A ten-day gathering of 1,200 Buddhists to study a 14th century Tibetan text will begin in Wānaka on Saturday (November 4).

Bhutanese Buddhist Master Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche will be teaching on the text written by eminent Buddhist philosopher Longchen Rabjam, and Buddhists from all over the world have travelled here to participate.

“I have chosen to do this in New Zealand not only because it is remote, but because it is such a pristine, beautiful, and friendly place,” Dzongsar said.

Participants of the event, which is hosted by Siddhartha’s Intent New Zealand, are also supporting locals and the environment while they are here.

Ahead of the event they have already gifted over $8,000 to Love Wānaka (which provides grants to organisations working to improve Queenstown Lakes’ environment) and will also give their time to support the restoration of the Bullock Creek wetlands area with a tree planting session.

“It’s been an incredible response and alignment of values,” Love Wānaka community fund coordinator Ash Bickley said.

“Siddhartha’s Intent has gone above and beyond to connect with and give back to the Wānaka region.”

“This is what the future of travel can look like, with visitors playing an active role in the protection and regeneration of destinations.”

Siddhartha Intent New Zealand director Kim Saxton is among a core team of New Zealanders organising the event, and she said they were excited to share the “paradise” of the environment with visitors from afar.

Kim Saxon said the gathering is a “rare and special occasion”.

“This is a rare and special occasion for this important text to be transmitted by such a renowned teacher as Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche,” Kim said. 

“We really feel that the beauty of the natural landscape along with Wānaka’s welcoming and friendly community will make this an event for everyone to remember.”

There are also limited, free day passes available for the event for anything who would like to drop in and see what is taking place, Kim said, plus there will be a free community BBQ at the Dinosaur Park next Wednesday (November 8).

The ten-day Siddhartha’s Intent Buddhist gathering will run from Saturday (November 4) until November 13 at the Wānaka Recreation Centre.

Find more information about the event here.

PHOTO: Wānaka App