What is the most difficult vow to maintain?

[Sambhoga-Kaya]

The traditional Nyungné purification retreat consists of maintaining eight vows and repeating practices of purification for a set number of days. Next year's retreat is scheduled to commence the morning of July 4 and end July 7. On July 7 there will be a picnic which may even be attended by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche and his entourage of monks.

The vows to be kept for the practice include:

 l.  No killing
 2. No stealing
 3. No sex
 4. No telling lies
 5. No drinking alcohol
 6. No idle chatter, singing or dancing, makeup or ornaments
 7. No evening meals
 8. No sitting in high seats

The morning session will include a teaching and the remaining day will consist of intensive practice. If you have any doubts about your health and your ability to physically handle this retreat, please consult your doctor. The prostrations are strenous but it is possible to perform them at a slow speed. The retreatants from the year 2000 and 2001 retreats found the fasting and prostrations easiest to maintain. Everyone observed that silence is the most difficult of all the vows!