Taking refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha is one of the core practices of Buddhism, however, in a broader sense, we are also building reliance on one’s own qualities, potential and commitment.
This holiday retreat will include teachings by Demo Rinpoche, recorded teachings of Gelek Rimpoche, guided meditations and discussion sessions facilitated by Jewel Heart instructors, and personal mantra meditation. The retreat is open to all, no prerequisites.
DATES/TIMES:
Saturday – Wednesday, December 26 – 30, 2020
10:00am – 5:00pm Eastern Time
Fee: $80 / Give What You Can
Click here for the Optional New Year’s Eve Program – New Year’s Eve Lama Chopa & Tsoh + Virtual Party – Thursday, December 31, 3:00 – 5:00pm
RETREAT ELEMENTS
- Schedule: 10:00am – 12:00 pm, 2:00 – 5:00pm
- Teaching by Demo Rinpoche plus videos by Gelek Rimpoche
- Support by retreat facilitators includes prayers, guided meditations, discussions, and time keeping during mantra recitations
2020 REFUGE RETREAT SCHEDULE
| Saturday – Wednesday: December 26 – 30 | |||||
| Refuge Retreat | Dec 26 | Dec 27 | Dec 28 | Dec 29 | Dec 30 |
| Topic | Guru | Buddha | Dharma | Sangha | Lama Yidam Three Jewels |
| 10 – 11 am | Demo Rinpoche talk | Gelek Rimpoche Video | Gelek Rimpoche Video | Gelek Rimpoche Video | Demo Rinpoche talk |
| 11 am – 12 pm | Mantra recitation
Namo Gurube | Mantra recitation
Namo Buddhaya | Mantra recitation
Namo Dharmaya | Mantra recitation
Namo Sanghaya | Mantra recitation
I take Refuge to Lama Yidam Three Jewels |
| Lunch break 12 – 2 pm | Lunch break 12 – 2 pm | Lunch break 12 – 2 pm | Lunch break 12 – 2 pm | Lunch break 12 – 2 pm | Lunch break
12 – 2 pm |
| 2 – 3 pm | Guided Meditation
With mantra recitation | Guided Meditation
With mantra recitation | Guided Meditation
With mantra recitation | Guided Meditation
With mantra recitation | Guided Meditation
With mantra recitation |
| 3 – 3.45 pm | Discussion | Discussion | Discussion | Discussion | Discussion |
| 3.45 – 4 pm | Break | Break | Break | Break | Break |
| 4 – 5pm | Mantra recitation
Namo Gurube | Mantra recitation
Namo Buddhaya | Mantra recitation
Namo Dharmaya | Mantra recitation
Namo Sanghaya | Mantra recitation
I take Refuge to Lama Yidam Three Jewels |
Any of the elements of this online retreat are optional. There is no commitment to have to attend every session of either teaching, mantra recitation, guided meditation or discussion.
Mantra Recitation: There are 3 hours of mantra recitation per day, (including the guided meditation period). In that time you may like to think about the meaning of refuge, benefit of refuge and also concentrate on the visualized objects of refuge, while saying the refuge mantras.
For those who would like to accumulate 10,000 of each of the 5 mantras over the five days, there is ample time to complete this.
Option: A more extensive refuge retreat is one of the preliminary practices for Vajrayana retreats. After completing this group retreat by December 30, those who like can continue at home individually in daily retreat until completing 100,000 of each of the refuge mantras.
Practice Framework:
Visualize Refuge Field and recite Jewel Heart Prayers including refuge, then recite mantras by visualizing receiving blessings and also do analytical meditations on the meaning of refuge and the qualities of all the objects of refuge. Conclude with short or long dedication.
Transcripts by Gelek Rimpoche for purchase:
Odyssey to Freedom – Transcript by Gelek Rimpoche
Quick Path – Transcript by Gelek Rimpoche
Lam Rim – Transcript by Gelek Rimpoche
