Light of the Path Retreat 2023
The Light of the Path Retreat for 2023 has been moved to Kopan Monastery outside Kathmandu, Nepal
because of visa obstacles for Rinpoche's attendants.
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Whatever you can do to help is so important because of the value of others, how precious they are. So even a small help to others is so important for you, so precious. You understand? This is from where all the buddhas come, from whom we take refuge to be free from samsara and lower nirvana. We should wake up with this, go to bed with this awareness, we should live with this awareness, mindfulness, to not harm and offer happiness. Then worthwhile to come to this course, it is worthwhile to attend this course, if you are able to live your life in awareness of this after this course, then so worthwhile to attend this course, besides understanding emptiness that is the most important. ~ Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Light of the Path 2017 |
Información en espanol
What is the Light of the Path (LOP) retreat?
The Light of the Path retreat retruns in 2023! This year, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaches for two weeks, August 20 - September 3, in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Once again, the retreat will take place at Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA, and will be hosted by Kadampa Center (an FPMT affiliate located in Raleigh, NC). The root text for the course is Lama Atisha's Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment. Anyone is welcome to attend this year's retreat, even if you have not attended in previous years.
For both new participants and those who have attended previous Light of the Path retreats, Lama Zopa Rinpoche has repeatedly emphasized the need to review what he has previously taught so that at the upcoming Light of the Path retreat he can move forward through Atisha’s text. FPMT has developed Rinpoche's teachings from ealier LOP retreats into an online program, Living in the Path which was specifically created by the FPMT International Office to make Rinpoche's extensive teachings available in “bite-sized chunks” for easier study and practice. To prepare for LOP 2023, participants can access the modules of the program here. Alternatively, participants can prepare by watching the videos of the previous LOP teachings, listening to the MP3 recordings, or reading the unedited transcripts.
What is it like to attend the Light of the Path retreat?
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Get a flavor of the retreat through this wonderful multimedia presentation that provides a delightful taste of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche's wisdom, and the sights and sounds of the retreat. Our immense thanks to Venerable Sarah Thresher and Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive! Click on the following link to access the presentation: |
Inspiration to attend the Light of the Path retreat 2023
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In the 11th century, Lama Atisha (Shri Dipamkara) was invited from India to Tibet for the purpose of transmitting the complete teachings of Lord Buddha to the Tibetan people, and presenting them in a way that was clear, precise, and easy to practice. To that purpose, Lama Atisha wrote and taught the Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment (jangchhub lam gyi drönma), which had a profound impact for the Tibetans. It not only became the source for the Gelug lam-rim tradition, presenting a step-by-step set of instructions how to practice the path to enlightenment, but is also a source of teachings in all the Tibetan Buddhist lineages. Lama Atisha’s text provides a foundation for understanding and realizing Lord Buddha's teachings that continues to flourish in modern Buddhist practice internationally. Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche is giving a modern day commentary on this profound and ancient text. FPMT considers this event to be the ultimate teaching and practice lineage transmission available for FPMT teachers and students and strongly encourages everyone to attend in person. We will also make full use of the spectrum of information technology to make this program available to a worldwide audience. Living in the Path is an online teaching program created from Rinpoche’s teachings during the Light of the Path Retreats and has continued to evolve throughout this series of retreats. Lama Zopa Rinpoche is a unique teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. He is well-known for rarely teaching in a linear fashion according to a text, but rather according to what is most karmically beneficial for his audience. For more than 45 years, Rinpoche has been gathering examples of the truth of Dharma and perfecting his ability to discern what practices and teachings are best suited for his students. It is our belief that Rinpoche's offer to give a commentary on Atisha's Light for the Path, which had a tremendous impact on how Buddhism was subsequently understood and practiced in Tibet, is an indication of how transformative this teaching event will be for the way Buddhism is practiced and understood in our time. |
Who is Kadampa Center?
