Buddhist Retreat Centre in Ixopo
For more than twenty years the Buddhist Retreat Centre, located at Ixopo in KwaZulu Natal, has been welcoming people to take some time out of their busy schedules to re-connect with themselves in an area of great natural beauty and tranquility. The retreat is located on a ridge overlooking the Umkomaas River, indigenous valleys and rolling hills. Paths winding through the 300 acre property take guests through the lush greenery to quiet places which are perfect for meditation and contemplation, while enjoying exquisite scenery. Birdlife is plentiful and the grounds of the retreat are a breeding site for the rare Blue Swallow. In fact, the Buddhist Retreat Centre has been appointed by the Endangered Wildlife Trust as custodian of these beautiful birds, as well as being declared a Natural Heritage Site by Nelson Mandela during his presidency in recognition of conservation efforts.
As Buddhism is neither atheistic nor theistic, it doesn’t compete with or challenge other religions, and therefore religious or philosophical beliefs of visitors are not an issue when staying at the centre and guests are not expected to convert to Buddhism. There are three main retreat programs that guests can enjoy, being Conducted Retreats, Self Retreats, and Day Visits. The various Conducted Retreats have a set schedule for each day and those attending one of these programs must plan to attend right from the first day to the last to achieve the most benefit. Self Retreats are unstructured, with participants free to walk, meditate, listen to tapes and draw on the experience of staff members with regard to Buddhist philosophy and meditation. Day Visits take the form of a Self Retreat, where guests are free to enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings at leisure.
Accommodation is available for up to thirty-eight participants, in en-suite cottages, single and twin-bedded rooms. The menu features lacto-ovo vegetarian cuisine, made from organically grown vegetables and accompanied by freshly baked bread. The tranquil environment of the Buddhist Retreat Centre provides the perfect opportunity to become acquainted with the Buddhist culture through the practice of philosophy, meditation and psychology. Guests are encouraged to adhere to traditional Buddhist moral principles, such as having respect for all forms of life, as well as abstaining from alcoholic beverages and hallucinogenic drugs. Certainly, the Buddhist Retreat Centre in KwaZulu Natal offers a complete break from the frantic pace of modern living.
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User Comments & Reviews: 4 Comment(s)
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SouthAfrica.com Team - 2011-02-02 07:56:11
Thank you for posting your comments on SouthAfrica.com. We strive to present interesting and accurate information and welcome feedback from visitors to our site. @Jenny - It sounds as though you had an awesome time. Thank you for sharing your personal experience. Best wishes, SouthAfrica.com Team
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Jenny Yates - 2011-02-01 10:20:04
My partner and I recently visited the Buddhist Retreat in Ixopo for 3 days.He has been before and raved about it.It was a beginners course we attended and was probably one of the best "vacations" I have ever had in my life.I am a Christian,and a sceptic, so entered into this venture warily only to find that it is not a religion,but living in the "here and now",living in the moment... in a calm,serene state of mind and enjoying all that is taken for granted BY EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US,yes u as well, and for once,keeping my "loud mouth "shut.I actually tasted my food and heard it crunch.Its amazing!!!! What a way to live.I thought i would hate the food (vegetarian YUK!).......wow....was I wrong,it was outstanding and plentiful. I was very privilaged to meet Louis Van Loon and attend his lectures.What an amazing human being! There were 40 guests there and I made some great like-minded friends.We will be trying to get a meditation group together asap,closer to Durban,to continue this practice,this newly found way of life.
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peter david smith - 2010-02-27 09:22:11
i am 40 years old, i want 2 be filled with buddha way of life. i dont believe that we are just born 2 have a stressfull life! and then we die! i believe there is more 2 life then just this. i want 2 go away 4 a year and study buddha teachings, if there is any retreats or buddhas out there willing 2 teach me! then please contact me asap!
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