Friday 1 November

19:30 - 20:30: Introduction at Nalandra and Online

Saturday 2 November 

10:00 - 12:00: Padmasmbava Initiation and teaching at Nalendra

12:00 - 14:00: Lunch Break (2 hours)

14:00 - 16:00: Retreat Session 2

16:00 - 16:45: Afternoon Tea Break (45 minutes)

16:45 - 18:45: Retreat Session 3

Sunday 3 November

8:00 - 10:00: Retreat Session 1

10:00 - 11:00: Morning Refreshment Break

11:00 - 13:00: Retreat session 2

13:00 - 15:00: Lunch Break (2 hours)

15:00 - 17:00: Retreat Session 3

17:00 - 17:45: Afternoon Tea Break (45 minutes)

17:45 - 19:45: Retreat Session 4

Monday 4 November

8:00 - 10:00: Retreat Session 1

10:00 - 11:30: Morning Refreshment Break/Preparation for Tsok

11:30 - 13:30: Tsok/Lunch

13:30 - 15:00: Break (1.5 hours)

15:00 - 17:00: Retreat Session 2

This retreat is a vegetarian retreat and participants are requested to adhere to a vegetarian diet throughout the entire retreat. If possible please avoid garlic and onions. Please avoid any alcohol or intoxicants prior to and during the retreat. Vegetarian lunch, morning and afternoon tea and refreshments will be provided. There is also a good choice of local cafe’s, or you are welcome to bring your own lunch if you prefer. When you register please let us know of any dietary requirements. You are welcome to bring some food to contribute to lunch and/or morning/ afternoon tea if you like.

Quotes:

Buddha Shakyamuni:

“Eight years after my Mahaparinirvana, a remarkable being named Padmasambhava will appear in the center of a lotus and reveal the highest teaching concerning the ultimate nature of reality, bringing great benefit to all sentient beings.”

Buddha Shakyamuni mentioned that Padmasambhava would attain enlightenment even more profound than his own. Although Buddha Shakyamuni was fully enlightened and there is no higher realization, his manner of expression helps us to understand the significance of the Guru.

Padmasambhava:

"Don't mistake mere words for the meaning of the teachings. Integrate the practice into your own being and attain liberation from samsara right now."

Who is the Guru?

A Guru is one who claims to be the "Light that dispels the darkness of past, present, and future."

Names of Guru Padmasambhava:

- PEMAJUNGME

- PADMAKARA

- THE LOTUS BORN (Tsokye Dorje)

- VAJRA GURU

- Eight Manifestations

Mantra:

"OM AH HUNG BEZA GURU PADMA SIDDHI HUNG" is a powerful Tibetan Buddhist mantra associated with Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), a pivotal figure in the history of Tibetan Buddhism. He is considered a great teacher, master, and Guru, especially sought after in times of turmoil.

Why Do We Pray to Guru Padmasambhava ?

We pray to Guru Padmasambhava for peace and happiness, both outer and inner, in times when we are afflicted physically and mentally by various circumstances.

Where Does Guru Padmasambhava Live?

Padmasambhava, who flourished in the 8th century, was a legendary Indian Buddhist mystic credited with introducing Vajrayana Buddhism to Tibet and establishing the first Buddhist monastery there. Today, he is believed to reside in the southwest geographic region of the Glorious Copper-Colored Mountain, having attained an immortal body.

How to connect with Guru Padmasambhava? 

"Precious Guru, embodiment of all buddhas of the three times; Great bliss, the lord of all accomplishments; Wrathful power, who dispels all hindrances and subdues demons; I pray to bestow your blessings. Please remove the outer, inner, and secret obstacles of the three times and grant your blessings to accomplish wishes spontaneously."

When is Guru Rinpoche Day?

Guru Rinpoche Day is celebrated to honor the birth, life, and legacy of Guru Rinpoche, acknowledging the enlightened qualities and blessings of all buddhas. Every 10th day of the lunar month is celebrated as Guru Rinpoche Day, often marked by practitioners performing a great feast.

Present Day

For practitioners or yogis engaged in higher practices, reconnecting with the Guru is imperative. In a world characterized by duality—where night consistently falls dark and sunny days remain unpredictable, where minor pains can feel profound, and joy takes minimal effort, where the Buddha seems distant and time insufficient—a paradox exists in our nature. We often act against our principles and beliefs, a common paradox hardwired into our nature and difficult to change.

To overcome life's contrary and paradoxical nature, there is no better time than the present to reconnect with the ultimate Guru, Padmasambhava. His blessings can help accelerate outer, inner, and secret accomplishments and alleviate the three obstacles that cause the suffering of sentient beings.

Lastly:

"A retreat that includes initiation provides a sublime foundation to connect with and nurture the petals of the inner Guru of wisdom. This guiding wisdom manifests in all forms, like the Buddha, in all sounds, as a mantra, and in all phenomena, as the pure land."