2008 Annual North American Mahamudra Seminar

Led by Lama Michael Conklin, Lama Tara, Dora DeCoursey and Bill Spangle

Tuesday, June 17 - Saturday, June 28, 2008

Ser Cho Osel Ling (SCOL) near Goldendale, WA

 

This retreat provides the essential teachings for the Mahamudra Program established by Venerable Bokar Rinpoche. The program is based on the idea that in the midst of daily life it is necessary to have a coherent approach that presents the essential elements of practice in a clear and concise progression. This structured path will allow one to fruitfully persevere in Dharma practice throughout an entire life. At all levels of the program there are yearly commitments to meditation practice which require between one and two hours per day (first-timers may choose a lesser level)

The first six years focus on becoming familiar with the stages of meditation: Calm Abiding (Zhinay), Insight (Lhatong) and Mahamudra (the union of Calm Abiding and Insight). During this time practitioners receive instruction in the preliminary practices (Ngondro), the cultivation of Bodhicitta and Chenrezig meditation. The retreat is a mix of teaching and practice, with ample time for questions.

If you have any questions about the content of the retreat, please contact Dora DeCoursey or Bill Spangle.

Retreat Requirements: 1) already practicing Buddhism, or ready to commit to the Buddhist path; 2) attend the full ten days of the retreat; and 3) willing to make a commitment to a program of daily meditation practice for one year. First timers may choose from several levels of practice commitment.

You are required to attend all twelve days of the retreat.

Goldendale:

The retreat land is 240 acres of meadowland and forest, with a small house and a big, old barn. There are old logging roads for walking as well as a small year round stream that runs through the property.

Please be prepared for varied weather by bringing appropriate clothing. It is likely to be hot during the day and cool at night. There is an occasional mosquito at dusk and a chance of encountering ticks. To reduce risk of being bitten by a tick, it's best to wear light colored, long sleeved shirts & long pants, tuck your pant legs into your socks when walking in brush, use tick repellent, and check yourself daily.

This is the first retreat using the newly completed north wing of the long retreat center. The new facility includes indoor shrine/teaching hall, sleeping quarters, cooking, dining and bathing facilities.

Accommodations

Indoor accommodations:

The north wing has cabins and rooms that sleep 2, and 2 dorm rooms sleeping 3 or 4. These spaces include beds and mattresses but not bedding. There are no singles available.

Camping:

Designated camping areas offer some shade. Please bring all your own equipment and bedding.

There are three bathrooms and 2 showers in the retreat center. Showering will be at designated times, by gender. Meals will be served in the kitchen and dining areas.

Shrine Room:

Please bring all sitting gear-- zabutons, cushions, pecha tables

Retreatants will be asked to participate in a small daily chore, as well as helping out with final clean-up at the end of the retreat. No chores will interfere with attending scheduled meditation sessions.

Meals will be vegetarian. Tea and snacks will also be provided. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advanced notice. Please be sure to indicate any such restrictions on your registration form, and plan to adhere to those restrictions throughout the duration of the retreat.

Arrival: June 17- no latter than 5:00 PM & no earlier than 12 Noon. Orientation will be at   7:00 PM.

Departure: June 28- after breakfast & final chores. Approximately 10:00 AM

It takes approximately 2 hours to get to Goldendale from Portland.

Price for the retreat is $600 US for all retreatants. This price includes meals, snacks, lodging, and a small offering to Lama Tara. Please consider an additional offering if you are able. A deposit of $300 US is required to reserve your spot, and the balance is due by June 3nd. As a gesture of respect, a discounted price of $310 is available to ordained sangha and those who have completed 3-year retreat.

