CONTACT: Carlos Velásquez- cavelondon@gmail.com

 The new Diamond Way retreat center is located 45 minutes away from Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia, in the rural area of the town Tabio. The location has an area of more than 9,000 square meters and is being built thanks to the blessing of our teachers, Lama Ole and Hannah Nydahl as well as the donations, voluntary work, love and joy of friends from all over the country. Since its inauguration in 2005, the members of the Colombian sangha, inspired by the activity and blessing of Lama Ole, have put tremendous joy and effort into the development and consolidation of the DIAMONDWAY RETREAT CENTER – TABIO – COLOMBIA.

Beginnings

Lama Ole Nydahl visited the place for the first time on January 2005, and gave his approval, blessing and protection for starting the development of this new project so that it might be of great benefit for all sentient beings. On January 2008 he made a second visit and on February 2009 the first Phowa course took place in the location. From then on, this place became the National Retreat Center thanks to growing interest and involvement of the Colombian sangha.

Highlights of the location and first developments

The original piece of land was donated by Roger Rickenmann and had an area of 2,600m² located on top of a hill covered with eucalyptus trees and a gourgeous view.  The first stage of the development project was construction of a fully equiped cabin (incluyes kitchen and bathrooms), initially used as gompa for meditation and lecture hall for small courses. Later on, this place will be used exclusively as a dinning room and social area as next steps of  the development take place.

Second stage:  Expansion

In 2007, took place the acquisition of nearby land to Roger Rickenmann expanding the size of the original location to 5,800m². Roger and his wife Dora have permanently supported the construction of the retreat center with their valuable effort and generosity.

Third stage: Lodging facilities

During 2008 and beginning of 2009, was built a second wing adjacent to the cabin with two rooms and three bathrooms, as well as a deck that increased the social area of the cabin. These changes improved the conditions for the organization of weekend courses with local and international instructors for 50-100 participants. Camping is the easiest and recommended way of staying overnight.

Fourth state: Gompa and Library

After the success of the Phowa course on February 2009, a third wing was added to the site consisting of a Gompa with a capacity for around 120 people as well as a library. The functional design allows the integration of the Gompa and the Library areas to increase the capacity up to 200 people. Also, the central patio in the middle of the retreat center was paved with brick to create a very comfortable social & resting place which tremendously improves the circulation of visitors. In addition, a small storing house was built in the back for Tools and kitchenware, etc.  

Recent news: donation of additional area.

Recently Dora Manrique and his son Juan Carlos,  members of the sangha, donated an additional piece of land of 3,000 m² that increases the area of the retreat center up to 8,800m^2.

How to support  the development of the retreat center?

CONTACT: Carlos Velásquez- cavelondon@gmail.com

You can join the development of Tabio Retreat Center with your work, donations and good wishes. After all the goals accomplished we still have many things to do!:

Improvement of kitchen and cafeteria.

Building of new bathrooms and improvement of the existing.

Roofing the deck.

Expanding and improving parking are.

Buddha statue for the gompa.

Acquisition of sound system for large courses.

Furnishing rooms and library.   

Acquiring material for the library.

For donations from outside of Colombia, you can transfer to:

Name of beneficiary: Corporación Camino del Diamante.

Phone Number: (57) (1) 874 1263, (57) (1) 860 8298

Address:  Centro de Retiros del Camino del Diamante, Vereda Rio Frio Oriental, Tabio, Cundinamarca.

Accont Number: 34324631885 BANCOLOMBIA

City: Tabio

 Country: Colombia

Payment Bank: BANCOLOMBIA

SWIFT: COLOCOBM

If transfer is in dollars (USD):

ABA Code: 021000089

SWIFT: CITIUS33

Intermediary Bank: CITIBANK New York

Credit to account: #36006658 BANCOLOMBIA

If transfer is in euros (EUR):

DEUTSCHE BANK of Germany

SWIFT: DEUTDEFF

IBAN: 89500700100921331800

Account: #100951331800 of BANCOLOMBIA