A Week of Dharma Practice and Fun for Children
This year, the second week of the Dechen summer course at Sakya Changlochen Ling offered a wonderful opportunity for some of our young practitioners (and their grownups) to study and deepen their connection with the Three Jewels while having lots of fun! Here’s a look at how the week unfolded for the Dechen youngsters.
Day 1: Setting the Scene
The retreat began with a beautifully arranged shrine room for our first session of group practice, which immediately set a serene and welcoming tone for families. Paul guided us through the practice, starting with a reminder of the mind training teachings, emphasising the importance of being kind to others, just like Chenrezik, the embodiment of compassion.
Together, children and parents recited the Chenrezik sadhana in English, accompanied by instructions on visualisation to help us connect deeply with the practice.
Following the sadhana, the children listened to a wonderfully read Jataka tale, the story of the Buddha’s previous life as the Monkey King, who used his body as a bridge to guide his tribe to safety. These stories, read by the children throughout the week, brought to life the values of wisdom, kindness, and humility, and were a treat for both grownups and kids alike. The afternoon was spent playing football, foosball, and ping pong, with time to explore the grounds, including the nearby lake. We even found an auspicious four-leaf clover!
Day 2: A Day of Simplicity and Spontaneity
Without a formal shrine on the second day, we created a makeshift space for practice. The sadhana was again conducted in English, with the children becoming more familiar with the structure. This was followed by another child-led story time and playtime in the garden.
After a picnic and fun in the garden, some families went on a walk along the Vezere River and stumbled upon a waterfall—an unexpectedly magical experience, topped off with ice cream.
Day 3: Honouring the Tibetan Tradition
By popular request, the sadhana on the third day was partially conducted in Tibetan, connecting the children with the traditional aspects of the practice. We learned that while it’s valuable to practice in English at home to connect with the meaning, using Tibetan at our centres helps maintain the traditional rhythm and melody of the practice.
Our hosts provided plenty of treats, and the children enjoyed a splash in the pool.
In the afternoon, the group returned to the waterfall, the children spending more time basking in the natural beauty that had captivated them the day before.
Day 4: A Well-Deserved Waterpark Trip
On the fourth day, the older children enjoyed the customary trip to the waterpark, while the younger children and those whose parents preferred quieter activities spent the day relaxing.
Day 5: Deepening Compassion and Letting Go
The final session returned to the theme of compassion, with a focus on generating bodhichitta—the wish to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
As with each session, the meditation concluded with a period of resting in emptiness, allowing participants to let go of any thoughts or emotions that arose, simply observing as they naturally dissolved—i.e. sitting as still as you can for a few minutes! The children did a great job of sitting quietly, experiencing the spaciousness of mind.
The session ended with not one, not two, but three Jataka tales—all beautifully read by the children! Afterward, we dedicated the merit and then made our way once more to the pool.
To view more images of this magical week, take a look at the gallery here.
A Week of Connection and Growth
While not involved in the official Changlochen teachings, we had the opportunity to meet join the evening Chenrezik pujas at Changlochen, and we felt very much a part of the wider retreat. The week provided an opportunity for families to connect deeply with Buddhist teachings in a way that was accessible and meaningful for all ages. The children, from the youngest at 8 weeks old to the oldest at 10 years, experienced the Dharma not as something abstract, but as a living, breathing (and fun!) part of their lives—an important teaching for children and their grownups alike.
Through shared practices, storytelling, play, and time spent in nature, the retreat nurtured seeds that will likely continue to grow as we carry these experiences into our daily lives.
The week taught us that sometimes the best moments are unplanned, allowing the beauty and spontaneity of life to flow naturally. We look forward to creating many more memories in the years to come.