Friday March 8 from 7-9 PM – Orientation and Reading Transmission
Saturday March 9 from 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 2 to 5:30 PM – Nyingne Retreat Practice (in-person only – Doors open at 6 AM)
What Is a Nyingne?
For hundreds of years, Tibetan Buddhists have practiced something called “nyungne,” or the two Chenrezig Fasting Retreat.
The Nyungne Retreat is a two-day practice focusing on the generation of the Bodhisattva attitude, the strict keeping of vows, and the recitation of the 1000-arm Chenrezig sadhana.
Chenrezig is the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and his practice aids our development of loving-kindness and compassion. It is said that to accomplish the two-day Nyungne Retreat, even once, can sever the currents leading to rebirth in lower states of existence.
A Nyingne is a one-day version of the Nyungne practice.
Why Is KTC Doing Just a One-Day Practice?
At Columbus KTC we hope to re-introduce the Nyungne Retreat to our sangha in stages. We plan to conduct a two-day fasting retreat later in 2024, but first, we will begin with a one-day retreat with a half-day of fasting on Saturday March 9, 2024..
In a traditional two-day Nyungne Retreat, one meal is eaten on the first day, and the 1000-arm Chenrezig sadhana is recited two or three times, beginning in the early morning and ending in the early evening. It is followed by a second day of practice and a complete fast from all food and drink.
Our modified Nyingne Retreat will consist of a single day of 1000-arm Chenrezig sadhana practice from Saturday morning until Saturday evening, with one meal at noon and a fasting from food until the morning of the next day.
Who Can Participate?
Beginners and seasoned practitioners alike are encouraged to attend this short but profound practice.
The retreat is open only to those who have taken the Buddhist Vow of Refuge. To arrange a Refuge Ceremony before the Nyingne retreat, contact Lama Kathy Wesley at lamakathy@columbusktc.org.
What Is the Schedule?
Friday night: The reading transmission for the 1000-arm Chenrezig practice and an orientation for the one-day retreat will be given on Friday evening between 7 and 9 PM
Saturday morning: The practice begins with a one-day Sojong Vow Ceremony at 6:30 AM. This Ceremony gives one-day vows not to kill, not to steal, not to lie, not to commit sexual misconduct, and not to take intoxicants, along with vows not to wear jewelry and makeup, not to act in prideful ways, and not to take food after the midday meal. The vow ceremony will be followed by at least one session of the 1000-Arm Chenrezig Sadhana practice, which will be taught with brief guided meditations
Saturday midday: A vegetarian lunch will be provided to all participants.
Saturday afternoon: After a rest period, there will be another session of the 1000-Arm Chenrezig Sadhana Practice. The program will end between 5 and 6 PM. and participants will go home that night. Vows automatically expire at dawn on Sunday.
About Lama Tom:
Lama Tom Broadwater became a student of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche in1999. He completed a three-year retreat in 2012. He recently retired as an associate resident teacher at Columbus KTC.
