Costs
The current three year retreat at Vajradhara Gonpa has a base cost of AU$33,000 to AU$43,000, depending on the type of accommodation. This includes food, housing, and administrative costs. Additional costs to the retreatant include travel expenses to and from the retreat centre, visa expenses (as applicable), medical insurance, and personal expenses such as texts, teaching gifts and toiletries, etc. The expenses of reestablishing oneself once the retreat has concluded must also be considered.
Earning money for three year retreat should be considered a significant aspect of one's preparation and commitment. According to Khyentse Rinpoche, "If you are trying to save money to do the three year retreat, I'm sure there is a lot of merit in every job, every hour, and all the blood and sweat that you put in. I guarantee it. Approaching it in this way is going to be your external ngöndro.... Even if there is someone who would support you, it is actually quite good if you save the money yourself, since it is for the purpose of doing retreat."