It is difficult to allocate time for spiritual development, especially for those who live in big cities who have a busy lifestyle, work and family commitments, as well as social activities. Despite this, there are people who understand the value of Dharma and let go of everything to grab the opportunity for the practice of Dharma. Such an example we can find time to time, in a small number of people, somewhere, at a certain time. A retreat on the practice of Avalokiteshvara was organized by the Vision Journey group as an opportunity for the keen practitioner to devote his/her holiday for meaningful activities. The people from Vision Journey are mostly close disciples of mine who always assist my works and programmes. There was an overwhelming response for this retreat programme. 120 people, mostly Singaporean and Malaysians from Kuala Lumpur and Johor, joined in the programme. It was really a wonderful gathering as Buddhist people from various centres and traditions came to do Avalokiteshvara’s practice.
Shrine of hall of Retreat.
The shrine setting was very nice and the organizers worked out every small detail very precisely. They really did a wonderful job and the participants were inspired by their arrangements and thoughtfulness. I too feel good because the atmosphere was really conducive for the retreat. Our stay was not luxurious nor was the conditions too harsh. It was just nice for a practitioner’s requirement of simple comfort.
Me giving teaching.
To me, everyone was mentally prepared for the practice and let go of all their worldly matters at least during the retreat. It seemed to me that their body, speech and mind were completely involved with the practice of Avalokiteshvara and I also gave them encouragement and some basic teachings of generating loving kindness and compassion and strong devotion towards Lord Avalokiteshvara as well as other teachings, such as practical advice on how to integrate Dharma with our daily lives.
Me leading the chanting of Dharani
The actual day of practice was a combination of practice and teachings simultaneously for two hours each session and there were 5 sessions altogether. The group chanting was very smooth and the whole atmosphere was immensely blissful. Most of the people observe eight precepts and the chanting was wonderful in that it seemed like 120 people were reciting the Dharani in a single voice and calling upon Avalokiteshvara for blessing so that all sentient beings can develop compassion and wisdom in order to eliminate the root of Samasara and actualize the state of Avalokiteshvara.
Group photo of people who joined the retreat. At the end of the session, blessed nectar and substances were distributed for the participants to bring back home for their friends and family members. The water blessed by the Dharani recitations when either being drunk or used for washing, will eliminate many types of obstacles, this is as mentioned in the sutras related to Avalokiteshvara.
The last day we made an incense offering to the universal deities for peace and harmony and also released birds and tortoises to give them freedom.
Me giving teaching. 
Group photo of people who joined the retreat. 
9 comments:
Ooooh! A different aspect to Genting Highlands indeed.
Most fulfilling retreat it was...Thank you Rinpoche-la for all your words of wisdom and lovely energy during this recitation...Yes One Heart, One Voice..truly amazing
~Lhamo..
Our youngest member is 9yrs old and oldest
aunty is 80 yrs old. We all enjoyed the beautiful moments during the 5 sessions of the
prayers and look forward to our next event in the following year, same time same place with more meaningful programs ahead.....
Thank you Shangpa Rinpoche as we loved the short retreat very much.
This is a much needed retreat for me.
Thanks Rinpoche for your precious time and presence. I have not seen Rinpoche for at least 2 years. Although often thought about your whereabout but did not make an attempt to see you. This retreat is a reconnection.
My wishes that Rinpoche be safe wherever you go, may your aspirations for the benefits of sentient beings prevail, may you live a long life for all of us who needed your guidances and may all your wishes be fulfilled
Namo Buddhaya...
With veneration,
Metta
All devoted hearts were utterly pure; together chanting the Dharani melodiously in one voice. The surrounding was exceptionally serene; the shine setting was absolutely divine and the ambiance was completely blissful. Through the power of collective merits and sincere aspirations, the nectar-like blessings of Lord Avalokiteshvara compassionately filled-up the heart of all sentient beings with joy and delight; The air was veiled with love and compassion. What a nice and wonderful pure land! Yeah,it was really a most wonderful retreat. Thank you very much Rinpoche-la.
I agree with you Qwee Lan, it is like taking a rest for our body, mind and soul. Its giving our weary and burdened mind a rest. Though me and my team are only helping out in this retreat, we were tired but felt re-energized inside out. Its truely amazing. We were especially astonished by the disappearing sun once Rinpoche starts the life release session and the whole process of life release and smoke puja was felt with peace, joy and harmony. Looking forward for another vacation from the stresses of life. Thank you very very much Shangpa Rinpoche, you are great...
It is so joyfull to read your blog. If you can bring old schengen-visa it is very easy to get new one. We hope and pray it will happen in the future. Best regards. claus from Denmark.
Well said, vic! This is the part that impressed me too. Rinpoche's teaching was clear & precise, that make learning less tough. In fact, this retreat has help me improve in better understanding of a right mind, right attitude & most importantly, the right feel. Not psychologically but spritually... I was blessed to have met all the nice people in this retreat & especially thanking the committee for their effort to make all these possible, successful & fun. Hereby, I would like to take this chance to share my experience of my 1st time retreat practice. Hopefully giving some encouragement to pessimists whom always think "I can't possibly do this!".
I'm a novice lay-person freshly exposed to the gift of Dharma, probably the one that know the least. Not a direct student of Shangpa Rinpoche, I was fortunate to be able to join in this retreat. In a blunder, I took the vows of the eight precepts before realising that we are required to fast till next dawn. Being a stubborn person whom believe in overcoming obstacles with mind power control, this was not a big problem to me. Whereas, in this situation where my 7weeks old baby is going to participate together with me, got me in a fix of worrying. Being clearly known to the fact that during these few weeks of my pregnancy, I'm suffering badly from nausea when I'm a little hungry, too full or lack of rest, I couldn't help worrying. To the extend, I was even thinking of breaking my vows that I've made earlier.
In the end, during our break, I returned to my room & pray in my heart. Seeking help from the great Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, to protet & aid my child along this sacred retreat that I really hope to complete. Bless my child to be guided & to be able to enjoy the happiness of Dharma...
Miraculously, everything went without a hitch! Straight till breakfast in the next morning!? Gracious Avalokiteshvara let me witness his compassion that I could not even explain in words. Strangest thing is, I did not felt slight discomfort even with just taking milk to substain my hunger. Instead, on the contrary, I felt free from complicated thoughts & was able to concentrate throughtout the whole retreat! Through this incident, it had also create a unshaking bond of faith of me to Avalokiteshvara...
I would also like to express my gratitude to kind Shangpa Rinpoche. Despite the fact that most of the participants were his closest student, Rinpoche shows unprejudice, selflessness compassion by explaining the basic Dharma teaching in case that there are novices like me. He had also made it stress-free & easy to learn for the whole retreat. Giving us encouragement by chanting out aloud with the rest of us throughout the whole retreat. A strict yet kind & patience Guru, it's a great blessing to be able to learn from you, even it is just one day.
Thank you Rinpoche.
May all Gurus live long & healthy lives.
May the Dharma spread throughout the infinite reaches of space.
May everyone attain enlightenment.
Thanks to all who had commented on the retreat. I had wanted to go on this retreat but was not able to free myself due to other commitments. I rejoice the great experience that all of you had and the wonderful practise that you had engaged in. Reading the comments gave me a better insight into the appreciative recognition of what dharma practise can bring to our 'human' life. Freeing ourselves to practise is so important in today's busy life. This is such an inspiration for me.
metta
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