时轮金刚上四灌顶及暗室闭关

时轮金刚上四灌顶及暗室闭关

活动仅限亲身前往奥地利Kalapa参加;不会提供翻译
请在Dzokden Kalapa的网页上报名。

2025年7月3-13日(共10晚)

夏. 堪祖仁波切慈悲地接受了请求,将在欧洲再次赐予时轮金刚上四灌顶。 这个殊胜、宝贵而难得的机会是佛法道路上重要的一步。 为了确保弟子在修行道上有所成功就,仁波切将只授予灌顶给已获预先批准的、真诚渴望实修的弟子。 为使申请及准备过程更加清晰,我们额外准备了详细的解释。 无论修行深浅,仁波切要求每位弟子花时间阅读:

「上四灌顶」的求取条件(更新版) PDF

在阅读并反思后,欢迎你透过这个表格申请,以获得求法资格。 只有在获得批准后,你才可以报名。 请在收到批准确认之前不要报名。 如果你以前已经在仁波切座下领受上四灌顶,你不需要再申请,可以直接提早报名。

 

“活动详情及时间表”

活动详情及时间表

在我们的灵性旅程中,迄今为止,概念方法在消除我们的诸多误解方面发挥了重要作用,但由于这些方法深植于二元心智,它们成为体验我们真实本性的微妙障碍。 因此,我们现在需要放弃它们,转而采用一种不依赖概念构造的直接方法。 我们可以通过两个步骤实现从概念到非概念的转变。 首先,通过接受上四灌顶,我们被引入时轮金刚的见地。 其次,在确立这一见地的基础上,我们使用身语意三远离(稳森)的独特禅修技巧来切断念头的散乱,并安住于心的本性。 (夏・堪祖仁波切)

是次闭关涵盖:

  1. 各项准备大约一天,包括修习前行、上师相应法、荟供、教学及与仁波切郊游;
  2. 时轮金刚上四灌顶;
  3. 三远离(稳森)的教学及加持;
  4. 关于灌顶及修习的教言手册;
  5. (按需要)口传〈空行秘宝〉;
  6. (按需要)与仁波切的个别会面(小参);
  7. 时轮金刚暗室闭关(三远离/稳森),由资深弟子导引或自修; 与及:
  8. Dzokden Kalapa闭关中心的膳食与住宿。

2025年特别环节:在活动的开幕日,仁波切将口传尊者多波巴的〈生圆二次第发愿文〉。 为让善法流布,与众结缘,Dzokden Kalapa将直播口传的环节; 其余环节仅能亲身于当地参与。

时间表

7月3日下午 – 抵达、欢迎会与场地设施介绍、教学 | 下午2-4时 报到登记 — 请务必于这个时段内抵达Dzokden Kalapa报到。

7月4日 – 修习前行、上师相应法、荟供、教学及与仁波切郊游

7月5日 – 时轮金刚上四灌顶、三远离(稳森)的教学及加持

7月5-13日 – 三远离(稳森)暗室闭关及与仁波切的个别会面(小参)

7月13日 – 结行荟供、午餐后退营

“准备事宜”

如何准备及学习材料

如何准备闭关:我们强烈鼓励你尽力实修时轮金刚前行仪轨。 除了《神圣阶梯》及《光明心颂》外,你也需要学习《空行秘宝》。 如你之前未曾学习,你必须以此链接登记重温〈空行秘宝〉释义的录像课堂(包括念诵录音)。 我们建议你尽力熟习所有相关仪轨及法会,包括藏语念法、咒语及陀罗尼。

请务必预先报名、学习并尽可能地修持上师供(GURU PŪJĀ )与时轮金刚荟供(KĀLACHAKRA-TSOK),以便在法会前对这些仪轨及其意义有充分了解与掌握。 这两门课程皆已翻译成多种语言,内容包含仪轨与实修说明,非常实用。 若你愿意(非强制),也可自备金刚铃杵、手鼓(ḍamaru)或其他法器参加仪式。

学习材料:你可在法会期间向寺院借用印刷版的〈Guru Pūjā〉与〈Tsok〉仪轨(英文版)使用。 请务必携带印刷版的修持手册The Profound Path of Vajra Yoga,以及仁波切的开示书The Hidden Treasure与Unveiling Your Sacred Truth 3作为修行参考数据 。 请注意,严格闭关一开始后,不得使用任何电子设备,因此所有数据必须为纸本形式 。 此外,在闭关期间,不得阅读与「三远离(稳森)」无关的书籍。 若你参加前行修法(Ngondro),请自备曼达盘(maṇḍala set)。 若你曾领受此灌顶,请携带你的Four Higher Empowerments Booklet、眼罩与禅修带; 若你是初次参与,则会在灌顶仪式期间获赠这些法具。

