Details:

Date: Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th September

Retreat Leader: Geshe Rinchen

Requirements: Everyone is welcome

Cost: Generosity Model – Donation only (by clicking the ‘Donate Here’ button below)

Format: Onsite only.

Start & Finish Times: Starting with supper at 18:00 on the first day and finishing at lunchtime on the last day. A more detailed schedule will be released closer to the time.

Accommodation: Land of Joy wishes for everyone who visits the centre to feel welcome, accepted, safe and secure. Our accommodation options are very limited, with mostly single-sex shared accommodation and only one single room (which is sometimes needed by volunteers). This means single accommodation can only be offered to those who need it the most, but still won’t always be available. Please read the relevant sections of the booking form carefully.

About the Retreat

The Lamrim, or “Stages of the Path to Enlightenment,” is a structured presentation of the Buddha’s teachings designed to guide practitioners progressively from the initial stages of spiritual development to full enlightenment.

This retreat offers participants an immersive experience, focusing on meditation, contemplation, and discussion based on Lamrim teachings. It provides a unique opportunity to integrate the knowledge gained throughout the year into a cohesive practice.

The text we will use as the foundation for the retreat is The Foundation of All Good Qualities by Je Tsongkhapa. As we cannot cover the entire Lamrim teachings in detail during the retreat, this concise text will serve as our guide. The Foundation of All Good Qualities is a profound summary of the entire Lamrim, containing just 14 stanzas that encompass the graduated path to enlightenment—“short enough to recite every day, profound enough to study for a lifetime.”

It is essential for all participants to have a copy of The Foundation of All Good Qualities by Je Tsongkhapa. Additionally, having a copy of The Three Principal Aspects of the Path by Je Tsongkhapa would also be wonderful for the retreat.

The retreat will comprise:

– Meditation: Guided sessions on Lamrim topics, including developing renunciation, bodhicitta, and insight into emptiness.

– Discussion: Group discussions and Q&A to deepen understanding.

– Practice: Engaging in practices such as prostrations, reciting Je Tsongkhapa’s mantra, and purification practices.

About the Teacher

Geshe Rinchen has dedicated his life to the study and practice of the Buddha’s teachings. Born in Tibet, he completed rigorous training in Buddhist philosophy, debate, and meditation, achieving the esteemed title of Geshe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. His teachings are known for their clarity, warmth, and practical applicability, making profound topics accessible to students of all backgrounds. Currently teaching at Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, Geshe Rinchen combines his deep knowledge with genuine compassion, inspiring students to cultivate inner peace and wisdom in their own lives.

A Way to Say Thank You

To Land of Joy…

Our generosity model means we do not charge for any teachings, accommodation or food. We are therefore 100% dependant on donations to help us cover our £90,000 a year running costs.

You are therefore invited to give what you can as a thank you for the organisation and hosting of the retreat, including the food and accommodation provided if you stayed onsite.

You may also like to make a regular contribution to the centre by becoming a Branch of Joy. This kind of support gifts us a steady and ongoing income, which in turn provides the confidence and means for us to continue to flourish for many years to come.

Everything given will ensure Land of Joy continues to be offered as a precious place for retreat.

To The Teacher…

Teachers and retreat leaders practice generosity by freely offering their time to Land of Joy. We cover their travel expenses but do not pay them for the teachings they give.

You are therefore invited to make an offering to the teacher as a thank you for the time and knowledge they share.

To The Volunteers…

Our retreats are supported by our wonderful team of volunteers, some of whom you will meet during your time at the centre. Those who live onsite offer their time, expertise and dedication in return for food and accommodation. They do not receive a wage or stipend. Unfortunately, we are only able to accept offerings for them in cash, so if you would like to thank them for their service, please do so by bringing cash with you to the centre and placing it in the volunteer collection pot.