Group Themed Retreats
Nyungne Purification and Fasting Retreat
4 Consecutive 2-Days Sessions
Date: 27 October - 5 November 2010
(29 October 2010 is Lha Bab Duchen - Merit Multiplying Date)
Introduction
A Nyungne Retreat is a special two-day meditation, fasting and purification retreat based on the practice of Thousand-Armed Chenrezig and is known for its power in the purification of negative karma and the accomplishment of enlightened qualities.
History of the Practice
This practice was originated by Gelongma Palmo, (Bhikkuni Lakshmi), who was one of the greatest masters of the 1,000-armed Chenrezig.
She was born into an Indian royal family but chose Buddhist ordination in her youth. She studied with many of the masters of her time and practiced diligently. Sadly however, due to the ripening of karma, she contracted leprosy and was subsequently abandoned in the forest. She had a vision of King Indrabodhi who advised her to do Avalokiteshvara practices.
Gelongma Palmo recited the mantras of Avalokiteshvara and devised and practiced the purification ritual or Nyungne retreat continuously before a mysterious image of 1,000-armed Avalokiteshvara that appeared to her in a forest clearing.
It is said that she recovered from leprosy and having developed great dedication and compassion for all beings, she became an enlightened guide to many disciples to whom she passed down the practice of Nyungne.
The Retreat
The Nyungne is a retreat of body, speech and mind from non-virtuous actions, focusing on keeping strict vows for a two-day period, generating the Bodhisattva attitude, and reciting the sadhana of the 1000-armed Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of compassion.
The vows to be observed include refraining from:
- Killing.
- Stealing.
- Lying.
- Sexual activities (celibacy).
- Drinking alcohol, taking drugs, smoking cigarettes.
- Using perfumes, wearing make-up or ornaments, singing, playing music, dancing and other forms of entertainment.
- Eating in inappropriate times.
- Sitting in high seats.
The Programme
A set of Nyungne consists of 2 days of strict practice. On the first day, participants will take one meal at noon, and fast the rest of the day while engaging in four sessions of practice. Like other Vajrayana sadhanas, the Nyungne sadhana involves visualization of the deity, accompanied by prayers, offerings and prostrations, and extensive recitation of the mantra. The sessions begin early in the morning and conclude in the late afternoon.
On the second day, participants will observe complete fasting from food and water, and will also maintain strict silence, except for the recitation of the Sadhana.
The retreat concludes early in the morning of the third day with a short practice session. The vows, fasting and silence are concluded at the end of this session.
The Nyungne Retreat is comprehensive in that it combines practice methods from all three Yanas, or Vehicles, of Buddhism. The vows reflect the rigorous discipline of the Common Vehicle, the generation of the Enlightened Attitude reflects the Greater Vehicle, and the actual practice of 1000-Armed Chenrezig reflects the Vehicle of Secret Mantra.
Benefits of the Practice
Nyungne is a practice of yidam from Kriya-tantra tradition which not only helps to purify a lot of negative karma in a short time and accumulate merits but also aids in healing illness and opening the heart to compassion. It is said that pure practice on one pair of Nyungne closes the gates of rebirth in lower realms, and the pure completion of eight pairs of Nyungne's leads to rebirth in the Dewachen Pure Land.
In addition, reciting the six syllable Mani Mantra during the retreat, not only purifies the six seeds of the six realms within oneself, it also pacifies the sufferings of all beings. In this way, the practice brings peace to the entire world and can be a cause for World Peace, very appropriate and timely in these degenerate times.
General Advice for Participants
Residents as well as visitors may join in these retreats, which are generally enjoyed by all (in spite of the difficulties!). Participants can choose to attend all four pairs of Nyungne's, a few or just one set as you wish.
If you have any doubts about your health and your ability to physically handle this retreat, please consult your doctor. The prostrations are strenuous but it is possible to perform them at a slow speed.
The Nyungne starts as early as 4 AM with the taking of the 8 Mahayana Precepts and participants have to arrive the day before.
