{"product_id":"gfrteob-26","title":"Going for Refuge: The Essence of Buddhism Retreat | Fri 18 - Sun 20 Sep 2026","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThroughout our life, we find ourselves turning to things we hope will bring relief from pain and difficulty. Yet these sources of comfort rarely offer lasting protection. Even when problems are temporarily resolved, deeper uncertainty remains. In Buddhism, the very essence of the path is going for refuge. It is the gateway through which we enter, make progress on, and complete the path to liberation. Rather than relying on external conditions, refuge directs us toward a reliable inner protection that leads to lasting freedom from suffering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOn this retreat, we will explore the meaning and practice of refuge, and learn how to turn our minds toward a stable and trustworthy source of protection. Through teachings, contemplation, and guided meditations, we will deepen our connection to this inner refuge, discovering a growing sense of clarity, strength, and genuine security within our own hearts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTeacher.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"height: 434.969px;\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 434.969px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 434.969px;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: start;\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cimg style=\"margin-bottom: 16px; float: none;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/9654\/9287\/files\/Fed_Sq_480x480.jpg?v=1684459343\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe teacher of this event is \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eGen Kelsang Rabten\u003cspan\u003e. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eGen Kelsang Rabten is the Resident Teacher of KMC Australia and KMC Melbourne. Ordained in 1994, he has studied under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for over 30 years. Gen Rabten embodies the modern Kadampa way of life and shares Buddha’s teachings with warmth and joy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cimg style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/9654\/9287\/files\/Meal_Med_480x480.jpg?v=1696205732\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvent Information.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAddress:\u003c\/strong\u003e KMC Australia |\u003cspan\u003e 25 McCarthy Road, Monbulk\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeals:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lunch and dinner are included in the retreat booking. If you have booked accommodation, breakfast will also be included.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll meals served are vegan with some non-vegan options such as yoghurt available on the side.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe cannot guarantee allergen free meals and it is not possible for us to cater to individual dietary requirements. Our meals mainly use ingredients which are wheat free or gluten free, however there are times that the meal will contain traces of wheat or gluten, or the side dish is, for example, bread.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccommodation:\u003c\/strong\u003e If you book accommodation, please note the following is included:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSingle Ensuite, Single, Twin \/ Double Room and \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ePre-Erected Tent : all linen and towel provided.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDorm Rooms: A sheet and pillow with pillow slip is provided. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag and towel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCamping: you will need to bring everything.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShuttle\u003c\/strong\u003e: Belgrave station shuttle available If you need a pick-up or drop-off service, $15 per person per trip. To book please \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/meditateinmelbourne.myshopify.com\/pages\/contact-us\u0026amp;source=gmail\u0026amp;ust=1680314740460000\u0026amp;usg=AOvVaw15T8MyJayFzIYXBt083sZ2\" href=\"https:\/\/meditateinmelbourne.myshopify.com\/pages\/contact-us\" target=\"_blank\"\u003econtact us here.\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBookings close:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24 hours prior to the event starting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo join the waiting list for accommodation if sold out, please \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/meditateinmelbourne.myshopify.com\/pages\/contact-us\" target=\"_blank\"\u003econtact us here.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRetreat Timetable.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cform id=\"gform_62\" enctype=\"multipart\/form-data\" method=\"post\" action=\"https:\/\/www.kadampa.live\/product\/ma-05022022\/\" class=\"cart\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gform_variation_wrapper gform_wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 551px; height: 352.688px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFriday 18 Sep\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eRegistration | 5.30pm\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eDinner | 6pm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eIntroduction | 7.30pm\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaturday 19 Sep\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003eSession One | 9 - 10.15am\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eSession Two | 11.30am - 12.45pm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eLunch | 1pm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eSession Three | 4.30 - 5.45pm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eDinner | 6pm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eWFJ w\/ Tsog \u003c\/span\u003e(optional) | 7.30 - 8.45pm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSunday 20 Sep\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003eSession Four | 9 - 10.15am\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003eSession \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eFive | 11.30am - 12.45pm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLunch | 12pm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 89.6771%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eSession Six | 2.30 - 3.45pm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/form\u003e","brand":"kmc australia","offers":[{"title":"In-person \/ Member","offer_id":50932610728103,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"In-person \/ Non-member","offer_id":50932610760871,"sku":null,"price":210.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"In-person \/ weeklyMember","offer_id":50932610793639,"sku":null,"price":210.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/9654\/9287\/files\/Refuge_1080p.jpg?v=1783075553","url":"https:\/\/www.meditateinmelbourne.org\/products\/gfrteob-26","provider":"kmc australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}