The Awakened Heart Sangha is once again delighted to welcome Khenpo Rinpoche to teach during our week-long Summer Retreat at the Hermitage. We are doubly fortunate in that Shenpen will teach us on those days that Rinpoche does not teach, i.e. at the beginning and end of the retreat.
Khenpo Rinpoche is one of the foremost living teachers of the Mahamudra and Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, a great scholar and master of meditation. Rinpoche is often compared to the great yogin Milarepa: he has no fixed abode, few possessions, and has meditated for years in solitude, sometimes sealed in darkness. Like Milarepa, he is known for his spontaneous songs of realisation that offer insight into the true nature of reality.
The theme of this year's retreat is 'Guru Rinpoche', also known as Padmasambhava, or the Lotus Born, who brought Buddhism to Tibet. Guru Rinpoche is a powerful, esoteric, mystical and enlightened figure, who is considered to be a manifestation of the Buddha and whose miraculous life spanned several centuries, making him something much more than the usual historical figure. Guru Rinpoche is particularly important for our Lineage, and he is considered to appear today "in any form we need" to help us on the Path.
This will be a week to steep ourselves in the tradition of Guru Rinpoche and to explore what it might mean to us in this day and age, using teachings, stories, songs and imagery. In addition to the teachings, there will be plenty of sitting and walking meditation. There will be times for silence and times for talking with other retreatants, both informally and in discussion groups.
Dates
The full retreat will begin at 6 pm on Saturday, June 18th with a special meeting with Shenpen for any newcomers, followed by supper at 7 pm for everyone. The retreat will end before lunch on Saturday, June 25th.
Rinpoche will arrive on Monday, June 20th to give his first teaching after supper, and will depart on Friday morning, June 24th .
Costs
Offerings to Rinpoche and Shenpen
It is traditional to make an offering to Buddhist teachers to express gratitude for teachings received and to make a strong positive connection. Everyone attending the retreat is asked to make a donation as an offering for Rinpoche and Shenpen. People can choose whether to specify how much of their offering they wish to donate to each teacher or just make a single donation to be divided as deemed appropriate by the organisers. Suggested amount: £50-£200.
Hermitage costs
This amount goes entirely towards catering and accommodation costs, the extra cost in hosting Rinpoche, plus an amount to offset the Sangha's overheads in running events. The Sangha does not aim to make any profit on its retreats.
Single room:
£42/night
Shared room:
£35/night
Camping:
£24/night
Off-site (with meals):
£24/day
Off-site (no meals):
£20/day
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There is a bursary fund in the Awakened Heart Sangha that helps people attend retreats who would not otherwise be able to. To apply for a bursary write to Cindy Cooper at 99 Warwick Way, London SW1V 1QL, or email [email protected]ku.gro.sha@ydnic , explaining your circumstances and what you can afford to pay.
Donation to support Bursary Fund
The bursary fund depends on regular donations. Please consider giving something to enable another person to attend this retreat who would not otherwise be able to. Any amount you can offer will be gratefully received. Cheques should be clearly marked for the Bursary Fund, made out to the Shrimala Trust, and sent to the Awakened Heart Sangha Office, Bwthyn Plas Brynhir, Lon Ednefyd, Criccieth LL52 0AR.
How To Book
Accommodation at the Hermitage is limited, so you are advised to book early for this popular retreat. You may come for part of the retreat, but priority will be given to those booking for the entire retreat.
Please book your place early, and if possible NO LATER THAN JUNE 8th .
While we try to accept late bookings, they are very disruptive to the cooks and organisers of the retreat. Meals have to be planned, food bought, accommodation worked out based on the sex ratio and names already listed. If you try to book any later than June 8th be prepared to miss the retreat even if there are places available, since it may be too difficult for us to coordinate arrangements.
Anyone planning to book just for those days that Khenpo Rinpoche is teaching is requested to arrive between 4:00 and 6:00pm on June 20th and to depart between 11:00am and noon on the 24th.
You may download a booking form from this website by clicking here.
Send your completed form along with your deposit cheque to Lesley Rhodes, 'Sonam Ling', 22 King Edward's Road, Malvern Wells, WR14 4AJ.
You will then receive a letter confirming your place and giving you further information about the retreat, or returning your deposit if your booking can not be accepted.
Help Run this Retreat
Service Rota
Our meals will be cooked for us, but all retreatants will be expected to help out with the various other tasks involved in the smooth running of the retreat: assisting in the kitchen, washing up, hosting Khenpo Rinpoche, tending the shrine room, and cleaning up at the end of the retreat, for example. In particular, this is a wonderful opportunity to directly serve and make a strong connection with as distinguished a teacher as Khenpo Rinpoche. There will be a rota with these and other tasks that everyone can sign up on.
Managing the Retreat
A number of people are needed to manage the running of this retreat, and 50%-100% discounts are available. For more information and to apply for a position, please mark the booking form or contact Jane Powell, on (01970) 880827, [email protected]ku.oc.enilnoku@llewopj ; or Zangmo, on (01580) 240953, [email protected]moc.leteno@omgnaz ."> [email protected]moc.leteno@omgnaz .
The Venue The Hermitage of the Awakened Heart
This retreat will be held at the Hermitage, which is on the Llyn peninsula in North Wales, in lovely countryside and with splendid views toward Snowdon. Accommodation at the Hermitage is quite basic but comfortable, in cottages and caravans. There is space for camping in one of the large fields at the Hermitage.
The nearest train station is Criccieth (4 miles from the Hermitage), or you can take the train to Bangor (20 miles away) and get a taxi or buses to the Hermitage. You will be sent full details of what to bring with you and travel information when you book.
Questions
If you have any questions about this retreat please contact:
Lesley Rhodes,
'Sonam Ling',
22 King Edward's Road,
Malvern Wells, WR14 4AJ.
tel: 01684 573737.
email: [email protected]ku.oc.evreseerf.982leihs@yelsel .
Links to Further Information
About Awakened Heart Sangha retreats:
- Frequently Asked Questions about retreats.
- The booklet "An Introduction to Awakened Heart Sangha Events".
About Khenpo Rinpoche:
For further information about Khenpo Rinpoche, you might want to look at his website http://www.ktgrinpoche.org, which nearer the time will have details of all his UK stops for 2005. Details as we know them now are:
Friday 10th - Wednesday 15th June: Course on Holy Island
Friday 17th - Sunday 19th June: Course in Samye Ling
Friday 24th - Sunday 26th June: Course in Samye Dzong London