Individual Retreat

Retreat at De-Tong Ling naturally involves strictly obeying the five main Buddhist precepts and reducing normal worldly activities and attachments to a minimum.
Not killing (even the smallest insect), stealing, lying, taking intoxicants or drugs of any kind (including tobacco), and not engaging in sexual activity are mandatory.
It is also required that a vegetarian diet be followed and maintained while one is in retreat here.

Reading magazines or novels, listening to the radio, writing letters, or other activities of this kind are clearly not in the spirit of a genuine retreat from normal worldly behaviour.

Those wishing to undertake an individual retreat of any length over a week should have prior isolated retreat experience, or a clear recommendation from a qualified spiritual teacher. It is also desirable to include a period of orientation before beginning retreat, and of re-acclimatisation at the conclusion of the retreat.

‘Yacca Creeks’ is the adjoining land that comprises private residences and temporary accommodation for workers and visitors. It is set aside for non-retreat activity and entering it involves leaving retreat land. We do request that in cases other than a genuine emergency, people in retreat only enter ‘Yacca Creeks’ with prior negotiation; and also confine any non-retreat activity to this area.

Each retreat house is fully self-contained and provides all bedding and requirements for cooking.

Retreat house meditation rooms differ slightly according to the needs of people in retreat.
Some are clearly set up in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition while others are more austere.
All can be set up according to individual requirements.

We do provide meditation cushions and mats, and can also supply people with offering bowls.

Generally speaking, it’s a good idea for people to bring the following with them:

• Clothing and personal items, including a woollen hat and very thick socks for winter, and a sun hat and fly net for summer.
• Meditation texts and reading materials that are specifically related to the particular retreat
• Personal implements and consumables used for specific practices
• Tea light candles and incense

The current costs for retreat house rental are provided during application process.
Additional costs are for groceries, firewood, transfers between centre and ferry or airport.
Discounts are available for Sangha and for those doing very long retreat.

Although founded as an FPMT centre, we accept retreat applications from all Buddhist traditions and other contemplative faiths, provided that there is a familiarity with isolated meditation practice and a willingness to abide by the protocols of the Centre. Preference will be given to those from Buddhist traditions when there are multiple applications.

We accept applications for short as well as long retreat and will do our best to fit you in when there is a house available.

To apply, the first step is to email us and let us know that you are interested in retreating at De-Tong Ling, giving us a rough idea of the length of the retreat and the time you are thinking of starting. Please go to the Contact Us page to send a message to the Retreat Centre Manager. We can then work out whether a retreat house is available at that time.

The next step is for you to forward an application form to us and then send a non-refundable deposit to secure the booking. The amount will vary depending on the length of retreat.

By Sea.

SeaLink operates Sealion 2000 and Spirit of Kangaroo Island – two large, luxurious vehicle and passenger/car ferries – between Cape Jervis and Penneshaw. There are four departures daily, with additional services during peak times. Bookings are necessary. Travelling time is a comfortable 45 minutes. Mainland coach connections are available between Adelaide and Cape Jervis and island coach connections are available between Penneshaw and Kingscote.
Reservations: Ph. 13 13 01

By Air.

QANTAS operates a 30-minute flight from the main terminal at Adelaide Airport to Kingscote Airport (KGC). The airport is located 13km from the island’s capital, Kingscote.

Airport Shuttle Service.

A shuttle bus operates between Kingscote Airport and the main town of Kingscote. Bookings are preferred but there is usually room on the bus when you arrive.
Kangaroo Island Transfers: Ph: 0427 887 575

Yes, the centre is 85 km from Kingscote and you will need to make arrangements for transport if you do not have a vehicle as there are no buses or taxis on the island. Transport to De-Tong Ling can be arranged via the Retreat Centre Manager. We ask that you cover the cost of the petrol for the trip and also for the return journey.

All food shopping will be done fortnightly by the Centre Manager whilst you are in solitary retreat. However, we can make arrangements with you to shop for yourself in Kingscote when you first arrive before travelling to the retreat centre, or if you are retreating for a short time only, you may bring your own food. There is a $10 surcharge per fortnight while you are in retreat to help cover the cost of fuel for food shopping, which is added to your food cost.

No. People in solitary retreat are responsible for their own cooking. Each individual retreat house has a kitchen with cooking and eating equipment.

No, the centre provides towels and bedding.

Any time of the year is a good time to do retreat at DTL as all the retreat houses are extremely well insulated with thick earth walls and contain wood-burning heaters. However, if you like to walk outside during your breaks then spring and summer would be the best times.

Mobile phone coverage is very poor at the retreat centre and then only available via the Telstra network. There is no internet connection in the retreat houses and mobile internet devices do not work due to the isolation. We do trust, however, that people will honour the purpose of retreat and keep communications with the ‘outside’ to a minimum.