Group Themed Retreats
Ngondro Retreat
(Teaching and Practice retreat with Venerable Dupsing Rinpoche)
Date: 30 Oct - 5 Nov 2011
Ngondro refers to the preliminary, foundation practices which are key powerful and essential practices emphasized and engaged by all traditions of the Vajrayana path. The foundation practices establish the profound foundation and gather all the essential points of the path.
By practicing it diligently with fervent devotion and sincere faith, one could purify immeasurable defilements, accumulate boundless merits and transform oneself into a perfect vessel to receive the blessings of one's Guru and accomplish the fruition of Mahamudra.
In this retreat, Rinpoche will combine all the most crucial points and key instructions on ngondro focusing on the common preliminaries and uncommon preliminaries. Rinpoche had always emphasized on the practice of the four common preliminaries, "the Four Thoughts that turn the mind", which are the basis of all dharma practices, and are an indispensable topic of contemplation for both senior and newer students alike.
As Patrul Rinpoche said:
"Tame the mind. Tame the mind. Tame your own mind with the dharma.
If you tame your mind with these four thoughts that turn the mind,
Even if you have no view, meditation, or mantra recitation,
and no creation or completion stages,
You will not mistake the path of liberation for another."
Rinpoche, with his experiences of practices, especially during his recent long retreat, is enthusiastically looking forward to teaching very experientially and to guiding us step by step through the practices. New students will receive a complete introduction and guidance to the ngondro and have the chance to make an auspicious connection with the heart of these practices. For those already practising the ngondro, Rinpoche's teachings will bring an ever deeper understanding, as well as invigorate, inspire and encourage each person's practice.
This retreat will be a most precious opportunity to make a real change in the depths of your hearts and turn your mind toward the Dharma.
Apply For This Retreat
1 - Download Registeration Form
To register, please download the registration form (word doc), then fill out the form.
2 - Email Completed Registeration Form
Once completed please submit the registration form via email to: info@kirtipur.org or admin.kibs@gmail.com
Nyungne Purification and Fasting Retreat
4 Consecutive 2-Days Sessions
Date: 8 Nov - 18 Nov 2011
(17 November 2011 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 |
|---|---|
| 1000 Arm Chenrezig Empowerment & Oral transmission of the practice | 8 Nov 2011 |
| Pilgrimage trip to the holy place of Gelongma Palmo Teaching, Instruction and Preparation |
9 Nov 2011 |
| First set of Nyungne | 10 Nov 2011 - 11 Nov 2011 |
| Second set of Nyungne | 12 Nov 2011 - 13 Nov 2011 |
| Third set of Nyungne | 14 Nov 2011 - 15 Nov 2011 |
| Fourth set of Nyungne | 16 Nov 2011 - 17 Nov 2011 |
| Grand Dedication | 18 Nov 2011 |
17 Nov 2011 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.
Apply For This Retreat
1 - Download Registeration Form
To register, please download the registration form (word doc), then fill out the form.
2 - Email Completed Registeration Form
Once completed please submit the registration form via email to: info@kirtipur.org or admin.kibs@gmail.com
Chod Retreat
Introduction to the practice of Chod
Date: 28 Nov - 5 Dec 2011
Led by: Ven Shangpa Rinpoche
The essence of Chod practice is to develop the perfection of Wisdom.
During the second sermon, Lord Buddha Shakyamuni gave the Prajnaparamita teaching to his followers. The essence of his teaching was to develop the perfect wisdom of Enlightenment. Later on, the Indian saint Dampa Sangye and a Tibetan great master Machig Labdron introduced a unique method of cutting ego clinging instantly based on the essence of the Prajnaparamita teaching. In Tibetan, this practice is called Chod.
This practice then flourished and spread throughout the entire Himalayan region. In Tibet, the practitioners of the Chod practice established the Shijed Tradition. Many masters practised Chod and attained Enlightenment within one lifetime. One of the main lineage holders in the later years was the 3rd Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje. Through His Holiness, the lineage of Shijed flowed into the Karma Kagyud tradition. It is extensively practiced in the monasteries and hermitages of the Karma Kagyud practitioners.
