A Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Center
By: Hannah Cawley
Introduction:
Located in the rural and serene landscape of Barnet, Vermont, Milarepa Center is a Tibetan Buddhist retreat center. This webpage will talk about the core aspects of the Milarepa Center, including its founding, its affiliation with Buddhist traditions, relationships with other Buddhist communities, its constituency, spiritual practices, and the various events they hold.
Founder and Historical Context:
Jetsun Milarepa (1052-1135) is the namesake of the Milarepa center. He is an iconic figure in Tibetan Buddhism, and his story is highlighted on the Milarepa webpage. He was born in western Tibet, and in his early life he was diven by revenge. Milarepa turned to black magic which resulted in great tragedy. Faced with the consequences of his actions, including the loss of life, Milarepa’s life took a profound turn. Milarepa embarked on a quest for spiritual redemption. Under Lama Ngogdun Chudor, Milarepa practiced meditation. He attained enlightenment at the age of 45, and then he embraced a wandering teacher’s life. Milarepa’s teachings focus on the impermanence of the physical body and the necessity of non-attachment. The Milarepa Center draws inspiration from the transformative journey of Jetsun Milarepa, embodying his teachings and wisdom. Milarepa’s legacy, including spiritual redemption and enlightenment, serves as a guide for those seeking enlightenment at the center. In 1980, the Milarepa Center was founded by Peter Baker. In a lineage given on the website, one of the early residents recalls the challenging beginnings. Despite initial struggles the center gradually became habitable and attracted residents. A complete lineage of program directors and a more detailed history is provided on the Milarepa homepage.
Affiliation with Buddhist Traditions:
The Milarepa Center is rooted in Tibetan Buddhism. The Milarepa Center is associated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). This affiliation signifies that the center adheres to the spiritual guidance of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and utilizes educational programs provided by FPMT. They engage with FPMT spiritual teachers, ensuring that the teachings are rooted in the lineage of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Being affiliated with the FPMT also means that the center is committed to follow a spiritual direction that aligns with the core principles of the Mahayana tradition. Milarepa aligns itself with the broader mission of FPMT, which is devoted to preserving and disseminating Mahayana Buddhism. The FPMT’s overarching goal is to create opportunities for individuals to engage in activities such as listening, reflecting, meditating, practicing, and actualizing the teachings of the Buddha. Rooted in the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa the FPMT provides a framework for the Milarepa Center to operate within. The Milarepa Center aligns itself with a lineage that emphasizes wisdom and compassion while also seeking to guide individuals towards their highest potential.
Relationships with Other Western and Asian Buddhist Communities:
The Milarepa Center actively engages with both western and Asian Buddhist communities, fostering a spirit of shared wisdom. The center maintains ties with Tibetan monastic communities, facilitating cultural exchanges and mutual learning opportunities. This approach reflects the global nature of contemporary Buddhism and the importance of dialogue among Buddhist communities. Despite its proximity to Karmê Chöling, associated with the incarnate lama Chogyam Trungpa, located just minutes away also in rural Barnett, there appears to be no clear connection or collaboration between the two centers. Both centers made a unique choice of settling in rural Barnett, a community predominantly made up of white Protestants. There is no definitive explanation as to why both of these communities chose to settle where they did.
Constituency:
It is worth acknowledging that the Milarepa leadership currently consists of people who appear to be predominantly white Buddhist converts. This suggests a certain demographic among the leadership and the people who attend retreats at the center. In pictures from the center it is clear that they do attract a varied constituency, drawing individuals from different cultural backgrounds. The community encourages both experienced practitioners and those new to Buddhism to come and visit. The teachings and programs offered by Milarepa are designed to resonate with a broad audience. As the Milarepa Center evolves it is essential to foster inclusivity in leadership ensuring that diverse perspectives contribute to the center. The current Milarepa Center director, Dawn Holtz, is also a white Buddhist convert. She is originally from Michigan, and she began her studies in Tibetan Buddhism in 2008, completing several meditation retreats in Asia.
Practices:
The true purpose of Mileaepa’s activities lies in its spiritual practices. Meditation, a cornerstone of Buddhism, takes center stage in daily life at the center. The residents and visitors engage in guided meditation sessions, retreats, and study groups. This creates an immersive environment conducive to spiritual development. On the website memebrs are encouraged to not speak to each other, as to not hinder or disrupt anyone’s practice. The center places a strong emphasis on the integration of mindfulness into everyday activities, fostering a holistic approach to spiritual practice.
