We are pleased to announce that Khenpo Tenzin Norgay Rinpoche will lead our Nyungne retreat.

About Nyungne

Nyungne is the most effective course of practices to purify both environmental pollution and our own faults. The practice was revealed by Bhikshuni Phalmo, a practitioner who suffered from leprosy. She performed this practice for 12 years in conjunction with Chenresig (Avalokitesvara) practice and become a great siddhi, attaining the Celestial Body. The retreat course involves powerful practices of purification such as periods of fasting, prostrations, and silence. The purification practices increase positive energies and so in and of themselves are causes for happiness and harmony.

Practitioners will also recite the six syllable Mani Mantra (Om Mani Peme Hung). This mantra purifies the six seeds of the six realms within oneself and, furthermore, has the effect of pacifying the suffering of all beings. In this way, the practice brings peace to the entire world and can be a cause for World Peace, very appropriate to these degenerate times. The purification practices increase positive energies and so in and of themselves are causes for happiness and harmony.

The traditional Nyungne purification retreat consists of maintaining eight vows and repeating practices of purification for a set number of days. The retreat is generally scheduled around the July 4th weekend schedule according to days off for the holiday.

Vows
The vows to be kept for the practice include:

l. No killing
2. No stealing
3. No sex
4. No telling lies
5. No drinking alcohol
6. No idle chatter, singing or dancing, makeup or ornaments
7. No evening meals
8. No sitting in high seats

The morning session will include a teaching and the remaining day will consist of intensive practice. 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 retreatants from previous retreats have found the fasting and prostrations easiest to maintain. Many have observed that silence is the most difficult of all the vows!

For more information about accommodations, please click here. The cost of the retreat depends on your accommodation only (not on your arrival date/departure date--the cost is for the full retreat only). Arrangements can be made for those who wish to assist in the coming week with set-up for the month-long annual retreat. However, we may need to ask that only those who are able to help with set-up remain after the Nyungne) retreat as we will be operating with a "skeleton" crew.

Daily Schedule:

Arrival on Friday, June 30 is possible with advanced arrangements with the office. There is an additional fee for the additional night of $35/per person.

Day 0 - Saturday, July 1 - Arrival Day
2 pm - 10 PM - Arrivals
6 PM - Light dinner will be available

Day 1 - Sunday, July 2
7:00 - 8:30 AM Vows and Teaching
8:30 - 9:30 AM Breakfast
9:30 - 11:00 AM Session One
11:00 AM - 2 PM Lunch Break
2:00 - 4:00 PM Session Two
6:00 - 8:00 PM Dharma Protector

Day 2 - Monday, July 3
7:00 - 8:30 AM Vows and Teaching
8:30 - 9:30 AM Break
9:30 - 11:00 AM Session One
11:00 AM - 2 PM Break
2:00 - 4:00 PM Session Two
6:00 - 8:00 PM Dharma Protector

Day 3 - Tuesday, July 4
5:00 - 6:00 AM Concluding Nyungne Practice
6:00 AM Soup for breaking fast
6:30 AM Breakfast
9:00 - 11:00 AM Tsok
10:30 AM Clean your room, bring garbage and departure

The morning session will include a teaching and the remainder of the day will consist of intensive practice. If you have any doubts about your health or your ability to physically handle this retreat, please consult your physician.

Retreat Prep Volunteer Session begins (optional)

12:00 PM Lunch for Volunteers remaining on site to prep center for summer retreat
5:30 PM Dinner

Registration form here

Between Retreat Session - Wednesday, July 5 to Friday, July 7 (optional, additional fee of $35/day)
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM - Sang Practice
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Breakfast
8:45 AM - 10:00 AM - Guru Yoga Practice
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Volunteer work prepping center for main retreat
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM on - Volunteer work prepping center for main retreat

The morning session will be the only practice session. The rest of the day will be devoted to manual labor. Please only attend if you are in good physical condition. Kindly note this is not the time for a personal retreat as we are prepping for the main retreat.

Costs
$400 - Single Room
$200 - Shared Room
$200 - Single tent
$150 - Shared tent (must have roommate in advance)
$130 - Offsite