Chod is a method using a drum and a bell and has been practiced for centuries. The combination of the nice melody of the chanting and the instruments makes the whole atmosphere blessed. It is a method for healing and cutting through the root of defilement, that is the ego clinging or the attachment to self and phenomena and all the subsequent defilements such as hatred, desire, pride, fear, fixation and ignorance; that arise from it.
Benefits of the practice
The main practice of Chod is to recognise the defilements of ego clinging, attachment to oneself and phenomena, which obstruct the Path to Enlightenment. The practice awakens one's awareness of the pure nature of emotions and the emptiness of mental obscuration, thus rid one of the roots defilements of HATRED, DESIRE and IGNORANCE.
The practice is also a powerful tool for accumulating merits because one practices the generosity of offering one's body to the objects of Refuge, Lamas, Meditational Deities, Dakinis, Protectors, as well as to the gods, spirits and to many other beings to whom we owe karmic debts.
Program Highlights:
- Meditation, prayers, circumambulations and lamp offerings at the Great Stupa of Boudhanath in dedication for world peace and fulfillment of personal noble aspirations.
- Oral transmission and detailed explanation of the practice as well as the use of the Damaru, bell and instruments.
- Guided group meditation and practice of Chod as well as a session at Namo Buddha (the holy site where the great compassionate Buddha in one of His previous life had offered his body to the starving tigress so that she could feed her cubs.)
- End with a charity visit to old folk home and night stay at Dulikhel to watch the beautiful sunrise.
Apply For This Retreat
1 - Download Registeration Form
To register, please download the registration form (word doc), then fill out the form.
2 - Email Completed Registeration Form
Once completed please submit the registration form via email to: info@kirtipur.org or admin.kibs@gmail.com
Two Days Teaching & Meditation Retreat
"Meditation & Practice of the Great Compassionate One"
with Lama Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche
Date: 6 - 7 Dec 2011
Session One: 9.30am - 11.30am | Session Two : 3.00 pm - 5.30 pm
| 6 Dec 2011 | Chenrezig Empowerment, oral transmission; instruction and guided practice. |
| 7 Dec 2011 | Teaching & Guided Practice; and end with mandala offering and a longevity prayer for Rinpoche's long life and good health. |
Chenrezig (Avalokitesvara) - He Who Looks With An Unwavering Eye - is the embodiment of all the Buddhas' infinite compassion. He is a manifestation of the Buddha in the Sambhogakaya.
"OM MANI PADME HUNG" is the heart mantra of Avalokiteshvara. It represents the body, speech, and mind of all the Buddhas and noble Bodhisattvas.
It is said that sincere meditation of Chenrezig and the recitation of his heart mantra purifies the obscurations of one's body, speech, and mind, and ultimately brings one to the state of realization.
During the retreat, oral transmission and guidance on the practice will be given including sessions of group practice in dedication to the happiness of all.
About Lama Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche
Lama Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche is a highly revered teacher of the Karma Kagyu lineage. He is known for his vast knowledge, simplicity, compassion & inspiring presence. He was conferred the title of "Mani-wa", a rare title conferred to the few practitioners in the world who are able to accumulate at least a billion "Om Mani Padme Hung" recitations.
Ordained by the late 16th Karmapa, Rinpoche received many teachings and practices under the late 16th Karmapa and the late Bokar Rinpoche. Since completing the 3-year retreat, Rinpoche has been supporting the activity of the Kagyu lineage through his tireless commitment to practicing, giving transmissions and guiding disciples. He heads several monasteries, retreat centers and travels across the world teaching buddhadharma. Several times a year Rinpoche leads thousands of practitioners in the practices of Nyung-ne and Chenrezig.
Rinpoche's teaching style is deep, direct and accessible. His teachings, peppered with practical advice, stories and warm humor, leave a lasting impression on all who are fortunate enough to hear them.
Apply For This Retreat
Advance registration is required for all participants.
Email Completed Registeration Form
Email for registration to: info@kirtipur.org or admin.kibs@gmail.com or contact Mr Lobsang (977) 1-433-1679 (Kathmandu)
Organizer and Venue
Kagyu Institute of Buddhist Studies | G.P.O. Box 3157, Dev Dhoka, Ward No 2, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal