Askat Retreat Center was founded in 1996 by Lama Ole Nydahl and operates under the spiritual guidance of the H.H. 17th Karmapa Trinlay Thaye Dorje. Retreat Center belongs to the Russian Association of Diamond Way Buddhism of Karma Kagyu School, the biggest Buddhist organization in Russia.
"In inspiring Altay, surrounded by the beautiful nature which communism didn't manage to destroy, lies the village of Askat. Its retreat center bears the blessing of countless Buddhas. Meditating there you may deeply absorb their qualities".
Lama Ole Nydahl
Altai Republic is situated in the very center of Asia at the junction of Siberian taiga, steppes of Kazakhstan and semi-deserts of Mongolia. This is the territory of highlands with a very picturesque landscape, one of the most beautiful and attractive places at our planet, a kind of "Russian Tibet" in the center of Eurasia at the junction of several states, natural zones and cultural worlds.
Snowy mountaintops, plumb rocks, coniferous taiga, ice-cold streams, alpine meadows, dry stony steppes... For sure, Altay is one of the most reach places on the globe for its natural monuments - numerous, various and beautiful ones.
Chemal district is characterized by its amazingly favorable climate: warm sunny summer, colorful prolonged autumn and mild low-snow winter. By a number of sunny days per year Chemal district may compare with the Crimea.
Retreat Center location
Retreat Center is placed in Askat village, near Katun river. Size of the main plot is 2700 sq.m.
Main building is the two-storied retreat house of 8õ16 meters. At the first floor there is an anteroom, hall for prostrations (30 sq.m), 7 living rooms, office with PC and Internet, 2 WC and a shower room with warm floors.
Gompa (60 sq.m) and 4 living rooms are at the second floor.
Kitchen and dining-room are organized in a small detached house.
There are also Russian sauna - banya (under reconstruction now) and a kitchen garden at the main plot.
There are 3 additional plots (5000 sq.m all together); their development is lies ahead yet.
Wonderful Marpa House welcomes Buddhist families. Both kids and their parents are like at home here!
Three families (each in a separate room) may stay in the Marpa House simultaneously.
Conveniences, such as: cold and hot water, separate bathroom, kitchen with household equipment, WC, washing machine, bed-clothes, etc., allow to live here with comfort even with the youngest babies and not to spend a lot of time for housekeeping.
Kids are delighted with the open-air playing tent, unknown in cities surrounding flora and fauna, ready to work with toy axes and spades, imitating their dads. During a day sleep one may very quietly to paint, play with toys, watch a cartoon film and to light a real fire with adults in the evening!
Often the parents by turn look after all available kids, generously allowing the others to go to the Retreat Center for meditation. A walk from the Marpa House to the Retreat Center takes about three minutes.
Interested parents may send their inquiry to askat@buddhism.ru and will be informed about the conditions of staying in the Marpa House.
Brief history
In 1992 an idea to create the place for meditation retreats in the Mountain Altay appeared in Novosibirsk Buddhist Center.
In 1993 Lama Ole encouraged this idea and left some little money. Later Lama Ole granted about a half of the sum, necessary for building of the future retreat center.
In 1995 the first suitable piece of land was found in Askat village.
In 1996 there was the first visit of Lama Ole to Askat and decision to create here the center was made. The place was blessed and works were started. Foundation was ready by October.
1997 - 2002 were the years of building the center by Novosibirsk buddhists with the help of numerous friends from Saint-Petersburg, Irkutsk, Barnaul, Tomsk, Gorno-Altaisk and from other places. Together with our countrymen from all over Russia, the friends from Germany, Czech, Austria and Switzerland helped to build the center.
In October 2002 the house was ready to function as the retreat center.
Starting from that time, the main activity of the Retreat Center is to provide proper conditions for individual retreats and to organize group programs with traveling teachers several times a year.
Retreat Center functioning
Small team of volunteer-residents who replace each other from time to time, lives in the center, takes care of its functioning, ensures proper conditions during retreat programs and presents Kagyu in Altay.
The "Askat-Gang" team is about 20 friends from Novosibirsk and Askat, who by their regular dues support the residents, the functioning, improvement and further development of Retreat Center.
Buddhist library is open in Retreat Center. One may buy books and magazines. Interested tourists may listen to introductory lecture. During non-retreat periods everyday meditation is held at 9 o'clock p.m.
Programs for visitors and periods of different activities:
- Individual retreats:
- You come to practice according to your personal schedule and, when possible, do some works for the Retreat Center. In not less than one week before arrival one should necessarily send the application.
- Meal cost - 200 rubles/day (40 for breakfast + 100 for dinner + 80 for supper).
- Accommodation cost - 150 rubles/day.
- Retreats with traveling teachers:
- Schedule of retreat acts. Information usually is available through the news network - check in your local center.
- Building program:
- As far as improvement and development of Retreat Center continue, from time to time it is "closed for repair". Retreat programs are not valid during such periods.
- Practice and work:
- Those who want to work for the Retreat Center, to participate in household and building activities are invited to contact the center by e-mail for negotiating specific conditions of accommodation.
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Russian