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"Three
year retreat should be taken as an ignition of your spiritual life."
- Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche |
 main teaching hall |
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• On 9 April 2008, 23 three year retreatants and 120 invited guest participants under the guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche celebrated the conclusion of the first three year retreat at Vajradhara Gonpa with a week-long drubchen of the Chime Phagma Nyingtig, a spiritual treasure based on White Tara discovered by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo. • The next three year retreat at Vajradhara Gonpa will commence on 12 January 2009. At present 17 out of a maximum of 21 participants have been selected. Vajradhara Gonpa is accepting expressions of interest for the 4 remaining retreatant positions. See program details below. Please enquire through cabs@siddharthasintent.org. Briefly describe your dharma background and connection with Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. • An ongoing Work as Practice Program is being offered at Vajradhara Gonpa between June 2008 and January 2009. The program includes daily meditation practice sessions supported by three year retreat staff. The program will focus on application of mindfulness and accumulation of merit through preparation of the retreat centre for the next three year retreat. Individuals with skills in construction, repairs and maintenance such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, painting, landscaping and general labour are invited to express their interest, as are those who can work to support these efforts such as cooks and cleaners. There is no charge for the program and basic accommodation and meals will be provided. Participation is by invitation. Please submit your expression of interest for this program to sia_bookings@siddharthasintent.org. • Vajradhara Gonpa will host a program with NGAKPA KARMA LHUNDRUP RINPOCHE, Friday evening July 4th – Sunday July 6th. During this residential weekend Rinpoche will perform purificatory rites known as Dur and Sang, and will also grant a Vajrayana permission-blessing ritual pertaining to Vajrapani, Garuda and Hayagriva. These rituals are particularly beneficial in creating favourable conditions for healing illnesses, and are useful for persons afflicted by illness as well as health professionals. Rinpoche will also lead meditation sessions and be available for questions and discussion regarding dharma practice. Ngakpa Karma Lhundrup Rinpoche is a tantric yogi of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He teaches in English, in a direct and lighthearted way. He has completed many years of retreat and now travels around the world teaching meditation and performing rituals according to the traditions of Dudjom Tersar and the Northern Treasures. Rinpoche was recognised as the reincarnation of the 19th century Tibetan mahasiddha Wariktsel Thokme, a heart son of Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje (1800-1859). His main teachers include His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche, and Taglung Tsetrul Rinpoche. Cost $150 for the weekend includes all meals and teachings (single day rate $80). Dorm accommodation available or bring your own tent. Bookings essential. Request full details and register through sia_bookings@siddharthasintent.org. •
Visit Vajradhara Gonpa with Google Earth: 28º 28' 04.35"
S, 153º 03' 12.28" E. or Google Maps. |
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Three year retreat at Vajradhara Gonpa is a residential program of strenuous contemplative practice according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The emphasis is on intensive experiential training rather than intellectual study. The retreat is conducted within a formal boundary, and retreatants are expected to remain at the Gonpa for the entire period of the retreat. Practice is divided into four daily sessions for the duration of the retreat. The actual length of the retreat may be up to three and a half years. The retreats are conducted in the spirit of the Tibetan Rimé (non-sectarian) tradition and are patterned on the 'Eight Chariots' retreat curriculum designed by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö. Participants undertake the preliminary practices (ngöndro) and then the development and completion stage practices according to sadhanas of the three roots (guru, deva and dakini). Retreats are guided by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. The language of the program is English. Texts and liturgies are provided in English translation. Liturgies are optionally made available in the original Tibetan. Integral to the three year retreat is the experience of practitioners living together as a yogic community, encouraging development of the lifelong habit of a practitioner's lifestyle. As a yogic community, retreatants share with volunteer staff the responsibility for the care and upkeep of Vajradhara Gonpa. The inaugural
retreat began in December 2004 with 28 Australian and overseas participants.
