Details:
Date: 3rd – 5th November
Retreat Leader: Ven Mary Reavey
Requirements: Everyone is welcome
Cost: Generosity Model – Donation only (via the donation form at the bottom of the page; no set amount)
Format: Onsite and Online (Hybrid). Please note you will still need to book a place if attending online.
Start & Finish Times: A schedule will be shared closer to the time.
Accommodation: Land of Joy wishes for everyone who visits the centre to feel welcome, accepted, safe and secure. Our accommodation options are very limited, with mostly single sex shared accommodation and only one single room (which is sometimes needed by volunteers). This means single accommodation can only be offered to those who need it the most, but still won’t always be available. Camping can be an option at certain times of year if you have your own tent but space is very limited. Please read the relevant sections of the booking form carefully.
About the Weekend
The medicine of the Buddha Dharma:- a weekend exploring the Buddhas first teaching on the Four Noble Truths. This is the very foundation of all Buddhas teachings. It highlights how to apply Buddhist principles in our day to day lives. His Holiness the Dalia Lama has referred to these teachings as a “ How to live a life of human kindness” template.
Suitable for beginners and for those who wish to refresh/deepen their practice.
Recommended reading; H H the Dalai Lama – The 4 Noble Truths
About the Teacher

Born in Dundee, Scotland, Ven Mary was a staff nurse when she first encountered Buddhism at the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition’s mother monastery – Kopan – in Nepal in 1978. It was her love of adventure and trekking that led her to Kopan. Ven Mary attend a month long course taught by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa who emphasised the importance of meditation and taking complete responsibility for your own actions and their effects.
In 2001 Ven Mary took ordination as a nun with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, then until 2012 taught meditation and Buddhist philosophy at Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, Buddhist centres in Preston, Liverpool and at Armley Prison, Dumfries Prison, Leeds General Infirmary, St James’ Hospital and Wheatfields Hospice where she held regular meditation sessions. Ven Mary went on to take full Bikshuni ordination in 2015.
Over years Ven Mary has undertaken and led many meditation retreats. She completed a one year solitary retreat in 2014 and completes a three month personal retreat each year. She continues to regularly teach at Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, Jamyang Liverpool and in York.
Moreover, Ven Mary has recently moved to Jedburgh to be closer to Land of Joy.
A Way to Say Thank You
As we don’t receive any subsidies from other organisations we rely solely on the kind generosity of others. If you would like to make a donation to help us cover our considerable monthly costs (including via an online bank transfer or postal cheque), please choose the amount you would like to offer using the form below (or enter a custom amount), click ‘Donate’, then choose a payment method and provide all the details we require to process your donation. Your generosity will help us continue to offer beneficial services to yourself and others.
You may also like to make a regular contribution to the centre by becoming a Branch of Joy. This kind of support gifts us a steady and ongoing income, which in turn provides the confidence and means for us to continue to flourish for many years to come.
Thank you and may you be happy.
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