In-person only
To register for this event, please go to the Dzokden Kalapa website here.
This page is for registration for the THIRD Vajra Yoga PRACTICE RETREAT WEEK(S):
WEEK 2: September 6 – 13 (7 nights)
WEEK 3: September 13 – 20 (7 nights)
This is the first time we have the precious chance to offer a Practice Retreat with a focus on the Third Vajra Yoga in Europe, so do not miss this precious opportunity!
This group retreat will support the participants in establishing their Third Vajra Yoga practices. By having a solid foundation for their own individual practice after the retreat, practitioners will be better able to complete the Third Vajra Yoga practices and prepare for the next steps. You are welcome to take part in any of the weeks of your choosing.
REQUIREMENTS: All participants must have received the Third Vajra Yoga of Kālachakra by Shar Khentrul Rinpoche on the event preceding this one.
Online Meditation Guidance from Shar Khentrul Rinpoche + In-person Retreat
Each participant can request a personal audience with Rinpoche (remotely via Zoom) to discuss their meditation progress and help alleviate any obstacles to their practice. Rinpoche may also join remotely to give a group teaching (upon participants’ request) if he feels that it is necessary. Rafa Lobsang Dorje will lead the practice retreat in person with Rinpoche’s blessing.
(How to register for one or multiple weeks? When registering below, simply select a date of your participation, and the numbers 1 or 2 of “tickets” corresponding to the number of weeks that you would like to attend.)
To register for the THIRD VAJRA YOGA EMPOWERMENT, TEACHING, and RETREAT WEEK 1, you need to additionally register here.
Retreat Information and Guidelines
The retreat guidelines are the same as those of preceding practice retreats. Additional details:
1. Participants are welcome to address their questions related to the practice in written form to the retreat leader. They can request personal audiences with Rinpoche (remotely via Zoom) as well, to be confirmed depending on Rinpoche’s availability.
2. Recitation in your own language: as the practice retreat weeks have a much smaller number of participants, you might be given the opportunity to recite once the sādhana texts in your own language, so bring your translated materials with you as well.
Check out after breakfast on the last day of the week of your choice. (If you absolutely need to leave earlier, that is possible. Just inform us in advance of your plans.)
DANA for KHENTRUL RINPOCHE:
Rinpoche has kindly agreed to give audiences remotely and to support the retreat leader and organizers. If you wish to show your generosity to Rinpoche’s precious teachings and his immense efforts for the Kālachakra Dharma, you can offer Dana for Rinpoche on the Dzokden website here.
Volunteer Opportunities
We need one volunteer to cook breakfast, lunch, and a light dinner for a small group of participants. The volunteer will be able to enjoy all the areas in the retreat center except for the Kālachakra Temple, where the participants will practice. Unlike the participants, external volunteers can access electronic devices. This is an extraordinary opportunity to generate merit and create the causes to be able to engage in this practice yourself in the future. Rinpoche strongly encourages us to support our dharma brothers and sisters by volunteering. During your stay, we can provide free access to an online course or recorded retreat at our digital learning center if you would like to support your practice and study while you are volunteering.
If you are considering this opportunity, please write as soon as possible to [email protected]. You can also volunteer for only a portion of the event; you can offer as much as possible according to your possibilities. That being said, we prefer the participation of someone who can commit to the whole period. Here is the full description of the role: Main Cook Practice Retreat.
If you are part of the EAP — Enlightened Activities Program — and need to gather participation for attending Completion Stage teachings, your participation as a volunteer for this event can be counted: Main Cook Pratice Retreat — around 80 EAP hours in total for one week / 160 EAP hours for both weeks.
How to get to Kalapa?
How to get to Kalapa? Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center, Garanas 41, Bad Schwanberg, zip code 8541, Austria, Südweststeiermark. The nearest airport is in Graz, Austria.
