Institut Karma Ling, Buddhist temple in Arvillard, France.
Institut Karma Ling is a Buddhist center located at 800 meters elevation in the Bens Valley, set within a 55-hectare forest area called Avalon in the Belledonne mountain range. The site contains multiple buildings for teaching and long meditation retreats alongside extensive natural forest surrounding the main structures.
A Carthusian monastery originally stood on this site from 1173 until Buddhist practitioners purchased and restored it in 1979 under the guidance of Tibetan master Kalu Rinpoche. The spiritual character of the location was preserved and transformed into a new tradition.
The center functions as a space for Buddhist study and meditation practice with regular courses and gatherings bringing together people from different faiths. The buildings and forest reflect a blend of Eastern spirituality set within a European mountain setting.
Visitors can explore the grounds during teaching periods, with guided tours and information sessions available. Weekends offer the best times to visit when more activities are scheduled and the site is more accessible.
A fire destroyed the main buildings in 2017, yet the community rebuilt the site and resumed operations in 2018. The recovery demonstrates the commitment of those running it and how the center has become rooted in the local region.
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