Transforming Mental Afflictions through Mantra: The Practice of Chenrezig
Love is arguably the most powerful force in the world: it can destroy anger and pride and jealousy, join people together and help us overcome the deadening effects of our own ego-fixation. It’s even been said that training the mind in love and compassion leads to the experience of enlightenment – a state of full freedom from suffering. But how do we develop a love as wide as the world – a love that can transcend our faults and failings and bring us to stainless happiness? This weekend we will review basic Buddhist teachings on the power of love, and will learn the meditation and sadhana of Chenrezig the bodhisattva of compassion. We also will learn how to cultivate love’s transcendent qualities through Chenrezig’s mantra OM MANI PEME HUNG. The weekend will include chanting of the sadhana and mantra and instructions on how to approach visualization practice.
The Fall Retreat runs Friday evening through Sunday lunch at the beautiful and peaceful Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center in Yellow Springs Ohio. The retreat price includes 2 overnights and all meals on Saturday and Sunday breakfast.
All people with interest in Buddhist practice; this retreat will be great for practitioners of all levels, including beginners.
Pre-registration encouraged
Cost:
- Sponsorship $108
- Member Weekend $95
- Non Member Weekend $115
- Member Saturday $50
- Non Member Saturday $60
- Friday Only $10
Schedule:
Note: This schedule is just for reference. You can “do” some/none of the schedule or the entire schedule — your choice!
FRIDAY
- 2:30 PM – Volunteers load up
- 4:30 PM – Volunteers arrive at Glen Helen OEC ; unload and setup
- 6 PM – Check-in opens; tea and snacks
- 7 PM – Welcome and Opening Dharma Talk with Lama Kathy
- 8 PM – Chenrezig/Amitabha sadhana
- 10 PM – Evening gong; Lights out; Grand Silence begins
- (Silence ends at Breakfast Saturday 7:30 AM)
SATURDAY
- (Morning Gong sounds at 5:45 AM)
- 6 to 7:15 AM – Green Tara sadhana
- 7:30 AM – Breakfast break; Grand Silence ends
- 8:30 to 9:30 – Shinay Meditation
- 9:30 to 10:30 – Open practice (Ngondro and Shinay)
- 10:30 to noon – Dharma Talk by Lama Kathy
- Noon to 1:30 – Lunch break
- 1:30 to 2:30 PM – Open practice (Ngondro and Shinay)
- 2:30 to 4 PM – Dharma Talk with Lama Kathy
- 4 to 4:30 – Afternoon break
- 4:30 to 6 PM – Mahakala or Open practice
- 6 to 7 PM – Dinner break
- 7 to 8 PM – Chenrezig/Amitabha sadhana; Grand silence begins at the close of sadhana.
- 10 PM – Evening gong; Lights out
- (Silence ends at Breakfast Sunday 7:30 AM)
SUNDAY
- (Morning Gong sounds at 5:45 AM)
- 6 to 7:15 AM – Green Tara sadhana
- 7:30 AM – Breakfast break; Grand Silence ends
- 8:30 to 9:00 – Shinay Meditation
- 9:00 to 10:30 – Refuge ceremony
- 10:30 to 11:30 – Dharma Talk by Lama Kathy
- 11:30 AM – Prayers of aspiration and dedication
- 11:30 to noon – Clean and pack up
- 12:00 – Depart (to go small lunch–i.e., cheese sandwich–provided by Marilyn)
What To Bring…
- All retreatants will need to bring their own bedding. The bunks are quite new, but you will have only a mattress – so bring a sleeping bag or linens, and any pillows you need.
- Toiletry items such as soap, shampoo, towels, dental items, etc. (This ain’t no spa retreat!)
- Meals and snacks will be provided, but you should bring anything special you may need.
- ***New: Please bring your own coffee mug***
- ***New: Please bring your own mat and cushion if you own them. Limited mats and cushions will be available.***
- If you think you might like to sit outside the building or in the woods, please bring a ground cover (canvas or plastic sheeting) to keep the mats from picking up moisture from the ground.
- If you plan to spend time outside, you should probably bring some bug repellent and maybe sunscreen (if you’re particularly sensitive).
- You shouldn’t need to bring any sadhana texts unless you want to, we will have enough for nearly everyone. Worst case, you may have to share with one person.
- Most importantly, bring your bodhicitta! If the weather is bad that weekend we may be a little tight in the Cedar Center and your patience and understanding will be appreciated
Directions to Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center:
Driving directions from Columbus:
- Take I-70 West.
- Exit onto State Route 68, head south toward Yellow Springs/Xenia
- Just after the cemetery, turn left onto State Route 343 on the edge of
town. If you reach Dayton Street or the traffic light at Corry Street,
you’ve gone too far! - A very short distance (~1/4 mile?) up Rt. 343, you’ll see the Glen Helen
OEC entrance on the right. - Down the drive about 100 yards, the drive splits and you should bear
left. - Just after you cross a small bridge, turn at the first right to reach
the Cedar Center where the retreat is being held.
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