The original of
Nyung Nye
Retreat
> pdf version of the
original of Nyung
Nye Retreat
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The practice of Nyung Nye started with Gelongma Palmo who lived in India many centuries ago. She was born as a
princess to King Uddiyana. Somehow, Gelongma Palmo contracted leprosy and became very sick, she lost her
hands, and her limbs started falling off. Unable even to bring food to her mouth, she had to eat out of her plate like an
animal. Gelongma Palmo was subsequently thrown out of her house and was forced to live in a small straw hut all by
herself as no one could stand to be with her.
One day, Gelongma Palmo had a vision of a great Dharma King called Indrobodhi who told her “You must meditate
and practise on Chenrezig.” She started reciting Chenrezig’s mantras, during the day she would recite ‘Om Mani
Padme Hum’ ,and at night she would recite the long mantra of the Chenrezig.
Gelongma Palmo then saw Manjushri in a vision, he told her to go to a certain place to practise. At that special place,
in front of the image of Chenrezig that had miraculously appeared, she had made a vow of not moving until she
gained realization. She began to practise while fasting and was extremely diligent. This was how Gelongma Palmo
started the practice of meditating on Chenrezig while fasting.
After one year, Gelongma Palmo was cured from her illness, her limbs started growing back and her body became
cleansed and pure, and her realization began to increase. She developed powers over local spirits and deities, and
turned them into Dharma protectors, in particular, the Nagas who are worldly deities associated with many things,
amongst which, one is leprosy.
Gelongma Palmo’s practice had reached fruition in one particular month of the year during which the effects of one’s
action are said to be multiplied. On the 1st of the month, she had a vision of the Tara, and she immediately reached
the first bhumi of realization, Tara told her that she would accomplish all the activities of the Buddhas of the past,
present and future. On the 8th day of the month, she had a vision of a particular form of Chenrezig surrounded by other
deities, she received the prophecy that she would be able to help beings in the same way as Chenrezig. On the 15th
day of the month, which is the full moon, she finally had the realization of the Thousand Arms and Thousand Eyes
Chenrezig who appeared before her, Gelongma Palmo said to him “I have been practising for so long and it is only
now, after all these years, that I see you, why have you come so late?” He answered “I have been with you since the
beginning but you need to be purified before you could see me.” Gelongma Palmo’s body turned into a golden colour
like golden light and she achieved the qualities of a 10th level Bodhisattva. Chenrezig was never separated from
Gelongma Palmo.
It is Gelongma Palmo that the Nyung Nye lineage originated. When we practise Nyung Nye, we use Gelongma Palmo
as our example and inspiration because she had such great devotion, faith and determination. She often fell
unconscious while meditating but when she became conscious, she would start again. She was in tremendous pain
but she cured herself completely through her devotion. When we practise Nyung Nye, we can think again and again of
Gelongma Palmo, then we would know that it is possible for us too, and we need not be afraid of this practice.
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