Group Themed Retreats
7 Days Amitabha and Phowa Teaching and Meditation Retreat
(Teaching and Practice retreat with Venerable Dupsing Rinpoche)
Date: 21 - 27 Oct 2012
Amitabha (Tib. Öpagme) is a Buddha of Boundless Light. He offers great support and bestows blessings for those passing from this life. After achieving Enlightenment, Amitabha Buddha realised his main aim of helping all levels of people, whether of low, medium or high capacity, to reach his Realm of Great Bliss (Tib. Dewachen). Dewachen is the Pure land of Amitabha Buddha, regarded as a Buddhist Paradise.
Phowa Practice
Phowa is one of the most profound practices of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. Successful Phowa practice can help the dying transform their consciousness into wisdom. The practice of Phowa offers people the chance to die peacefully and consciously. It is a very beneficial support for people who are dying, and also for animals, birds, insects and other sentient beings. Phowa (pron. poh-wa) is Tibetan for "transference of consciousness" at the time of death. Tantric methods are employed to take "the swift, supreme path to free oneself from samsara and to attain enlightenment."Phowa is one of the quickest, easiest and most direct way of liberation from samsaric suffering. Buddha Amitabha said that one does not return to the samsaric realms after having entered Amitabha's Pure Land called Dewachen. From that realm, one can readily achieve enlightenment under the guidance of Amitabha Buddha and other great Bodhisattvas. So phowa is like an insurance policy if you like; if one does not achieve enlightenment while alive, one is assured of this attainment after death. This practice is especially relevant nowadays, when most people cannot afford the luxury of an extended period of solitary meditation. Also, since we are subject to the overwhelming power of laziness with constant postponement of our practice, we desperately need a spiritual path that is simple and direct, and which enables us to transform the stresses of modern life into a vital force that cuts through attachment to illusory objects and awakens in us the realisation of our own Buddha nature. Life is very short. It can end suddenly without any warning. When death comes, we have no escape: neither our accumulated wealth nor our dear ones can help us - nothing can help except the precious teachings.
Marpa the Translator said, "If you study Phowa, then at the time when death is approaching, you will know no despair. If beforehand you have become accustomed to the Path of Phowa, then at the time of death you will be full of cheerful confidence."
Apply For This Retreat
1 - Download Registration Form
To register, please download the registration form (word doc), then fill out the form.
2 - Email Completed Registration Form
Once completed please submit the registration form via email to: info@kirtipur.org or admin.kibs@gmail.com
Apply For This Retreat
1 - Download Registration Form
To register, please download the registration form (word doc), then fill out the form.
2 - Email Completed Registration 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: 29 Oct - 7 Nov 2012
(6 November 2012 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 Pilgrimage trip to the holy place of Gelongma Palmo Teaching, Instruction and Preparation |
29 Oct 2012 |
| First set of Nyungne | 30 Oct 2012 - 31 Oct 2012 |
| Second set of Nyungne | 1 Nov 2012 - 2 Nov 2012 |
| Third set of Nyungne | 3 Nov 2012 - 4 Nov 2012 |
| Fourth set of Nyungne | 5 Nov 2012 - 7 Nov 2012 |
| Grand Dedication | 7 Nov 2012 |
06 Nov 2012 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 Registration Form
To register, please download the registration form (word doc), then fill out the form.
2 - Email Completed Registration Form
Once completed please submit the registration form via email to: info@kirtipur.org or admin.kibs@gmail.com
7 Days Shamatha (Tib: Shinay, Eng: Calm-Abiding) Teaching and Meditation Retreat
(Teaching and Practice retreat with Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche)
Date: 10 - 17 Nov 2012
Shamatha meditation is the combination of the methods introduced by the Kamalashila, which is called the gradual stage of meditation. It explains how to develop proper Shamatha meditation, the hindrances and obstacles during practice and how to overcome them. There are various stages and methods to develop Shamatha meditation. Based on the various sutras, particularly the sutras on meditation like the Samadhiraja sutra and so on.
At the same time, we are also going to introduce the text called the Ocean of Certainty by the 9th Karmapa. This is based on the Karma Kagyu tradition of oral instruction as a basis to develop the Mahamudra meditation consisting of very profound and precise steps. Traditionally, once you have mastered all the Shamatha stages of meditation, the master will acknowledge you as a qualified student to receive the instructions of the Mahamudra meditation. In general, Shinay meditation is the basis of all the wisdom related practices. Under the 6 paramitas, the wisdom comes from the Shamatha meditation. Under the Mahamudra tradition, Shamatha is the basis of developing the Mahamudra meditation. After the Shamatha, there is the Mahamudra stages to realise the Mahamudra.
