Courses 2023
06-10.04.2023 Guru Rinpoche – Easter Retreat
Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje
Course schedule:
Starts: Thursday, April 6th, at 7 PM (dinner starts 5:30 PM)
Ends: Monday April, 10th, after lunch
Course fee:
250 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
For bank transfers please state name of participant and course number (04.01)
The Guru Rinpoche Practice „Konchog Chidu“ („The Essence of the Three Jewels„), is a Terma text (treasure text) discovered by the great Terton (treasure finder) Rigdzin Jatson Nyingpo. It has extraordinary power to remove any kind of hindrance.
The special blessing of this sadhana is described in the „Prayer which Radiates the Light of Blessing„, a prayer of devotion to Guru Rinpoche:
„… However – in this degenerate time (these teachings) are a jewel that is poised on the head of a poisonous snake. If I, in these unclear and dark times, make a heartfelt promise with strong longing that stirs the depths of the vajra samaya of the deities of the Three Jewels and the Three Roots, then the extraordinary power of the Lamas – the Holders of the Three Kinds of Transmission, the Yidams and the multitude of the Dakinis, and the ocean of Dharma protectors, as well as through the power of the unchangeable, the truth, the nature and independence of phenomena – will allow the richness of the essential teachings to shine brightly, as the sun and moon bring light into the darkness, and bring to an end the darkening of unjustified attacks. May their victory secure this tradition of deep truth!
The excellent tradition, transmitted by Orgyen Rinpoche and the wisdom holders, has power over the three worlds and subdues the three kinds of existence. It is universally victorious and transgresses all appearances of phenomena. May it spread everywhere!“
28.04.-01.05.23 Karma Pakshi Retreat with Ganachakra
Course Instructors:
Lama Kunga Dorje
Course Schedule:
Begins: Friday, April 28th, at 7 PM (dinner starts 5:30 PM)
Ends: Monday, May 1st, after lunch
Course Fee:
200 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
For bank transfers please state name of participant and course number (04.02)
It is particularly through the profound practice of Guru Yoga that we are able to connect with the power of the Kagyu lineage masters and quickly receive their blessings.
Karma Pakshi [1204-1283] was the second Karmapa, renowned to this day as an embodiment of Vajrayana crazy wisdom and primordial awareness. In celebrating and supplicating him we invoke not only his bright illuminating energy and miraculous powers but through him, the supreme vitality and continuously unfolding presence of Mahamudra itself.
This weekend retreat will present the Guru Yoga practice of Karma Pakshi in its entirety, including instructions and practice of the sadhana and ending with a traditional Ganachakra or ‘great feast.’
12-14.05.23 Ringu Tulku Rinpoche – The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva
Course Instructor:
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Course schedule:
Begins: Friday, May 12th, at 7 PM (dinner starts 5:30 PM)
Ends: Sunday, May 14th, after lunch
Course fee:
250 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
For bank transfers please state name of participant and course number (05.02)
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche was born in Kham in Eastern Tibet in 1952. Due to the Chinese invasion, he was forced already as a small child to leave his home country. He received his education under the tutelage of H.H. the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa and of H.H. Dhilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Later on, he studied at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology in Sikkim as well as at the Sanskrit University in Varanasi, India. He was the first Kagyu lama to receive the Acharya title at the Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies in Varanasi. In the following course, H.H. the 16th Karmapa awarded him the Khenpo title, and he also received the Lopon Chenpo title (corresponding to PhD) from the International Nyingma Society.
For 25 years he then served as a Professor for Tibetan Studies and as a textbook writer in Sikkim. Since 1990, he undertakes extensive travels all over the world, giving teachings and empowerments. H.H. the 17th Karmapa appointed Ringu Tulku Rinpoche as his representative for Europe. His profound knowledge combined with his deep understanding of the Western World make him into one of the most important mediator for Tibetan Buddhism in the West.
25-29.05.23 Milarepa Guruyoga Retreat
Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje
Course schedule:
Begins: Thursday, May 25th, at 7 PM (dinner starts at 5:30 PM)
Ends: Monday, May 29th after lunch
Course fee:
250 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
For bank transfers please state name of participant and course number (05.01)
Jetsun Milarepa had committed serious crimes in his youth and killed with black magic a large part of his family, and he was seized by a desperate remorse. He was looking for a teacher who could show him the way to get rid of the entanglement of the never-ending cycle of existence, and found him in his teacher Marpa.
Marpa treated Milarepa with unimaginable severity before giving Milarepa the meditation instructions he desired. By unwavering faith in his teacher and the great energy with which he gave himself in his practice, Milarepa succeeded in acquiring enlightenment in one lifetime. He is famous for his spontaneous poetic songs in which he gave expression to his profound teachings.
Prayer of serious commitment by Jetsun Milarepa
Son of the lineage of Lord Naropa’s path of liberation,
please bless this beggar that he stay in mountain retreats.
Do not be swayed by the demon of worldly distractions
but deepen meditative concentration.
Without getting caught in clinging to Shamatas pond
May the flower of Vipashyana blossom
Unaffected and untroubled by stress and tension,
Let the foliage of simplicity unfold.
Without the slightest discord in my Retreat
Let the fruit reach maturity – experience and realization.
With the demons family powerless to hinder it,
may I gain final certainty to understand my mind.
On the way of skillful means, unclouded by doubt
may the son find his way in the footsteps of his father.
Blessed and compassionate, essence of Akshobhya,
please bless this beggar to remain in mountain retreats.
