Tushita Meditation Centre
Tushita Meditation Centre
Tushita Meditation Centre
4.5
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM - 4:00 AM
Monday
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
12:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
12:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
12:30 PM - 4:00 AM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
12:30 PM - 4:00 AM
Friday
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
12:30 PM - 4:00 AM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
12:30 PM - 4:00 AM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
123 reviews
Excellent
93
Very good
22
Average
5
Poor
3
Terrible
0
SerendiptyStruck
Mumbai30 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
I attended the Introduction to Buddhism course at Tushita in August 2014. The centre is absolutely beautiful - surrounded by high trees and on clear days you can even overlook all of McLoedganj. First, about the course. Very interesting, but i think i gained more out of all the readings that i did than the teaching lessons. The silence really helps in keeping the focus on dharma. The meditations are absolutely beautiful - Richard is a great teacher and funny too. We also had the opportunity to take the one day wows - it was an amazing experience. I will definitely go back for an intermediate course. People are great, and all basic necessities are taken care of.
The food and living arrangements are basic but in retrospect, they add to the experience. Book early so that you have your choice of what kind of room you'd like to stay in. Single rooms are limited (and very helpful if you'd actually like to maintain the silence!) Laundry is not a issue so you can pack light.
My last piece of advice would be that if you do want to do the course and stay at Tushita, maintain the silence, focus inward and avoid distractions (smoking, running away into the night to eat and drink etc.) - its worth it, and good only for yourself.
The food and living arrangements are basic but in retrospect, they add to the experience. Book early so that you have your choice of what kind of room you'd like to stay in. Single rooms are limited (and very helpful if you'd actually like to maintain the silence!) Laundry is not a issue so you can pack light.
My last piece of advice would be that if you do want to do the course and stay at Tushita, maintain the silence, focus inward and avoid distractions (smoking, running away into the night to eat and drink etc.) - its worth it, and good only for yourself.
Written October 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mahesh p
Pune, India565 contributions
I was recently done the introduction to Buddhism course in Tushita Meditation center. There were almost sixty-five participants across the globe like Israel, Turkey, Germany, Denmark, Italy, USA, UK, Columbia, Mexico, Taiwan and India.. And from all religions. So I got a very versatile experience. There are lot of Q&A, group discussion. So got lot of clarity about Buddhism and meditation. I am fully satisfied. I strongly recommend to all how are interested in meditation. About location... Excellent, beautiful, very calm and tranquil.
Written March 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ida
Florence, Italy95 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
This is a special place, if you take a course .
Many good Teachers are there and you'll be satisfied with all you'll learn. The food is good , although I did not stay overnight I 'm planning to go there and stay for sometimes.
Many good Teachers are there and you'll be satisfied with all you'll learn. The food is good , although I did not stay overnight I 'm planning to go there and stay for sometimes.
Written March 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lotusdiamond
Chandigarh, India1,240 contributions
Jan 2023
located just on the road to Dharmkot, you can take walk of 20 minutes from Mcleod gunj. This place is famous for meditation courses . The place is full of positive energy and calm. they conduct daily sessions and provide accommodation and meals and reasonable price. Stay away from hustle bustle of city life and your smart phones and learn the true meaning of life.
Written January 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LonewolfMark
Los Angeles, CA59 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
I had been wanting to come to the introduction to Buddhism course for 4 years. Ever since a friend highly recommended it to me. I finally had the opportunity to come to India, for the sole purpose of this course. I had been practicing meditation and studying Buddhist philosophy for 3 years prior to attending and was SO excited for this course. Unfortunately I think it must have changed a lot in the years since my friend so highly recommended it.
The problem with this course lays with the other attendees (the amount and disposition). On the walls you can see how much this course has grown in popularity from the heavy increase of attendees year after year (107 in my group). But Tushita's facilities are not equipped to handle that many people.
On opening night everyone introduces themselves and gives their motivation for coming. Many people were like minded with me, coming here for a serious spiritual growth experience. However many others were just the random backpacker passing through and thought they would give this course a try, maybe to check something off of their bucket list. Their immaturity permeated the entire retreat center as they refused to follow the rules (silence, physical affection, smoking, etc).
In a way I'm grateful for them as they gave me constant opportunities to practice patience and compassion. But I could have done that at any number of places in my home city and saved the money on an Indian trip.
This course has the capability to be something amazing. But my experience felt much closer to a high school summer camp than a meditation center. As much as it pains me to give a negative review of such a wonderful place, I must speak the truth and say that I STRONGLY do NOT recommend this course. I wish I had went to a different center.
