Buddhist Meditation Centre – Vipassana Tradition of Burma
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Most of Dhamma Group’s activities take place at the Dhammaramsi centre in Rivière, a small town halfway between Namur and Dinant. Situated in the Meuse valley, the site is exceptional: an island of about 6,000 m2 between the Burnot and the old millstream that once fed the wheel of the forge (the Marteau des Béguines). The surrounding hills are covered with woods. Opposite: view of the site taken by a drone with the millstream on the right. |
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In the former owner’s house, a library is set up on the ground floor as well as a flat. On the first floor there are four meditation rooms and a spacious attic flat.
Opposite: The “Dhammagroup House” from the place where the wheel used to be. |
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The property is located outside the village. Meditators can therefore practice walking meditation in the vast garden without being disturbed on paths isolated by hedges, on the terrace in front of the Buddha or in the alleys of the vegetable garden. Opposite: Permaculture mounds from the organic vegetable garden at the back of the compound. |
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Three Buddha statues were donated to the centre by Burmese sayadaws: the venerable Rewata Dhamma, U Paññathami and U Ottaranyana.
Opposite: the Buddha statue sent from Malaysia by U Paññathami |
Opposite the “Dhammagroup House” are the former industrial buildings:
the “Chapel” (so called because of its large semicircular bay) which houses the new meditation hall, the “Workshop” which includes two dormitories as well as a multipurpose room, the “Beguinage” where the monk’s room, meditation rooms, the kitchen and the office are located. The inner courtyard is quiet and isolated from the noise of the road. To the right is the “Forge” which has been converted into a large refectory and five single rooms on the first floor. A turbine that produces green electricity has replaced the old wheel.
BY CAR FROM BRUSSELS : : Motorway E411 to Namur. Take exit 15 at Loyers and follow direction JAMBES , DINANT , NAMUR. Drive through Jambes and follow signs to LUSTIN, YVOIR, DINANT during 14 km (N 947). Watch out for the speed bumps at the quarry in Lustin. After Lustin, take the bridge to the right, towards Profondville. To the end of the bridge, turn left towards Dinant, and take the first road on the right, route de Floreffe, towards BOIS DE VILLERS, FLOREFFE , winding a woody valley. As soon as the road curves towards the left (400 m), slow down and stop at number 21 (a small white house on the left), drive through the gate, and there you are !
BY TRAIN FROM BRUSSELS : : Buy a ticket for Lustin village. There is a train from Brussels every hour. The journey by train takes about 1 ½ hours from Brussels Midi station and costs ± 9 euros one-way currently. A car will be waiting at Lustin station at 18.30h on Friday evenings. For train schedules, check http://www.sncb.be