Nyung Nay Retreat
A series of three Nyung Nay Retreats 20 - 27 January 2008
Pre-requisites to attend
Must be a Buddhist having formally taken refuge; must have received the full initiation (2-day wang) of Thousand-Arm Chenrezig (sorry--no exceptions); must read all the Retreat information below and agree to follow the discipline of the Retreat including fasting, strict silence and attending all sessions.
About Nyung Nay Retreat
A Nyung Nay Retreat is a 2-day retreat of Chenrezig practice from the Kriya ("Action") class of Tantra. In each of the daily sessions we practice the sadhana of Chenrezig (the Buddha symbolizing compassion) which involves meditating on bodhicitta (the aspiration to attain enlightenment in order to benefit all beings), visualizing Chenrezig, reciting prayers and mantras, and performing prostrations. Nyung Nay Retreat is a powerful, quick and effective method to purify an enormous amount of negativity and to collect a vast amount of merit.
This winter Root Institute will offer a series of 3 Nyung Nay Retreats and participants are welcome to join for one, two, or all three Nyung Nay's. Students who are new to Nyung Nay Retreat and do not wish to attend all three Nyung Nay's are strongly encouaged to join the first Nyung Nay because there will be time on 20 January to receive instruction in the practice.
A Nyung Nay Retreat includes periods of fasting and strict silence. On the first day of each Nyung Nay we will take the Eight Mahayana Precepts: avoidance of killing, stealing, sexual activity, telling lies, taking intoxicants, eating more than one meal, singing/dancing/playing music, wearing jewellery, and using high seats or beds. On the second day of each Nyung Nay, we will take the Eight Mahayana Precepts as above with the additional vows of not eating, drinking or speaking for 24 hours. Although we vow to keep silence, we continue to recite the prayers and mantras of the sadhana. If communication between retreaters is necessary, it must be done through written notes.
The second day of each Nyung Nay is the most difficult part of the retreat. We experience hunger, thirst, tiredness and pain from doing prostrations. Some people feel ill from the fasting. However, if we understand the purpose of the practice, we will not mind the discomfort. By experiencing hardships in our Dharma practice, we are able to purify a great deal of our negative karma accumulated over countless previous lives. We can also build up positive habits and states of mind to counteract the negative ones. The Buddha advised the "middle way" - not too soft, not too tough. During Nyung Nay Retreat we do experience discomfort, but it is bearable and not too tough. By experiencing this discomfort, we have a better understanding of the suffering experienced by animals, hungry ghosts, and some humans, and thus develop greater compassion for sentient beings and greater renunciation of samsara.
Approximate Schedule
20 January
- 8.30 – 10am Check in to Root Institute (or you may arrive earlier)
- 11am – 12pm Orientation to Root Institute (for students new to RI)
- 12pm Lunch
- 1 – 3.30pm Altar and seat preparation
- 4 – 6pm Nyung Nay teaching with Ven. Thubten Dondrub
- 6pm Dinner
21 January (1st day of Nyung Nay #1)
- 4am wake up
- 4.30am Eight Mahayana Precepts ( vow to eat only lunch; drinks and talking ok)
- 5am 1st session
- 8.30am 2nd session
- 11am Lunch
- 2pm 3rd session
- 6pm 4th session
22 January (2nd day of Nyung Nay #1)
- 4am wake up
- 4.30am Eight Mahayana Precepts ( vow to not eat, drink, or speak for 24 hours)
- 5am 1st session
- 8.30 2nd session
- 2pm 3rd session
- 6pm 4th session
23 January (1st day of Nyung Nay #2)
- Eight Mahayana Precepts (vow to eat only lunch; drinks and talking ok)
- Three sessions of Chenrezig practice (timetable to be announced)
24 January (2nd day of Nyung Nay #2)
- Eight Mahayana Precepts (vow to not eat, drink, or speak for 24 hours)
- Three sessions of Chenrezig practice (timetable to be announced)
25 January (1st day of Nyung Nay #3)
- Eight Mahayana Precepts (vow to eat only lunch; drinks and talking ok)
- Three sessions of Chenrezig practice (timetable to be announced)
26 January (2nd day of Nyung Nay #3)
- Eight Mahayana Precepts (vow to not eat, drink, or speak for 24 hours)
- Three sessions of Chenrezig practice (timetable to be announced)
27 January (last session of Nyung Nay #3)
- 4.30am Last Session
- 7am Breakfast – retreat ends
What to bring:
- Mala to be used only for Chenrezig mantra - best is crystal (preferably in a small bag)
- Vajra and Bell
- Mandala set (if you would like to offer during the sadhana)
- Several changes of clean clothes, as Kriya Tantra emphasizes cleanliness. Clothing should be comfortable and loose-fitting, and appropriate for a semi-monastic environment (no shorts or sleeveless shirts). Ideally, clothing should be white or light coloured but this is not required.
- If desired, any special drinks such as oral re-hydration salts
- Pain relievers might be helpful in case of developing sore muscles from prostrating
