|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
Dharma
Courses - Retreats |
|
|
|
Tantra
Retreats
The Institute organizes several group tantra
retreats each year. These include mantra retreats
led by Geshe Jampa Gyatso and other retreats
led by experienced practitioners and sangha
members. The latter usually take place during
the winter period, when there are few courses
and residents are freer to participate. These
retreats are each of ten to twenty days duration,
allowing participants to complete the required
number of mantras necessary to join in the
group fire puja at the end of the retreat.
These retreats tend to be very successful
and much appreciated by old and new students
alike and are easily followed by non-Italian
speakers by using a sadhana (practice manual)
in their own language. A question and answer
session with the group leader or another experienced
student is usually provided to review the
various visualizations, mudras, etc. To participate
in a mantra retreat, it is generally necessary
for one to have received the appropriate empowerment.
Those interested in participating should check
the Institute’s schedule for details
on prerequisites.
Nyung Ne
The Nyung Ne, a two-and-a-half day retreat
that consists of fasting, prostrations, and
devotional practices, is scheduled on auspicious
dates of the Buddhist calendar, such as the
full moon of Saka Dawa. Residents as well
as visitors join in these retreats, which
are generally enjoyed by all (in spite of
the difficulties!).
Chu len (Taking the Essence)
The first group FPMT Chu Len (“taking
the essence”) retreat took place at
the Tushita Meditation Center during the first
Dharma Celebration in 1982, following the
oral transmission and commentary on the practice
by Geshe Jampa Wangdu. In 1983, Lama Yeshe
asked Claudio Cipullo to lead the first Chu
Len retreat in Italy. In accordance with Lama’s
wishes, Claudio led two 10-day Chu Len retreats
a year in Pomaia for several years. These
retreats are now led by Ven. Lucia Bani.
The Chu Len retreat comprises four sessions
a day, generally involving the visualization
and mantra recitation of Shakyamuni Buddha,
together with meditation on Lam Rim (the graduated
path). The participants (usually numbering
between ten and twenty) gradually decrease
the amount and density of the food eaten until,
for a number of days, they take only specially
prepared pills together with water and herbal
teas. Towards the end of the retreat, the
substantiality of the food is gradually increased
until the participants can tolerate normal
food without undergoing any discomfort. These
retreats are attended and enjoyed not only
by old students but also by newcomers to the
Dharma.
Solitary Retreats
Each year, a number of residents and people
from outside the Institute come to do individual
retreats that vary in duration from a week
up to several months. Geshe Jampa Gyatso,
Geshe Tenphel, and other experienced members
of the community are available to give advice
concerning one’s particular practice,
the setting up of tormas and offerings, and
the carrying out of the concluding fire puja,
as suits the needs of the practitioner.
Fire Pujas
People who have completed mantra retreats
individually, either at the Institute or at
another location, can do the concluding fire
puja at the Institute under the guidance of
a resident geshe or other experienced student.
There are a number of Western sangha members
at the Institute who are trained in both the
organization and execution of these pujas.
Vipassana and Zen Retreats
The Institute regularly hosts Zen and vipassana
retreats led by various qualified teachers.
The vipassana retreats, which are generally
very popular, are led by teachers such as
Corrado Pensa and Mario Thanavaro. Depending
on the situation and the teacher, these retreats
generally last up to 10 days and include alternating
hours of sitting and walking meditation, daily
discourses by the retreat leader, and participation
in karma yoga. Retreats in the Zen tradition
are guided by teachers such as Claude Anshin
Thomas and disciples of Thich Nhat Hanh. Participants
are usually asked to maintain complete silence
for the retreats. During these times, Institute
residents are asked to respect the silence
of the retreaters, and to keep the environment
especially quiet and peaceful. |
|
|
|
|
