In light of the coronavirus outbreak, to protect the well-being and safety of everyone, Palpung Thubten Chöling Monastery remains closed to the public. 

The resident sangha of PTC will be practicing 8 consecutive sets of Nyungne (the Fasting Ritual and Meditation of Thousand-Armed Chenrezig). This retreat will be held during the auspicious month of Sakadawa, the month commemorating the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha. It is said that, during this time, the merit accumulated through performing virtuous activity is multiplied 100,000 times.

The Nyungne practice is a profound kriya tantra meditation ritual based on loving-kindness and compassion in the form of Thousand-Armed Chenrezig.  The practice involves maintaining strict vows and meditating while reciting mantras and prayers, and performing prostrations and visualizations. Undertaken in sets of two days, the first day includes one vegetarian meal at noon, drinking water throughout the day as needed. The second day is a complete fast performed in noble silence. The Nyungne is renowned as a superior means to purify negative karma and accumulate great merit.

Chenrezig himself declared that completing even one Nyungne prevents rebirth in the lower realms, and the practice of eight consecutive Nyungne leads to birth in Amitabha’s pure land of Dewachen.

The dates for each set are as follows: