Teaching Retreat with Lama Zopa Rinpoche September 12-26, 2010 English         Español

"So this is what I spoke about this time, mindfulness. Next time that is the beginning that everyone has to know. It is what the retreat is, and then on the basis of this - renunciation, bodhichitta, and right view. This is what I want to say, then I will go straight through the commentary. So I just thought to start in one session the Light of the Path to Enlightenment, just from the beginning but somehow again it didn't happen... So I must apologize a billion, zillion, trillion times that I didn't go through the text even though I did quite a bit of mumbling. It is so worthwhile that you came here, that I came here. I hope to see you next time but, of course, life is impermanent."

-- Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Light of the Path 2009

Light of the Path Retreat 2010 is the second of a 5 year series of teaching retreats led by Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA, and hosted by Kadampa Center (the FPMT affiliate in Raleigh, NC). The root text for the course is Lama Atisha's Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment.

Video of the 2009 retreat is available at the FPMT Online Learning Center.

Inspiration to Attend
About Kadampa Center
About the Retreat
Retreat Location
When and How to Arrive at Blue Ridge Assembly
Registration(NEW for 2010)
Retreat Cost(NEW for 2010)
Meals
Precepts
Weather(NEW for 2010)
Internet Access
Laundry Facilities
Required Texts(NEW for 2010)
Seating/Cushions(NEW for 2010)
Blue Ridge Assembly General Policies
Contact Us

In the 11th century, Lama Atisha (Shri Dipamkara) was invited from India to Tibet for the purpose of transmitting the complete teachings of Lord Buddha to the Tibetan people, and presenting them in a way that was clear, precise, and easy to practice. To that purpose, Lama Atisha wrote and taught the Light of the Path to Enlightenment, which had a profound impact for the Tibetans. It not only became the source for the Gelug lam-rim tradition, presenting a step-by-step set of instructions how to practice the path to enlightenment, but is also a source of teachings in all the Tibetan Buddhist lineages. Lama Atisha.s text provides a foundation for understanding and realizing Lord Buddha's teachings that continues to flourish in modern Buddhist practice internationally.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is giving a modern day commentary on this profound and ancient text. FPMT considers this event to be an important teaching and practice lineage transmission available for FPMT teachers and students and strongly encourages everyone to attend in person. We will also make full use of the spectrum of information technology to make this new program available to a worldwide audience. Living in the Path, is an online teaching program created from Rinpoche's teachings during the 2009 Retreat and will continue to evolve throughout this series of retreats.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is a unique teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. He is well-known for teaching long hours into the night and for rarely teaching in a linear fashion according to a text, but rather for teaching according to what is most karmically beneficial for his audience. For over 45 years, Rinpoche has been gathering examples of the truth of Dharma and perfecting his ability to discern what practices and teachings are best suited for his students. It is our belief that Rinpoche's offer to give a commentary on Lama Atisha's Lamp for the Path, which had a tremendous impact on how Buddhism was subsequently understood and practiced in Tibet, is an indication of how transformative this teaching event will be for the way Buddhism is practiced and understood in our time.

Kadampa Center was founded in 1992 as an expansion of a study group formed some years earlier by Don Brown. The center has been directed by either Don or Robbie Watkins since its beginning. We are incredibly fortunate to have had Geshe Gelek Chodha as our resident teacher for the past ten years.

We are a small but growing urban center in Raleigh, NC, and in 2007 we attained the long-time goal of purchasing our own building. Since then we have been able to expand our spiritual program offerings considerably. We offer Discovering Buddhism courses, the Basic Program, Living in the Path classes, a regular schedule of pujas, Sunday morning teachings, debate, regular children's and teens programs and many special events such as 21 Tara practice nights, animal liberations, and New Year's Eve with Dorje Khadro. We offer a monk and nun sponsorship program that helps many monks at Sera Jey Monastic University and also nuns at Dolma Ling nunnery in Mongolia.

Kadampa Center has had the good fortune to host visits by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Choden Rinpoche, Gyüme Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Delek, Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Donyo, Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche, Geshe Yeshe Tobden, Geshe Tsulga, Venerable George Churinoff, Venerable Robina Courtin, Venerable Sangye Khadro, Venerable Tsen-la, Gareth Sparham and many other western and Tibetan teachers.