By car: From the Graz-West motorway junction (A2/A9), get on the A2 towards Klagenfurt/Italy and take the Lieboch exit. Then, continue on Federal Road 76 towards Eibiswald. After about 30 km, you will reach Bad Schwanberg. At the end of the main square in Bad Schwanberg, turn left towards Garanas. After the bridge, keep the right side towards Garanas and follow the signs to “Kalachakra Kalapa Center” uphill for about 8 km to reach the center.
By train: To travel to Kalapa by train, start at the main train station in Graz. From there, take the S6 or S61 S-Bahn towards Wies-Eibiswald for about an hour to the Bad Schwanberg station. (timetable information) To travel from the Bad Schwanberg train station to the retreat center, we will send additional info via email some weeks before the event.
Registration Cost
Sangha Supporter (fee for one week+ donation) – 636 Euro
With this additional donation option, your generosity will also support other practitioners who may need a reduced registration cost. This includes the full program, a bunk bed in a shared room and 3 meals a day for the duration of the event.
Normal Retreat Fee (for one week) – 450 Euro
This includes the full program, a bunk bed in a shared room and 3 meals a day for the duration of the event.
Tent Accomodation (for one week) – 415 Euro
This option is for those who prefer to stay in a tent at the retreat center. You need to bring your own tent and your own sleeping bag. This includes the full program, a place to set up your own tent and 3 meals a day for the duration of the event.
Early Bird Reduced Registration Fee (for one week) – 375 Euro
This registration is for those who prefer to book their stay in an accommodation in a hotel outside the retreat center. This includes the full program and meals while you are on site.
Scholarship Program Fee (scholarship for one week) – 350 Euro
Reduced registration for those with a very reduced income or honestly facing difficult financial challenges. This registration option includes the full program, a bunk bed in a shared room or a tent spot, and 3 meals a day for the duration of the event.
In-person only
To register for this event, please go to the Dzokden Kalapa website here.
August 27 – September 6 (10 nights)
This page is for registration for the Third Vajra Yoga event with Rinpoche. If you would like to additionally book the subsequent Practice Retreat Weeks for the Third Vajra Yoga (September 6 – 13, and 13 – 20, register additionally here.)
DESCRIPTION
After repeated requests from individuals and groups over the last decades, Rinpoche has finally accepted the request to teach all Six Vajra Yogas of Kālachakra for the first time in the West. This is a milestone in the history of Kālachakra practice. This is a precious and incredibly rare opportunity, and we are delighted and grateful to be able to offer it at Kalapa.
Note: this is the first time ever Rinpoche is bestowing the Third Vajra Yoga. As the content and practices of the Third Vajra Yoga are the most extensive, the content of its teachings and practices will be divided into two years.
If you have already received the Second Vajra Yoga of Kālachakra with Rinpoche, we welcome you to check the requirements and to present yourself as a candidate by clicking here. To bring more clarity to the preparation process, we have prepared an additional explanation inside the application form. Only upon approval will you be able to proceed with registration. Please do not register before receiving the confirmation of approval.
About the Event and Schedule
The Vajra Yoga of Life-Force Control — Skt. Prāṇāyāma, Tib. sogtsol
The third of the Six Vajra Yogas is known as Life-Force Control. Previously the empty-forms were mixed with the perceiving awareness itself. These two are now combined with the inner winds so that there is no separation between the three entities. The ten winds of the left and right channels are unified as they are drawn into the central channel, thereby causing the circulation of the inner winds in the left and right channels to cease. This is achieved by focusing on the navel centre, where the blazing fire of authentic tummo is experienced.
The event encompasses 1) two days with Preliminary Practices, Guru Pūjā, Kālachakra-Tsok, and a walk and practice in the nature with Rinpoche, 2) The Four Higher Empowerments of Kālachakra (Rinpoche will bestow them again for this group for the sake of creating the best conditions for practice), 3) Transmission and Teachings for the Third Vajra Yoga practices (first part only, as the content is extensive), 4) If needed, a personal audience with Rinpoche (upon request), 5) one week of Retreat with practice sessions guided by senior students, as well as 6) food and accommodation at the Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center.
