Event : Retreat with Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Date : September 12-26
Venue : YMCA Blue Ridge 84 Blue Ridge Circle Black Mountain, NC 28711
Website : http://www.kadampa-center.org/lop/index.php#retreat
Directions : Travel by Car: Two miles off Interstate 40, fifteen miles east of Asheville. Traveling on I-40 take Exit 64, “Black Mountain/Montreat” and turn south on Highway 9. Proceed less than one-half mile and go straight on Blue Ridge Road. Travel .9 mile and turn left at small Blue Ridge Assembly sign, then proceed to our entrance.
Unlike teachings at a center, a retreat provides the participants with an atmosphere conducive to practice 24 hours a day. Basic retreat discipline includes observing the five lay vows, attending all sessions and keeping silence for at least the first half of the day and for the rest of the day, no idle speech or gossip. Use of cell phones and internet service is strongly discouraged to reduce distraction and prevent disruption to the contemplative environment. Everyone is encouraged to participate as fully as possible but no one is expected to do more than they are able.
Observing the five lay vows in the context of a retreat means no killing of any being (including insects); no sexual conduct of any kind; no lying; no stealing or taking that which has not been given; and no intoxicants, including drugs, alcohol or cigarettes. During the two-week retreat, Rinpoche's commentary will be supplemented by practice and review sessions, discussion, and guided meditations led by senior FPMT teachers as well as engage in other practices to accumulate positive energy and purify obstacles so that realizations may dawn quickly in the mind. Course participants will engage in group practice of Lama Chöpa Jorcho, confession and prostrations to the 35 Buddhas, and take the Eight Mahayana Precepts for most of the retreat. All participants will be expected to participate in karma yoga work sessions for the duration of the retreat. In this way, the Light of the Path retreat and subsequent program will include all aspects of FPMT integrated education: study, practice, service, and ethical behavior.