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Join Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi PhD, Executive Director of the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics at Emory University and Spiritual Director of Drepung Loseling Monastery, Inc. in Atlanta, for a special opportunity to deepen your understanding and practice of compassion and wisdom while renewing heart and mind. This unique immersion experience offers two different—but complementary—opportunities and participants may choose to do either or both. |
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Part 1 |
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Cultivating Compassion & Wisdom
in
Uncertain Times:
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A Retreat at Drepung Loseling Monastery |
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January 21-28, 2024 |
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| The first program consists of an eight-day retreat hosted at the Drepung Loseling Monastery in southern India. For more than six-hundred years, Drepung Loseling has upheld the traditions of Nalanda University, one of the world’s oldest centers of academic inquiry. Beginning with the great Mahasiddha Nagarjuna, Nalanda produced many of the greatest masters of both Indian Buddhism and secular knowledge, laying the foundation of a historic intellectual tradition spanning logic, ethics, philosophy, and contemplative practice. The cross-cultural, interreligious, and interdisciplinary approach of Nalanda was diligently preserved in Tibet after Nalanda’s destruction by invaders in the 13th century and since its establishment in the early 15th century, Drepung Loseling Monastery has been renowned throughout the Tibetan world as “the second Nalanda.” |
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| When Tibet was invaded by Communist China in 1959, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetans went into exile in India. Drepung Loseling was reestablished, once again preserving Nalanda’s magnificent legacy of inquiry, debate, and contemplative practice. During the retreat, Geshe Lobsang will be joined at various times by a number of the monastery’s master teachers and practitioners who will offer in depth teachings and essential guidance for practice. This is a rare opportunity to learn firsthand about the cultivation of compassion and wisdom from both the elder masters representing the last generation trained in Tibet, and a younger generation of distinguished teachers sharing this heritage. |
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Drepung Loseling Meditation & Science Center |
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| This eight-day-long retreat welcomes both novice and experienced practitioners and is appropriate for those of any or no faith tradition. Combining ancient wisdom with insights from modern science and psychology, the retreat seeks to promote improved awareness and emotional regulation, greater physical and psychological resilience, stronger social connection, and the ability to respond compassionately to self and others. |
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While at Drepung Loseling, the group will be hosted at the Drepung Loseling Meditation and Science Center, a modern facility with a magnificent view of the monastery’s main prayer hall. |
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| All guest rooms are equipped with attached, western-style bathrooms, air conditioning, hot water heaters, electricity, and wifi. The center also has laundry facilities, a small store for sundries, and a lovely dining hall, where participants are served three meals and tea breaks each day. |
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| The center is a short walk from Drepung Loseling’s main prayer hall, a modern medical clinic, a café serving ice cream and cold drinks, and shopping for Tibetan-made handicrafts and ritual items. The Men-Tsee-Khang Tibetan Medical Center also has a facility nearby. |
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| Upon completion of the retreat, participants will fly to Delhi to either return home or journey forward to Bodhgaya in the state of Bihar. |
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| Part 1 Itinerary |
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Thursday, January 18- Saturday, January 20
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| Depart North America on Thursday evening to arrive in Delhi around 1am Saturday morning. Rest and relax in Delhi the remainder of Saturday. We recommend booking a hotel in Aerocity which is convenient to both the international and domestic airports (more information will be provided during an informational session). |
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| Sunday, January 21 |
| Arrive at Delhi’s Indira Ghandi International Airport (DEL) by 3 – 3.5 hr before 10:30 am non-stop flight to Hubli (HBX) to allow sufficient time for check-in and go through security clearance. You will be received at Hubli airport with transfer to the monastery to arrive early afternoon. After settling into your accommodations, an orientation session will be held over lunch followed by a tour of the main prayer hall. |
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Monday, January 22-Saturday, January 27th
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| Daily Retreat with optional cultural activities (e.g. monastic winter debates, attending puja, etc.). The general schedule will be as follows but may shift as needed. Participants can opt out of any given activity. |
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Breakfast 8:00 - 9:00 am
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Session 1 9:00 - 10:30 am • Tea Break 10:30 - 11:00 am
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Session 2 11:00 am -12:30 pm • Lunch 12:30 - 1:30 pm • Free Time 1:30 - 3:30 pm
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Session 3 3:30 - 5:00 pm • Dinner 6:00 - 7:00 pm
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| Session 4 7:30 - 8:30 pm |
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Sunday, January 28
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Travel to Delhi (non-stop 2.5 hour flight departs at 1:30 pm) Check into hotel and rest up before late night departures for those returning home and for those going to Bodhgaya (Participants who are not going onto Bodhgaya may also opt to book additional night(s) of lodging to extend their time in Delhi to sightsee, shop, rest up, etc. before their international flight home or to their next destination. |
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Part 2 |
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Sacred Sites & Sacred Teachings:
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A Buddhist Pilgrimage |
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January 29- February 4, 2024
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The second half of the journey takes participants to some of the most important sacred sites of Buddhism located in Bihar state.
These include Bodhgaya, where the Buddha found enlightenment under the Bodhi tree; Rajgir, or “Vulture’s Peak,” where the Buddha taught the Heart Sutra; and the site of Nalanda University, where such luminaries at Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Atisha, and Shantideva studied, practiced and taught.
