Buddhist Winter Retreat 2008

Secluded in the Himalayas, Bhutan for centuries have provided a haven for practitioners from all faiths. Its towering mountains, sacred lakes, and most of all, the inaccessibility attribute have attracted the faithful to find a place here in order gain nirvana or ultimate salvation. Even now, well into the 21st century, Bhutan still maintains the same peaceful environment that pulled the early practitioners – the pristine forest, towering mountains and a culture that has evolved and developed into the highest form of Buddhist living.

And in these setting, Zhiwa Ling, a boutique hotel with its own temple has designed a program (check www.bhutanretreat.com) specifically for those seeking either initial introduction into the Buddhist teachings, or its intermediary and higher form. The program has been created to accommodate all those seeking conscious evolution, from any professional, cultural or religious background.

The hotel situated in Paro, one of the most sacred valleys of Bhutan, faces well known Tiger’s Nest, an important meditation place clinging to the cliff ledge almost magically. The hotel, amidst this blossom of cultural and natural environment, offers with its blend of most modern comfort technology and age old architecture, a chance to be shown the way to Buddha-hood by some of the highest Buddhist spiritual teachers in the world.

This program would feature week long Buddhist teachings, specialised or general, where among other activities, meditation and Tibetan art of relaxation – the ‘Kunn-nye’ would be arranged. Some weeks would also impart the age old art of scroll painting and some of the thirteen traditional arts and crafts of the country. There are couple of weeks that would concentrate on the powerful Buddhist herbal healing techniques, whereby the guests could rejuvenate themselves physically as well as spiritually.

This is winter program, when the skies are all the time clear and surrounding snow covered mountains visible. The winter season is also the time of pilgrimage in the country, where locals in their traditional wear can be seen visiting different Buddhist sites with their families. The Bhutanese winter also brings annual rituals, where the guardian deities are appeased for good coming lunar year. The participants would be treated to sights and sounds of all these happenings, while being rejuvenated in the warm hospitality atmosphere of hotel, heightened by Swedish under floor heating and enriching spirituality.