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We are delighted to invite you to participate in the 8th Karmapa Retreat and Autumn Course with Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche at Karma Guen and Stupa Benalmádena from 27th September until 6th October.

Registration

Dear Friends, we kindly invite you to register for the 8th Karmapa Retreat and Autumn Course with Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche.

🎟 Registration is OPENhttps://registration.karmaguen.org/

Kindly note that the Stupa Benalmadena program ticket is not included in the price; you should pay at the entrance there.

PROGRAM:

1st – 6th October
Teachings and Initiations with Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche (Karma Guen and Benalmádena Stupa)

Schedule

1st October Tuesday

08:30-09:30 Breakfast

10:00 – 11:00 Guided 16 Karmapa meditation
13:30-14:30 Lunch

Vajrayogini Empowerment Day 1
15:00 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche prepares the Empowerment (no need to join)

17:00 Vajrayogini Empowerment (Part 1 preparation)
One of the Five Main Yidam Practices of the 1st Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa with the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche (Karma Guen)

8:30-19:30– Dinner

2nd October Wednesday

08:30-09:30 Breakfast
10:00 – 11:00 Guided 16 Karmapa meditation
13:30-14:30 Lunch

Vajrayogini Empowerment Day 2
15:00 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche prepares the Empowerment (no need to join)
17:00 Vajrayogini Empowerment (Part 2 empowerment)
One of the Five Main Yidam Practices of the 1st Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa with the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche (Karma Guen)

Dinner (one hour after blessing kitchen team)

3rd October Thursday

08:30-09:30 Breakfast
10:00 – 11:00 Guided 16 Karmapa meditation
13:30-14:30 Lunch
17:00 Teachings: “Guru Yoga Practice” with the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche (Karma Guen)
18:30-19:30 Dinner

4th October Friday
08:30-09:30 Breakfast
10:00 – 11:00 Guided 16 Karmapa meditation
13:30-14:30 Lunch
17:00 Guru Yoga Empowerment with the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche (Karma Guen)
Dinner (one hour after blessing kitchen team)

5th October Saturday

08:30-09:30 Breakfast
10:00 – 11:00 Guided 16 Karmapa meditation
12:30-13:30 Lunch
17:00 Teachings on Compassion and Wisdom with the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche (Stupa of Benalmádena)

6th October Sunday

07:45-08:45 Breakfast
11:30 White Tara Empowerment with the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche (Stupa of Benalmádena)

Important:
The 8th Karmapa Retreat can be attended by all Lama Ole students who have finished the Ngondro.

We also welcome those doing preliminary practices for the Ngondro retreat with teachings in a separate Gompa.


Getting to Karma Guen

We are expecting a lot of friends to join this course. Therefore, we fully recommend you use our shuttle service directly from Malaga Airport to Karma Guen and back. This is the easiest door-to-door service, and you can avoid the crowded parking at Karma Guen. If you decide to come by your own or a rental car, there will be different parking options around Karma Guen. If you come by car, use this Google map route via Trapiche Road: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XZ3H9DQujq2KYbhA6

Address
Karma Guen, Aldea Alta 1, 29718, Velez Málaga Spain

If you need transport to or from Karma Guen, then please register at the main form of registration (TBC) or write an email 3 days before – kgtd@online.de

Accommodation

Karma Guen is a camping site, so please be prepared for full camping conditions: outdoor showers and toilets without the guarantee of warm or cold water; staying in tents with beautiful views. Please bring your own tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, towel, and any equipment and personal items you might need. As you will be camping in nature, please bring mosquito repellent and sunscreen. There will be a limited possibility to rent tents and sleeping bags. If you need a tent, mat, or sleeping bag, please book in advance at karmaguen@diamondway-center.org.

Small tent: €25 + €20 deposit
Mat: €10 + €5 deposit
Sleeping bag: €10 + €5 deposit
Duvet cover: €5 + €5 deposit

Catering

Our amazing kitchen team will provide three meals daily for everybody registered to stay at Karma Guen. Food is not included in the price for those not registered to stay at Karma Guen; however, there will be the possibility of purchasing meals additionally.

Due to the extreme fire risk, it is absolutely prohibited to cook on your own.

You do not need to bring your own dishes. Karma Guen will supply disposable dishes, cups, and cutlery. We will not have a dishwashing area for this course. Instead, we will have a great juice bar with fresh juices, a cafeteria, and several places where you can buy bottled water, in addition to the full service provided by our two cafeterias on site.

Laundry

There will be no laundry service during the course.

Medical Support

Our team of trained doctors will be available on-site for any minor urgent medical assistance. Please do not forget your prescribed medications. The nearest emergency clinic is in Torre del Mar:

Hospital Comarcal de la Axarquia
Av. del Sol, 43, 29700 Vélez-Málaga, Málaga
Phone number: 951067000

Open 24 hours.

Childcare

We don’t have a childcare service, and parents take full responsibility for attending the course with their children. We will have a corner for children where parents can also enjoy streaming and follow the program.

Translation

Thanks to the translation team, you will have the opportunity to listen to the teachings in German, Polish, Hungarian, Spanish, Russian, Bulgarian, Czech, and possibly other languages. Radio channels will be announced on-site.

A limited number of radios will be available for rent in the gompa.

Karma Guen Shops

We will have 2 shops with a variety of Dharma-related books, meditations, and other goods, accepting cash and bank cards.

Andalusian Autumn Conditions

Autumn in Andalusia, southern Spain, is characterized by abundant sunshine. Be prepared for warm weather and sunlight. Make sure to bring hats, caps, or any other protection for your head and skin, as well as sunglasses and sunscreen. It is recommended to drink plenty of water and have salty snacks.

Sprays against mosquitoes and other insects will also be useful. Please check the weather forecast for Vélez-Málaga a few days before your trip to Karma Guen and carefully inspect your equipment.

Due to the dry season and high fire risk, no fires will be allowed in Karma Guen (including candles, mini gas bottles, etc.). Smoking is restricted to designated smoking areas (please follow the signs).

What to bring with you – tips and tricks

If you are a European citizen, please remember to bring your European Health Insurance Card.

If you are coming from overseas, be sure to have valid health insurance.

If you plan to bring any precious items with you, be prepared to take good care of them at all times. We will have charging stations available for your phones, tablets, and laptops, but no lockers or protected areas will be available. All your belongings are your responsibility – please look after them!

Internet

There is a Wi-Fi network in Karma Guen; however, we cannot guarantee a high-quality Wi-Fi connection during the course. Be prepared for potential difficulties connecting to the internet with your phones, tablets, or laptops, especially when many people are on-site. Make sure to handle your important matters online before arriving at Karma Guen, or be prepared to use your mobile data from your private provider.

When You Arrive

Upon arrival at Karma Guen, we recommend you first register and obtain your wristband for the course. This will make it easier for you to access the Gompa. If you have a bed confirmation, please check the lists near the Office. If you rented a tent, please find the Job Center to retrieve the tent.

Pets

Please note that no pets are allowed at Karma Guen.

Helpers

To organize a course, we always need helpers. Find the Job (Joy) Center and see where you can be helpful – it’s a nice way to connect and feel a part of the course. A smile and kind words also count!