Retreats
Uma Centre holds a number of retreats throughout the year. These retreats provide a wonderful opportunity to focus on our spiritual practice and deepen our understanding and experience of Buddha’s teachings. Most, but not all, of our retreats are recommended for those who are already attending regular classes.
The next retreat will be:
Vajrasattva
Saturday 13th November until Sunday 14th November
This is an unguided retreat suitable for practioners who have been attending our Meditation Classes.
In each session of this retreat we will use the prayers ‘Offering to the Spiritual Guide’ and ‘Meditation and Recitation of Solitary Vajrasattva’.
Vajrasattva is the Buddha of purification. During this retreat we have the opportunity to purify our negativity by engaging in the purification practices of Buddha Vajrasattva. Through this practice we can remove both the causes of our future suffering and obstacles to our spiritual practice.Through purifying our negativity our mind will gradually become happier and happier, our good qualities will increase, and all our mental and physical problems will gradually disappear.
Retreat Schedule
Below is a complete list of all the session times
There is no charge for the retreat sessions, however if you would like lunch it is £1.50 or, of course, you may bring your own. Please would you book lunch in advance so that we may cater for numbers. There is no need to book sessions in advance but please arrive at least 15 minutes before a session starts. Please bear in mind that if a session is underway there may not be anyone to let you in.
Saturday 13th November
| 7.30am – 9.00am | |
| 10.00am – 11.30am | |
| 12 – 1pm | Wishfulfilling Jewel puja |
| 4.00pm – 5.30pm | |
| 7.30pm – 9.00pm |
Sunday 14th November
| 7.30am – 9.00am | |
| 10.00am – 11.30am | |
| 12 – 1pm | Wishfulfilling Jewel puja |
| 4.00pm – 5.30pm | |
| 7.30pm – 9.00pm |
Other Retreats
The following are other retreats held at the Centre. Please check the website for dates.
Amitayus retreat
Amitayus
To overcome the obstacles preventing us from taking the essence of this precious human life we need to increase our lifespan and our wisdom, and the principal method for doing this is the yoga of Buddha Amitayus. This yoga is also a special method for increasing our merit.
The prayers engaged in are “The Yoga of Buddha Amitayus”.
Fasting Retreat
Thousand armed Avalokiteshvara
We use the yoga of a thousand armed Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion, during this special fasting and purification retreat. This retreat is very powerful for purifying negative karma of body, speech, and mind, and for pacifying strong delusions such as desirous attachment and hatred. It is also a special method for receiving blessings and improving our experience of love, compassion and bodhichitta.
The prayers engaged in are “Drop of Essential Nectar”.
Refuge
Buddha Shakyamuni
Going for refuge means finding protection from our problems by developing special Dharma realizations with the help of Buddha's blessings and encouragement from our Sangha friends. On this retreat we have a perfect opportunity to deepen our experience of refuge. When we practise refuge we are entering the Buddhist path to liberation and enlightenment.
The prayers engaged in are “Essence of Good Fortune”.
Guru Yoga and Mandala
Lama Losang Tubwang Dorjechang
A special practice combining Guru yoga and Mandala offerings that enables us to strengthen and deepen our connection with our Spiritual Guide.
The prayers engaged in are “Offering to the Spiritual Guide”.
Vajrasattva
Vajrasattva
Vajrasattva is the Buddha of purification. During this retreat we have the opportunity to purify our negativity by engaging in the purification practices of Buddha Vajrasattva. Through this practice we can remove both the causes of our future suffering and obstacles to our spiritual practice.Through purifying our negativity our mind will gradually become happier and happier, our good qualities will increase, and all our mental and physical problems will gradually disappear.
The prayers engaged in are “Offering to the Spiritual Guide” and “Meditation and Recitation of Solitary Vajrasattva”.
Vajrayogini
Vajrayogini
This retreat is for those who have received Highest Yoga Tantra Empowerments. It is an opportunity to deepen our understanding and experience of our tantric practice in conjunction with the prayers “Quick Path to Great Bliss” or “Dakini Yoga“.
Lamrim Retreat
Atisha
What is Lamrim?
Lamrim, or 'The Stages of the Path', is a special arrangement of all Buddha's teachings that are easy to understand and easy to put into practice. Lamrim was written by Atisha (982 – 1054) a great Indian teacher who was invited to Tibet to teach. Later Je Tsongkhapa wrote several commentaries. In this retreat we will use the New Meditation Handbook by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. This presentation makes it easier for people of the modern world to understand and practice the stages of the path to enlightenment.
Meditating on Lamrim is the supreme way to solve our daily problems and find lasting happiness.