Devotees Comments on the Nyungne Retreat

Some Comments from Rinpoche's Devotees, on the Nyungne Retreat held in Bekok, Malaysia.

- TBY - My First Experience -

This is my first Nyung Nay, even though I have participated in other Buddhist activities and retreats. This retreat had been spiritually and personally beneficial.

First of all, before this retreat I thought I will go hungry, thirsty and my body system will go topsy-turvy and my mind will be dazed coupled with insufficient sleep. Secondly, the thought of doing so many hundreds of prostrations already make my limbs numb.

However, I went mentally prepared after much nagging from family and friends. Miraculously, through the compassion of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, I managed to complete the retreat without much of the above discomfort.

During the prayer lead by Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche, I felt immense compassion for all beings in Samsara. Coupled with this, I felt helplessness and regrets for not being capable to spread the Dharma to some of my family members foremost, as they are just "living life" instead and a few different religions too.

The ignorance of human beings is a sad truth as seen in behaviours and attitudes to situations in our daily life. I must admit sadly and truthfully that sometimes I lack the discipline too. To be a true practitioner, I believe we must practice compassion in our hearts foremost to people around us. Restraining from harsh actions, speech and being more accommodating too.

The compassion was felt too for the sufferings of beings in other realms as we chanted the prayers. This is indeed an ignorant World caught in Samsara, and I felt even more helpless for not being able to contribute to lessen those sufferings, except to pray for their liberation.

I was glad that there was a prayer on 'The Aspiration of Sukhavati' and that Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche highlighted the importance for us to understand this prayer. I found this phrase from the prayer very reassuring "Whomsoever on hearing the name of Amitabha, develops uncontrived devotion from the depth of his heart and bones just once, he will never be repelled from the bodhi path." Thus I prayed with absolute faith and sincerity to seek liberation and vows to be reborn in Dewachen in my last breath, this way I believe is the fastest to be liberated with salvation of oneself and for the benefit of liberating others in mind. This aspiration I have read in many other prayers too.

At the end of the retreat through the liberation of so many birds to celebrate Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche's birthday is so joyous and auspicious too. Long life to Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche and all Sangha members too as their compassionate existence can benefit and help liberate every being.

Finally, the retreat has been an enjoyable personal experience too. Apart from putting words into practice like self-restrain, helping around, bearing with all the snores trying to catch some sleep, I get to know more practitioners of the path. Thanks to the compassionate Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche, Kunsang Rinpoche, all Lamas, Anis, the organizers, volunteers, and participants who one way or another make my first Nyung Nay experience a rewarding trip taken.

TBY

- MJ - My First Experience -

My first Nyung Nay Retreat has been a rewarding and an enriching personal experience

During one of the breaks, I was fortunate to listen to fellow Dharma brother and sister shared a detailed visualization method for the prostrations. I learned to generate these thoughts to all sentient beings with a big heart.

If a person's destiny in life is fated to suffer due to bad karmas created in the past life, then let this be a chance for life to get better.

I wanted anyone who has suffered any anguish, pain or torment to have these eradicated through my prayers and aspirations.

I did the prostrations not only for myself. I did it for those people that needed it most, followed by my karmic debtors, my parents, many past life parents, all my family members, my friends, people whom I see everyday but do not know, like the noodle seller, the cleaner, all sentient beings in the 6 realms, and beyond the Universe and the hungry ghosts that are suffering in hell.

I felt that since I have this chance to do it, I have this responsibility to do it wholeheartedly with each prostration with my body for any beings unable to do so and are suffering or waiting to be liberated.

I find myself connected spiritually to Chenrezig while doing each prostration, begging for forgiveness remorsefully and earnestly for the bad karmas which were created from the past, present and future.

While I seek wholeheartedly for forgiveness, I could see and felt Chenrezig looking compassionately and patiently at me. It is as though she understands that to err is human and in return, for us to make an effort to forgive those who have wrong or hurt us too.

I hoped that all the leaders of the World could also feel the same; compassionately support and work towards World Peace.

I prayed to Chenrezig to eliminate any of my false pride that prevents me from understanding true Dharma. If I know the cause of anger that arises in me, to understand its arising and to cease it. Most importantly, to cultivate the right thought and right motivation in my Dharma practice and in dealing with people and situations in my daily life.

