Khyabje Akong Tulku Memorial Retreat 2026

Step into a week of profound practice and remembrance at Scotland's oldest Tibetan Buddhist monastery. The Khyabje Akong Tulku Memorial Retreat 2026 gathers practitioners from across the world to honor the life and teachings of Khyabje Akong Tulku Rinpoche, whose visionary compassion and commitment to service shaped the Kagyu Samye Ling community for decades. Led by the accomplished teacher Drupon Khen Rinpoche, this retreat offers both newcomers and experienced meditators an opportunity to deepen their practice while reflecting on the timeless principles that guided the monastery's founder: kindness, acceptance, and the transformation of obstacles into wisdom.

Held within the sacred and contemplative atmosphere of Kagyu Samye Ling in Eskdalemuir, Dumfries and Galloway, this annual gathering is far more than a commemoration—it is a living transmission. You will sit in meditation with a community of sincere practitioners, receive direct instruction rooted in the Kagyu Buddhist tradition, and explore foundational Buddhist philosophy in dialogue with your own inner experience. Whether you arrive as someone beginning the spiritual path or as a long-time student, the retreat's pace and spacious structure invite both intensive practice and personal integration.

What to Expect

The retreat unfolds as a week of sustained contemplative practice. Each day weaves together formal sitting meditation in the monastery's shrine room, teachings on Buddhist philosophy and the bodhisattva path, and periods of silence that allow the teachings to settle deeply within. Drupon Khen Rinpoche guides participants through direct instruction—a hallmark of the Kagyu tradition—creating space for genuine inquiry and transformation. The shared remembrance of Khyabje Akong Tulku's life and legacy infuses the retreat with an atmosphere of devotion and collective aspiration. Participants leave with both a deepened meditation practice and a living connection to the wisdom lineage preserved at Samye Ling.

Venue & Logistics

The retreat takes place at Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery in Eskdalemuir, Dumfries and Galloway, beginning Thursday, October 8, 2026. The monastery provides accommodation and vegetarian meals. Participants should bring warm, layered clothing suitable for the Scottish autumn and comfortable meditation cushions if preferred. The grounds are accessible by car; public transport connections are available to nearby towns. For specific accessibility requirements or logistical questions, contact the monastery directly.