If someone from Tushita reads this please take action before your center becomes nothing more than a backpacker pit stop. One simple implementation could be to close the sign up and waiting list several weeks before the start date. That way people would be coming there intentionally, and not just last minute as they heard about it from another traveler. But if you are going to keep it open and with such high numbers of participants than you really need to employ some "camp counselors" to keep discipline.
The problem with this course lays with the other attendees (the amount and disposition). On the walls you can see how much this course has grown in popularity from the heavy increase of attendees year after year (107 in my group). But Tushita's facilities are not equipped to handle that many people.
On opening night everyone introduces themselves and gives their motivation for coming. Many people were like minded with me, coming here for a serious spiritual growth experience. However many others were just the random backpacker passing through and thought they would give this course a try, maybe to check something off of their bucket list. Their immaturity permeated the entire retreat center as they refused to follow the rules (silence, physical affection, smoking, etc).
In a way I'm grateful for them as they gave me constant opportunities to practice patience and compassion. But I could have done that at any number of places in my home city and saved the money on an Indian trip.
This course has the capability to be something amazing. But my experience felt much closer to a high school summer camp than a meditation center. As much as it pains me to give a negative review of such a wonderful place, I must speak the truth and say that I STRONGLY do NOT recommend this course. I wish I had went to a different center.
If someone from Tushita reads this please take action before your center becomes nothing more than a backpacker pit stop. One simple implementation could be to close the sign up and waiting list several weeks before the start date. That way people would be coming there intentionally, and not just last minute as they heard about it from another traveler. But if you are going to keep it open and with such high numbers of participants than you really need to employ some "camp counselors" to keep discipline.
Written May 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vinayak V
Pune, India4 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
I just completed my first 10 day Introduction to Buddhism retreat at Tushita.
Take up this retreat if you are at a time in your life when you are contemplating the meaning of it all and if you wish to reset the purpose of your existence. India is a spiritual place but the country is awash with dishonest babas and greedy godmen out to cheat the gullible traveler. Having spent 10 days at Tushita, I can say with confidence that it is one of the most genuine and sincere places there is, and truly wants to make a change in the lives of those that seek its patronage.
The highlight of the course was the enforcement of strict silence and the lack of access to phones and technology as a whole which forces one to contemplate from within. The staff at Tushita are committed to ensuring a comfortable and pleasant stay and they provide tasty meals and acceptable accommodation at a very economical price (which confirms their focus is not on making money but to genuinely make Tibetan Buddhist Dharma accessible to all).
As for the course content, I benefited greatly from the daily meditation sessions that helps one train the mind to be equanimous under any circumstance, good or bad. I also felt that Buddhism and its teachings touched a lot of my own beliefs and convictions, its non-reliance on a God and the emphasis on looking inwards for peace and happiness, being a few. A few of the teachings can only be taken with suspension of rationality, but as my teacher Ven. Namgyel put it - take what you like and leave the rest. The teachers of the course truly reflect Tushita's commitment to spreading the message of Buddhism to anyone willing to make an effort.
Without batting an eyelid, I would go back to Tushita many times more in the future to further my own knowledge of Buddhist Dharma but more importantly to enhance my own personal growth as a human being.
Vinayak
Take up this retreat if you are at a time in your life when you are contemplating the meaning of it all and if you wish to reset the purpose of your existence. India is a spiritual place but the country is awash with dishonest babas and greedy godmen out to cheat the gullible traveler. Having spent 10 days at Tushita, I can say with confidence that it is one of the most genuine and sincere places there is, and truly wants to make a change in the lives of those that seek its patronage.
The highlight of the course was the enforcement of strict silence and the lack of access to phones and technology as a whole which forces one to contemplate from within. The staff at Tushita are committed to ensuring a comfortable and pleasant stay and they provide tasty meals and acceptable accommodation at a very economical price (which confirms their focus is not on making money but to genuinely make Tibetan Buddhist Dharma accessible to all).
As for the course content, I benefited greatly from the daily meditation sessions that helps one train the mind to be equanimous under any circumstance, good or bad. I also felt that Buddhism and its teachings touched a lot of my own beliefs and convictions, its non-reliance on a God and the emphasis on looking inwards for peace and happiness, being a few. A few of the teachings can only be taken with suspension of rationality, but as my teacher Ven. Namgyel put it - take what you like and leave the rest. The teachers of the course truly reflect Tushita's commitment to spreading the message of Buddhism to anyone willing to make an effort.
