July 24-29 2018 We at Gyalshen Institute cordially invite you to our summer 2018 residential silent retreat. There Chaphur Rinpoche will give teachings and instructions on “The 21 Nails” from the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyu.
Teaching Topic
The 21 Nails is one of the innermost secret teachings from the Bön Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyu, the 21 essential points of Dzogchen practice, directly cutting through doubts about one’s natural state by tracing the nature of mind back to its source.
The teachings of the Twenty-One Nails are a direct expression of enlightenment—our natural mind. Each nail describes this natural state from a different point of view. The views are called “nails” or “seals” because they stabilize the experiential understanding of the natural state. These teachings are said to have come directly from the primordial buddha, Küntu Zangpo, passed by mind-to-mind transmission to eight succ. essive buddhas, and then transmitted orally to 24 human Bön lineage holders, all of whom were yogis and siddhas. It was first written down by Yangton Sherap Gyaltsen in the 11th century. These teachings have been transmitted in an unbroken succession down to our teachers of the present day.
This teaching is one of the innermost secret teachings from the Bön Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyu, the 21 essential points of Dzogchen practice, directly cutting through doubts about one’s natural state by tracing the nature of mind back to its source.
The teachings of the Twenty-One Nails are a direct expression of enlightenment—our natural mind. Each nail describes this natural state from a different point of view. The views are called “nails” or “seals” because they stabilize the experiential understanding of the natural state. These teachings are said to have come directly from the primordial buddha, Küntu Zangpo, passed by mind-to-mind transmission to eight successive buddhas, and then transmitted orally to 24 human Bön lineage holders, all of whom were yogis and siddhas. It was first written down by Yangton Sherap Gyaltsen in the 11th century. These teachings have been transmitted in an unbroken succession down to our teachers of the present day.
Silent Retreat
2017 was Gyalshen Institute’s first residential summer retreat, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
When asked about next year (2018) Rinpoche immediately chose the 21 Nails as his teaching topic, and was very enthusiastic about conducting this retreat in silence.
Silence is especially important when one is trying to catch the nature of mind.
“When the outer sounds are silenced, it is much easier to hear the unceasing sound of the mind’s nature.”
Rinpoche will also give the transmission for the entire Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyu. The Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyu contains the 21 nails and is considered one of the most important and the most comprehensive manual for Dzogchen practice in the Bön tradition.
This retreat will be conducted according to Bön tradition. We will give the 4 offerings daily (Sang Chöd, Chotor / water offering, burnt food offering and Chöd). We will also practice tsa lung / trul khor in the mornings and tögel in the early evening.
Please see the sample schedule below for more details.
Location
Please plan to join us for the second annual Gyalshen Residential Summer Retreat. Take this opportunity to dive deeply into the Bön spiritual tradition while enjoying the profound sense of community possible in a residential five day retreat. The San Francisco Theological Seminary located in San Anselmo, California is a perfect spot for us to be together in the presence of Chaphur Rinpoche as our teacher and guide.
Surrounded by redwood trees, Susanna Baird Hall Retreat Center offers an ideal peaceful setting for your stay. This two-story building features 28 double-occupancy rooms, each furnished with two twin beds, a desk and AC/heating unit. The hall boasts a fully-equipped kitchen, communal dining hall and large lounge
area large. Wireless internet is available in all common areas while wired high-speed internet is available in all guest rooms. Dormitory-style private showers and men’s/women’s public restrooms are located on each floor. Susanna Baird Hall’s ample parking and close proximity to downtown San Anselmo allows one all the comforts of home, yet the ambience of surrounding redwoods in a quiet peaceful setting.
Susanna Baird Hall & Retreat Center
30 Waverly Rd.
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Google Map link: ☛San Francisco Theological Seminary
Registration fees include lodging in a shared room as describe above. Please let us know the name of another registrant that you have agreed to room with, otherwise we will assign rooms according to gender. There may be a very limited number of rooms that can be assigned as a private room at a higher rate.
For Retreat Questions (including accommodations): email info@gyalshen.org
Registration
Then use the form below to submit your payment:
70% refundable before 30 days of the retreat
100% non-refundable within 30 days of the retreat
If you need to make alternate arrangements, you can also do monthly payments at the early rate. Please contact us to make arrangements. Email info@gyalshen.org
