ORIENTATION INFORMATION ~ VAJRAKILAYA DRUBCHEN
September 13 - 22, 2007 ~ Choying Dzong, Crestone, Colorado
GENERAL
INFORMATION:
The Vajrakilaya Drubchen (September 13 - 22) is an open retreat. The
boundary of the drubchen will be set and the schedule for sadhana
practice and mantra recitation will be strict, however participants
will be able to leave to take rest and food as they need to. In order
to maintain an environment conducive to this level of intensive group
practice, we have made arrangements for participants to have the option
of having their meals at the retreat center and have also provided
facilities for participants to camp on the retreat land.
If
you have arranged for off-site accommodations, please plan to arrive
15 minutes before your practice session to get settled and minimize
the distraction of coming and going. To maintain a level of focus
on the practice, outside contact during the drubchen should be limited
to emergencies only. For those staying on the retreat land, the telephone
number where you may be contacted for emergencies only is 719-256-5224.
BEING
AT CHOYING DZONG:
Choying Dzong, Crestone is located in the high mountains of the San
Luis Valley of south central Colorado. It is a breathtaking place
to hear and practice the dharma. It is also located at 8,500 feet
above sea level, situated on steep and rocky terrain. Please drink
plenty of water and avoid over-exertion in order to help your body
adjust to the altitude. People with health conditions should be aware
of the environmental challenges when preparing for this program. Bring
sturdy walking shoes, a warm jacket and clothes that can be layered
for variable changes in the weather.
Smoking
& Pets: There is no smoking of any kind permitted on
the retreat land or during the drubchen. Please do not bring or use
substances for smoking during the drubchen. Since we do not have a
place for pets at the retreat center, please make arrangements for
them to be cared for at home.
DHARMA
OFFERINGS:
It is traditional in any Buddhist practice to make an offering of
something precious, usually gold, silver, or money to the teacher
as a representative of the Three Jewels and the Three Roots. Your
registration fee includes an honorarium for Rinpoche and the chant
masters, and a translator stipend for our gracious lotsawa. These
gifts were set at modest amounts we hoped would keep registration
fees to a minimum to facilitate the attendance of as many practitioners
as possible. There will be an opportunity on September 21 to make
personal offerings. If you will not be here on that day, you can make
your offering with a katak on the last session before you leave.
FOOD
& ON SITE ACCOMMODATIONS:
For everyone participating in the meal plan, meals will begin with
dinner on September 13 and will conclude with lunch on September 22.
You can register for the meal plan with your drubchen
registration. The deadline for meal registration is August
20, 2007. This option is being offered mainly for students
attending the entire 9 days of practice and for students staying on
the retreat land, however, if space allows, it is also available for
students staying off site or for shorter periods.
IF
YOU ARE CAMPING AT CHOYING DZONG:
Please be aware that the terrain of the retreat land is mountainous.
You are responsible for bringing proper camping equipment, such as
a tent, sleeping bag, mattress pad, and rain gear. Do not keep any
food in your tent. Due to bears and other animals in the area this
is only inviting trouble. Since we do not have a lot of extra space
for refrigeration and food storage, please pack wisely and try not
bring personal food items. If you have medicine needing refrigeration,
please let us know. Ideally, if you are camping on the land or staying
in a retreat cabin, you are planning to stay for the entire program
and are also participating in the meal plan.
Showers
& Laundry: A solar shower system will be available for
participants staying on the land. Buckets will also be available if
you wish to do laundry. On site participants may bring solar showers
for their personal use.
Driving
& Land Impact: In order to minimize impact on the land
and road, please make vehicle use minimal after unloading and setting
up for the retreat unless you are volunteering to be shuttle driver.
Parking areas will be marked. If you need to park closer to the temple
for health reasons, please let us know.
KARMA
YOGA:
All participants should expect to help out with minor work assignments
during the drubchen. Assignments will be determined at check in and
will include such tasks as meal prep for the lamas, kitchen clean-up,
temple cleaning, preparing tsok offerings, assisting the lamas, text
monitoring, set up and take down for participant meals, bathroom detail,
garbage detail, tea service, and shrine attendance.
WHAT
TO BRING:
• Your own plate, bowl, cup, utensils
• Zafu/cushion/blanket to sit on
• Blanket/tarp/etc. to sit on for outdoor practice
• Katha offering scarf (also available in YK Book Store)
• Water bottle
• Notebook, pens/pencils
• Daypack or small bag to carry your stuff around
• Hat, sunscreen, insect repellent
• Solar shower, toiletries, towel
• Sturdy shoes/ hiking boots
• Alarm clock, flashlight, extra batteries
• Rain coat, warm jacket & layered clothing for variable
weather
• Sleeping bag, pad, pillow, tent gear
• Texts to bring (if you have them): Vajrakilaya
Sadhana, Ngondrö text, Dzogchen Manual, Shower of Blessings,
Riwo Sang Chöd (Mountain of Burnt Offerings), and Maning Protector
Practice. If you do not have these texts, some of them will be available
in our bookstore.
TRANSPORTATION
& DIRECTIONS:
If you are arriving by air, we recommend trying to get oneself at
least as far as Alamosa, Colorado. United Airlines offers flights
to Alamosa on Great Lakes Airlines (1-800-554-5111). Other airports
to fly into are Denver, CO, Albuquerque, NM or Colorado Springs, CO.
Transportation from Alamosa can be arranged by contacting either Cynthia
Peters at Blue Pearl Taxi & Shuttle Service: 719-256-4346, or
Tilopa at Windhorse Transportation: 719-256-4177. Both of these services
are local Crestone businesses. The rates for transportation will be
less if you can coordinate ride sharing with other participants. If
you need help cooridinationg a ride share, please contact Shauna at
719-256-5224.
Driving
directions from Denver and points north of Crestone:
• Take I-70 west to C-470 (south-east)
• Take C-470 to the exit for Hwy 285 south
• Follow Hwy 285 south through Bailey, Fairplay, Salida, etc.
Just after Villa Grove, take the left exit for Hwy 17 (south).
• Follow Hwy 17 to Moffat. Turn left (east) on “T”
road to Crestone. The “T” road is at mile marker 105.
Then follow the directions for "in Crestone" below.
From Alamosa and points south of Crestone:
• Take Hwy 160 east to Hwy 17. Turn left (north).
• Follow Hwy 17 to Moffat. Turn right (east) on “T”
road to Crestone. Then follow the directions below.
In
Crestone:
• As you near Crestone, you will see an entrance to the Baca
Grande on the right. Turn right. Follow this road until it turns to
gravel. After the road turns to gravel, you will pass through 3 “intersections”
and continue to the fourth road to the left – the entrance to
Chöying Dzong which is marked by five prayer flags and a dharma
wheel sign under a small roof. Drive all the way to the top. The registration
area will be in a tent outside the temple.
For
questions unanswered by the information posted here, please call Shauna
Ianson at 719-256-5224 or email her at info@yeshekhorlo.org.
