Nyungne Retreat

Held at Persatuan Pembinaan Rumah Berhala Kuan Yin, Bekok, Malaysia

8-11 September 2006

We present below a write-up that was penned by Wendy, a devotee of Shangpa Rinpoche, describing the Nyungne Retreat. We'll be adding more images as we receive them, which will then appear at appropriate places in the text.

Walk your way into the Diary of the Nyungne Retreat.

An aspirational and auspicious sanctuary - Bekok, Malaysia

The town looks sleepy from the outskirt, worn out and old as rusty zinc-tiled houses line the rural streets of Bekok. Amidst the rustic atmosphere, sits a tranquil and serene temple, 'Persatuan Pembinaan Rumah Berhala Kuan Yin', with its quiet charm that appeals to a group of Singaporean and Malaysian devotees who call themselves the 'Vision Group', all of whom have gathered at this temple for a Nyungne fasting retreat for 4 days, 8th till 11th September 2006.

The worldly cares of every devotee were instinctively shut out from one's mind with the symbolic closure of the temple gates.

With a unison of hearts that are strongly motivated by the aspiration to undergo this auspicious Nyungne fasting practice to dedicate merits to all sentient beings, praying for them to attain ultimate liberation and enlightenment; the worldly attachments seemed unfamiliarly distant as hearts settled down to undertake this joyful and inspirational journey that was led by the compassionate Shangpa Rinpoche, together with a group of dedicated Lamas and Anis.

8th September 2006

Despite his hectic schedule, Shangpa Rinpoche spared time and undertook upon himself to conduct this meritorious and auspicious Nyungne fasting retreat. The first evening commenced on a mindful note where Shangpa Rinpoche delivered some teachings that allowed devotees to understand and learn about the origins of the Nyungne fasting practice, the significance and benefits of observing the 8 precepts and the Nyungne fasting retreat.

A purification prayer was conducted after the talk. Devotees were blessed and drank a form of nectar.

9th September 2006

The Thangka, offerings and the setup were carefully and thoughtfully arranged by the Lamas and Anis before the first morning prayers rolled on.

The rooster crowed to its heart's content. The dewy and misty air filled every devotee's lungs as they rose to prepare themselves for the morning prayers.

The mellow voices of the Rinpoches, Lamas and Anis exuded a tranquil, soothing and motivating force that simply enraptured the hearts of every devotee as everyone prayed piously.

With a devout aspiration to observe the 8 precepts; Shangpa Rinpoche, the Lamas and Anis led the devotees to pronounce the 8 precepts. Hearts settled with a single pointed devotion - to abide by these 8 precepts for the altruistic benefit of all sentient beings.

Amongst the various types of offerings that were made; the offering of music was simultaneously done auspiciously by the Lamas. The hall was filled with music that provoked an inspirational joy. Every worldly attachment seemed to have temporarily drowned away amidst the melodious music offering.

Deep within the hearts of the Rinpoches, Lamas, Anis and every devotee, every act of offering was performed with a sacred devotion to seek for the Buddhas' and Bodhisattvas' blessings and guidance that the observance of the 8 precepts could be accomplished fully without any obscurations.

Part of the morning prayers catered to a short session of self-chanting. Chanting beads rolled harmoniously between everyone's thumb and index finger. Whether it was a soft chant, the moving of the lips that formed a soundless "Om Mani Padme Hung" or the closing of one's eyes and chanting within one's heart; the continuous, calm chanting rhythm occupied everyone's hearts.

The whole hall was presided by a joyful perseverance where each chant came from earnest hearts that hoped to share these merits with boundless sentient beings within the 6 realms.

Chanting together as a whole group was an inspiring sight where everyone's compassion hoped to reach out to every suffering sentient being.

10th September 2006

An insightful and empathic Nyungne fasting retreat commenced

The auspicious Nyungne retreat started on 10th September, at 12 midnight, with 90% of the devotees participating in the fasting practice that would last for approximately 30 hours. With this practice, one was neither allowed to eat nor drink nor talk. Despite the various physical discomforts that some devotees experienced - the pitiful growl of stomachs, the gastric discomfort that caused vomiting; every devotee nobly accepted these physical sufferings because they had all aspired to dedicate the vast merits that were accumulated through this fasting practice to all the sentient beings of the six realms.

The Nyungne fasting retreat enabled every devotee to experience the hunger and thirst of the hungry ghosts realm. The sufferings of being prohibited from talking mirrored the sufferings of the Animal realm. The physical pains and exhaustion gave an insightful experience into the extremely excruciating and indescribable pains that beings of the hell realms were continuously tortured by.