“闭关信息及规则”

闭关信息及规则

在7月5日领受「上四灌顶」后,将正式开始严格闭关。 期间为封闭式闭关并须保持止语。 在此期间,参与者不得接待访客,也不得使用移动电话、平板装置、iPad、智能手表、笔记本电脑、台式机等任何电子设备。 如你需要,我们可以协助你将这些物品存放于办公室中保管。 如有紧急情况需要联系你,亲友可透过电子邮件 [email protected] 或拨打电话 +43 676 395 8898,我们将会转达紧急的讯息给你。 仁波切提醒所有参与弟子,请恭敬地遵守闭关守则,这不仅有助于自身修行的圆满,也能避免对他人造成干扰。

每日的修行日程包括四节三远离(Wensum稳森)的修法课程,以及其他附加活动,如不定期的开示或与仁波切的个别会面(小参)等。 每日至少需参与两场共修,除非因健康因素而完全无法参加。 其余两场修法可选择是共修,还是在自己房间中自修。 修法课程将以英语与藏语进行。 如你有强烈需求,也可以携带自己语言版本的法本,并在共修时安静地自行阅读。

“报名”

报名

此次闭关的费用包含于Dzokden Kalapa闭关中心提供的三餐素食与多人共住的住宿安排。 我们无法为此次活动的参与者提供单人房。 不过,你可以选择自备帐篷,在时轮金刚塔(Kālachakra Stūpa)附近露营(详情请见报名选项)。

离营住宿:若您确实需要单独房间,闭关中心附近的Garanas地区与Bad Schwanberg镇有许多住宿选择可供选择。 在此情况下,请你自行搜寻并预订所需的住宿。

常见问题:请注意,此次灌顶需要极大的福德因缘方能成就: 1) 我们已尽最大努力将费用维持在合理范围内。 我们鼓励修行者提早储备资源、创造条件以参与此殊胜机会。 过去曾有人为了参与这样的灌顶,将自己所有的一切作为供养献给金刚上师。 2) 若你无法全程参与此次闭关,请务必提前通知我们你预计提前离开的确切日期与时间。 虽然我们不鼓励中途离场,但若你确实无法全程参与,我们可以在特殊情况下酌情处理(请通过电子邮件说明原因)。 不过,请注意:我们无法因你提早离开而提供特殊报名费用调整——无论你是否能全程参与,此活动的费用皆为整体计算。

“义工(功德福田)”

义工(功德福田)

在此次闭关中,参与者应避免过度的体力活动。 我们目前需要两位义工:一位负责为参与者准备早餐、午餐及简单的晚餐,另一位则担任厨房助手。 担任义工期间,你可以自由使用闭关中心的所有区域,唯独参与者进行修法的「时轮金刚殿」除外。 与参与者不同的是,义工可以使用电子设备、网络等资源。 这是一次极为殊胜的机会,不仅能累积无量功德,也能为你将来有机会亲自修持此法门种下因缘。 仁波切也强烈鼓励我们透过志愿服务来支持法友们的修行。

在义工服务期间,我们可以为你免费提供learning center的线上课程或录制的闭关课程,以支持你的学习与修行。 另外,若你已接领受「上四灌顶」,并愿意全程担任义工,则在你休息的时间内,亦可免费参加殿内的部分闭关环节。

若你有意参与此次义工服务,请尽快电邮至 [email protected] 联系我们,以便安排网上会议提早规划。 你也可以选择只参与部分时段的义工工作,依照自身能力所及来发心服务; 但我们仍优先考虑能全程参与的义工。

“对复修弟子的提醒”

对复修弟子的提醒

若你有意乐再次参与这项殊胜的灌顶和闭关,为了你自己的修行道上的迈进,仁波切要求所有弟子重新确认对修行道、传承及上师本人的承诺。 这项确认可于报名参加时完成,因此,已经领受过「上四灌顶」的弟子,若希望再次参加,无须另行提交申请(可以直接在Dzokden Kalapa的网页报名)。

然而,若你发现自从上次领受上四灌顶以来,对于自己所选择的觉囊传承、时轮金刚修行道,或对 夏. 堪祖仁波切的信心有所动摇,那么根据仁波切的指示,您应避免参加此次闭关。 仁波切认为,在这样的情况下,暂缓参加反而更具利益,你可以借此机会透过更深入地修持觉囊派的时轮金刚行法、聆听仁波切的开示、阅读他的著作,以及尽力参与「证悟事业计画(Enlightened Activities Program)」,逐步重燃信心并累积广大福德资粮。 透过上述方法聚合修行的因缘条件,待得来日再次参与时,你将能从中获得真正的利益与成就。 最重要的是,保持正确的方向,永不放弃! (仁波切也表示,为了确保每位弟子的修行利益,即使你曾参加过上四灌顶,他仍保留在必要时提出额外提问、安排面谈,或拒绝特定报名的权利。 )

