Join
Ven. Amy J. Miller
for a retreat in Bali and Pilgrimage to Borobudur, Indonesia
April 7 (Easter Tuesday) - April 16 2026
Discovering Buddhism:
Transforming the Mind, Opening the Heart Retreat and Pilgrimage to Borobudur
Discovering Buddhism: Transforming the Mind, Opening the Heart Retreat, led by Ven. Amy Miller, offers a warm, accessible, and deeply practical introduction to the essential elements of the Buddhist path. Drawing from the Discovering Buddhism curriculum, Ven. Amy guides participants in understanding how the mind works, how to shift unhelpful patterns, and how to cultivate genuine compassion and clarity in everyday life. Through teachings, guided meditations, and space for reflection, this retreat provides a supportive environment for both new and seasoned practitioners to deepen their practice, open the heart, and develop the inner resilience needed for lasting transformation.
Our Retreat
Retreat participants will arrive at the resort on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 7, with check-in available from 3:00–6:00pm. After settling in, we’ll share dinner together, followed by an opening introductory session with Ven. Amy.
During each full retreat day, Ven. Amy will offer several teachings and guide meditation sessions, creating a rich, supportive environment for deep practice.
Manuela will lead gentle movement and yoga sessions to help balance the body and mind.
We will conclude the Bali portion of the retreat on the morning of Sunday, April 12 with a final meditation and breakfast.
Participants joining the Borobudur Pilgrimage Package will then depart together for Bali airport on April 13 for their flight to the Yogyakarta .
BEAUTIFUL ROOMS
Our Retreat Paradise
Our retreat takes place at the beautiful Dasa Wana Jungle Resort.
Nestled amidst the lush foothills of Candidasa, DW Jungle Resort invites you to experience a touch of Balinese paradise. Immerse yourself in the vibrant ecosystem of their 5,000 square metres of botanical gardens, teeming with butterflies, birdsong, and playful monkeys.
Just ust a 5-minute walk to the beach, DW Jungle Resort offers a haven of tranquillity. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the outdoor pool or indulge in a wonderful Balinese massage. Explore the lush gardens, or simply relax on your own private terrace.
Flights from major international cities regularly fly in and out of the Ngurah Rai Airport.
AMAZING GROUNDS
JUNGLE DINING
WELLNESS ACTIVITIES
POOL
Meet the Teacher
Venerable Amy J. Miller (Ven. Lobsang Chodren) is a long-time Buddhist teacher and nun within the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). She first encountered Tibetan Buddhism in 1987 at Kopan Monastery in Nepal and has since dedicated her life to meditation practice, study, teaching, and the management of Dharma centers around the world.
Before ordaining, Amy worked in political fundraising in Washington, DC, and for Mother Jones magazine in San Francisco. She also trained as an emotional-support hospice counselor during the height of the AIDS epidemic—experience that deeply informs her retreats and courses on death, dying, and end-of-life care.
Ven. Amy was co-founder of Tse Chen Ling Center and has served as Director at Vajrapani Institute, and Milarepa Center, and has supported numerous FPMT projects, including the Lawudo Retreat Fund. She has led pilgrimages to Tibet, India, Nepal, and Bhutan, with future journeys planned.
Ordained in 2000, Ven. Amy is known for her practical, down-to-earth approach to integrating Buddhist wisdom into everyday life. Her teachings focus on meditation, mindfulness, overcoming anxiety and depression, transforming addictive patterns, cultivating compassion, and preparing for death with clarity and peace.
She teaches and leads retreats internationally, dividing her time between the Philadelphia area and Europe.
Ven. Amy is the co-author of Buddhism in a Nutshell - and a contributor to Living in the Path, a series of online courses produced by FPMT.
Ven. Amy's teaching schedule and other information can be found at www.AmyMiller.com.
What You Get
ACCOMMODATION
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Choose your preferred room with everything you need for a comfortable retreat experience.
OFFERING
(optional)
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Opportunity to make an offering
to teacher at the end of retreat.
TEACHINGS
with VEN. AMY
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Full access to all our teachings and meditations with
Ven. Amy.
ROOMS
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starting from
AUD $866
per person
for the entire retreat
HEALTHY MEALS
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Delicious healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner (vegan & non-vegetarian options) will fuel and nourish you through your retreat.
MEDITATIONS & YOGA
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Full access to gentle movement/yoga sessions facilitated by Manuela
Our Retreat Team
The Sharing the Dharma team includes a group of Dharma practitioners, who are united by a shared commitment to Buddhist practice, Dharma study, and creating opportunities for others to connect with authentic teachings.
