Change in Programmed Events:

We are so looking forward to seeing all of you in little over a week and would like to share a change in our program for the 14th-16th of August.

Karma Trinlay Rinpoche will be administering the Bodhisattva Vows on Sunday August 16^th. Our Venerable Khenchen Rinpoche will not be able join us for this event, and we look forward to hosting him in the near future.

See you All very Soon!

Come Together:

Bodhi Path Annual Gathering and Celebration

August 14-16, 2015

Natural Bridge, Virginia

Ven. Khenchen Rinpoche

Karma Trinlay Rinpoche

Join us as we celebrate and renew the heartfelt connection among Shamar Rinpoche's followers:  Bodhi Path students, supporters, and friends old and new.

Program includes: 

• 
  
  
  
  • Bodhisattva Vows
  
  
  • Teaching on meditation from Karma Trinlay Rinpoche
  
  
  • Discussions and Q & A led by Bodhi Path Teachers
  
  
  • Bodhi Path admin and info sharing meetings
  
  
  • Celebration sing-along and dance party
  
  
  
  

Stay a While:

Extraordinary Teaching and Practice Event

August 17-23, 2015

Natural Bridge, Virginia

• Karma Trinlay Rinpoche continues his teaching on
  The Way of the Bodhisattva with Chapter 9, an explanation of Wisdom.


• Dharma Teacher Tsony will help facilitate this retreat.

More Details:

Annual Bodhi Path Gathering and Celebration
August 14-16, 2015

Throughout the years Shamar Rinpoche expressed his vision for Bodhi Path through statements, but more often by initiating events. Along with teachings, celebrations were a recurrent wish of Rinpoche, with his intention it seems, to create a harmonious bond between brothers and sisters of the Bodhi Path family.

Celebration; joy in being together; sharing the dharma in a deep, friendly manner is the lifeblood of the Bodhi Path network. The yearly gathering of the Bodhi Path family is an opportunity to nurture, strengthen and transmit Rinpoche’s vision for the benefit of all beings. Join us to celebrate the Buddha’s intent! 

Program includes:

• Bodhisattva Vows


• Teaching by Karma Trinlay Rinpoche


• Discussions and Q & A led by Bodhi Path Teachers


• Bodhi Path admin and info sharing meetings


• Celebration sing-along and dance party

Date and Times:

Friday and Saturday, August 14-15, 9:30 am to 6 pm.

Sunday, August 16, 9 am to noon.

Extraordinary Teaching and Practice Event
August 17-23, 2015

Karma Trinlay Rinpoche continues his teaching on The Way of the Bodhisattva with Chapter 9, an explanation of Wisdom. In this culminating chapter Shantideva (c. 8th century CE) presents, through the meticulous philosophical analysis of the Madhyamaka School, the way to overcome confusion, which is at the root of all dissatisfactions in life. Without wisdom, reliable progress can't be made. Awakening, the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice, is only attainable through wisdom, the unmistaken non-dual discernment of reality. All other virtuous practices such as generosity or meditation are auxiliaries to wisdom.

Dharma Teacher Tsony will help facilitate this retreat.

*  If you have a copy of  Shantidevas The Way of the Bodhisattva bring it, or you can purchase one here at Amazon.com

Date and Times:

Monday, August 17, 3 to 5 pm. 

Tuesday through Saturday, August 18-22, 10 am to 5 pm.

Sunday, August 23, 10 am to noon.

General information:

Location:
All events for both programs will take place at Bodhi Path Natural Bridge, located eight miles south of Lexington, Virginia, at the south end of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Address: 12 Bodhi Path, Natural Bridge, VA, 24578.

Program fees:*
Three-day Program:  $250. Includes teaching, celebration supper and daily lunches. (Housing additional.)

Karma Trinlay Rinpoche Teaching and Retreat, Chapter 9, The Way of the Bodhisattva: $300 for entire retreat or $60 per day. Lunch included. (Housing additional.)

Attending both programs: $495 (Housing additional.)

Space is limited. Advanced registration is important and must be made, along with full payment, no later than July 31, 1015. Please reserve early to help our planning. We expect a full house and highly recommend you make your program and hotel reservations early. (See Cancellation Policy.)

*Events at Bodhi Path are open to everyone. Lack of means to make a contribution is never a reason to stay away.

Accommodations:
Please make your reservations directly with the establishment of choice.

For questions about housing during the retreat portion of the program please inquire at: housingva@bodhipath.org.

Hotel/motels:
South River Highlands, 540-463-2593. Lovely rustic cabins, dorm spaces, and private rooms. 15 miles from center, car necessary. Please call for pricing. Mention Bodhi Path. innkeepers@southriverhighlands.com

Budget Inn Natural Bridge, 540-291-2896. A modest motel 1+ mile from the center, for the “nothing fancy” crowd. Mention Bodhi Path.

Natural Bridge of Virginia Hotel, 800-533-1410. 5 miles from center.

For other accommodations 10+ miles from the center, please visit the Lexington Visitors Center’s website at www.lexingtonvirginia.com.

A shared house:

If attending the retreat, shared housing may be available August 17^th-23^rd, ranging from $45-$75 at historic Middleton House, 111 South Jefferson Street, Lexington, 9 miles from the Bodhi Path Center, in downtown Lexington. (To view house go to http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p329063.)  First come, first served! For more information or to MAKE A RESERVATION please write to housingva@bodhipath.org.

Camping:
Natural Bridge KOA. 540-291-2770. RV hook-ups, cabins, tents. 2 miles from the center. 

Airports and ground transportation:
All airports require renting a car, limo service or ride sharing to get to the center. Ride sharing information will be sent out with confirmation of registration.

Roanoke, Virginia, about 45 miles away, is the closest airport. Car rental or limo service available. Limo Services: Roanoke Airport Transportation Service, 540-345-7710, and Prestige Limousine, Inc., 540-342-8049. Price depends on number of people traveling together. Call for pricing. Make arrangements early to insure availability.

Note: Bodhi Path Natural Bridge will staff a shuttle van departing from Roanoke Airport on Thursday, August 13 at 2pm and 10pm. The return shuttle will depart Bodhi Path at 2pm on Sunday, August 23, for the one-hour ride back to ROA. To reserve a seat on the shuttle, write to housingva@bodhipath.org and include plane itinerary.

Lynchburg and Charlottesville, Virginia, are regional airports, each about one-and-a-half hours away. These airports often have less expensive flights. You will need a rental car.

Washington, DC airports, Dulles International or Reagan International, about 200 and 210 miles away, respectively. You will need a rental car if you fly into either of these airports.

Baltimore International Airport, about 240 miles away. You will need a rental car from this airport.

Reservation and payment deadline:
Advanced registration for both programs must be made, along with full payment, by
July 31, 2015. You may register on line with a credit card or mail a check payable to Bodhi Path along with Registration Form (see following page) to:
Bodhi Path Buddhist Center, 12 Bodhi Path, Natural Bridge, VA 24578.

Cancellation policy:
On or before August 1, 2015, your total program fee, minus a $40 per person registration fee, will be refunded upon cancellation. After August 1, 2015, no refunds will be made.

For further information:
Call: 540-464-5117, Email: naturalbridge@bodhipath.org, or visit our website: www.bodhipath.org