Registration forms are also available in the attachment below or at the KCC urban center, or by contacting Julie Colley at 503-254-2109, or colley@aracnet.com 

Registration must be completed by June 3rd. The cancellation policy is in place so that KCC can cover the financial costs of hosting a retreat. If you discover that you are unable to attend this retreat, please immediately contact Julie Colley (colley@aracnet.com). Your deposit, minus a $10 fee, is refundable up to May 13th. Your deposit, minus a $150 fee is refundable up to June 3rd. If you cancel after June 3rd, you forfeit your deposit. Any amount paid above the deposit amount is refunded in full, regardless of cancellation date.

Dana:

For some among us, retreat participation depends on the kindness of others in the form of monetary donations for scholarships. The number of scholarships directly depends on donations to the Scholarship Fund. With your help we can expand our sharing of the dharma with those who otherwise would be unable to participate. Please consider contributing to the Scholarship Fund. There are a limited number of scholarships available (up to 50% of the retreat cost) for individuals with serious financial constraints. To request a scholarship, please include a brief written statement of financial need and practice history along with your completed registration form and deposit of $300.

For more information about scholarships, please see http://www.kcc.org/about/intranet/documents/policies/scholarship.html

Upon registration, more information will be sent to you including: directions to Ser Cho Osel Ling, information about carpooling and travel options, a retreat schedule, and information about what to bring.  

If you order books online, please go to http://www.kcc.org/ and link to Amazon or Powell's. Accessing these sites via the KCC home page allows KCC to receive a portion of the profit from such sales.

Recommended Readings

For newcomers to the program

The following three books are the most important books to read for newcomers to this program, and especially for those with a meditation practice history of less than 3-4 years.

Advice for Beginners by Bokar Rinpoche 

Chenrezig Lord of Love by Bokar Rinpoche 

Tibetan Buddhism from the Ground Up by B. Alan Wallace (or a similar book covering fundamental tenets of the Buddhist path in the Tibetan tradition)

Additional books, such as the following, may be useful, especially in the second or later years

Books on Mahamudra, including Zhinay and Lhatong (2nd year or beyond)

Opening the Door to Certainty by Bokar Rinpoche  

Essentials of Mahamudra by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

Crystal Clear by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

Mahamudra: Eliminating the Darkness of Ignorance (or Ignorance of Darkness) by Wangchuk Dorje

Lamp of Mahamudra by Tsele Natsok Rangdrol

Books that support the practice of Ngondro

Torch of Certainty by Jamgon Kongtrul:  Highly recommended for its complete instructions for the Ngondro practices in the 1st or 2nd year, whenever the Ngondro commitment is taken.

Words of My Perfect Teacher by Patrul Rinpoche: Inspirational classic text in an excellent translation, covering many essential elements of the Bodhisattva path.  The specific Ngondro instructions are from the Nyingma tradition, so not all are applicable.

The Foundations of Tibetan Buddhism by H E Kalu Rinpoche.

Rain of Wisdom by Nalanda Translation Committee: Songs of lineage masters, may be especially inspirational for the guru yoga practice.

Commentary on the Ngondro Practice by Venerable Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche

Books covering the seven points of mind training, which includes tonglen practice

Start Where You Are by Pema Chodron 

Buddhism with an Attitude by Alan Wallace 

The Great Path of Awakening by Jamgon Kongtrul

The Practice of Lojong by Traleg Kyabgon

Books on the Buddhist path

The Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Gompopa, translated by Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche: Comprehensive foundation for study and practice in the Kagyu tradition. 12th century classic.  There are several other translations.

The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva Classic text on the Bodhisattva path

Kagyu Changchub Chuling (KCC) http://www.kcc.org/, a Dharma Center in Portland, Oregon, is sponsoring this retreat. KCC was founded in 1976 by the Very Venerable Kalu Rinpoche, one of the eminent meditation masters of modern Tibet and a holder of the Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu lineages. The mission of KCC is to make the teachings of these lineages accessible for all practitioners, whether they are just beginning to investigate Buddhism or are long-time students.

 

 

AttachmentSize
MM Jun 08 Reg Form final.pdf42.97 KB