Instructions for life at Gampo Abbey: "We are training in choicelessness
and kindness. Giving up all hope of fruition, we recommit each day to doing
the best we can" Ani Pema Chödrön, Gampo Acharya, Shambhala Day 2008
Led by Venerable Pema Chödrön,
Yarne is the traditional monastic ‘rains season’ retreat. It is open to all ordained monastics, including those of other Buddhist traditions, for no fee.
Yarne is a time when the monastic community traditionally comes together for intensive practice. Since this is a special period of practice, there are a few things you should know before registering:
Yarne is an intensive retreat, hence it is open to those who have a good grounding in practice and study.
The boundaries of the retreat are closed, meaning that no one can leave the Abbey except for emergency situations throughout the duration of the retreat.
Yarne participants hold eight precepts. They are:
-
Refraining from killing.
-
Refraining from stealing
-
Refraining from lying.
-
Refraining from sexual activity.
-
Refraining from using alcohol or intoxicating drugs.
-
Refraining from singing, dancing and wearing jewelry
-
Refraining from sitting or sleeping on high seats or cushions.
-
Refraining from eating solid foods after lunch. (This is translated to allow for a dinner of non-chewables, such as yogurt, apple sauce, creamed oatmeal, soup etc.).
Participation in all aspects of the retreat is mandatory, including all liturgical practices, scheduled periods of meditation, and talks. There will be approximately 6½ hours of meditation per day. We practice silence daily until lunch, and after evening chants at 6pm.
Accommodations may be shared. During your stay you will be assigned a meditation instructor, and will be expected to take part in the kitchen, dish and house chores.
Participants are asked to limit, or better yet, eliminate all communication with the outside world for the duration of the retreat.
Yarne 2007/8 Participants
Photos and information from earlier Yarnes
2006-07
2005-06
