The Robertson Dharma Centre

The Robertson Dharma Centre The home of contemporary Zen in Africa. We also have practice groups who meet regularly in Plumstead (Cape Town) and Knysna.

The Robertson Dharma Centre offers regular retreats at our residential centre in the town of Robertson in the Western Cape, South Africa. Our senior teachers Heila Downey SSN became the first African Master Dharma Teacher when she received teaching permission from Zen Master Seung Sahn in 1996. She is a former student of Philip Kapleau Roshi and has led retreats in Russia, Lithuania, Germany, Pola

nd, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakai, Brazil, the USA and South Africa. Rodney Downey was appointed abbot and senior dharma teacher of the Dharma Centre in 1996. He has attended retreats in all the major Buddhist traditions and taught extensively both locally and abroad. Heila and Rodney both live at our residential centre in Robertson.

Please note: Our September retreat, originally planned to be seven days, has been changed to a three-day retreat in orde...
19/08/2026

Please note: Our September retreat, originally planned to be seven days, has been changed to a three-day retreat in order to accommodate more retreatants. We would love for you to join us.

20/05/2026

Dearest Sangha, we can hardly believe that we are again invited to share in the Vesak Celebration in China and Thailand and feel incredibly honored and privileged to be invited, but also that some of our Sangha are willing and able to represent the SA Sangha.

Perhaps some historical background for members old and new:

For five consecutive years we (HSSN AND R) were invited to offer retreats, workshops and talks across Brazil by the generous invitation of Professor Ricardo Sasaki, the guiding and founding teacher of the Nalanda Rama Buddhist centers across Brazil. And it is as his direct recommendation and as a result of his many years of involvement in Vesak celebrations that we were afforded this very generous opportunity.

Several of our members have attended in the past years and some even multiple times.

In the next week Kevin, Jane and Mo will again travel to China, with Mo attending the onward celebrations in Thailand, and joined by Richard.

Over the years, Kevin, Jane, Johannes, Mo, Tinka, Ian and Andy have represented our Sangha, and we are delighted that Richard will be able to join them this year.

We know that they are all worthy participants and will represent South African practitioners, be enriched by the experience and inspire others when they return to South Africa.

Thank you to the United Nations Vesak committee for the invitation, and thank you to our Sangha for your willingness to represent us all.

Safe travels and big smiles!

With big love in Dharma, HSSN and Rodney on behalf of the South African Sangha 🙏💜🙏

We would love to see you at our winter retreat next month.
19/05/2026

We would love to see you at our winter retreat next month.

Every week we practice Zen in Cape Town. Do join us!
15/05/2026

Every week we practice Zen in Cape Town. Do join us!

04/05/2026

Address

26 White Street
Robertson
6705

Telephone

(023) 626 - 3515

Website

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