4 Day Spring Retreat

4 Day Spring Retreat - Eight Verses of Mind Training by Langri Thangpa

With teachings from Venerable Geshe Thubten Rabten

Translated by Venerable Lobsang Dorje.

About the Retreat

This special 4 day experiential residential retreat is open to all levels of practitioners: beginners and experienced alike. 

Geshe Rabten is a wonderful teacher who carefully guides students with each subject, gives illustrations, analogies and meditations relatable to our daily lives. 

Venerable Tenzin Tsapel is Spring retreat leader and will be will be leading meditations daily and discussion groups.

About the Text 
by Geshe Langri Thangpa (1054-1123) born in Central Tibet; founded Langthang

monastery. The text is a summary of the Tibetan Buddhist lojong tradition of “mind training, ” which is based largely on the teachings of the 10th century Indian Buddhist master Atisha.

The Eight Verses of Training the Mind by Gesha Langri Thangpa is the most concise teaching on Lojong, or “training the mind,” in Mahayana Buddhism — and at the same time, in eight precise verses are a profound and layered teaching.

“The main point this verse emphasizes is to develop an attitude that enables you to regard other sentient beings as precious, much in the manner of precious jewels.” — His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

8 lined verse

I, for the sake of all sentient beings,

Who are of greater value than a wish-fulfilling gem, and

With the thought to accomplish the supreme goal,

Will at all times, hold them as precious.

Wherever, whenever, and whomever I interact with,

I will view myself humbly in relation to them all,

And from the depths of my heart

I will value others more highly.

In all actions I will examine my own mind

And the moment an affliction arises,

Since it endangers others and myself,

I will forcefully confront and avert it.

When seeing ill-natured sentient beings,

Overwhelmed by powerful non-virtue and intense suffering,

As though discovering a precious treasure,

I will hold them dear for they are rare to find.

When others out of jealousy

Scold or slander me unfairly,

Accepting the loss upon myself,

I will offer the victory to them.

When someone I helped and benefitted

And in whom I placed great trust,

Mistreats me entirely unjustly,

I will view them as an excellent spiritual teacher.

In brief, I will directly and indirectly

Offer every benefit and happiness to all mothers,

And each harmful act and suffering of my mothers,

May I discreetly take upon myself.

With all these also untarnished by conceptual stains

Of the eight worldly concerns, and

Through knowing all phenomena as illusory,

l will liberate from the shackles of clinging.

About the Teacher

Geshe Thubten Rabten

Atisha Centre's Resident Teacher

Geshe Rabten joined Sera Jey Monastery in 1978 at the age of 14. In 1980 he received novice ordination from Ling Rinpoche and in 1984 full ordination from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In 1999 Gen-la received his Geshe Lharam degree and in 2000 he undertook tantric studies in Gyume Tantric Monastery, successfully completing his tantric studies examination in 2002. Following that, Geshe Rabten held various teaching and other important positions in Sera Jey Monastery including “Disciplinarian” and “Master of the Debate Ground”, where he supervised and guided the monks whilst they were debating.

You will receive a participation letter 7 days prior to the retreat with the schedule and what to bring with you.

COST OF THE WHOLE RETREAT IS $300.00  (MEMBERS' DISCOUNTS APPLY)

THIS COVERS FACILITY FEES, ALL MEALS AND RETREAT MATERIALS AS WELL AS OFFERINGS. 

AT ATISHA CENTRE WE PROVIDE DELICIOUS VEGETARIAN MEALS. WE CAN ALSO CATER TO CELIAC/GLUTEN FREE (EXTRA COST).

PLEASE BYO FOOD FOR OTHER DIETARY NEEDS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING.

PLEASE BOOK ACCOMMODATION SEPARATELY HERE.