Dear members,
The long month of August has just come to an end and like every year, it proved to be a truly intense month, allowing those who wished to extend their practice through several consecutive retreats. As always, we thank our teachers for their guidance and teachings.
We joyfully look forward to the return of the Venerable Chandapalo to our center after last year’s hiatus.
We are pleased to inform you that the Italian Buddhist Union (UBI) has approved the projects submitted last March by the Pian dei Ciliegi Board. Specifically, the approval covered two projects.
The first concerns the renovation of the pavement in front of the reception area, including the installation of a small restroom for the office and a corresponding wastewater disposal system based on phytodepuration—similar to the existing one—which will also serve the building’s bathrooms and kitchens. Work is scheduled to begin in mid-December and be concluded at the end of March.
The second project involves the renovation of the Pian dei Ciliegi website which, even if it has been recently renewed, has already been showing significant issues. Work on the new website began in June, and it is expected to be finished by the end of October.
As members of the PdC Board, we are very grateful to the Buddhist Union for the grant awarded (covering 70% of the project costs and non-repayable).
Daily Dhamma
After the summer break, Ayya Virañani warmly invites us to meet on Zoom every weekday in September. A short daily gathering to reconnect with our practice, rededicate ourselves to the Dhamma, and start the day together. Whenever you can join, you are warmly welcome! No need to commit to every day – just join whenever it works for you.
Every weekday in September: 8:45–9:00 am CEST
Online via Zoom:
Meeting ID: 249 566 0996
Passcode: metta
Each morning we will have: A short group practice,a short Dhamma reflection and a suggestion for the practice of the day
Just fifteen minutes together – a moment to pause, practise and reconnect before the day begins.
The meeting will be in English only.
September dates:
1 – 4, 7 – 11, 14 – 18, 21 – 25, 28 – 30
All donations will go to the Pian dei Ciliegi retreat fund, that helps yogis who need it to cover their retreat fee.
Bank name: Banca Cariparma Credit Agricole
Address: Via Vittorio Veneto 8829028 Ponte dell’Olio (PC) – Italia
IBAN CODE: IT47F0623065420000030714189
For international transfers: SWIFT CODE: CRPPIT2P027 (please note: the ninth digit is a zero)
Please write “RETREAT FUND” in your payment reference.
Next retreats
–> ONLINE
We’d like to highlight an important opportunity for online practice in September: from the 8th to the 15th, there will be an online retreat led by Ariya Baumann. The theme of the retreat will be “The Path to Inner Freedom.” In this vipassan? meditation retreat, we will explore questions about how we can become free. What hinders the development of inner freedom? What fosters and strengthens the development of inner freedom?
The retreat will feature daily online sessions with instructions, Q&A, Dhamma talks, and group meetings. In addition, there will be a Metta meditation session, including some Metta chants.
You can register at the following link: https://www.piandeiciliegi.it/en/pdc_retreats/ariya-baumann-online/.
–> IN-PERSON
There are still spots available for the in-person:
- Vipassana retreat led by Gautam Verma from 21 October 2026 – 29 October 2026 and
- Metta retreat led by Ariya Baumann from September 25 to October 4.
Don’t miss these important practice opportunities. The retreats are suitable for both beginners and more experienced meditators, and will be conducted in English with Italian translation.
Information on in-person retreats can be found at this link: https://www.piandeiciliegi.it/en/in-person-retreats/.
If you have any questions or concerns, please note that the office can be reached not only at info@piandeiciliegi.it, but also by phone at +39 0523 878948 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. At other times, please schedule an appointment.
Fundraiser: Help Us Purchase the Pian dei Ciliegi Building
As many of you know, we have decided to purchase the center’s main building, the one that houses the meditation hall, the dining room, and the bedrooms.
So far, we have been able to carry out all our activities thanks to the generosity of those who have hosted us at the facility, but we are now facing a decisive step for the future of the Center.
Purchasing the main building will allow us to achieve greater stability and continuity for our projects.
For this reason, we have launched a fundraising campaign, and we ask those who are able to support us in this important step.
- Here is the link to donate: https://4fund.com/it/pgg4wx.
Two online meditation sessions:
- Online meeting with Ayya Viranani on Saturday, September 5, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. The sessions will include a guided meditation and a short Dhamma talk. The meetings will be in English with Italian translation. In order to partecipate please send an email to piandeiciliegi.ritiri@gmail.com;
- Ariya Baumann will lead the second of three online sessions scheduled for September 22 from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (the first took place on June 2). The evening will begin with a Dhamma talk lasting about 30 minutes, followed by silent meditation. Afterward, there will be time for questions and/or discussion. Translation into Italian. Register on the website: https://www.piandeiciliegi.it/en/online-events/.
With Metta
The Pian dei Ciliegi staff