THE SNOW LION BUDDHIST NEWS & CATALOG

Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism Retreat
August 5-12, 2007

The Namgyal annual introductory retreat offers a variety of activities and teachings for those exploring Tibetan Buddhism for the first time, as well as for more experienced practitioners. Characterized by individual attention from the monks of the Dalai Lama's own personal monastery, the Get Acquainted summer retreat is our most popular annual event. The retreat will be led by the current Abbot of Namgyal Monastery, Geshe Dawa la, along with the Namgyal Venerable Monks.

In this retreat, students are offered a unique and thorough introduction to meditation and the core doctrines and practices of Tibetan Buddhism as practiced in the Dalai Lama's personal monastery in Dharamsala, India. Students will learn about shamatha meditation, Mahayana teachings, deity yoga, mandala theory, debate, Tibetan language, and will engage in hands-on workshops in the drawing and painting of Tibetan images and mandalas.

There will also be several lectures offered during the retreat by Western teachers on topics exploring issues that have arisen since the movement of Tibetan Buddhism to the West. After the last meditation session and dinner on each day, the evenings' activities will consist of volleyball, badminton, discussion groups, slide-lectures and videos on Tibetan culture.

All of the monks will be accessible to students throughout the day and evenings for questions and discussion on the materials studied, and there will be opportunities each day for private sessions with the teachers, Namgyal monks, and Geshe Dawa la, to discuss questions you might have regarding your own personal practice.

Intermediate White Tara Practice Retreat
August 12-19, 2007

The Namgyal annual intermediate retreat will focus on 'White Tara practice, and will be dedicated this year to the removal of obstacles and to the long-life of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama who is in his 73rd year, traditionally referred to in Tibetan culture as bar-che, or a year of hindrances. The retreat will be conducted in the manner of a traditional Tibetan Buddhist meditation retreat, led by the current Abbot of Namgyal Monastery, Geshe Dawa- la, along with the Namgyal, Venerable Monks.

Considered one of the most popular deities in Tibetan Buddhism, Tara represents the enlightened perfection of wisdom, the true nature of mind, health and longevity, and is regarded as a fully enlightened Buddha in female form. Known as the "other of the Buddhas;" Tara appears throughout Tibet as the principal female Buddha from which all other female Buddhas emanate.

In this retreat, students will learn about the purpose and special qualities of Tara practice, thus coming to understand Tara as both an enlightened guide and the embodiment of our own Buddha Nature. Students will receive instruction on the preparatory practices for meditation on Tara based upon the lam rim, such as creating a space for meditation, setting the altar, and preparing torma offerings. The teachers will also offer detailed instruction and guidance in the practice of mudras, sadhana recitation, and visualization on White Tara, which will be practiced throughout the retreat.

As in the introductory retreat, the White Tara retreat will be characterized by individual attention from the monks of the Dalai Lama's own personal monastery, with opportunities each day for students to ask questions of the teachers, Namgyal monks, and Geshe Dawa la, about their own personal practice.

More about the retreats . . .

Retreat Location

Both retreats will be held at the beautiful "Light on the Hill Retreat Center" (www.lightonthehill.org) in the peaceful, rolling hills of Van Etten, New York, located just 30 minutes south of Ithaca on 236 acres of wooded land with streams, gorges, swimming ponds, distant views and walking paths. The retreat center offers lovely accommodations with private and semiprivate rooms, cottages and cabins. Tenting options are also available.

Cost to Attend

The cost for each week-long retreat is $825.00, and includes lodging, three vegetarian meals per day, and all study materials.

Discount: Register for both retreats and pay $1,600.

To Register

To register, please phone (607) 273-0739 or email office@namgyal.org with your full name, address, telephone number, and email (optional).

A deposit of 50% is required to hold your registration. (Deposits are fully refundable until June 30th, after which, one half of the deposit is refundable).

Please make your check payable to 'Namgyal Monastery' and mail to:

Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies
PO Box 127
Ithaca, NY, 14851

Credit card payments are accepted on our website at www.namgyal.org.

More Information

To learn more about dates, times, teachers and location, please visit:

Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism Retreat

Intermediate White Tara Practice Retreat

www.namgyal.org