SCHEDULE (10 nights)
August 27 — Arrival & Welcome Meeting; Introductory Session | Check-in from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
August 28 (full moon) — Kālachakra Preliminary Practices, Rituals, Walk and Practice in the nature around the Retreat Center with Rinpoche
August 29 — Four Higher Empowerments for the Third Vajra Yoga participants and Third Vajra Yoga Transmission
August 29 – September 5 — Third Vajra Yoga Practice Retreat, Third Vajra Yoga Teachings & Personal Audiences with Rinpoche
September 5 —Concluding Tsok (+ break of silence in the evening)
September 6 (Ḍākinī Day) — Last practice session and Karma-Yoga | Check-out from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Note: on the weekend of August 24 – 25, there will be the Vajra Family Gather (register: www.kalapa.org/calendar). If you wish/need to stay additional nights at the Retreat Center before the Third Yoga Retreat (either dormitory or tent), write us ([email protected]) so that we can inform you of the conditions.
If you would like to additionally book the subsequent Practice Retreat Weeks for the Third Vajra Yoga (September 6 – 13, and 13 – 20, register additionally here.)
How to Prepare and Materials
We recommend that you attend the Practice Retreat in the Winter and/or the Second Vajra Yoga retreat of this year, so that you can be better prepared (however, this is not mandatory.)
How to prepare: We strongly encourage you to prepare yourself as much as you can with all the Kālachakra Preliminary Practices and especially all the practices related to the Second Vajra Yoga. In addition to the sādhanas “Divine Ladder” and “Enlightening the Heart”, you will need to know the sādhana “Secret Ḍākinī Treasure.” For the latter, you must register here for the recorded commentary if you have not already received it previously (there you also find the recorded chanting).
Make sure to register for, study, and practice as much as you can the GURU PŪJĀ and the KĀLACHAKRA-TSOK to prepare yourself so that you know these rituals and their meanings very well beforehand. Both courses have texts and teachings translated into many languages. Inside, you find the chantings and practical explanations as well. If you wish (not mandatory), bring your own vajra, bell, ḍamaru, or other ritual instruments.
We encourage you to study all the sādhanas and pūjās as much as you can, including the chantings.
Materials: You can borrow from Kalapa Guru Pūjā and Tsok texts. Bring your practice materials such as “The Profound Path of Vajra Yoga,“ the “Secret Ḍākinī Treasure,” and the “Four Higher Empowerments” Booklet. Everything must be on paper because electronic devices are not allowed after the strict retreat begins. You can also bring your restricted booklets for First and Second Yogas as a reference for your practice. Reading materials not directly related to this practice are not allowed during the strict retreat period. Bring also all the meditation implements you received for the related practices.
Retreat Information and Guidelines
After the Empowerments on August 29, the strict retreat period will begin. During this period, participants are not allowed to receive visitors or use mobile phones, tablet devices, pads, smart watches, laptops, computers, etc. We can store these in our office if you wish. If someone needs to contact you in case of an emergency, they can email [email protected] or call/message +43 676 395 8898, and we will inform you.
The daily schedule consists of four practice sessions of the Third Vajra Yoga practices and occasional teachings, rituals, and audiences. Participation in two daily group practice sessions is mandatory unless health conditions completely prevent you from taking part. The remaining two practice sessions can be practiced in your own room if you prefer. Practice sessions will be conducted in English and Tibetan.
During this retreat, a participant accumulates at least 30 hours of Third Vajra Yoga practice, or more if one does longer sessions or practice/study between group sessions.
Registration
The fee for the retreat includes three vegetarian meals and shared accommodation at the Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center. When registering, please inform us if you have allergies, food intolerances, or other important health or mental conditions that we need to consider. We cannot offer space for individual rooms for participants of this event. However, you can alternatively bring your own tent and sleep outside near the Kālachakra Stūpa (see registration options below).
Off-Site Accommodations
If you absolutely need an individual room, many options for accommodations are available near the retreat center’s area, in the Garanas region, and in the town of Bad Schwanberg. In this case, please search for and book the necessary reservations yourself. You need to follow the same guidelines as the other retreatants. That said, Rinpoche prefers you stay in the Retreat Center.
