About Chanteloube
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The Centre d’Études de Chanteloube, ACEC, is the department of Songtsen dedicated to the practice and study of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in February 1980, it continues to provide facilities for students to discover the authentic living transmission of the Tibetan Buddhist teachings. Chanteloube is located in Dordogne, France, in the heart of the Aquitaine region (see Songtsen: location or how to get there).
Chanteloube helps to provide resources for practise and study where individuals can undertake courses in Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy, and where they can receive guidance in meditation practise. Programmes offered at Chanteloube have included teachers from numerous Tibetan schools. (See visits from eminent teachers for more information).
A small group of staff and volunteers manages the center's activities. The administrative members organize Songtsen’s programmes throughout the year, coordinate visits of teachers, and oversee the operation of the three-year retreats, including administrative duties, orientation, provision of supplies, and the general maintenance of the retreat facilities. The group also helps to keep Songtsen members in touch, welcome visitors, take care of relations with the local community and maintain links with Tibetan groups in India and Nepal.
The center’s main activities include:
- Bringing knowledge of the living tradition of Tibetan Buddhism to a Western public.
- Organization of visits to Europe and North America of eminent Tibetans with outstanding abilities in their discipline (philosophy, art, literature, medicine, etc).
- Organization of lectures, conferences, seminars, and short or long study courses catering to the different needs of a variety of audiences.
- A retreat facility for more in-depth study of Buddhist teachings and an environment for meditation and contemplation, including a traditional three-year monastic retreat.
- Providing study resources, methods and infrastructure.
- Comprehensive or supplementary financial support for those enrolling in prolonged full-time study courses.
Helpful links: More about Chanteloube