Led by Gampo Acharya Pema Chödrön,

TEACHINGS ON THE FOUR FOUNDATIONS OF MINDFULNESS

Yarne is the traditional monastic ‘rains season’ retreat. It is open to all ordained monastics, including those of other Buddhist traditions, for no fee. Lay people are also welcome, the program fee for lay persons is $1,500 CDN; Please call the 902 / 224-2752 for more details. The number of spaces for monastics and lay persons is limited, all applications will be placed on a waiting list.

Yarne is an intensive retreat, hence it is open to those who have a good grounding in meditation 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 a dinner of non-chewables, usually rice conge but may include yogurt, apple sauce, soup).

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.

Participants in the Yarne 2010 retreat

This year's Yarne retreat included a three week practice intensive co-lead by Cara Thornley, retreat master at Sopa Choling long term retreat center, and two visiting Zen priests Ryumon Sensei and Anraku Sensei. Ryumon Sensei had spent much of 2009 living at Gampo Abbey.

Ani Pema presenting Cara Thornley with a ceremonial scarf (khata) in appreciation
for her work during the practice intensive.


Ani Pema presenting Anraku Sensei with a ceremonial scarf (khata) in appreciation
for her work during the practice intensive.


Ani Pema presenting Ryumon Sensei with a book in appreciation
for her work at the Abbey over the last year.