Cherish the Doctrine, Live United, Radiate Love
October Sangha Retreat
3 Nights, Friday 24th – Monday 27th October 2025
Led by Maitrikaya and Sadayasihi
Dhardo Rimpoche was described by Sangharakshita, the founder of our community, as a ‘living Bodhisattva’ (someone who has dedicated themselves to the pursuit of Enlightenment for all beings). Sangharakshita was a friend of Dhardo Rimpoche and considered him one of his main teachers, having encountered him during his time in Kalimpong, India in the 1950s and 1960s.
Dhardo Rimpoche set up a school for Tibetan refugees in Kalimpong in 1954 with the motto ‘cherish the doctrine, live united, radiate love’ – things he himself embodied through his life and behaviour. On this retreat we will unpack this motto and its relevance for us today so that we can learn from Dhardo Rimpoche’s inspiring example.
We will practice in the beautiful venue of Mucklagh, Co. Wicklow – exploring our theme through talks, reflections, meditations, ritual, silence and friendship.
When
Friday 24th to Monday 27th October 2025
Where
Mucklagh House, County Wicklow.
This former country lodge is cosy, comfortable, and surrounded by woods. It’s a 90-minute drive from Dublin City. See below for a Google Map.
This retreat is for Sangha regulars and people who have a meditation practice of the Mindfulness of Breathing and Metta Bhavana meditation practices.
Maitrikaya
Sadayasihi
The retreat will be led by Maitrikaya and Sadayasihi.
We asked previous retreat participants what the highlights were for them. They answered:
All dishes are vegan, but don’t let that put you off. We’ve astounded by many omnivores on our retreats who admitted they had no idea vegan food could be so tasty and filling!
Every meal is cooked from scratch, and there is always enough for second helpings. No one ever goes hungry on our retreats.
Mucklagh is an aproximately 90 minute drive from Dublin City Centre.
There is usually there is an opportunity to car pool, subject to availability. If you can offer lifts, let us know on the booking form.
You can also get the train to a nearby town (Rathdrum) and we can usually pick you up from there.
Cost
We do tiered pricing, depending on the circumstances.
- €340 waged
- €300 low-waged
- €240 unwaged or student
You can pay a deposit of €75 to secure your place.
What to Expect
All bedrooms are shared with fellow participants, typically with two to five retreatants per room. While there is one single room, it is reserved for team members but can be made available upon request for those with specific mobility needs.
Sharing a room is a meaningful aspect of the retreat. Many find it enriching to live simply alongside others, fostering a quiet sense of connection, mutual support, and community. This spirit of shared living reflects some key elements of Buddhist practice — simplicity, awareness of others, and compassion.
You can view photos of the accommodation here (scroll down to see bedrooms).
A €75 deposit per person of this payment is non-refundable under all circumstances.
If you wish to cancel or transfer a booking please notify us as soon as possible at info@dublinbuddhistcentre.org
Cancellation:
- If you wish to cancel your place more than 14 days prior to the retreat starting, a full refund minus the deposit will be offered.
- If cancellation occurs within 14 days of the retreat starting no refund will be available.
Transfers
- At least 14 days before the retreat starts: we will transfer your place to another residential retreat if there are places available on the alternative residential retreat.
- 14 days or less before the retreat starts: we may be able to transfer your place to another residential retreat if there are places available on the alternative residential retreat and we can fill your place on the original retreat.
- If the residential retreat you wish to transfer to costs more than your original booking you will need to pay the difference at the time of transferring in order to secure your place.
- We will refund the difference if the residential retreat you wish to transfer to costs less than the original booking.
- We will only transfer a booking once and no transfer will be possible once a residential retreat has started.