The Buddha Path Winter Retreat
February 4-11, 2017

Retreat Details, Conditions, and Policies

Last updated: December 4, 2016

Retreat Schedule

This retreat will last for one week, from 2 PM on Saturday, February 4th through 2 PM on Saturday, February 11th, 2017. Retreatants will need to arrive no later than 12 pm on February 4th and attend all sessions to participate in the retreat. In other words, retreatants cannot miss any of the sessions and then continue to participate in the remainder of the retreat without special permission. You may leave the retreat early, but you should not enter the retreat with that intention.

Transportation

If you need to book flights after your application is approved, most people will travel to Vienna, Austria, either by plane or train, which is close to the retreat location. The retreat directors can help arrange local transportation to the retreat location if you provide your itinerary well in advance. Costs may be shared, keeping this expense to a minimum.

What is Included

The retreat fee includes:

Three meals per day, from dinner, February 4th through lunch, February 11th.
7 nights of lodging at the retreat location.
1 week of amazing Dharmic experiences.

The Food

The cost of the retreat includes three buffet style meals a day as well as limited snacks. The food will be primarily vegetarian, though not necessarily vegan. Sangha money from retreat fees will not be used for the purchase of meat, but individual Sangha members have the right to donate meat which will be made available to the omnivore members of the Sangha. Tea and water will always be available.

Retreatants with special dietary needs should note that during their retreat registration and also discuss this with the Retreat Director.

Accommodations

The retreat will be held at a beautiful mountain retreat center, the Projekt BergZendo HoheWand. This facility is used exclusively for Buddhist practice and events and is an excellent place for the Dzogchen teachings to be presented in this retreat. The address in Austria is BergZendo Hohe Wand, in 2724 Hohe Wand, Am Almfrieden 87.

Please note that overnight accommodations at this location are limited to 16. Registration and space in the retreat are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Attendance

Without exception students are expected to attend every session of the retreat, which will run from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm (or 8:00 am to 8:30 pm) every day. Students who leave the retreat once it is in progress are not permitted to return to the retreat. Exceptions are sometimes made in cases of emergency or when given advance written permission from the retreat director and teacher guiding the retreat.

Transportation

Upon request, the retreat directors can help you with transportation from and to the airport or train station. We suggest you buy your tickets early since Vienna is a popular spot in the winter. We will send you directions to the retreat location when your registration is accepted.

What to Bring

Below is a suggested packing list.

Computer (with charger) OR notebook and pens
Toiletries
Water bottle
Ritual objects i.e., your bell and dorje, drum, etc.
Copy of The Buddha Path practice book (you can purchase a copy at the retreat)
Sitting cushion or chair of choice (some chairs and cushions are available on site)
Lap blanket (to keep knees warm for long sessions in the shrine)
Plenty of socks and underwear
Enough changes of clothes to get you through the retreat
Extra cash to make offerings to the teacher or contributions to special events

What NOT to Bring

Below is a list of things not to bring:

Cigarettes, tobacco products, or other smoking materials
Drugs that have not been prescribed to you by your physician
Marijuana or its derivatives in any form even if you have a prescription
Drinking alcohol for personal consumption
Weapons such as guns
Fireworks
Pets

Possession of drugs, cigarettes, personal alcohol or weapons can be grounds for expulsion from the retreat.

Weather

When packing just before the retreat, please check the online weather forecast for Vienna. This will be the middle of winter for Austria, so please plan your clothing accordingly. Bring layers just in case!

Health

Retreatants should be prepared to take care of their own health, bring along any emergency supplies such as antidotes to any life-threatening allergies, and expect to be able to handle the somewhat rigorous teaching and practice schedule of the retreat. If you are taking any type of pharmaceutical that can influence your mental state (including but not limited to anti-depressants and diabetes and thyroid medications), we require that you bring an adequate supply for your entire visit here, and that you consistently follow the usage pattern and medical advice prescribed by your physician. You must inform the event director of your special medical conditions when you register.

