Adhisthana Dharma-Life Training Course for Men

04/03/2018 to 03/08/2018

The course aims to give you a thorough grounding in the principles and practice of Triratna Buddhism and you will have the opportunity to live an intense and full-time Dharma life for 5 months. It will be fully residential, and you will be living in a designated community space at Adhisthana. Community living is an important part of the course and you will be sharing a room whilst you are here. As well as a series of retreats, and intensive study of the Dharma, the course will include some skills training, such as debating and giving talks, as well as an ongoing exploration of the arts. You will also participate in the life of the Adhisthana community, meditating with them on a daily basis and worshipping together. There will also be a daily work period to help with the maintenance and development of Adhisthana as well as to give you a taste of work as a spiritual practice.

Testimonials from the previous course –

‘The fruits of the Dharma Training Course are definitely rich and multifarious for me. The study covered a wide range of right views supporting my intellectual understanding and personal, emotional, engagement with my practice. I deepened my practice of meditation with daily sits as well as intense retreat weeks. Living the full Dharma life at the center of the movement is an incredible opportunity to connect to yourself, fellow students, order members, Triratna, the Buddhist tradition and the Buddha. Although it is an intense experience and hard work sometimes, it definitely shapes my future in a very positive way. If you dare to put time and effort in your transformation, Adhisthana offers you the best conditions to support you!’  Dirk-Jan Fokkens, The Netherlands

‘I was very happy here, there's a lot of nature and amazing people. I think I've grown a lot, and my perspective on life has changed, I feel more integrated, positive, awakened. Great conditions to follow the Buddha. I can't say much about lasting effects, as the course is just about to finish, but it feels like I'm going out the other end as a different person. Best thing that I ever did.’  Filip Sobczak, Poland

Coming on this course has allowed me to deepen my practice in the context of a full-time Buddhist life. I have formed strong friendships with peers and teachers, and had a taste of the direction I want to travel in. I can recommend this course to any men wanting to practice in a more intense situation. It is one of the best things I have done. – Tom Robinson, UK

The Dharma Life Course was a real game changer. It offered me the very best circumstances to have a good, challenging look at my views and thinking. I also got new tools to further explore my practice. All of it warmly led by outstanding teachers in the very heart of Triratna and its order. A very rare opportunity. Marcus Lagerqvist, Sweden

Since I found the Dharma, I'd been yearning for a chance to dive in head first, to really put it and myself to the test. And that's exactly what I've found with the Dharma Life Training Course. A total immersion of study, friendship, community, mentorship, meditation, work, ritual, culture and play. It's been the most intensely transformative period of my life. James Brodie, Australia.

The course is primarily aimed at mitras and men who have asked for ordination under the age of 35 but we are willing to consider applications from older men who are looking to deepen their involvement with Triratna.

The cost of the course is £3000 and we can offer some bursaries where needed. If you are unable to fund the course yourself, we recommend doing some fundraising in your local Sangha.

The deadline for applications is 15th September 2017 and you will be informed whether we can offer you a place or not by 30th September 2017.

For an application form, please contact Saccanama at collegeassistant@adhisthana.org