In 1962 Bhante received the Padmasambhava abhisheka from Venerable Kachu Rinpoche. Shortly afterwards he found in the Kalimpong bazaar the Tibetan text of the Tharpe Delam or Smooth Road to Emancipation. Kachu Rinpoche instructed Bhante in the practices contained within it. Among them is a wonderful Guru Yoga.
Guru Yoga involves transforming ourselves into the archetypal disciple Vajrayogini, and then invoking the adhisthana of our teacher, Padmasambhava, the Thousand-armed Avalokiteshvara and Amitabha. It is an intensely devotional wisdom practice, which culminates in merging with the Guru and dissolving into the light of Great Bliss. On this Order retreat, Padmavajra will introduce and lead the practice. Throughout the day we will perform this Guru Yoga, ending each day with celebratory pujas invoking the precious Gurus.
O my own Immediate Sri Lama Rinpoche,
Abiding within the lotus of my heart,
May you never separate from me,
But, on the contrary, remain inseparable….
The Smooth Road to Emancipation
Banner and thumbnail image: cropped painting by Aloka ©
Details and Timings
The retreat starts with dinner on the first day at 6:30pm and finishes on the final day at around 10.15 am.
If you are struggling financially and need help to come on retreat please contact our Guest Master info@padmaloka.org.uk or 01508 538 112
Coming on a retreat at Padmaloka is a step into another way of being, where we temporarily take up a way of life that is more supportive of Buddhist Practice. We go forth from our ordinary circumstances, our comforts and distractions so that we can discern and move towards our ideals and help others to do so as well.
When booking a retreat at Padmaloka it is important to get a sense of how you will be living here - what our customs, etiquettes and requirements for being on retreat are.