“前往Kalapa的方法”

前往Kalapa的方法

Dzokden Kalapa位于奥地利,地址是:Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center, Garanas 41, Bad Schwanberg, zip code 8541, Austria, Südweststeiermark. 最近的机场在Graz(译者按:Graz航班多为往来欧盟首都,建议直接飞往维也纳国际机场)。 以火车前往Dzokden Kalapa,请从Graz火车站出发,乘坐S6或S61从S-Bahn往Wies-Eibiswald方向,约一个多小时便可抵达 Bad Schwanberg 火车站(火车时间表及相关信息)。

Bad Schwanberg火车站前往闭关中心, 可选择由当地政府资助的廉租车,前往Buddhistisches Zentrum到达闭关中心门外。 若需更多信息,请前往该服务网页:Regio Mobil。 有关服务必须于出发前数小时预订,但我们建议外地访客提早数天预计。 有关服务的营运时间是平日的上午6时至晚上8时,而周末则于黄昏停止服务。 因着车程较长(至少20分钟),预订时间必须在停运前30分钟上车。 若预计服务在星期日或当地假日,请至少在行程的前一天下午5时前完成预约。

预约服务:+43 (0)50 16 17 18 车资:每程€6.00,无论多少乘客 Regio Taxi用的站号:41080 / Buddhistisches Zentrum

其他选择:如你未能使用Regio Mobil,你可以预订其他出租车服务,例如Wein Mobil taxi(车资约€37,50),其服务时间是早上10时至晚上11时; 而其采用的的站号是D927。 预约用的电话号码与上述相同。

驾车:从Graz-West motorway junction (A2/A9)驶进A2往Klagenfurt/Italy方向,在Lieboch驶出,继续于Federal Road 76 往Eibiswald方向前行。 30公里后,你将抵达Bad Schwanberg。 在Bad Schwanberg的主广场末,左转前往Garanas。 驶过桥后,转右往Garanas方向并跟着指示牌驶往Kalachakra Kalapa Center,这一段上山路程至闭关中心约8公里。

“报名费用”

报名费用

僧团发起人 – 1650 欧元

选择此选项,你的慷慨将有助于支持其他可能需要减免报名费用的修行者。 此选项包括完整的活动课程、共享房间的铺位以及活动期间的每日三餐。 若你需要提早到达或延长停留,请发送电子邮件至 [email protected],我们将协助你安排额外天数并说明相关条件。

一般报名 – 1150 欧元

此选项包括完整的活动课程、共享房间的铺位以及活动期间的每日三餐。 若你需要提早到达或延长停留,请发送电子邮件至 [email protected],我们将协助你安排额外天数并说明相关条件。

露营 – 950 欧元

此选项适合那些希望在闭关中心外搭帐篷露营住宿的人。 你需要自备帐篷和睡袋。 此选项包括完整的活动课程、设置您自己帐篷的地点以及活动期间的每日三餐。 若你需要提早到达或延长停留,请发送电子邮件至 [email protected],我们将协助你安排额外天数并说明相关条件。

晚上离营住宿 – 900 欧元

此选项适合那些希望在闭关中心外的地方住宿的人。 此选项包括完整的活动课程以及活动期间的的膳食。

申请奬学金减免费用报名 – 850 欧元

此为收入较低或面临财务困难者的优惠报名选项。 若你无法一次性支付全部报名费用,请联系我们,我们将提供分期付款计划,以确保你能够参加活动并分期付款。 此选项包括完整的活动课程、共享房间的铺位(或帐篷地点——请在注册时告知你的偏好!)以及活动期间的每日三餐。

1st Vajra Yoga of Kalachakra: Practice Retreat

1st Vajra Yoga of Kalachakra: Practice Retreat

in-person only
Register at Dzokden Kalapa

in-person only
This page is about the 1st VAJRA YOGA Practice Retreat Week(s).

WEEK 2: August 12th – 19th (7 nights)
WEEK 3: August 19th – August 26th (7 nights)
WEEK 4: August 26th – September 2nd (7 nights)

To register for the 1st VAJRA YOGA EMPOWERMENT, TEACHING, and RETREAT WEEK 1, you also need to additionally register here as well.

We are grateful to be able to offer a Practice Retreat on the 1st Vajra Yoga of Kalachakra at the Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center in the Austrian mountains. This retreat is a rare opportunity to practice similarly to how aspiring yogis practice during the traditional three-year Kalachakra retreat, in a uniquely beautiful natural Summer setting. This group retreat will support the participants in establishing their 1st Vajra Yoga practice. By having a solid foundation for their own individual practice after the retreat, practitioners will be better able to complete the 1st Vajra Yoga and prepare for the next Vajra Yoga. You are welcome to take part in any of the weeks of your choosing (choose the weeks below when registering).