KIBS organises this programme to benefit every serious practitioner who wants to embark on meditation of Mahamudra in the future.
Apply For This Retreat
1 - Download Registration Form
To register, please download the registration form (word doc), then fill out the form.
2 - Email Completed Registration Form
Once completed please submit the registration form via email to: info@kirtipur.org or admin.kibs@gmail.com
4 Days Teaching and Meditation Retreat on the Life and Songs of Milarepa
(Teaching and Practice retreat with Venerable Sherab Rinpoche)
Date: 19 - 22 Nov 2012
This Lineage of Kagyupa stresses on the Gurus and Guru devotion. Guru devotion is actually not only the physical showing of devotion, but following the foot steps of what the guru has instructed and shown to us. It is utmost important to observe the lifestyle of the guru, learn about how he met with the dharma and through the dharma, how he is inspired, how much loving-kindness has been developed and especially the renunciation. Also, the path he developed and finally the realisation he expressed to his disciples. All the qualities of a guru very clearly shown by Milarepa throughout his life are recorded in the form of his life story.
Within Milarepa's life story, there are so many vajra songs that shows the entire teachings of Dharma to suit every person's mentality and it stresses so much on renunciation and the development of Loving-Kindness and Compassion. It also shows the Views of Madhyamika and the development of Six Paramitas. The Views of Madhyamika is shown under the Paramita of Wisdom. The very profound meditation called Mahamudra is also explained in details. All these are in the form of songs which he sang to his disciples.
Milarepa's life story is most famous, not only for the Kagyudpa but for other different schools of Vajrayana as well. From these Vajra songs, Maniwa Lama Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche will select the best and most important essence of the teachings and give his commentary and explanations. This will help us to understand the depth of the Dharma in general and we will be able to comprehend the perfect view of the middle path and Mahamudra.
Apply For This Retreat
1 - Download Registration Form
To register, please download the registration form (word doc), then fill out the form.
2 - Email Completed Registration Form
Once completed please submit the registration form via email to: info@kirtipur.org or admin.kibs@gmail.com
1 Day Medicine Buddha Retreat
(Teaching and Practice retreat with Venerable Sherab Rinpoche)
Date: 23 Nov 2012
Medicine Buddha or Buddha of Healing
When Manjushri was sitting under the tree named 'Musical Chime' at Vaishali, he made a request on behalf of all sentient beings. Buddha Shakyamuni then taught the methods of Medicine Buddha to the audience of divine beings consisting of the 4 Guardians, Lord Indra, Lord Brahma and countless Bodhisattvas. After the teachings, all the divine beings praised the Medicine Buddha Sutra and vowed to protect whoever practices Medicine Buddha from every obstacles.
Other than the Medicine Buddha Sutra, Medicine Buddha's practice is also found in all 4 Tantras. This course of initiation and practice is based on the highest level of Tantra, Anuttara Yoga Tantra.
According to Buddha as stated in the Medicine Buddha's sutra, the practice of Medicine Buddha is very profound. With constant practice, one can eliminate the karma accumulated from many kalpas. The sutra recorded that even if you have committed the 5 heinous actions, broken morals and vows or caused others to give up the Dharma and other very serious actions, the karma can also be eliminated.
Buddha of Healing also have special ability to cure various types of ailments and chronic diseases while weakening senses (including sight and hearing) can also be restored. The core purpose of this practice is to eliminate one's illness and karmic obscuration, not only for themselves but also to help others. This initiation and teaching will be given by the very prominent Maniwa Lama Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche.
Apply For This Retreat
1 - Download Registration Form
To register, please download the registration form (word doc), then fill out the form.
2 - Email Completed Registration Form
Once completed please submit the registration form via email to: info@kirtipur.org or admin.kibs@gmail.com
Chod Meditation Retreat (II)
Introduction to the practice of Chod
Date: 26 Nov - 1 Dec 2012
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:
- Oral transmission and detailed explanation of the practice, with focus on "Lu Jin" [ offering of the body ] based on the text "Garden of All Joy" written by the Fourteenth Karmapa, Thekchok Dorje (1798-1868) and commentaries by Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche(1813-1899)
- Teaching by Lama on proper use of Damaru, bell and instruments.
- Guided group meditation and practice of Chod based on the text "The Precious Garland" or "Rinchen Trengwa" in Tibetan composed by the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje.
Note :This retreat is organised due to requests from the students who attended the Chod retreat in year 2011. It is essential that students who are joining this retreat to have already received some basic instruction and oral transmission of the Chod practice.
Apply For This Retreat
1 - Download Registration Form
To register, please download the registration form (word doc), then fill out the form.
2 - Email Completed Registration Form
Once completed please submit the registration form via email to: info@kirtipur.org or admin.kibs@gmail.com