Chenrezig Retreat

5 Day Chenrezig Retreat -

With retreat leader from Venerable Tenzin Tsapel

About the Retreat

This retreat is most suitable for those who are Buddhists and have received the Chenrezig/Avalokiteshvara Initiation.

However, it is also suitable for those who might not be ready yet to make the commitments usually involved with a tantric retreat: having taken Refuge in the Three Jewels and the Bodhisattva Vows.

As a basic requirement you should have attended a 3-day introductory course (or an equivalent Lam Rim course), know about the Chenrezig / practices to develop compassion, and have a deep wish and/or commitment to doing this practice, which includes Guru Yoga and many prayers.

This retreat will consist of three practice sessions of the Chenrezig Yoga method per day. This involves reciting the mantra of Great Compassion: Om Mani Padme Hum many times together with visualization of Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion.

One session a day will include teaching and answering questions about the Chenrezig Yoga Tantra practice, as well as the traditional methods of developing compassion.

There will be a final Vajrasattva purification session at the end of each day. There will be precepts for the middle three days.

Good to bring a mala with 108 beads for mantra recitation.

About the Text 
We will be using the 1000 Chenrezig Text accompanied by the Foundation of all Good Qualities by Lama Tsong Khapa

Precepts

These precepts are a set of eight vows that are taken before dawn in a short, simple ceremony and kept for twenty-four hours.

These Mahayana Precepts enable you to live in the essence of pure moral conduct, and since you take them with strong motivation of cherishing and wishing to benefit others, their value is immeasurable.

Taking these precepts is a powerful and effective way for you to build, maintain and increase deep propensities for spiritual practice and attainment and thus a profound method for giving meaning to your precious human life.

The first day of taking precepts you will not take breakfast or supper and have a substantial lunch only.

The second and third day of taking precepts we will provide breakfast and a substantial lunch and you will not take supper.

The precept food will exclude garlic, onion, radishes and eggs. We will provide coconut water and apple juice in the evening session.

If you do not wish to take precepts due to health reasons can you please email the office on office@atisha.org.au by Monday 23 of December and let us know and we will prepare breakfast for you on the first day, and supper for you each day.

Good to bring a mala with 108 beads for mantra recitation. These can be purchased at the Lama Dharma shop.

About the Leader

Venerable Tenzin Tsapel

Venerable Tenzin Tsapel was inspired to become a Buddhist after she met Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa in 1979. She was ordained five years later by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tsapel served as a resident teacher at FPMT Centres in Sydney, New Zealand and in Mongolia. She also taught and/or tutored at the Chenrezig Nuns Community in QLD for seven years. Venerable Tsapel has led many group retreats and completed a number of solitary retreats including a two-year calm abiding (mindfulness) retreat at De-Tong Ling.

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 $380.00  (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.