Expert: Buddhis8 - BuddhismIS.com - 11/11/2009

Question
Hello there,
I hope you are doing well.
I took a 3 month leave off of work due to overwork, burn-out and depression. I have been trying to find a spiritual path for some years now, but due to lack of time, have never had a chance to fully focus on it. Now that I have the time, I really want to take advantage of it, and I have a high interest in learning more about Tibetan Buddhism from an experienced teacher. I want to be full immersed in it, so I am looking for a week-long to multi-week type retreat, where I am staying at the facilities overnight and am under the guidance of an experienced teacher hopefully with knowledge of the original teachings. I live near San Francisco, CA, but I am willing to travel within the US, as long as the price is not too high.

Due you have any suggestions for where to go?
I tried the only Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in the US (which is in Seattle, WA) however, the head Lama there is currently oversees so I need an alternative.

Any guidance would be very much appreciated.
Thank you for your help in advance!
Kind regards,
Art

Answer
http://www.knowbuddhism.info/2009/11/tibetan-buddhist-retreats-california.html

Dear Art,

I do not personally hold a great deal of knowledge regarding Tibetan (Vajrayana) Monasticism or retreats in the US - California. However after relaying your question to a number of my Dharma friends I have come up with a number options you may consider. I hold no responsibility as to the 'quality' of the teacher or the establishments. On that note...

You are in luck as there is a retreat that starts tomorrow (13th) from November 13-22 with Geshe Tashi Tsering at the Vajrapani institute. Further details can be found on their website http://www.vajrapani.org/Site/courses_group_retreats.htm . Address and phone number below.

Vajrapani Institute
P.O. Box 2130
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(831) 338-6654
http://www.vajrapani.org

Kadampa Buddhist Temple
Address: 3324 17th Street  San Francisco CA 94110
Tradition: Vajrayana, New Kadampa Tradition Tibetan
Phone: (415) 503-1187
EMail: epc@kadampas.org

Tendai Jiko-ji Temple
Address: 504 Fayne Lane  Redondo Beach CA 90277
Tradition: Mahayana, Vajrayana, Tendai
EMail: jion@tendai-lotus.org
Spiritual Director: Rev. Jion Prosser

White Conch Monastery & Dharma Center
Address: 33 Estrella Drive  Santa Rosa CA 95403
Tradition: Vajrayana, Tibetan, Gelugpa
Phone: (707) 571-0321
EMail: cainfo@white-conch.org
Website: http://www.white-conch.org
Spiritual Director: Domo Geshe Rinpoche

I hope this helps, feel free to contact me again if you need any further help.

Yours in Dharma
JC Ball