Kechara Forest Retreat is a spiritual sanctuary I had envisioned for city people or just people to connect back to spirituality, their inner self, greens, animals, earth, smells, trees, sunshine and perhaps even something deeper.
H.E. Tsem Rinpoche
Rinpoche 100x100

The Vision

The Kechara Forest Retreat was envisioned by H.E. Tsem Rinpoche as the heart of the Kechara organisation. It will be a place away from the hustle and bustle of the city; where we can take a break from our hectic lives to rest, relax and recharge at this beautiful holistic centre. The creation of this forest retreat is an instrumental step in achieving our ultimate goal, Kechara World Peace Centre (KWPC).

This retreat land is conceptualised in a way to embrace nature, hence the name Kechara Forest Retreat. The moment we step into KFR, we will be greeted by beautiful fauna and flora. Nestled in the middle of the land will be a Prayer Hall where everyone can make their aspirational wishes and prayers, or simply meditate in tranquil surroundings.

The spiritual experience at KFR will leave our mind and body rejuvenated and allow us to take on whatever comes next in our hectic lives. It is a place where families and individuals will find peace, nourishment and inspiration within a natural forest environment.

Through KFR, we will give back to society through educational programmes for the young and old by instilling universal values such as patience, acceptance, kindness and compassion. It is a unique opportunity to experience a sustainable spiritual lifestyle within a conscious community.
 

Experience the Dream

Practitioners
For the spirituality inclined, there are opportunities to learn and practise uplifting meditations for the mind, body and spirit. There will be a public temple with a glorious statue of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, where people can make offerings or recite prayers. Nearby will be a butterlamp house for those who wish to make light offerings for their loved ones. Just beyond there, on a hillside, will be holy stupas where visitors can circumambulate, meditate and dedicate their merits. The preliminary practices of water offerings, light offerings, prostrations and other purification practices can all be done here in a simple and comfortable environment.

Family
In a world where we spend more time at work than at home, Kechara Forest Retreat is a perfect spot for families to spend quality time in an environment where it is infused with positive energies and activities. It is also a place for children to do short spiritual retreats to cultivate care, focus and discipline.

Learning
KFR is also a place for nurturing minds with knowledge and wisdom. There will be structured classes by experienced and qualified teachers for those who wish to study and gain a deeper knowledge about Buddhist philosophy. The curriculum will be tailored for various levels and ages, from children to adults. There will also be weekend workshops for those who prefer to learn at their own pace.

Community Service
As with all Kechara activities, community service is one of the key activities embodying compassion in action. We hope to have a home for the elderly, where people can spend their twilight years in a caring, resort-like environment. With sufficient support, we would be able to build an orphanage, or home for children whose parents are unable to care for them, so they can live in a warm, nurturing atmosphere to grow into responsible and balanced adults. It is also one of our strong wishes to have an animal sanctuary, where abandoned animals are given a new lease of life and love.

Sustainability
In order for all dreams to be sustainable long-term, KFR intends to become self-sustaining via various income-generating activities. In line with its holistic mission, KFR will establish an organic farm to educate people on the health and environmental benefits of organic foods. The benefits of this farm is three-fold – to provide knowledge of healthy eating, to provide an opportunity for volunteers to participate in cultivating the produce and finally, to offer the organic produce on sale to the public.

Another exciting project at KFR is a candle-making workshop, where good quality candles made from environmentally friendly ingredients will be made and sold to the public.

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With the variety of activities and services available at KFR, practitioners and non-practitioners will experience enhancement of both physical and spiritual well-being. The construction of Medicine Buddha Hill brings us one step closer to materializing our guru’s vision of establishing KFR which will benefit many sentient beings tremendously. Your kind donations would help make this vision a reality.