FAQ: Please note that it takes incredible merit to have the conditions for this project to happen: 1) We have made a large effort to keep the cost reasonable within our context. We encourage practitioners to save up and create the conditions to participate. In the past, people have given everything they had to the Vajra Master for similar teachings. 2) Leaving earlier is not recommended at all, but if you absolutely cannot commit to attending for the entire period, send a request by informing your reasons and the desired date and time of your earlier check-out so that we can see if that can be allowed as an exception. Note that we cannot offer you a special registration cost. The cost is for the entire event, regardless of whether you can stay for the entire period or not.
Volunteer Opportunities
We need one volunteer to cook breakfast, lunch, and a light dinner for the participants, and a second volunteer as a cook helper. The volunteers will be able to enjoy all the areas in the retreat center except for the Kālachakra Temple, where the participants will practice. Unlike the participants, external volunteers can access electronic devices. This is an extraordinary opportunity to generate merit and create the causes to be able to engage in this practice yourself in the future. Rinpoche strongly encourages us to support our dharma brothers and sisters by volunteering. During your stay, we can provide free access to an online course or recorded retreat at our digital learning center if you would like to support your practice and study while you are volunteering.
If you are considering this opportunity, please write as soon as possible to [email protected]. You can also volunteer for only a portion of the event; you can offer as much as possible according to your possibilities. That being said, we prefer the participation of someone who can commit to the whole period.
If you are part of the EAP — Enlightened Activities Program — and need to gather participation for attending Completion Stage teachings, your participation as a volunteer for this event can be counted: Main Cook — around 128 EAP hours in total | Assistant Cook — around 108 EAP hours in total. See all roles here.
How to get to Kalapa?
How to get to Kalapa? Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center, Garanas 41, Bad Schwanberg, zip code 8541, Austria, Südweststeiermark. The nearest airport is in Graz, Austria.
By car: From the Graz-West motorway junction (A2/A9), get on the A2 towards Klagenfurt/Italy and take the Lieboch exit. Then, continue on Federal Road 76 towards Eibiswald. After about 30 km, you will reach Bad Schwanberg. At the end of the main square in Bad Schwanberg, turn left towards Garanas. After the bridge, keep the right side towards Garanas and follow the signs to “Kalachakra Kalapa Center” uphill for about 8 km to reach the center.
By train: To travel to Kalapa by train, start at the main train station in Graz. From there, take the S6 or S61 S-Bahn towards Wies-Eibiswald for about an hour to the Bad Schwanberg station. (timetable information) To travel from the Bad Schwanberg train station to the retreat center, we will send additional info via email some weeks before the event.
Registration Cost
Sangha SUPPORTER (Registration + Donation) – 2150 Euro
With this additional donation option, your generosity will also support other practitioners who may need a reduced registration cost. This includes the full program, a bunk bed in a shared room and 3 meals a day for the duration of the event.
NORMAL registration option – 1550 Euro
This includes the full program, a bunk bed in a shared room and 3 meals a day for the duration of the event.
TENT option – 1400 Euro
This option is for those who prefer to stay in a tent at the retreat center. You need to bring your own tent and your own sleeping bag. This includes the full program, a place to set up your own tent and 3 meals a day for the duration of the event.
Overnight OFF-SITE – 1350 Euro
This registration is for those who prefer to book their stay in an accommodation in a hotel outside the retreat center. This includes the full program and meals while you are on site.
Scholarship REDUCED Registration – 1150 Euro
Reduced registration for those with a very reduced income or honestly facing difficult financial challenges. This registration option includes the full program, a bunk bed in a shared room or a tent spot, and 3 meals a day for the duration of the event.
This event is available both Online and In-person.
Samaya Tārā Empowerment
For Committed Disciples and Active Volunteers in Dzokden’s Enlightened Activities Program
With Khentrul Jamphel Lodrö Rinpoche
By invite only. Invitations sent out one month before the empowerment.
