Looking Into the Mirror of Dharma

Weekend Retreat

Meditations for Peace, Compassion and Wisdom

May 15 – 17

With Resident Teacher Kelsang Jangchen

The Three Principal Aspects of the Path is a special guide for developing peace, compassion and wisdom, which was written by Je Tsongkhapa. Kelsang Jangchen will guide meditations to help us develop these powerful and most beneficial minds, which are the real method to attain great liberation for ourself and others.

This weekend retreat will be based on Venerable Geshe-la’s most recent book, The Mirror of Dharma with Additions, and the teachings at the Opening of the Temple at the International Retreat Center Grand Canyon.

A retreat is a wonderful opportunity to take a meaningful break from our daily lives in order to learn, reflect and meditate to make powerful changes in our hearts and lives.

On this retreat we will have silence in the mornings until lunch, with an option for those who wish to remain silent all day. Others may enjoy sharing thoughts and insights with a community of like-minded spiritual practitioners.

This retreat is suitable for beginners and advanced meditators alike.

About the Teacher

Kelsang Jangchen is a Buddhist nun and the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Center South Carolina. She has been a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for 20 years. Jangchen teaches with warmth and compassion, offering practical methods to help people experience more peace and happiness in their daily lives.

Venue

Camp Kinard is a tranquil and beautiful retreat setting with two ponds and many walking trails. The retreat center provides a great environment for quiet reflection and community time. Kadampa Meditation Center SC has had many retreats in this location and we keep returning!

The retreat sessions will be held at Caughman Center across from Lodge Village. Comfortable chairs and some meditation cushions will be available. If you have your own meditation cushion that you wish to bring, please feel free to do so.

Address

6053 Two Notch Rd, Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29070

Accommodations

Lodge Rooms – Each are furnished with 2 double beds and a private bathroom. Linens and towels are provided for guests staying in the Lodge Village.

Guest House Rooms – The Guest House has been recently renovated and includes home-style lodging. Guests staying here can enjoy use of a kitchen, living room, all the accommodations one would enjoy in their own home. Linens and towels are provided for guests staying here. The Guest house only has 4 bedrooms, and these rooms are expected to sell out. However, once the rooms sell out, you can still get a room in Lodge Village.

Please be aware that rooms are limited and available on a first-come, first serve basis, so early registration is recommended.

Meals

The group meals will be held in the Guest House. Pricing includes lunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast is not included; participants should bring their own breakfast.

Retreat Schedule and Format

Sessions will generally include a preliminary guided meditation, short prayers, an introductory teaching to the meditation, and a longer guided meditation. Some sessions will include Q&A or discussion.

During the retreat, we encourage you to maintain silence from the mornings through lunchtime as a method to quiet the mind and get the most out of each session.

Friday, May 15

8 – 9 pm Teaching and meditation

Saturday, May 16

9 -10:30 am Teaching and meditation

11:30 am – 1 pm Teaching and meditation

1:15 pm Lunch

3:00 – 4:30 pm Teaching and meditation

6 pm Dinner

7:30 – 9 pm Teaching and meditation

Sunday, May 17

9 – 10 am Teaching and meditation

10:30 – 11:30 am Teaching and meditation

Costs (per person):

Retreat, accommodation, and Saturday meals for the entire weekend:

Lodge Room: Single Occupancy: $280.00
Lodge Room: Double Occupancy: $215.00

Guest House: Single Occupancy: $315.00
Guest House: Double Occupancy: $240.00

Retreat and Saturday meals (no accommodation):

Entire retreat $140
Saturday only $100

Cancellation Policy:

A non-refundable deposit of 25% will hold your space. No refunds for any cancellations within 7 days of retreat start date.

Address

6053 Two Notch Rd, Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29070

What to Bring

Breakfast: We will be providing vegetarian lunch and dinner on Saturday (meals are included in the registration cost). Please bring your own breakfast foods; a refrigerator is available. If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know.

Layers of clothing: With a large group, it is almost impossible to find a temperature that everyone agrees upon! We will try to make the meditation room as comfortable as possible, but it’s still a good idea for you to come with layers of clothing so that you can adjust as you need to. This also holds true for socks as we will not be wearing shoes inside the meditation room.

Blanket: The meditation room may be a little chilly in the winter and you may wish to bring a blanket to put under your feet or over your lap.

Comfortable walking clothes: We encourage you to enjoy some fresh air and the lovely beach during your stay.

Dharma books: You may wish to refer to your favorite Dharma books during the course of the retreat.

Meditation cushion: If you have your own meditation cushion that you would like to use, we suggest you bring it with you. We will also be providing chairs and some cushions. We will not have enough cushions for every participant, however.

What NOT to Bring

Cell Phones: For the purpose of developing deeper concentration in your mind, we encourage you to take a break from cellphone use. It’s ok to bring your cell phone and check in with your family from time to time. However, we advise keeping your cell phone usage to a minimum and we specifically request that you do not bring it to retreat sessions with you. This will prevent the awkwardness of having your phone go off in the middle of a meditation session.

Music: During the retreat, it is a good idea to refrain from listening to music. For the sake of your own concentration and the sake of others’, please do not listen to music, even on headphones, while at the retreat.

Pets: Sorry, but due to pet allergies, you will need to leave your animals at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this meditation retreat suitable for beginners?

Yes, absolutely!

Should I bring my own meditation cushion?

If you have a meditation cushion that you like to use, you are more than welcome to bring it with you. We will providing some meditation cushions but we will not have enough for all participants. We will also have comfortable chairs for everyone.

Is there a dress code?

No, you can wear whatever is comfortable for you.

Do I have to be a Buddhist to attend?

No, everyone is welcome and everyone can benefit from these meditations whether they are Buddhist or not.

Looking Into the Mirror of Dharma

Weekend Retreat

Meditations for Peace, Compassion and Wisdom

About the Teacher

Venue

Address

Accommodations

Meals

Retreat Schedule and Format

Costs (per person):

Retreat, accommodation, and Saturday meals for the entire weekend:

Retreat and Saturday meals (no accommodation):

Cancellation Policy:

Address

What to Bring

What NOT to Bring

Frequently Asked Questions

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