International Retreat Centers

About this Program

To manifest a Golden Age of peace and harmony, we need to create a physical presence where the profound wisdom of the Kalachakra Tantra can be actualized in daily life.  Dzokden Retreat Centers are more than just buildings; they are Dharma sanctuaries designed to manifest physical representations of the Kalachakra Tantra on earth. By providing a dedicated space for long-term practitioners and global seekers to engage in deep study, practice and meditation, these centers help our modern community bridge the gap between ancient theory and living realization.

Dzokden’s visionary goal is to cultivate one primary Dzokden retreat center on every continent.  These sanctuaries arise solely through the collective merit and immense generosity of Khentrul Rinpoche’s students—through heartfelt donations, the gifting of property, and selfless service. Each center serves as a vital pillar for anchoring peace, offering the space needed for practitioners to fully transform their minds and lives.

Dzokden International Retreat Centers

Dzokden Kalapa (Garanas, Austria):  Nestled in the Austrian Alps, Kalapa is currently undergoing vital renovations to expand its capacity for service. Projects include:

• Kalachakra Temple Project:  Beautifying the custom-built shrine for the magnificent 24-Armed Statue.
• Dormitory Renovation:  Improving our facilities to host more guests, as well as specialized spaces for personal dark retreats.
• Aesthetics and Safety: Upgrading the center to meet modern safety requirements while enhancing the aesthetic harmony of the center.  

Dzokden Rimé Institute (Belgrave, Australia):  Founded by Khentrul Rinpoche in 2005, Dzokden Rimé Institute means “non-sectarian” and offers profound and extensive teachings from all Tibetan Buddhist traditions, including Mahayana and Tantrayana.  

Dzokden Shambhala (Thornton, Australia):  Set upon 40 acres of magnificent farmland near the Cathedral Mountain Ranges, this center is a physical gateway to the Pure Realm. Beyond traditional Dharma, this center integrates:

• Wish-fulfilling Stupa to be filled with 1 billion Tsa Tsa to accumulate merit and positive energy dedicated to our world.
• The Food Forest to be filled with deities from humanity’s greatest faith traditions.  
• Dolpopa’s Seeing Liberation Stupa of 100,000 Buddhas:  Replicas of the Great Stupa of Jonang built in the 14th century by the Tibetan master Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen built and placed all over the world.  Simply gazing upon the Stupa with a pure heart can plant the seeds of enlightenment purifying lifetimes of negative karma.
• Sudarshana Medicine Mandala Herb Garden – An experiential Healing Medicine Buddha teaching garden including eco-friendly retreat huts and sustainable gardens to support long-term practice.

Our Aspiration and Why This is Important

Our ultimate vision for Dzokden is to establish a dedicated retreat center on every continent, creating a global network of sanctuary and transformation. This initiative represents a pivotal shift in our mission: moving from the subtle manifestation found within individual practice and meditation to a gross-level manifestation that is visible, tangible, and accessible to everyone.

By building these physical centers, we are essentially offering a sacred mandala to the world—transitioning from a visualized offering to a concrete reality on our Earth. These centers serve to deepen the global connection to Kalachakra, acting as powerful engines to generate the causes and conditions necessary to usher in a new Golden Age of peace and harmony. Through this work, we aim to anchor the values of enlightenment into the very fabric of our landscape, providing a physical foundation for a more compassionate future.