Upcoming 7-Day Meditation Retreat Dates (2026ā2027)
26 July ā 2 August 2026 (Sunday – Sunday)
30 August ā 6 September 2026
27 September ā 4 October 2026
25 October ā 1 November 2026
29 November ā 6 December 2026
27 December 2026 ā 3 January 2027
Discover your true nature & establish the two wings of freedom
Calm & Insight
Join us for a 7-day retreat dedicated to deepening your meditation practice through a balanced rhythm of walking and sitting meditation.
This is your warm invitation to a 7-day guided retreat at Santipada Buddhist Monastery.
The purpose of this guided retreat is to bring together the wisdom of early Buddhism (TheravÄda) and later Buddhism (MahÄyÄna), especially in meditation practice creating a powerful synergy by uniting Vipassana meditation and Zen meditation.
We will explore how systematic mindfulness practiceāwhich leads to insight into the true characteristics of existenceācan harmonise with the essence of Zen, which points directly to our Buddha nature.
Each session will include simple walking meditation and sitting meditation, practiced in balanced 30-minute periods. Together, we will learn how to cultivate effective mindfulness through this balance, and how to bring that mindfulness into our daily lives.
Whether you are a Vipassana practitioner, a Zen practitioner, or a beginner simply interested in meditation, you are warmly welcome. Everyone can benefit from this retreat. Private guidance will also be available according to individual needs.
Come and discover why mindfulness is the Alpha and Omega of spiritual practiceāessential at the beginning, throughout the journey, and even for the realisation of ultimate freedom.
This fully guided retreat offers a carefully designed timetable to cultivate both tranquility and insight.
The retreat will be led by Venerable Bhante Anuttara, resident teacher at Santipada Monastery.
Daily Dhamma talks and Q&A sessions will provide guidance and support throughout the retreat.
We recommend reading Bhanteās articles on our website (teaching) before attending, to become familiar with some of the Buddhist terms used during teachings and discussions.
Retreat cost $700 NZ per person, meals and accomodation inclusive
There will only be a maximum of 10 people on this retreat.
To book, please complete the application form. Click <here> and select āGeneral Retreatā for the 7-day retreat.
We will then send you confirmation of your booking and our bank account details for you to make payment.
Accomodation
Men’s rooms with balconies looking out over the canopy of the native bush.
Women’s rooms looking out over the canopy of the native bush.
Nestled in the tree line.
Woman’s shared bathroom facilities