Explanations and instructions will be given at the beginning of the practice, thus for the people who are practicing it for the first time, it is advisable to attend the 1st pair of Nyungne.
| Programme | Date |
|---|---|
| Teaching, Instruction and Preparation | 27 Oct 2010 |
| First set of Nyungne | 28 Oct 10 - 29 Oct 10 |
| Second set of Nyungne | 30 Oct 10 - 31 Oct 10 |
| Third set of Nyungne | 01 Nov 10 - 02 Nov 10 |
| Fourth set of Nyungne | 03 Nov 10 - 04 Nov 10 |
| Grand Dedication | 05 Nov 2010 |
29 Oct 2010 is Lha Bab Duchen - Merit Multiplying Date (Buddha Shakyamuni's descent from Tushita Heaven).
This is the anniversary of the Buddha's descent from the heavenly realm to earth. Buddha Shakyamuni ascended to The Heaven of Thirty-Three in order to give teachings to benefit the gods in the desire realm and to repay the kindness of his mother by liberating her from Samsara. This is considered to be one of the great deeds of the Buddha among eight great deeds. On Lha-Bab Duchen, the effects of positive or negative actions are multiplied ten million times and the practice of virtuous activities and prayer on this day is strongly encouraged.
Registration and Enquiries
Registration must be made via the application form (word doc) which can be submitted via email.
If you want further information about the course, please contact us at:
info@kirtipur.org or admin.kibs@gmail.com
Tel: (977) 1-433-1679/ (65) 98150386 (Singapore)
7 Days Meditation Retreat
(Preparation for joining the Maratika Pilgrimage)
"The Practice of Guru Rinpoche's Konchok Chidu Puja and Amitabha Practice"
Lead By Venerable Sang Sang Rinpoche, Venerable Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche and Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche
6 Dec - 12 Dec 2010
The ritual practice of Konchok Chidu, translated as 'The Union of all Jewels' / "Embodiment of the Three Jewels" , is guru yoga a terma practice of Guru Padmasambhava discovered in the 17th century by the great terton, Rigdzin Jatson Nyingpo (1585-1656) (also known as Letro Lingpa).
It is a
complete text which includes an outer, inner, secret and long life practice
as well as an amending of samaya fire offering and feast practice
(Ganachakra Tsog offering practice). Through the power of the Lama,
in the form of Tsokye Dorje - a peaceful manifestation of Guru Rinpoche;
the Yidam Guru Drakpo - a wrathful manifestation of Guru Rinpoche;
and the Khandro Senge Dongma, it removes obstacles and harmful influences;
creates positive circumstances for the environment and all beings;
increases virtue; and clears away all ignorance.
Widely practiced by the practitioners of Kagyu and Nyingma lineages in the whole of Tibet and especially in western Tibet and the Himalayan region of Nepal, this text is renowned for its simplicity and profundity. Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche, in his previous life, spent 12 years in retreat and completed 12 times of the Konchok Chidu's four foundation practices.
It is said that amongst the 500 different termas of Tsewang (long life empowerment) that have been discovered throughout the centuries, the Tsewang of Konchok Chidu is said to be the main one that confers Guru Rinpoche's most profound blessings for long life and freedom from obstacles. For this reason one of the main part of the retreat will be the Guru Rinpoche Konchok Chidu Long Life Empowerment, During the 7 days retreat, Rinpoche will grant the oral transmission and instructions of the text and give guidancee in group meditation practice based on the Könchok Chidu Sadhana. In addition, participants will also learn how to prepare the offerings and torma for the puja including the use of chanting implements. This retreat will provide the participants a good preparation and foundation for the pilgrimage retreat at the Maratika caves. Other practices and trainings included in the retreat:
- Teaching on Amitabha Practice
- Guru Rinpoche Konchok Chidu Long Life Empowerment by Ven Sang Sang Rinpoche (subject to change & confirmation).
- Torma Making: All retreatants will receive extensive training in torma making, and will make tormas for the Tsok offeing.
- Offering of Music: Training in the use of cymbals, drums, conches and if necessary, other instruments will be made available for those who are motivated to learn them.
- Daily Mahakala Puja: The Mahakala protector practice will be done by the group daily, chanted in the traditional melodies. Simple instructions will be given by the Sangha.
Registration and Enquiries
Registration must be made via the application form (words doc)
which can be submitted via email.
If you want further information about the course, please contact us at:
info@kirtipur.org or admin.kibs@gmail.com
.
Tel: (65)-9815 0386 (Singapore) / (977) 1-433-1679 (Nepal)