PERFECT FOR RETREAT

De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre is a Tibetan Buddhist retreat centre nestled in 1,300 acres of wilderness on beautiful Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

De-Tong Ling means Place of Bliss and Emptiness in Tibetan and was named in 1988 by our Founder Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

His devoted students offered the land as a retreat centre and it was officially opened in 1994, after Khensur Kangurwa Lobsang Thubten Rinpoche purified and blessed the land, predicting “Many great meditators will practice here”.

 

Retreat at De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre

We offer individual retreat accommodation in four self-contained houses, each of which are totally private, enjoying long views over the native forest to the ocean beyond and the islands of Investigator Strait and Yorke Peninsula. The houses of rammed earth and timber are designed to blend in with the bush, using solar power and rainwater, creating a small footprint sensitive to the beautiful natural environment. The needs of retreatants are fully supported by our retreat manager. The pure air and water of this pristine environment and the deep silence provide ideal conditions for retreat.

We also are continuing to develop a Group Retreat Facility and currently hold at least three group retreats per year, including our annual October Lam Rim retreat. The GRF is available for hire for like-minded groups; religious organisations, yoga and wellbeing groups.

Upcoming Meditation Retreat

Insight Meditation Retreat
(vipassana)
Led by Antonio Satta

10-Day Intensive Silent Retreat
Dates: 24.11.-6.12.2025

Find out more

Our founder and Guru,  Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, taught

A Mahayana Dharma Centre is a place which provides education on how to develop great compassion towards all living beings and which causes others to practice and actualise this compassion in their heart. Compassion never allows harm to be given to others and is only to benefit others, so a Dharma Centre becomes a very important tool to bring peace in the world and in the minds of numberless sentient beings.

De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) following the spiritual direction of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Our group retreats use FPMT’s educational programs and material, created in the unique lineage of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The FPMT organisation provides opportunities for practitioners to listen, reflect, meditate, practise, and actualise the unmistaken teachings of the Buddha, with the aim of helping all sentient beings develop their full potential of infinite wisdom and compassion.

FPMT Ethical Policy, can be read here.
FPMT Protecting from Abuse Policy, can be read here

The Centre is incorporated individually as a separate legal entity, is responsible for its own governance and finance, and is a registered charity. If you would like to contribute to our ongoing development please visit here.

Contact Us

We welcome enquiries related to retreat, day visits, donations and membership.

Contact

We acknowledge this land forms part of the traditional lands of Australian Aboriginal people. We stand here with respect for the spiritual ancestors of this island, for the Aboriginal women brought here from mainland South Australia and Tasmania, and their descendants. May all hurts be healed, may all sufferings cease and may all be at ease.

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