Studying Buddhism as the path to joy and happiness

This 15-day Lamrim retreat, led by Venerable Lhundup Jamyang, covers the stages of the path to enlightenment, the essence of the study and practice of Buddhism.

The purpose of studying and practicing Buddhism is to find true happiness. The only happiness we, as ordinary human beings, know is the pleasures we chase in our daily lives. When we look into the nature of this ‘happiness’, we find that it doesn’t last nor does it bring real satisfaction. It often leaves us with an empty feeling, not bringing us any meaning. This is why we are forever yearning and striving for more happiness, and when we think we’ve found some, it soon fades.

Buddhism talks about is a happiness that is beyond everyday pleasures. It is a stable and peaceful joy that is naturally present within our mind. At the moment we cannot access this joy as our mind is obscured by ignorance and delusions.

What is Lamrim?

The Buddha explained that in order to uncover our mind from ignorance and delusions we need to develop our wisdom and compassion. We need to do this in stages, whereby every step becomes the ground for the next step. This is described in the Lamrim text, which is also called the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment.

The topics that will be covered during the retreat include our precious human rebirth, impermanence and death, the four Noble Truths, refuge in the Three Jewels, the law of cause and effect, the twelve links of dependent origination, how to develop the mind of bodhicitta, and the training in the six perfections – generosity, ethics, patience, joyful effort, concentration and wisdom.

In order to gain realizations in our mind we engage in the three trainings of listening, reflecting, and meditating. This means that we first need to listen to the teachings and study them. Then we contemplate the meaning, for instance by discussing the teachings with our fellow practitioners. Once all our doubts are removed, we can engage in meditation and gain an experience of the meaning of the teachings.

Structure of the retreat

In this retreat you will engage in the three trainings of listening, reflecting, and meditating every day. In the morning, after our morning meditation and breakfast, there will be teachings, while in the afternoon there will be time for discussion and meditation. The day will be concluded with a Q&A and an evening meditation.

Daily schedule

06:00 – 07:00 – Morning prayers and meditation
07:00 – 08:00 – Breakfast
09:00 – 11:30 –Teaching by Venerable Lhundup Jamyang
11:30 – 12:30 – Lunch
14:00 – 15:00 – Discussion
15:00 – 15:30 – Tea Break
15:30 – 17:00 – 2 Meditations
17:00 – 18:00 – Dinner
18:30 – 20:00 – Q&A, followed by a guided meditation and dedications

The 15-day Lamrim retreat starts on 7 July and ends on 22 July, 2023. While it is part of our month-long summer retreat, the Lamrim retreat can be done independently as well. It is for both beginners and more experienced students.

Before signing up, please read about the meaning of retreat and what it means to stay at Thosamling Nunnery in a retreat environment. 

To register for the Lamrim retreat, please contact us at [email protected].