Teaching the Samye Ling Long Retreatants

Drupon Rinpoche recently spent three months teaching the Samye Ling long retreatants in Scotland.

The men’s retreat (Samye Dechen Shing) is situated on the Isle of Arran off the west coast of Scotland, while the women’s Clear Light Retreat is on Holy Isle (opposite), just off the coast of Arran. The present retreats are the fifth long group retreats to be conducted by Samye Ling, and the second to be held on the islands.

Drupon Rinpoche was first invited to teach in the retreats in the summer of 2008, when the men at Samye Dechen Shing had just begun the last of their four years in retreat, and when the women on Holy Isle were engaged in retreats that varied in length from one to four years. He gave teachings and empowerments according to their respective practices, answered group questions and gave individual interviews. He taught again at end of this retreat in the summer of 2009 and performed the opening of the retreat boundary. He then joined Akong tulku Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, the retreatants and members of the public in the post-retreat ceremonies at Samye Ling. These included a Milarepa puja, songs from Rain of Wisdom, three days of long chöd practice and nyungney.

Drupon Rinpoche was then invited to act as retreat master for the present men and women’s long retreats, which began at the above retreat centres in autumn 2010 and which will finish in autumn 2014. Before entering the retreats on the islands, the prospective retreatants undertook an intensive three month study and preparation period at Samye Ling. These teachings were open to all those committed to undertaking the related practices, with the result that the retreatants were joined by many other dharma students. During this time Drupon Rinpoche taught Ngöndro based on The Torch of Certainty by Jamgon Kongtrul, Notes on Creation Stage by Drodrupchen Jikmé Tenpé Nyima, the guru yoga sadhanas of Marpa, Milarepa, Gampopa, and Karma Pakshi; chöd and a number of other daily retreat practices. Between teaching sessions, the students attended Tibetan language reading classes and trained in the various musical instruments, chants and tormas. Those retreatants who were not already monks or nuns also took ordination to last for the duration of their retreat.

Since these retreats began in 2010, Drupon Rinpoche has returned each year to instruct and guide the retreatants in the next stages of their programme.

Summary by Peter Hutchinson.