European Retreat Centre — Sakya Changlochen Ling

Dechen’s rural retreat centre, Sakya Changlochen Ling, lies in the heart of Perigord Noir in the Dordogne region of South West France. It was founded in 1990, and named by Karma Thinley Rinpoche after the pure land of the bodhisattva Vajrapani.

Lama Jampa Thaye gives teachings and leads retreats according to the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. These events take place during the summer on an annual basis, with additional individual and group retreats at other times of the year.

Changlochen is a place where the teachings of the Sakya school are transmitted, studied and practised, and for this reason the visits from the heads of the Sakya tradition have been landmark events. In July 2014 His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin visited the Centre for the first time and during the visit consecrated the buildings and land and bestowed the initiation of Manjushri, this made a profound connection between the Centre and a living throne holder from the Dolma Palace in Sakya.

June 2017 saw the historic first visit of the new head of the Sakya tradition the 42nd Sakya Trizin, His Holiness Ratna Vajra Rinpoche. During the visit, His Holiness blessed the Centre and the land, and approved the site for an enlightenment stupa to be constructed in the future (photo below). He also bestowed the Vajrakilaya Torma initiation of the Khon family lineage.