Creating Compassionate Cultures – The 40th Anniversary of Lama Yeshe’s Passing into Parinirvana
With Tenzin Ösel Hita and Venerable Robina Courtin
February 16 - 18, 2024
This Retreat will be available In-Person or Online via Zoom
“In Buddhism we have an incredible arrangement, universal education from the beginning at birth up until death, as an old man. I feel these things could be put into a universal language. Give up religion, give up Buddhism. Go beyond Buddhism. Put the essential aspect of the philosophy into scientific language. This is my aim.”
—Lama Thubten Yeshe, January 1983
About the Retreat
Step into a weekend of reflection and enlightenment as we come together to commemorate the remarkable life of Lama Yeshe, marking 40 years since his passage into parinirvana. Join us in an exploration of Lama Yeshe’s visionary legacy for Universal Education—how it originated, where it stands today, and the promising horizons that lie ahead.
Tenzin Osel and Venerable Robina, will guide us through a transformative retreat. Together, we will delve into the intricacies of the mind, gaining profound insights into its workings. By understanding the mind, we aim to cultivate compassion and pave the way for the creation of more compassionate cultures.
This event is not just a tribute to the past, but a journey into the future, where the seeds sown by Lama Yeshe continue to blossom. Join us on this meaningful weekend retreat, as we honor the legacy of Lama Yeshe and collectively envision a world where Universal Education is not just a vision but a lived reality, shaping compassionate and enlightened societies.
Two Part Series
This weekend’s celebration is part of a two-weekend celebration in collaboration with Vajrapani Institute. We will celebrate the life, history, and heart of Lama Yeshe. Things start the weekend, Feb 9-11, at Vajrapani with Heart of the Guru Retreat where Yangsi Rinpoche and guest Speakers will commemorate Lama Yeshe’s life through storytelling, light and water bowl offerings, Tsog and more. Visit the event page at Vajrapani to learn more!
A 10% total discount will be given to participants who register for both events. This will be applied after you’ve registered. Please email both [email protected] and [email protected] with proof of both registrations and they will apply a 5% discount off each center’s rate. This will be sent to the credit card you used to register.
Retreat Schedule
Friday 16
- 4:00pm – 5:45pm Check in (overnight guests only)
- 5:45pm – 6:00pm Welcome talk in Dining room (overnight guests only)
- 6:00pm – 7:00pm Dinner (overnight guests only)
- 7:00pm – 8:30pm Lama Yeshe’s Vision for Universal Education with Karuna and Pam Cayton
Saturday 17
- 8:00am – 9:00am Breakfast
- 9:00am – 10:30am: Teaching Session with Venerable Robina
- 11:00am – 12:30pm: Teaching Session with Venerable Robina
- 12:30pm – 2:00pm Lunch
- 2:30pm – 3:30pm Guided walking meditation of the 8 Verses trail with Tenzin Osel (In-Person Only)
- 4:00pm – 5:30pm: Teaching Session with Tenzin Osel
- 6:00pm – 7:00pm Dinner
- 7:00pm – 8:30pm Panel discussion: Why it’s more important than ever before to implement universal education in the wider society for both individual, local, national and global communities with Tenzin Osel, Geshe Zopa, Venerable Robina and Pam Cayton
Sunday 18
- 8:00am – 9:00am Breakfast
- 9:00am – 10:30am: Teaching Session with Venerable Robina
- 11:00am – 12:30pm: Teaching Session with Tenzin Osel
- 12:30pm – 1:30pm Lunch (End of Retreat)
Lodging and Meals
During the retreat, we provide various lodging options to accommodate different preferences. We have a variety of lodging available to make your stay comfortable.
We will do our best to cater for additional requirements outside of this, please contact Rommy at [email protected] to communicate your specific requirements, as much notice as possible is greatly appreciated.
Room Options
Single Room: Ideal for those who need privacy, each room has an ensuite bathroom. Please note Single rooms are limited and book out quickly.
Shared Double Room: This can be booked by a couple, two friends, or by individuals happy to share with someone else. Rooms will be allocated by gender if you are booking as an individual in a shared room. Ideal for those who like to have a bit more privacy, but have the convenience of being close to everything at the main campus. Each double room has an ensuite bathroom. You would be sharing this room with one other person. The price is per person
Shared Room: This can be booked by families, groups of friends or individuals. Rooms will be allocated by gender if you are booking as an individual in a shared room. If you prefer a more communal setting, we have shared dormitories available. These dormitories provide a cost-effective option for participants who enjoy the camaraderie and interaction with fellow retreat attendees. Each dorm has an ensuite bathroom. The price indicated is per person.
Camping and yurts are not available at this time of year due to permitting.
Additional Nights
You are most welcome to add extra nights to your stay 2 days before and after the retreat starts. A 10% discount is offered on our standard room rate. Please note that only a continental breakfast is included in that price. You will need to arrange your own lunch and dinner before or after the retreat starts.
If you wish to stay at LMB between February 11 – February 15. Please book your room through our overnight guest reservations page. Please use this link to do so.
Commuters
Please note lunch is included in your program costs. Breakfast and Dinner are not included.
How to Get Here
Access to LMB is via a small, winding road (Prescott Road) which we share with numerous neighbors. As you are driving to our property please turn on your headlights, go slowly, and be prepared to pull over to the side when you meet oncoming traffic.
Closest Airports:
The nearest airports to LMB are San Francisco (~1.5 hours away) and San Jose (~1 hour away). To reach LMB from either of these airports you can use a rideshare app (Uber, Lyft etc), or a shuttle service (Early Bird Airport Shuttle Service). Expect to pay $100 – $150 from San Francisco, or $60 – 80 from San Jose using a rideshare app. LMB is unable to offer assistance in helping you get to or from the center. Please make your own arrangements.
Cancellation Policy
Overnight Guests:
If you cancel more than 2 weeks in advance a full refund will be offered. If you cancel up to two weeks prior to the retreat starting a 50% refund will be offered. If you cancel up to 1 week prior to the retreat starting no refund will be offered.
Commuters
If you cancel 1 week prior to the retreat starting a 50% refund will be offered.
Zoom Participants
A full refund will be offered up to the day the retreat starts.
No refunds will be offered once the retreat has started for any participant. A $50 administrative charge will be applied to all refunds required to be processed.
Leaders
Tenzin Ösel Hita, born in 1985, is a radical freethinker, humanitarian, documentary filmmaker, musician, father, friend, lifelong student, and former 21st-century Buddhist monk. When just 14 months old, Ösel was formally recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of Lama Thubten Yeshe, the revered Tibetan yogi, scholar,…
Learn more about Tenzin Ösel Hita
Venerable Robina Courtin has worked full-time for Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s organization, the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition, since her ordination in the late 1970s. Over the years she has served as editorial director of Wisdom Publications, editor of Mandala Magazine, executive director of…
Learn more about Venerable Robina Courtin