Kechara Forest Retreat — 28700 Bentong, Malaysia

Tibetan Buddhist forest retreat on 35 acres in Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia

During the monsoon of 2012, on one of his daily inspection walks across the muddy land outside Bentong, one of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche's shoes sank and stuck. It was left where it lay. In the Tibetan tradition, an article of clothing left by a Lama is said to bless the place and create the causes for his return. The spot is now flanked by two major buildings, Wisdom Hall and Dukkar Apartments. Kechara Forest Retreat began as an idea in early 2012. The land was acquired in April of that year, after weeks of searching the Malaysian countryside. According to the retreat's own history, a postcard from Mongolia had arrived around the time Rinpoche began planning. It showed a monk meditating under a lone tree against mountains. The plot they found held the same view, with a lone mango tree before green hills. That tree is now called the Iconic Tree, and a stone Shakyamuni Buddha stands beside it. Earthworks began on 3 October 2012. Staff and city-dwelling volunteers lived in canvas tents and container cabins, with little electricity, water or phone reception. Rinpoche stayed in a basic cabin on the land and walked the site in yellow rubber boots. Phase 1 was finished in just under a year, and Phase 2 is in planning. The centre is part of Kechara, the Buddhist organisation Tsem Rinpoche established in 2000. It now has a Vajrayogini Stupa, a Holy Walk, an aviary, a fish pond and a Dorje Shugden grotto. Animal rescue and green-care work run alongside the teaching. Guests stay at Manjushri Guest House on its hill or in The Enchanted Forest. Dukkar Apartments, converted from shipping containers, house the members and volunteers who run the place. The calendar centres on three-day mantra retreats, weekend Inner Peace Retreats built on dawn, sitting and walking meditation, and a children's retreat for ages 7 to 17. Individuals seeking self-guided time and visiting groups running yoga, tai chi or similar practices can also book accommodation.

Traditions: Tibetan Buddhism, Guru Yoga, Mantra recitation, Manjushri practice, Sitting and walking meditation, Dorje Shugden practice

Programs: Inner Peace Retreat, Inner Peace Retreat PLUS: Discover Your Life Purpose, Tsongkhapa Retreat, Tsem Rinpoche Mantra Retreat, Manjushri Kids Retreat, Mandala Ritual Workshop, Practice Weekend: Prostration, Death & Dying: A Meditation Workshop