Without batting an eyelid, I would go back to Tushita many times more in the future to further my own knowledge of Buddhist Dharma but more importantly to enhance my own personal growth as a human being.
Vinayak
Written June 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Constance G
Surrey, Canada45 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
Planned to attend this course for many months and was very excited to be able to come half way around the world to attend. I registered the day the first six months of the year was open for course intake all went very smooth.
This for me was the 3rd stop on a multiple stop tour around the world.
Unbeknownst to me 2 weeks after I registered the original 1st course of the year was cancelled/rescheduled for 3 weeks later in February.
I was sent 1 email I never received, as was 40 plus other people. I left my city/country many months prior to the course, so I had all my air tickets, Visa's, hotels, arrangements booked and paid for.
I received a shocking Message New Years day while in England UK with family that Tushita was wondering why they had not heard from me and 40 + other people who were asked to accept a seat 3 weeks later than the scheduled date.
I was stunned there had been no follow up between the email in October and now Jan 1st? It made sense to me if you do not hear back from 50% of the people in a mass email something is not right, especially when these people are all registered already.
I made the choice to attend the course even with the date changes. This rendered all my airfares, hotels, itinerary in Nepal, 2 Visa's all VOID and needing to be rebooked, redone, at a cost of 1,000.00 Cad $ more.
There was no apology, no explanations. I was thinking when we arrived there would be an explanation and an apology made for the inconvenience of many from around the world. To this day 4 months later no explanations or apologies.
The Tushita Meditation grounds are stunning as are the entire area of McLeod Ganj.
The food was just fantastic and plentiful....
The course material and teaching was very intense and intellectual.
Venerable Drolma was very gentle and clear.
Richard our Meditation leader was at times very odd to the point I questioned his emotional state. He did not believe in mental illness which I found very offensive from a person with very little formal training other than yoga and meditation.
His sessions took Some people to the brink of emotional distress, nightmares, crying, and there was no support to help work through these moments. Our room came out of silence a number of times to deal with others in the room who were suffering a great deal.
Towards the end of the course a large amount of the 106 students came down with diarrhea, vomiting, this lasted about 24 - 36 hours..
The accommodations were very basic but adequate we had severe water problems sometimes no water period.
For me the whole experience was much less than I had hoped for. I am glad I gave Tushita a try however aside from realizing I am a decent person and I value my loved ones. Many views and ideas were not something I could embrace in it's entirety.
I feel the lack of professionalism, support, and communication breakdown is sad for such a beautiful place.
This for me was the 3rd stop on a multiple stop tour around the world.
Unbeknownst to me 2 weeks after I registered the original 1st course of the year was cancelled/rescheduled for 3 weeks later in February.
I was sent 1 email I never received, as was 40 plus other people. I left my city/country many months prior to the course, so I had all my air tickets, Visa's, hotels, arrangements booked and paid for.
I received a shocking Message New Years day while in England UK with family that Tushita was wondering why they had not heard from me and 40 + other people who were asked to accept a seat 3 weeks later than the scheduled date.
I was stunned there had been no follow up between the email in October and now Jan 1st? It made sense to me if you do not hear back from 50% of the people in a mass email something is not right, especially when these people are all registered already.
I made the choice to attend the course even with the date changes. This rendered all my airfares, hotels, itinerary in Nepal, 2 Visa's all VOID and needing to be rebooked, redone, at a cost of 1,000.00 Cad $ more.
There was no apology, no explanations. I was thinking when we arrived there would be an explanation and an apology made for the inconvenience of many from around the world. To this day 4 months later no explanations or apologies.
The Tushita Meditation grounds are stunning as are the entire area of McLeod Ganj.
The food was just fantastic and plentiful....
The course material and teaching was very intense and intellectual.
Venerable Drolma was very gentle and clear.
Richard our Meditation leader was at times very odd to the point I questioned his emotional state. He did not believe in mental illness which I found very offensive from a person with very little formal training other than yoga and meditation.
His sessions took Some people to the brink of emotional distress, nightmares, crying, and there was no support to help work through these moments. Our room came out of silence a number of times to deal with others in the room who were suffering a great deal.
Towards the end of the course a large amount of the 106 students came down with diarrhea, vomiting, this lasted about 24 - 36 hours..
The accommodations were very basic but adequate we had severe water problems sometimes no water period.
