In this excerpt from the Foundation for the Sacred Stream, Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D. recounts her 2014 visit to Menla.
Menla means Medicine Buddha in Tibetan, but I think the esoteric translation must be “magic.” Located in the Catskill Mountains in New York, Menla is a place unto itself.
In the center of the bowl created by this cosmic event is Menla, a well-maintained collection of beautiful buildings including a conference center, spa, barn, and lodges. From the bottom of the meteor crater, you look up to see the hills, forested with mature oaks and maples, and in the rain, the hillsides cascade with streams running down from the crater’s rim. The melody of the water complements a cacophony of hundreds of birds. I was happily kept up at night by a pair of owls calling across the valley.
The teachings were those of Geshe Chophel, the spiritual master of the Gaden Shartse Dokhang Compassion Tour that Menla is hosting, and those of Robert A.F Thurman, one of the most articulate and passionate interpreters of Tibetan Buddhism alive today. In articulating the nature of the Medicine Buddha, Bob managed to tap dance into his favorite rap on nothingness, and the monks created a beautiful sand mandala of the palace, or home, of the Medicine Buddha.
The Medicine Buddha is like the patron saint of healers, and is, himself, a master healer. The Medicine Buddha depicted in thangkas is deep cobalt in color and holds the myrobalan flower that cures all ills and a bowl of nectar which is an elixir for all disease.
In the center is an ornate gilt box that contains all the existing texts related to healing in Tibetan medicine. Around the center square of this box are the Eight Medicine Buddha Brothers, each in the form of a petal surrounding the center square, representing the sixteen Bodhisattvas who return to the realm of suffering, after attaining enlightenment, to relieve the ills of those who are still caught in the cycle of suffering.
The magic of our time at Menla is counted in so many ways: the place which is like no other; the monks, themselves, coming from across the world, to create the mandala for the Buddha who is the center of Menla Retreat.
To read the original article, please visit: www.sacredstream.org.
“Great place overall. Beautiful grounds, excellent service and friendly staff and well-maintained rooms/property. Also the food was awesome, creative and unique. Great experience, very relaxing and tranquil overall, if your looking for a retreat from the city!”
Dan B.
“Menla is one of my favorite retreat centers in the world. The natural beauty, the wonderful staff and great accommodations always make the experience of leading a retreat effortless and graceful. The blessings of HH Dalai Lama and many other Great Beings who have been there usher us into our own True Nature with joy and ease.”
Krishna Das
“Homerun. One of the best retreats I’ve ever attended. Was an incredible treat especially to have so much access to Krishna Das, and I will never forget the Robert Thurman’s hysterical and insightful words. Incredibly inspiring and powerful weekend!”
Susan W.
MENLA
