17th Annual Amitabha Retreat 2024

Sat/Sun/Mon, August 17-19 & Fri/Sat/Sun, August 23-25
7:00am to 4:00pm each day
Hosted by the Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association
4401 NE 122nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97230

The 17th Annual Amitabha Retreat Dechen Shingdrup with the Venerable Khenpo Karten Rinpoche will be held over two weekends in late August in Portland, Oregon, 2024.  The annual event is hosted by the Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association in Portland, Oregon.

 

Important Notes:

 

  • The event is held in Tibetan and there will not be an English translator, but all are welcome to join and enjoy the special energy of the practice of Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light.
  • Here’s a copy of the Sadhana ‘Dechen Shingdrup’ (Tibetan text only)
  • Rinpoche is encouraging participation from his western students for the second/closing weekend, and we started a “google doc” to encourage carpooling and to help with travel coordination.   Attendees will be responsible for their own transportation and accommodations, but the Portland sangha is offering to pick folks up from the airport.
  • Breakfast and lunch will be provided (vegetarian).  All meals are sponsored by community members and offered free of charge. A daily vow (Sojong) will be offered (except on closing day) asking participants to skip dinner.  The vow is not mandatory, and even with the vow, those with health conditions that must eat may do so, but small, light food that can be consumed without chewing is encouraged (yogurt, milk, broth, etc).
  • For questions contact Lobsang Dhondrup (NWTCA Spiritual Director) at 503-896-3509 or by email at [email protected].
  • Volunteer at the retreat?  Volunteers may contact the NWTCA president to sign up for morning or afternoon shifts for any day of the retreat.  You can leave a voicemail or email specifying what day, morning or afternoon, and what you may like to do (cooking/cleaning are main activities).  The morning shift may start as early as 5 or 6 am.
  • The main gompa has floor seating and cushions, but chairs are also available.

Shrine room etiquette

Rinpoche is informal here in California, but it is good for students to know how to show respect in a traditional way in the gompa (shrine room):

  • Remove shoes and hats before entering the gompa
  • As soon as you enter, make 3 prostrations in the direction of the altar
  • When the teacher enters, please stand and bow slightly, hold your hands in prostration or “lotus blossom” at your heart
  • After the teacher makes 3 prostrations and sits down, the students then make 3 prostrations before sitting down
  • Keep all texts, Buddha images, or images of the Lama off the floor
  • Do not show the soles of your feet to the teacher/altar during the session. (Exceptions can be made for those with back problems or leg problems or anyone who needs to stretch their legs–use a scarf or cloth to cover your feet as you extend and stretch is good.)
  • Dress modestly, don’t show too much bare skin or wear super-tight or revealing clothing
  • Feel free to move and adjust your sitting position, but try not to disturb others; as you leave make a slight bow to the altar/teacher before turning away
  • At the end of the whole retreat, there will be a “kata ceremony” where white silk scarves are presented to Rinpoche as a sign of respect and thanks, and typically attendees also give “dana” at this time–a special monetary offering.   Please bring your own kata if you have one, or you can put $1.00 in the kata box at the NWTCA.   Dana should be concealed in an envelope.