This practice is done annually at Kadampa Buddhist Centres throughout the world in a two-day retreat to celebrate Buddha’s Enlightenment Day which is on 15th April.

Nyungnay is a special purification and fasting practice that is performed together with prayers and prostrations to 1000-Armed Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion. It is a very powerful method for purifying negativities of body, speech and mind, and for pacifying strong delusions such as desirous attachment and hatred.  It is also a special way of receiving blessings and improving our minds of love, compassion, and bodhichitta.

To engage in Nyungnay purification practice you are required to take the Eight Mahayana Precepts on each morning of the retreat at 6.30am, and then engage in 3 sessions of Drop of Essential Nectar, which incorporates prayer, mantra recitation, and physical prostrations to 1000-Armed Avalokiteshvara.

The taking of the Eight Mahayana Precepts involves taking a set of vows for 24 hours to abstain from killing, stealing, sexual activity, lying, taking intoxicants such as alcohol, sitting on high or luxurious thrones or seats, and wearing ornaments, perfume, make-up, jewelry, etc.

In addition, as part of the retreat you vow to limit consumption of food and drinks as follows:

Day 1: We abstain from all meals apart from Precepts lunch. Traditionally this is taken between 12.30 & 1.30pm. It is a vegetarian meal free from egg, onion, garlic and spices. No food is taken after this. 

Day 2: We abstain from all meals apart from Precepts lunch, OR we do a complete fast and abstain from all food & drink, from 6.30am day 2 to 6.30am the next day. You can choose the option most suitable for you.

* You can engage in this retreat on one or both of the days *