THE WAY OF THE GREAT PERFECTION NGÖNDRO RETREAT WITH THE PRESENCE OF LING RINPOCHE

Developing the Determination to Be Free

Dates: from 13 to 21 July, with extension for personal accumulations until 26 July.
Event onsite and partially live online.

This retreat is an excellent opportunity to develop your understanding and practice of the Four Thoughts and Refuge, which have been the main focus of the new cycle of the All-Encompassing Path to Enlightenment, The Way of the Great Perfection.

The retreat is open to all students with an interest in the preliminary practices of the Vajrayana (Ngöndro) and will be held in the profound and sacred environment of Lerab Ling.

Together, we will explore “topics considered to be essential preliminaries to Buddhist practice and understanding. Central to this understanding, from the beginning to the end of the journey, are the Four Thoughts That Transform the Mind. These four contemplations—the preciousness of human existence, impermanence, suffering, and karma—are sometimes called the Four Reminders and are considered to be transformative in and of themselves.” (Khandro Rinpoche, This Precious Life)

While the retreat will focus on the Four Thoughts and introduce the principles of Refuge, there will be space and time to accumulate any of the other practices of the Ngöndro, making it an ideal practice retreat for all Ngöndro practitioners.

There will be plenty of time for contemplation and practice, participants will also receive individual guidance from teachers, together with opportunities to share their experience with fellow students, with the aim of deepening confidence in applying these topics in our daily lives.

During the last 2 days of the retreat (20-21 July), we are very fortunate to welcome His Eminence the 7th Kyabjé Yongzin Ling Rinpoche, who has kindly agreed to give further teachings on the topics covered in the retreat.

REFUGE & LAY VOWS (IN PERSON ONLY)

On the last day of the retreat, Ling Rinpoche will also be granting the Refuge Vow and Lay Vows. This makes it a very special occasion for those who wish to formally enter the Buddhist Path by taking these vows, or for those who want to renew them. To take the vows, it is necessary to be physically present with Ling Rinpoche.

HOW TO FOLLOW

• To benefit fully from an environment of retreat and the companionship of fellow practitioners, we encourage everyone to follow the retreat in person in Lerab Ling. Nevertheless, for those who are unable to attend in person, it will be possible to participate live online via Zoom in most of the sessions (see details below). Registration for the online event is now open to registration.
  
  
• Students also have the opportunity to continue the momentum of the main retreat with an extension of 5 days (22-26 July) to focus one-pointedly on their accumulations. During this period, students will practise on their own; optional guidance from one of the teachers or practice holders will also be available.
  
  
• It is possible to just follow the event with H.E. Ling Rinpoche (20-21 July).

RIGPÉ YESHÉ PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN & TEENS

When there is sufficient interest, the Rigpé Yeshé association offers a programme designed to welcome children (from 6 years of age) and teenagers (from 13 to 17 years old) whose parents are participating in the retreat. If you are interested, please fill in this request form before 30 April.

TEACHERS & PRACTICE HOLDERS HOLDING THIS RETREAT

Ruth Seehausen (Senior Teacher), Ian Ives (Senior Teacher), Miguel Oramas (Teacher), Lily Ng (Teacher), Javier Torales (Teacher)

To learn more about H.E. Ling Rinpoche, please click here.

PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE

There will be 5 sessions a day at these approximate times:

Session 1 (9:00-10:00) Guided Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro practice, up to and including Taking Refuge
Session 2 (10:30-12:00) Teaching
Lunch
Session 3 (15:00-16:00) – not online Guided practice, group discussion, time for personal interviews with a teacher, or for personal practice
Session 4 (16:30-18:00) Guided contemplation
Dinner
Session 5 (19:00-20:00) – not online Time for personal practice

20-21 July with Ling Rinpoche
Two teaching sessions per day (10:00-12:00 & 14:00-16:00)
The Refuge & Lay Vows ceremony on Sunday afternoon will not be shared online.

Tags: PUBLIC, STUDENTS, NGÖNDRO