Vajrasattva Empowerment and Retreat with Geshe Thupten Wangchen and Bhikshuni Lozang Yönten

September 6 - November 30
(Also available in one month options)

Give your life and mind the ultimate karmic detox. There is no negativity that cannot be purified with Vajrasattva and the four opponent powers.

It is said that we have achieved all the qualities—clairvoyance, psychic powers, the eight siddhis, common powers, etc.—countless times in the past, but they did not free us from the suffering of samsara, because we did not cease the cause of the suffering. Therfore we need to purify our mindstream and fully develop the mind that cherished others.

If you want others to love you, you must first love others. If you benefit others, naturally they will benefit you. The cause and effect of karma is as simple as this. The Vajrasattva purification practice, which is more powerful than negative karma, can prevent you from experiencing the problems that negative karma would otherwise bring you. Thus, the practice of purification is one of the most important solutions to our problems and is extremely necessary, even for people who believe that we have only one life. Doing Vajrasattva retreat is not simply about reciting the mantra and saying some prayers. It is about making the practice effective for your mind, making it the quickest, most powerful way to transform your mind. Experienced meditators have advised that, in general, it is more important to put your everyday life’s effort into the practice of purification. This is the way to attain spiritual realisation.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche
FPMT Spiritual Director

The traditional “preliminary” practices prepare the mind for successful tantric meditation by removing hindrances and accumulating merit. They are found in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism and are usually done 100,000 times each; the four main practices are recitation of the refuge formula, mandala offerings, prostrations and Vajrasattva mantra recitation. The three-month Vajrasattva retreat and fire puja completes this practice and launches our future practice to deeper levels.

We are pleased to announce that Geshe Thupten Wangchen will be offering the Vajrasattva empowerment at the start of the retreat: a pre-requisite for this empowerment is already having taken a highest yoga tantra initiation. If you already have specifically a highest yoga tantra Vajrasattva initiation, you need to have kept all your committments to do the retreat as an approach retreat. If you have broken your commitments, you can either re-take the initiation with Geshe Wangchen, or do the retreat simply for the merit and purification.

The retreat will be led in a way that nurtures both solitary introspection and community support and is suitable for all sincere practitioners of Buddhism who have the Vajrasattva empowerment. Venerable Yönten will lead the retreat combining the traditional essentials of strict retreat together with flexibility to respond to the needs of the group. There will be teachings, practice resources, and optional discussion group time.

Registration is now open for those wishing to complete the entire 3-month retreat

Booking Enquiry Form

For those wishing to attend to attend for one or two months, registration will open on March 1st. Please note that availability is limited and those attending the full three months will be given priority registration.

Full Retreat: September 6 – November 30, 2019

  • First Month: September 6 – October 5
  • Second Month: October 5 – November 2
  • Third Month: November 2 – November 30

(Please note new ending date of November 30th)

To register, please fill out the booking enquiry form below. We will contact you with your booking details, payment information and a Health and Qualification Survey to complete. Your registration is complete with a 50% deposit paid and return of the Health and Qualification Survey.

If you need to cancel, we’ll refund your money minus a $100 administration fee until seven days before the retreat begins, at which time the registration is non-refundable.

3-Month Package Price (includes retreat registration, accommodations and meals)

  • Camping                      $3690.00
  • Single Room                $4341.00
  • Tara Hut                      $4341.00
  • Shambala Cabin          $4677.00
  • Sukhavati Cabin          $4677.00
  • Chenrezig Cabin          $4992.00
  • Manjushri Cabin         $5412.00

1-Month Package Price (includes retreat registration, accommodations and meals)

  • Camping $1280.00
  • Twin (2 beds) $1420.00
  • Single Room $1714.00
  • Tara Hut $1714.00
  • Shambala Cabin $1938.00
  • Sukhavati Cabin $1938.00
  • Chenrezig Cabin $2148.00
  • Manjushri Cabin $2428.00

Please also include a donation to the centre to cover costs of retreat leader’s travel, food and stipend. Those attending may also wish to make an offering to the retreat leader at the end of the retreat.

Reserve your spot and register today!

To register, please fill out the booking enquiry form. We will contact you with your booking details, payment information and a Health and Qualification Survey to complete. Your registration is complete with a 50% deposit paid and return of the Health and Qualification Survey.

Booking Enquiry Form