This is the first time we have the precious chance to offer such a long retreat on the 1st Vajra Yoga in Europe, so do not miss this precious opportunity!

[Note for those who have already received the 1st Vajra Yoga in Tibet in 2019: Rinpoché encourages you to first attend the 1st Vajra Yoga Empowerment, Teaching, and Retreat Week 1 first, rather than directly attending the Practice Retreat in Weeks 2, 3, and 4. However, if you absolutely cannot and only want to attend the practice retreat, first send us an email to [email protected] explaining your reasons before proceeding with the registration. We will contact you to confirm whether or not this is possible for you. Decisions will be taken on a case-by-case basis.]

Online Meditation Guidance from Khentrul Rinpoche + In-person Retreat
Each participant can request a personal audience with Rinpoche (remotely via Zoom) to discuss their meditation progress and help alleviate any obstacles to their practice. Rinpoché may also join remotely to give a group teaching (upon participants’ request) if he feels that it is necessary. Rafa Lobsang Dorje will lead the practice retreat in-person with Rinpoche’s blessing. He received the 1st Vajra Yoga from Rinpoche in 2019 in Tibet and practiced it in group and solitary retreat settings.

REQUIREMENTS
All participants must have received the 1st Vajra Yoga of Kalachakra by Shar Khentrul Rinpoche. If you have not received them yet and have the aspiration to do so, there is the possibility (upon approval) of receiving them before this practice retreat. More infos and registration here

How to Prepare and Materials

How to prepare for this retreat: In addition to the longer sadhanas “Divine Ladder” and “Enlightening the Heart”, you will need to know the sadhana “Secret Dakini Treasure”. We encourage you to study all the sadhanas as much as you can, including the transliterations and chantings, because there will be some sessions of chanting in Tibetan without a recording during the retreat. 

During the retreat, Guru Puja and Kalachakra Tsok gatherings will also be held on special occasions. We strongly encourage you to additionally register for their two associated courses at our learning center to prepare yourself in advance so that you know the rituals very well beforehand. If you wish (not mandatory), bring your own vajra, bell, damaru, or other ritual instruments to use during the puja and tsok gatherings.

Materials: You can borrow printed texts of Guru Puja and Tsok from the temple to use during the event. Please bring your printed practice book “The Profound Path of Vajra Yoga”. You can also bring Rinpoche’s commentary “The Hidden Treasure,” “Unveiling Your Sacred Truth 3,” and the 1st Vajra Yoga Booklet as a reference for your practice (everything on paper, as tablets, phones, or computers are not allowed after the strict retreat begins.) Other reading materials not directly related to the 1st Vajra Yoga are not allowed during the retreat period. Bring your blindfold and your meditation belt.

Retreat Information and Guidelines

The retreat will be closed and in silence. Participants are not allowed to receive visitors or use computers, tablet devices, mobile phones, and so forth. We can store personal phones and other electronic devices in our office. If someone needs to contact you in case of emergency, they can email [email protected] or call +43 676 395 8898. Both e-mailbox and phone will be checked at least once each day. Rinpoche advises participants to follow the retreat guidelines respectfully, not only for the success of their own practice, but also to avoid disturbing others. 

The daily schedule consists of four practice sessions and additional activities such as occasional pujas, watching Rinpoché’s recorded teachings, personal audiences and so forth. Participants are welcome to address their questions related to the practice in written form to the retreat leader. They can request personal audiences with Rinpoché (remotely via Zoom) as well. Participation in two daily group sessions is mandatory unless health conditions completely prevent you from taking part. The remaining two sessions can be practiced in your own room if you prefer. Practice sessions will be conducted in English and Tibetan. If you absolutely prefer, you can bring copies of the texts in your own language as well and read them silently while the group recites in English. 

Check-in and Check out between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. (If you absolutely need to leave earlier, that is possible. Just inform us in advance of your plans.)

