Building Merit Retreat
with Tryg Schonning & Trudy Gold and Guest Teacher Terry Hagan
Jul 31 - Aug 3, 2020
The Dharma Centre of Canada is home to five extraordinary Monuments, individual representations of the awakening process in form and can evoke transcendent moments to those who are drawn to them. Each one is rich with stories, Teachings, and Buddhist philosophy. They are strong and evocative meditation supports, designed to support the practice, devotion and aspirations of awakening practitioners. Many teachers and students have come to the DCC and directly felt the blessings that pour forth from these precious landmarks in time and space.
During this hands-on retreat we are inviting our community to join us and build merit. We will offer dharma talks on architectural music, insights into the sacred geometry, intentions of the design and shape of each structure, and teachings around their design that link directly to supporting one’s meditation practice and experience supported by guided meditations and discussions. Time will be allocated to being outside with each structure, and we’ll explore not only the meditative intent, but the real-life requirements that are and will be needed to keep each structure upright and looking its best – despite the conditions imposed by the extreme fluctuations in our Canadian seasons.
As part of this retreat we will make some of the sessions available via Zoom for those who cannot attend.
Daily visitors are welcome!
Tryg Schonning is an experienced practitioner/yogi who loves to explore the Rime tradition by being open to all schools of Buddhism and Science, just like his main teacher, the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche. Tryg teaches Tantra, Tarot, and Tibetan Buddhism with a decidedly Dzogchen approach. He teaches in a circle where everyone is encouraged to participate and express their views openly. Kindness, clarity, a sense of humour and a curiosity about “everything,” along with a vast store of knowledge (he has devoted much of the past 40+ years to study) is what he offers. He helped Sayadaw U Thila Wunta build pagodas in Oleon, NY, Galiano Island, and the DCC 1982-3, and participated in building the Dagoba and the Buddha Rupa. Tryg has joyfully contributed to the upkeep of the DCC’s monuments over the past 30 years.
Trudy Gold has been practicing, studying, going into retreat, and doing her best to live Buddhadharma for many years. She’s had the privilege of studying with Namgyal Rinpoche and many other gifted, kind, and generous Teachers of dharma – Western and Eastern – for close to 30 years. She brings a rich array of views into every aspect of her life. She was a member of the Dharma Centre board of directors from 2004-2007 and was part of the crew that helped build the Dagoba in 1997. Trudy volunteers in hospice and continues to assist people with dementia in the community.
Terry Hagan met his root teacher, Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche, at 22. He became Rinpoche's principle attendant, constantly by his side for 27 years, until Rinpoche's passing in 2003. Shortly thereafter, Terry was requested to teach, and has continued to do so in different Namgyal Centres worldwide. Since 2007 he has been the co-resident teacher at the Dharma Centre. In 2011 he had a sabbatical to undertake a 3 year retreat in India guided by, his now principle teacher, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. Terry uses his extensive Buddhist training, his deep exploration of body awareness, and his love of nature to bring a fresh and alive approach to Dharma and meditation. More on Terry https://www.dharmacentre.org/resident-teachers.
Important Details:
When: Friday, July 31st to Monday August 3rd. Please plan to arrive between 3-5pm on the first day. The retreat will begin with a property orientation at 5:30pm followed by a light supper and the first evening class and will finish after lunch on the final day.
Rates: Non-members: $330, Members: $285.00
Rates include: Single accommodation and all meals. They do not include instructor fees. Tryg, Trudy and Terry are sharing their experience within the traditional Buddhist understanding of Dana. To understand more about Dana, please read the following:
What is Dana?: Teachers give the teachings of awakening (Dharma) freely so that anyone, no matter their financial means can attend classes. Each time one receives teachings, it is an opportunity to consciously practice generosity. Giving money and other means of support expresses gratitude and support to the teacher and helps to ensure that these teachings continue. Each person receiving Dharma teachings determines the kind and amount of Dāna according to one’s heart and one’s financial means. When deciding how much to offer, one should think about what these teachings mean to you and try to give accordingly. It is recommended that students make an offering of dāna at the beginning of a class or retreat to establish the intention to make the most of this opportunity for one’s own progression and for the benefit of all others.
Deposit: A 50% deposit is required to hold your space upon registration.
Cancellation policy: Full refund up to 7 days before the commencement of the course. For cancellations less than 7 days prior to course begin, a $100 administrative fee will be charged.