Event FAQ
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE?
7:30 am MT: Check-in opens
8:30 am- 9:30 am MT: Chants & Meditation session
10 am-12 pm MT: Dharma Talk with Pema Chödrön
If you would like to stay for the afternoon talk with Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, you will need to register for that separately. Please visit this page for more information.
HOW DO I GET TO THE EVENT SITE?
There is no public transportation to the event site, Phüntsok Chöling. Detailed driving directions to the event are available here.
WHERE WILL I PARK?
The parking area is a few hundred feet from the main shrine hall. There will be parking attendants on site to help direct you to the parking area. The terrain is rocky and the elevation is over 9000 feet. There are steep stairs and gravel pathways. Sturdy walking shoes are essential in the summer.
WHAT IF I HAVE NEEDS NEEDS SUCH AS LIMITED MOBILITY OR HEARING IMPAIRMENT?
Phüntsok Chöling is accessible to individuals with mobility impairments or other disabilities. Please contact us if you have any special needs, regarding any questions or concerns you might have.
WILL THIS TALK BE AVAILABLE REMOTELY?
We are delighted to announce that we have a video-on-demand option. The video will be available very soon after July 17th and will be accessible for one month. Check back for more details soon.
CAN I STAY FOR THE AFTERNOON TALK?
We warmly invite you to stay for the afternoon talk. Please visit the NSS event page for more information about purchasing a ticket for the afternoon event.
WILL THERE BE FOOD AVAILABLE?
Participants may bring prepared lunches in an insulated lunch sack or may purchase lunch in advance: $14/lunch. COMING SOON!
WHAT ABOUT ACCOMMODATIONS?
Phüntsok Chöling has no accommodations, but there are various places to stay in the area. A number of towns, from 15 to 45 minutes away, offer accommodations. Nederland is the closest and both Boulder and Longmont offer a variety of hotel and motel options.
Visit our NSS accommodations page here for more details.
If you need more support sorting out accommodations, please contact our Hospitality Coordinator, Wassilissa Agasto.
ARE THERE CAMPING OPTIONS?
Due to the delicate nature of the environment, camping is not permitted at Phüntsok Chöling. This includes campers, RVs and car camping. However, we are located near the Roosevelt National Forest which offers campgrounds. Campsites may be reserved from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov. Some campsites are available on a first-come, first served basis. Information on the following campgrounds as well as National Forest rules and regulations and fire restrictions can be found at
www.fs.fed.us/arnf.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN JULY?
The altitude at Phüntsok Chöling is roughly 9,000 feet. For comparison, Boulder is 5,430 feet and Denver is 5,280 feet. If you live at a location near sea level (e.g. Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, St. Louis), you are likely to experience some noticeable physical effects from the higher elevation. Please expect these, so you won’t be overly concerned.
Most people will have some shortness of breath, especially with any exertion (climbing stairs; carrying luggage); and some people report feeling headaches or upset stomach for the first day or two after arriving. Sleeping may also be fitful or interrupted. The acclimation period varies from one person to the next, but for most people, their discomfort is limited to the first 36 hours, though you still may get winded easily for much longer. Some travelers may prefer to spend an extra day or two in Denver or Boulder in order to make the transition more smoothly. Many of the effects of altitude change are due to relative dehydration because of the drier climate and the body’s adjustment mechanisms. Please keep in mind that much of the acclimation process can be accelerated by drinking plenty of water—more than you may be accustomed to drinking. In fact, some travelers avert much of the initial discomfort by drinking plenty of water prior to and during the day of travel, and arrive very well-hydrated.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING ?
WHAT SHOULD I KEEP AT HOME?
SHRINE ROOM ETIQUETTE
In the summer, teachings are held outdoors in our large shrine tent. During other programs, teaching and practice are held indoors in the center’s shrine room. A shrine room is a sacred space in which we connect with the Three Jewels (the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha), hear the teachings and ultimately connect with our own enlightened nature.
The following are guidelines that help us remain mindful and respectful of the precious opportunity we have to hear the teachings and study and practice the Dharma.
7:30 am MT: Check-in opens
8:30 am- 9:30 am MT: Chants & Meditation session
10 am-12 pm MT: Dharma Talk with Pema Chödrön
If you would like to stay for the afternoon talk with Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, you will need to register for that separately. Please visit this page for more information.
HOW DO I GET TO THE EVENT SITE?
There is no public transportation to the event site, Phüntsok Chöling. Detailed driving directions to the event are available here.
WHERE WILL I PARK?
