Accendere la pace

Accendere la pace ("Lighting Peace") is a New Year's Eve spiritual gathering at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa in Pomaia, Tuscany, Italy. Rooted in Tibetan Buddhism and the Mahayana tradition, it carries guests from a shared Tibetan dinner through meditation, a silent candlelit procession and a midnight mantra recitation, then on to a dawn meditation on New Year's morning. It is open to everyone, whether you are new to meditation or have practiced for years.

What to Expect

The evening begins with a Tibetan dinner, served in two seatings at 7:30 PM and 8:15 PM. From 10:00 PM to 10:45 PM, a meditation on peace and universal love is held in the Lama Tzong Khapa hall. Entry is free, with no reservation, as space permits.

At 11:00 PM the silent procession begins, moving through the inner courtyard and around the Castello grounds. Each person receives a candle with a shade and a sheet of paper for writing reflections on what to release and what to welcome in the coming year. The walk is a candlelit silent walking meditation, guided by reflective prompts.

From 11:15 PM until midnight, Tibetan chants and music are offered at the Chenresig statue plaza. At midnight the group recites the mantra Om mani Padme Hum together around an outdoor fire. Afterward, people gather at the bar and shop for panettone and non-alcoholic drinks.

The gathering resumes the next morning with a meditation on equanimity and compassion, from 7:15 AM to 8:00 AM in the meditation hall. This session is also free to enter, with no reservation, as space permits.

The Setting

The Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa is a Buddhist institute in Pomaia, in the Tuscan countryside, and the event takes place in and around its castle grounds. The dinner is spread over several rooms: the panoramic hall, the ground floor silence room, and the White Tara room upstairs. The Chenresig statue plaza, a short walk from the main buildings, becomes the gathering place as midnight approaches.

Guests who wish to stay overnight can choose institute lodging or affiliated accommodations, with vegetarian full board available. Rooms and dormitories are gender-segregated. The institute welcomes people of all gender identities, and anyone whose documented gender differs from their gender identity is invited to contact the institute's reception to discuss options. Accommodation is currently sold out and is booked separately from the event.

Before You Go

No meditation experience is needed. The sessions suit beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. The chants and teachings are in Italian and Tibetan, so it helps to know that going in. The event has room for up to 116 people.

Included are the Tibetan dinner, the evening meditation, the candlelit silent walking meditation, the candle and writing materials, the chanting and mantra recitation around the fire, panettone and non-alcoholic drinks at midnight, and the dawn meditation.

Not included are accommodation, lunch or any meals beyond the dinner you order, and transportation within the grounds. Since the procession and fire take place outdoors in a Tuscan winter night, warm clothing is sensible.