Rachel's 3 month Vajrasattva retreat

Rachel Laminero is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Hello everyone!

My name is Rachel and I met Buddhism about 3 years ago, and am now a regular student and volunteer at Langri Tangpa Buddhist Centre in Brisbane. I also come up occassionally to Chenrezig Institute in Eudlo for teachings and retreats.

In January 19, 2022, I will be joining the 3 month Vajrasattva Retreat at Kopan Monastery In Kathmandu, Nepal.

What is Vajrasattva practice?

Vajrasattva practice is a powerful practice of purification in Tibetan Buddhism. It helps clear out negativities accrued in our mind, breaking negative habits, and removing obstacles from being able to practice the Dharma. It helps our positive qualities have space to grow - such as kindness, compassion, patience and generosity. The practice involves rituals with meditation, chanting, recitation of the 100 syllable mantra and taking the 8 Mahayana Precepts (controlling the body and speech from harming others). The 2nd month of the retreat will be in full silence, making any prayers and aspirations even more powerful.

Why am I doing it?

Many of you who know me know that I have struggled with depression for a number of years. Medication, seeing a psychologist, and having supportive family and friends have helped, but nothing has helped me more than my involvement with Buddhism. It has really worked for my mind, making me a happier, more contented person, and hopefully a kinder one too. I have been able to give back to the community through my work as a nurse and through volunteering at Langri Tangpa Buddhist Centre. Doing this retreat will help me control my crazy monkey mind so I can be of even more benefit to others.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has said that this Vajrasattva Retreat can be offered as a long life puja to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, but also for all our precious teachers (I will be offering it as such and please do so as well if you decide to contribute). We are so fortunate to have so many perfectly qualified teachers working tirelessly for our benefit during these difficult times. Their activities depend on the karma of sentient beings, on our state of mind. If we don't from our side propagate our connection with them by purifying, making offerings and following their advice, they won't be able to help us.

What is the money for?

Please help me raise some funds to pay for the actual retreat at Kopan. The amount I'm hoping to raise is the approximate cost of the retreat, which depends on currency exchange rates. This includes the food, accommodation, practice materials and facility fee at Kopan for the 3 months. Any extra money will go towards the Dorje Khadro fire puja, which is another powerful purification practice we'll do at the end of the retreat. There is no word yet on how much that will cost. And if there happens to be any extra after that, I will offer it all to Kopan Monastery, which is the heart of the FPMT organisation and the home of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and 300+monks, which also supports the Kopan Nunnery which has 300+ nuns. So please think of having offered to the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha).

This amount does not include my flights to Kathmandu and back, visa for Nepal, travel insurance, covid-19 PCR testing to get there and back, accommodation and food before and after the retreat, other transport and ongoing bills here at home. I should have saved enough by then to cover for these costs.

Any amount you can give, however small, will be very much appreciated. And this means you will have contributed to what is becoming a very big karmic pot of merit, and can enjoy in the benefits of having given the whole amount and having done the retreat yourself, together with all the other benefactors and the retreatants and everyone else supporting the retreat.

Dedications (Wishes/prayers close to your heart)

Please make sure to let me know any dedications you would like me to dedicate on your behalf during the retreat (text message length please, no essays. Have the essay length ones in your heart as I will dedicate for those too). And don't forget to rejoice in our collective purification and merits! :)