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Kadampa Center is delighted, once again, to be hosting the Light of the Path retreat in 2023! As an urban Tibetan Buddhist center in Raleigh, NC, USA, Kadampa Center is an affiliate of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). We offer FPMT education programs such as Discovering Buddhism, as well as other foundational programs and introductory courses, a regular schedule of pujas and meditations, Sunday morning teachings, social events, and other practice days such as 21 Tara, circumambulation, animal blessings and liberations, and a New Year’s Eve Dorje Khadro fire puja. Kadampa Center was founded in 1992 as an expansion of a study group formed some years earlier by Don Brown. The center has been directed by either Don Brown or Robbie Watkins, our current Center Director, since its inception. We are incredibly fortunate to have Geshe Gelek Chodha as our resident teacher for over 20 years and Geshe Palden Sangpo as our second resident geshe. Kadampa Center has had the good fortune to host visits by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Chöden Rinpoche, Sera Jey Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Delek, Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Donyo, Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche, Geshe Yeshe Tobden, Geshe Kelsang Wangmo, Venerable George Churinoff, Venerable René Feusi, Venerable Robina Courtin, Venerable Sangye Khadro, Venerable Tsen-la, Gareth Sparham and many other Western and Tibetan teachers. |
More about attending the retreat
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How does a residential retreat differ from attending teachings at a center? Unlike teachings at a center, a retreat provides the participants with an atmosphere conducive to practice 24 hours a day. Basic retreat discipline includes observing the five lay vows, attending all sessions, keeping silence for at least the first half of the day, and avoid idle speech or gossip for the rest of the day. Use of cell phones and internet service is strongly discouraged to reduce distraction and prevent disruption to the contemplative environment. Everyone is encouraged to participate as fully as possible but no one is expected to do more than they are able. Observing the five lay vows in the context of a retreat means no killing of any being (including insects); no sexual conduct of any kind; no lying; no stealing or taking that which has not been given; and no intoxicants, including drugs, alcohol or cigarettes. During the two-week retreat, Rinpoche's commentary will be supplemented by practice and review sessions, discussion, and guided meditations led by senior FPMT teachers with additional practices to accumulate positive energy and purify obstacles so that realizations may dawn quickly in the mind. Retreatants have the opportunity to engage in group practice of Lama Chöpa Jorcho (Guru Puja), confession and prostrations to the 35 Buddhas and take the Eight Mahayana Precepts in the latter part of the retreat. All retreatants will be expected to participate in karma yoga work sessions for the duration of the retreat. In this way, the Light of the Path retreat will include all aspects of FPMT integrated education: study, practice, service, and ethical behavior. |
Where will the Light of the Path 2023 retreat be held?
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Light of the Path retreat will be held at Blue Ridge Assembly, a retreat and conference center located in Black Mountain, the western part of North Carolina near Asheville. The retreat is not being held at Kadampa Center, which is in Raleigh, North Carolina, located about a 4-hour drive east of Black Mountain. When can I arrive at the retreat? Accommodation is available beginning Friday, August 18, 2023. This is before the retreat officially opens on Sunday, August 20, and allows those who are traveling a great distance to rest and begin karma yoga by helping the Kadampa Center community prepare the gompa. There will be a small additional fee for the Friday and/or Saturday night stays before the retreat begins. Blue Ridge Assembly will contact anyone who registers for early arrival to arrange for meals at an additional cost. Be aware that the venue is located some distance from town, too far to walk to grocery stores or restaurants. |
How do I get to Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA?
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PLEASE NOTE: Kadampa Center cannot provide transportation. This includes to/from our center in Raleigh to/from Blue Ridge Assembly before or after the retreat; to/from the Asheville airport; and to/from stores and restaurants in town. Shuttle services from the airport are available and can be booked in advance (see below). Retreat participants traveling by air are encouraged to book your flights into and out of the airport in Asheville, NC (AVL), where you can book a shuttle to/from the retreat site. |
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Arriving by Car Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain is just off Interstate 40 in Western North Carolina. Driving directions to Blue Ridge Assembly Arriving by Air We strongly encourage retreat participants to book flights to the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL). The Asheville airport is a 40-minute shuttle ride to the Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, and is the recommended arrival point. The airport can be reached via connections from anywhere in the country. Asheville Airport Transportation Services There are two shuttle services from Asheville Regional Airport to Blue Ridge Assembly:
Contact your shuttle service as soon as you have your ticket so they can begin building a schedule of shared rides, which may reduce your cost. You can check back with the shuttle service closer to the time of the retreat to see if they have been able to place you in a group. Other Means of Travel Ground travel from Charlotte Douglas International Airport is not recommended because it is a several hour drive from Charlotte to Black Mountain. Shuttle service is available, but is quite expensive. Bus service is available but requires several transfers. For more information, the bus lines are:
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How and when can I register?
TBA ~ please check back
What are the costs involved in holding the Light of the Path retreat?
The entire cost of the retreat is based on three elements: room and board, a facilities fee, and spiritual program costs.
