Who Can Do the Practice

Nyung Ne is a profound practice to develop compassion based on offerings, prostrations, and praises to Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara), the buddha of compassion. It is said that engaging in a Nyung Ne retreat is equivalent to doing three months of other kinds of retreats. The Nyung Ne is a action (kriya) tantra practice and is best done on the basis of having received the complete initiation of Thousand-Arm Chenrezig. However, it can also be done by anyone with faith in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

Doing a Nyung Nä

A single Nyung Ne takes two days and an additional morning session to complete, and requires taking the eight Mahayana precepts for the two days. The second day is a day of complete fasting (no eating and no drinking) and silence. The retreat ends with a final session on the third morning.

Three sessions based on the Nyung Ne sadhana of Thousand-Arm Chenrezig are done on the two days, each session being 2-3 hours in length.

Doing Three Nyung Näs

To fulfill this requirement, in addition to participating in three Nyung Ne retreats, you also need to learn how to set up the altar, how to do the ritual practices, and how to lead others in Nyung Ne retreats. The first time you can simply experience the retreat. The second time you can pay closer attention to how the altar is set-up and how the various rituals are done. The third time you can volunteer to help set-up the altar and ideally lead a session or two to gain confidence in your ability to do so.

Doing Nyung Nä in a Group

Nyung Ne retreats are offered by many FPMT centers. These retreats are often scheduled around the full moon of Saka Dawa, one of the holiest Buddhist days of the year, which falls in May or June. Many centers offer a number of Nyung Nes in a row (eight is traditional), giving students the opportunity to experience the practice on deeper and deeper levels. Centers that regularly offer Nyung Nes include Kopan Nunnery, Kathmandu, Nepal; Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, India; and Root Institute, Bodhgaya, India. Each year, from November through June, Vajra Yogini Institute in Lavaur, France, offers people the possibility to do as many as 108 Nyung Nes.

Doing Nyung Nä on Your Own

If it is not possible to go to an FPMT center to participate in their Nyung Ne retreats, you can receive personal advice on how to do the practice from FPMT Education Services or an experienced FPMT teacher. In this case, you need to do at least three Nyung Nes on your own to assure sufficient familiarity with the practice. However, these three Nyung Nes do not need to be done consecutively.

Support Materials

Support materials for this practice available from the Foundation Store include:

• Nyung Nä: The Means of Achievement of the Eleven- Face Great Compassionate One—a practice text including instructions for how to do the retreat, set up the altar, do the necessary mudras, and so forth
• Abiding in the Retreat: A Nyung Nä Commentary, by Lama Zopa Rinpoche (LYWA)

In Conclusion

The special integration experience requirements of Discovering Buddhism were advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, FPMT Spiritual Director, for those wishing to get the highest benefit from this program. While the practices may at first seem daunting, the benefits of engaging in them are immeasurable. They are the foundational practices that clear away negative karmas collected from beginningless lifetimes, preparing you for not only a peaceful death and a good future rebirth, but also for the ultimate happinesses of liberation and enlightenment.

If you have further questions or concerns regarding this module or any other aspect of the Discovering Buddhism program, please contact:

Foundational Program Coordinator
FPMT Education Services
fpc@fpmt.org