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Online: 100,000 Songs of Milarepa

Date
19:15 -  

Retreat Highlights

  • Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
  • Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
  • Shamatha and guided meditations
  • Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients
  • Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
  • Extensive library of dharma books
  • Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful flora and fauna

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

A DHARMAKAYA CENTER STREAMING PROGRAM
Milarepa, Tibet’s renowned and beloved enlightened master, was known for his ability to present complex teachings in a simple, approachable manner through song and poetry. Through his famous 100,000 songs he guided his followers along the Buddhist path.

This program is a rare opportunity to study Milarepa's teachings with Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche, who is considered to be an emanation of Milarepa. In this program Rinpoche uses eight of Milarepa’s songs as a framework for his teaching. To intensify our understanding, we sing the songs together; we also meditate on Milarepa's messages. It is a unique, engaging, and powerful weekend.
If you are able to join in person, please register here.


PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Milarepa, known in Tibetan as the Lord of the Yogis, was a great sinner who became a great saint. He achieved enlightenment in one lifetime—despite having murdered 35 people, including family members. He became a revered teacher, and his ability to render any lesson into spontaneous song is one of his great legacies.

In each of our four weekend sessions, Rinpoche will give teachings on two songs, and we will sing those songs together. As Rinpoche explains, singing these texts is much richer than simply reading them, and helps us really understand and internalize the teachings within each song.

Because Milarepa’s actual music was not passed down, we have created new contemporary music to accompany the teachings. We distribute this music and the words approximately one month before the program to help you prepare and enable you to participate more fully.

For each song:

Rinpoche sets the context: Where was Milarepa, to whom was he singing, what were their circumstances?
Everyone sings the song together
Rinpoche teaches about the text of the song, expanding on its meaning so that we can understand it properly
Everyone sings the song again, now with a far deeper connection
Rinpoche answers questions from retreatants

Through this process, you will gain a deeper appreciation both for Buddhist teaching and for Milarepa and his legacy of illumination through song.
THE GANACHAKRA FEAST 
In a ganachakra feast, practitioners gather to sing, make offerings, and share a meal as part of a sadhana or spiritual practice. During this program, we hold such a feast twice; our meal will be symbolic, including a small cookie and a few sips of wine as amrita.
SAMPLE SONG
Some songs from previous years are available on our Soundcloud channel. Here is a sample of a song for 2024:



EVENT HIGHLIGHTS



Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
Small group discussion (organized by language and region)
Chinese translation
Group singing
Tsa-Tue yoga practice
Ganachakra Feast




OPEN TO ALL
There are no prerequisites for this program; it is appropriate for all. We will supply the music and lyrics to the songs prior the program, so that you can familiarize yourself with them.

PRE-READING
There is no requirement to study or read in advance of the program, but many people have asked for recommendations. Over the weekend, the texts and songs will be drawn from these two books:

100,000 Songs of Milarepa
Tsangnyon Heruka, translated by Christopher Stagg

The Life of Milarepa
Tsangnyon Heruka, translated by Lobsang P. Lhalungpa

 
SCHEDULE
(subject to change)

All times in the schedule below are provided in the Eastern Time Zone. For the first session global starting times are:

USA West: 4:15 PM, May 16
USA East: 7:15 PM, May 16
London: 12:15 AM, May 17
Berlin, Paris: 1:15 AM, May 17
New Delhi: 4:45 AM, May 17
Kathmandu: 5:00 AM, May 17
Bangkok: 6:15 AM, May 17
Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing: 7:15 AM, May 17

 

