From Friday evening, 12 June to Tuesday 16 June 2026 (Public Holiday), the Tara Rokpa Centre warmly invites you to a five-day Buddhist Dharma Retreat dedicated to teachings, contemplations, and meditations from Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Gampopa.
Beginning on Friday evening and concluding on the public holiday of 16 June, this retreat offers a precious long-weekend immersion in the Dharma — an opportunity to step out of daily busyness and enter a sustained rhythm of study, reflection, and meditation.
We will explore one of the principal texts of the Kagyu lineage — a work of enduring relevance and benefit to practitioners at every stage of the path. In its twenty-one chapters, Gampopa presents a clear and systematic outline of the journey to Buddhahood, weaving together profound philosophical insight with practical guidance for daily practice. His teachings on innate Buddha-nature inspire confidence in those entering the path, while offering depth, encouragement, and direction to those already walking it.
Open to members of the ongoing study group with Alan Muller, as well as anyone interested in Dharma and wishing for a taste of traditional Buddhist teachings, this retreat offers a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in classical instruction within a supportive retreat environment. Through guided teachings, contemplative reflection, and meditation, participants will be invited to engage these timeless instructions both intellectually and experientially.
In order to make this retreat accessible to Dharma practitioners, we are offering a special rate of R500 per night. Accommodation will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and those who book and pay the 50% deposit earliest will be able to secure their preferred accommodation option.
This is a dana-based retreat. The facilitator offers their time and teachings freely and does not receive payment for leading the retreat. Participants are warmly invited to offer dana — generosity — to the teacher according to their means and appreciation, in keeping with the long-standing Buddhist tradition of supporting the Dharma through voluntary giving.
Whether you are new to Buddhist study or seeking to deepen your understanding, The Journey to Awakening offers a steady, authentic pathway into the heart of the Dharma.
Alan Muller took refuge in 1997 with Akong Rinpoche. In 2003, he completed a one-year closed retreat under the guidance of Lama Yeshe Rinpoche at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. During this period, he took novice monk vows. Alan remained a novice monk for six years and now presents courses and retreats as a layperson.