Throughout the ages, the sublime goddess Tārā has swiftly responded to the calls of sincere practitioners, protecting and empowering those who dedicate their lives to the Dharma. Among her many manifestations, Samaya Tārā (dam tshig sgrol ma) — the Samaya Yoginī — stands as a profound and esoteric form within the highest yoga tantra cycles. Preserved through the Jonang tradition and elucidated by the great Jetsun Tāranātha, the Samaya Tārā cycle embodies the deep bond between disciple and deity, rooted in unwavering commitment and enlightened activity.
In his historical masterpiece, The Origin of the Tārā Tantra, Tāranātha traces the sacred origins and lineages of Tārā’s tantras — revealing how the Samaya Tārā teachings were transmitted through visions, siddhas, and hidden treasures, safeguarded by devoted practitioners who maintained their vows with purity. Unlike the more widely known outer Tara practices, this cycle represents the inner yoginī level of Tārā — a complete tantric system traditionally reserved for those who actively uphold their samaya and engage in the bodhisattva path through service and practice.
Khentrul Jamphel Lodrö Rinpoche will bestow the Samaya Tārā Empowerment exclusively to disciples who are actively maintaining their sacred commitments (samaya) and are weekly volunteers engaged in Dzokden’s Enlightened Activities Program. This rare transmission is both a blessing and a responsibility — a gateway into a lineage of enlightened action, where inner realization and outer service are inseparably united.
Receiving this empowerment is not simply an event; it is a mutual pledge between master, disciple, and deity. In the spirit of Tāranātha’s vision, it calls forth a community of practitioners who embody Tārā’s swift compassion through tangible, altruistic activity — manifesting enlightened society through service, creativity, and steadfast dedication.
Samaya Tara Empowerment in 2026
Eligibility:
-Disciples maintaining their tantric samaya with purity and sincerity.
-Active weekly volunteers participating in Dzokden’s Enlightened Activities Program.
-A commitment to continue integrating practice with meaningful action for the benefit of all beings.
-Empowered Action: Strengthen your capacity to embody Tārā’s enlightened activity in the world — magnetizing, protecting, and inspiring through altruistic work. This is a great opportunity to strengthen your association with the power of the great mother, the mother of the Buddhas.
WHO IS THIS FOR or HOW TO PREPARE MYSELF?
This empowerment is only open to people who are dedicated students who are in the enlightened activities program volunteering. If you want to be able to enroll in this empowerment you must be in our volunteer program and be volunteering regularly such as weekly in a role. This is an empowerment for Tantric Samaya and so is not suitable for those who are not working for the Guru, devoted and maintaining samaya. |
HOW THE ONLINE EMPOWERMENT WILL WORK
1 – Register for each attendee that will be receiving the empowerment.
2 – You must be approved by the Enlightened Activites Program that you are dedicated and volunteering enough.
3 – You will receive access to the zoom for each of the sessions the week of the empowerment.
Schedule by Timezone
Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mongolia, Singapore and Taiwan
SUNDAY May 31, 2026
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Session 1: Samaya Tara Empowerment
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Session 2: Teaching/Practice
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
Please email [email protected]. This event is put on by the Enlightened Activities Program.
In-person only
To register for this event, please go to the Dzokden Kalapa website here.
August 11 – 21 (10 nights)
After repeated requests from individuals and groups over the last years, Rinpoche has finally accepted the request to teach all 6 Vajra Yogas of Kālachakra for the first time in Europe. This is a milestone in the history of Kālachakra practice in the West. This is a precious and incredibly rare opportunity, and we are delighted and grateful to be able to offer it at Kalapa.
If you have already received the First Vajra Yoga of Kālachakra with Rinpoche, we welcome you to check the requirements and to present yourself as a candidate by clicking here. To bring more clarity to the preparation process, we have prepared an additional explanation inside the application form. Only upon approval will you be able to proceed with registration. Please do not register before receiving the confirmation of approval. If you have, however, already received the Second Vajra Yoga in 2025, then you can proceed to registration directly without needing to send an application.
