The Pith Realizations of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyü Masters

Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, September 23-26, 2010

We are pleased to announce that Tenzin Wangyal Ripoche has graciously agreed to teach from the Pith Realizations of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyü Masters for the next three years, beginning in 2010. The Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyü (Oral Transmission from Zhang Zhung) is the oldest and most important dzogchen text in the Bon-Buddhist tradition. All of the masters who are described in this text achieved the rainbow body, where they dissolved into light at the end of their life, signifying the highest level of realization.

Of the vast number of profound teachings of the Bon-Buddhist tradition, dzogchen is the highest, and this series of teachings contains some of the most subtle explanations within the dzogchen tradition. The Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyü was traditionally very closely held, and passed from only one master to one disciple for 25 generations. As each of of the masters approached the end of his life, his disciple would ask for him to relate a brief biography and the essence of his lifetime of practice and realization. The result is a series of poetic pith teachings that point out the subtlest of all realizations. 

We are fortunate to have Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche to explain these rare essential teachings, for he has a special gift to make teachings clear and understandable, and relate them to our everyday lives. Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche began studying the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyü with his master Lopon Sanghe Tenzin when he was only a boy, and has continued to make them a central focus of his practice and teachings in the West.

Books: You may purchase Rinpoche's many books and other related items at the Ligmincha Bookstore. By the time of the event we expect that the bookstore will have a newly published translation of the pith teachings of the Zhang Zhung Nyin Gyü masters.

Event Beginning and Conclusion: We will begin our retreat at 9 am, Thursday, September 23. We will conclude around noon on Sunday, September 26.

Retreat Fees: The registration fees, including light lunches Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and heavy hors d'oeuvres at our evening party, is $295. A limited number of work-study positions are available with discounted registration of $160. Work study staff help either during setup or take down of the retreat, and during the retreat itself, including lunch preparation and clean up. The registration cancellation fee is $30.

Click button to register and make payment of $295: 

Click button below to register and make payment as a work study of $160:

Click button below to register at the discounted rate of $470 for attending both this retreat and Tsa Lung and the Five Warrior Syllables with Alejandro Chaoul Reich:

Retreat Location & Lodging: This retreat will be held at the Dharma Ocean Retreat Center near Crestone. Here are directions to the retreat center. There is limited hostel style lodging at the Dharma Ocean retreat center for $20 per night. You may reserve a space at the retreat center by contacting Matthew Cohen at Dharma Ocean, 719-256-5938. Lodging is also available at many local B&B and inns.  There is car camping with picnic tables nearby in the U.S. National Forest campground just north of Crestone, the North Crestone Campground. The White Eagle Village has recently closed.

Limited primative hike-in tent sites will be available at the Chamma Ling retreat center for $40. Click the button below to reserve and pay for a tenting site:

Crestone Area Visitor Accommodations offers referrals and reservations to many local B&Bs and inns:
 www.crestonevisit.com 
 cava@crestonevisit.com 
(719) 256-5210. You can also find a listing of local inns at: http://www.saguachecountybusiness.org/directory/accommodations.html

Child Care: We are developing our plan for child care during the retreat and will have options available. If you are in need of child care please let us know of your interest as soon as possible and indicate this on the registration form.

Auction: We are accepting donations of practice related objects that can be auctioned during our annual fund raiser, one of our main sources of revenue for new construction. if you have a special object you would like to donate place contact our auction coordinator, Andrea Heckman. Objects that empower Bön practice and devotion to the teachers are especially encouraged. 



Ride Board: You can share rides on the Chamma Ling ride board.

Questions? Contact retreat@chammaling.org or (919)286-5055.

We look forward to seeing you in Crestone!