Hi! My name is Renee and I am looking for help to finance a three-month long retreat at a Tibetan Buddhist center in Southern France.
Since I became Buddhist almost six years ago, I've had a dream of doing retreat. Retreat means to step back from the hustle-bustle of daily life and create a space for studying and meditating on the teachings of the Buddha. The point of doing retreat is to get to know one's own mind better and become more kind, compassionate, patient, and generous - both towards oneself and others. Now, the opportunity for me to do retreat and focus on Buddhist practice and meditation has arisen, and I have signed up for a three-month long retreat which will take place from early March to late May this year.
I want to do retreat because Buddhism has become a guiding light in my life. When I met the Dharma (the Buddha's teachings) in the form of the Tibetan Buddhist master and teacher Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, it was instantly clear to me that I had found something life-changing. Becoming part of a Buddhist community was like getting a second family, all the care and support included. At that time, I was finding my way out of a depression and Buddhism became a support for me to get me back out into the world (and still is!). The Dharma is teaching me how to deal with difficult situations and emotions in a kind and compassionate way. Learning how to observe and respond to emotions and situations doesn't only benefit myself because in the process of getting to know my own mind, I also feel that I am becoming better at understanding and helping others who are going through tough times. Looking inwards is changing the way I look outwards, and a retreat offers very supportive conditions for taking a long, hard look at the workings of my mind. As such, doing retreat is not just about myself, but very much for the sake of benefitting others too!
The retreat will take place at a Buddhist center called Gomde, founded by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche. It is a group retreat, meaning we will be around 30 participants. The cost of the retreat covers food, lodging, retreat materials and the expenses of the Buddhist teacher who is guiding the retreat. The amount I'm hoping to fundraise covers around 75 % of the full cost, excluding my own plane tickets.
Any amount would be helpful and much appreciated!
Thank you for your kind support!
Since I became Buddhist almost six years ago, I've had a dream of doing retreat. Retreat means to step back from the hustle-bustle of daily life and create a space for studying and meditating on the teachings of the Buddha. The point of doing retreat is to get to know one's own mind better and become more kind, compassionate, patient, and generous - both towards oneself and others. Now, the opportunity for me to do retreat and focus on Buddhist practice and meditation has arisen, and I have signed up for a three-month long retreat which will take place from early March to late May this year.
I want to do retreat because Buddhism has become a guiding light in my life. When I met the Dharma (the Buddha's teachings) in the form of the Tibetan Buddhist master and teacher Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, it was instantly clear to me that I had found something life-changing. Becoming part of a Buddhist community was like getting a second family, all the care and support included. At that time, I was finding my way out of a depression and Buddhism became a support for me to get me back out into the world (and still is!). The Dharma is teaching me how to deal with difficult situations and emotions in a kind and compassionate way. Learning how to observe and respond to emotions and situations doesn't only benefit myself because in the process of getting to know my own mind, I also feel that I am becoming better at understanding and helping others who are going through tough times. Looking inwards is changing the way I look outwards, and a retreat offers very supportive conditions for taking a long, hard look at the workings of my mind. As such, doing retreat is not just about myself, but very much for the sake of benefitting others too!
The retreat will take place at a Buddhist center called Gomde, founded by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche. It is a group retreat, meaning we will be around 30 participants. The cost of the retreat covers food, lodging, retreat materials and the expenses of the Buddhist teacher who is guiding the retreat. The amount I'm hoping to fundraise covers around 75 % of the full cost, excluding my own plane tickets.
Any amount would be helpful and much appreciated!
Thank you for your kind support!