2008 Vajra Vidya Retreat, Crestone, Colorado
Friday, June 20 through Sunday, June 29

Retreat Schedule
As with previous Vajra Vidya retreats, this retreat will include teaching and practice sessions. In general, there will be two daily teaching sessions; discussion groups will be held in the afternoon. In the interest of enhancing practice and focus on the teachings, retreatants will maintain silence during the retreat except for discussion groups and functional talking during meals. A number of empowerments will take place during the retreat.

Rinpoche will be assisted in the retreat by Khenpo Jigme and Lama Wangdo, resident monks at the Crestone Vajra Vidya Retreat Center.

Retreat Text
Rinpoche’s teaching will follow mahamudra texts written by the Tangtong Gyalpo. Tangtong Gyalpo lived about 1361 to 1485 and left a strong teaching and practice legacy, particularly concerning the practice of deliberate action or behavior. He was a mahasiddha of the Shangpa Kagyu lineage. In conjunction with his dharma teaching, he constructed 58 iron bridges, established 118 ferries, 111 stupas, and a great number of temples and monasteries in Bhutan and India. Because of his construction works, he is sometimes referred to as the king of the empty plain or the iron bridge builder and depicted with an iron chain.

Retreatants may wish to read Cyrus Stearns’ comprehensive biography, King of the Empty Plain: the Tibetan Iron-Bridge Builder Tangtong Gyalpo Snow Lion Publications, 2007.

Location of Retreat
The retreat will be held at the White Eagle Center in Crestone, Colorado. The White Eagle has been reserved for the retreat and can provide accommodation for approximately 100 retreatants. The Vajra Vidya Retreat Center will be closed for the month of June and will house Rinpoche, his translator, attendants and other monastics.

Registration
Space is limited for this retreat. Rinpoche will be teaching only a few retreats in North America in 2008. The capacity of the teaching/shrine room at the White Eagle will limit the number of retreatants who may be accommodated at the 2008 Vajra Vidya retreat. We anticipate that we may need to close registration for the retreat when our maximum registration is reached. Please print out the registration form, enclose a check for $400, and mail to:

Bob Schroeder
2008 Vajra Vidya Retreat
1706 Willow Drive
Juneau, AK 99801

Your place at the retreat will be assured only after you have registered, paid retreat fees, and received a confirmation email or letter from us.

Lodging
The retreat will be held at the White Eagle Village Crestone Inn, Retreat and Conference Center. Lodging and meals will be provided by the White Eagle. The White Eagle can accommodate about 100 retreatants in its 44 rooms. You will need lodging for 9 days, June 20 through June 29. Room rates are as follows:

Single or double billed to one credit card $68.83 per night including tax
Shared double room billed to two credit cards $36.72 per night per person including tax
Hostel rooms (limited availability) $26.20 per night per person including tax

Other lodging is available in the Crestone area at bed and breakfasts and short term rentals. A listing of available housing will be provided in a subsequent email as well as being posted on our web site at a later date. There are public camp sites in Crestone that may be used by retreatants; however these may be some distance from the retreat site.

Meals
White Eagle will provide an inclusive meal plan covering 3 meals per day beginning with Friday, June 20 dinner and ending with a brown bag make-your-own lunch on Sunday, June 29. A lunch only option will also be provided. The meals provided by White Eagle cooking staff will meet most dietary needs. All meals will include food appropriate for persons following non-vegetarian, vegetarian, vegan, and non-gluten diets. Persons with allergies or specific dietary needs should discuss these with White Eagle staff. Lunch will be the most substantial meal served during the retreat, except on Sat. June 28 when the large meal will be an evening banquet.

We encourage retreatants to sign up for a meal plan. Other food possibilities in Crestone near the White Eagle are limited.

Estimated meal plan cost:
Full Plan ($38@day + Fri., June 20 dinner $13, Sun., June 29 breakfast and brown bag $19) $336
Lunch only during 8 retreat days ($19@day) $152
Sat., June 28 banquet for persons who do not purchase a meal plan $19

Total Cost for Lodging and Meals
Single occupancy & full meal plan: $955.47
Double or shared occupancy & full meal plan: $666.48
Hostel & full meal plan: $571.80

Retreatants need to contact White Eagle directly to make arrangements for lodging and food. Cheyenne Mendel and Ani Kelsang will be handling bookings. Your credit card will be charged for food a few weeks before the retreat commences. Room charges will be submitted when you check out. Please call:

White Eagle Village
67485 County Road T
Moffat, CO 81143
Ph. (719) 256-4865, (800) 613-2270