Longchen Nyintik Ngondro Retreat, Dec.23-Jan.1

On the crisp, sunny day of 23 December, 2009, a group of dedicated practitioners began a 10-day Longchen Nyingthik Ngondro retreat at Deer Park Institute. During the 10 days, retreatants recited daily prayers and made sang offerings at the Buddha Hall; did prostrations and offered bodhicitta prayers at the Kangyur Hall; and received daily teachings by Drubgyud Tenzin Rinpoche and Lama Sonam Phuntsok at the Manjushri Hall. The retreatants were also granted group audience with Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche.

There were many auspicious circumstances throughout the retreat. Among them, the most auspicious moment took place on full moon day of 12/31. Led by Drubgyal Tenzin Rinpoche, accompanied by Khenpo Sonam Tashi, 25 people took Bodhisavtta vow in front of Buddha hall at 12:30am at the beginning of the partial Lunar eclipse. Many of us consider this to be the most joyful and memorable New Year we had even experienced.

“May the precious Bodhicitta take birth in those who has not taken birth,
May it not diminish in those I whom it has taken birth,
And may it increase more and more.”