1. Room and Board:
The registration fee paid directly to Blue Ridge Assembly covers the costs related to accommodation and meals for the participant.
Need-based financial support for room and board costs is available for FPMT sangha through the generosity of the International Mahayana Institude (IMI). For more information, contact Drolkar at office@imisangha.org.
There are no camping facilities at the retreat venue.
We are unable to offer work exchange options or discounts for those offering service in FPMT Centers.
2. Facilities Fee:
It is our tradition at Kadampa Center not to charge a fee for Dharma wherever possible so that the lack of money is not an obstacle for anyone to receive the teachings. We cannot entirely continue this practice for Light of the Path Retreat 2023. Because this retreat is longer, and therefore more costly for Kadampa Center to host, we have added a modest facilities fee of $11 US per day in addition to the amount Blue Ridge Assembly charges. This fee is already included in the amount you pay to register. We still continue to rely on generous benefactors to cover the spiritual program costs, which are budgeted to be more than $120,000 US.
3. Spiritual Program Costs:
Spiritual program costs include bringing Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and his entourage to North Carolina, housing them during the retreat, creating the gompa and the beautiful altar, providing puja supplies, helping support ordained Sangha to attend, and much more! Quite literally, these teachings are not possible without the substantial support of donors.
Kadampa Center relies on the generosity of all those who value these teachings, regardless of whether they are able to actually attend the retreat, to cover the program and teachings themselves.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all whose generosity has supported the Light of the Path Retreat. Your continued support has made this amazing retreat possible year after year!
What about meals?
Meals are included in the cost of accommodation. All meals are served buffet style in a private dining room reserved for Light of the Path retreatants only. All meals will be vegetarian with vegan and gluten-free options. Please indicate any food allergies or concerns on the registration form.
What prayer book or other materials will I need?
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All retreat participants must have an FPMT Retreat Prayer Book. The 2020 edition of the prayer book is only available digitally through The Foundation Store as a PDF document. For those who already have the prayer book, errata sheets (A5 or spread) can be used to update the text. If retreat participants wish to have a hard copy, they are welcome to acquire the digital version of the prayer book and print it for themselves. Complete retreat prayer books are only available in English and Vietnamese at this time. Other Texts
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Will there be precepts?
Yes. We may take precepts during the retreat. A light supper will be available for those unable to take precepts. Please indicate on the registration form if you plan to eat dinner on most nights. There will be juices available in the evening for students taking precepts.
How do I receive mail and packages during the retreat?
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Please address mail and packages to: Your Name Please be sure to include "Light of the Path Retreat" in the address. There can be as many as five or six events happening at the venue at any time, and this helps the hard-working folks at Blue Ridge Assembly track you down and get your packages to you in a timely manner. |
Is there internet access?
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Use of cell phones, internet and email during the retreat are strongly discouraged in order to fully participate and reflect on the teachings during free time. Using such devices can also be disruptive for other retreatants. For emergencies and unavoidable situations, wireless internet service is available in most locations on the site, but NOT in the guest rooms. |
How can I do my laundry?
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There are no laundry facilities on site. Please pack with this in mind. Laundry service may be available once or twice during the retreatwith pickup and delivery from a local company. The cost will be approximately $20 US per laundry load. |
What about seating in the Gompa?
Meditation cushions and chairs will be provided at the retreat. If you are a local participant, please consider bringing your own cushion.
Health Considerations
The retreat experience can be very intense and can bring emotional issues to the fore, including issues that have been stabilized for some time in ordinary circumstances.
Keeping this in mind, consider whether you feel stable and relaxed enough to participate in this course, knowing that we cannot provide counseling services.
It is extremely important to continue taking your routine medications during the retreat.
Blue Ridge Assembly General Policies
- Tobacco use is not permitted anywhere on Assembly property.
- Pets are not permitted.
- No candles, incense, alcohol, decorative lighting, helium balloons, glitter or confetti is permitted in any building.
- Mountain biking, inline skates, and skateboards are prohibited.
- Motorcycles are prohibited.
Blue Ridge Assembly’s Accessibility
Blue Ridge Assembly was built over 100 years ago on hilly mountain terrain, therefore the site is not fully accessible for persons with physical and/or mobility disabilities.
Washburn Hall (location of the gompa), the dining hall, and some of the lodging accommodations are accessible.
We will have golf carts (aka "The Bodhicitta Bus") available to assist a limited number of participants to and from the gompa on a scheduled basis.
If you have special needs or questions, please contact us Light of the Path Retreat.
