Snow Mountain Retreat 2025 – Kailash International Retreat Centre

Q: Click here for retreat schedule

Snow Mountain Retreat programme 2025 Part 1: 4 Jan (evening) – 25 Jan (lunch): Discovering a Lamrim Pure Land Three weeks guided Lamrim meditations from Mirror of Dharma with Additions. Part 2: 26 Jan (evening) – 23 Feb (breakfast): Becoming Heruka Four weeks guided Highest Yoga Tantra practice of Heruka body mandala.

snow mountain retreat 2025

7 Week Silent Retreat

Going Beyond Ordinary

Guided silent retreat on the stages of Sutra and Heruka Tantra
guided by Gen Kelsang Devi

Part 1: Jan 4 – 25: Discovering a Lamrim Pure Land
Three weeks guided Lamrim meditations from ‘The Mirror of Dharma with Additions’.

Gain some heartfelt experience and insight of the profound, common teachings of Buddha presented in the extraordinary book, ‘The Mirror of Dharma with Additions’ by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

A special opportunity to train in Kadampa Buddhist meditation in qualified retreat conditions. Perfect preparation for effective Tantric practice.

We all have the potential for deep transformation – a limitless capacity for inner growth and increasing real happiness. Enjoy guided step by step, practical instructions to develop and improve our meditation skills in this first part of our Snow Mountain Retreat by training in a special sequence of 15 Kadam Lamrim meditations presented in the second part of this inspiring book, that are the stages of the path to the supreme happiness of enlightenment.

Gain authentic experience of how to solve daily problems of attachment, anger and ignorance; develop genuine mental peace and joy and discover a Lamrim Pure Land for yourself.

Part 2: Jan 26 – Feb 23: Becoming Heruka
Four weeks guided Highest Yoga Tantra practice of Heruka body mandala, a powerful method to accomplish the bliss of full enlightenment in this lifetime, within the context of New Essence of Vajrayana sadhana.

Buddha Heruka is a manifestation of the enlightened compassion of all the Buddhas. By relying upon him, we can swiftly attain a pure selfless joy and bring true happiness to others.

By engaging these sublime meditations of generation and completion stage, explained with such clarity in Essence of Vajrayana by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, in qualified retreat we learn how to transform our ordinary world and experiences into those of a Buddha and train to integrate these practices into our daily life, thereby transforming every moment of our life into the extraordinary path to enlightenment.

* Part 2 is only suitable for those who have Highest Yoga Tantra empowerments of Heruka and Vajrayogini. This is a wonderful opportunity for those who have recently received HYT empowerment at the International Kadampa Fall Festival 2024

Silence
One of the most conducive conditions of this retreat centre is the practice of observing silence. Maintaining silence during such a guided retreat enables the mind to become very peaceful and concentrated in a relatively short period of time and enhances the meditative experience.

During retreat it is always quiet and our meditation sessions are as silent as possible beyond the usual chanted prayers and guidance. Outside of sessions people have the freedom to choose to be silent if they wish or to talk quietly and meaningfully with each other if they prefer, within agreed group boundaries.

In the meditation session breaks throughout the retreat there is time to relax and walk in the beautiful surroundings. Also, each person on a group retreat will help out in the breaks with a small job to ensure the retreat runs smoothly.

Although this retreat is guided as a whole, not every session is guided. Some sessions will be self-guided to enable practitioners to deepen their own experience and confidence in meditation.

Since accomodation is limited, priority will be given to those attending the full retreat.

Booking opens on 15 July 14h00 for those who wish to join the full 7 week retreat.
Booking opens on 30 August 14h00 for those who wish to participate only in Part 1 or Part 2.

Date: Sat 4 Jan - Sun 23 Feb, 2025
Cost: Includes accommodation, retreat sessions and three meals a day. Please see below for accommodation prices.
Venue: Kailash International Retreat Centre
Language: The retreat will be guided in English.
Mobile phones: During retreats everyone is encouraged to limit distracting activities, especially the use of mobile phones and digital devices to enhance their meditative experience and discover the profound benefits of meditation.

Click here for retreat schedule

Snow Mountain Retreat programme 2025

Part 1: 4 Jan (evening) – 25 Jan (lunch): Discovering a Lamrim Pure Land
Three weeks guided Lamrim meditations from Mirror of Dharma with Additions.