Friday, May 16




Session 1



7:15-7:30 PM
Introduction and Welcome to the Retreat


7:30-9:30 PM
Milarepa's Story and Songs, with Rinpoche


9:30-10:30 PM
Small Group Discussion



Saturday, May 17



Session 2



8:00-10:00 AM
Milarepa's Story and Songs, with Rinpoche


10:15-10:30 AM
Ganachakra Feast


10:30-11:30 AM
Tsa-Tue Yoga


11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Small Group Discussion






Session 3



7:00-9:00 PM
Milarepa's Story and Songs, with Rinpoche


9:00-10:00 PM
Small Group Discussion



Sunday, May 18




Session 4



8:00-10:00 AM
Milarepa's Story and Songs, with Rinpoche


10:15 AM
Ganachakra Feast


10:45-11:45 AM
Closing Ceremony



 

Schedule

FRIDAY
3:00 PM Check in begins
6:00-7:00 PM Dinner (Dining Hall)
7:30-9:00 PM Welcome and Introduction (Milarepa Hall)
Milarepa’s Story and Songs (Dining Hall)

SATURDAY
7:00-8:00 AM Morning Salutations and Meditation
8:00-9:00 AM Breakfast (Dining Hall)
9:30 AM-11:30 AM Milarepa’s Story and Songs (Milarepa Hall)
12:00-1:00 PM Lunch (Dining Hall)
2:00-4:30 PM Milarepa’s Story and Songs (Milarepa Hall)
6:00-7:00 PM Dinner (Dining Hall)
7:30-9:00 PM Teaching on Milarepa (Milarepa Hall)

SUNDAY

7:00-8:00 AM Morning Salutations and Meditation
8:00-9:00 AM Breakfast (Dining Hall)
9:30 AM-11:30 AM Milarepa’s Story and Songs (Milarepa Hall)
12:00-1:00 PM Lunch (Dining Hall)
1:00 PM Checkout and Departure
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

What's Included

  • Milarepa, known in Tibetan as the Lord of the Yogis, reached the highest attainable illumination. From this achievement he was able to teach untold numbers of people. His story is one of a great sinner who became a great saint. But his story is also the story of Tibetan Buddhist teachings, and a guide to those who search for personal liberation. It is the story of the quest for enlightenment in one lifetime. And his ability to render any lesson into spontaneous song is one of his great legacies.
  • This weekend program will tell the story of Milarepa accompanied by many of his songs. We will read sections from his biography, discuss related Buddhist teaching, and, throughout the weekend, relate Milarepa’s songs to his life and teachings. Finally, we will meditate on Milarepa’s lessons. The readings and song will be led by Rinpoche’s senior students, with commentary by Rinpoche, who is considered an emanation of Milarepa.
  • You will leave with a deeper appreciation both for Buddhist teaching and for Milarepa and his legacy of illumination through song.

What's Not Included

  • Airfare
  • Transport

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Peace in a comfortable environment
From the moment I arrived I was impressed with how peaceful and immaculate the entire facility is. The rooms had exactly what I needed with a comfortable bed and pillows, meditation table and cushions, and a desk. Towels were provided as well. Vegetarian meals were delicious. I was able to immerse myself in the silent meditation retreat and focus on deepening my practice. This is a perfect place for me and I’m already planning my next retreat.

5.0
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Beautiful spot
Dharmakaya Center is a beautiful & peaceful spot. Highly recommend! The center is immaculate and well maintained. Great staff and facilities.

5.0
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Amazing place Amazing experience
If you are looking for a place to unwind and grow spiritually while eating the best food this place is for you. Brand-new beautiful facility, super friendly stuff and relaxing atmosphere - I don’t know the better way to spend a weekend. I enjoyed my stay and I’m coming back!

5.0
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fantastic experience
I was in a wonderful art work shop and it was amazing. Accommodations where beautiful. Food was delicious and fantastic.
Beautiful grounds lovely walking experience. . The staff was delightful.

5.0
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Easeful Setting
I felt at ease and at home, right from the start. The program teacher was phenomenal, the retreat center director capable and down-to-earth, and the staff was truly kind and accessible. I can't wait to come back. I wanted to give Dharmakaya a good review, though I also like that it's a small and intimate setting. -- Lucia D

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