Peace and Harmony Retreat

A weekend of meditation, reflection and inner peace

Book the Retreat

At-a-Glance

06 - 08 Nov 2026

8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Vairochana Zentrum für Kadampa Buddhismus

Gen Kelsang Lachpa

All Levels

German

About the Retreat

Key details about this specific retreat include:

The Focus: The weekend is explicitly designed for individuals looking to completely disconnect from the busyness of everyday life. Participants learn foundational Kadampa Buddhist meditation techniques while observing continuous silence during specific segments of the day to cultivate deep inner clarity.
The Structure: The event includes guided breathing and relaxation meditations alongside practical lectures on Buddhist psychology. These sessions are personally structured and guided by the resident monk, Gen Kelsang Lachpa.
Accommodations: Because the center functions as a residential community, retreat bookings generally include full lodging on-site in private guest rooms. All participants are provided with three vegetarian meals a day.

Retreat Theme: Meditation for inner peace and better world

What you will learn

On these evenings, the Buddhist monk Gen Kelsang invites Lachpa to a simple and at the same time profound introduction to meditation and Buddhism.
You will learn about different meditation techniques and receive inspiring impulses from the Buddhist teaching – based on the timeless advice of the meditation master Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.
The evenings offer a valuable opportunity to find inner peace, to clarify the spirit and to gain new perspectives for everyday life.

What to expect

Expect a highly structured daily routine with early mornings, multiple sitting and walking meditation sessions, and wholesome, simple meals.

Most retreats enforce a digital detox to eliminate outside distractions, and many require partial or total silence.
While it brings deep mental clarity, you should also expect physical discomfort from sitting and a wave of restless thoughts as your mind begins to slow down.

Meet Your Teacher

Gen Kelsang Lachpa

Gen Kelsang Lachpa is recognized for his practical, warm-hearted, and joyful approach to sharing ancient wisdom. His teaching format focuses heavily on bridging traditional Buddhist concepts with modern, everyday life. At the Vairochana Zentrum, his duties include:Leading weekly evening meditation classes and introductory courses.Hosting half-day workshops, weekend courses, and deep-dive silent retreats.Delivering public talks, podcasts on mindfulness, and guiding school class visits.

18:00 – Arrival and welcome
19:30 – Dinner
20:30 – Introduction and guided meditation

09:00 – Meditation Session 1
11:00 – Meditation Session 2
16:30 – Guided meditation
19:30 – Meditation Session 3

09:00 – Meditation Session 4
10:30 – Meditation Session 5
12:30 – Lunch
14:00 – Departure

Accommodation & Prices

Single Room

Main House, shared bathroom

CHF 390

A room with two beds and a rug on the floor

Twin Room

Main House, shared bathroom

CHF 350

Dormitory

Shared room

CHF 290

Practical Information

What to bring:

Loose, breathable pants: Bring yoga pants, sweatpants, or loose linen trousers. Avoid tight jeans or belts that restrict deep breathing.
Layering tops: T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, and cardigans. Your body temperature can drop significantly during long periods of sitting meditation.
Warm sweater or fleece: A cozy hoodie or knit sweater for early mornings or evening reflections.
Plenty of socks: Warm, thick socks (like wool or thermal socks) are essential, as many retreat centers ask you to remove shoes indoors.
Slip-on shoes: Slippers for indoors and slip-on shoes (like Birkenstocks or Crocs) for easily stepping outside without struggling with laces.

Registration infomation

Registration Requirement: Strict pre-registration required.
Booking Rules: You must check the Online Calendar first to see if guest rooms are available, as they do not accept bookings during specific annual center closures (such as their winter break).
Cost: Rates start at CHF 85.- per day (24 hours), which includes a private single room and 3 vegetarian meals.

Travel Information

The Vairochana Zentrum is located at Amriswilerstrasse 96, 8589 Sitterdorf bei Bischofszell in the canton of Thurgau.

By Public Transport

Public transit is highly accessible, and the center is only a short walk from the nearest stations:

By Train: Take the regional train to the Sitterdorf train station. From there, it is a flat, easy 10-minute walk (approximately 800 meters) straight to the center.
By Bus: You can take Bus 751 or Bus 756 and get off at the Sitterdorf, Amriswilerstrasse or Sitterdorf, Bahnhof stops, which drop you off very close to the property.
By Car

If you are driving from the Zürich area, the trip takes roughly 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes depending on traffic:
- Take the A1 highway heading east toward St. Gallen.
- Take Exit 78 (Uzwil-Oberbüren).
- Follow the regional roads through Niederbüren and Bischofszell toward Sitterdorf/Amriswil.
- Parking: The center has on-site parking spaces available for visitors attending classes or staying for retreats.

TEST notice

Finding peace through a wellness retreat can take many different forms, from deep meditative silence in historic monasteries to immersive yoga and mindfulness in nature.

Here is a curated list of top peace and silence-focused retreats available in Switzerland and across Europe, categorized by their distinct approach to inner stillness.