In general, your contribution for instructions, retreats, etc. are not "course fees" as much as we are no "training center", rather they are donations, actually offerings.

You may contribute in cash on property or via our website options (credit card/paypal/bank transfer). For the sake of simplicity, we request you to always name your transaction e. g. retreat donation or teaching XY donation.

Through your contribution you actively take part the buildup of Palpung Europe, and help with the costs for its running, including mortgage rates; an environment where the dharma is taught and practiced, so they may grow, flourish and bring benefit for harmony and peace in the world; you hence join in with our various activities and not only do good for yourself but also others as well by providing for a place for the development of inner peace and the welfare of sentient  beings.

No wages or allocations of any kind are being paid, everything is being entirely and voluntarily run by dharma students, our Lama does not take a single Euro, so that all your contributions as well as your regular support, in brief all your allocations exclusively go  directly into our buildup and manifold activities, and the running of our institutes.

We solely finance from voluntary aid and means and do not receive any allocations from the government, public authorities or institutions, organizations or possible national or international umbrella organizations.

If we invite a teacher from outwards, all costs in connection with their visit, as well as catering, a translator is hired when necessary, are covered from your contribution and the master receives a generous offering from us.

If you meet the lama in a private interview, it is considered polite to make an offering to the teacher. Please consider this a time invested in one’s health and honor it with an according allocation.

Kids of any age are always welcome in our houses.

Kids of any age are always welcome in our houses.

We ask you as a parent to decide whether and when to bring your children.

Children from 0 – 7 years may accompany their parents without contribution (except for kids’ programs which have their own contributions)

Children from 7 – 18 years receive a 50% reduction

Youth in training, up to 25 years receive a 25% reduction

We consider ourselves a family into which we cordially invite you. We do not wish to be a place to just visit on special days or to drop in for teachings in order to leave straight after, rather be a place of living and alive dharma.

We are a community in which you may participate in various ways and become part of our family in which we learn to actively and at least temporarily break through our egocentrical perception to be two-some instead of lonesome.

Buddhist centers are places to step by step learn – both in meditation and postmeditation, that is in daily life – to give rather to take, to apply the Bodhisattva ideal and to act for the benefit of others – in time, resources, materially and immerterially.

You don’t necessarily need to be Buddhist for that. You may, no matter what walk of life, background or belief you follow or don’t, take part in our various activities such as Mothers‘ Day, the birthday celebrations of our masters, movie showings, or just come over for our Volonteers‘ Days.

We are looking forward to you!

During our community days we practice Karma Yoga and generate merit: we join in together to upkeep the houses' infrastructure: we tend to the gardens, especially during spring and fall, we plant, trim, nurse and beautify the vicinities.

We keep the institutes clean and take care of smaller projects together: buidling birdfeeders, repair a bookshelf, in brief we make sure that both properties that Chöje Lama Palmo erected with so much love to the smallest detail and physical labor remain havens of joy, of communal practice, exchange, and two-some never lonesome.

Please bring along some food so we can share a meal in potluck style!

What it all boils down to is to behave in a respectful, mindful, aware and compassionate way in our dharma institutes.

What is respectful to one person may be completely disrespectful for another. In the end, it is really a matter of coming from your heart. The lama looks to your intention, and sees if your respect is naturally from the heart, or perhaps instead some rules you begrudgingly obey. There is no need to be neurotic or panic about such things. Simply do your best, relax and act respectfully, compassionately and aware of the Buddha nature of all sentient beings.

Nevertheless, considering all of this, we put together some guidelines to make it easier to feel comfortable for everyone to be with lamas, or in a sacred place such as the center, monastery or shrine room; to relax and get the most out of the encounter.

The lama is able and willing to give us the means to liberate ourselves from the grip of samsara. The monastery, the center and the shrine room are designed to learn to connect with our Buddha nature, our true essence in a most protective environment. It is the place where lots of spiritual practice is being done, prayers are conducted and teachings are being held.

We refrain from ever showing the soles our feet towards the direction of the shrine or the lama. We do not completely lie down, but instead sit attentively and politely in whatever way is appropriate for us. Don’t show the lama your back and cover your mouth with your hand in a respectful way when you talk to the lama.