Joining centuries of pilgrims from around the world, participants will have the opportunity to study several key sacred teachings connected to the Buddha and the Nalanda masters with the guidance of Geshe Lobsang la. Practitioners will also be afforded the opportunity to deepen their meditation practice and to circumambulate, prostrate, and make offerings according to their own inclinations. |
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Buddha statue at Mahabodhi Temple
in Bodhgaya |
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Vulture’s Peak |
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Nalanda University |
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| Part 2 Itinerary |
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| (If joining directly from North America, depart on the evening of Friday, January 26 to arrive in Delhi around 1am Sunday, January 28. Rest and relax in Delhi the remainder of Sunday.) |
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| Monday, January 29 |
Travel to Gaya (non-stop 1.5 hour flight departs 2:25pm) |
| Tuesday, January 30 |
Bodhgaya |
| Wednesday, January 31 |
Bodhgaya |
| Thursday, February 1 |
Rajgir |
| Friday, February 2 |
Nalanda |
| Saturday, February 3 |
Bodhgaya |
| Sunday, February 4 |
Travel to Delhi (non-stop 1.5 hour flight departs at 11:50 am) Check into hotel to rest up for late night departures for those returning home. Participants may opt to book additional night(s) of lodging to extend their time in Delhi to sightsee, shop, rest, etc. before their international flight home or to their next destination. |
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| Fees and Program - Part 1 |
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| The fee of $2575 ($2,495 payment by cash or check) per person for this extensive program includes: |
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retreat led by Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi |
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airfare inside India (roundtrip Delhi to Hubli) |
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seven nights of accommodation and all meals at Drepung Loseling (choice of single or double room); arrive Jan. 21 & depart Jan. 28 |
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one night of accommodation in Delhi for Part 1 participants returning home, and for those who are continuing with Part 2 (night of Jan. 28) |
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ground transportation in India including any taxes, fees and gratuities |
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Protected Area Permits necessary to visit Drepung Loseling |
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honoraria to guest teachers and other retreat assistants from Drepung Loseling |
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program coordination and logistical assistance |
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| Fees and Program - Part 2 |
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| The fee of $2395 ($2,325 payment by cash or check) per person for this extensive program includes: |
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retreat led by Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi |
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airfare inside India (roundtrip Delhi to Gaya) |
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six nights of accommodation (arrive Jan. 29 & depart Feb. 4) and all meals in Bodhgaya (choice of single or double room) |
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one night of accommodation in Delhi (night of Feb. 4) |
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ground transportation in India including any taxes, fees and gratuities |
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honoraria to retreat assistants from Drepung Loseling |
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program coordination and logistical assistance |
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donation to Drepung Loseling Monastery (any funds left after all expenses are covered will be donated to the monastery on behalf of the group). |
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PARTICIPANTS OPTING TO DO BOTH PARTS WILL RECEIVE A DISCOUNTED RATE OF $4475 ($4,340 payment by cash or check) FOR BOTH |
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All participants are responsible for: |
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procuring their own Indian visa |
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international airfare (arriving and departing Delhi) |
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hotel in Delhi upon arrival (we will provide suggested accommodations offering breakfast and airport transfers) |
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hotel in Delhi before international flight home or to your next destination if you are planning on extending your stay to rest up, sightsee, shop, etc. (we will provide suggested accommodations offering breakfast and airport transfers) |
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airport transfers from hotel at the beginning and end of Part 1 or Part 2 |
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meals in route or not mentioned above |
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pocket money |
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health insurance and immunizations |
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trip insurance |
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| Participants should be in general good health. (Please discuss any mobility limitations with us before registering.) Vegetarian food options are always available, and gluten-free items are typically available. (As southern Indian cuisine uses clarified butter and cream in many vegetarian dishes, we unfortunately cannot guarantee vegan options). You should carry all routine medication, contact lens supplies, eyeglass prescription, etc. with you. |
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Participants will receive extensive instructions regarding logistics, visas, packing, suggested immunizations, etc. |
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| Fees are payable to: Drepung Loseling Monastery, Inc. in Atlanta. |
| Mailing Address: 1781 Dresden Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30319 |
| Payment by Credit Card: You will be invoiced to make your payment by credit card |
| PLEASE NOTE: No credit cards will be processed or checks deposited until the minimum number of participants is reached. |
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| Due to the time required to apply for and receive the PAP (protected area permit), and to secure domestic air tickets and accommodations for a group, please register before November 3, 2023 with payment in full due on that date by 6 pm Eastern Time. As a minimum of 12 participants are needed, please wait to book your airfare until the retreat has been confirmed on November 4. Cancellation after payment has been made and before January 1 will result in a 50% refund. Cancellation after January 1 will result in a 25% refund. You may wish to purchase trip insurance from a reliable source. |
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| All participants will be required to submit information for the PAP application by October 15, 2023 in the correct format or we cannot guarantee your PAP. You are also required to sign a liability waiver. Please register and electronically sign the liability waiver at the links below: |
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MANDATORY LIABILITY WAIVER |
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| Please click on this link to see a video about a past winter retreat at Drepung Loseling and hear what the participants had to say about their experience. |
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This retreat is designed to be accessible and appropriate
for those of any or no faith tradition |
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