Vajrapani Institute
P.O. Box 2130
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(800) 531-4001

email Public Transport Map Subscribe to our email group

Great 1,000 Arm Chenrezig Initiation, Commentary, and Nyung Naes

with Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche
and Ven. Sarah Thresher


May 6-18, 2010

(page updated 4/29) Schedule, Info for Initiates, Fee's

Dagri Rinpoche

Ven. Sarah


Category:
Course and Tantric Retreat
Level:
Intermediate-Advanced

Level of Silence:
No silence for initiation and commentary; total silence for nyung naes
Partial Attendance:
Possible to attend as separate events

Course Overview
In this amazing event, Lama Zopa Rinpoche will give the Great Chenrezig Initiation with commentary on Nyung Naes (this commentary is only for those who have taken the initiation) from May 6th to the 10th. Then Ven. Sarah Thresher will lead 3 sets of Nyung Naes from May 11th-18th, using Rinpoche’s chanting and instructions based on the recent Mani retreat held in France and the “Experiencing the Path” teachings in North Carolina.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn and practice in Rinpoche’s style.

The Great Buddha Chenrezig is renowned as the embodiment of the compassion of all the Buddhas. He is known by different names in different lands: as Avalokiteshvara in the ancient Sanskrit language of India, as Kuan-yin in China, as Kannon in Japan and even modern day meditation masters such as H.H. the Dalai Lama and The Karmapa, are also believed to be emanations of Chenrezig.

Whenever we are compassionate, feel love for anyone or anything, we experience a taste of our own natural connection with Chenrezig. Tibetan Buddhists believe that we all share, in our basic nature, unconditional compassion and wisdom that is no different from what we see in Chenrezig and in the great meditation masters.

We might have trouble believing that we are no different than Chenrezig -- but learning about the nature of compassion, learning about Chenrezig, repeating his mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum, wishing to be like Chenrezig, pretending that we really are Chenrezig, we actually can become aware of increasing compassion in our lives, and ultimately, the lamas tell us, awaken as completely wise and compassionate buddhas.

By receiving the Great Chenrezig Empowerment, you will create a greater connection with the Buddha of compassion and receive permission to visualize yourself as Chenrezig, therefore deepening your practice and connection to all beings.

May 6-7
Great Chenrezig Initiation with Lama Zopa Rinpoche
May 8 Lama Yeshe Cremation Stupa Consecration with Lama Zopa Rinpoche
May 9-10 Nyung Nae Commentary with Lama Zopa Rinpoche (restricted to initiates only)
May 11-18
3 sets of Nyung Naes with Ven. Sara. More info
  First Set:  May 11 (evening) until May 14 (early morning)
  Second Set:  May 14 (early morning) until May 16 (early morning)
  Third Set: May 16 (early morning) until May 18 (early morning)

People are encouraged to attend all three sets of Nyung Naes, but are welcome to join for any number of sets. Registration is from 3-5pm on May 11 (and May 13 and May 15, if applicable).

Please  let us know if you have never taken precepts before, as we would then recommend that you at least attend the first set of Nyung Naes.

Commitments:

For Chenrezig Initiation:
There are no pre-requisites to attend the initiation, but one should be prepared to take refuge and bodhisattva vows as they are often included in the ceremony.  When taking the initiation you must attend the first day (the preparation) in order to attend the second day of initiation.  The commitment for receiving the initiation is usually reciting one mala of the short mantra of Chenrezig, ‘Om mani padme hum,’ a day for life.  Rinpoche sometimes give the option to do a certain number of Nyung Naes instead.

For Nyung Nae Commentary:
Only those who have previously or recently received the Great 1000 Arm Chenrezig Initation can attend the commentary. If you do not have this initation it is not appropriate for you to attend.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

In order to receive the initiation participants must attend both May 6th and 7th and be prepared to take refuge and the bodhisattva vows. Please try to abstain from Eating "black Foods"- eggs, meat, radish, onions, and garlic on May 6th and 7th.