We don’t sit in the shrine room with short pants or skirts, or with  sunglasses or hats, or revealing garments, even during summer. If we wear such light clothing outside, it is wise to bring a shawl covering whilst sitting. Needless to say clothing with rude or silly messages written on them are also not appropriate. In brief, we simply dress respectfully.

Be mindful that very strong perfumes and aftershaves, gaudy coloured clothing and noisy jewellery are best to avoid as they may be distracting to others (during meditation practice). In brief we are considerate of others!

Conversation inside the shrine room should be kept to the minimum, it is a place for practice, for mindfulness and not a social spot. That'S what the gardens are for! Strech your body in the garden with awareness, do some circumambulation, following the path set out by signs, but do not exercise in the shrineroom

Dharma books and texts should not lay on the floor or be placed in a low area where they could be stepped upon or over. One should also not  place ordinary items upon these holy materials, such as your car keys, coffee cups and the like. Carry such items respectfully and pass them to others respectfully with both of your hands, not with just one hand.

When a lama enters the room, we stand up to greet them, and offer them a seat. We sit down once they have sat down.

We carefully look after what the lama might need. This sometimes requires some keen observation because they never say what they might need. This is an important form of spiritual practice. It is up to us to be alert to the lamas’ needs. That is why it is best to confer with the attendant or assistant of the lama to make sure the teacher is receiving the right diet, has any necessary medication, has enough rest, is not being overworked by the requests of a center, students, etc.

1. I am voluntarily requesting the transmission of dharma in teaching as well as practice, in receiving and practicing, especially in form of a retreat, in all of Palpung Europe’s institutes at my own risk and peril.
2. I assure to be healthy; mentally, physically and emotionally fit to receive the transmission. This especially applies to retreats; individual retreats in particular. This not being the case, I participate at my own risk.
3. Palpung Europe or its teachers – both its own teachers or those invited by and acting for Palpung Europe - assumes no liability for any incident or claims due to my health problems, even those not beknown to myself
4. I confirm to be mentally clear, not taking in any intoxicants whatsoever.
5. I confirm to comply with the house rules and follow instructions given. The five basic rules and precepts of Buddhadharma apply in all of Palpung Europe’s institutes during my participation in a transmission or retreat. Palpung Europe reserves the right to remove me from its institutes and potentially exclude me from future teachings upon my violation. My contribution will then be used as general offering for the manifold activities of Palpung Europe; with no refund.
6. I will communicate any illness, also suddenly occurring health changes with the Palpung Europe office and break off from the transmission or retreat; particularly retreats, especially individual, self-retreats. My contribution will then be used as general offering for the manifold activities of Palpung Europe; with no refund.
7. During my participation in the different transmissions; particularly retreats, especially individual, self-retreats, I am in possession of a health insurance for the EU or a travel insurance which enables me to receive medical advice at any given time. The same applies for the travel time to and from Palpung Europe’s institutes. This not being the case, I act upon my own responsibility.
8. Teaching- and practice material provided by Palpung Europe, marked with property of Palpung Europe, may not be removed from the shrine room. I will be invoiced in case of loss or damage of bespoke material that I caused. Palpung Europe reserves the right to remove me from its institutes and potentially exclude me from future teachings upon my deliberate contravention.
9. Palpung Europe’s institutes are regularly maintained and serviced by members of the community. Palpung Europe or its teachers – both its own teachers or those invited by and acting for - cannot be held accountable should any damage occur as consequence of my own incorrect handling. Additionally, Palpung Europe will charge me for the damage and point 5 will become effective.
10. Palpung Europe assumes no liability whatsoever for teachers or those guest teachers invited by and acting for Palpung Europe.
11. Likewise, Palpung Europe assumes no liability whatsoever for my personal belongings in its institutes, such as wardrobe, bags and their content.
12. I herewith refrain from any claim - no matter which kind - arising from damage, concomitant, or consequent damage in association with my participation in a transmission or retreat, both guided or individual retreats.
13. I am fully informed about this disclaimer by having read it. By ticking the respective point during my registration, I entirely consent this disclaimer legally binding.