Kadampa Center is thrilled to continue to host these important teaching retreats at the Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain North Carolina. We look forward to meeting and serving all who attend!

How does a residential retreat differ from attending teachings at a center? Unlike teachings at a center, a retreat provides the participants with an atmosphere conducive to practice 24 hours a day. Basic retreat discipline includes observing the five lay vows, attending all sessions and keeping silence for at least the first half of the day and for the rest of the day, no idle speech or gossip. Use of cell phones and internet service is strongly discouraged to reduce distraction and prevent disruption to the contemplative environment. Everyone is encouraged to participate as fully as possible but no one is expected to do more than they are able. Observing the five lay vows in the context of a retreat means no killing of any being (including insects); no sexual conduct of any kind; no lying; no stealing or taking that which has not been given; and no intoxicants, including drugs, alcohol or cigarettes.

During the two-week retreat, Rinpoche's commentary will be supplemented by practice and review sessions, discussion, and guided meditations led by senior FPMT teachers as well as engage in other practices to accumulate positive energy and purify obstacles so that realizations may dawn quickly in the mind. Course participants will engage in group practice of Lama Chöpa Jorcho, confession and prostrations to the 35 Buddhas, and take the Eight Mahayana Precepts for most of the retreat. All participants will be expected to participate in karma yoga work sessions for the duration of the retreat. In this way, the Light of the Path retreat and subsequent program will include all aspects of FPMT integrated education: study, practice, service, and ethical behavior. For those interested to watch the event via webcast or receive information about future Living in the Path courses based on Rinpoche's teachings at this retreat, please refer to the FPMT website.

The Retreat is not being held at Kadampa Center. It will be held at Blue Ridge Assembly, a retreat center in the western part of North Carolina near Asheville.

Accommodation is available beginning Friday, September 10, 2010. This is before the retreat officially opens on Sunday but allows those who are traveling a great distance to rest. Unlike last year, Rinpoche may begin teachings on Sunday night, the very first night of the retreat. We encourage participants to arrive early and, if able, to help setup. We only have 4 hours to set up the gompa and altar this year! To make a reservation for early arrival you must register for the retreat and contact Blue Ridge separately for early and/or late departures. Unfortunately, accommodation in Asheville Hall, the building closest to the gompa, is not available until Sunday.

Airlines The Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), is a 30 minute drive from the Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, and is the recommended arrival point for flyers. The airport can be reached via connections from anywhere in the country. Airport Shuttle Shuttle service from Asheville Regional Airport to Blue Ridge Assembly can be arranged by emailing Diamond Executive Transportation or phoning (828)281-8139. Ask for the LOP Retreat group rate; prices vary from $8-$65 depending on time of arrival and number in group. The shuttle service will group travelers who arrive at similar times together so the maximum you will pay is $65 if no one else needs a shuttle at the same time as you. This is very unlikely. Contact them as soon as you have your ticket, and they can begin building a schedule of shared rides. You can check back with Diamond Executive closer to the time of the retreat to see if they have placed you in a group. By Car Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain is just off Interstate 40 in western North Carolina. (Driving directions to Blue Ridge Assembly)

Registration is now open. All registrations are booked directly with Blue Ridge Assembly through the Online Registration System on their website.

Space is limited!
Please register early.

Kadampa Center never wants money to be an obstacle for receiving the Dharma. We don't charge a fee for the teachings - or even request a suggested donation. Kadampa Center continues this tradition for Light of the Path Retreats. Quite literally, these teachings are not possible without the substantial support of donors.

The costs of the retreat are divided into two segments: those associated with a residential retreat and those associated with all of the spiritual program aspects. The registration fee covers the costs related to accommodation and meals. We are depending upon donations to cover the entire cost of the spiritual program.

