Dzogchen Autumn Retreat 2008
Saturday, October 4 to Saturday, October 11, 2008
Retreat Details and Policies
Last updated: October 4, 2008
How to Register
Please read this entire page of Retreat Details and Polices as well as the Retreat Overview before visiting the Online Registration Form.
Arrival
The Autumn Retreat will have a formal commencement time of 3:00 PM on Friday, October 4. All participants should plan their arrival at Dzogchen Retreat Center (DRC) at least 2 hours prior to the commencement in order to have time to settle in to their sleeping quarters as well prepare a practice space in the shrine room. Attendance at the opening ceremonies and all the teaching and practice sessions are mandatory for all participants.
Transportation
If you will be traveling by air, flights directly to Eugene will be the best option for simplifying your journey. Eugene Airport (EUG) is a full service international airport located approximately 50 minutes drive-time from the DRC. It is served by five air carriers: US Airways, Horizon Air, Delta Airlines, United Express and Allegiant Air. Further information about the Eugene Airport can be found on their website. It is possible that you may wish to fly into Portland International Airport (PDX) which is located about three hour drive-time from the DRC *.
*NOTE: Should you choose to fly into Portland International Airport, you will be responsible for transportation to Eugene.
If you need to arrange for a ride from the Eugene Airport please contact the Retreat Director well in advance of your travels. The Retreat Director can also provide you with detailed directions and maps for driving to the DRC.
The Retreat Environs
The Autumn Retreat will be held in its entirety at the Dzogchen Retreat Center USA. The 160-acre retreat land is blessed with many varieties of trees and fauna, several meadows, walking trails, a river, two ponds and inspiring vistas. In short, participants will enjoy a secluded, natural environment that provides an essential support for dedicated Dharma practice.
The Autumn months in this part of Oregon have a normal daily high of 65 and a low at night of 35 degrees . Fall begins the rainy season in Oregon and it is recommended to pack waterproof rain gear. Also, plan on very cold evenings and mornings and one should pack thermal underwear and a warm winter hat.
Accommodations
The DRC has dormitory-style rooms in place for sleeping, studying and storage of personal items. These rooms are designed as group spaces and furnished with single mattresses. Please plan for and bring your own bedding and/or sleeping bag. Storage space is limited so keep personal items to an efficient minimum.
For those who would like to bring their own equipment and camp during their stay there will be space provided in a designated area.
**Important: Absolutely no food is to be kept in tents or rooms in order to avoid attracting wildlife. The DRC at present does not have any problems with scavengers and a “no food” policy in your sleeping quarters will help us to keep it that way.
Food
The cost of the retreat includes three buffet style meals per as well as snacks during tea time . The food will be primarily vegetarian, though not necessarily vegan. Sangha money from collected retreat fees will not be used to purchase meat. Tea and water will always be available.
Retreatants with special dietary needs should make note of this on the online registration form and if need be discuss this with the Retreat Director.
Daily Schedule
The Autumn Retreat daily schedule will be demanding and activity filled. All participants are expect to attend the entirety of all practice and teaching sessions allowing only for quick trips to the bathroom if necessary. Sessions typically last one and a half to two and half hours with up to five sessions in a day and interspersed with short breaks and mealtimes. Please plan on eight to ten hours per day of scheduled formal sessions. Spontaneous Dharma activities such as music, dancing, singing, art and yoga may also occur.
As part of traditional retreat practice all participants will take a vow of silence and non-activity during the eight hours allotted for sleep. In order to maintain the ability to concentrate and properly receive the daily teachings it is vital that everyone adhere to this vow. This means during sleeping hours everyone should be only sleeping and refraining from talking, moving around, reading or even practicing Dharma formally.
Attendance
All participants without exception will be expected to reside at the DRC for the duration of the retreat. In addition, if the continuity of an individuals' retreat is broken by failure to attend all the sessions or by leaving the retreat grounds they will not be allowed to re-enter retreat. This rule is strictly enforced as missing sessions affects the mandala of positive thinking and wisdom that is generated by each individuals' effort and practice.
Honoring the Shrine Room
The Buddhist shrine room is a holy environment that is created with the sole purpose of providing a powerful support for the arising and increasing of positive thinking and pure intention. Therefore, our treatment of ,as well as our conduct while in, the shrine room should be in accordance with this purpose. Please strive to keep your area within the shrine room tidy and clean and be respectful of others’ space and practice tools. Especially avoid harsh speech and do not bring water into the shrine room in containers without lids.
During the retreat we will all be taking turns taking care and arranging offerings on the shrine. This will be accomplished using a team system and provides an excellent opportunity to increase our merit. The details of this duty will be provided once the retreat is underway.
Additionally, everyone is encouraged to contribute to the dedicated fund that will be used to purchase shrine offerings such as fruit, rice, flowers, water and wine. During your stay, please speak with the Retreat Director at an appropriate time regarding donations.
Personal Items to Bring
NOTE: Retreatants will not be able to leave the retreat environs to pick up supplies during the retreat and subsequently rejoin the retreat. Before you arrive at the retreat center, make sure you have an adequate supply of personal items for the duration of your retreat.
- The Buddha Path practice text and Course Texts (you can borrow or purchase one at the retreat, or order a copy now)
- Meditation cushion or equivalent.
