Lama Sonam Dargye (Tony Albino)
Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August 9, 2015
Lama Sonam (Tony Albino) will lead KDC’s annual Mahamudra Retreat, to be held at a private, country site near Eugene blessed by many High Lamas. All students able to make the practice commitment are welcome to receive the teachings, based on the Ninth Karmapa’s Ocean of Certainty, a key text in the Mahamudra tradition. Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche designed the retreat and its accompanying program of meditation practice to meet the needs of lay practitioners including newcomers. Vast and profound, Mahamudra is the pinnacle of the Kagyu Lineage, and embodies the deep meaning of all the sutras and the tantras; instructions in Mahamudra can only be obtained from a qualified Lama.
Lama Sonam Dargye completed the traditional three-year retreat in 1989 under the guidance of Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing. Due to his training and qualities, Lama Sonam has Venerable Lama Tsang Tsing’s complete confidence to lead the retreat. The retreat will include time for group and individual practice as well as group teachings with question-and-answer periods.
The daily schedule begins at 6:00 a.m. and ends at 8:00 p.m. and includes Chenrezig and Mahakala Pujas each afternoon. All participants are asked to commit to a year-long program of daily meditation practice to the best of their abilities. Friday afternoon, July 31, is arrival day and orientation. The schedule of teachings and practice begins Saturday morning and concludes Sunday, August 9.
The cost of the retreat is $400 ($300 for KDC members of six months or more) and includes three meals per day and instruction. Participants will be asked to assist the cook for a short period each day, but no one will thereby miss teachings or practice sessions. Accommodations will be in tents with an outdoor privy and a sheltered shower facility.
The retreat is limited to twelve persons. To reserve your place in the retreat, please send a $100 deposit payable to KDC by July 15. Deposits are non-refundable because advance purchases are made from the time your deposit is received. The retreat must be paid in full before beginning the retreat.
For information please call Lama Sonam, (541) 747-8634, or Lama Ani Kunzang, (541) 485-3961, between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.