RESCHEDULED TO NOVEMBER 1&2!
Friday Night Orientation ON ZOOM
Saturday Retreat: IN PERSON at KTC
The Nyungne Retreat is a treasured part of the Tibetan Buddhist path that uses compassion mantra and fasting to make us aware of the sufferings of the world, purify our negative karma and mental states, and awaken our bodhisattva heart.
What Is a Nyenne?
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 Nyenne 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 at a future time, but first, we will begin with one-day Nyenne retreats with a half-day of fasting to help introduce people to this inspiring practice.
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 Nyenne 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?
The retreat is open only to those who have taken the Buddhist Vow of Refuge. To arrange a Refuge Ceremony before the Nyenne retreat, contact Lama Kathy Wesley at lamakathy@columbusktc.org.
Beginners and seasoned practitioners alike are encouraged to attend this short but profound practice.
What Should I Bring?
All prayer texts will be provided for you. Please bring a mala (prayer beads) if you have one; if not, you can borrow one from our “mala bowl.”
What Is the Schedule?
Friday Night Nov. 1: Reading Transmission and Orientation on ZOOM
Although the retreat itself will be in-person only ,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 via ZOOM teleconference.
Saturday Morning Saturday Nov.2: In-Person Retreat
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.
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IF YOU DO NOT HAVE financial means, or have difficulty registering online, please write lamakathy@columbusktc.org and she will register you at no cost. Students must have an internet connection, email capability, and download the Zoom application in order to attend. Zoom software is available here: https://zoom.us
Can’t attend but want to help KTC’s Operations Fund?
Hop over to our KTC donations page at this link: https://www.columbusktc.org/donate/
Tickets
The $45 fee includes instruction on Friday evening and all practices sessions and lunch on Saturday.
ABOUT LAMA TOM
Our Nyenne Retreat will be led by Lama Tom Broadwater. Lama Tom became a student of Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche in1999. He completed a three-year retreat in 2012. Lama Tom retired as an associate resident teacher at Columbus KTC in 2023 but continues to serve the KTC Sangha by giving Dharma Talks and leading programs and retreats.
Register here