About the Event and Schedule
The Vajra Yoga of Stabilisation — Skt. Dhyāna, Tib. samten
The essence of the Second Vajra Yoga is to extend our realization of empty-forms (“forms of emptiness”) so that all perceptions arise as awareness:
Through this Second Vajra Yoga, the perception of the empty-forms attained in the previous practice is unified indivisibly with the awareness of an inner perceiver, and therefore one’s speech, inner wind, and awareness become unwavering. While the First Vajra Yoga allows one to perceive the empty-forms of the ten signs as the objects of the mind, the Second Vajra Yoga enables the practitioner to “mix” these signs with the mind and experience the joy and bliss of analysis (special insight). Prior to this stage, you practice with the eye sense consciousness and visual forms. Here, you practice with each of the sense consciousnesses and their objects individually — including sound, smell, taste, and touch. At this stage, special conditions such as a dark room are not always necessary.
The event encompasses 1) two days with Preliminary Practices, Guru Pūja, Kālachakra-Tsok, and a walk and practice in the nature with Rinpoche, 2) The Four Higher Empowerments of Kālachakra (Rinpoche will bestow them again for the sake of your spiritual progress), 3) Transmission and Teachings for the Second Vajra Yoga, 4) If needed, a personal audiences with Rinpoche (upon request), 5) one week of Retreat with practice sessions guided by senior students, as well as 6) food and accommodation at the Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center.
SCHEDULE (10 nights)
August 11 — Arrival, Welcome Meeting & Introductions, Ritual | Check-in from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
August 12 (new moon) — Kālachakra Preliminary Practices, Rituals, Walk and Practice in the nature around Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center with Rinpoche
August 13 — Four Higher Empowerments for the Second Vajra Yoga participants and Second Vajra Yoga Transmission
August 13 – 20 — Second Vajra Yoga Practice Retreat, Second Vajra Yoga Teachings & Personal Audiences with Rinpoche
August 21 — Last practice session and Check-out from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Note: on the weekend of August 24 – 25, there will be the Vajra Sangha Family Day (register: kalapa.org/calendar). If you wish/need to stay one or more additional nights at the Retreat Center after the Second Yoga Retreat (either dormitory or tent), write us ([email protected]) so that we can inform you of the conditions.
How to Prepare and Materials
We recommend that you attend the Practice Retreat in the Winter and/or the First Vajra Yoga retreat of this year, so that you can be better prepared.
How to prepare: We strongly encourage you to prepare yourself as much as you can with all the 9 Kālachakra Preliminary Practices and especially all the practices related to the First Vajra Yoga. In addition to the sādhanas “Divine Ladder” and “Enlightening the Heart”, you will need to know the sādhana “Secret Ḍākinī Treasure.” For the latter, you must register here for the recorded commentary if you have not already received it previously (there you also find the recorded chanting).
Make sure to register for, study, and practice as much as you can the GURU PŪJĀ and the KĀLACHAKRA-TSOK to prepare yourself so that you know these rituals and their meanings very well beforehand. Both courses have texts and teachings translated into many languages. Inside, you find the chantings and practical explanations as well. If you wish (not mandatory), bring your own vajra, bell, ḍamaru, or other ritual instruments.
We encourage you to study all the sādhanas and pūjās as much as you can, including the chantings.
Materials: You can borrow printed texts of Guru Pūjā and Tsok to use during the event. Bring your printed books, “The Profound Path of Vajra Yoga“, the “Four Higher Empowerments” Booklet; your eye mask, and your meditation belt. You can also bring Rinpoche’s “The Hidden Treasure,” “Unveiling Your Sacred Truth 3,” and your restricted booklet as a reference for your practice. Everything must be on paper because electronic devices are not allowed after the strict retreat begins. Reading materials not directly related to this practice are not allowed during the strict retreat period. If you have already participated before, bring also your own restricted Second Vajra Yoga Booklet.
