Retreat with Venerable Robina
Next session: April 24-29, 2026
Presentation of the retreat
We are delighted that Venerable Robina has accepted our invitation to participate in a combined retreat on Lam Rim (the stages of the path to enlightenment) and Chenrezig (the Buddha of Compassion).
Venerable Robina is renowned for her unique style and down-to-earth approach to spiritual growth and putting what one learns into practice. A retreat with Venerable Robina has been a transformative experience for many people in the past.
Venerable Robina will share her wisdom through inspiring teachings on the stages of the path to enlightenment (Lam Rim) and guided meditations.
The teacher
Venerable Robina Courtin was raised Catholic, and during her youth, considered becoming a Carmelite nun. In the 1960s, she trained as a classical singer in London, where she lived. In the early 1970s, she became a feminist activist and worked on prisoners’ rights. In 1972, she returned to Melbourne. In 1974, she started to study martial arts, went to New York and returned to Melbourne.
In 1976, she attended Buddhist teachings given by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa in Queensland. In November 1977, Robina Courtin traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal, to study at Kopan Monastery, where she was ordained as a Buddhist nun. She became director of the Buddhist publishing house Wisdom Publications until 1987, then editor-in-chief of the magazine “The Mandala” until 2000. She left “The Mandala” to teach and develop the “Liberation Prison Project.”
For over 10 years, she has come to the Institute annually to give teachings.
Conditions
Program:
Friday, April 24 evening:
- 8 PM: explanation of karma yoga
- 8:30 PM: introductory teaching by Ven. Robina
Saturday 25, Sunday 26, Monday 27, Tuesday 28 until Wednesday 29 at lunchtime:
- 7 AM – 8 AM: meditation in French
- 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM: teachings and meditations (with a 20-minute break) with Venerable Robina
- 3 PM – 4 PM: small group discussions
- 4 PM – 6:30 PM: teachings and meditations (with a 20-minute break) with Venerable Robina
- 8 PM – 9:30 PM: teachings and meditations with Venerable Robina
This retreat is available on-site or via Zoom on a donation basis (suggested donation of €15/day)
The location
The retreat will be hosted by Institut Vajra Yogini, a Buddhist center located in a magnificent 19th century chateau in the French country-side near Toulouse.
