• Nyungnay: Compassion & Fasting Retreat

This special fasting and purification practice is traditionally done by Kadampa Centers worldwide on Buddha’s Enlightenment Day, which is celebrated on April 15. The practice is performed in conjunction with prayers to the Buddha of Compassion, 1000-Armed Avalokiteshvara, and is very powerful in purifying negative karma of body, speech and mind as well as pacifying strong delusions such as desirous attachment and hatred. It is also a special method for receiving blessings and improving our experience of love, compassion and the supreme good heart of bodhichitta.

Please note: Attendance at Precepts at 6:30am is required on each day you plan to attend retreat sessions.  

What to Expect: 

Precepts at 6:30am At 6:30am each morning of this retreat, we take Precepts, a traditional ceremony in which we set the compassionate intention to refrain from negative actions of body, speech, and mind for a period of 24 hours.   Fasting We also fast from food, eating at most only lunch on each day. (One may consume beverages throughout the day.)  This moral discipline creates the foundation for effective and powerful purification during the retreat sessions, therefore attendance at Precepts is required each morning you plan to participate in the retreat. 

Retreat Sessions We will be chanting a special prayer called Drop of Essential Nectar to 1000-Armed Avalokiteshvara. Within that prayer, we will collectively make physical or mental prostrations on behalf of all living beings for about 20 minutes while chanting a verse of praise to Avalokiteshvara. Comfortable clothing is recommended.

SCHEDULE

Friday, April 14

6:30 - 7:15am Precepts (attending Precepts is required to participate in any retreat sessions today)

7:30 - 9:00am Retreat Session 1

10:30 - 12:00pm Retreat Session 2 

12:00 - 3:30 lunch break 

3:30 - 5:00 pm Retreat Session 3

Saturday, April 15

6:30 - 7:15am Precepts (attending Precepts is required to participate in any retreat sessions today) 

7:30 - 9:00am Retreat Session 1 

10:30 - 12:00pm Retreat Session 2 

12:00 - 3:30 lunch break 

3:30 - 5:00 pm Retreat Session 3

TEACHER

Gen Kelsang Zamling, Resident Teacher

BOOKS & MATERIALS

This retreat will use the following sadhanas (prayer booklet). Copies will be available to use at the center. You can click any title below to learn more about it or to order a printed, e-book, or audio copy from Tharpa Publications. You can also purchase copies in person at our Oak Park and Wicker Park locations.

• A Pure Life (precepts)
• Drop of Essential Nectar (retreat sessions)

COST

FREE