Saga Dawa Duchen, June 9, 2017
Event Details, Conditions, and Policies
Transportation
After your application is approved, if you need to book a flight, please fly into the nearest airport in Eugene, Oregon (EUG), which is about an hour drive from the retreat center. The event directors can help arrange a ride from and back to the EUG airport if you provide your itinerary well in advance. Such rides are not free, and costs are shared between whoever is on each shuttle ride, keeping this expense to a minimum.
The Food
The cost of the event includes dinner Thursday night, breakfast Friday morning, and an elaborate lunch Friday afternoon. If you stay over Friday night, it will also include breakfast Saturday morning. Because of the vows participants will take, no dinner will be served. The food, served buffet style, will be primarily vegetarian, though not necessarily vegan. Tea and water will always be available.
Participants with special dietary needs should note that during their event registration and also discuss this with the Event Director.
Accommodations
Sleeping accommodations are in dual-occupancy rustic unheated cabins or in tents that participants bring and manage themselves.
If you want to make your bed, bring sheets and blankets that will fit a single mattress. To stay warm, you'll need your own bedding such as a warm sleeping bag, or blankets. Also bring your own pillow and pillowcase.
Attendance
Participants who leave the event once it is in progress are not permitted to return. Exceptions are sometimes made in cases of emergency or when given advance permission by the teacher guiding the event.
What to Bring
Below is a suggested packing list.
- Computer (with charger) OR Notebook and pens with which to take notes
- Sleeping bag or sheets and blankets
- Pillow and pillow case
- Tent and poles (if you are tent camping)
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Toiletries
- Water bottle - covered water is the only drink allowed in the shrine
- Ritual objects i.e., your bell and dorje, drum (a puja table will be provided)
- Copy of The Buddha Path practice book (you can purchase a copy at the Retreat Center)
- Sitting cushion or chair of choice (chairs and cushions are also available on site)
- Lap blanket (to keep knees warm in the shrine)
- Cool clothing for daytime
- Warm clothing for evenings
- Water-proof shoes or boots
- Socks and underwear
- Rain coat, umbrella, or poncho
- Coat appropriate to the season
- Extra cash to make offerings to the teacher or volunteers
What NOT to Bring
Below is a list of things not to bring:
- Food (All food will be provided for you. Because food may attract wild animals, no food is allowed in cabins, tents, RVs, cars or on your person. All food brought to the Retreat Center is to be brought to the kitchen and offered to the cook to be shared by all)
- 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
- Drinking alcohol for personal consumption (you can bring only if it is an offering for a puja)
- Pets
Possession of drugs, cigarettes, personal alcohol or weapons can be grounds for expulsion from the retreat.
Weather
When packing just before the event, you can check the weather forecast online for the nearest town (Veneta, OR) to get an idea of the 10-day weather outlook and historic averages.
Health
There are no professional medical facilities within about an hour trip from the retreat center. Attendees should take care of their own health and bring along any emergency supplies such as antidotes to any life-threatening allergies. If you are taking any type of pharmaceutical that can influence your mental state (including but not limited to anti-depressant, 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
Children are much-beloved, however we have no special program or supervision for children at the event. Children can attend this event only as full, conscious, responsible participants under the immediate supervision of their parents. If you would like to bring children to the event, please call the Event Director first before registering and discuss this with her in detail. Anyone younger than 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present during the entire event. Daycare facilities are not available.
Meditation and Sitting Practice
During teaching and meditation sessions, while you are welcome to sit in a chair, most people choose to sit on a cushion on the floor. Many people bring their own personal seating. Chairs and cushions are available here for those who are unable to bring them.
Daily Retreat Schedule and Sessions
Everyone is expected to remain in all teaching and practice sessions. However, you may briefly step out as a result of a bathroom emergency. There are breaks between sessions.
If you spend the night at the Retreat Center, as part of your daily practice, for an eight-hour period, from about 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM you will be required to maintain a vow of silence and not engage in any normal waking activities except using the bathroom. The idea is that you will be lying down and resting your body for eight hours at night and not unnecessarily disturbing other people.
Additional Requirements
Everyone will be expected to follow the rules of the event which are outlined on this page. The rules are subject to revision. Also you must adhere to the schedule of the event and unless sick, attend all the scheduled events of the event. You may leave the event at any time, but you cannot leave and then return to the event.
To attend the event, 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.
There will be no shopping trips, so you should bring any supplies you need with you for the duration of the event. You should bring with you to the event adequate supplies of things like clothing, bedding, toiletries and medicine.
No pets from visiting guests are allowed on property and no pets may live in participants' cars or quarters during the event.
Payments
Your payment in full is due upon the acceptance of your application and must be paid in full by June 8, 2017. Please do not send payment or book a flight until you have heard that your application is accepted. Your prompt payment when you register will help us to purchase supplies for the event in advance.
Visit the Payment Options page for more information on how to pay.
Cancellation and Refunds
While you may cancel any time, after June 1, any fees paid will not be refunded
Dana Donations
Event costs do not include any payment or donation to the guiding teacher. Any donation to the teacher that you would like to make should be prepared outside of your payment for the cost of this event.
While the Buddhist teachings during the event are free, please note that within the Dzogchen Buddhist tradition, the teacher does not charge the organizers for the teaching services. Therefore individual donations by participants 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, don't hesitate to contact the event director or assistant event director.
How to Register Today
Reservations are required and are currently being accepted. Everyone is welcome to register by filling out the online registration. We need to process as many applications, and receive deposits, as early as possible in order to properly prepare for the event. We hope you can help us with this. Please register early in order to reserve limited attendance and bed space.
