Suryavana Buddhist Retreat Center (Automatic translation)

• Jérica, Castellón, España

Located in Jérica, a town in the Alto Palancia region in the province of Castellón, "illuminated forest", "Buddha retreat", or "maitri's illuminated dwelling". When the first people from the Buddhist Center of Valencia went to visit the site for the first time, one of the things that struck them was the magical light of the sun at sunset and the play of that light on the trees and on the fields. Within the grounds of the retreat center there is a very beautiful pine forest located on a small hill. It is a somewhat mysterious place and conducive to performing rituals. That was one of the reasons that inspired us to contribute both elements in the name: the sunlight and the forest. Surya (sun) is said to be an epithet for the Buddha himself; it figures in the Mahayana sutras as an image of the Dharma; and, at the same time, it is used as a symbol of maitri, the essence of the sangha. So 'Surya' ends up evoking the three jewels that define the central Buddhist act. Vana, for its part, means abode or forest and therefore suggests "retreat to the forest," or retreat from worldly existence. To get to the retreat center, you must take the A-23 highway, which begins in Sagunto and drive towards Teruel. Take exit 42, “Jérica-Caudiel”, and you will soon see the signs that will take you to the retreat center. You will find signs with the direction of Masía Novales where Suryavana is located. (Automatic translation)