prayer wheel

Enlightenment Month Retreat

June 16 & 17, 2012

Guided by

Geshe Jamyang Tsultrim

Location: Nalanda Dharma Center

Summary: This retreat will provide instruction, practice, and Q&A on the meditation practices performed at Nalanda. Those include: Calm Abiding Meditation, Vipassana Meditation, Vajrayana Meditation and Mind Training.

Benefit: The retreat will enable attendees to better understand, do, and benefit from these meditation practices. It is also a good way for Nalanda practitioners to get to know Geshe Jamyang, Lama Lungrik and fellow meditators. Plus, Nalanda retreats are always fun, interesting and enjoyable.

Registration: Please register by email as early as possible. Send us a reply to this message or an email addressed to: info@nalandaolywa.org Simply tell us that you plan to attend and specify if you will attend both days or only one.

Cost: $60 for dues paying members, $75 for non-members. Please pay one of the board members at a Thu or Sat session, pay at the door on Jun 16, or mail a check to Nalanda Institute, 1620 Fourth Ave E., Olympia, WA 98506

Detailed Schedule

Sat, Jun 16, 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM:

Developing and Refining Classical Meditation Practices

The forms of classical meditation that will be taught include:

  • Calm Abiding (Shamatha) which basically is developing a high level of concentration by focusing on the breath or some other meditation object.
  • Insight (Vipassana) which is using meditative concentration to focus on the ultimate nature of reality.
  • Mind Training (Lojong) which encompasses compassion and loving/kindness and other ethical behavior.
  • Lam Dre meditation which is understanding appearance as the manifestation of mind.

The format for each of these topics is:

  • Short Instruction
  • Practice session
  • Discussion, Q& A
  • Further Instruction

Saturday's Schedule

  • 9 - 10:40 am

      Calm Abiding Meditation

  • 11 - 12:30 pm

      Insight Meditation

  • 12:30 - 2:00

      Lunch

  • 2:00 - 3:30

     Mandala exercise

  • 4:00 - 5:30

     Mind Training (Lojong)

  • 5:30 - 7:00

     Dinner

  • 7:00 - 8:30

     Appearance as Manifestation of Mind

LUNCH NOTE: For lunch, we will reserve a room at downtown restaurant so we can eat as a group, cost not included. Or, bring your own and eat it at Dharma Center if you prefer.

DINNER NOTE: Dinner is on your own. If you wish to bring food back to the Center, it's OK. .

Sun, Jun 17, 9:00 am to Noon:

Nalanda's main Saturday morning Vajrayana is centered on the practice of the Chenrezig sadhana, the Deity of Compassion. Once a month it is the Green Tara sadhana. This practice encompasses chanting, recitation, visualization, mantra, and meditation. The content of the verses is a profound essence teaching of Mahayana Buddhism. This practice can be highly effective. The morning will be devoted to:

  • 9 - 10:30 am:

     Instructional commentary by Geshe Jamyang on the text of the Chenrezig practice.

  • 10:45 - 12:00:

     Doing the sadhana practice with this fresh insight.