This Retreat will be available In-Person or Online via Zoom

Embark on a transformative journey with Geshe Zopa during our weekend retreat, exploring the profound teachings of the Vajra Cutter Sutra. Led by the esteemed Tibetan Buddhist scholar, this event offers a unique opportunity to delve into ancient wisdom, cultivate compassion, and realize the true nature of reality. Join us for a weekend of insightful teachings, contemplative meditation, and community building in a serene retreat setting. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to Buddhist philosophy, Geshe Zopa’s guidance promises to deepen your spiritual journey. Secure your spot now for a weekend of renewal, growth, and enlightenment.

What is the Vajra Cutter Sutra

“This is the Buddha’s teaching to realize the ultimate nature, to be free from the oceans of samsaric suffering forever, so that includes all the problems of the six realms—every problem of hell beings, hungry ghosts, animals, human beings, sura and asura beings, all sentient beings’ sufferings, every problem”- Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Benefits of Vajra Cutter Sutra:

“The Vajra Cutter Sutra is unbelievable. It is one of the most profitable practices because the root of all sufferings, yours and others, is the ignorance holding ‘I’ as truly existent, even though it is empty of that; and the ignorance holding the aggregates as truly existent, even though they are empty of that. The only antidote to cut that, to get rid of that and through which to achieve liberation, the total cessation of the suffering causes – delusions and karma – is the wisdom realizing emptiness. This is the subject of the Vajra Cutter Sutra, emptiness. So, each time you read it, it leaves such a positive imprint. Without taking much time, without much difficulty, it is easy to actualize wisdom. …” – Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Art credit: Halo Aa amid clouds – Tashi Mannox

Recommended Reading:

How to see yourself as you really are – His Holiness the Dalai Lama

How things exist – Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Relative Truth, Ultimate Truth: The Foundation of Buddhist Thought V2- Geshe Tashi Tsering

Schedule:

Friday March 15

• 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 Introductory Session 

Saturday March 16

• 8:00am – 9:00am Breakfast
• 9:00am – 10:00am: Guided meditation
• 11:00am – 12:30pm: Teachings
• 12:30pm – 2:00pm Lunch
• 4:00pm – 5:30pm: Q & A Session
• 6:00pm – 7:00pm Dinner
• 7:00pm – 8:30pm Teachings

Sunday March 17

• 8:00am – 9:00am Breakfast
• 9:00am – 10:00am: Guided Meditation
• 11:00am – 12:30pm: Teachings
• 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. 

Commuters

Please note lunch is included in your program costs. Breakfast is 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.