SAKA DAWA RETREAT: 1,000 Armed Chenrezi Retreat & Nyen Nay Vows

H.E. Dagmo Kusho will be leading us on Monday, June 4th, in a one day retreat for Green Tara and Nyen Nay vows on Saka Dawa, the beginning of the fourth Tibetan lunar month of the Tibetan calendar. We will be doing the 4-Mandala Green Tara practice, the 21 Praises of Tara, the recitation of many Tara and 1,000-Armed Chenrezi mantras, and performing many prostrations. It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothing. This is definitely not a time to dress up or wear special jewelry, just dress simply and comfortably. Your mala (rosary) is your tool for the day. Please avoid chatting during the retreat. This holds both for upstairs in the shrine room as well as during the lunch break.

Dagmo Kusho will be leading the 24 hour Nyen Nay vows at 9:00 AM. Nyen Nay vows are very effective for lay practitioners. It is a wonderful opportunity and creates great benefit for oneself and all sentient beings. Also, since it is Saka Dawa, the merit generated from auspicious activities is believed to be multiplied by 100,000. Those taking the 24 hour Nyen Nay vows should have no food for breakfast before you arrive or for dinner after you leave. However, Nyen Nay practitioners may have a strict vegetarian lunch at the monastery (see more guidelines below). The vow lasts until you wake up Monday morning (June 5th). Except for lunch at the Monastery, you are restricted to liquids only, such as water, juice, tea, milk, etc. Vitamin water and such are fine. You may take required medicines.

If you cannot participate in the 24 hour Nyen Nay vows, but still want to participate in this retreat, you may show up at 10 am. Those who are not taking the Nyen Nay vows may eat that day; however, everyone should be strictly vegetarian for 24 hours, with no meat, eggs, strong spices, onion, garlic, or alcohol.