Registration

More Info and Registration at Dzokden Kalapa in Austria

The fee for the retreat includes three vegetarian meals and shared accommodations at the beautiful Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center. Please inform us ([email protected]) in advance if you have allergies, food intolerances, or other important health or mental conditions that we need to consider. We cannot promise space for individual rooms for participants of this event. However, you can alternatively bring your own tent and sleep outside near the Kalachakra Stupa (see registration options below). Please note: Parking in the area of Kalapa is very limited. If you are staying withus for the whole retreat, we encourage you to drop off then find a space to park at a distance (in the city, if possible) to help other travellers reach the site.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities This is a strict retreat, and participants should avoid engaging in too much physical activity and interacting with others unnecessarily. We need at least one volunteer to cook breakfast, lunch, and a light dinner for the participants. The volunteer cook will be able to enjoy all the areas in the retreat center except for the Kalachakra Temple itself where the participants will practice. Unlike the participants, volunteers can access electronic devices, the internet, and so forth. This is an extraordinary opportunity to generate merit and create the causes to be able to engage in this practice yourself in the future. Rinpoche strongly encourages us to support our dharma brothers and sisters by volunteering. If you already received the 1st Vajra Yoga Teachings and wish to volunteer as a cook, you can attend the practice retreat for free if you so wish. Otherwise, during your stay, we can provide free access to an online course or recorded retreat at our digital learning center if you would like to support your practice and study while you are volunteering; additionally, you can also choose a dharma book of your choice in our Kalapa Shop that Kalapa will give you as a gift.

If you are considering this opportunity, please write as soon as possible to [email protected], so that we can arrange a video call to plan your participation. You can also volunteer for only a portion of the event rather than for the whole retreat; you can offer as much as possible according to your capability. 

 

1st Vajra Yoga of Kalachakra: Empowerment, Teachings & Retreat with Khentrul Rinpoché

1st Vajra Yoga of Kalachakra: Empowerment, Teachings & Retreat with Khentrul Rinpoché

Register for this event at the Kalapa website by clicking here.

In-person only
August 2nd – 12th (10 nights)

This page is for the 1st Vajra Yoga of Kalachakra: Empowerment, Teachings & Retreat (week 1 only). If you would like to participate in the following retreat weeks 2, 3, and 4, you need to register here as well.

After repeated requests from individuals and groups over the last years, Rinpoché has finally accepted the request to teach the 6 Vajra Yogas of Kalachakra for the first time in Europe. This will be a milestone in the history of Kalachakra practice in the West. Rinpoché will come once a year to teach each Vajra Yoga over the next years. Moreover, Rinpoché has made an effort to clarify the conditions for participation in a way that gets back to the essence and allows practitioners with family and work commitments to fulfill the requirements. This is a precious and incredibly rare opportunity and we are delighted to be able to offer it at Kalapa.

For this year 2024 Rinpoché will bestow the 1st Vajra Yoga. To ensure the success of students on their paths, Rinpoche will only bestow it to pre-approved students who genuinely wish to deepen their practice. To bring more clarity to the preparation process, we have prepared an additional explanation. Regardless of whether you are a new or veteran practitioner, Rinpoché requests that everyone takes the time to read it. Download here: 2024 – Conditions for Higher Empowerments for the Wensum and 1st Vajra Yoga.

For new participants, after reading these conditions, and if you have already received the 4 Higher Empowerments of Kalachakra with Rinpoché, we welcome you to present yourself as a candidate by sending your application here. Only upon approval will you be able to proceed with registration. Veteran practitioners who have already taken part in the 1st Vajra Yoga Retreat in Tibet in 2019 can confirm their commitments in the form below when registering.

About the Event and Schedule

Upon completion of the two outer, the five inner, and the two unique preliminary practices of the Kalachakra Path, we are ready to enter the indestructible and profound path of the Six Vajra Yogas. These advanced yogic techniques are like a wish-fulfilling jewel with the capacity to grant us everything our hearts desire in the blink of an eye. For a diligent practitioner whose mind is sufficiently pure, enlightenment can be achieved within only a few short human years. Even mastery of a single vajra yoga is enough to ensure one is never again reborn into the suffering cycle of death and rebirth.” (Khentrul Rinpoche, “Unveiling Your Sacred Truth 3”)

The event encompasses 1) two days of preparations with Preliminary Practices, Pujas, Kalachakra-Tsok, and a walk in the nature with Rinpoche, 2) The Four Higher Empowerments of Kalachakra (Rinpoché will bestow them again for the sake of your spiritual progress), 3) Teaching-Transmission of the 1st Vajra Yoga Practice, 4) a printed booklet about the 1st Vajra Yoga in English, 5) If needed, a personal audiences with Rinpoche (upon request), 6) one week of Retreat with practice sessions guided by senior students, as well as 7) food and accommodations at the Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center. 

