The Robertson Dharma Centre

The Robertson Dharma Centre offers regular retreats at our residential centre in the town of Robertson in the Western Cape, South Africa. We also have practice groups who meet regularly in Plumstead (Cape Town) and Knysna.

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, Poland, 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.