Vipashyana through the Three Turnings of Buddhism
2025-12-05 17:00 - 2025-12-12 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | SCOL – Retreat Center, Goldendale, WA, 98620, United States
In person at Ser Chö Ösel Ling and via Zoom
The Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma is a classification of the views and practices expressed by Shakyamuni Buddha in his forty-five years of teaching.
In Vajrayana Buddhism as preserved in Tibet, we embrace each of these systems in our study and practice as complementary rather than contradictory. In this retreat, we’ll explore the vipashyana, or insight, practices and contemplations of each of these turnings.

From the First Turning—closely related to what is often called Early Buddhism—we will review and contemplate the Four Noble Truths, practice the Four Applications of Mindfulness, and reinforce skillful renunciation through the Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to Dharma.

The Second Turning teachings are primarily concerned with a deeper insight into wisdom and an embrace of the skillful means of relative bodhicitta. We will reinforce these views by enhancing our understanding and experience of emptiness through various contemplations and recitation of the Heart Sutra. We will also practice the opening of our hearts to others through the practices of the Four Immeasurables and exchanging self and other (tonglen).
The Third Turning is primarily concerned with buddha nature—the view that all beings share the same empty, luminous, and unimpeded nature that is consummate well being and ease. That is, awakening is already present in our being, and the goal of our practice is to recognize and stabilize this insight. Yidam practices, such as Chenrezi, and the traditions of Mahamudra and Dzokchen are pathways to this truth, and we will approach our Buddha nature through guided meditations in these techniques.

This retreat will prove suitable for anyone with even just a few months of practice background. There are no prerequisites to attend other than being present for the entirety of the retreat. In-person registration is closed.

REGISTER OVER ZOOM

We want retreat to be accessible to everyone. Scholarships covering up to 50% of the cost of a double cabin are available through our Financial Assistance Fund. Additional sponsorship may also be available. Please email KCC-FA@kcc.org for more information and to apply. View our Financial Assistance Policy here. Please email Cynthia if you are interested in donating to our Financial Assistance Fund or sponsoring a retreatant.
By signing up, you are agreeing to maintaining the integrity of the mandala by attending the entirety of the retreat, whether in person or via Zoom.

VIEW EVENT DETAILS: https://staging2.kcc.org/event/integrating-the-three-turnings-of-buddhist-practice/
