Umdze class is open to anyone interested in becoming a chant leader.
This 4 day Umdze retreat taught by Latri Nyima Dakpa Rinpoche will play an important role in your Bön Practice
The “umdze” is the Bön chant leader. An umdze plays an important role in Bön practice and gives one the opportunity to deepen one’s own spiritual practice while in service to others.
This retreat will also give you a deeper knowledge of Bön’s history, as well as the importance and understanding of the dieties. By the end of this retreat you will have a confidence in knowing how to chant the prayers/mantras and the practices involved.
The umdze leads the chants for prayers or ceremonies, which means he or she must know the chants and mantras well. The umdze is also the “ceremony master,” in that he or she will give instructions to the practitioners before the teacher enters, greet the teacher properly, and request the teachings, all in the prescribed manner.
Whether you are interested in learning more about the history of Bön, the deities, or becoming a chant leader, this retreat will give you a deep understanding of Bön.
The teaching will be held at Yeru Bon Center in Minneapolis, and the Minnetonka House. (Rinpoche’s Minneapolis Home)
7:00 a.m. – Morning Meditation with Rinpoche, for anyone staying at the Minnetonka House. Weather permitting, morning meditation will be held in the garden, under the oak trees.
8:00 a.m. – Family Style breakfast
9:00 a.m. – Depart to Yeru Bön Center
9:30 a.m. – Umdze teaching begins
12 noon – Lunch
1:00 p.m. – Resume Umdze teaching
5:00 p.m. – Depart to the Minnetonka House.
6:30 p.m. – Dinner family style and group discussion.
We’ll prepare dinner together, then have dinner and open discussions. It will be a good time to ask questions anyone might have regarding Bön, life, the news, really whatever comes to mind.
Meals:
Breakfast and dinner will be provided at the Minnetonka House. Lunch will be provided in the café next door. If you prefer to eat elsewhere you are welcome to do so.
Housing:
The Minnetonka house is the home of the Petelers and Rinpoche’s Minneapolis home. There are rooms available as well as an open living room that can accommodate air mattress. Rooms will fill quickly, so please let us know if you are interested in staying at the Minnetonka house.
Yeru Bon Center is also available for anyone interested in staying at the Center. Air Mattresses will be provided. There are bathrooms, but no showers at this time. You can take a shower at the Minnetonka house any evening, but you will need your own transportation back to Yeru Bön Center in the evening.
Transportation:
If arriving by air, please let us know when you will be arriving, one of board members will be happy to pick you up at the airport.
If staying the Minnetonka house, you will not need a car, unless you prefer to rent a car. Transportation is available.
If staying at Yeru Bon Center, it will be a bit difficult for someone to travel back to the center after dinner, but you are welcome to stay at the center if you prefer.