Important items not to forget:
No sleeping bags or extra blankets!!! No linens! Please be sure to bring your own towels, sheets, and either a sleeping bag or plenty of warm blankets.

Be prepared for a range of temperatures. See Environment to view high and low temperatures. Expect a mix of weather, humid and hot to cold and chilly. There may be rain and colder weather because of the phenomena known as "lake-effect" or balmy, breezy beautiful days.

Clothing:

• Water-proof boots


• Rain coat


• Sweater or fleece jacket


• Loose comfortable clothing for practice. Please, when dressing for comfort in the shrine tent, also keep in mind that attire respectful to the teachers and the sangha of monks should be preferred.


• Work clothes for rota shifts.


• Layered clothing that includes a light layer for hot days and a warm layer for cool days


• Suggested: a hooded windbreaker and light gloves are useful.


• Dress-up clothes for special occasions.


• Avoid: Short shorts, halter tops, muscle tees, sarongs, bathing suits or trunks.


• Sample packing list: 2 short-sleeved shirts, calve-length skirt (ladies), loose khaki pants or blue jeans, over-sized tee shirt, leggings (ladies), bermuda shorts, warm socks, pull-over sweater or sweatshirt in fleece or wool, warm cardigan, rain coat, down vest, warm socks, slip-on shoes, sandals. If we get a lot of rain, it can get muddy!

Other:

• Shawl or small blanket for cool days in the meditation hall.


• Rain gear including water-resistant boots.


• Sturdy walking shoes: warm, water-resistant over-the-ankle boots are recommended as the grass is often laden with due in the early mornings.


• Clothes hangers. There are no closets in the rustic dormitories and very limited drawer space.


• Cushions. The Palyul Center will provide special cushions for Tsa Lung. These will be purchasable. There are some cushions provided in the main temple, but feel free to bring your own for your comfort. You should put a name tag on this to prevent any mix-ups.


• Flashlight and extra batteries. Although there is lighting on the land, many of the backcountry roads are not lit.


• Warm bedding: blankets and/or sleeping bag suitable for very cool temperatures, pillow and pillow case, twin size sheets, and a bath towel. No blankets or sleeping bags are available at the center.


• Day pack or other small carrying bag


• Canteen or water bottle


• Insect repellent and sunscreen, sunglasses.


• Toiletries and a tote. Bed, Bath, and Beyond is a US store that offers a nice tote for bringing shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste to the shared bath.

Optional items: bedspread, throw rug, alarm clock, dharma books and pictures. A battery-operated lantern is advisable for nighttime study. No candles, kerosene or oil lamps as fires are not permitted in the tents. This includes smoking.

Suggestions for Optional Reading:

The following books are compiled based on their relevance to the subject matters being covered at this year's retreat. The texts will not taught during retreat but can make a good augmentation and enhancement of one's appreciation of the teachings one will receive.

A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life, Shantideva, (many translations exist)

The Excellent Path to Enlightenment, by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo as explained by HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, 1987

The Four Thoughts, by Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, by Sogyal Rinpoche.

Words of My Perfect Teacher (Kunzang Lama'i Shelung), Patrul Rinpoche, translated by the Padmakara Translation