Guru Yoga Mandala Offering Retreat

Saturday 10 October | 9.00am – 3.00pm
Kadampa Meditation Centre, Spring Hill
Free | Unguided Retreat

This special one-day retreat brings together two profound Buddhist practices: Guru Yoga, the gateway to receiving blessings, and Mandala Offering, the gateway to accumulating merit.

Through chanted prayers, offerings, and meditation, we strengthen our connection with our Spiritual Guide and create the inner conditions for deep spiritual growth. Practised together, Guru Yoga and mandala offering help us to deepen faith, purify obstacles, and gather the causes for insight, realisation, and lasting inner peace.

This retreat is unguided, offering a quiet and supportive space for personal practice. It is especially meaningful for those wishing to deepen their understanding and experience of Guru Yoga following the Why We Need a Spiritual Guide workshop held the previous day.

What is Guru Yoga?

Guru is a Sanskrit word meaning Spiritual Guide. A Spiritual Guide is any spiritual teacher who sincerely leads us along a correct spiritual path—through clear instructions and by embodying those teachings in daily life.

Guru Yoga is a special way of relating to our Spiritual Guide, in which we regard them as an enlightened being. Through this practice, we learn to open our heart with faith and gratitude, allowing us to receive the blessings of all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and holy beings. It is considered one of the most powerful methods for making spiritual progress.

What Are Mandala Offerings?

A mandala represents the entire universe, visualised as completely pure and filled with perfect conditions. When we make a mandala offering, we imagine offering the whole universe—symbolically held in our hands—to all Buddhas and holy beings.

This practice helps us to let go of grasping and self-centredness while accumulating great merit, the positive potential needed for spiritual realisations. Mandala offerings can be made mentally or physically using a mandala kit; both methods are equally meaningful.

Retreat Format

The day includes three unguided retreat sessions, beginning at 9.00am and concluding at 3.00pm, with breaks between sessions. Participants are welcome to attend the whole day or join for individual sessions if needed.