SCHEDULE (10 nights)

2nd August afternoon – arrivals and welcome meeting with introductions (check-in 2 PM – 4 PM

3rd August Kalachakra Preliminary Practices, Guru Puja Ritual and Kalachakra-Tsok, Walk in the nature around Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center with Rinpoche

4th August  – new moon – Puja and Four Higher Empowerments for the 1st Yoga participants 

5th – 12th August – Teaching-Transmission of the 1st Vajra Yoga, 1st Vajra Yoga Retreat (week 1); personal audiences with Rinpoche

12th August – concluding Tsok and check-out after lunch (if you wish, you can stay longer for weeks 2, 3 and 4 by registering here)

How to Prepare and Materials

How to prepare for this retreat: We strongly encourage you to prepare yourself as much as you can with all the 9 Kalachakra Preliminary Practices. In addition to the longer sadhanas “Divine Ladder” and “Enlightening the Heart”, you will need to know the sadhana “Secret Dakini Treasure”. We encourage you to study all the sadhanas as much as you can, including the transliterations and chantings, because there will be some sessions of chanting in Tibetan without a recording during the retreat. We strongly recommend that you also register here for the Summer Wensum retreat so that you can be better prepared for the 1st Yoga Retreat.

During the retreat, Guru Puja and Kalachakra Tsok gatherings will also be held on special occasions. We strongly encourage you to additionally register for their two associated courses at our learning center to prepare yourself in advance so that you know the rituals very well beforehand. If you wish (not mandatory), bring your own vajra, bell, damaru, or other ritual instruments to use during the puja and tsok gatherings.

Materials: You can borrow printed texts of Guru Puja and Tsok from the temple to use during the event. Please bring your printed practice book “The Profound Path of Vajra Yoga” and your “Four Higher Empowerments” Booklet. You can also bring Rinpoche’s commentary “The Hidden Treasure” and “Unveiling Your Sacred Truth 3” as a reference for your practice (everything on paper, as tablets, phones, or computers are not allowed after the strict retreat begins.) Other reading materials not directly related to the 1st Vajra Yoga are not allowed during the retreat period. You need to bring your blindfold and your meditation belt. If you have already participated before, bring also your 1st Vajra Yoga Booklet. 

Retreat Information and Guidelines

After the Empowerments on August 4th, the strict retreat will begin. The retreat will be closed and in silence. During this period, participants are not allowed to receive visitors or use computers, tablet devices, mobile phones, and so forth. We can store personal phones and other electronic devices in our office. If someone needs to contact you in case of emergency, they can email [email protected] or call +43 676 395 8898. Both e-mailbox and phone will be checked at least once each day. Rinpoche advises participants to follow the retreat guidelines respectfully, not only for the success of their own practice, but also to avoid disturbing others. 

The daily schedule consists of four practice sessions and additional activities such as occasional pujas, teachings, interviews, and so forth. Participation in two daily group sessions is mandatory unless health conditions completely prevent you from taking part. The remaining two sessions can be practiced in your own room if you prefer. Practice sessions will be conducted in English and Tibetan. If you absolutely prefer, you can bring copies of the texts in your own language as well and read them silently while the group recites in English. 

Registration

The fee for the retreat includes three vegetarian meals and shared accommodations at the beautiful Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center. Please inform us ([email protected]) in advance if you have allergies, food intolerances, or other important health or mental conditions that we need to consider. We cannot offer space for individual rooms for participants of this event. However, you can alternatively bring your own tent and sleep outside near the Kalachakra Stupa (see registration options below). Please note: Parking in the area of Kalapa is very limited. If you are staying with us for the whole retreat, we encourage you to drop off then find a space to park at a distance (in the city, if possible) to help other travellers reach the site.

Off-Site Accommodations If you absolutely need an individual room, many options for accommodations are available near the retreat center’s area, in the Garanas region, and in the town Bad Schwanberg. In this case, please search for and book the necessary reservations yourself. 

More Info and Registration for this event at the Kalapa website by clicking here.

Volunteer Opportunities

This is a strict retreat, and participants should avoid engaging in too much physical activity and interacting with others unnecessarily. We need one volunteer to cook breakfast, lunch, and a light dinner for the participants, and a cook helper. The volunteers will be able to enjoy all the areas in the retreat center except for the Kalachakra Temple itself where the participants will practice. Unlike the participants, the external volunteers can access electronic devices, the internet, and so forth. This is an extraordinary opportunity to generate merit and create the causes to be able to engage in this practice yourself in the future. Rinpoche strongly encourages us to support our dharma brothers and sisters by volunteering. 

If you are considering this opportunity, please write as soon as possible to [email protected], so that we can arrange a video call to plan your participation. You can also volunteer for only a portion of the event rather than for the whole retreat; you can offer as much as possible according to your capability. That being said, we prefer the participation of someone who can commit to the whole period. During your stay, we can provide free access to an online course or recorded retreat at our digital learning center if you would like to support your practice and study while you are volunteering. You can also choose a dharma book of your choice in our Kalapa Shop that Kalapa will give you as a gift.

How to get to Kalapa?

Kalachakra Kalapa Center, Garanas 41, Bad Schwanberg, zip code 8541, Austria, Südweststeiermark. The nearest airport is in Graz, Austria. To travel to Kalapa by train, start at the main train station in Graz. From there, take the S6 or S61 S-Bahn towards Wies-Eibiswald for about an hour to the Bad Schwanberg station. (Timetable information)

To travel from the Bad Schwanberg train station to the retreat center, a relatively inexpensive taxi service supported by the government is available that will take you directly to the Retreat Center, which is referred to as “Buddhistisches Zentrum” by this taxi service. For more information, please visit the following website: Regio Mobil. The taxi must be ordered at least one hour in advance, but visitors are recommended to do so much earlier or on the day before you intend to arrive. On weekdays, this taxi service operates between the hours of 6.00 a.m. and 8.00 p.m. On weekends it does not operate during the evening. As the journey is quite long (about 20 minutes), the service should be scheduled at least half an hour before the closing hours provided above. For trips on Sundays or public holidays please schedule the taxi service by 5 p.m. on the day before you intend to arrive.

To order: +43 (0)50 16 17 18 Cost: €6.00 total regardless of how many people are taking the taxi. Alternatively you can book a normal taxi service or similar.

By car: From the Graz-West motorway junction (A2/A9), get on the A2 towards Klagenfurt/Italy and take the Lieboch exit. Then, continue on Federal Road 76 towards Eibiswald. After about 30 km, you will reach Schwanberg. At the end of the main square in Schwanberg, turn left towards Garanas. After the bridge, turn right towards Garanas and follow the signs to “Kalachakra Kalapa Center” uphill for about 8 km to reach the center.

4 Higher Empowerments of Kalachakra & Dark Retreat with Khentrul Rinpoché

4 Higher Empowerments of Kalachakra & Dark Retreat with Khentrul Rinpoché

In-person only
July 12th – 21st (9 nights)

Register for this event at the Kalapa website by clicking here.

Rinpoché has kindly accepted a request to bestow the Four Higher Empowerments of Kalachakra in Europe. This precious and rare opportunity is a major step on the Dharma path. To ensure the success of students on their paths, Rinpoche will only bestow these empowerments to pre-approved students who genuinely wish to deepen their practice. To bring more clarity to the preparation process, we have prepared an additional explanation. Regardless of whether you are a new or veteran practitioner, Rinpoché requests that everyone takes the time to read it. Download here: 2024 – Conditions for Participation in the Higher Empowerments for Wensum and 1st Vajra Yoga.

For new participants, by clicking on this link you can find more material to understand where you are currently on your path. After reading and reflecting on this material, we welcome you to present yourself as a candidate by sending your application here. Only upon approval will you be able to proceed with registration.

(Note: The Kalachakra Four Higher Empowerments are not the same as the Kalachakra “Seven Empowerments of a Growing Child” given by Rinpoché online. For further clarification regarding it and Guru Devotion, please read the respective chapters of Unveiling Your Sacred Truth Book 3.)

About the Event and Schedule

“Up to this point, our use of conceptual methods has been instrumental in removing our many layers of misconception, but as they are embedded in the dualistic mind, these methods function as a subtle barrier to experiencing our definitive nature. For this reason, we need to abandon them in favour of a direct approach that works without conceptual fabrications. We can achieve this transformation from conceptual to non-conceptual in two steps. Firstly we are introduced to the Kalachakra view by receiving the Four Higher Empowerments. Secondly, with the establishment of this view, we use the unique meditation technique of the Three Isolations (Wensum) to cut the proliferation of thoughts and abide in the nature of the mind.” (Khentrul Rinpoche, Unveiling Your Sacred Truth 3)

The event encompasses 1) a day of preparations with Preliminary Practices, Guru Puja, Kalachakra-Tsok, and a walk in the nature with Rinpoche, 2) The Kalachakra Four Higher Empowerments, 3) Teaching-Transmission of the Wensum (Three Isolations) Practice, 4) a printed booklet about the Empowerments and Practice, 5) “Secret Dakini Treasure” Sadhana oral transmission 6) If needed, a personal audience with Rinpoche (upon request), 7) Kalachakra Dark Meditation Retreat (Three Isolations / Wensum) with practice sessions guided by senior students, as well as 8) food and accommodations at the Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center. 

We aspire to offer new English materials written by the lineage masters about the practice in case the translation process is finalized before the event.

SCHEDULE

12th July afternoon – arrivals and welcome meeting with introductions (check-in 2 PM – 4 PM) 13h July Kalachakra Preliminary Practices, Guru Puja Ritual and Kalachakra-Tsok, Walk in the nature around Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center with Rinpoche 14th JulyFour Higher Empowerments and teaching-transmission of the Three Isolations (Wensum) practice. 14th – 21st July – Kalachakra Dark Meditation Retreat; personal audiences with Rinpoche 21st July full moon – concluding Tsok, and check-out after lunch 

How to Prepare and Materials

How to prepare for this retreat: We strongly encourage you to prepare yourself as much as you can with the Kalachakra Preliminary Practices. In addition to the longer sadhanas “Divine Ladder” and “Enlightening the Heart”, you will need to know the sadhana “Secret Dakini Treasure”. For the latter, you must register here for the recorded commentary Rinpoche gave recently if you have not already done so. We encourage you to study all the sadhanas as much as you can, including the transliterations and chantings, because there will be some sessions of chanting in Tibetan without a recording during the retreat.

During the retreat, Guru Puja and Kalachakra Tsok gatherings will also be held on special occasions. We strongly encourage you to additionally register for their two associated courses at our learning center to prepare yourself in advance so that you know the rituals very well beforehand. If you wish (not mandatory), bring your own vajra, bell, damaru, or other ritual instruments to use during the puja and tsok gatherings.

Materials: You can borrow printed texts of Guru Puja and Tsok from the temple to use during the event. Please bring your printed practice book “The Profound Path of Vajra Yoga”. You bring also Rinpoche’s commentary “The Hidden Treasure” and “Unveiling Your Sacred Truth 3” as a reference for your practice (everything on paper, as tablets, phones, or computers are not allowed after the strict retreat begins.) Other reading materials not directly related to the Wensum practice are not allowed during the retreat period. If you have already participated before, bring also your “Four Higher Empowerments Booklet”, your blinddfold, and your meditation belt. If you are new, you will receive these as a gift during the empowerment ceremony. 

Retreat Information and Guidelines

After the Four Higher Empowerments on July 14th, the strict retreat will begin. The retreat will be closed and in silence. During this period, participants are not allowed to receive visitors or use computers, tablet devices, mobile phones, and so forth. We can store personal phones and other electronic devices in our office. If someone needs to contact you in case of emergency, they can email [email protected] or call +43 676 395 8898. Both e-mailbox and phone will be checked at least once each day. Rinpoche advises participants to follow the retreat guidelines respectfully, not only for the success of their own practice, but also to avoid disturbing others. 

The daily schedule consists of four Wensum practice sessions and additional activities such as occasional pujas, interviews, and so forth. Participation in two daily group sessions is mandatory unless health conditions completely prevent you from taking part. The remaining two sessions can be practiced in your own room if you prefer. Practice sessions will be conducted in English and Tibetan. If you absolutely prefer, you can bring copies of the texts in your own language as well and read them silently while the group recites in English. 

In the Jonang Tradition, this practice is done using a special blindfold to generate complete darkness. If you are a new participant, you do not need to buy this in advance. We will buy it for you and you will receive it as a gift after Rinpoché has blessed it for you to practice. Also, if you are attending the Higher Empowerments for the first time, we will give you a meditation belt. If you arealdy have one, then we will ask Rinpoché to bless yours.

Registration

More Info and Registration for this event at the Kalapa website by clicking here.

The fee for the retreat includes three vegetarian meals and shared accommodations at the beautiful Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center. Please inform us ([email protected]) in advance if you have allergies, food intolerances, or other important health or mental conditions that we need to consider. We cannot offer space for individual rooms for participants of this event. However, you can alternatively bring your own tent and sleep outside near the Kalachakra Stupa (see registration options below). Please note: Parking in the area of Kalapa is very limited. If you are staying with us for the whole retreat, we encourage you to drop off then find a space to park at a distance (in the city, if possible) to help other travellers reach the site.

Off-Site Accommodations If you absolutely need an individual room, many options for accommodations are available near the retreat center’s area, in the Garanas region, and in the town Bad Schwanberg. 

Volunteer Opportunities

This is a strict retreat, and participants should avoid engaging in too much physical activity and interacting with others unnecessarily. We need one volunteer to cook breakfast, lunch, and a light dinner for the participants, and a cook helper. The volunteers will be able to enjoy all the areas in the retreat center except for the Kalachakra Temple itself where the participants will practice. Unlike the participants, the external volunteers can access electronic devices, the internet, and so forth. This is an extraordinary opportunity to generate merit and create the causes to be able to engage in this practice yourself in the future. Rinpoche strongly encourages us to support our dharma brothers and sisters by volunteering. If you have already taken the Higher Empowerments and want to volunteer full-time for the whole period, you can also participate in the event for free.  

If you are considering this opportunity, please write as soon as possible to [email protected], so that we can arrange a video call to plan your participation. You can also volunteer for only a portion of the event rather than for the whole retreat; you can offer as much as possible according to your capability. That being said, we prefer the participation of someone who can commit to the whole period. During your stay, we can provide free access to an online course or recorded retreat at our digital learning center if you would like to support your practice and study while you are volunteering. You can also choose a dharma book of your choice in our Kalapa Shop that Kalapa will give you as a gift.