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Dzogchen Beara,Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Centre, Co.Cork, Ireland

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Dzogchen Beara

Dzogchen Beara is a Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Centre welcoming people of any nationality and religion located on the beautiful Beara Peninsula, County Cork, Ireland.

The Beara Peninsula, otherwise known as the Ring of Beara, is a place where ancient landscapes and changing skies welcome the passionate traveler. Discover mysterious stone circles, wedge tombs and standing stones. Explore wild beaches and rolling hills. Enjoy the music, great conversation, and company of friendly people in colourful towns. The Beara Peninsula holds the spirit of Ireland within its rugged beauty.

Please join me, artist and writer Susanne Iles, as I travel around the Most Captivating Place in Ireland. Today's trip to the Beara Peninsula takes us to Dzogchen Beara,near Castletownbere, County Cork, Ireland.

Contents at a Glance

Traveling to Dzogchen Beara
Natural Beauty
History of Dzogchen Beara
Buddha Amoghasiddhi
Dzogchen Beara,Tibetan Buddhist Retreat...
Where to find Dzogchen Beara, County Cor...

Buddhist Retreat Centre

The Beara Peninsula in County Cork, Ireland is a treasure trove of incredible sites. One of these jewels is Dzogchen Beara, a short drive from the town of Castletownbere. Dzogchen Beara is a Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Centre welcoming people of any nationality and religion. It runs under the spiritual direction of Sogyal Rinpoche, author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying.

They offer daily meditation classes, rest and renewal breaks, retreats with Sogyal Rinpoche and other renowned Tibetan masters and more. They've also created Dechen Shying Spiritual Care Centre for those who are struggling with serious illnesses. The surroundings are magnificent, serene, and well worth the visit.

Natural Beauty

Meditation Garden

The Meditation Garden at Dzogchen Beara is beautiful spot to spend some quiet time in meditation and reflection. The view is absolutely breathtaking. No wonder they call it the silent garden. There are no words to describe such powerful, natural beauty. The large expanse of lawn is perfect for walking meditation or just sitting and breathing in the gentle sea breezes.

History of Dzogchen Beara

How the Centre Came to be....

The Cliffs of Bere Island from Dzogchen Beara, Photo by Susanne Iles

According to the Dzogchen Beara's own website (I will include the link below for you) the history of Dzogchen Beara is a profound one:

"In 1973, Peter and Harriet Cornish bought 150 acres of rugged farmland on the Beara peninsula in West Cork. Their wish was to create a place that would offer a spiritual home to people of all traditions, and in 1992 they made a gift of the land and buildings to a charitable trust under the spiritual guidance of Sogyal Rinpoche.

Rinpoche named the centre Dzogchen Beara, 'Holder of Dzogchen'. Dzogchen, or 'Great Perfection', is the most ancient and direct stream of wisdom within the Buddhist tradition of Tibet."

In June 1993 Harriet died of cancer at the age of 44. If you would like to read more about Harriet and how her passing inspired the development of Rigpa's Spiritual Care Education Programme and the building of Dechen Shying Spiritual Care Centre please be sure to visit the Dzogchen Beara Website. Again, I will make sure the link is available to you below. Their website is most informative.

Buddha Amoghasiddhi

Butter Candles

If one wants to offer prayers there is a little hidden sanctuary containing the figure of the Buddha Amoghasiddhi. The cabinet is filled with butter candles to be lit with prayers for friends and families. A small sign nearby explained the significance of the Buddha's posture:

* Right hand: mudra of fearless protection. Protecting all living beings from any mishaps, obstacles or negative influences.
* Left hand: rests in the meditative gesture of natural great peace.

Dzogchen Beara is worth a visit for its stunning, natural beauty, its special events and classes, bookshop, cafe, stupa, gardens, nature trails and waterfall. It is a serene and peaceful place offering a healing balm to those who need respite from hectic world of ours.