For me the whole experience was much less than I had hoped for. I am glad I gave Tushita a try however aside from realizing I am a decent person and I value my loved ones. Many views and ideas were not something I could embrace in it's entirety.
I feel the lack of professionalism, support, and communication breakdown is sad for such a beautiful place.
Written June 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James T
Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, UK27 contributions
I'm new to practising meditation but the guy was very helpful explaining how to sit comfortably and explained everything to help focus my mind. Attended the session's twice they are on every day at 9.30 am for an hour and are free. There ia a donation box at the back which we donated too but they don't make you feel like you have to donate which was nice. I'd recommend the drop in sessions for experienced or inexperienced mediators
Written March 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dian0ia
Wiener Neustadt, Austria3 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
I attended "Introduction to Buddhism" curse in july 2016. The place itself is quite nice, food is tasty and healthy, monkeys, that live around centre are charming. Teachings are very basic and in my case, contradictory. Teacher should not talk about physics and modern science - only to make an impression on audience - if, which was the case, he does not have any clue about it. The stories he was telling were very esoteric, supernatural and thus NOT in accordance with Buddhist paradigm. I wish Dalai Lama was there. One thing that really upset me, was the way stuff treated the monkeys. They were shooting stones at them with slingshots. Meditation classes were nice, but guided meditations were actually mental projections, some of them quite disturbing (perceptions about death, parents, friends, that you should not trust...). I am not a Buddhist, just interested in different thought systems, ethics and illusions. That was an esoteric camp for kids in early twenties. 120 of them. Big business.
Written August 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Birdfishorinbetween
Kalmar, Sweden33 contributions
I did the Introduction to Buddhism at Tushita and it was one of the coolest, most challenging things i've done. I really enjoyed it even though i found it very difficult at times.
The accommodation is really good but even better is the food! It is so nice and i looked forward to every meal! The peanut butter and the sweet potatoes were my favourites!
Thank you Tushita for the experience and for bringing me together with the best group of people i've ever met!
The accommodation is really good but even better is the food! It is so nice and i looked forward to every meal! The peanut butter and the sweet potatoes were my favourites!
Thank you Tushita for the experience and for bringing me together with the best group of people i've ever met!
Written February 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
היכן אני מוצאת על השהיה בטושיטה והקורסים
Written July 30, 2019
Hola ,me gustaría saber si las meditaciones es guiadas en español y en inglés.
Written December 17, 2018
Hello! I'm planning on going to a 10-day retreat at Tushita in February and was wondering if you need a protected area permit (PAP) to enter? I am a US citizen with an Indian tourist VISA. I didn't see anything about it on their website but the website for the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama stated that any foreign national entering a Tibetan settlement requires a PAP. I would appreciate a response from anyone who knows! Thanks.
Written December 10, 2018
Helllo,
Am planning on taking a course in August.
After reading the weather detail and instructions and some news about Molds, I got worried.
Did anyone go on a residential course during the moonsoon?
Please advice 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thanks !
Written July 6, 2018
Hi the info was written on their website on what to expect on the weather section.
I changed my plans, enjoy :)
Written August 8, 2018
samirladsaria2017
Kolkata (Calcutta), India
hi just wanted to ask if there is back support cushions/chairs while sitting for meditation classes as i have a stiff back problem
Written December 11, 2017
There are cushions available for back support , and one can sit aback wall.
Written December 17, 2017
Does tushita have meditation cwerification in case I want to teach people in the future
Written October 24, 2017
I don't think so but you can check on their official website.
Written November 3, 2017
Hey guys ! Does somebody knows any acomodations close to tushita school, that's has the 3 Latin b's ( bueno bonito y barato )
Thank you !!!
Written August 6, 2017
dasgayatri85
Bhubaneswar, India
Hello all, I am really interested to go for the rejuvenating 10 day course.But just one query, is it convenient for a female solo traveller to reach there.Confidence for me welcome :)
Written June 17, 2017
PuspanjaliS23
Hyderabad, India
Hi,
I have enrolled for indroductory couse in Tushita. I have never been to Dharamshala so dont know much about food and lodging. I will be reaching Meclodganj in the morning hours (6 -7 AM) . Are there facility in Tushita for freshening up before class at 1 PM? Will they allow to use facility before registration?
I sent an email to Tushita but did not hear anything. Please share any information regarding this?
TIA! :)
Written March 24, 2016
Satbir B
New Delhi, India
Hi if u have been there plz let me also know I also have the same questions
Written May 21, 2017
Please provide me the information of courses offered ,time duration and charges .
Written December 2, 2015
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