HISTORY

In 1996, the search began for a place in south-western Poland that would be suitable for practicing Buddhist teachings away from the hustle of the city, amid the beautiful landscapes of the Sudeten mountains. Eventually, land was purchased in the village of Nagodzice, in the municipality of Międzylesie.

A year after purchasing the land, in 1997, Lama Ole Nydahl and his wife Hannah visited us for the first time. Standing on the hilltop overlooking beautiful meadows surrounded by forests, Lama expressed a wish to include this area in the newly forming center. After six years of negotiations, Nagodzice reached its final area of 52 hectares.

From 2004 we began organizing summer meditation courses, where Buddhists from around the world gathered to meditate in the still rugged conditions on the Nagodzice land. During this time the vision for the center's construction also took shape.

In 2005 Lama Ole visited Nagodzice for the second time. Five years later, in 2010, we managed to build the access road and pour the foundations for both buildings. In 2011 the gompa building was erected — Lama Ole's next visit was an enormously inspiring event for us all.

In 2012 we began construction of the main residential building, and in 2013 work continued both inside and outside: electrical and plumbing installations, plaster, floors, windows, insulation. In November 2013, despite ongoing finishing work, the residents were able to move into the main building.

In October 2014 Lama Ole visited again and designated the location for the retreat cottages and a stupa. In accordance with his wishes, construction of 4 retreat cottages began in 2015 — they were handed over for use in 2018.