Frequently Asked Questions

“Beginnings and endings are important” - Sangharakshita

We ask you to commit to attending the entire retreat. It is important that we value the time that we and others are putting aside to be on retreat. A successful retreat is the fruit of everyone’s wholehearted participation. For the support and benefit of everyone, we ask that all participants arrive for the beginning of the retreat and stay until the end. We also request everyone for the duration of the retreat to not use their car, if they bring one, and to stay within walking distance of the retreat centre.

This creates a strong ‘container’ for the powerful transformative experience that being on retreat can be. A retreat needs to be approached with a degree of care and respect, both for ourselves and others. We may be surprised at the greater degree of sensitivity we develop when on retreat. Therefore to not fully attend the whole retreat can have a jarring effect that can lessen the experience both for ourselves and others attending.

Being on retreat is a communal as well as individual practice. Your wholehearted commitment also supports your fellow participants.

Rivendell requires that all attendees arrive on time for retreat (5-7 PM on the first day) and plan to stay at the retreat site through the end of the retreat. Weekend retreats end around 3.30pm , while longer retreats usually formally end around noon. (just before lunch on the last day).

Retreatants are asked to come to the retreat prepared to be fully present, with loose ends tied up at work and at home, completing all business before retreat and making arrangements so that you can fully attend the entire retreat.

Accommodation is mainly in single sex shared rooms for 3-4 people. We are not usually able to offer single room accommodation. However, if you have a medical condition or disability,then please contact the office at the time of your booking to discuss your needs. Single rooms will be allocated according to needs and cannot be guaranteed.

It is also possible to camp, please let us know in advance if you would like to do so.

Retreats at Rivendell our founded upon the principles of community, generosity and co-operation to create an atmosphere of care and mutual concern. To help connect everyone on the retreat you will be asked to share and help out with light domestic tasks; washing up, chopping vegetables, table laying etc. and to participate in a clear up at the end of the retreat.

Many lasting friendships have begun by washing up together at Rivendell!

The content, teaching and structure of our regulars retreats are designed for people who have already been taught the system of meditation practised within the Triratna Buddhist Community. In addition that people will be familiar with the ritual, devotion and puja practiced by the Triratna Buddhist Community.

Therefore these retreats are for people who have regularly attended urban and retreat centres run by members of the Triratna Buddhist Order founded by Sangharakshita.

Whilst we recognise many people may have a lot of experience in respect to meditation, Buddhism and of being on retreat with other traditions. We do not consider these retreats as being suitable for those who do not regularly practice within the context of our movement.

Spending time away from our usual distractions is a very powerful way to support the deepening of meditative calm and insight. Through letting go of the familiar world we give ourselves space from the complexity of life and can come to see our mind and its activity more clearly.

We ask you to refrain from engaging in music, internet use, telephone calls, including SMS text messaging and checking emails, to support your own retreat and that of your fellow retreat participants.

Many of our retreats book up quickly, but people who may have come on a retreat if there was space will often have made alternative arrangements by the time a late cancellation happens. This often means that we lose out on much-needed income in the event of such late cancellations.

All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable which means if you need to cancel your retreat or wish to swap to another retreat you will incur the loss of your deposit.

In addition if you cancel and we can't replace you, you will be required to pay half the total cost of the retreat. So please do let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel as this gives us a much greater chance of replacing you, and you in turn of receiving more of a refund.

It is disruptive to the atmosphere of a retreat to arrive late, leave early or to take excursions. For the duration of your retreat please come prepared not to use your car, if you bring one, and please stay within walking distance of the retreat centre.