5th Annual Dzogchen Retreat
Discovering Pristine Wisdom with Lama Mark Webber
with
Lama Mark Webber
Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre
We live in challenging times. There is a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety amongst so many people in the world today; in relation to the environment, political leadership, economic divide, threat of war, technology and disease, etc. How do we navigate this uncertainty? How can we be a wise and loving force in a struggling world?
According to Dharma, the key is to work directly with and refine the intention mind. Our intentions are at the heart of all we do, think, feel, where we go, what we say and what we become. In order to make profound and lasting changes to our intention mind—for all beings—we need to unbind, blossom and keep liberating deeply rooted beliefs.
The teachings and practices of Dzogchen or ‘The Great Perfection’ serve to clear away the clouds obscuring our innermost awareness. This is medicine that goes straight to the heart of confusion, allowing us to discover pristine wisdom – the unstained, boundless refuge that we can depend upon to navigate any storm. And crucially, from this natural ground of freedom, we become capable of supporting all of life with unconditional compassion.
In this retreat, Lama Mark will open the door to the rich Dzogchen transmissions of the Drikung Kagyu lineage as preserved in Tibet, India and Nepal. For anyone new to these teachings, this will be a rare and precious opportunity to develop an authentic connection to this lineage, and a strong foundation for exploring its practices, with the close support of a fully qualified western Lama. For those with previous experience, it will be a wonderful opportunity to unfold more expansively, using powerful Yogic practices than have only just become accessible to westerners through ongoing translation efforts.
Lama Mark (Lama Yongdu Chokyi Gyaltsen) has been studying and teaching Buddha-dharma for over forty years. For thirty years his main root teacher was the great Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche who taught all three cycles of the Buddha’s teachings, including Abhidhamma, Vipassana in the lineage of Mahāsi Sayādaw, generation and completion stage practices of the Tantrayana and Mahamudra/Dzogchen of many lineages, especially of the Karma Kagyu and Sakya. More recently under the guidance and request of Drikung Lho Ontul Rinpoche, Lama Mark has been principally teaching the richness of the Drikung Mahamudra and Drikung Yangzab Dzogchen traditions.
Lama Mark has a deep and long term interest and collaboration in a number of scientific fields and the arts which he integrates with the teaching of Buddhism.
His compassionate activities demonstrate a profound commitment to freeing beings from innumerable suffering states. Lama Mark’s emphasis with practitioners and students is on uncovering pure Dharma to reveal its extraordinary benefits and share the great joy of its deep study, meditative practices and integration into all aspects of our lives.
The Wangapeka Retreat Experience
Whenua Land
The retreat takes place on the beautiful Wangapeka whenua nestled in stunning native forests with expansive views down the Wangapeka valley. The land itself provides a healing sanctuary surrounded by mature trees and offering the perfect environment for reflection and reconnection with nature.
Kainga Accommodation
Accommodation is included in the price of the retreat, with all rooms being comfortable and well-appointed with single beds and electric heating. Shared bathroom facilities are conveniently located close to all rooms.
Kai Food
All meals are included in this retreat to support the your well-being and focus. Our kitchen team prepares nourishing vegetarian food to sustain and delight you throughout your stay. Specific dietary requirements can be accommodated and self-catering is also possible if you prefer to bring and prepare your own food.
Whare Wānanga Teaching Space
This teaching room is beautifully crafted and has been used for a wide variety of teaching for over 20 years. It has a wooden parquet floor and a pot belly stove to keep away winter chills. Set amongst beautiful mature trees, it offers a charming view looking down the Wangapeka valley, creating an inspiring environment for movement and meditation practices.
Whare kai Main Hall
The original building at Wangapeka, the Main Hall serves as the heart of community life with its combined living and dining room, library, and welcoming wood burner. Tea, coffee, and snacks are freely available here throughout your stay. Whether you choose to relax in the cosy interior or step out onto the porch to enjoy the expansive views, this space invites connection and contemplation. The hall also houses the kitchen, bathroom facilities, and laundry for your convenience.
More Upcoming Events
The Fives Retreat
Entering the Mandala of Wisdom Buddhas
Five wisdoms, five activities, five families - investigating awakened nature while learning and unlearning what obstructs liberation in predominantly silent retreat at Wangapeka.
Awakening Intimacy
Join friends, co-facilitators and intimacy explorers Camila and Ross for an immersion into the mystery and practice of intimacy. Flowing between stillness and movement, inner and outer, solitude and togetherness, we offer opportunities to give, receive, and savor experiences of authentic connection with yourself, with others, and the natural world.
Touching Grief, Touching Earth
A Solstice Retreat
This five-day retreat is an exploration of the apprenticeship of grief — learning how to turn towards what is difficult, rather than away from it; learning how to be shaped by not-knowing, restraint and humility as acts of reverence.