ACTIVITY
DHARMA TEACHER VISITS
Retreat with EIAB Monastics - July 2025
10-13 July: Retreat in Maribo on Lolland
We are excited to invite you to the first overnight retreat in the Plum Village tradition in Denmark! The retreat will be led by Brother Thay Phap An and Sister Song Nghiem from EIAB in Germany and Brother Thay Phap Tru from the temple in Glostrup. The retreat will be at the Inspiration Center in Maribo, on the island of Lolland, 150km south of Copenhagen. This is a chance for new practitioners to learn about the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in a supportive environment, and for those who've already met the tradition to relax into the collective energy and deepen their practice. For the third time ever in Denmark, the Five Mindfulness Trainings will be transmitted to those who want a solid basis for continuing daily practice. The retreat will be held in English, with a few songs and texts also in Danish.
Start: Thursday, 10 July, 14:00
End: Sunday, 13 July, 14:00
Location: Inspiration Center Denmark, Hunseby Kirkevej 13, 4930 Maribo
Families
There will not be a formal children's or family program at this retreat. However, families with children of any age are very welcome, under their parents' supervision. If more than one parent is attending, you may consider alternating attendance at the formal program. Children under 10 sleeping on a mattress by their parents' beds receive a 10% discount; the dormitories cannot accommodate children.
Practices and Activities
Practices
The primary practice of a retreat is the kind, gentle application of mindfulness throughout all activities of the day. The structure of the retreat is set up to provide the best possible container for this practice. Our daily schedule includes the following:
- Sitting meditation, both silent and guided
- Walking meditation in the beautiful garden of the Inspiration Center
- Deep relaxation
- Dharma talks by our teachers
- Dharma sharing and working meditation in small groups
- Qigong and tai chi
The best part of a retreat is the peaceful atmosphere which we reach through our joint aspirations and practice. The collected Dharma body and spirit is the wonderful and beautiful result of us all joining in mindful practice and can be felt in our cells long after the retreat is over. The retreat environment is an easy place to be mindful and to smile!
Transmission of the Five Mindfulness Trainings
For the third time we offer the opportunity for you to commit to or renew your commitment to practice the Five Mindfulness Trainings in a formal ceremony held early morning on the Sunday of the retreat. If you wish to take the Five Mindfulness Trainings, please let us know before 1st of June. You will then be invited to write a short aspiration to inspire our own Br. Thay Phap Tru in forming your Dharma name. There will be an option for some last-minute aspirators also during the retreat. Taking or renewing the Five Mindfulness Trainings surrounded by your local community with the depth of the Dharma flowing from the EIAB monastics is a truly unique opportunity.
The Five Mindfulness Trainings are one of the most concrete ways to practice mindfulness. They are true practices of compassion and understanding. The trainings can be a joy, not something we have to do. You can read more about the Five Mindfulness Trainings on Plum Village's site.
Dharma Teachers
The retreat will be led by authorized monastic Dharma teachers from the Plum Village tradition.
Brother Thay Phap An
Brother Phap An is Abbot and Dean of the European Institute of Applied Buddhism (EIAB) in Germany, and one of the eldest disciples of venerable Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. Brother Phap An began leading retreats with Thich Nhat Hanh in 1995 and has since then led retreats the world over. Brother Phap An has also studied different forms of Qi Gong and Tai Chi. He delights in sharing his knowledge with retreat participants.
Sister Song Nghiem
Sister Song Nghiem is also active in EIAB and has been a Dharma teacher for 20 years. Sister Song possesses deep profound knowledge of Buddhism, mindfulness and Tai Chi. She is a rare source of warmth and joy. She was first appointed as a lay Dharma Teacher in 2003, and in 2012 she once again received the Dharma teacher lamp, this time as a nun
Brother Thay Phap Tru
Brother Thay Phap Tru is our local Dharma teacher in Denmark, where he leads the Vietnamese temple Chùa Liễu Quán in Glostrup. He was ordained together with Thay Phap An in 1994 as part of the eldest disciples. Thay Phap Tru lived in Plum Village and held retreats worldwide with Thich Nhat Hanh before returning to Denmark, where he facilitates both traditional Vietnamese and Plum Village practices.
Accommodations, Costs, and Registration
Accommodations
Inspiration Center Denmark is of a high standard, and offers single, double, triple and dormitory rooms. All of the rooms are beautifully decorated and have shared toilets and bathing facilities in the corridors. All meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner – are vegan and made by the retreat center chefs. You can read more about the retreat center on their website.
Cost
All prices are all inclusive - they include accommodation, all meals, travel costs and a donation to our Dharma teachers, and the arrangement expenses for volunteers from Interbeing Denmark. Our association does not yet have the resources to offer subsidized attendance to students or those of limited means, but we hope to do this at future retreats. Costs vary based on accommodations:
- Shared dormitory with at most 10 beds: DKK 3950
- Bed in double or triple room: DKK 4450
- Single room: DKK 5350
Children below the age of 10 receive a 10% discount and an extra mattress in their parent's room. Children cannot be accommodated in the shared dormitory.
Registration
The registration link will be posted here when registration opens on 15 January, 2025. Registration will be final upon receipt of payment, which must be within three days of receiving a notice from us with full details. Cancellation through May 2025 for a refund is possible, minus a fee of 20% of the full price. From 1 June, 2025, all payments are final unless someone from a waiting list can take your place, in which case the 20% fee applies.
If you suffer from long-term mental or physical health issues, please consult with your doctor or mental health professional about whether participation in the retreat is advisable before registering. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have thoughts, questions, or concerns.
JOIN OUR ASSOCIATION
To become a member of Interbeing Denmark, please fill out the online registration form.