Oddiyana Retreat Island

Welcome to Oddiyana, a private island offered to Rinpoche for extended retreats for himself and Allison.

Renovations on the existing cabins will begin in Spring 2016. The two buildings that are currently on the island will be fully re-constructed and renovated into an appropriate place for one or more people doing intensive traditional retreat practice with an attendant. The retreatant would live in the large cabin, and the attendant would live in the small cabin where the kitchen will be located. The composting toilet will be built on the west side of the small cabin, and be accessible from both cabins using the covered decks.

The large cabin will have a second story with a north facing balcony. The inspiration for this balcony is that retreatants will be able to stand or sit and gaze upon the 30 foot statue of Guru Rinpoche which will be built up hill to the north of the cabin. Rinpoche said this would provide a seat for Vajrayana Buddhism to be able to grow in Canada.

The goal is to have the cabins ready for the late spring or early summer of 2017 so that Allison Zangmo can do a much anticipated, and lengthy retreat followed by Anyen Rinpoche doing a lengthy retreat in the fall. Having Allison Zangmo and Anyen Rinpoche do these retreats with our support in Canada will bring inconceivable benefit to each of us and to countless others.

If you would like more information about this project or wish to offer your support, please contact Bonnie at bonnie@iheartmyart.ca.