Lama Yeshe Ling continues its tradition of presenting an accessible practice retreat at the end of the year. We are very happy to announce that, in addition to our kind teacher Geshe Sonam who will be giving a commentary on the Medicine Buddha Practice, we will have several guests leading sessions during this year’s retreat: Paula Chichester, Annie Bien, and Dave Gould (learn more about our guest facilitators below). In this way, we will have a chance to experience the practice in diverse and rich ways as each person will bring their own way of approaching it.
The Medicine Buddha, Bhaiṣajyaguru, is one of the most revered Buddha figures of Mahāyāna Buddhism. This is one of the most effective practices for healing, through purifying and diminishing of the afflictive states which block the arising of good health and happiness. From his eastern pure land of Vaiḍūryanirbhāsa, he continuously benefits sentient beings through the power of his twelve vows.
No matter how heavy negative karma is collected, mistakes one did, even, if you do the Medicine Buddha practice, completely get purified. And also, Medicine Buddha is most powerful thing for success. If you chant Medicine Buddha’s name mantra, practice that, most powerful for success, then, makes everything so easy. – Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche
When: December 27, 28, and 29th, 2025.
The timing of each day’s sessions will be:
1st session: 10:00 to 11:30 am EST (Time Zone Converter – Time Difference Calculator)
2nd session: 1:00 to 2:30 pm EST (Time Zone Converter – Time Difference Calculator)
You can find the full schedule below.
Where: Online and sessions with Geshe Sonam in-person at 1287 Coric Ave, Burlington, ON L7R 3S4.
Sessions led by guest facilitators, Paula Chichester, Annie Bien, and possibly Dave Gould (to be determined), will be online only.
* We welcome you to attend the teachings in person! However, given the small size of the room, and that we are broadcasting live on Zoom and Social Media, please arrive more than 10 minutes before the beginning of the session, and please do let us know at least one day prior by emailing us at [email protected] that you are attending in person, so we know to expect you.
Zoom Registration link will be given soon. You can also watch the sessions on Facebook and on YouTube.
This retreat is related to the Medicine Buddha Initiation that Geshe Sonam gave in October. One does not need to have taken a Medicine Buddha initiation to attend this retreat.
The teacher/facilitator of each session will be as follows:
| EST | Saturday, December 27 | Sunday, December 28 | Tuesday, December 29 | |
| 1st session | 10:00 – 11:30 am | Geshe Sonam | Paula Chichester | Geshe Sonam |
| 2nd session | 1:00 – 2:30 pm | Dave Gould | Geshe Sonam | Annie Bien |
Guest Facilitators
Paula Chichester
Paula Chichester is known for her friendly, experiential teaching style that evolved from more than 4 decades of training in Tibetan Buddhist meditation, healing arts, yoga and chi gong. Her ability to distill and impart the essence of these disciplines is inspired by her main teachers, Lama Thubten Yeshe and Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche. Coming out of years in meditation retreat, Paula’s heart is dedicated to helping create a world of balance, compassion, wisdom and joy. If you would like to learn more about Paula, please take a look at her website, Brave View.
Paula leads a monthly Vajrayogini practice for the Lama Yeshe Ling community, as well as two monthly White Tara practices and others online which everyone can join which you can learn more here.
Annie Bien
Annie Bien is an English translator of Tibetan scriptures and a writer of fiction and poetry. She began translating Buddhist texts for Khyongla Rato Rinpoche, of the Tibet Center, then for 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha, and currently with Khenpo Pema Wangdak of Vikramaśila Foundation. Annie currently teaches meditation and Dharma at Tibet House US. She has written two poetry collections, published flash fiction in literary journals, won writing awards. Annie is also a certified Qigong instructor with Shifu Yan Lei.
Annie has recently co-authored a new book with Robert Thurman and is based on the life of the Sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso (1683-1706). She will be speaking with Ryan Olivier about her new book on December 6th. You can learn more about this talk here.
Visit Annie’s website: http://anniebien.com
Help Support These Precious Teachings
Our programs are given freely, and we also rely on your generosity – this is the traditional and pure way of the Buddha Dharma. Offering support for the Dharma can be a limitlessly powerful act. This is the highest, most long-term form of generosity, which is to share with others the path to full awakening. When we support the Dharma we create causes for us to encounter the Dharma frequently, and we create the merit to be able to integrate the teachings in our minds easily. Offering support deepens our connection to Dharma teachers and connects us as a community.
For International benefactors, the Paypal Giving Fund method seems to be less error prone than the Canada Helps method below.
Donation Link will be made available soon!
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