A wildfire tore through Namkha Dzong, a Buddhist retreat centre in the mountains of Almería. Help us restore what its community depends on.
A place that matters
Since 2010, Namkha Dzong Orgyen Khandro Ling has been the main retreat centre of the Rigdzin Community, set in the wild mountains near Bédar, Almería. Every year, practitioners from across Europe – Spain, France, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK – gather here for months-long retreats, teachings, and intensive practice, in a place where the silence and the landscape are part of the path itself. Wangchen, who lives on site as the guardian of the centre, has cared for this place for years.
What happened
A few days ago, the wildfire that started in Los Gallardos reached Namkha Dzong. The map below shows how close – Bédar sits at the heart of the affected area.
The fire burned the hillside all around Namkha Dzong, stopping just short of the path itself, as the photos below show.
Khandro Ling, located a little further down the hill, and the retreat caves were spared entirely.
However, part of the Namkha Dzong building itself was not so fortunate: the ground-floor kitchen, the sangha dining room, Wangchen's room, the toilets, and the showers were completely destroyed.
When Wangchen and the centre's director returned to the site on July 12 – under police escort, as the fire was still active – their first concern was the two cats who live at the centre. Both were found safe and are now sheltered elsewhere.
Why we're asking now
There is insurance coverage for part of the damage, but the amount it provides falls well short of what's needed to restore water and electricity and rebuild the spaces described above. This fundraiser is meant to close that gap, so repairs can begin without waiting on funds that won't cover the real cost.
The goal
The amount shown above is a first estimate to cover the priority phase – restoring water and electricity, and rebuilding the essential spaces described above. It will be adjusted and detailed with actual quotes as the work progresses.
How your donation is used
Funds are managed by myself (Andres Larrain), board member of Rigdzin Community Foundation (which owns Namkha Dzong) (registered foundation, CIF G06883003, Bédar, Spain), and will be used exclusively for restoring Namkha Dzong's infrastructure. Regular updates will be posted here as the work moves forward.
Every contribution counts
Whatever you're able to give matters. If you can't donate, sharing this fundraiser helps just as much.
Restoring these spaces will allow retreatants and the wider sangha to gather, share meals, and practice together again – for the benefit of all beings.
Thank you for your generosity and support during this difficult time.