Black Hayagriva Mandala
Black Hayagriva Gutor-Losar Retreat
with Tulku Thadral Rinpoche
Registration is Open
February 22, 2025 to February 28, 2025
Event Format
In Person and Online
Location
Pema Osel Ling Retreat Center
2013 Eureka Canyon Road
Watsonville, CA 95076
Retreat Description
As the Tibetan New Year, or Losar, draws near, we emphasize practices that address the accumlation of karma, purify negativity and avert obstacles. This seven-day retreat centers on Black Hayagriva, a wrathful manifestation of Avalokiteshvara. The retreat includes Black Hayagriva practices, empowerment and lung (oral transmission).
Lama Sonam:
"The emanation of all Buddha’s speech arises as Avalokiteshvara, the form of compassion. In order to tame the wildest beings, Avalokiteshvara manifests as extremely wrathful Hayagriva.
"In this time of degeneration, the inner elements of beings are imbalanced with very strong clinging and passions. Externally, this causes war and the use of biological and chemical weapons.
"Many new diseases with no known cure appear and epidemics spread quickly. Even friends, husbands, wives and children seem intent on cheating and manipulating each other, so that no one knows who to rely on.
"This naturally leads to imbalances in the outer elements. The water element causes floods, tsunamis, and hurricanes; the fire element causes volcanoes, drought, and heat waves; wind causes tornadoes and windstorms; and the earth element causes earthquakes and landslides. Likewise, all the different classes of spirits become upset. The whole world, whether it is the inner elements of sentient beings or the outer elements, is extremely turbulent and out of control. At times such as this it is difficult for Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and wrathful deities to penetrate beings’ minds. That is when this form of Hayagriva in union with Tröma Nagmo, who is the most wrathful and therefore the most compassionate, appears.
"Extremely Wrathful Black Hayagriva has special power to affect beings’ minds and benefit those who are depressed, dysfunctional, or crazy, as well as to cure disease. This is the condensed essence of all the billions of Hayagriva practices. It is easy to practice and highly effective. Even hearing this practiced will subdue all classes of spirits. Remembering it will eradicate all wrong views and demonic forces. Touching the image of this Hayagriva will pacify all disease and the passions of the five poisons. For whoever has a connection to this practice the seed of samsara will be destroyed.
"Padmasambhava accomplished deathlessness through practicing Hayagriva. He transmitted it to his heart disciples, Yeshe Tshogyal and King Trisong Deutsen to practice and hide as terma. This terma was later discovered by Dudjom Lingpa, who was the emanation of Khyeuchung Lotsawa and Guru Dorje Drolod in person. HH Dudjom Rinpoche compiled this whole practice to make it easy to practice."
Pricing
Black Hayagriva Losar Retreat 2025
Pricing - 7 nights | Feb. 22 - 28
Redwood Cottage or Orchard House Private Room, Includes all sessions, meals and 7 nights
$1,195 non-members, $1075 members
Redwood Cottage or Orchard House Shared Room, Includes all sessions, meals and 7 nights
$955 non-members, $859 members
Sangha House, Private Room, Includes all sessions, meals and 7 nights
$995 non-members, $895 members
Sangha House, Shared Room (2 or 3 people per room), Includes all sessions, meals and 7 nights
$795 non-members, $716 members
Cabin or Yurt, Private, Includes all sessions, meals and 7 nights
$824 non-members, $741 members
Cabin or Yurt, Shared (2 or 3 people per room), Includes all sessions, meals and 7 nights
$655 non-members, $589 members
Recreational Vehicle, (No Tent Camping, per person) Includes all sessions, meals and 7 nights
$595 non-members, $535 members
Commuter, Includes all sessions and lunch
$315 nonmembers, $283 members
Streaming $108, $175 or $250
Empowerment Only, streaming or in person (no member rate; meals not included)
$75
*To get special retreat discounts and find out more about becoming a member, please check out this page.
Pre-retreat information
Vajrayana Foundation | Pema Osel Ling
Pre-Retreat Information
Please read the following information, as it could be helpful before and during your stay.
Directions, Parking and Driving on the Land
You will find directions for getting to Pema Osel Ling by car and public transportation here. If you bring a car, please park in Parking Lot A (sign-posted). You may park by the Orchard House or Sangha House only if you are staying there. Please do not park in front of the pond, down by the cabin area or behind the Sangha House.
