"As irrigators lead water where they want, as archers make their arrows straight, as carpenters carve wood, the wise shape their minds." ~ Buddha
Retreats
Three-year retreat
Since its creation in 1980, one of the center’s important tasks has been the organization of the traditional long retreats (three years and six months). The three-year retreats aim to create a protective environment allowing students to concentrate on the essential aspects of Buddhist practise, namely, study, reflection and meditation, expounded according to the teachings of different traditions, in particular, the Nyingma tradition. This entails the preliminaries or ngöndro, followed by the generation stage practises of the three roots (lama, yidam, and khandro), and concluding with practices associated with the perfection stage.
View near the Dordogne retreat center
The retreats take place in Dordogne, France (see Songtsen location). They offer the opportunity for individuals of any gender, age and nationality, to explore the Buddhist teachings in depth, in the three year cycle of study, contemplation and meditation of the Tibetan monastic tradition. There are two separate retreat facilities located in the vicinity, one for the women participants and another for the men. Participants are ordained for the length of the retreat and are guided through the various stages of the meditation practice contained within the Tibetan Buddhist path.
Pema Wangyal Rinpoche and other lamas appointed by him, give the necessary teachings during the retreat. The first retreats starting in 1980 were very fortunate to have been able to receive teachings by Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche and Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche themselves, who visited many times and bestowed the necessary transmissions. More recently, one of their principle disciples, Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche, one of the greatest Tibetan masters of our time, regularly visits the retreats in order to guide retreatants in their practise; and we hope that, despite his many responsibilities, he will be able to continue to do so in the future. So far, eight such retreats have been organized at different sites, attended by more than 500 practitioners from all over the world.
Most people who apply to join the three year retreat at Chanteloube are either disciples of the lamas connected with Chanteloube or have received information about the retreat from other practitioners. In any case, all applicants are requested to obtain a letter of permission from their own spiritual master, authorizing them to take part in the retreat. It should be mentioned that Chanteloube usually receives more applications than can be accepted, and several applicants may be placed on a waiting list. Once accepted, Chanteloube supplies an information guide to participants with an overview of retreat preparation, information for international participants (such as obtaining a long term visa) and other practical matters.
For more information or to receive an application, please email retreats@songtsen.org.
Parallel retreats
More and more people have become interested in performing the intensive practise and study of the traditional three-year retreat. However, not everyone is able to retire from the world for the required length of time. To help meet the needs of the average lay practitioner and as a result of numerous requests, Pema Wangyal Rinpoche established an alternative to the three-year retreat: a cycle of teachings and practices over a period of several years, known as the Parallel Retreat. These retreats aim to offer the same cycle of teachings in the traditional three-year retreat, with the following differences:
- The retreat is in a less restricted environment: the group meets only every few months for 3-5 days of intensive teachings, while practices are performed individually.
- The retreat cycle is over a longer period of time, allowing individuals to continue to engage in their work and family life.
Current retreat programmes
Currently there are five groups at various stages of the program – some nearing the end of the cycle and others at the very beginning. Each group receives teachings at three month intervals by both Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche and Pema Wangyal Rinpoche. As a result of overwhelming requests, new groups were created in 2005 and 2006. Unfortunately, due to the capacity limit of the retreat facility, some requests for participation have been put on a waiting list in the possibility of new groups being created in the future. Although there has not been any confirmation when additional groups may start, anyone interested in applying should email retreats@songtsen.org so that they can be contacted if such an event occurs.
About the location & facilities
The program is held in a beautiful and peaceful facility close to a river, just over the Dordogne border in the Lot et Garonne department (47) of the Aquitaine region. The retreat facility is about two hours south-west from Songtsen’s main office in St. Leon Sur Vezere (see Songtsen: location).
All effort is made to provide the 3-5 day retreat programmes at minimal price, which is strictly used to cover the facility rental, including accommodation and meals. As this does not include an offering for the lamas, anyone wishing to make a donation to the teachers can do so individually at the end of each teaching program.
Directions to the retreat facility and other practical details are available for accepted applicants. Please contact us for details.
Short group retreats
For those who wish to discover the Dharma or deepen their understanding of it, short group retreats are usually organized several times a year. These include simple, guided meditation sessions, together with a basic exposition of Buddhist teachings.
Please see programmes for upcoming events or subscribe to our mailing list to be kept informed of program schedules.
Individual retreats
The organization also provides facilities for those who wish to develop their inner life by spending a period of time in meditation and reflection. Rinchen Ling was developed as a place where students can perform individual retreats. The Rinchen Ling retreat center is conveniently located less than 10 minutes drive to the city of Perigueux, while still remaining secluded in the countryside. It has a peaceful atmosphere, conducive for contemplation, meditation, and study. Various structures were built in order to provide a suitable environment for practitioners to do their own personal retreats. The facility supports up to twenty retreatants at one time, spread out in little cabins in the woods. Many cabins are equipped with a kitchen and there is also a large communal kitchen in the center of the grounds. Once a day, there is a group meditation session (optional) in the main temple. There are no requirements regarding the length of an individual retreat.
For more information and to check availability, please contact the coordinator by email at rinchenling@songtsen.org.
For more information on our location, please see how to get there or contact us.
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