The Hermitage, a Buddhist retreat centre near Criccieth, is to inaugurate its new shrineroom on Wednesday 28 April at 7pm, with a special event to which local people are invited.
Situated in the peaceful landscape of the Llyn peninsula a few miles outside Criccieth, the Hermitage was set up in 2003 by Lama Shenpen Hookham D. Phil., a British woman who spent many years in India receiving teachings from Tibetan Buddhist lamas before returning to the UK to complete a doctoral thesis for Oxford University.
Lama Shenpen is now Dharma Director of the Awakened Heart Sangha and she lives at the Hermitage where she provides teaching and guidance for her students. She is also the author of a distance learning course called Discovering the Heart of Buddhism, which has been followed by students from all over the world, and of several books.
“Some places act as a strong focus for us to connect to the spiritual realm,” said Lama Shenpen. “H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, one of my teachers, told us that north west Wales was a special area and that establishing a place here devoted to spiritual practice would be of great benefit for generations to come. So that’s what we did, and I really hope that the people of Wales will feel a connection with it, even if they are not Buddhists.”
The new shrineroom, which holds about 35 people, was completed this spring and will contain Buddhist images brought from Kathmandu late last year. It will be used for daily sitting sessions by the resident community as well as special meditation days for local people and for group retreats.
Anyone who is interested in attending should contact the Hermitage on 01766 530839. Please note that space is limited and it is essential to reserve a place.
