American Buddhist Net

Friday 06 June 2008

The Auvergne is a popular tourist destination, famed for its volcanoes. But there’s another attraction drawing dozens of Buddhists from across Europe. Three years ago, a group of Buddhists embarked on a long spiritual retreat and are just about to return to the world after 1,190 days of meditation.

The retreat is a unique experience of a particularly austere form of voluntary isolation, complete with a severe daily regime, including 12 hours of meditation per day. They returned to the world last month.

It was in the Auvergne, in these majestic environs, that the community of Dhagpo Kunfrun decided to set up its hermitages and its meditation centers in 1984.

On the eve of their exit, the entire community is present and preparing for their departure. One of the Buddhist, Bruno, talks about his decision to make the retreat. “For me, it’s a gift, a life experience. People who do not know might be afraid. We are there to reassure them, to show to them that we are really happy for them. That it really comes from us, from our souls.”

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