Set in hilly grasslands amongst dams, indigenous bush and forests, it overlooks one of the great valleys in the Umkomaas river system. CNN featured the BRC as one of the 10 finest Meditation centres in the world. It was awarded National Heritage status by President Nelson Mandela in recognition of its success in establishing indigenous vegetation on the property and providing habitats for wildlife to return, including the endangered Blue Swallow. It is a birder’s paradise with more than 160 species recorded. Walks lead to many interesting sites and viewpoints on the property.

Forty retreatants can be accommodated in single and twin-bedded rooms, en-suite cottages and thatched chalets overlooking the secluded valleys on the property – a short distance away from the dining room, office, library, studio and meditation hall. The Centre is justly famous for its fine lacto-ovo vegetarian cuisine which is featured in its own best-selling recipe books, Quiet Food and The Cake the Buddha Ate. The BRC menu includes organically grown vegetables and farm-baked bread.

The Retreat Centre offers a tranquil environment for the study and practise of philosophy, psychology, meditation and the arts associated with Buddhist culture. The Centre therefore encourages adherence to traditional Buddhist moral principles during retreats, such as respect for all forms of life, abstinence from alcoholic drinks and hallucinogenic drugs. Noble Silence is maintained from the last meditation at night until the first session after breakfast in the morning. During some retreats, Noble Silence is sustained throughout.  Radios and pets are not allowed at the Centre.  Only some retreats are suitable for children.

Types of Retreats include the conducted retreats (as most conducted retreats are carefully structured as a whole, retreatants are expected to attend the retreat from the first day to the last) and the self retreat is unstructured: one does as much (or as little) reading, listening to recorded talks, walking, meditation or resting as one chooses. Enjoy walks and bird watching in 300 acres of beautiful rolling hills, parklands and indigenous valleys and forests, meditate, learn some Chi Kung and yoga. Self retreats are an ideal opportunity to be in a gentle, sympathetic space where one can be still and get in touch with oneself and reflect on the things that crowd one’s life. .