Nyungnä Retreat
Purification and Fasting Retreat
13–15 April 2024
Introduction with Gen Kelsang Devi
Nyungnyä is a special purification and fasting retreat practiced in conjunction with the Buddha of Compassion and physical prostrations. Through fasting we can better understand the suffering of others and increase our compassion for them; we also purify our own negative karma.
On the first day of the retreat we abstain from all meals except a vegetarian/vegan lunch and drink normally. On the second day we abstain from all food and drinks for 24 hours. However, those with health concerns can repeat the first day and have the midday meal and drink normally. Traditional Buddhist prayers are chanted in all retreat sessions.
Für die Teilnahme an den Nyungnä Sitzungen ist es notwendig die Mahayana-Grundsätze am Morgen zu nehmen. Wir empfehlen allen, die noch nie an diesem Retreat teilgenommen haben, die Einführung am Samstagabend zu besuchen.
Price
see below
Language
English with German translation
Place
KMC Switzerland
What to expect
The retreat begins on Friday evening with an introduction. The introduction will explain the purification practice and the motivation with which we should engage the retreat.
This will be followed by three retreat sessions on Saturday and Sunday. See the schedule below.
During breaks, there is the opportunity to interact with other practitioners, go for a walk, or read up on the topic in our library books.
The Teacher
Gen Kelsang Devi is a Senior International Teacher within the NKT and Principal Teacher of both KMC Switzerland and Kailash IRC. She is a joyful example of a modern Buddhist nun who has been practicing Kadampa Buddhism under the guidance of venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for over twenty years. Kailash IRC. She is a modern buddhist nun who has been practising Kadam-Dharma for 25 years.
Gen Devi is greatly admired for her good heart and her deep meditative experience is revealed through her clarity and inspirational presentation of Buddha’s teachings.
Course Information
Price
Introduction: CHF 20
Retreat: donation based
Timetable
Saturday 13 April 2024
19:00–20:30pm | Introduction with Gen Kelsang Devi
Sunday 14. April 2024
6:30–7:00am | Mahayana Precepts Ceremony (A Pure Life)
7:00–8:15am | Retreat Session (Drop of Essential Nectar)
11:00–12:15pm | Retreat Session (Drop of Essential Nectar)
12:30pm | Lunch Break
16:00–17:15pm | Retreat Session (Drop of Essential Nectar)
19:00–20:00pm | Wishfulfilling Jewel
Montag 15. April 2024
6:30–7:00am | Mahayana Precepts Ceremony (A Pure Life)
7:00–8:15am | Retreat Session (Drop of Essential Nectar)
11:00–12:15pm | Retreat Session (Drop of Essential Nectar)
12:30 Uhr | Lunch break (without meal)
16:00–17:15pm | Retreat Session (Drop of Essential Nectar)
19:00–20:30pm | Offering to the Spiritual Guide Puja
Language
The introduction will be given in English with German translation. The prayers will be sung in English.
Live Stream
The live stream option for this event is only available with a centre membership. Find out more here
Place
This retreat takes place at Kadampa Meditation Center Switzerland (KMC), Mirabellenstrasse 1, 8048 Zürich Altstetten
Frequently asked questions
Can people attend our courses even if they are not Buddhists?
Yes - Everyone is welcome at Kadampa Meditation Center Switzerland. No one is excluded, no matter what your background or beliefs are. The methods and practices taught here are suitable for everyone, no matter how much experience you have.
Do I have to wear certain clothes to attend the events at the center?
No - Please come as you are. At KMC Switzerland, chairs and meditation cushions are provided for seating. If you like to sit on the cushion, we recommend that you wear comfortable clothing. Traditionally you will be asked to take off your shoes before entering the meditation room. We have floor heating and socks if needed.
Do I need meditation experience to participate?
No - Many people who come to our events have little or no experience. It doesn't matter if you have tried to meditate before without much success. Everyone finds meditation challenging in the beginning because our mind is naturally very busy. Kadampa Meditation Center is a perfect place to train in meditation.
Is the center also accessible by wheelchair?
Yes - Our meditation room is at ground level and we lay out ramps for the few steps we have.