Every Nyungne practitioner could empathize with the myriad and countless sufferings that sentient beings were plagued by; and it stung their hearts with vivid pangs of sympathy that the unbearable sufferings which sentient beings of the 3 lower realms had to endure were beyond what words could convey.

Deep within their hearts, every devotee had piously prayed that they could help to confess the erroneous wrongdoings of all the sentient beings who had ended in the lower 3 realms.

10-11th September 2006

Confession of one's past mistakes and flaws is a necessary practice in every Buddhist's learning path. Thus, every prayer session incorporated a confession session.

Devotees observed for approximately 30 hours of the Nyungne fasting retreat.

11th September ... dedicated volunteers arose very early and prepared the first meal to end the fasting practice - a simple, yet heartwarming drink of milk with oats.

At 5 am, when Shangpa Rinpoche greeted everybody in a warm and concerned tone, "Good morning Everybody." Devotees turned their heads almost in a state of pleasant surprise where a similar thought raced across everybody's minds, "Can we speak now?"

With a delightful and sincere grin, it was Shangpa Rinpoche's way of saying, "yes, you may speak now."

Every devotee simply enjoyed their first cup of lukewarm oats milk, cooked thoughtfully with the appropriate consistency. As they sipped away the drink that was prepared with muchloving kindness, a heartwarming sense of sincere gratitude surrounded the hall, as every devotee reflected that they had been compassionately blessed to complete their Nyungne retreat.

The crisp, mellow chant of the puja master, Lamas and Anis certainly stirred everybody to confess their wrongdoings and defilements with utmost devotion and an aspiration never to commit such faults as far as possible.

Everyone gazed sincerely at thousand-armed-thousand-eyed Avalokiteshvara with earnest, repentant hearts as they made prostrations. Silent, but serious confessions were made from within the deep recesses of everyone's hearts.

Smiles spread readily across every devotee's face as their hearts were filled to the brim with a sense of Dharma joy and deep gratitude when they tucked into a hearty breakfast.

"Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu" to all the volunteers and helpers who have supported us whole-heartedly throughout this Nyungne retreat!

The Nyungne fasting retreat was specially scheduled to coincide with Shangpa Rinpoche's birthday as he had a compassionate and altruistic wish that devotees could participate personally in this merit-making, precious and unique retreat.

It was Shangpa Rinpoche's genuine way of expressing his gratitude to the devotees who have been continuously supporting him through the various Buddhist activities in the propagation of the Buddhadharma

Excited and jovial devotees stood in an orderly manner as they awaited to make Birthday offerings to Shangpa Rinpoche.

Happy Birthday Shangpa Rinpoche! May you be blessed with a long life and good health to propagate the BuddhaDharma!

Allow us to express our deepest gratitude to ...

Without the compassionate and magnanimous hospitality of Venerable Zhen Yi, it would not have been possible to practise this Nyungne fasting retreat in a conducive and cosy environment.

Shangpa Rinpoche presented a gift offering to Venerable Zhen Yi, the presiding Abbot of the Temple to convey his infinite gratitude.

Offerings were made and blessed with the conjoined efforts made in chanting the aspiration prayers of Samanthabhadra Bodhisattva and Amitabha Buddha.

Jovial well wishes flowed forth as everybody sang a birthday tune for Shangpa Rinpoche. The birthday candle was never blown as Shangpa Rinpoche declared animatedly, "My light is always shining."

Yes, what a wise saying. Let us always make progress in our learning of the BuddhaDharma and may our light of wisdom always continue to glow gloriously.

The sumptuous and savoury spread of buffet lunch was a grateful token of gratitude that the devotees gladly conveyed to Shangpa Rinpoche, the Lamas and Anis for their generous guidance during the Nyungne fasting retreat.

1000 birds were set for release with earnest prayers and blessings that were offered by the Lamas with a pious aspiration - "may Shangpa Rinpoche live a long life".

"May all sentient beings be liberated from the realms of suffering!"

Nyungne Fasting Retreat ...

practised within a serene temple situated in Bekok ...

this September has been indeed an insightful, inspirational and spiritually invigorating journey.

You can read feedback from devotees who participated in the Nyungne Retreat here.

Email : Shangpa Rinpoche

Home | About Rinpoche | Rinpoche's Projects | Teachings | Devotees | Media | Events | Latest News

v3 site design © june 2004, oct 2003, dec 2000 karmadungyu