Nyung Nay
Held twice a year

Nyung Nay is a practice from the kriya (action) class of tantra. It is a powerful, quick and effective method to purify negativities and at the same time collect a vast amount of merit. Meditators of the past have been known to purify such diseases as leprosy through this practice. However, the practice is ultimately aimed at attaining enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Ideally, those who participate in Nyung Nay should have received the great initiation of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig). Alternatively, one should have received a great initiation from one of the three higher classes of tantra, or an initiation of one of the deities of the tathagata or lotus lineage of kriya tantra. As an absolute minimum, one should have taken refuge in the Three Jewels.

A Nyung Nay retreat consists of seven sessions held over three days with the sadhana (method of accomplishment) of Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of Compassion, as the basis of the practice. Integral to the practice is going for refuge to the Three Jewels and generating bodhicitta, the altruistic intention to attain enlightenment for all sentient beings. In addition, retreatants perform the seven branches of worship, including the confession practice of prostrating, as well as recite the mantras of Avalokiteshvara and make strong requests to be able to generate bodhicitta. Each session of this group retreat lasts two to three hours.

Nyung Nay practice focuses especially on developing one’s compassion for the suffering of beings in the lower realms, particularly the hungry ghosts and animals who endure unbearable hardship and discomfort due to severe starvation and thirst. Therefore practitioners take the Eight Mahayana Precepts (abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual activity, lying, taking intoxicants, eating more than one meal a day, singing, wearing ornaments, and using high seats or beds) throughout the retreat as well as maintain silence. As a further method to develop one’s compassion towards those who suffer from intense hunger and thirst, participants enter a complete fast on the second day of retreat and refrain from all food and drink.

This intense practice of keeping the Mahayana Precepts, fasting, reciting mantras and prostrating becomes a powerful meditation that actively enhances one’s renunciation of worldly enjoyments while developing compassion towards the sufferings of others.