Nyungney Retreat – Tibetan Fasting Practice with Lama Tsondru

History of the Nyungney Practice

The practice of Nyungney is a two and a bit days of fasting and puja, centred on the sadhana of Thousand Armed Chenrézik, who is the embodiment of the compassion of all of the Buddhas. This practice is said to be effective for the purification of karma, healing of illness and the generation of compassion and loving-kindness. It is also said that much merit is accumulated through this practice. Gelongma Palmo renounced the life of a princess in the 11th Century Afghanistan to become a Buddhist nun. Due to past karma she became very ill. She had a vision of Manjushri, who gave her the practice of Nyungney. After practicing fervently for a year, she found that her health was restored. She realised her full potential at the age of 27, and displayed many miracles.

The practice we do today has been passed down from Gelongma Palmo through generations of master-disciple transmission.

The Retreat at TRC

TRC’s retreat will consist of 2 pairs of Nyungney practice. You are welcome to do either the first pair or both. The retreat starts with orientation on Friday 7 September at 7pm. The first pair ends on Monday 10th at breakfast, and the second pair ends on Wednesday 12th at breakfast. Lama Tsöndru will lead the practice in a gentle manner to accommodate physical limitations of participants.

One needs to have taken refuge in order to do the practice. It is preferable to have received the empowerment, but is not necessary for this retreat. Please bring a dorje and bell, and text (TRC version), if you have – texts will be provided for those who don’t have.

Lama Tsöndru will grant refuge in the afternoon of Friday 7 September to those who would like to do the practice (also open for people who only want to take refuge).

Bio of Lama Tsondru

Lama Tsöndru is a disciple of Ákong Rinpoché and Tai Situ Rinpoché, and was ordained in 1987. She completed the traditional 3 year 3 month retreat twice at Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery.  In total, she has completed more than 12 years of cloistered retreat. In June 2001, Akong Tulku Rinpoché granted her the title of Lama. Lama Tsöndru is the director of Samye Ling centres in Spain, and the co-founder of Kagyu Samye Dechi Ling Monastery.

She has been teaching for more than 25 years at centres in Spain, Europe, America and Africa. Lama Tsondru is highly appreciated for her direct, clear and enjoyable way of imparting the Buddha’s teachings. Her weekly Dharma teachings in Spanish are broadcast on YouTube where she has thousands of followers. Lama Tsöndru was one of the 5 ordained Sangha members that participated in the inaugural practice of Nyungney in Africa in 2001 which consisted of 8 pairs in the Samye Dzongs of Johannesburg and Harare, which opened up the practice on the African continent.

Bookings

Please complete the online booking form by clicking on this link.

Retreat Costs

The retreat costs will be kept as low as reasonably as possible, and will be published closer to the time. People who are unable to participate in the actual practice would be welcome to serve the retreatants – it is said that servers accumulate as much merit as the participants.

It is considered a blessing for the Centre to hold a Nyungneys retreat. Therefore, there will be full or partial bursary places available for anyone unable to afford the retreat cost. Please email tararokpacentre@gmail.com to apply.

For more information about retreats, please click on this link: www.tararokpacentre.co.za/retreat-information