Unless you have a physical disability, please do not drive around on the land. If you need to drive to the Shrine Room or Dining Hall, contact the office for a Parking Permit. Please keep onsite driving speed to less than 5 mph.
Arrival and Departure
If your housing assignment has not been sent to you by email, it can be found along with maps and welcome information at the Information Booth, across from the pond at the entrance to the property. Check-in time is noon. Check-out time is 4:00 pm..
Accommodations
We currently provide indoor housing with 2 people per room, and some single rooms. Housing is assigned first-come-first-served. Each bed comes complete with sheets, a light comforter and pillow with case. A bath towel is also provided. Rooms and bathhouses are heated. Camping is discouraged this time of year due to unpredictable weather. We have space to park but no hook-ups for RVs.
Food
We serve vegetarian options at all meals and meat dishes at most lunches. We will have gluten-free meal options but other than this, we apologize for not being able to accommodate individual dietary restrictions or requirements. If you have high protein needs please bring supplemental snacks. There is limited refrigeration by pre-arrangement. Tea and hot water are available at the Dining Hall at all times. Coffee is available at breakfast.
Thanksgiving dinner is pot-luck, with traditional dishes being prepared by our kitchen. You are welcome to bring something to share or make a contribution if you wish. Dinner at 5:30 will be the first meal of retreat.
Fall and Winter Retreats
The shrine room is unheated, so please come equipped to dress in layers during the program.
What to Bring
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Water and/or hot drink bottles
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Rain gear: umbrellas, rain coat, waterproof clothing and shoes
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Flashlight
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Ear-plugs (if disturbed by noise)
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Comfortable warm- and cool-weather clothing (layers work best)
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Warm clothing, and a light blanket for the Shrine Room (windows will be open)
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Sensible shoes for uneven terrain
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Special chair and cushion, if needed (we provide both in the Shrine Room)
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Prescription medication, especially asthma medication and heart medicines. The nearest hospital or emergency care clinic is an hour away.
Phones and Computers
Verizon provides the best cell phone service for this area. The phone in the Information Booth can be used to make free local calls. Use your calling card for long distance. WiFi is available at the Dining Hall and the Bookstore, and the password will be available at check in. The only WiFi in the housing is at the Orchard House (for those staying there only). Please limit your WiFi use to a minimum, especially during sessions.
Work Assignments
We ask everyone to contribute an hour of work each day towards the smooth running of our retreats. These assignments may include changing candles or water bowls, sweeping the shrine room, or preparing and cleaning up for tsok. If physical or other limitations affect your ability to do this, please let us know beforehand.
Payments and Cancellation Policy
Please review our Payment and Cancellation Policies here. Payment in full or an approved Payment Plan is due prior to the beginning of retreat.
Miscellaneous
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This is a rustic location. Poison-Oak is a plant that induces allergic reactions in most people after contact so please keep to the paths to prevent contact with it. Tick Bites - If you feel a bite, and there is a small black spot on your skin you may have a tick bite. Some ticks carry Lyme disease.
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Wildlife – do not feed or encourage the wildlife. Do not keep food in your room or tent as it will attract ants, skunks, wild pigs, raccoons, etc.
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Smoking, alcohol and recreational drugs are not permitted on the land at any time.
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Candles, fires and incense are not permitted on the land at all. We are at a high fire risk year-round.
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Pets are not permitted at Pema Osel Ling. If you have a service animal please contact the office.
Dharma Treasures Gift Shop
The store stocks practice items, sadhanas, photos, books, gifts, cards, thangkas and other artwork, a selection of clothing, snacks, basic toiletries and flashlights. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. Contact details: (831) 761-6274; store@vajrayana.org; www.dharmatreasures.com
Offerings
It is traditional for individuals to make an offering to teachers and translators at the end of retreats. Tibetan offering scarves (khatas) can be purchased at the Dharma Treasures store and we provide envelopes for monetary offerings. Please bring enough cash as the bookstore is only able to offer limited cash back on debit purchases, and we do not have an ATM on the land.
You are welcome to email office@vajrayana.org or leave a message at (831) 761-6266 with any questions you may have. We hope you enjoy your retreat!