Nyung-ne at the Kopan Nunnery

The Tibetan Buddhist practice of Nyung-ne (nyoong-nay) has been gaining increased attention in Buddhist centers across the world; participants say the practice purifies them both physically and spiritually.

Nyung-ne is a profound two-and-a-half-day practice, whose length of time is especially helpful for people whose schedules cannot accommodate a long-term retreat. It involves the keeping of strict vows; the second day is devoted to complete silence and fasting.

The meditation centers on the recitations of prayers and mantras, and guided visualizations of the Thousand-Armed Chenrezig, the embodiment of all the Buddhas' loving-kindness and compassion. Translated as 'abiding in the fast', Nyung-ne is said to be effective in the healing of illness, the nurturing of compassion, and the purification of negative karma. Doing even one Nyung-ne or 'abiding in retreat' for just two days is said to be as effective as three months of other purification practices. Lama Yeshe said it was an ideal practice for Westerners, and it is indeed very popular in the West, because of its instant results!

During the month of Saka Dawa (approx May-June) - Buddha's birth and enlightenment, a series of 8 Nyung-nes is performed at the Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery. On the first day of each session one meal is taken, on the second day no food or drink is consumed and the day is spent in complete silence. The retreat ends the next morning. The eight 2-day sessions are completed in the morning after Saka Dawa, the day of Shakyamuni Buddha's Enlightenment.

You can participate in as many of the eight 2-day sessions as you wish.

The first session starts at 3 am on the first day with the eight Mahayana precepts. Arrival day is on the day before the start of the retreat.

Nyung ne at the Kopan Nunnery

Book Directly with the Nunnery for this retreat

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