Children

Because of the limited space, we regret that we cannot accommodate children at the retreat location.

Meditation and Sitting Practice

Meditation practice will be incorporated and keyed to the daily teaching subjects, with the goal of moving from a superficial understanding of the Buddha's teachings to a profound and incontrovertible realization of their truth in our present moment thinking. During teaching and meditation sessions you are welcome to sit in a chair, but most people choose to sit on a cushion on the floor. Many people bring their own personal seating, but chairs and cushions are available here for those who are unable to bring them.

Daily Retreat Schedule and Sessions

This will be an active retreat with a 12.5-hour per day schedule. Everyone is expected to remain in all teaching and practice sessions without creating disturbances. It’s OK if you need to step out briefly, for example as a result of a bathroom emergency. There are breaks between sessions, which typically last 1.5 to 2.5 hours each, with up to five sessions per day. There will be eight to ten hours of scheduled practices and teachings per day. In addition, during break times, yoga, music, dancing, art, and other Dharma activities may take place.

As part of your daily practice, for an eight-hour period at night you will be required to maintain a vow of silence and not engage in any normal waking activities except using the bathroom. These times may vary from day to day, but the idea is that you will be lying down resting your body for eight hours every night, whether you are at the retreat location or not.

Additional Requirements

Everyone will be expected to follow the rules of the retreat which are outlined on this page. The rules are subject to revision. Also you must adhere to the schedule of the retreat and unless sick, attend all the scheduled events of the retreat. You may leave the retreat at any time, but you cannot leave the retreat and then return to the retreat.

To attend the retreat one has to be a non-smoker, drug-free, and mentally stable. Possession or use of smoking materials, illegal or mind-altering drugs, or non-prescribed pharmaceuticals are not permitted. You may of course bring with you and ingest any prescribed medication except medicinal marijuana which is not permitted.

You should bring any supplies you need with you for the entire duration of the retreat, as there may not be time for shopping. You should bring with you to the retreat adequate supplies of things like clothing, toiletries, and medicine. No pets are allowed on property.

You must have the willingness and commitment to practice with the group during all sessions of the retreat. You should have enough physical and mental stamina to sit with the group for the daily schedule, and a temperament that enables you to get along with others.

Cancellation and Refunds

There are no refunds after December 20, except in the event that your application is not approved. In that case, any payments you have made will be returned to you in full.

You may cancel any time before December 20, 2016 and receive a full refund (100% of any fees you have paid) if we are able to fill your spot with another retreatant.

Scholarships

Please contact the retreat director or simply indicate on your registration form and add to your registration fee if you are able to contribute to the scholarship fund. We aspire to assist all diligent students who have need of financial assistance.

Dana Donations

Retreat costs do not include any payment or donation to the guiding teacher. Any donation to the teacher or to the hosting organization that you would like to make should be prepared outside of your payment for the cost of this event.

The Buddhist teachings during the retreat are free, but note that within Dzogchen Buddhist tradition, the teacher does not charge the organizers for the teaching services, and therefore individual donations by retreatants to the teacher are always welcomed and needed in order to support the teacher's Dharma activities. This is also a gesture of appreciation, respect and aspiration for the perpetuation of the teachings. This offering to the teacher by the individual student is often referred to using the Sanskrit term dana.

Q&A

If you have any questions, or are just wondering if this event is for you, you should contact us in advance to discuss. This page will be updated with some of the answers to questions posed, so questions are very much welcomed.

If you have any questions about anything, don’t hesitate to contact the retreat director or assistant retreat director.

How to Register Today

Reservations are required and are currently being accepted. Everyone is welcome to register by filling out the online registration and making a deposit of half the retreat fee to hold your place. We need to process as many applications, and receive deposits, as early as possible in order to properly prepare for the retreat. We hope you can help us with this. Retreatants need to register early in order to reserve limited attendance and bed space.