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Heruka Five-Deity Retreat, Myers Flat, Victoria, Australia, October 2019. Photo by Andy Melnic.
Atisha Centre, an FPMT center in Myers Flat, Victoria, Australia, and nearby FPMT monastery Thubten Shedrup Ling held a Heruka Five-Deity retreat from September 21 to October 27, 2019. The retreat, which was restricted to students who had previously received initiation of Heruka/Chakrasamvara from a recognized, qualified, tantric master, was led by Australian FPMT registered teacher Ven. Tenzin Tsapel. Andy Melnic, Atisha Centre spiritual program coordinator, who coordinated the retreat, and Owen Cole, a long-time FPMT student from Hayagriya Buddhist Centre, the FPMT center in Perth, who attended the entire retreat, share the story.
In October 2019 we completed a five-week Heruka retreat at Atisha Centre and Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery in Bendigo, led by Ven. Tenzin Tsapel. The hosting of this retreat fulfilled the holy wishes of Lama Zopa Rinpoche that we do so following his initiation last year at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion.
More than twenty people attended the retreat and not a single session was missed by anyone. The retreat was exceptional and very enjoyable, and everyone appeared to be very happy during and afterwards. That energy spread around the center.
Ven. Tenzin Tsapel, Myers Flat, Victoria, Australia, October 2019. Photo by Owen Cole.
No sessions started late and almost everyone finished the mantra count. However, it was far more than a dash to finish mantras. Under the experienced and wise guidance of Ven. Tenzin Tsapel, there were practices before or after every session (including at various times of the day), prostrations, prayers on the lamrim, guru devotion, thought transformation, and long Life and protector prayers in accordance with the retreat style developed by our precious guru, Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Some retreat experiences:
Ven. Tenzin Tsapel said, “The retreat was very harmonious and I appreciated everyone’s efforts. The practice is very powerful and I enjoyed it.”
Ven. Losang Yeshe commented, “The retreat was challenging, but it’s the faith in the guru that guides us so we don’t get lost on the way.”
Lynda Blamires shared, “I did the initiation with Lama Yeshe at Atisha Centre in 1981 and wanted to do the retreat ever since. The retreat brought back moving memories of Lama, and I felt his presence during the meditations.”
Offering this retreat continued a tradition at Atisha Centre, where Rinpoche advised to hold a Vajrayogini retreat (completed in 2018) and a Heruka retreat (completed in 2019). This year we are considering hosting a Cittamani Tara retreat (also indicated by Rinpoche).
For more information about Atisha Centre, visit their website:
https://atishacentre.org.au/
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