We are building Scandinavia’s first dedicated facility for traditional three-year retreat — on Danish soil, in Himmerland, under the guidance of experienced teachers in the Karma Kagyu tradition.
Fundraising for the retreat centre
xx% of the goal reached
“Peace is complete awareness.”
H.H. 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje
A new chapter in Danish Buddhism
Manjushri Buddha Retreat Centre in Himmerland has been a living centre for Buddhist practice in the Karma Kagyu tradition since 1984. Now we are taking the next step.
We are raising five million Danish kroner to build a dedicated retreat facility — a physical setting that makes it possible to complete a traditional three-year retreat on Danish soil for the first time. A defined space where yogis and yoginis can devote themselves entirely for three consecutive years, under the guidance of experienced teachers, without leaving the retreat boundary.
No such facility exists in Scandinavia today. Practitioners who wish for this opportunity must travel to France or Asia — or go without. We want to change that.
What is a three-year retreat?
A traditional three-year retreat is one of the most intensive forms of Buddhist practice. For three years, three months and three days, the yogis live within the retreat boundary — a defined physical space they do not leave for the entire duration. There they meditate, study and practise from morning to evening under the guidance of an experienced retreat master.
It is not an escape from the world. It is a deep immersion in it.
Read more about the retreat tradition and what it entails
Spiritual guidance
Dupseng Rinpoche is the spiritual guide for the forthcoming retreat. He is trained within the Karma Kagyu tradition, has himself completed a traditional three-year retreat, and is currently retreat master at Karma Ngedon Palbar Ling in Nepal. He will visit the yogis within the retreat boundary to give teachings — a teacher with personal experience of this very practice.
Manjushri Buddha Retreat Centre
The centre in Vesterbølle near Gedsted was founded in October 1984 under the Tibetan name Karma Wangchuk Ling — “The place of power”. Eva Bjerrum and Claus Hermansen have led its daily operations ever since. The centre has more than 40 sleeping places, a meditation hall, a peace path with stupa, and a thriving organic market garden.
The spiritual head is H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje.
Read more about the centre and its history
The vision behind the project
The retreat facility will be built adjacent to the existing centre. It is designed to accommodate yogis and yoginis in a fully enclosed retreat environment with all necessary facilities — accommodation, meditation rooms, kitchen and outdoor areas within the boundary. The goal is to begin construction in 2027.
Read more about the vision and the project
Join us
The project depends on support from the sangha and all who wish to contribute to a living Buddhist practice in Europe. You can give a one-time donation or a monthly contribution — and donations from Danish taxpayers are tax-deductible under §8A.
Questions?
Write to us at mlhave@gmail.com — we will reply as soon as we can.