Discovering the Dharma V, Part 1

A DHARMAKAYA CENTER RETREAT

TRANSFORMATION: open the door to the highest yogic practices

In Discovering the Dharma I-IV, you have spent time developing mental stability through Shamatha meditation, a week in retreat focusing on impermanence and an additional week in retreat meditating on compassion. This final session multiplies the benefits of all the previous sessions by guiding you through refuge with prostrations, Vajrasattva Practice, Mandala Offerings, and Guru Yoga practice.

These are very potent and fundamental practices that will act as a powerful springboard for your individual practice at the end of the program.

Please read the section below on the program structure and timing, as you need to commit to both parts 1 and 2.

PROGRAM OUTLINE, STRUCTURE AND TIMING

This retreat will be held in two week-long sessions, one year apart to allow ample time for individual practice and for progressing with the first teachings before incorporating the final section.

During the first retreat Rinpoche will provide the Vajrasattva empowerment, guide us in movement practice, sitting meditation, and recitations, and be available to answer questions; we will also practice extensively, both together and individually. Between retreats we will be expected to progress in our individual practice, devoting approximating an hour a day to their completion.

There will also be two optional group practice sessions each year; during these, we can gather to practice together, and Rinpoche will be available to answer questions.

• Part 1: January 17-24, 2027
  • Refuge prayers with prostrations
  • Vajrasattva mantra recitations
  • Mandala offerings
• Part 1: Optional Group Practice, session 1: June 6-9, 2027
• Part 1: Optional Group Practice, session 2: September 8-10, 2027
• Part 2: January 16-23, 2028 (dates to be confirmed)
  • Guru yoga prayers
• Part 2: Optional Group Practice, session 1: Date TBD
• Part 2: Optional Group Practice, session 2: September 6-8, 2028 (dates to be confirmed)

PREREQUISITE AND PREPARATION

This retreat is only open to those who have completed Discovering the Dharma IV. You must commit to attending both the January 2027 and 2028 sessions, and to extensive practice between sessions.

Because this practice involves a significant number of prostrations, you can best prepare by building up your ability, starting with fewer than 25 prostrations a day, then increasing in number as your physical ability and tolerance increase.

You should also review the teachings from Discovering the Dharma I, II, and III.

PAIR WITH ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS

Pair this retreat with Khenchen Rinpoche’s Parinirvana in January, 100,000 Songs of Milarepa in June and Discovering the Dharma I in September, using the discount code DiscoveringTheDharma for a 10% discount.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT PLANS

This only registers you for Part 1; next year we will have a separate registration for Part 2, as well as for the study sessions. We have provided a payment plan option which you will find towards the bottom of the registration form.