After having created Pema Ödling association and build a small temple in Saint Martin island in the in the Caribbean islands in 2014, we settled since August 2015 on a 25 acres plot of land in Alentejo, Portugal, where we ambition building a temple there in order that we might welcome Dharma teachers not only to organise teachings but organize conferences on various, but all linked to spiritual concerns, subjects.

Project's origin

Samtendzong's project is born many years ago following a vision of a small square shaped monastery built around a huge central court which could shelter a Three Years retreat center in Portugal. This center would be able to welcome fifteen or so followers to train them becoming future Dharma teachers. Besides that to support te retreat center's needs, the project is supplemented with a small village structure comprising twelve bungalows and many tent-like but insulated, smaller cells, to provide accommodation for people wanting to come there for just a few days or a few weeks and during summercamps.

The monastery

This construction will comprehend besides that a 150 sq. temple, a small study room, a professional kitchen, a dispensary, a refectory and a studio above the temple to accommodate lamas and teachers.

Why Portugal?

Portugal was chosen for multiple reasons of which its climate (winters there are short and mild), a cheap cost of construction,its sane and unpolluted environment, a healthy diet et overall its inhabitants natural kindness. Portugal has a very good communication network and can be reached from everywhere in Europe by plane in less than 2 hours for a very reasonable price with low cost flights. In 2009 a 25 acres plot of land was acquired in the center of Portugal, close to Ferreira do Alentejo in Beja district. Since then, a small 100 sq. house and a 163 sq. warehouse were buit there. Wells have been drilled to provide water and the place was connected with electricity. "Samten Dzong", a Portuguese non profit organization has been created to serve as a legal basis for the project. The final project being out of reach of our modest means, we planned to realize it on a gradual way while searching for financial and physical help. View the project's plan on the spot. We applied for a project's licence by the local administration and finally obtained the authorization to run a theme camping on the land which will allow us at first to welcome students during summer camps, be it in tents, camping car or small prefabricated bungalows according to the means at our disposal. A type design of a two bedrooms bungalow was made, each one having a surface of 21,5 sqm (226 sq. ft) comprising each its private bathroom (hence 43 sqm in totality) and a small deck to shelter 2 people in each room, that is 4 people by bungalow.