Introductory Talk

Gen Chokga will explain the main points of the practice on Saturday to help you prepare and appreciate the great benefits of this precious Kadampa practice which comes around only once a year – on Buddha’s Enlightenment Day.

The Retreat

This annual retreat is a special opportunity to purify negativity and pacify our bad mental habits, such as strong attachment and anger.  It can also greatly improve our experiences of love, compassion and bodhichitta.

The practice is normally done over two days, although we can practice for one day if we wish.  Each day consists of three sessions, which include prayers and prostrations to Thousand Armed Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion.

We begin each day by taking the Eight Mahayana Precepts.  These are special one-day vows, or promises, to refrain from particular actions which disturb our minds, or the minds of others.  On the first day we abstain from all food apart from lunch*.  On the second day we engage in a complete fast, abstaining from all food and drink for twenty four hours.  Although such a practice is extremely valuable as a way of purifying our mind, if our health or circumstances do not permit, we can practice the second day in the same way as the first.

Unless we are very familiar with this practice, it is advisable to attend the introductory talk on Saturday 10 April (available for three days afterwards as a recording).

*Our lunch should be eaten before or at 12.30pm.  It should not include eggs, meat, fish, alcohol, garlic, onions or spices.

During the retreat we will be using the prayer booklet Drop of Essential Nectar which is available to purchase in paperback or downloadable format from Tharpa Publications.