Room and Board (Registration Fee) Fees for accommodation and meals for the entire retreat range from $710 per person for a shared room to $1420 for a single room close to the gompa with telephone and private bath. You will choose your accomodation and make payment of the registration fee when you complete the registration form. Sangha Costs Great news! All ordained members of the IMI attending the full retreat will pay less due to a generous offering by the International Mahayana Institute of $355 each. Kadampa Center is offering an additional $45 making the total sponsorship for each sangha member $400. This significantly lowers the costs of room and board. If you would like to help the IMI help the sangha, please consider making a donation - use the Gift Giving: Offer A Donation in Honor/Memory of Someone and when asked "In honor/memory of" please put LOP 2010. Thank you IMI and all those who donate to the Lama Yeshe Sangha Fund! Spiritual Program Kadampa Center is relying on the generosity of all those who value these teachings - whether or not they are able to actually attend the retreat in person - to cover the program and teachings themselves. To bring Lama Zopa Rinpoche to North Carolina, to support Rinpoche's teachings, to support the retreat leader, to create the gompa, to supply materials, and so forth, cost over $70,000 in 2009. Please consider sponsoring these teachings, a basis for future online FPMT teaching programs to arise. Limitless merit is generated by supporting the spread of the Dharma, but we also wish to express our gratitude by providing: priority reserved seating in the gompa for the retreat for sponsorships of $1,000 or more, sponsors' tea with Lama Zopa Rinpoche and priority reserved seating in the gompa for the retreat for sponsorships of $2,500 or more. All donors will be listed in the program materials for the event (of course, donors may choose to remain anonymous). In addition, we will post in the gompa your dedications of the merit for your generosity.

There are no camping facilities available.

Since the only fee being charged is for costs associated with a residential retreat, we are unable to offer work exchange options.

September is rainy season in North Carolina and it just might rain 14 out of 14 days! Please bring large umbrellas, raincoats, ponchos, and good shoes for rain. We cannot offer transportation up and down the hill just because it is raining, please plan ahead : )

It is strongly encouraged not to use cell phones, internet and email during the retreat in order to fully participate and reflect on the teachings during free time, and can be disruptive for other participants. For emergencies and unavoidable situations, wireless internet service is available in most locations on the site, but NOT in the rooms.

Unfortunately, there are no laundry facilities on site. Please pack with this in mind. We will have a laundry day with pickup and delivery from a local company at least once during the retreat. The cost in 2009 was approximately $11US per person.

All meals will be vegetarian with accommodations for vegans and gluten-free diets. For those with severe allergies, we cannot guarantee that you will not encounter your allergen in meals. Please specify your allergy concerns on the registration form and discuss any concerns directly with the Blue Ridge guest services manager to ensure your protection.

We will take precepts for 12 out of the 14 days of the retreat.

All retreat participants must have an FPMT Retreat Prayer Book and the Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment and the Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga booklets.

Order English prayer books directly from the FPMT Foundation Store. Note: If you have the retreat prayer book from either the 2009 Mani Retreat or the 2009 Light of the Path Retreat, you will not need a new book. The changes to the prayer books after these events are available from the FPMT: Updates.

Spanish & Chinese Prayer Books can be purchased at the retreat shop upon arrival if you preorder when you register. Due to the small number of prayer books to be printed in other languages, please be advised that prayer books other than English will cost more than $40. Price to be determined. Note: If you have the retreat prayer book from either the 2009 Mani Retreat or the 2009 Light of the Path Retreat, you will not need a new book.

All retreat participants must have the Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment and Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga booklets. Please indicate when you register if you will need copies of these booklets. Note: If you have these from the 2009 Light of the Path Retreat, you will not need new booklets. Kadampa Center will provide these booklets to those coming to the retreat for the first time.

Translation in Spanish will be provided. You will need an FM radio with headphones. Note: If you need another language translated, you will need to find a translator and FPMT centers in your region may be able to help. If you have translation skills and would volunteer to translate for others at the retreat, please indicate which language when you register.

Bring your meditation cushion if you can. There will be a limited number of meditation cushions provided at the retreat. Chairs are also available. If you are unable to bring your own cushion or you would like to sit in a chair, please indicate this on the registration form.

• Tobacco use is not permitted anywhere on Assembly property.
• Pets are not permitted.
• No candles, incense, alcohol, decorative lighting, helium balloons, glitter, or confetti is permitted in any building.
• Mountain biking, inline skates, and skateboards are prohibited.