What is Nyungnay Retreat anyway?
Resident Teacher, John Baker, on the Benefits of Nyungnay

Nyungnay is a special purification retreat that's practiced every year by Kadampa centers around the world. It's a special celebration of Buddha’s enlightenment. In this practice we emphasize compassion—the very heart of the Buddhist path—by making prostrations to 1000 armed Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of compassion. The retreat is especially helpful for letting go of day-to-day problems and cultivating our good qualities.

Everyone wants to be happy, but the negative thoughts and feelings in our minds destroy our happiness. Retreats can help us release strong delusions of desirous attachment and hatred. During Nyungnay, we also receive powerful inspiring energy from Buddha Avalokiteshvara. Compassion is a great purifier that allows us to swiftly overcome negativity. Essentially, our mind will be transformed, which is important, because we need to know what that feels like.

For me personally, Nyungnay means taking time to slow down and step away from the busyness of life. Fasting, one aspect of this retreat, helps me to think about those who don’t have enough to eat and how I can train my mind when my body is uncomfortable—a good practice for aging and getting sick.

Whether we are a beginner or an experienced meditator, Nyungnay is a great way to connect with sangha, with our fellow meditators. There will always be a first Nyungnay. And each one builds on the previous, establishing a firm foundation for our compassion and our meditation practice.

Increasing Our Compassion

Nyungnay Fasting & Purification Retreat

Saturday, April 8th 

With Resident Teacher, John Baker

Nyungnay is a special retreat which is done in conjunction with the Buddha of Compassion spiritual practice. Through fasting and physical prostration we can understand the sufferings of others and increase our compassion for them, as well as purify our own negative karma. On the day of this retreat we abstain from all meals except for a vegetarian lunch and drink only water. Do you have questions about this practice? Email us.

To learn more and register, visit our Special Events page. Everyone welcome.

Long Life, Merit, and Wisdom

2023 Mid-Atlantic Dharma Celebration

April 14th - 16th 

At Kadampa Meditation Center Maryland, Baltimore

The Mid-Atlantic Dharma Celebration is a very special annual event that connects practitioners around the Mid-Atlantic region. This incredible weekend of practical teachings, powerful meditations, and energizing empowerment is an event not to be missed. If you are new to Buddhism, the Celebration weekend provides a perfect opportunity to gain a deeper understanding and experience of Buddha’s teachings.

For registration, volunteer opportunities and to learn more visit the 2023 Mid-Atlantic Dharma Celebration page. Everyone welcome.

Steering Your Life in a Meaningful Direction

Introduction to Tantra

Saturday, May 6th 

With Special Guest Teacher, Gen Kelsang Demo

Buddha’s Tantric teachings and meditations are all about taking charge of our own identity and steering it in a meaningful direction. By imagining ourselves as more loving, more compassionate and more wise we can break free of our own mundane appearances and ideas, and awaken our vast potential for happiness. Through special Tantric meditation methods, we can develop both our wisdom and our compassion until they produce a bliss so powerful that it completely purifies our mind and we quickly attain enlightenment. In this day course you will learn what Tantra is, why we need it and how to practice it for yourself. Everyone Welcome, no experience necessary.

To learn more and register, visit our Special Events page. Everyone welcome.

This Week's Schedule: April 5th - April 11th

Lunchtime Meditation

M-W-F - 12:15 - 12:45pm - $5, Included in membership

with Meditation Teacher, Eve Miller

Register.

Wednesday Guided Meditation

7 - 7:45pm - $5, Included in membership

with Meditation Teacher, Fred Graumuller

Register.

Wednesday Meditation - Collingswood, NJ

7 - 8pm - $15, Included in membership

with Resident Teacher, John Baker

This Wednesday 4/5: Creating a Meditation Habit

Register.

Foundation Program in Philadelphia

Thursdays - 7 - 8:30pm - Learn more about this program

with Meditation Teacher, Julie Francisco

Inquire about a free trial class

Email us.

Sunday Morning Meditation - Glenside, PA

11am - 12pm - $15, Included in membership

with Meditation Teacher, Julie Francisco

This Sunday 4/9: How to Meditate on Love

Register.

Tuesday Night Meditation - Wilmington, DE

6 - 7pm - $15, Included in membership

with Meditation Teacher, Eve Miller

This Tuesday 4/11: Developing a Patience Toolkit

Register.

What's new in the Bookstore?

We have lots of new items in the bookstore! For your home meditation space: small offering bowls to suit any style, small Buddha statues, framed Buddha images, and an array of stupas (representing Buddha's mind).

Check out our new kid's section! Buddhist coloring books, crayons, and fuzzy animal friends.

We also carry prayer beads (malas), body and bath products, cushions, acrylic jewels, notebooks and more. Great for gift shopping!

The greatest gift of all is Dharma, so feel free to browse the full array of books and commentaries by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. We also carry many sadhanas (prayer booklets) for personal practice.