The Nyung Nae commentary on May 9th and 10th is restricted to only people who have the Chenrezig inititation.  If you have previously received the initiation, but can not come on May 6th and 7th you are still welcome to attend May 9th and 10th.

Here is some useful Information about:

Refuge
Refuge Commitments
Primary and Secondary Bodhistava Vows
Guru Devotion

Note:  Lama Zopa Rinpoche does not wish to have a guru-disciple relationship with anyone who is practicing Shugden.  So anyone practicing Shugden should not attend any initiation which Rinpoche is giving.

Schedule

May 6: Chenrezig Initiation
1pm to 5pm: Registration for residents (people staying over).  (Parking at Camp Lindblad.)
5pm-7pm: Registration for commuters. (Parking at Vajrapani.)
7:30pm: Initiation

May 7: Chenrezig Initiation (must have attended May 6)
4pm: Review session with Ven. Tenzin Chogkyi
7:30pm: Initiation 

May 9: Nyung Nae Commentary (restricted to initiates)
4pm: Commentary Session
6pm: Dinner
8pm: Commentary Session

May 10: Nyung Nae Commentary (restricted to initiates)
8pm: Commentary Session

May 11: Clean-Up and Check-Out Day for Residents
10am: Karma Yoga Final Day Clean-up
11am-1pm: Shuttles Depart to Camp Lindblad

Teacher Biography
Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Lama Zopa Rinpoche was born in 1946 in Thami, in the Mount Everest region of Nepal, not far from the Lawudo cave where his predecessor had meditated for the last 20 years of his life. Lama Zopa Rinpoche is now the Spiritual Director of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition and oversees all of its activities. 

For more information, teachings, and advice about Lama Zopa Rinpoche go to: www.fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/

Ven. Sarah Thresher
Venerable Sarah Thresher (Tenzin Yiwong) was born in London, England in 1960. She graduated from University in 1982 and shortly afterwards met her root guru Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery, Nepal. Since then she has studied with many great masters and was ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1986.

After working as an editor for Wisdom Publications for nine years, she began teaching in 1992 and has taught in countries around the world. She now travels and teaches full time.

Ven. Sarah has also worked with Rinpoche to help lead practices according to his instructions at several major retreats, including the Mitrugpa Retreat in the US, the Mahamudra Retreat in Australia and the Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga Retreat in Italy. She is particularly interested in trying to preserve and spread the special flavor of Rinpoche’s way of leading pujas and practices.
Fees (for May 6 to 18 - inclusive of accommodation, meals, retreat fees for Initiation, Commentary, and 3 Nyung Na's)
  Regular Rate
  Non-Member Member
    10%
Camping $994.00 $894.60
Main Dormitory $1,054.00 $948.60
Semi Private Dormitory $1,114.00 $1,002.60
     
Private Room (single) $1,494.00 $1,344.60
Private Room (double) $1,314.00 $1,182.60
Cabin (single) $1,734.00 $1,560.60

Fees (for May 6 to 11 - inclusive of accommodation, meals, retreat fees for Initiation and Commentary only)

  Regular Rate
  Non-Member Member
    10%
Camping $458.00 $412.20
Main Dormitory $483.00 $434.70
Semi Private Dormitory $508.00 $457.20
     
Private Room (single) $663.00 $596.70
Private Room (double) $588.00 $529.20
Cabin (single) $763.00 $686.70
     
Scholarship Fund $500  
Application deadline April 7th  

Commuter Fees per Day
Member rate: $30
Early-bird registration (on or before April 30): $40
Standard rate: $50

Commuter Fees for All Sessions (May 6, 7, 9, 10)
Member rate: $100
Early-bird registration (on or before April 30): $140
Standard rate: $170

Pre-registration required. E-mail office@vajrapani.org.

No one will be turned away for lack of funds. 


Click here for details regarding financial aid

Click Here for Course and Registration General Info

Cancellation Policy 

A position for Course Manager Scholarship might still be available for this course. Click here for more information.