Events
Retreat
In-Person Only
Purification Fasting Retreat
Self-Guided Retreat
$15 per person
in-person only
Nyungnay:
Purification Fasting Retreat
This retreat will begin by taking the Mahayana Precepts (required). Then, we will engage in the self-guided prostration and purification practice of Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara.
This special fasting and purification practice is traditionally done by Kadampa Centers worldwide on Buddha’s Enlightenment day, which is celebrated on April 15.
This year we will spend the day after with Thousand-Armed (eleven-faced) Avalokiteshvara – “Mahakaruna” – the nature of our Guru’s great compassion, making exquisite offerings, praises, and prostrations. We will thereby accumulate huge merit, purify vast negativity for ourselves and others, and receive the most powerful blessings to propel ourself swiftly along our path to enlightenment.
Wrapped within the practice of Mahayana Precepts, this retreat involves fasting and making three sessions of prostrations with the sadhana, Drop of Essential Nectar.
Although strongly recommended, fasting is not compulsory. Everyone is welcome to join us for this special retreat.
Please note, this is a self-guided retreat.
In-Person Only
Saturday, April 16
Retreat Schedule
Precepts (required) 7 - 7:30 am
session 1 7:45 - 9 am
session 2 10 - 11:15 am
break 11:15 - 4 pm
if fasting, no food after lunch
session 3 4 - 5:15 pm
Heart Jewel 7 - 7:45 pm
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The Mahayana Precepts
Taking and keeping the Mahayana Precepts is a special practice of moral discipline, or non-harmfulness, that is performed with bodhichitta intention. Bodhichitta is the supreme intention to fulfill our spiritual potential for the benefit of all living beings.
With a mind of love wishing to free others from their suffering, we make a promise to abstain from eight specific actions for 24 hours. This is a powerful method to purify our past negativities and accumulate a vast amount of good fortune.
The Eight Mahayana Precepts:
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killing
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stealing
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sexual activity
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lying
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taking intoxicants
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eating after lunch (meaning we only eat lunch)
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sitting on high or luxurious thrones or seats
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wearing ornaments, perfume, etc, and singing and dancing, and so forth
If we engage in this practice often, we will become acquainted with the practice of moral discipline and be able to bring meaningful benefit to ourself and others.
We first need to receive these Precepts from a qualified preceptor, and then we can take them on our own as often as we wish. A detailed explanation of this practice can be found in the prayer booklet A Pure Life.