Foundations of Samadhi: Düntün (Seven-day) Retreat with Jakob Leschly

Friday November 1st – Friday November 8th, 2024.

This retreat is held under the auspices of Tibetan Buddhist master Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche with Jakob Leschly as his resident instructor.

“Ideally the ultimate retreat is to retreat from the past and the future, to always remain in the present. However our mind is so empowered and controlled by habit all the time. One characteristic of habit is not being able to sit still, not being able to remain in the present. This is because being in the present is so scary, so boring and unbearable for our deluded and spoiled mind. Little do we know that actually being in the present is so exciting and the most liberating from all kinds of pain, suffering and anxiety.”
– Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse

About the course

The practice of Buddhist meditation allows us to uncover and experience our natural heritage of wisdom though cultivating insight or vipashyana.

It is to establish a peaceful space of presence and mindfulness, allowing us to awaken a calmer and wider appreciation of our reality.

A retreat is an invaluable moment of clarifying and reaffirming our commitment to the vision and path of meditation. Jakob Leschly will lead the 7-day retreat, offering general instruction and individual interviews.

Please see the Vipashyana Retreat Schedule and Info document which outlines the proposed schedule to be followed and relates further information about how the retreat will be run and a more in-depth overview.

Newcomers needn’t feel apprehensive; the retreat is suitable both to those new to meditation through to the more seasoned practitioners.

Retreat start and finish time

The course will start at 5 pm on Friday 1st November 2024 for registration with dinner from 6 pm. Come earlier if you can to give yourself time to have a look around and get settled in. The course will finish at around 11 am on Friday 8th November followed by group tidy up of rooms and venue before leaving.

Venue

Located in the foothills of the Southern Alps overlooking the Wangapeka River, about an hour and a half drive SW of Nelson, in the South Island of New Zealand. Please see the Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre website for all information about the location, venue and how to get there.

Accommodation

There are a mixture of camping sites, and single rooms available.

Karma yoga

Each participant will be given a small daily job to be responsible for in helping out with the running of the retreat. Also, a dishes roster will be in place.

What to bring

toiletries, a torch, walking shoes, sunscreen, hat & wet weather gear
hay fever remedies and other personal medications, if required
meditation shawl or small blanket (recommended)
extra cushions for how you feel comfortable sitting if you require them (there are cushions and chairs available).
two sheets or a sleeping bag and one sheet. One blanket and a light duvet plus two pillows and two pillowcases are provided – if you have special requirements, please bring your own.
towel/s

The weather can be unpredictable in November. It could be very hot or cool, and possibly wet so best to check the forecast and prepare accordingly.

Retreat Cost

Single: Member = $700, Non-member = $770
Camping: Member = $575, Non-member = $595

This cost includes food, accommodation, cooks fee and teachers airfares. There will be two cash donation/dana/koha boxes available to enable us to contribute towards these precious teachings and to the Wangapeka.

About Jakob Leschly

Jakob became a student of Buddhism in 1974. He travelled to India in 1975, where he became a student of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, as well as Tulku Pema Wangyal. He met Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse in 1977 and became his student as well.

In the early 1980s, Jakob did a three-year retreat in France, after which he worked for Association de Centre d’Etudes de Chanteloube. He has worked on translations from Tibetan, including Shabkar and Wondrous Dance of Illusion, and has also served as an oral interpreter for several lamas. In the 1990s he lived in Bir, translating both Madhyamaka and sadhana material for Siddhartha’s Intent (SI). In the late 1990s, he began leading study and practice programs for SI Western Door.

Working toward clear and inclusive presentations of Buddhism for modern lay people and non-Buddhists, Jakob wrote and edited many of the early summaries and blurbs presenting Rinpoche’s teachings and programs. In the 2000s he earned a BA in Tibetology at the University of Copenhagen, exploring the commonalities and differences between Buddhism and western humanities and sciences. From 2008 - 2023 he has lived in Australia, where he directed study and practice programs for SI Australia and now has relocated back to Europe.