That, no matter how bad or good things in life may seemed; it is impermanent. Only the Dharma we practiced and understand is everlasting.

I was initially quite skeptical of being able to do so many prostrations but when we did it together, I felt very energized, motivated and was glad that I was able to accomplish it effortlessly.

During the fasting, my stomach experienced slight discomfort and I kept burping. When asleep, I did not experience hunger pangs except when I woke up the following day, my mouth was extremely dry and I felt very thirsty and a bit weak. I tried not to think about it and focus on praying to Chenrezig for strength and guidance. Miraculously, I really felt much better.

When we broke fast after the short prayer, gratefully I drank the milk and oats given. I was hoping that my cup was filled with more oats but was touched when I saw that the Anis have actually requested for less then a quarter cup.

When we had our stomachs filled up, I thought of the hungry ghosts who are suffering from extreme thirst and hunger. I dedicated a silent prayer in my heart that they do not suffer hunger or thirst any longer and that they may have affinity with Buddha, Dharma and Sanga to guide them to be reborn to the higher realms.

I made some good acquaintances as they related and shared their Nyung Nay experiences and their Buddhist practices.

Last but not least, days after Nyung Nay retreat, many of us still talked about it and we unanimously felt that it was a well-worth trip as the feeling was spiritually overwhelming. We felt united as Dharma brothers and sisters joining hands together with a common goal to eradicate our negative karmas and share merits with all sentient beings. I am very happy that we could practice together as one.

- Nyungne Experiences -

I enjoyed my very first NyungNay practice so much that I am still thinking about it. Every prostration was so meaningful. At first I thought I would not pull through and will pass out from exhaustion of doing one hundred non-stop prostrations in each session. Fortunately, Vicky's sense of humour kept me going. On a serious note, has the retreat changed me? Most definitely yes. Will I go again? Absolutely! No question about that.

The word impermanence cropped up several times during the retreat as I contemplated on my life. Life is hard. Who said samsara is going to be easy? I have been living a mundane life, going through my daily routine in a passing blur. Every passing day, death draws nearer. I want to make a conscientious effort to live my life in a more mindful way.

Soothed by the Anis' beautiful melodic chanting echoing in my mind, I was drawn to read the English translation of the liturgy text and contemplate its true meaning. "The worldly achievement is like a cage of snakes .... the karmic cause and effect will ripen according to my deeds, O Compassionate Guru! Please show me the path of liberation." I was overwhelmed by a sudden gush of sorrow. Tears flowed freely from my eyes. I was completely taken aback by my emotional outpour.

I found myself opening my otherwise closed heart, conditioned by my desire "to protect myself". Wholeheartedly and sincerely, I remorsefully asked for forgiveness from my foes, my past and present parents, relations and karmic debtors; animals I have killed and eaten as food; and all beings seen and unseen surrounding me; if I had intentionally or unintentionally hurt them through my speech, my action and thought.

Believe me, it was not easy coping with this sudden outpour of emotions and chanting and prostrating with teary eyes. It dawned on me that I must have done enough naughty things in my past and present existence to experience grievances and obstacles in my life now. I felt that through the NyungNay practice, I was given an opportunity to be in touch with my foes, parents, kin, karmic debtors with Chenrezig's help. Chenrezig was like the postman delivering my letters to them. This was my one shot and I have to give it a go. In seeking forgiveness and dedicating merits, I accepted my past mistakes and felt at peace.

During the second day of absolute silence, I found myself searching my heart. Looking into my life, my aspirations and intentions. Have I been truthful in my Dharma practice? Have I been a good practitioner? I felt a good affinity with Shangpa and Kunzang Rinpoches. Rinpoches' calmness, composure and compassion is particularly reassuring. I seem to have finally awaken from a long sleep of ignorance. Now, an intrinsic curiosity in me strived to know more and practice diligently as a good Dharma student.

I want to be able to maintain this inner bliss, mindfulness, reflective and contemplating manner through my daily life. To be answerable to my actions, speech and thoughts. With Chenrezig in my heart, a smile on my face, may the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha guide me till my next NyungNay ...

Email : Shangpa Rinpoche