A Retreat Hut Review

AT KAMALASHILA TIBETAN BUDDHIST CENTRE
June 2025

A dedicated retreat time for study and practice, breaking our routine habits, and slowing down is such a kind act of compassion for ourselves, and a wise use of our time. And there are so many ways that we can do this.

I live in the beautiful Blue Mountains and have a lovely shrine room. However, I cherish the opportunity to carve out a few days and trek down to Tilba for a personal retreat with a personal retreat plan away from my comfortable distractions at home. The six-hour drive to Tilba is part of my retreat preparation. My heart sings as I arrive at the wooden gates that helps define a retreat boundary. I make that mindful drive up the driveway, past the temple and pausing over the crest seeing the 3 separate retreat huts – one of which will be my cozy home for a short time. I love the simplicity of the huts that have all one needs. 

The small fridge, along with an esky, supports a simplicity in approach to meals, suitable for retreat. The huts are set up with the space for practice and furniture for study. Sliding door is the entrance for breeze when needed and opens to an expansive view to support practice. In wintertime the log fire is a treat on a cold night. 

Entering these huts for our retreat we contribute to the aspirations and practice of retreatants before us and who will follow us. I have been the only person there and also there with retreatants either side. During the day it is wombats, wallabies, bell birds and magpies who will be your companions. 

The huts are in the shadow of the Yuin peoples sacred Gulaga Mountain. This retreat land has a heritage of Buddhist retreat and practice. It is indeed a land that vibrates with this combined richness. 

We are very fortunate to have Khenpo and the sangha who provide this opportunity with generosity, compassion and care. It is so important to have affordable accessible places to retreat. My thanks to those who work hard to make this happen and the hospitality they volunteer to ensure our access and support our retreat time in such a beautiful part of the world. I can't wait to return! 

~ Patricia D.