[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_inset=”0px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_inset=”0px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text style=”font-size:24px;”]Please find some typical question and answers below. Should you have other questions, please contact your local Rigpa Centre or email retreats@rigpa.org.au[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_inset=”0px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_inset=”0px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 5px 0px 45px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_accordion][x_accordion_item title=”When is the Retreat?” open=”true”]Registration will be open between 2:00pm – 4:30pm on Saturday, 11 January 2020. The first session will begin at 5:00pm on 11 January 2020. Everyone needs to attend this first session.
We will conclude on the afternoon of Saturday, 18 January 2020.
Leaving early or arriving late can be disruptive for the retreat environment, so as much as you are able, please endeavour to attend from start to finish.
We encourage all students to attend the full seven days.[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”Where is the Retreat?” open=”false”]The retreat will be held at the Tuncurry Memorial Hall (7 Point Road, Tuncurry).
The environment is well known to most of us and is town based, with easy access to modern services such as supermarkets, cafes and restaurants. At the same time, there is still access to beautiful and peaceful beaches, lake and bush environments from the various forms of accommodation available.
Given expected numbers, it is unlikely there will be a Rigpa chartered bus this year. Details on how to get to and from Tuncurry are provided at the end of this FAQ page.[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”Who can attend?” open=”false”]The retreat is designed for Sangha. Interested public can contact the retreat team by emailing Kevin Wren who will make contact with you. Sangha means someone who is a member of a Rigpa mandala and/or subscribes to a Rigpa Centre.
We warmly welcome any student who feels a connection with Rigpa, with Sogyal Rinpoche, the teachings and the teachers, to attend and join together as one mandala. Reflective of the current Rigpa Australia sangha, we have many students who are committed to Sogyal Rinpoche as their root teacher and as the spiritual founder of Rigpa.
The retreat will mainly feature teachings from Sogyal Rinpoche, along with some other lineage masters.
If you’re not a Rigpa Sangha member, but have attended a Rigpa Centre for a year or two of study or perhaps have been to a number of retreats and may be considering how to continue your study and practice of Dharma in Rigpa, you may be eligible to attend. The Student Support person or Centre Manager at your Centre will meet with you to discuss whether the retreat program is appropriate for you. If you want to attend, chat with your Instructor, Centre Manager or Student Support person to support you with this process.
If you aren’t able to contact a Centre then please send an email to Kevin Wren who will make contact with you.
If you are not a Rigpa Sangha member and would like to attend other events in our 2020 schedule, you are welcome to join us for a broad range of public programs, retreats and events at city centres around Australia. If you would like to know more, check back with us on the Rigpa Australia website.
[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”Are you a student with care needs?” open=”false”]With prior notice, a Student Support and Care team is able to accommodate students with special care needs. When you fill in the relevant questions on the registration form you will be contacted by phone to make sure we understand what you need.
It is important that you are mindful of your physical state, especially if you are elderly. The temperatures in January can get quite high so hydration, shade and rest are essential.
Rigpa events are based on Tibetan Buddhist teachings and are not intended as a substitute for psychotherapy or medical treatment. Please see the attached advice for students with an existing psychological, psychiatric, or medical condition. Students who may not have previously attended a retreat will be contacted by the Student Support Team prior to retreat to provide the information you need to ensure this type of retreat is what you expect.[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”Are you an Overseas student or travelling from Overseas?” open=”false”]We welcome students from overseas, however recommend that individuals visiting Australia from countries where there is no reciprocal health care agreements, take out appropriate travel and health insurances to cover unexpected costs while at retreat.
Information regarding reciprocal health care agreements with Australia can be obtained from this link .
Many visitors to Australia also require a visa, which can take time to process. For more information visit www.australia.gov.au/help-and-contact/faqs/visas-and-immigration[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”What are the accommodation options?” open=”false”]The retreat is non-residential. This means all participants will need to find accommodation in the Forster Tuncurry area. There is a wide variety of accommodation, ranging from private AirBnB houses and apartments, holiday rentals, camping and caravan parks that often also have holiday cabins, unstructured campgrounds through to hotel, motel and B&B options.
Rigpa has provide detailed accommodation options (see Accommodation) and each Centre will have an individual identified who can help link you with other members of the Centre who may have booked accommodation and have spare beds or rooms.[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”Are meals catered?” open=”false”]We can confirm that lunch will be offered. [/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”Can I bring and cook my own food?” open=”false”]Yes. Given the retreat this year is non-residential in nature, you should find accommodation that will suit your catering requirements. There are food stores, supermarkets, cafes, restaurants and fast food outlets in Forster Tuncurry within easy driving distance of the town centre.[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”What is the cost?” open=”false”]The fees are a core element of the funding model that supports Rigpa Australia for the coming year.
