"We have to start with individuals, with spiritually committed individuals, with individuals who are trying to develop, but not with individuals singly; with teams of individuals, and these teams will set up structures which will help people to grow; structures of many different kinds corresponding to the different aspects of human life, corresponding to people's needs, whether economic or social or artistic and so on, and these structures, taken together, will constitute on a very small scale, a new world, and such a new world we do have in the Western Buddhist Order, the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, and their associated activities. We don't have a detailed blueprint of a new world; we have something that is perhaps even better –the living, growing seed of a new world." A Blueprint for a New World, Sangharakshita

Thousands of men have come through Padmaloka in its lifetime, chanting together in the shrine room, studying in the various rooms and going for walks around the village. Its retreats have profoundly affected, and inspired the lives of these men, allowing them to develop in the light of the Buddha Dharma. Padmaloka has been a crucible of transformation and a realm of friendship for those who come here, so we would like to celebrate it as fully as we can.

In doing so, we can honour the many individuals who have contributed to its development as well as celebrate what Padmaloka offers the world today and what could lie ahead for it.

There will be meditation, puja, and a series of talks themed around the classic lecture series ‘Buddhism for Today –and Tomorrow’, which shares its fiftieth anniversary with Padmaloka.

Join us on this historic event as we celebrate the Lotus Realm.

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Banner and thumbnail image: cropped and edited drawing by Padmabhasa©

Details and Timings

The retreat starts with dinner on the first day at 6:30pm and finishes on the final day at 10.15am.