- Dharma tools such as bell and dorje, ritual drum, mala, etc. (the DRC can loan you a bell, dorje and drum during the retreat)
- A cloth or blanket to cover the knees during sessions (helps with circulation).
- Musical instruments.
- Notebook(s) and multiple writing utensils.
- Laptops (Internet access will be available on a limited basis).
- Any and all needed prescription medications.
- Over-the-counter medicines and supplements (including aspirin, vitamins, etc).
- Sunscreen, mosquito repellent and poison oak ointments, etc.
- Clothing for cold nights (thermal underwear is a must).
- A sun hat or cap.
- Sunglasses.
- Swimsuit and beach towel.
- Clothing for cold nights.
- A stocking cap.
- Rain gear and/or an umbrella.
- Hiking/walking shoes.
- Indoor slippers.
- Toiletries, washcloths, and towels.
- Flip-flops for the shower.
- Small backpack.
- Flashlight or headlamp.
- Watch and an alarm clock.
- Water bottle with a sealable lid.
- Camera.
- Batteries and rechargers for your electronic devices.
- Dana (offering) for teachers.
- Shrine offerings & decorations.
- Extra money for offerings, incidentals, and possibly Dharma items/tools.
Additional Items if Camping
- Tent with rain fly and ground cloth.
- Sleeping bag.
- Sleeping pad(s) and/or a cot.
- Camp chair.
- Nylon sacks or equivalent for organizing items.
- Small broom and dustpan.
What to Leave Behind
- Pets.
- Weapons and firearms.
- Fireworks.
- Drinking alcohol.
- Illegal drugs (This includes intentionally misusing over-the-counter and prescription drugs).
- Cigarettes and Tobacco (Smoking destroys the health and proper functioning of the body as well as a person's ability to increase their merit and wisdom through Dharma practice. For the benefit of all sentient beings, the entire DRC property is a no-smoking environment).
Health-Related Issues
The Autumn Retreat will afford participants a healthy environment with ample good food, sleep and beneficial activities. Retreatants should be aware that the nearest medical facilities about an hour drive from the DRC. Therefore, everyone should take care and be mindful of their health. In general, retreatants should be healthy enough to maintain the demanding retreat schedule. Please bring along appropriate medications for any pre-existing physical conditions. The DRC is located in an area of Oregon that can be hard on those with allergies so plan accordingly.
If you are taking any kind of pharmaceutical that can influence your mental state (including but not limited to anti-depressants, diabetes and or thyroid medications) you will be required to bring an adequate supply for your entire stay, and that you consistently follow the usage pattern and medical advice prescribed by your physician. Please inform the Retreat Director of your special medical conditions when you register. This information will be kept confidential and is gathered only to provide the retreat staff with the knowledge to appropriately respond in the event of an emergency.
Child Care
The DRC will not be able to provide staff for child care during the Autumn Retreat. Parents will be responsible for arranging for the care and special needs of children who are too young to participate in the daily teaching and study schedule. Caregivers will be expected to pay the standard $20/day for volunteer workers that is used cover the cost of their food, lodging and utilities. Please contact the Autumn Retreat Director with any questions or concerns on this topic.
Meditation Cushions and Chairs
The Retreat Director encourages everyone to bring their own meditation cushion or equivalent unless it is unreasonable for you to pack. This will ensure that you will have the most suitable and comfortable seating arrangement possible. The DRC does have a collection of basic cushions for those unable to bring their own. For those who have a physical condition that makes sitting on a cushion for long periods detrimental a simple chair will be made available.
Dana
Making a traditional offering, or Dana, to our teachers at the beginning and end of a retreat is an auspicious and powerful means to generating merit, the power of positive thinking. Such offerings, of course, are in no way meant as payment for teachings. By giving something that we ourselves value we are thereby strengthening the thinking that Dharma is more desirable than any material object we could ever possess.
Additionally, it important to note that Khenpo Choga Rinpoche never receives any monetary compensation from the public teachings and retreats which he so kindly offers.
Accordingly, if you would like to contribute to the traditional Sangha offering at the start of the retreat please speak with the Retreat Director. At the end of your retreat there will be ample opportunity to make a personal offering.
The Great Merit of Supporting This Retreat
Now, more than ever, the powerfully focused Sangha practice of retreat is vital for purifying the harmful energy of negative thinking that proliferates as the complex problems that we find in modern societies. It also provides a means for the public to transform impermanent worldly resources into an inexhaustible source of merit. It is the aspiration of the organizers of the Autumn Retreat to raise $5,000 for this retreat to finance the purchase of offerings, ritual implements, sacred clothes, musical instruments and decorative ornaments to be utilized for the benefit of all beings.
Especially for those who may not be able to attend this retreat, a donation made with pure intention to support it's success is an extremely beneficial and worthwhile action. Please consider contributing to the Retreat Fund today by contacting the Retreat Director.
Cancellations and Refunds
Once you register, you may cancel any time prior to September 27, 2008 and receive a refund of 100% of any fees you have paid. There will be no refunds after registration on September 27, 2008.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns about the preceding or the Dzogchen Autumn Retreat in general please direct them to:
Nathan McIntyre
Dzogchen Autumn Retreat Director
Email: nathan.mcintyre@dzogchenidaho.org
USA Telephone: 208-841-7927
Dzogchen Autumn Retreat Information and Registration Site