Events:
Milarepa’s calendar has several events that cater to practitioners at different stages of their spiritual journey. Weekly meditation sessions, semi-monthly retreats, and annual celebrations play a pivotal role in the community. Special events, such as teachings by Tibetan Buddhist masters, offer opportunities for practitioners to deepen their understanding. One of their events that just passed was the Wealth Vase Puja with Geshe Sherab that happened in November. It invites the Milarepa members to participate in a ritual puja ceremony. Another event that happened in November was their weekend mini-retreat, The Wisdom of Emptiness with Geshe Thubten Sherab. This retreat delves into the concept of emptiness, a tool given by the Buddha to eliminate anger, attachment, and pride. Geshe Sherab led the retreat with over 15 years of experience teaching ‘westerners.’ He provides clear explanations on understanding emptiness, making this event accessible to those with prior knowledge of basic Buddhist concepts. Next year they are also hosting a special event for those interested in the intersection of science and spirituality. The course is an exploration into the wisdom of neuroscience. All of these events and more are listed on the Milarepa Center’s homepage, providing a comprehensive overview of the diverse programming available to community members and the broader public.
Understanding of Buddhism:
Members of the Milarepa Center approach Buddhism as a path to self-discovery and ultimately enlightenment. The teachings of compassion, mindfulness, and wisdom are woven into the fabric of daily life at the center. The community values the practical application of teachings in navigating the challenges of modern life. The understanding of Buddhism at Milarepa Center transcends intellectual knowledge, with an emphasis on personal realization through direct experience and contemplative meditation practice. This is their mission statement: “Milarepa Center is a Tibetan Buddhist retreat center dedicated to inspiring the highest potential in all beings through the cultivation of wisdom, compassion and the good heart. Situated on 276 acres of serene Vermont beauty, we offer a variety of programs, including meditation, teachings, and special events, in a contemplative environment for practitioners of all levels.” This is based on the border FPMT mission statement: “The FPMT is an organization devoted to preserving and spreading Mahayana Buddhism worldwide by creating opportunities to listen, reflect, meditate, practice and actualize the unmistaken teachings of the Buddha and based on that experience spreading the Dharma to sentient beings. The FPMT is based on the Buddhist tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught by its founders, Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche. Milarepa Center is dedicated to providing integrated education through which people’s minds and hearts can be transformed into their highest potential for the benefit of others, inspired by an attitude of universal responsibility and service. We are committed to creating a harmonious environment and helping all beings develop their full potential of infinite wisdom and compassion.” In sum, members of the Milarepa Center embody a holistic approach to Buddhism, viewing it as a path to personal self discovery and enlightenment. These shared visions underscore a commitment to preserving and spreading Mahayana Buddhism worldwide through education and practice.
Funding Milarepa:
The Milarepa Center sustains its operations through a combination of donations, grants, and an annual campaign. The annual campaign, conducted once a year, plays a crucial role in providing funds to support the center’s operating expenses. It helps stabilize the center, enabling it to accomplish daily work and make future plans. Supporters can contribute through various ways, including an annual gift, becoming a ‘friend,’ attending fee-based programs, participating in free programs, doing a personal retreat, referring a friend, giving an ‘in-kind’ donation, putting Milarepa Center in your will, getting a matching gift from your workplace, or sponsoring a project. Participants are encouraged to contribute as much as they are able. Every gift, regardless of the size, directly impacts the experience of students, volunteers, team members, and visiting teachers. Annual fund gifts are allocated to where they are most needed within general operating expenses, including repairs, maintenance, equipment, and utility costs. Friendship dues also provide consistent revenue but may not cover all aspects, making annual fund gifts crucial for overall sustainability of the facility.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Milarepa Center stands as a vibrant retreat center, founded on the principles of meditation and the teachings of Milarepa. The center fosters a inclusive community of practitioners. Through its affiliations with Mahayana Buddhist traditions and commitment to spiritual practices, Milarepa Center serves as a center for those seeking the transformative power of Buddhism. The community’s understanding of Buddhism is deeply experiential and the mission of the center is to provide a sanctuary for spiritual growth and enlightenment.
Citations:
All images and information is taken directly from the Milarepa Center website.
Homepage: Milarepa Center – Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Center. Milarepa Center. https://www.milarepacenter.org