Why to build retreat center in Estonia?

In current era more and more people around the world are becoming interested in Buddhist teachings. There are many Buddhist groups in Europe, USA and other historically non-Buddhist countries, and new centers are being established every year. There are several Buddhist groups also in Estonia, at the Baltic Sea, Europe. However, a permanent retreat center has not yet been established in Estonia. Under the guidance of Lama Sangyas, Estonian Drikung Kagyu Center would like to show up initiative and establish a retreat center for the benefit of all Buddhist practitioners in Estonia. The purpose of the retreat center is: To accommodate precious teaching events and retreats with lamas and teachers from different lineages and Buddhist schools; To provide an affordable practice facility for local Buddhist practitioners; The presence of a spiritual practice center in Estonian countryside. Estonia is a small country with a population slightly over one million and so it is natural to share the sparse resources with all local Buddhist groups.

Blessed Land

In 2001 when Lama Sangyas had just started his activities in Estonia, he was invited by one of our sangha members to visit his countryside premises near Tallinn. Back then, a strong wish of Lama Sangyas to provide the Estonian Sangha with a retreat center and this Sangha member’s deep devotion and great kindness resulted in a happy decision that the future retreat center would be located on the land donated by that Sangha member.
A few months later in 2002 His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche visited Estonia. Lama Sangyas as a devoted disciple asked His Holiness to visit the donated land where the retreat center was being planned. His Holiness visited the site and expressed his total support. HH also noted a presence of very positive atmosphere at the planned Gompa site (premises for spiritual practice). HH advised us to make more efforts and be persistent in the pursuit of establishing the gompa. HH also made a special blessing for the gompa site.
In 2003, when His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche visited Estonia for the first time, Lama Sangyas also invited him to visit the Gompa site. HE Garchen Rinpoche suggested that the retreat center should have modest houses where practitioners can meditate in peace for longer periods. Garchen Rinpoche emphasized the importance of having retreat houses especially in Europe. When meeting with local people later, Garchen Rinpoche supported their vision of the retreat center. He even donated about 2000 euros from his own funds for the project. The donation by Garchen Rinpoche is being kept as a seed for the whole project.
In 2005, Lama Jampa, who has been for years the retreat master at Drikung lineage main retreat center at Almora, also paid a visit to the site of the future center. Lama Jumpa also noted a very positive atmosphere of the location and stated his support to establish a retreat center at that place.
In 2008, lama Sangyas also invited Tritsab Gyabra Rinpoche, who is one of the main lamas in Drikung Kagyu tradition, to visit the site of the future center. Tritsab Gyabra Rinpoche was delighted by the location and blessed the site for the promotion of Dharma teachings.

The Scope of the Project

First we complete the main house (about 200m2) for the center. The house will be following local building traditions, because introducing Tibetan architectural elements may cause uneasiness or hostility in local people. In the second phase about 3 to 5 small retreat houses will be built in the nearby surroundings.

Current Project Status:

So far Sangha members have been dreaming for years about their own center, and now we have a hope to make this dream come true. We start with a construction project, which is ready, and now the next step is fundraising to start the building. We would be very thankful if you feel that it is important to help. We all believe it will be beneficial for spreading Buddha teachings in our country and helping to wake boddhichitta in the hearts of the people of Estonia

How to contribute

You may think that “my small offering cannot help to build a Buddhist temple, because I cannot help much financially and I cannot do a considerable donation”, but even a small donation/offering is extremely appreciated – we strongly believe that step by step we are able to build the first Buddhist temple and proper retreat/meditation place in Estonia. Please share this information with others – by sharing this information you definitely share virtues with others, we believe that with joint efforts, all together, we can make this project come true and it will bring enormous benefit to the spreading of Buddhadharma in Estonia. As all Buddhas and great teachers of the past, present and future time teach us: pure act of giving is the essential part of the Buddhadharma path, even a small offering and insignificant act of giving with pure motivation creates limitless virtues and plants seeds of happiness and creates causes of buddhahood. According to Buddha teachings even giving good advice is the same as making offering or donation, so if you have any ideas or good advice, you are most welcome with advice or suggestions. If You wish to donate for the project please click here