The Site
The Buddhist Centre Karma Berchen Ling, ideal for retreats and meditation, is situated in a region called “Black Mountain” near the small town of Jelini in the beautiful Corinthian highlands of Peloponnesus. The centre – often referred to as KBL – is located at an altitude of 1,270 metres on an enchanting site overlooking the Corinthian Gulf.
Important Information
Children
Children are most welcome in Karma Berchen Ling. During the course in this summer however, we will have very special conditions and will therefore not be able to offer organised child care.
Location & Equipment
As KBL is located at an altitude of around 1,270 meters, the nights can be rather chilly even in the usually very hot Greek summer and outright cold in September. The area is known by the locals as the place of the five winds, and we have experienced a few really heavy storms here. The location is very remote, and there is no large road, no shop nor supermarket anywhere near. This requires the organisation of special preparations and equipment beforehand.
Please make sure to bring:
- a strong and waterproof tent capable of surviving at least medium-strength storms
- a warm sleeping bag (one you would use in spring/autumn in Central Europe)
- warm clothes for the evenings
- a wind and water-resistant jacket
- a flashlight
- solid shoes
- sun protection: a hat and strong sunblock
- enough cash for your entire stay
If you take medication on a regular basis, please make sure that you bring enough for the entire time you plan to spend in Greece.
Infrastructure
The infrastructure of the centre does not have the capacity to offer Central European standards for our guests. Water is a rare resource at Karma Berchen Ling. Therefore, be prepared and bring enough clothes (especially t-shirts) to avoid unnecessary washing. The sanitary as well as the electricity situation are best described as primitive camping conditions. Therefore, please DO NOT bring:
- electric kettles, water-boilers
- hair dryers
- or any other device that needs extra energy
It is normally possible to recharge mobile phones at KBL. During the large 2010 summer course however, this will not be possible: please see the FAQs for details.