Event : Yamantaka Drubchen with Garchen Rinpoche
Date : March 31 – April 6, 2011
Venue : Drikung Rinchen Choling
Address : 9534, Las Tunas Drive, Temple City, CA 91780
Website :
http://www.rinchencholing.org/index_Event_Current.htm
The Yamantaka drubchen, traditionally held near the end of the
Tibetan year, is conducted in order to cleanse all obstacles not
only for oneself, but for every being in the world. This cleansing
is most easily accomplished at this time of the year and helps to
decrease suffering and increase peace. The deity practiced in this
drubchen is very wrathful and powerful, and thus the practice must
be done with great care.
The lamas have asked that all those who aspire to attend the
Yamantaka retreat do so with thoughtful consideration, taking care
to make the necessary preparations and adhering to some important
guidelines throughout the duration of the retreat.
In the past in Tibet this drubchen was only open to those who had
taken vows of ordination and who had completed the common
preliminary practices as well as the particular preliminary
practices of Yamantaka. It is thus asked that those who participate
prepare by accumulating refuge and Vajrasattva mantras, taking
refuge and purifying one’s mind stream as much as possible prior to
the retreat. One of the main prerequisites for participating in the
Yamantaka Drubchen is to have accumulated minimum of 100,000
Peaceful Manjushri mantras (OM WAM GI SHWARI MUM). It is preferable
if you can accumulate 600,000 mantras. If you have already done
this accumulation for a prior Yamantaka Drubchen, it is not
necessary to do it again. If you have not done this accumulation,
Rinpoche asks that you try to complete it before the drubchen
starts. Lama Thubten Nima reminds us that the mantra accumulation
should be done in a mindful manner. It is best to do it during
sessions dedicated to it and not do it while multi-tasking (e.g.,
driving, talking).
This drubchen differs in many ways from other drubchens and
practices. All who aspire to attend should understand that it is a
very rigorous practice conducted around the clock with strict rules
of conduct, including not seeing the sky for the duration of the
retreat. Everyone must remain in the temple throughout the practice
with no coming and going. Once the drubchen has begun, participants
do not leave the temple other than for brief restroom usage and
three daily meals. Please note that it is not possible to exercise,
etc.
If you have not participated in a prior Yamantaka Drubchen at
Garchen Institute, you must be vouched for by a member of the
sangha with knowledge of the Yamantaka Drubchen who knows you and
your practice well and will vouch for your ability to complete the
drubchen practice, or by a Garchen Institute lama or a lama known
by the Garchen Institute lamas who knows your practice well and
will vouch for your ability. Due to the extremely intensive nature
of this practice, new participants will be unable to participate
without one of these references, and no exceptions can be made. Pl
ease note that Garchen Institute staff members may not provide
these references.
Because of the drubchen’s very demanding nature, those with any
pre-existing health condition that is worsened by stress or by
incense smoke should refrain from attending. Please also note that
other than teeth brushing and face washing, bathing is not
permitted during this retreat. Clothing may be changed if desired.
Earplugs and eye shades may be used during your assigned sleep
periods.
Read more at :
http://www.rinchencholing.org/Events/THE2011YAMANTAKADRUBCHENinLosAngeles_E.pdf