Begin or deepen your Ngondro practice at Shedrub Mandala’s only one-month Ngondro retreat outside of Nepal.
Why should I do a Ngondro retreat?
Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche inspires us with these words: „The one-month ngöndro retreat is a life-changing opportunity. To progress further on the path, it is essential to practice ngöndro thoroughly and extensively. This foundation transforms us into true practitioners and gives us the confidence to practice daily and ensure we don’t miss a session. After the one-month retreat, you will enjoy the practice, understand its meaning, and pursue it with enthusiasm.“
This retreat offers you the opportunity to explore the practice of the „preparatory exercises,“ Ngondro, in depth and to develop discipline for its daily practice.
How and what is practiced during the retreat?
Guided by experienced and learned monks and nuns from the Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery and Nagi Gompa, selected by Rinpoche, we will practice four joint sessions of 2 hours each, i.e. 8 hours daily.
At each session, we recite the Ngondro Liturgy, as well as various other important texts of the tradition: Calling the Guru from a Distance, the Noble Sutra of Remembrance of the Three Jewels, aspiration prayers, the Heart Sutra, confessions and dedications, and the practice of Cho. There will also be time for teachings and questions and answers in one session per day.
We learn all the parts of the ngöndro in detail by concentrating on each one for a few days. Our focus changes approximately every four days, but the entire liturgy is recited in each session.
We will recite in Tibetan. You will have access to a text with Tibetan script, phonetic transcription, and a translation into English or German.
It’s a good idea to read and study this text repeatedly in advance; we will send the text to registered participants in advance.
Timeline:
Lead time from December 22nd:
Arrive as early as possible to settle into Gomde. We begin teachings and group practice before the Christmas season (around December 22).
Authorizations from December 25th:
For this retreat, Wang, Lung, and Tri (reading transmission, empowerment, and instructions) from Rinpoche are essential.
These will take place starting on December 25.
If you already received the empowerments last year, you could arrive for the start of the retreat on December 27, but we do not recommend this.
Retreat start and end;
The retreat begins on December 27th and ends on January 25th.
After the retreat:
Please plan to leave on the evening or afternoon of January 27th so that you can help clean up the house .
Practical items you will need for the retreat:
- Mala (prayer beads)
- Bell and Dorje
- Mandala offering set
- „Sliders“ for prostrations and a counter for the fingers or wrist
- If you want to learn the practice: Chöd drum
Cost
Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche generously supported the retreat in Nepal with his personal funds, making it a great success in Nepal. The monastery provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all practitioners and encouraged concentration and community during breaks. Last year’s retreat in Nepal had 1,700 participants, who experienced profound life changes.
Following Rinpoche’s generous approach, Gomde offers this retreat free of charge, so that all who wish to dedicate their time to a month of intensive ngöndro practice can participate. Those who have the means and would like to support this endeavor are welcome to donate. Any amount is appreciated and will be used to provide meals, heat the rooms in winter, and support the precious teachers who guide us.
If you would like to contribute:
5-10 euros per day would be a symbolic contribution to this worthwhile event.
35 euros per day would roughly cover Gomde’s costs.
70 euros per day would help finance your participation and that of another person who cannot contribute.
Every amount, big or small, will help make this retreat possible!
Requirements:
- have taken refuge (last opportunity at the seminar with Rinpoche).
- Previous experience in Buddhist meditation practice.
- Participation in the Wang, Lung, Tri by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche at the beginning of the retreat.
- Mental stability.
- Commitment to attend all sessions during the retreat.
- Previous experience in participating in a retreat is an advantage.
Accommodation
All participants will be accommodated in shared rooms and dormitories with a maximum of 10 beds. A limited number of rooms are available for those who prefer more comfortable accommodation, either in a single room or with a partner or friend in a double room. To book a room, we ask for a donation to enable others to participate.
