retreat facilities

"The main reason we engage in Buddhist practice is to recognize our own basic nature and then through cultivating this recognition, to become fully awakened for the benefit of all beings. In order to do that, three things are important: first, learn the Dharma; second, contemplate what you have learned; third and perhaps most important, practice what you have learned and contemplated. This requires retreat.

"Retreat is so important to Buddhist practice because once we know what to do, we need to take that knowledge beyond mere intellectual understanding, and put it into practice. Once we have a map, an understanding of our path, we need to set aside time to follow that map in intensive practice. From the beginning we should realize the difficulty of practicing in a busy town or city—or any place where we have lots of habits to distract us from the path."

Tsoknyi Rinpoche III

three-year retreat center

Many great masters reached realization through extended retreats. The three-year retreat center will house up to 15 students in men’s and women’s wings, a practice hall, kitchen and dining area and a retreat master’s quarters. The retreatants will be under the guidance of Rinpoche, monks, nuns and other teachers.

retreat cabins

Some of Tsoknyi Rinpoche's students now live in Crestone to practice. Others may wish to come and practice on the land. Intensive and solitary retreat has been an essential aid for practitioners to deepen practice. For this purpose, 18 individual retreat cabins will be built and can be sponsored to provide students this opportunity.

Nangchen Nuns in Retreat 2005

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