Tushita, Dharamsala

If you’re interested in Tibetan Buddhism, or looking for a first retreat that combines study and practice, it’s worth knowing about the Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala, India.

I ended up there completely by chance. My original plan had actually been to travel to Nepal, but the earthquake that struck there changed my plans and led me to Tushita instead. In hindsight, that was one of the most important turning points on my path. It was my first encounter with Buddhism, and it shaped everything that came after.

The point of this post is simply to give a clear picture of what the course looks like. How you get there, what you do during the day, what you eat, what surprised me, and who I think this experience could be a good fit for.

Why Tushita specifically?

Tushita is a center for studying and practicing Tibetan Buddhism, located above the town of McLeod Ganj in Dharamsala — the seat of the Dalai Lama in exile. The center’s best-known course is a ten-day introduction to Buddhism, designed to be accessible even for people with no prior experience at all.

Unlike retreats that focus almost entirely on meditation, this one combines studying the Dharma with hands-on practice. For me, this was an excellent way to get to know the world of Buddhism for the first time.

What does the daily schedule look like?

The days start early in the morning and end in the evening.

Throughout the day there are classes on the fundamentals of Buddhism, guided meditations, discussion groups, rest time, and meals. In the last two days of the course there’s a greater emphasis on continuous meditation practice.

How much does it cost?

The center operates on a donation basis.

There’s currently a minimum amount that covers the cost of hosting, lodging, and food, and anyone who wants to can donate beyond that to help sustain the center’s ongoing work.

The food

The food is vegetarian and simple.

Three meals a day are served during the course.

What do you do when you’re not sitting?

Besides the meditations, there’s a lot of studying the Dharma.

There’s also time for rest, reading Buddhist books, and discussion groups about the material being taught.

What surprised me?

The number of participants from all over the world.

Also the range of different meditation types we tried during the course. Until that point I had no idea there were so many different ways to practice.

What was hardest for me?

Like other retreats I’ve attended, the prolonged sitting was the biggest challenge here too.

Not just during the meditations — most of the classes are also held sitting on cushions on the floor.

What’s worth knowing before you arrive?

The entire course is taught in English.

Unlike Vipassana retreats held in complete silence, the atmosphere here is much softer. There’s room for questions, for discussion, and you’re also encouraged to read books related to Buddhism as part of the learning process.

What’s worth bringing?

Beyond comfortable clothes, I’d recommend arriving with openness and curiosity.

This isn’t just an opportunity to learn about Buddhism, but also to encounter a new way of looking at life.

Would I recommend going?

Absolutely.

I think this is one of the best retreats for someone taking their first steps into the world of Buddhism. Even someone who’s never meditated before can fit right in, and someone who already practices will gain a deeper understanding of the ideas behind the practice.

For me, this was my first real contact with the world of Buddhism. Looking back, I can say that’s where the path began that led me to everything that came after.

For more information on courses, registration, and how to get there:

tushita.info ↗