70 at ”dalahästen” (a very large colorful horse form -about 4 mts. high – landmark of typical handicraft from the area) take road 60 toward Örebro , pass over the river and follow the road straight through the roundabout and continue a couple hundred meters and turn right at the sign Snickarbo .
Drive straight through all the following roundabouts and continue another 5 kms and turn left at the sign Olofsfors 4 .
When you can see the sign Olofsfors on your right side you’ll see our gate on the left side.

Direction from Norberg:
Take road 69 toward Hedemora. After approximately 12 kms turn right at sign Olofsfors 3. After about 3 kms when you see the sign Olofsfors on your left side you’ll see our gate on the right side.

Direction from Hedemora:
Take road 69 toward Norberg . After approximately 14 kms turn left at signpost Olofsfors 3 . After approximately 3 kms when you see the signpost Olofsfors on your left side you’ll see our gate on the right hand side.

By train:
For train go to www.sj.se or call 0771-75 75 75 and book for a trip to Avesta-Krylbo.

THE SCHEDULE WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON

Arrival at the venue after 14.00 on August 22.

The retreat starts on the morning of August 23 and ends on August 29 afternoon.

MATERIALS

Thanks to a kind Dharma friend everyone registered for the retreat will receive a copy of the Blaze of Non-Dual Bodhicitta, the compendium designed by Geshe Dorji Damdul usually used during his courses.