SPECIAL EVENTS

Recent Event: Sep 19-22, 2024

Public Talk on Compassion in Daily Life

Thursday, September 19
7:00-8:30pm

Iowa City Public Library, Room A

 

 

free and open to the public

White Tara Retreat with Drupon Palkyi

RETREAT REGISTRATION

White Tara Retreat Intensive

White Tara is a beautiful meditation for developing kindness and compassion, increasing spiritual vitality and overcoming fears. She represents the feminine energy of the Buddhas.
We warmly invite you to participate in this White Tara Retreat intensive, a special Tibetan Buddhist practice spanning several days. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a powerful spiritual practice that generates immense blessings and merit, both for yourself and for all beings. During this retreat, we will engage in the traditional practices of mantra recitation and meditation, all focused on invoking White Tara’s healing and protective energies.
Whether you are new to Tibetan Buddhism or an experienced practitioner, this retreat offers a rare chance to deepen your spiritual journey in a supportive environment.

White Tara Retreat – Practice & Teachings

Friday, September 20

Garchen Mila Buddhist Center
The Paul Helen Building, 209 E Washington St., Suite 200 Iowa City

 

Schedule:
  • 7:00pm-8:30pm
 Suggested donation: $10–20 sliding scale

White Tara Retreat Practice & Teachings

Saturday, September 21

Garchen Mila Buddhist Center
The Paul Helen Building, 209 E Washington St., Suite 200 Iowa City
Schedule:
  • Morning: 10:00am-noon
  • Afternoon: 1:00pm-5:00pm
  • Evening: 6:00pm-7:30pm
Meals:
  • Lunch: will provided by the Dharma Center at India Cafe, a short walk from the center
  • Dinner: on our own
Suggested donation for the day: $25–50 sliding scale

White Tara Retreat Practice & Teachings

Sunday, September 22

Garchen Mila Buddhist Center
The Paul Helen Building, 209 E Washington St., Suite 200 Iowa City
Schedule:
  • Morning: 10:00am-noon
  • Afternoon: 1:00pm-5:00pm
Meals:
  • Lunch: will provided by the Dharma Center at India Cafe, a short walk from the center
Suggested donation for the day: $25–50 sliding scale
Alternatively, you can make a donation for the full retreat, covering Friday through Sunday, with a suggested sliding scale of $50–$115,depending on what you can offer. 
About the Sliding Scale: Please choose an amount that feels generous without stretching yourself too thin. All donations go toward retreat expenses and offering to the lama and translator.
Meals: We will be sharing vegetarian lunch and dinner together on Saturday and lunch on Sunday during the retreat. If you would like to join us for these meals, please let us know when you register. The meals will be a combination of potluck and carry-out. If you are interested in bringing a dish to share let us know.
 Offering: It is customary for attendees to make a direct offering to the lama at the end of the retreat. Please plan to make a financial donation to Drupon Palkyi at the conclusion of the final session you attend. The amount does not need to be large—just a heartfelt gesture.
Health Policy: Vaccination against Covid19 is encouraged for all attendees. Please refrain from attending if feeling at all unwell –or if you have been exposed to Covid. We will refund the donation of anyone who cannot attend due to illness. This is particularly true now that Covid is on the rise and we will be in a small setting.
Translation: We will also be hosting Virginia Blum as the translator for this visit, as Drupon speaks Tibetan and German.

Brief Bio

Please welcome Drupon Palkyi on her North American Tour. Drupon Palkyi brings with her a wealth of spiritual wisdom and experience cultivated through years of dedicated practice and study. Originally from Tibet, she received her education and training as a retreat master at the esteemed Drikung Samtenling Nunnery in Dehradun, India.
Following her philosophy studies, Drupon Palkyi embarked on a traditional Three-Year-Retreat in 2008, immersing herself in the profound teachings of the Five-Fold Path of Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa. Her unwavering commitment to spiritual practice led her to the Drikung Garchen Institute in Munich, Germany, where she has served as a resident lama. There, she guides practitioners through teachings, group practices, and retreats, enriching the spiritual lives of countless individuals with her deep knowledge and compassionate guidance.
In Iowa City, Drupon Palkyi will offer a White Tara empowerment and teachings.

FAQ

  • Do I have to come to all the teachings?: No. The registration is set up on an event-by-event basis.
  • I am not very experienced in Buddhism – is it really ok for me to attend these events?: Absolutely! All of our events our open to people of all levels of experience with the Dharma.
  • The suggested donations are a bit much for me. Is there another way to make an offering? Yes – Just let us know and we can work something out with you. Email us at admin@milarepaiowa.org.
  • I have never been to the center – can I still attend some of these events? Yes,  please feel free to attend any of these events.

MORE INFORMATION

  • Registration: Registration is required for special events held at the Dharma Center.
  • Volunteering: To volunteer for one or all of these events, including lama-care, cooking and transportation – please contact us at admin@milarepaiowa.org
  • Arrival: Please arrive 15 minutes early for events to get settled in.
  • Health Policy: Vaccination against Covid19 is encouraged for all visitors. Please refrain from attending if feeling at all unwell –or if you have been exposed to Covid. If positive for Covid or flu, wait at least ten days before returning. (We will refund your donation if you become ill before or during the retreat events.)
  • Seating Options: include both cushions and chairs.
  • Posture Custom:  It is customary in a Dharma setting to not have your feet pointed towards the lama or the shrine.
  • Flowers: If you would like to make an offering of a bouquet of flowers for the Shrine that is most welcome. Please bring a vase for the flowers. Please arrive early to get them set up.
  • Lunch: We will take lunch on Saturday together at the India Cafe. We will pay for our meals individually.
  • About Lama Visits: We have put together this page that provides some information about elements of a lama visit – including empowerments.
  • Questions: If you have questions – please text Ellen Marie at 937-244-1961