Retreats will recur on a four year cycle. The next retreat will commence
on 12 January 2008. |
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Established in 1986 under the spiritual guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Vajradhara Gonpa has over the years accumulated the blessings of the many authentic Buddhist masters who have taught programs there to audiences of up to 170. Beginning in early 2003 the Gonpa began a process of transition to become a dedicated three year retreat facility. Over
time the Gesar Springs lay Buddhist community has grown up in affiliation
with the Gonpa and contributed to its development. Today the continued
generosity and commitment of the Gesar Springs community and many other
local sangha members provides essential external volunteer support for
the three year retreat. |
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As a 200 acre parcel of the 800 acre Gesar Springs community, Vajradhara Gonpa is located on natural bush land north of Kyogle in Northern New South Wales. The Gonpa enjoys a pristine, spacious and secluded environment providing an appropriately peaceful atmosphere for long-term contemplative practice. Perched
high on a hillside, the Gonpa affords pleasing views of the sub-tropical
forests of the Border Ranges and is a natural haven for various Australian
wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, and a wide variety of birds. |
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With the main practice/teaching hall as its core, the Gonpa is a complex of buildings serving for training and accommodation.
Due to
its remote location, Vajradhara Gonpa generates it's own 240v electric
power by a combination of solar panels and diesel generator. LP gas
is used for cooking and refrigeration, and water is pumped from a natural
spring. Thus environmental awareness and conservation of resources is
an integral part of life at the Gonpa.
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There is a formal process for applying to join the retreat. One must first submit an expression of interest questionaire to the Three Year Retreat Administrator. Based on that, with approval from Khyentse Rinpoche, one may be invited to submit a formal application. If one's formal application is approved, one will be invited to join the retreat. Upon one's acceptance of the invitation, a non-refundable financial commitment equivalent to approximately half of the retreat fees must be made in installments prior to the commencement of the retreat. Selection of participants is at the sole discretion of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. There are no formal prerequisites for this program, although a strong ongoing relationship with Khyentse Rinpoche is significant. Experience with sitting meditation and the preliminary practices of Tibetan Buddhism are useful preparation. Overseas participants must hold a valid Australian residence visa and medical insurance coverage before they may be admitted to the retreat. Administrative staff provide support in acquiring visas. |
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The next three year retreat at Vajradhara Gonpa (commencing 12 January 2009) has a base cost of AU$45,465 to AU$61,820 depending on type of accommodation. This includes teachings, necessary liturgies, texts and practice materials, food, housing, administrative costs and course costs. Additional costs to the retreatant include travel expenses to and from the retreat centre, visa expenses (as applicable), medical insurance and personal expenses such as optional texts, teaching gifts and toiletries, etc. The expenses of re-establishing oneself once the retreat has concluded should also be considered. Earning
money for three year retreat should be considered a significant aspect
of one's preparation and commitment. According to Khyentse Rinpoche,
"If you are trying to save money to do the three year retreat, I'm
sure there is a lot of merit in every job, every hour, and all the blood
and sweat that you put in. I guarantee it. Approaching it in this way
is going to be your external ngöndro. . . Even if there is someone who
would support you, it is actually quite good if you save the money yourself,
since it is for the purpose of doing retreat." |
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Vajradhara Gonpa expresses its deep gratitude to the many sponsors who over many years have contributed to providing an environment where the dharma can be so whole heartedly practiced. Even though the Gonpa is closed to all visitors during the three year retreats, many Gonpa members have renewed their membership and many new members have joined as a way of supporting the strenuous, ongoing dharma practice being undertaken there. Besides membership there are a variety of additional ways that individuals can make an auspicious link with Vajradhara Gonpa and the three year retreats. The Gonpa has a tax deductible (Australia) building fund which is applied towards the building, expansion, and renovation of teaching facilities. With the generous support of sangha members and Siddhartha's Intent Australia we have completed a teaching facility for visiting teachers and a yoga training facility. Current funding needs include additional solar panels to reduce reliance on diesel fuel, solar hot water heaters, and various other infrastructure improvements. You can also make donations in direct support of the three year retreatants: sponsoring tsok and lamp offerings, practice materials, texts and so forth. Allocation of unrestricted donations in support of retreatants is at the discretion of Khyentse Rinpoche. If you would like to make a donation now: You can securely make a donation to Vajradhara Gonpa Three Year Retreat Centre by Visa or Mastercard through PayPal by clicking on the the button below. You do not need to have a PayPal account. On the PayPal form please indicate if your donation is for a specific purpose - unrestricted general donations to the operation of the Gonpa in its support of the three year retreat are preferred. Thank you for your generosity. |
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