02–04.06.23 Red Chenrezig „Shaker of Samsara“ – Retreat with Bardo Puja on Saga Dawa Duchen
Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga
Course schedule:
Starts: Friday, June 2, at 7 PM (dinner starts 5:30 PM)
Ends: Sunday, June 4, after lunch
Course fee:
180 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
For bank transfers please state name of participant and course number (06.01)
The bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara [Chenrezig] is the supreme embodiment of the caring compassion of all the Buddhas, an impartial compassion that embraces the entire immeasurable multitude of all sentient beings.
The red, standing form of Avalokiteshvara is known as Khorwa Dong Trug: “He who stirs samsara from its depths.” The meditation practice associated with this deity is known to be especially powerful, and includes a bardo section, helping to lead the consciousness of the deceased to the pure land of Buddha Amitabha.
As part of this special ritual, at the end of the retreat a list with the names of all deceased will be burned. If you send us the names of recently departed friends, relatives or pets, we will include them on the Amitabha list.
30.06.-02.07.23 White Tara – Long Life Practice for the birthday of HH Karmapa
Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje
Course schedule:
Begins: Friday, June 30th, at 7 PM (dinner starts 5:30 PM)
Ends: Sunday, July 2nd, after lunch
Course fee:
180 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
For bank transfers please state name of participant and course number (06.02)
White Tara, (Skrt. Cintachakra “Wish-fulfilling Wheel”) is the female Bodhisattva Tara who embodies long life, healing and serenity. With her seven wisdom eyes in head, hands and feet, she sees the suffering of beings in all realms of existence and the three times, and like a loving mother comes to the aid of all who need and call to her. As a focus for tantric deity yoga, the practice of Tara can be traced back to Yeshe Tsogyal and Padmasambhava, and to this day is widespread in all Dharma schools in Tibet. Many of the great masters of Vajrayana Buddhism have chosen her as their personal yidam, including the present Dalai Lama.
13-16.07.23 Nyung Ne Retreat
Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje
Course schedule:
Begins: Thursday, July 13th, at 7 PM (dinner at 5:30 PM)
Ends: Sunday, July 16th, after lunch
Mahayana vows will be given on Friday morning, 7 AM. Therefore, participants have to arrive on Thursday evening in order to attend the retreat.
Course fee:
210 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
For bank transfers please state name of participant and course number (07.01)
The Nyung-Ne practice is a fasting ritual with great purification potential, which is widely practiced in Tibetan Buddhism, also amongst lay practitioners.
This practice of the 1000-armed Avalokitesvara was introduced by Gelongma Palmo. She was born around the 10th century as a princess in an Indian empire located in today’s Kashmir region. Instead of living a life in luxury she decided to become ordained during early adulthood. She studied dharma sincerely and deeply, and therefore her teacher soon appointed her as abbot of a monastic community.
Not long after this, she developed leprosy, which worsened more and more. She lost her fingers and her feet, so she could not hide her condition any longer and was forced to leave her monastic community. Despite of her misfortune, she did not loose her faith in dharma. She was deeply motivated to achieve bodhicitta, and soon she had a vision of the 1000-armed Avalokiteshvara. For many years she performed his practice, which involved fasting and keeping silence, and finally she was cured of her leprosy.
29.09.-03.10.23 Chod Retreat
Please inquire whether teachings will be translated into English during that course!
Course Instructors:
Lama Kunga
Course Schedule:
Begins: Friday, September 29th, at 7 PM (dinner starts at 5:30 PM)
Ends: Tuesday, October 3d after lunch
Course Fee:
275 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
For bank transfers please state name of participant and course number (09.01)
The practice of Chöd is taught by all Tibetan Buddhist schools. It is an extremely effective method for cutting the tight net of ego fixation that binds us to the endlessly turning wheel of suffering. The key point of this ‘cutting-through practice’ is bringing deluded mind directly to its inherent pure nature, by recognizing it as equivalent to the enlightened state of the ‘Great Mother Prajnaparamita’.
Through training in the method known as ‘Opening the Door to the Sky’ we experience a state beyond duality and intellectualisation synonymous with Mahamudra. Simultaneously we develop limitless, impartial generosity free from ego-clinging.
26.12.23-01.01.24 Amitabha Retreat with Bardo Puja
Course Instructors:
Lama Kunga
Course Schedule:
Begins: Tuesday, December 26th, at 7 PM (dinner starts at 5:30 PM)
Ends: Monday, January 1st, after lunch
Course Fee:
300 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
For wire transfer of the course costs please state the name of the participant as well as the course number (12.01)
To spend the time at the turn of the year in a meaningful way for us as well as for others, we will meet again this holiday season for our annual Amitabha Retreat.
Amitabha Buddha is the meditation deity associated with the divine realm of Sukhavati (tib: Dewachen). He is called “Buddha of Limitless Light”, because his activity permeates all clouded states of our being and clears away all suffering.
By doing Amithaba practice – reciting mantras, prayers and practising the sadhana – we can support those who have departed this life on their further path, clear away states of suffering in ourselves and others, and help to create an auspicious compassionate foundation for the coming year. Those of us who have lost someone dear can dedicate the positive merit of the retreat to them, as well as to all other sentient beings.
For those who have passed away in the course of the past year, there will be a special ‘bardo puja’ on the 31st of December. On the morning of New Years Day we will celebrate the beginning of the year with an auspicious ‘Ribosang,’ a smoke offering ritual for happiness and world peace.
If you would like to have deceased persons or animals be included in the prayers and the practice, you can send us the names to include in our list.