Abhidhamma, Tantra and Emptiness-Compassion, Galiano Island, BC

Please note there is a *DATE CHANGE* September 21, 2019 to March 31, 2020

A Six Month Retreat with Lama Mark Webber sponsored by Crystal Mountain Society

September 21, 2019 to March 31, 2020

In response to requests for another deep study of Abhidhamma, Lama Mark has proposed a six month retreat on Galiano Island from September 21, 2019 to March 31, 2020. This will be sponsored by Crystal Mountain Society for Eastern and Western Studies.

The Abhidhamma (Pali for “Higher Laws” or “Higher Phenomena”, Sanskrit: Abhidharma) is one of the three-baskets (collections) of the Buddha’s teachings. In the Theravadin tradition, the Patthana, “The Great Book” of the Abhidhamma, interdependent causal relations is considered to be the pinnacle of the Buddha’s illumination. From the perspective of the Buddha’s penetrative Insight, Abhidhamma is a deep study and series of meditative investigations into mind and form, states, meditative concentration, realms of being, mental processes- cognition, stages of liberation, emptiness, interdependent origination and the causality/emptiness teaching of the interdependence of all phenomena (Patthana). Abhidhamma studies combined with meditation are essential for a richer understanding of the whole of the Buddhist Teachings. This transmission will be followed by five-weeks of teachings on the foundations and practice of Tantra, in combination with teachings and meditations on the progressive stages of emptiness realization. Highly recommended for practitioner’s who are or will teach and guide people in Dharma and meditation.

The Course/Retreat Plan is**:
1) Two day orientation, 5 day setting up and settling in;
2) Three-months of continuous Abhidhamma teachings (as per the tradition of full transmission), with study and short meditation periods. Manjusri empowerments;
4) Five weeks of teachings and meditations on the origins and stages of Tantric practice with teachings on the Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana, (including Mahamudra/Dzogchen) Paths. This will be combined with teachings and meditations on the five Progressive Stages of Emptiness;
5) One month Vipassana retreat;
6) One week coming out of retreat.

Lama Mark will give the entire transmission of the text, the Abhidhammathasangaha, with occasional teachings from the Abhidhammakosa interspersed with modern cognitive, neuroscience, life sciences, ecology, physics, chemistry and space science perspectives. Be prepared to meditate, translate, study, investigate together and do lab explorations! The emphasis of this retreat will be on combining intellectual rigour with an approach to Vipassana via the tradition of Abhidhamma as Lama Mark received it from the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche. Be prepared for two x 2.5-3 hour classes from Lama Mark and a practitioner’s study and review session most days, except during the meditation periods. There will be the opportunity for frequent interviews and guidance.

Empowerments and other teachings to be announced.

This retreat will go ahead in 2019-2020: We plan to rent houses nearby Lama Mark’s residence and use the accommodation on the Crystal Mountain Retreat Centre.

Retreat Costs: We are currently working on a budget. Details will be shared regularly with those who are registered/interested.

If you seriously wish to attend this retreat or have any questions please contact Lara Laverdure and Aaron Ferenci, the retreat coordinators.

** Note: Lama Mark has requested that the retreat plan/course plan is the schedule for the 6 months retreat and should be seen as whole.