Drawing on many years of experience within Buddhist communities, the team has participated in and supported a wide range of teachings, retreats, study programs, and Dharma events across different traditions and lineages. Their collective aspiration is to make authentic Dharma teachings accessible in a way that is practical, welcoming, and beneficial for people from all backgrounds.
Inspired by the teachings of great masters such as Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Venerable Robina Courtin, and by the Buddhist principle of generosity, the team sees supporting and hosting Dharma Gatherings as a meaningful way to create the causes for wisdom, compassion, and inner transformation to flourish in the world.
In 2025, Sharing the Dharma hosted its first Dharma Gathering with Venerable Robina Courtin in Bali. The success of this event affirmed the team's vision of creating spaces where people can come together to learn, reflect, meditate, and deepen their connection with the Dharma.
Today, Sharing the Dharma Gatherings continues with the aspiration to bring authentic Buddhist teachings and experienced teachers to a wider audience, while fostering a supportive and inspiring environment for spiritual growth, friendship, and community.
What’s Included:
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5 nights in your choice of lux accommodation at Dasa Wana Jungle Resort Candidasa, on Bali’s tranquil east coast.
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Accomodation and meals for Pilgrimage to Borobudur.
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Ground transportation between hotel and holy site on Pilgrimage (per package)
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Welcome drink upon arrival (non-alcoholic).
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Healthy and delicious breakfast, lunch and dinners each day, including tea & coffee.
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Teachings and meditations with Ven. Amy and gentle movement/yoga with Manuela, certified yoga teacher.
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Use of pool and other hotel facilities.
What’s Not Included:
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Your flights to and from Indonesia (I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport- Bali) and transport to and from resort at beginning of 5 day portion of retreat in Bali.
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Indonesia visa - You can apply online or pay on arrival (approximately AUD $50) at the airport. For more information about travel documents, see Frequently Asked Questions below.
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Any accommodation outside of the five nights in Bali.
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Any accommodation outside of the two nights on Borobudur leg of retreat.
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Personal, medical or trip cancellation insurance.
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Alcoholic beverages
Why Borobudur Pilgrimage?
FPMT centres often encourage visits to Borobudur, recognizing its immense spiritual power and historical importance as a Mahayana monument.
In essence, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and FPMT view Borobudur as a sacred place embodying the core principles of Mahayana Buddhism, making it a place of deep reverence and inspiration for practitioners worldwide.
Borobudur Temple
The Borobudur Temple Compounds is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world, and was built in the 8th and 9th centuries AD during the reign of the Syailendra Dynasty. The monument is located in the Kedu Valley, in the southern part of Central Java, at the centre of the island of Java, Indonesia.
Go on Pilgrimage with us
Combine/Add On Pilgrimage with Bali Retreat
What is included in the price for travellers combining pilgrimage and the retreat in Bali.
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Hotel accommodation,
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3 meals per day
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Water,
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Entry to temples,
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All transfers including transfers from hotel to pilgrimage sites and entry costs to pilgrimage sites/tours.
Join ONLY Pilgrimage at Borobudur
What is included in the price for travellers joining ONLY pilgrimage portion of retreat.
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Hotel accommodation,
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3 meals per day
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Water,
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Entry to temples,
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Transfers from hotel to pilgrimage sites and entry costs to pilgrimage sites/tours.
Who receives the funds?
Please note that the fee you pay for this retreat covers your accommodation including food, teacher's accommodation and travel expenses, donation to teacher and event space usage at the resort and our administrative expenses.
Our motivation is to provide a rare opportunity to deep dive into Buddha's teachings with Ven. Amy Miller in person, in an ideal location. In the Buddhist tradition, she happily offers her teachings, and we too are honored to offer our services to facilitate this retreat.
Also in keeping with tradition, at the end of the retreat, there will be an opportunity for each participant to make a personal offering to Ven. Amy.
It is traditional to determine for ourselves the amount that is right for us to give. Dana, in Sanskrit, which signifies the virtue of generosity, asks us to consider, “What value do these teachings have in my life?” Even though it can be a little uncomfortable to make this decision on our own – we are used to goods and services having set fees – this is an important opportunity to reflect on how the retreat has impacted or benefited you and to practice generosity.
We look forward to seeing and connecting with you in Bali.
With Love,
Sharing The Dharma Team
Reserve Your Villa Now
We offer two types of accommodation: single and double.
Please click room link below to register as soon as possible to secure your spot and room preference.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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