NYUNGNAY RETREAT (1 SET)
In view of the limited time, there will only be one set of Nyungnay retreat. This will be held on the 12th and 13th day of the first Tibetan month (18th and 19th February 2008), which are also considered to be very sacred days in the period of Chothrul Duchen (the first 15 days of the year commemorating the Buddha's performing a different miracle each day to instill devotion and increase merit among the heretics).
What is Nyungnay?
Nyungnay is a special fasting practice of purification and merit accumulation based on Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Great Compassion. It was originated by Gelongma Palmo (Skt. Bhikshuni Lakshmi or Bhikshuni Shrimati), a princess of an ancient Indian kingdom. Through devoted and extensive practice of One-Thousand-armed Avalokiteshvara for 12 years, Gelongma Palmo overcame severe illness of leprosy and attained enlightenment. Thereafter, she passed the methods and blessings of this practice known as Nyungnay down through a lineage of great practitioners that continues to this day.
This intensive practice involves observing the eight Mahayana precepts (not to kill, not to steal, not to commit sexual misconduct, not to lie, not to take intoxicants, not to take high or luxurious seats, not to sing, dance or wear ornaments and not to eat after midday) on the first day, and taking additional vows of not eating, drinking or talking for 24 hours on the second day. The meditation and practice sessions include praises, prostrations and mantra recitation.
A Short Explanation on Nyungnay
In order to realize enlightenment and live in this world without difficulties, we need to lay the foundation, by removing the negativity that obscures the true nature of our mind and by creating the positive conditions that facilitate enlightenment.
A Nyungnay Retreat is especially designed for practitioners like us to purify negative karma and accumulate merit and wisdom in a short but intensive retreat setting. One set of Nyungnay is a two-day practice focusing on keeping strict vows for a two-day period, generating the Bodhisattva attitude, and reciting the text of the 1000-armed Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Great compassion. Nyungnay should also be understood as a retreat practice based on Avalokiteshvara. Through the guidance of teachings given by gurus and through the recitation of the mantra of compassion (OM MANI PADME HUNG) during the retreat, the Nyungnay practice helps us unveil our primordial loving and compassionate nature and develop impartial compassion and loving-kindness towards all sentient beings.
In this way, the Nyungnay practice cultivates all three vehicles of Buddhism. The vows that we take include not killing, stealing, or lying, and abstaining from sexual activity, intoxicants, luxury, ornaments, and entertainment for the duration of the retreat.
The first day, participants will take one meal at noon, and fast the rest of the day while engaging in three sessions of practice. Just like any other Tantric practice, Nyungnay requires visualization of the deity, accompanied by prayers, offerings and prostrations, and extensive recitation of the mantra. The sessions begin early in the morning and conclude in the late afternoon. On the second day, participants will fast completely from food and water, and will also maintain strict silence, except for the recitation of the text, and again there will be three sessions of practice.
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