Retreat Information and Guidelines
After the Empowerments on August 13, the strict retreat period will begin. It will be closed and in silence. During this period, participants are not allowed to receive visitors or use mobile phones, tablet devices, pads, smart watches, laptops, computers, etc. We can store these in our office if you wish. If someone needs to contact you in case of an emergency, they can email [email protected] or call +43 676 395 8898, and we will inform you. Rinpoche advises participants to follow the guidelines respectfully, not only for the success of their own practice but also to avoid disturbing others.
The daily schedule consists of four practice sessions of the Second Vajra Yoga and occasional teachings, rituals, and audiences. Participation in two daily group sessions is mandatory unless health conditions completely prevent you from taking part. The remaining two sessions can be practiced in your own room if you prefer. Practice sessions will be conducted in English and Tibetan.
During this retreat, a participant accumulates at least 30 hours of Second Vajra Yoga practice, or more if one does longer sessions or practice/study in between.
Registration
The fee for the retreat includes three vegetarian meals and shared accommodation at the Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center. Please inform us in advance if you have allergies, food intolerances, or other important health or mental conditions that we need to consider. We cannot offer space for individual rooms for participants of this event. However, you can alternatively bring your own tent and sleep outside near the Kālachakra Stūpa (see registration options below).
Off-Site Accommodations
If you absolutely need an individual room, many options for accommodations are available near the retreat center’s area, in the Garanas region, and in the town of Bad Schwanberg. In this case, please search for and book the necessary reservations yourself.
FAQ: Please note that it takes incredible merit to have the conditions for this project to happen: 1) We have made a large effort to keep the cost reasonable within our context. We encourage practitioners to save up and create the conditions to participate. In the past, people have given everything they had to the Vajra Master for similar teachings. 2) If you cannot commit to attending for the entire period, please let us know in advance the exact date and time of your earlier check-out. Leaving earlier is not recommended at all, but we can make an exception if you have no other option or really cannot stay the entire period (please let us know the reasons beforehand by email). We cannot offer you a special registration cost. The cost is for the entire event, regardless of whether you can stay for the entire period or not.
Volunteer Opportunities
We need one volunteer to cook breakfast, lunch, and a light dinner for the participants, and a second volunteer as a cook helper. The volunteers will be able to enjoy all the areas in the retreat center except for the Kālachakra Temple, where the participants will practice. Unlike the participants, external volunteers can access electronic devices. This is an extraordinary opportunity to generate merit and create the causes to be able to engage in this practice yourself in the future. Rinpoche strongly encourages us to support our dharma brothers and sisters by volunteering.
During your stay, we can provide free access to an online course or recorded retreat at our digital learning center if you would like to support your practice and study while you are volunteering. Alternatively, if you have already received the Second Vajra Yoga teachings and want to volunteer full-time for the whole period, you can also participate in the sessions of the event in the temple for free.
If you are considering this opportunity, please write as soon as possible to [email protected]. You can also volunteer for only a portion of the event; you can offer as much as possible according to your possibilities. That being said, we prefer the participation of someone who can commit to the whole period.
If you are part of the EAP — Enlightened Activities Program — and need to gather participation for attending Completion Stage teachings, your participation as a volunteer for this event can be counted: Main Cook — around 128 EAP hours in total | Assistant Cook — around 108 EAP hours in total
How to get to Kalapa?
How to get to Kalapa? Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center, Garanas 41, Bad Schwanberg, zip code 8541, Austria, Südweststeiermark. The nearest airport is in Graz, Austria.
By car: From the Graz-West motorway junction (A2/A9), get on the A2 towards Klagenfurt/Italy and take the Lieboch exit. Then, continue on Federal Road 76 towards Eibiswald. After about 30 km, you will reach Bad Schwanberg. At the end of the main square in Bad Schwanberg, turn left towards Garanas. After the bridge, keep the right side towards Garanas and follow the signs to “Kalachakra Kalapa Center” uphill for about 8 km to reach the center.
By train: To travel to Kalapa by train, start at the main train station in Graz. From there, take the S6 or S61 S-Bahn towards Wies-Eibiswald for about an hour to the Bad Schwanberg station. (timetable information) To travel from the Bad Schwanberg train station to the retreat center, we will send additional info via email some weeks before the event.
