Retreat with Bhante Gnanaloka

Five Days of Meditation and Sutta Study with a Wandering Monk

  • 25-30 June, 2026
  • 5 Nights
  • Santuario di Graglia
  • Free-will Donation

The Buddha himself was a wandering monk who dedicated much of his monastic life to moving from place to place, embracing an existence defined by simplicity, renunciation, and alms-seeking. This tradition endures today, embodied by eminent figures such as Venerable Gnanaloka, who spent countless years as a wandering mendicant in Sri Lanka and the Himalayas. Currently, Bhante Gnanaloka travels the world spreading the profound wisdom gained through the study and practice of the Buddha’s teachings. His next stop will be Italy, where he will lead a retreat focused on the practical application of Buddhist scriptures to meditation, alternating sutta study sessions with periods of meditative practice.

In collaboration with:

HOW TO SIGN-UP:

1) Read the Retreat's guidelines below 

2) Fill in the Google Form 

3) Wait for a Confirmation Email

Sign-up Here

Noble Silence

Noble Silence will be observed throughout the duration of the retreat, and participants are kindly asked to respect it. Noble Silence offers us the opportunity to step away from social engagement, unless absolutely necessary. It helps calm the mind, creating the time and space to look within and observe our thoughts, sensations, and emotions.
To support the practice, we recommend that participants do not use mobile phones, laptops, or other electronic devices throughout the duration of the retreat.

Eight Precepts

This is an Eight-Precept retreat. All participants are required to observe the following precepts for the entire duration of the retreat:

1. Abstaining from killing living beings
2. Abstaining from stealing
3. Abstaining from sexual activity
4. Abstaining from telling lies
5. Abstaining from intoxicants
6. Abstaining from eating after solar noon
7. Abstaining from singing, dancing, listening to music and from embellishing the body
8. Abstaining from sleeping on high and luxurious beds

WHO CAN ATTEND THE RETREAT

The in-person retreat (max 60 participants) is open to anyone with a basic foundation in meditation practice.

N. B. Highly motivated beginners may also apply; each request will be evaluated by the organizing team based on the information provided in the registration form.

Online participation is also available via Zoom. A link will be sent the day before the retreat.

HOW TO SIGN-UP (in person retreat)

  1. Fill in the form: https://forms.gle/3UJMMtwDFJpUbR1n6
  2. Print the form
  3. Sign the form
  4. Send it via email to info@progettopienessere.org together with a copy of your ID card 

Registration implies a commitment to attend. Cancellations must be communicated at least 45 days before the retreat begins to allow individuals on the waiting list to take your place.

Your registration is only confirmed once you receive an email from Pienessere. We kindly ask you to reply to our message to confirm receipt.

Attending a retreat led by Venerable Bhante Gnanaloka is a rare and precious opportunity. Please keep in mind that occupying a spot without the certainty of attending or without providing ample notice of cancellation will result in being barred from future retreats. This policy is in place because such actions deprive others of the opportunity to participate.

To sign-up on Zoom

Fill in this form: https://forms.gle/WjWuzzLwD71oHR3Z6

COST

This retreat is made possible by the partnership of Empty Cloud Italia and the non-profit association Progetto Pienessere APS (https://progettopienessere.org/) a non-profit organization whose mission is to spread the Dhamma.

There is no set fee to attend this retreat, ensuring it is open to all. We rely entirely on the voluntary donations of our participants to sustain the event.

ACCOMODATION

The retreat is offered with dormitory accommodation at the Sanctuary of Graglia hostel, on a voluntary donation basis.

ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION: PRIVATE ROOMS

For those who require them, private rooms are available for rent at the Sanctuary of Graglia.

The cost for accommodation is 30 euros per day in double or triple rooms, which can be paid upon arrival at the sanctuary (by card or cash) or via bank transfer. The cost for a single room, if available, is 40 euros per day. For more information, please email info@progettopienessere.org

The organization of this event is offered by Progetto PienEssere. If you feel gratitude for the Association's commitment to spreading the Dhamma, you may make a voluntary donation to:

Associazione Progetto PienEssere APS
IBAN IT98P0623010996000046591010
(from abroad: BIC CRPPIT2P323)

DONATIONS

Dormitory lodging and the teachings are freely offered by Empty Cloud Italia. For those who wish to make a voluntary donation, you may do so at www.emptycloud.it/dona or by wire at:

Associazione Empty Cloud Italia
IBAN: IT30X0306909606100000401291
Causale: donazione liberale

The organization of this event is offered by Progetto PienEssere. If you feel gratitude for the Association's commitment to spreading the Dhamma, you may make a voluntary donation to:

Associazione Progetto PienEssere APS
IBAN IT98P0623010996000046591010
(from abroad: BIC CRPPIT2P323)

INSEGNANTE:

Bhante Gnanaloka is a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk of the Forest Tradition, and a disciple of the renowned German monk Bhante Ñāṇavimala, known for having practiced for over 25 years the cārikā (the barefoot pilgrimage throughout Sri Lanka). Following years of strict asceticism and solitary meditation in the Himalayas, Bhante Gnanaloka has been teaching the Dhamma internationally since 2012, bringing his deep experience as a hermit into a practical, accessible path for everyday life.