Part 2: 26 Jan (evening) – 23 Feb (breakfast): Becoming Heruka
Four weeks guided Highest Yoga Tantra practice of Heruka body mandala.

DETAILS >>

Venue >>

" It is said in the 'Condensed Root Tantra of Heruka' that the benefits to be gained from engaging in the practice of Vajrayogini are limitless and that a thousand voices could never fully enumerate them "

— ‘The New Guide to Dakini Land’
by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

Enjoy the natural surroundings

In the meditation session breaks throughout the retreat there is time to relax and walk in the beautiful surroundings. Also, each person on a group retreat will help out in the breaks with a small job to ensure the retreat runs smoothly.

This retreat takes place in the surroundings of the beautiful Swiss Alps of Törbel, Switzerland.

the teacher:

Gen Kelsang Devi is the Resident Teacher of Kailash International Retreat Centre and Kadampa Meditation Centre Switzerland. She is a Buddhist nun and senior teacher of the New Kadampa Tradition, having studied and practiced Kadampa Buddhism for 25 years under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. During this time Gen Devi has engaged in extensive silent meditation retreat and has also taught and skilfully guided numerous group retreats around the world. Gen Devi’s experience makes her teachings and guidance in retreats very powerful, clear and practical and her joyful warmth and humour make them accessible to everyone.

booking + fees

Choose your accommodation preference

and click below for prices:

Retreat Only
(no room)

Retreat only (no accommodation):

Whole Retreat: CHF 1666.-

Part 1: CHF 714.-

Part 2: CHF 952.-

Main House:
Quad Room

Cost for bed in a Quadruple Room in the Main House with Shared Bathroom:

Whole Retreat: CHF 2205.-

Part 1: CHF 945.-

Part 2: CHF 1260.-

Main House:
Twin Room

Cost for bed in a Twin Room in the Main House with Shared Bathroom:

Whole Retreat: CHF 2646.-

Part 1: CHF 1134.-

Part 2: CHF 1512.-

Main House:
Single Room

Cost for bed in a Single Room in the Main House with Shared Bathroom:

Whole Retreat: CHF 3234.-

Part 1: CHF 1386.-

Part 2: CHF 1848.-

Temple:
Single Room

Single Room in the Kadampa Temple with shared bathroom.

Whole Retreat: CHF 3626.-

Part 1: CHF 1554.-

Part 2: CHF 2072.-

Temple:
Single Ensuite

Single Room in the Kadampa Temple with ensuite bathroom.

Whole Retreat: CHF 4018.-

Part 1: CHF 1722.-

Part 2: CHF 2296.-

Temple:
Large Ensuite

Large Single Room in the Kadampa Temple with ensuite bathroom.

Whole retreat: CHF 4165.-

Part 1: CHF 1785.-

Part 2: CHF 2380.-

Temple:
Ensuite Studio

Luxury Studio Room with ensuite bathroom (includes bath/shower):

Whole Retreat:

2 persons: CHF 6566.-

Part 1: CHF 2814.-

Part 2: CHF 3752.-

Since accomodation is limited, priority will be given to those attending the full retreat.
Booking opens on 15 July 14h00 for those who wish to join the full 7 week retreat.
Booking opens on 30 August 14h00 for those who wish to participate only in Part 1 or Part 2.

FAQs

Can I attend part of the retreat?

Yes, it is possible to participate in only part 1 or only part 2.

Why attend a retreat?

In retreat we take the time to step away from the busyness and distractions of daily life, creating the space in which we can take the teachings to heart and cultivate a deep experience of inner peace and further our spiritual practice.

If I'm a complete beginner, can I attend?

This retreat is suitable for everyone with a Highest Yoga Tantra empowerment and although the practices and meditations are advanced and in-depth they will all be guided and explained. Background reading and experience of Buddha’s Sutra teachings is advised.

What do I need to bring?

You may find it useful to bring comfortable clothes, indoor shoes/slippers, toiletries, notepad and pen, books relevant to the course or retreat, swiss francs (or they accept cards in most shops/public transport), water bottle, plug adapter.

Is the Centre easy to get to?

Despite its remote location, Kailash IRC is very easy to get to by public transport, as well as driving. Please visit the Directions >> page for further details.

Do you cater for special diets?

All meals we offer are vegetarian or vegan and use fresh and organic local produce wherever possible. We can not cater for individual specific dietary requirments.

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