During the month of Saga Dawa, Lopon Rapjee will lead our 2025 PPOL 3rd Annual Nyungne Retreat on Saturday,
May 24th to Monday, May 26th at our center and the merit accumulated for this retreat will be dedicated to world
peace. Khenpo Norgay will be giving vows & teaching on Saturday & Sunday, May 24th & 25th from 6am to 7am (CST).
Nyungne (abiding in the fast) is a two-and–a–half day fasting practice that centered around mantra recitations,
prostrations and meditation on the Eleven-faced, Thousand-armed Avalokiteshvara. During the retreat, we make
conscious efforts to refrain from non-virtuous actions of body, speech and mind and to abstain from negative actions
that harm others.
The fasting practice of Nyungne is a very well-known and profound purification practice that is widely practiced in
Tibet. One set of Nyungne consists of two days of practice. The 1st day is the preliminary day in which one takes the
Sojong vows and eat only vegetarian breakfast and lunch (no meat, garlic, onions, eggs) and drinks. The 2nd day is a
complete fast with no food or drinks and one must remain in silence (only chanting allowed). The morning on the 3rd day
marks the completion of our Nyungne practice by offering tsog, making aspiration prayers and dedicating our merit to
all sentient beings.
According to the Great Benefits of Nyungne text, doing Nyungne practice one time will purify forty thousand eons
of negative karma. For those who do eight continuous Nyungne practices will attain spiritual achievement equal to the
stage of a non-returner and will reborn in the pure land of Amitabha Buddha. If one were to complete 108 Nyungne
practices, it is equivalent to achieving arhathood; one hundred million kalpas of negativities purified, and one will
definitely be born in the pure land of Great Bliss in the presence of Buddha Amitayus (Long Life Buddha).
Please register using this link- https://tinyurl.com/PPOL2025Nyungne Note that if you miss the chance to take
your vows with Khenpo Norgay in the morning, you will not be able to participate in the retreat. Breakfast, lunch and
drinks will be provided. If you have health issues or food restrictions, please contact Löppon Rapjee in person prior to
retreat or via email- info@palri.org.