Nyungne (八關齋戒) Retreat at Menlo Park, CA (02/28 to 03/01/2015)

A Nyungne Retreat allows its participants to purify negative karma and accumulate merit and wisdom in a short and intensive setting. This one was a profound eight-and-a-half-day practice long-term retreat. Translated as "abiding in the fast," Nyungne is said to be effective in the healing of illness, the nurturing of compassion, and the purification of negative karma.

During this retreat, we were given only Vegetarian or Vegan meals every other day. No meals were given after 2 pm. We may only drink non-alcoholic beverages and not drink anything after 10 pm. In addition, during non-meal days, we were expected to fast with no food and no water; also we were refrained from conversation during these days for complete silence and fasting. It involves the keeping of strict vows; The meditation centers on the recitations, mantras, and guided visualizations of the Thousand-Armed Chenrezig, the embodiment of all the buddhas' loving-kindness and compassion.

Lama Jamba provided a detailed explanation of the various elements of Nyungne and the explanations on visualization. The sadana book is a wonderful resource with abbreviated and long mantras required in Nyungne retreat. This practice gave me a lot to work with and I found the Dharma friends an inspiration when I was going through difficult days or needed a bit of an enthusiasm boost at the beginning.

At the end, I have to say that the practice purifies me both physically and spiritually. Hopefully, I'd stay at this level as long as possible once I returned to my leisure world.

Participants: Lama Jamba, Anila, Christine (from San Louis Obispo), Wendy (from Calgary, Canada), Wendy Chuang (Tina's niece, Chiropractor), Eugina Chang (任安堂主持人), Shuen Chiou, Pien Chiou, Ming Cam, Anita Chen, Sandy Yen, Tina (Sandy's sister), Shu-Ting (臺積電), Scott & Christina (local), 鈴麗 (local), Pat Ou, Mali & husband (from Mexico City)

Coordinator: Athena (Tina's niece)