After many years of local people being curious; “who are these women dressed in blue going up the mountain to Akashavana Retreat Centre?”, Mumukshu and Karunavapi are now delighted to offer them the opportunity to find out. When around 100 local people attended the opening of Centro Mandala, where Triratna Valderrobres will have it’s home, it confirmed this interest.

Valderrobres is a small medieval town in rural Aragon, close to the border with Catalonia and Valencia regions, and the arrival point for Akashavana retreat centre. There is move for change in this mountain region of Spain. Increasing awareness of environmental, equality and economic issues means that people in our area may be more receptive to the dharma and to Triratna’s particular approach. There is also a small but steady trickle of people moving out of cities into the area to live a more simple life. Our experience is that these people are open to new ideas, and could particularly resonate with the truth of the Buddha dharma. We feel there is a thirst for a community that shares real values, not just proximity and geography, in which a Sangha based on wisdom and compassion could thrive.

We are very keen to open the doors of our new space in Centro Mandala to those who want to explore the dharma with us. A place of spiritual and health wellness in a small community ripe for a new vision. As a new group, we are dependent on the generosity of existing Triratna supporters to help us get going. We offer you the opportunity to give.

Please visit our FutureDharma page and read Xavier’s story - he is running activities with very limited resources with only has one other mitra in our area and needs a sangha!

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Coming into contact with mindfulness teachings through a mitra training for ordination was a turning point for Xavier. A vision of a new life became apparent to Xavier as he began with mitra study through the Barcelona Sangha. A life that could be led in accordance with new ideals, with self-awareness and metta.

But with no centre or group around where he lives in Valderrobres, forging a new life in the Dharma is not easy for Xavier. Nor the thousands of people who, like him, feel trapped in lives that bring great suffering.

You can help Xavier and his friends Mumukshu, Karunavapi, and Rekha as they take on the task of bringing the Dharma to Valderrobres. This small and ambitious team is seeking funding for their initial 6 months in a new, dedicated space for a Buddhist Centre. The great news is that FutureDharma have agreed to match every single donation up to €3,440 (£2960). That means your gift counts for double! But please hurry, this appeal closes on 30th January 2023.