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  • Contact Us
  • Make a Donation
3-Day Mountain Retreat

with Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche

July 24-26
Sanborn County Park, Saratoga, California
Santa Cruz Mountains


Organized by Vajra Lotus Foundation
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Register Now

Retreat Overview

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life

Step away from the busyness of daily life and enter a quiet mountain setting for three days of meditation, Dharma teachings, and community practice.

Guided by Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche, this retreat offers an opportunity to reconnect with inner clarity, mindfulness, and compassion in the peaceful forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

This retreat is open to both beginners and experienced practitioners.

What You Will Experience

Meditation Practice

Meditation Practice

Meditation Practice

Learn and deepen practical meditation in a supportive environment.

Dharma Teachings

Meditation Practice

Meditation Practice

Receive teachings that connect ancient Buddhist wisdom with modern life.

Nature & Reflection

Meditation Practice

Nature & Reflection

Practice in a peaceful mountain setting surrounded by forest and silence.

Community

Meditation Practice

Nature & Reflection

Share the retreat experience with fellow practitioners in a warm and respectful atmosphere.

About LAMA SONAM TASHI RINPOCHE

Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche is the head of Ngagyur Dundul Raptenling Monastery in Odisha, India, founded by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche in 1963.


 A devoted teacher and ritual master in the Dudjom Tersar tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, he has dedicated his life to preserving this sacred lineage and maintaining its profound spiritual practices.


Through his teachings and guidance, Lama Sonam helps practitioners connect with authentic Dharma teachings and integrate them into daily life. Alongside his teaching activities, he also cares deeply for the monastic community, supporting the education and well-being of the young monks under his guidance.

Learn more about Lama sonam

Retreat Schedule

07/24/2026

Arrival & Opening Session

3pm

-

6pm

Event Details

07/24/2026

Arrival & Opening Session

Arrival and check-in at the retreat location. Participants will settle into the campsite and gather together to begin the retreat.


The openin...

Event Details

3pm

-

6pm

07/24/2026

Evening Practice & Teaching

7pm

-

10pm

Event Details

07/24/2026

Evening Practice & Teaching

Evening group practice in a calm and reflective environment.


Activities include:

• Walking meditation
• Laughing meditation
• Teaching: Death ...

Event Details

7pm

-

10pm

07/25/2026

Morning Practice

6am

-

9:30am

Event Details

07/25/2026

Morning Practice

Morning meditation session focusing on breath awareness and contemplative practice.


Activities include:

• Breathing meditation
• Contemplation...

Event Details

6am

-

9:30am

07/25/2026

Morning Teaching

9:30am

-

12pm

Event Details

07/25/2026

Morning Teaching

Dharma teaching and discussion session.


Teaching topic: The Defects of Samsara (འཁོར་བའི་ཉེས་དམིགས།)


Participants will reflect on the nature o...

Event Details

9:30am

-

12pm

07/25/2026

Afternoon Teaching

2pm

-

4pm

Event Details

07/25/2026

Afternoon Teaching

Teaching and meditation session on: Karma: Cause and Effect (ལས་རྒྱུ་འབྲས།)


This session explores how actions influence our experiences and h...

Event Details

2pm

-

4pm

More Events

Sanborn County Park

Nestled in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains,  Sanborn County Park offers a peaceful natural environment surrounded by towering redwood trees, forest trails, and fresh mountain air. 


Located just above Saratoga in the San Francisco Bay Area, the park provides a quiet and secluded setting away from the distractions of daily life.


The retreat will take place in the park’s campsite area, allowing participants to experience the simplicity of nature while engaging in meditation, Dharma teachings, and reflection. The tranquil forest setting creates an ideal atmosphere for mindfulness, inner clarity, and connection with the natural world.

Retreat Contribution

Early Bird - $120

Early Bird - $120

Early Bird - $120

A discounted contribution available for the first 15 early registrants. 

Limited spaces available.

Select

Regular - $160

Early Bird - $120

Early Bird - $120

Standard retreat contribution that helps cover meals, campsite rental, logistics, and other event-related expenses

Select

Supporter - $250

Early Bird - $120

Supporter - $250

For those who wish to contribute more in support of the retreat and the activities of Vajra Lotus Foundation.

Select

Register for the Retreat

To reserve your place in the 3-Day Mountain Retreat with Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche, please complete the registration form.

Spots are limited to 30 participants. 

Your registration will be confirmed once both the registration form and payment are completed.

Register for the Retreat

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at admin@vajralotusfoundation.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.

No. This retreat is open to both beginners and experienced practitioners. Basic guidance will be provided, and participants are welcome to practice at their own pace.

The retreat will be held at Sanborn County Park in Saratoga, California, located in the peaceful Santa Cruz Mountains. The forest setting provides a quiet environment ideal for meditation, reflection, and retreat practice.

Yes. This is a campsite retreat, and participants will stay overnight at the park campsite. Please bring your own tent, sleeping bag, and personal camping gear.

Yes. Simple vegetarian meals will be provided during the retreat.

Participants should bring:

• Tent and sleeping bag
• Comfortable clothing for meditation and outdoor weather
• Personal toiletries
• Water bottle
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Optional: meditation cushion or mat

A detailed preparation email will be sent to participants closer to the retreat date.

Your spot is confirmed once both the registration form and payment have been completed.

If you need to cancel your registration, please contact us as early as possible. Refund requests will be considered based on the timing of cancellation and retreat expenses already incurred.

This retreat is designed as a full three-day experience. Participants are encouraged to attend the entire retreat if possible.

This retreat is organized by Vajra Lotus Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Dharma education and monastic communities.

If you have any questions, please contact us at:

admin@vajralotusfoundation.org or 1(302) 687-7166

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Vajra Lotus Foundation | 501(c)(3) nonprofit

Mailing Address: 8 The Green, Ste A, Dover, DE 19901

US: +1 302-687-7166 / India: +91 99378 29693

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