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

email Public Transport Map Subscribe to our email group

New Year Purification-Vajrasattva Retreat
With Venerable Thubten Chödrön

December 28, 2010, to January 1, 2011

Dagri Rinpoche

Category: Tantric retreat
Level:
Intermediate-Advanced

Level of Silence:
Total silence
Partial Attendance:
Not allowed

 

Course Overview
According to Buddhist philosophy, we ultimately create our own experiences - both positive and negative. During this retreat, you will learn a simple yet effective technique to purify whatever unskillful actions of body, speech and mind you may have committed. Purifying these negative and self-destructive habits allows space for positive experiences and beneficial states of mind to flourish in your life.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains: "The Vajrasattva purification practice, which is more powerful than negative karma, can prevent you from experiencing the problems that negative karma would otherwise bring you. If you don't want relationship problems, business failure, illnesses such as cancer or aids, notoriety, or the criticism of others, the practice of Vajrasattva is extremely important."

This powerful practice is suitable for beginners and longtime practitioners alike, and for observers of all faiths. There are no special prerequisites to attend to this retreat, though a basic understanding of karma is helpful.


Suggested readings
  • Chodron, Thubten. Guided Meditations on the Stages of the Path. Ithaca, N.Y.: Snow Lion Publications, 2007.
  • Chodron, Thubten. Cultivating a Compassionate Heart: The Yoga Method of Chenresig. Ithaca, N.Y.: Snow Lion Publications, 2005.
  • H. H. the Dalai Lama, Tsong-ka-pa, and Jeffrey Hopkins. Deity Yoga. Ithaca, N.Y.: Snow Lion Publications, 1981.
  • Jampa Tegchok, Geshe. Transforming Adversity into Joy and Courage: An Explanation of the Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas. Ithaca, N.Y.: Snow Lion Publications, 2005.
  • Thubten Yeshe, Lama. Introduction to Tantra. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1987.
  • Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, Lama. Teachings from the Vajrasattva Retreat. Weston, MA: Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, 1999
  • Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, Lama. The Door to Satisfaction. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1994.
  • Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, Lama. Transforming Problems: Utilizing Happiness and Suffering in the Spiritual Path. Boston: Wisdom Publications, l987.

Suggestions to bring
Notebook, pen, and mala.

Teacher Biography
Born in 1950, Thubten Chodron grew up near Los Angeles. She graduated with a B.A. in History from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1971. After traveling through Europe, North Africa and Asia for one and a half years, she received a teaching credential and went to the University of Southern California to do post-graduate work in Education while working as a teacher in the Los Angeles City School System.

In 1975, she attended a meditation course given by Ven. Lama Yeshe and Ven. Zopa Rinpoche, and subsequently went to their monastery in Nepal to continue to study and practice Buddha's teachings. In 1977, she received the sramanerika (novice) ordination, and in 1986, received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan.

She studied and practiced Buddhism of the Tibetan tradition for many years in India and Nepal under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsenzhap Serkong Rinpoche, Zopa Rinpoche and other Tibetan masters for many years. She directed the spiritual program at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute in Italy for nearly two years, studied three years at Dorje Pamo Monastery in France, and was resident teacher at Amitabha Buddhist Center in Singapore. For ten years she was resident teacher at Dharma Friendship Foundation in Seattle, where she continues to be spiritual advisor.

Ven. Chodron was a co-organizer of Life as a Western Buddhist Nun, and took part in the conferences of Western Buddhist teachers with H.H. the Dalai Lama in 1993 and 1994. She was present during the Jewish delegation's visit to Dharamsala, India, in 1990, which was the basis for Rodger Kamenetz' The Jew in the Lotus, and attended the Second Gethsemani Encounter in 2002. She is keen on interreligious dialogue. She has also been present at several of the Mind-Life Conferences in which H. H. the Dalai Lama dialogues with Western scientists.

Ven. Chodron travels worldwide to teach the Dharma: North America, Latin America, Israel, Singapore, Malaysia, and former communist countries.. Seeing the importance and necessity of a monastery for Westerners training in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, she is currently involved in developing Sravasti Abbey.

Ven. Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well-known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. Her website, www.thubtenchodron.org, has her teaching schedule.


Schedule

28th December, 2010 3:00 - 5:00pm Registration 
6:00pm  Dinner
7:00pm  Orientation Session 
7:30pm  Opening session 
29th -31th 6:00 - 7:20am Morning practice
  7:30 - 8:00am Breakfast 
8:15 - 8:45am Walking meditation
9:00 - 12:30pm  Two sessions of combined teaching & meditation, with tea break in between
12:30 - 2:30pm Lunch 
2:30 - 4:00pm Discussion
4:00 - 4:300pm Tea
4:30 - 6:00pm  Teaching/meditation
6:00 - 6:30pm Dinner
7:00 - 8:30pm   Evening meditation session: Vajrasattva practice 
1st January, 2011 6:00 - 7:20am Morning practice
7:30 - 8:00am  Breakfast 
8:00 - 9:00am Clear out belonging from accommodations
9:00 - 12:30pm  Two teaching session with a tea break in between. Dedications   
12:30 - 1:30pm  Lunch 
1:30 - 2:30pm  Karma Yogi: final cleaning (all to participate please)
2:30pm  Retreat ends

Fees (inclusive of accommodation, meals, retreat fees)
  Non-Member Member
    10%
Camping $420.00 $378.00
Main Dormitory $440.00 $396.00
Semi Private Dormitory $460.00 $414.00
     
Private Room (single) $600.00 $540.00
Private Room (double) $540.00 $486.00
Cabin (single) $680.00 $612.00
     
Scholarship Fund $400  
Application deadline November 28th   


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.