The fee covers all the event costs and contributes to some of the cost of National expenses during the year, such as:
- venue hire, set-up, equipment such as trucks, stage gear and storage costs, shrine and offering materials
- contributes to the cost of the Rigpé Yeshé program, making it affordable and practical for parents to attend the retreat
- contributes to the cost of senior international instructors such as Sherab
- supports those who aren’t able to fully fund themselves, enabling a number of people to participate who would otherwise not be able to attend
Please refer to the pricing page for more details.
[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”Can I pay my fees in instalments?” open=”false”]Yes, you are able to pay by instalments. Please refer to the pricing page for more details.
[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”How do I register?” open=”false”]If you are a Rigpa Sangha member, you should have received a personalised invitation to register.
If you have not received an email and want to attend, please send an email to retreats@rigpa.org.au[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”Can I come for just a day or come and go?” open=”false”]No. The program is not designed to support short or interrupted attendance. To benefit fully from the teachings and to create the right environment for all of us to study and practice and enter into deeper conversation around the future of Rigpa Australia, we ask for all students to attend the whole event.[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”Are children welcome?” open=”false”]The Rigpa community warmly welcomes children and teenagers, with a daily program of morning Dharma sessions (our Rigpé Yeshé programme), family activities, child-care for school age children, teen study groups and activities, and support and care for all families. See Rigpé Yeshé.
At Tuncurry Memorial Hall, there is the side hall set aside as a family listening area for children and teenagers.
Please note: parents are responsible for their children / teenagers whenever they are not signed into the Rigpé Yeshé Care Program.[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”Can I assist or volunteer to support the teachings?” open=”false”]Yes. The teachings tell us that there is no more beneficial action than creating the circumstances for the teachings to be heard. These circumstances are created at the every event by the essential work of many dedicated volunteers. By offering your time, energy and skills, you will have the opportunity to enrich your experience and to make lasting connections with fellow students. We are always able to find even a few hours work for people of all physical capacities.
We will be setting up a very simple environment on the day prior to our start (10 January 2020) and on the morning of 11 January. We will be packing up on the afternoon we finish (18 January) and the morning of 19 January. All support will be welcomed during these days.
Integrating the teachings into everyday life is part of the program and in this regard you are requested to help support in a rota role for about one hour per day. This has the added benefit of helping to keep fees as low as possible.
Tasks may include supporting various teams such as the Site team, Shrine and Environment team, Stewards team and other areas. Rotas are allocated to each attendee, either in advance when you register online or when you register upon arrival. You can also send an email to retreats@rigpa.org.au[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”Is it possible to buy materials that will assist my understanding?” open=”false”]There will be a bookshop. Credit card facilities will be available.[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”Will I be able to buy a coffee?” open=”false”]For 2020, there will be a cafe. If you prefer, there are a number of very reasonable cafes with good coffee within a 5 minute walk of the Hall.
We will have a tea and coffee station where you will be able to make your own tea and (instant) coffee. Please bring your own cup / mug.[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”Will there be an auction?” open=”false”]There will be some low-key fundraising activities at retreat to support Rigpa Australia’s work, including the National Centre.[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”What do I need to bring?” open=”false”]You may wish to bring the following, in addition to your personal items.
- Water bottle
- Cup or mug for use at the tea and coffee station
- Bed linen, blankets, towels (depending on accommodation)
- Meditation cushion
- Paper, writing materials
- Sun protection, sunglasses, hat
- Mosquito repellent
- Light blanket
- Some warm clothing
- Umbrella, raincoat, torch
- Practice books and The Tibetan Book of Living & Dying
- A hand fan
- Personal medicines & toiletries
- Swimwear
- Covered shoes
- Stroller or pram for young children
[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”Who should my family contact in case of an emergency?” open=”false”]They can call the Event Manager, Kevin Wren on 0405 429 479
[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”How can I travel around the Foster Tuncurry area?” open=”false”]For more information about travelling around the Forster and Tuncurry area, please view this Forster Buslines Information sheet and bus timetable.[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”How can I travel from Sydney or Newcastle to Foster Tuncurry area?” open=”false”]If you are interstate and arriving in Sydney or Newcastle and not wanting to hire a car, we suggest you first talk with other sangha friends about what they are doing. You will probably find they are also wanting to arrange something. You can also place an entry in the Retreat Facebook page, which can be found by clicking here – Facebook page
Using public transport and travelling from Sydney to the Forster and Tuncurry area, there are two steps. Firstly catch an XPT train from Sydney Central Railway Station to Broadmeadows Station. There is then a connection to a Busways coach from Broadmeadows Station to Forster and Tuncurry. There are numerous stops in Forster Tuncurry for the Busways Bus.
Click here to go to the XPT Booking Page
If you are flying into Newcastle Airport, in order to connect with the Busways Bus, you would need to catch a taxi from the Airport to the Raymond Terrace Colonial Motor Inn. This takes about 20 minutes.
For a timetable of the Busways coaches (and their connecting times to Broadmeadows Station and Raymond Terrace Colonial Motor Inn), please view this Busways Coach Information (Routes 150 and 151) sheet.[/x_accordion_item][/x_accordion][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]