START AND END TIMES:
We will begin at 2.30pm on Sunday July 12th and end by around 10am on Sunday July 26th.
Portuguese translation will be available for both streams – please check back for updates.
PRACTICE SESSIONS — REVISED SCHEDULE (updated Friday 10th July)
Retreatants are expected to participate as much as possible from 5am to 7.15pm. We understand that for some people, sitting alone at home may be more difficult being part of a large group sitting together in-person, but encourage everyone to do their best!
5am – first thun
6.50am – break
7am – morning puja
8am-8.30am breakfast
9am 2nd thun
12pm-12.30pm lunch
2pm 3rd thun
5pm break
5.15pm evening puja followed by short sitting (close RD, do sur)
end around 7/7.15pm, then dinner
Download the Retreat Schedule | Escala Diaria do Retiro
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR EITHER STREAM — register below.
Deadline midnight Friday 10th July.
LINKS TO PRIVATE PAGES WILL BE SENT OUT TO REGISTERED RETREATANTS
ON SATURDAY NIGHT.
Tromge Jigme Rinpoche explains: “For some dharma practitioners, the strength of their karmic connection with Vajrayana is such that they can almost immediately make sense of the concepts unique to Vajrayana Buddhism. But for others, if there is not a proper foundation, the extraordinary wealth of Vajrayana practices can become merely a trap. For example, instead of being understood as a form of meditation, ritual arts can become a distraction, or simply inflate artistic egos. Deity yoga can result in even more confused fixation on external phenomena, or become an avenue for self-aggrandizement, rather than serving as a method for understanding ultimate truth. We want to make good use of our time, and remove our confusion rather than add to it, so retreats like this can present a wonderful opportunity to really study and apply the sublime methods transmitted to us through generations of master practitioners.”
In 2016 Tromge Jigme Rinpoche expanded on 2015’s Lojong (Mind Training) teachings and gave instruction on the practice of the Dudjom Tersar Ngondro. In 2017, Rinpoche taught on Ngari Panchen’s Perfect Conduct. In 2019, teachings began on the Three Roots as the pathway to the dzogchen teachings.
REGISTER FOR STREAM 1 — LOJONG
(Registration CLOSES at 5pm PT July 11th. Open to all)
REGISTER FOR STREAM 2 — THREE ROOTS (CLOSED)
(Registration is CLOSED. You must have completed ngondro and previous dzogchen/PPI retreats)
If you have questions please email us. Thank you and we very much look forward to sitting with you!
Note: PPI has been unable to host rental groups since the start of the shut-down, and bookings continue to be tenuous for the coming months. Although the extra time has been valuable for us to work on the property, the loss of rental income (and lack of federal/state support for nonprofits like us) is hitting hard. We are very grateful for any donations large or small, one-time or ongoing, that you make to help the center through these times. Thank you! Click here to support PPI
Sun 12th – Sun 26th July 2020 (online)
Extensive Teachings on the Vajrayana Path
We are delighted to announce that Tromge Jigme Rinpoche will continue a series of annual summer retreats covering all aspects of Vajrayana practice, including meditations, deity yoga sadhana, ritual arts and texts relevant to all nine yanas. These retreats are being offered under the auspices of Chagdud Gonpa Foundation, with the aspiration to enrich the sangha’s knowledge and application of the practices His Eminence Chagdud Rinpoche introduced to his students. The retreat will run for two weeks. Full-time attendance is required in order to participate in this retreat, whether in-person or online.
Retreatants new to the program at PPI should note that the Lojong (Mind Training) covered in the first year of the program is essential, fundamental training for the accomplishment of any Vajrayana practice, including Ngondro. Therefore, all new retreatants will be focusing on Lojong, even if they have previously completed a Ngondro. In subsequent years, having completed ngondro, they can transfer to the Three Roots/dzogchen group.
In 2020, there will be TWO streams. The daily program runs from 5am to 9pm Pacific (California) time, and online access will be via Youtube (Zoom will NOT be needed) Please subscribe to the Chagdud Gonpa Ati Ling Youtube channel if you have not already. Teachings by Rinpoche will take place during the 9am or 2.30pm sessions. There will also be opportunities for questions.
Stream 1 LOJONG (mind training) — open to all, whether complete beginners, or those who did some PPI retreats before. No prerequisites other than genuine interest in Buddhadharma, and willingness to commit to daily study and meditation practice. Please see the curriculum for more information.
Stream 2 THREE ROOTS — restricted to those who have participated in ALL the retreats from 2015 onwards. In 2020, since in-person attendance is not possible for many returning students, we will continue with the teachings on the lama aspect of the Three Roots. Please note there will be a mantra commitment for those who complete this year and who wish to progress to the 2021 retreat on the yidam aspect.
COSTS: Online participation will be FREE OF CHARGE for both streams.
Due to risks and uncertainties around COVID in California, in-person attendance is not possible this year.