Nine Yanas Retreat

THE NINE YANAS PROGRAM

Review of Years 1 – 3, Pratekyabuddhayana & Shravakayana
Friday July 27 – Sunday July 29, 2012

Bodhisattvayana
Monday July 30 – Sunday August 5, 2012

Rangjung Yeshe Gomde Cooperstown, NY

In 2009, Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche, supreme head of the Taklung Kagyu lineage and grandson of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, began teaching a carefully arranged course on the complete Tibetan Buddhist Path, The Nine Yanas. He wanted to give dharma students the opportunity to study and train thoroughly and genuinely on the gradual path and developed this very special program of teachings for both new and experienced dharma students.

The 2012 summer retreat will be the fourth year of the 9 Yanas program and will focus on the third of the Nine Yanas, the Bodhisattvayana.

In order to ensure that new participants receive the most possible benefit from these teachings, Rinpoche has kindly agreed to teach a 3-day review of the first 2 yanas, the Pratekyabuddhayana and the Shravakayana, immediately prior to the start of the Bodhisattvayana program. All new participants should plan to attend this 3-day review, in addition to the main teachings, as each Yana builds upon the previous one and an understanding of all the progressive teachings is necessary to fully embrace the path. Participants from past years are encouraged to attend this review, for a nominal fee as described in the registration section.

This may be the last year that everyone is guaranteed to be able to start the Nine Yanas Course without prior attendance – as we begin study of the tantric yanas Rinpoche may restrict the program to those who have attended previous courses.

Please register here if you would like to attend and/or to receive more information regarding this program. (Please let us know if you are thinking of coming so that we can prepare, just know that your registration is not complete until payment is received.)

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Nine Yanas Program
The Nine Yanas program will be taught by Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche during daily teachings given in Gomde’s lovely shrine room. Students will also participate in guided meditation sessions and discussion groups, enjoy nourishing vegetarian meals and spend a restful week in the beautiful rolling hills of upstate New York.

As part of the program, participants will receive specific study and practice materials for the different yanas. The course will include study of sections from the Prajnaparamita Sutras, Jamgon Kongtrul’s Treasury of Knowledge, Jigme Lingpa’s Treasury of Precious Qualities, and other sources personally selected by Rinpoche.

Each student will receive a practice text, sadhanas, shrine objects specified for that practice, such as a stupa and statue, prints for the visualizations for the practice, and English-language books created by Rinpoche for each yana. There will be a separate charge for these materials.

Rinpoche will give empowerments for sadhanas relating to each of the 9 Yanas. These sadhanas for the nine yanas are drawn from the Rigsum Nyingtik, The Heart Essence of the Three Enlightened Families, a famous text revealed by the supreme terton Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa. These sadhanas invoke the three lords of the three enlightened families (Avalokiteshvara, the embodiment of all of the buddhas’ compassion; Manjushri, the embodiment of all of the buddhas’ wisdom; and Vajrapani, the embodiment of all of the buddhas’ enlightened power) in different forms as appropriate to each of the yanas (e.g., in the Shravaka sadhana they appear as arhats).

Activities
In addition to two daily teachings from Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche, activities will include:

early morning yoga or tai chi practice (optional)
guided meditation sessions
outdoor meditation sessions with Rinpoche
discussion groups led by Western and Tibetan dharma scholars and experienced practitioners
empowerments for sadhanas from the Three Sections of the Great Perfection section of the Chokling Tersar
3 delicious vegetarian meals each day; tea is available throughout the day

Additionally, students will have opportunity for personal contact with Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche.

Accommodation
The retreat centre is located in the beautiful rolling hills just north of Cooperstown, in New York state. Participants are encouraged to stay at Gomde, either in one of the double-occupancy dorm rooms or in your own tent at one of the campsites, as staying at the centre adds protection for the mind by minimizing coming and going, and makes it much easier to experience the teachings. Although to date participants have almost always preferred to stay on the land and enjoyed the experience, we must warn you that our facilities are still somewhat limited.

A limited number of beds will be available with local sangha members for those with special needs who require more comfort than Gomde may be able to provide. The charge for this will be the same as for staying at Gomde.

Additionally, many lovely bed & breakfasts are available in the area and may be found through the local Chamber of Commerce website: http://www.cooperstownchamber.org.

Please ensure that you indicate which type of accommodation you would prefer when you register for the retreat(s). If you are staying off-site, you should secure your own transportation to and from the teachings.

Food
The basic program fee includes lunch each day. For those staying at Gomde or sangha housing, three vegetarian meals per day are provided, although meat may be served from time to time, with vegetarian options. Those staying off-site can have breakfast and dinner at Gomde if they like, paying on a per-meal basis.

We regret that we are not able to serve specialized dishes, nor tailor food to individuals who have food sensitivities or allergies.

Tea is available throughout the day.

Transportation
The closest airport is in Albany, NY, approximately one hour and a half from Gomde Cooperstown. We will pick people up at the Albany Airport on July 26th and July 29th only for a nominal fee of $10 per person. We will not be able to meet people at any other airports or on any other days.

Bus service from New York City is via Adirondack Trailways (www.trailwaysny.com; 1-800-858-8555) to Cooperstown. Busses run more frequently to Oneonta, which is 45 minutes south of Cooperstown. Please let us know in advance if you will be arriving by bus.

Please note: Cooperstown is about 10 minutes south of Gomde. You will not require transportation during the retreat unless you are staying off property.

Work Study
A limited number of work-study positions are available for both retreats. Work-study participants will be asked to pay a nominal program fee plus the standard cost of food and lodging.

Yogi Jobs
All participants share in running the program and maintaining the center through karma yoga. Each participant will be assigned a job of one hour per day service work.

Payment

Review program Friday July 27 – Sunday July 29
Registration 1:30 - 5pm Friday July 27, First talk is evening of July 27th

$225 program fee, includes lunch
$190 program fee for CGLF Foundation members
$95 program fee for 'returnees'--those who have done any 9 Yanas program in the past
$60 lodging and food

9 Yanas Bodhisattvayana program Monday July 30 – Sunday August 5
Registration 1:30 - 5pm Monday July 30, First talk is evening of July 30th

$500 program fee, includes lunch
$425 program fee for CGLF Foundation members
$125 program fee for work-study participants
$165 lodging and food

Complete program Friday July 27 – Sunday August 5

$725 program fee for new participants
$595 program fee for ‘returnees’ – those who have done any 9 Yanas program in the past
$615 program fee for CGLF Foundation Members
$520 program fee for returning CGLF Foundation Members who have done any 9 Yanas program in the past
$225 lodging and food

Please note, prices do not include the cost of study and practice materials or dana for the teachers.

Seating Arrangements in Shrine Room
Participants will be assigned seats according to when payment is received, with those paying earliest seated closer to the front. Seating arrangements will be adjusted prior to the beginning of the second retreat.

Dana
Dana is a Sanskrit word that means generosity or giving freely, and has played a central role throughout Buddhism’s 2,500-year history. In giving these teachings, which are so valuable because by following them we can cross over the ocean of samsara, Rinpoche is generously sharing his wisdom and experience with us.

From the students’ side, generosity is the first of the six paramitas, or transcendent actions, that are so important in Mahayana practice. Such practice develops lovingkindness and compassion, deepens awareness of interconnectedness, and encourages non-attachment. Giving benefits both the giver, who practices sharing and letting go, and the receiver, who practices acceptance of what is presented.

Although as the sponsoring institution Gomde will make offerings to Rinpoche and the other teachers on everyone’s behalf, at the end of the retreat there will be an opportunity for students to offer dana to the teachers directly, as a personal expression of connection and appreciation.

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