Mahamudra Datun 2023: Discovering the True Nature of Mind

“When mind is without reference point, that is mahàmudrà. When you are accustomed to and familiar with this, unsurpassable awakening is attained.”
– Tilopa; Mahàmudrà: The Ocean of Definitive Meaning, p 174.

Please join retreat leaders Elizabeth Callahan (joining via Zoom), Scott Wellenbach and Nancy Huszagh for an advanced, month-long mahamudra retreat.

We will use as the practice text, the shamatha and vipashyana meditation instructions from the ninth Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje’s Pointing Out the Dharmakaya, translated by the Vajravairochana Translation Committee.

The retreat will follow a traditional three-year retreat format — four practice sessions per day. Authorization to attend is restricted to Vajrayana practitioners.

Study Materials

For the Mahamudra retreat at Dorje Denma Ling, there are three required texts. Please purchase or borrow these materials prior to coming.

1. The Transmission, Pointing Out the Dharmakaya, by Wangchuk Dorje, Karmapa IX
2. Intensifying Devotion in One’s Heart: The Supplication
   “Crying to the Gurus from Afar,” by Jamgon Kongrul

You can purchase both the practice text and commentary for Pointing Out the Dharmakaya from Nalanda Translation. We can arrange for them to be picked up and delivered to you at the retreat if you prefer.

Please Note: It is not obvious how to eliminate the shipping/handling expense through the Nalanda website catalog unless you are already in Nova Scotia, in which case there is an automatic “pick up” option one can select. It should be possible for anyone to create a pick-up option by doing the following:

• Add the books to your cart.
• When you’re ready to check out, enter your real billing address (which for many will be outside of Canada), but check the box for “Ship to a different address?”
• Put in the NTC street address: 1619 Edward St., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3H9, which should automatically create the default to a “pick up” option for shipping.
• In the “Order notes” box, type “Will be picked up by DDL”
• That should do it. 

3. Moonbeams of Mahamudra, by Dakpo Tashi Namgyal
*Translated by Elizabeth Callahan

You can purchase this text from Amazon in Canada, or Amazon USA or from Shambhala Publications.

Prerequisites Apply

This is a vajrayana program restricted to tantrikas and sadhakas who have received pointing out instruction.

Questions? Wonder if you qualify? Please contact Nancy Huszagh.

Limited Program Size

Due to limited indoor housing at Dorje Denma Ling, we can accommodate only 28 participants at this retreat. If you are interested, please register early to secure your space.

We are accepting registrations for full-attendance only at this time. Partial attendance may be considered in late March if there is available space.

Including Program, Housing and all Meals
$2,800 for Double Occupancy in Gyatso Lodge
$2,650 for Double Occupancy in a Drala Cabin

$100 Early Bird Discount applies if you register on or before January 31, 2023.

Interested in a spreading out payments for this retreat? Please contact Suzy Ulrich to set up a Payment Plan.

Scholarships and Payment Plans

Dorje Denma Ling has a scholarship fund available for those in need of financial assistance. This fund has been created through the generosity of our loyal supporters.

If you need assistance, please fill out and return the financial aid form or contact our Finance Manager, Suzy Ulrich. This fund is limited, and will be offered on a first-come, first-serves basis, so please apply promptly if you need assistance.

If you don’t need assistance, but would prefer to spread your payments out over a number of months to ease cashflow issues, please contact Suzy Ulrich and she can set that up for you.

Covid Considerations 

Please read the full details of our Covid policy here.

Useful Links

What to Bring & Expect at DDL
How to Get Here