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Home / Teachers

Mathias Pongracz

Mathias Pongracz

Mathias Pongrácz is currently spiritual director of Stiftung Felsentor on mount Rigi, Switzerland, a Zen retreat place in the lineage of  the late Kobun Chino Roshi, with whom he practiced for many years.

Mathias started his path of dharma with the meditation master Trungpa Rinpoche, with whom he studied from 1983 until his death in 1987. After that  he became a student of Kobun chino Roshi and Sakyong Rinpoche, serving as acharya (senior teacher) for 15 years in Shambhala, an international network of meditation centers under the guidance of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.

He trained in the MBSR approach with Jon Kabat Zinn in the US in 2004 and with his encouragement started teaching this method in France, before it became widely known. He has been leading silent retreats for many  years  in Austria, Belgium, Czechia, France and now in Switzerland.

 

Upcoming Teaching at Dechen Chöling

Programmes
Category Programme Date
  • Society

Silent Mindfulness Retreat 26 October–2 November
 
 

Blog

  • 7 July 2025

    Interview with Yeshe Fuchs

     
  • 15 May 2025

    Shambhala Sun Camp : A Week of Discovery, Joy and Authentic Presence

     
  • 3 May 2025

    Ringu Tulku Rinpoche will be teaching in Dechen Chöling this summer

     
  • 30 December 2024

    Moments of Magic: Our 2024 Journey at Dechen Chöling

     
  • 23 December 2024

    From Stillness to Action

     
 

Upcoming programmes

  • Kyudo: The Way of the Bow – Open to all

    28 July 2025 – 4 August 2025

    With: Kanjuro Shibata Sensei XXI

    Open to all - a living tradition of contemplative archery.

     
  • Teachings by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche

    7 August 2025 – 11 August 2025

    With: Ringu Tulku Rinpoche

    We are honored to welcome Ringu Tulku Rinpoche to Dechen Choling. Renowned for his deep knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism and the Ri-Me tradition, Rinpoche’s approach is one of warmth, wisdom, and humor.

     
  • Aikido and Mindfulness

    24 August 2025 – 31 August 2025

    With: Ivan Tröscher, Jörg Kretzschmar

    In this program we will bring together the living Warrior traditions from the lineage of Aikido practitioners with the Shambhala Warrior culture brought to the west by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Join us for this unique offering.

     

All programmes ›

 
 
 

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Centre Shambhala Dechen Chöling
Le Mas Marvent
Rue du Château 640
87700 Saint-Yrieix-sous-Aixe
France

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