Padma Dakini (Kurukulle) Drubchod

RETREAT INFORMATION

We warmly welcome you to PPI for this annual retreat. We are delighted to announce that Jigme Tromge Rinpoche’s son Sungtrul Rinpoche -- also known as Tulku Orgyen -- will be joining us, as will a number of lamas who were ordained by or served Chagdud Rinpoche.

Costs

Note: The amounts in brackets are the discounted prices for members of Chagdud Gonpa Foundation. Registrations must be postmarked by November 1st to qualify for discount. Prices include meals.

For registrations before November 1st
Day Retreatants $50 ($45)
Overnight Retreatants $70 ($65)

For registrations after November 1st
Day Retreatants $70 ($65)
Overnight Retreatants $90 ($85)

Please note: No overnight camping is allowed anywhere on the property. No smoking of any kind or use of recreational drugs is allowed. Fires, including the use of candles, are not permitted. The fire hazard at this time of year could still be high and we ask for everyone’s full cooperation.

Directions

Take Highway 101 to the River Road/Mark West Springs Road exit (just north of the city of Santa Rosa). Go west on River Road to Guerneville. In Guerneville, River Road turns into Highway 116 West. Continue on Highway 116 West to Cazadero Highway. Look for the sign which will point right and say “Cazadero”. (Note: you will pass Old Cazadero Road. It is not recommended). Turn right on Cazadero Highway to the town of Cazadero. Cazadero Highway becomes Fort Ross Road as you leave the town of Cazadero. Stay to the left when you get to the stop sign at the end of town. You will be going uphill. Approximately 7-8 miles of winding road from the stop sign is the entrance to Black Mountain Preserve. There is a large wooden sign on the left, and a mailbox with “PPI’ on the right. It is a sharp left turn in to the property. Prayer flags are flying. The address is 23125 Fort Ross Road, Cazadero, CA 95471.

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT RETREAT

Please ensure that you allow enough time to drive to PPI, register and settle in BEFORE the retreat starts at 9:30am! Even if you have pre-registered, you must check-in at the registration desk prior to the start of the retreat to receive your room number, job assignment, registration receipt and any other pertinent information.

No empowerment will be given if everyone attending has already received it. If anyone present has not received it, Jigme Rinpoche will bestow the empowerment.

Offerings

During this retreat extensive offerings will be made toward tsog, butterlamps and saving of lives through worm release. Tsog is a most profound method of purification and for gaining realizations. Offering tsog and butterlamps are two of the most effective methods for accumulating merit through generosity. About saving of lives, Jamgon Kongtrul The Great said "the most beneficial of all composite roots of virtue is the protection and ransoming of the lives of sentient beings".

You may include an offering when you register and/or during the retreat. Please fill in the registration form accordingly. If you wish, you may write a short dedication. All
dedications will be read during the retreat.

It is customary at the end of a retreat to make offerings to all the lamas as well as to participating monks, nuns and shrine attendants. Traditional Tibetan scarves can be purchased in the bookstore, and envelopes for monetary offerings will be provided. Please note that we are only able to make change for bills up to and including $20s.

Job Assignments

The success of this event is possible because of the dedication of its volunteer staff and the conscientiousness of guests. All work assignments are shared by event participants, and your prompt and careful attention to your task will keep things running smoothly. Please consult the job list when you arrive. If you have any queries about your assignments please check with a coordinator.

Child Care

We ask that parents who bring their children to PPI take full responsibility for their welfare. Children must have adult supervision at all times. Children are welcome in the shrine room as long as they sit quietly. This also applies when the shrine room is not occupied as it is a sacred place of practice. If your child becomes uncomfortable, please take care of her or him outside of the shrine room.

Accommodations

Accommodations at PPI are in comfortable, newly-decorated dormitories with single beds. Toilets and showers are located down the corridor from the dorms. You need to provide your own bedding (ie sleeping bag and/or blankets, sheets if desired, and a pillow) as well as towels. Please note that temperatures at PPI drop considerably at night.

List of things to bring:

Dharma texts (for newcomers to the practice, texts will also be available for purchase from the PPI store)
Any medications/toiletries/towels you need
Sleeping bag
Flashlight (also available in the store)
Earplugs (we know you don’t snore)
Warm, comfortable clothing (layers work best)
Rain gear, including suitable shoes for wet weather
Hat
Shower shoes
Sun glasses

The weather at PPI at this time of year is usually colder, especially at night, with the possibility of heavy rain.

Food

Meals at PPI are all vegetarian. However, all tsogs include generous servings of meat. Food is prepared and eaten in the large kitchen/dining area in the center of PPI. Please note that there is no refrigeration space available for individual retreatants’ use.

If you have any special needs, dietary or otherwise, or a medical condition you would like us to be aware of, please email Joyce Murphy at jmmurphy@olympus.net.

Thank you very much! We look forward to seeing you on this auspicious occasion. May all beings benefit!

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