The Center

An idyllic 18th century farmstead lies embedded in the Lüneburg Heath near Schneverdingen, about 70 km south of Hamburg. Five farm houses built in the timber-framed brick nogging style typical of Lüneburg Heath farmhouses are grouped around a grove of oak trees, surrounded by meadows, woods and a nature conservancy area. This quiet, peaceful place inspired Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Garchen Rinpoche to create a retreat Center of the Drikung Kagyu Tradition in Germany. The Garchen Foundation acquired the farmstead in 2009, renovated in accordance with historic preservation guidelines and expanded into a Center where profound meditation can be practiced. A specially laid out path encircling the entire site invites you to take a stroll in the midst of nature.

This place has been blessed at several visits by H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, H.E. Garchen Rinpoche and other high lamas of the Drikung Kagyu tradition. In July 2011 an Earth Blessing Ceremony was held under the guidance of H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and Ven. Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen at the spot where the Center’s meditation hall is now being constructed. In October 2012, many visitors from all over the world came for the consecration of the newly-built temple under the direction of H.E. Garchen Rinpoche and for the opening of the centre.

This place was named after the great Tibetan yogi Milarepa (1040-1123), who spent many years of his life in meditation in solitary retreat on the icy mountain ranges of the Himalayas, including the three holy mountains Kailash, Lapchi and Tsari. He eventually realized Mahamudra, the Great Liberation, or enlightenment.

Since the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang has linked the place of the Milarepa Retreat Center with the blessed place of the holy Mount Kailash and because great importance will be attached here to the meditation practice of Mahamudra, Garchen Rinpoche blessed it with the Tibetan name Drikung Kagyu Gangri Chagchen Dargye Ling - "Kailash, the Place where Mahamudra will Flourish."

As the most important priorities to be pursued at this center, HH the Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang pointed out three projects: Three-Year-Retreat - Study and translation work - Hospice (for Sangha members who want to spend their last days in a spiritual environment).

The Milarepa Retreat Center, a project of the Garchen Foundation, offers the opportunity for solitary and group retreats. The traditional Three Year Retreat in the Drikung Kagyu Tradition will be offered regularely.

Drubpon Rachel Dodds has completed a Traditional Three Year Retreat in the Drikung Kagyu Tradition from 2004 to 2008 in Almora India under the auspices of H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, under the guidance of Drubpön Champa Rigzin Rinpoche. Drubpön Rachel Dodds has officially received the title „ Drubpön“ ( Meditation-Master) by H.H. The Drikung Kyabgon Thinley Lhundup. Under her guidance the second traditonal Three-Year Retreat with a group of six international disciples began in 2018, where she leads them through the 5 Fold Path of Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa.

The Center also provides optimal working conditions for translators who wish to concentrate undisturbed on a Tibetan text.

› Video "Berge versetzen"by Birgit Ramsauer