The parking area is a few hundred feet from the main shrine hall. There will be parking attendants on site to help direct you to the parking area. The terrain is rocky and the elevation is over 9000 feet. There are steep stairs and gravel pathways. Sturdy walking shoes are essential in the summer.
WHAT IF I HAVE NEEDS NEEDS SUCH AS LIMITED MOBILITY OR HEARING IMPAIRMENT?
Phüntsok Chöling is accessible to individuals with mobility impairments or other disabilities. Please contact us if you have any special needs, regarding any questions or concerns you might have.
WILL THIS TALK BE AVAILABLE REMOTELY?
We are delighted to announce that we have a video-on-demand option. The video will be available very soon after July 17th and will be accessible for one month. Check back for more details soon.
CAN I STAY FOR THE AFTERNOON TALK?
We warmly invite you to stay for the afternoon talk. Please visit the NSS event page for more information about purchasing a ticket for the afternoon event.
WILL THERE BE FOOD AVAILABLE?
Participants may bring prepared lunches in an insulated lunch sack or may purchase lunch in advance: $14/lunch. COMING SOON!
WHAT ABOUT ACCOMMODATIONS?
Phüntsok Chöling has no accommodations, but there are various places to stay in the area. A number of towns, from 15 to 45 minutes away, offer accommodations. Nederland is the closest and both Boulder and Longmont offer a variety of hotel and motel options.
Visit our NSS accommodations page here for more details.
If you need more support sorting out accommodations, please contact our Hospitality Coordinator, Wassilissa Agasto.
ARE THERE CAMPING OPTIONS?
Due to the delicate nature of the environment, camping is not permitted at Phüntsok Chöling. This includes campers, RVs and car camping. However, we are located near the Roosevelt National Forest which offers campgrounds. Campsites may be reserved from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov. Some campsites are available on a first-come, first served basis. Information on the following campgrounds as well as National Forest rules and regulations and fire restrictions can be found at
www.fs.fed.us/arnf.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN JULY?
The altitude at Phüntsok Chöling is roughly 9,000 feet. For comparison, Boulder is 5,430 feet and Denver is 5,280 feet. If you live at a location near sea level (e.g. Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, St. Louis), you are likely to experience some noticeable physical effects from the higher elevation. Please expect these, so you won’t be overly concerned.
Most people will have some shortness of breath, especially with any exertion (climbing stairs; carrying luggage); and some people report feeling headaches or upset stomach for the first day or two after arriving. Sleeping may also be fitful or interrupted. The acclimation period varies from one person to the next, but for most people, their discomfort is limited to the first 36 hours, though you still may get winded easily for much longer. Some travelers may prefer to spend an extra day or two in Denver or Boulder in order to make the transition more smoothly. Many of the effects of altitude change are due to relative dehydration because of the drier climate and the body’s adjustment mechanisms. Please keep in mind that much of the acclimation process can be accelerated by drinking plenty of water—more than you may be accustomed to drinking. In fact, some travelers avert much of the initial discomfort by drinking plenty of water prior to and during the day of travel, and arrive very well-hydrated.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING ?
- Personal water bottle
- Notebook, pens
- Food for lunch, snacks
- Sunglasses, sunhat, sunscreen, insect repellant
- Clothing that you can layer (average summer temperatures are between 43-86º F, average winter temperatures 11-37º F)
- Shawl/blanket (cool in mornings/evenings)
- Rain poncho/small folding umbrella
- Walking shoes or sandals that can easily be taken on and off
- Chairs are provided at this event
WHAT SHOULD I KEEP AT HOME?
- Pets
- Firearms or other weapons
- Illegal drugs/alcohol
SHRINE ROOM ETIQUETTE
In the summer, teachings are held outdoors in our large shrine tent. During other programs, teaching and practice are held indoors in the center’s shrine room. A shrine room is a sacred space in which we connect with the Three Jewels (the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha), hear the teachings and ultimately connect with our own enlightened nature.
The following are guidelines that help us remain mindful and respectful of the precious opportunity we have to hear the teachings and study and practice the Dharma.
- Please remove your shoes before entering the shrine room and place them on the designated shoe racks. Personal belongings (lunches, backpacks, coats, etc.) also should be left in the designated area.
- When entering and leaving the shrine room it is customary to offer a gesture of respect. This can be done by placing your palms together at your heart and bowing slightly.
- Conversation should be kept to a minimum in and around the shrine room.
- Turn off all cell phones and watch alarms.
- Dress appropriately. Revealing clothing such as halter tops and shorts are not appropriate attire. Hats should be removed before entering the shrine room.
- Chant books, texts, liturgies, sacred images should be treated with respect. Do not place them directly on the floor or step over them.
- It is considered disrespectful to point one’s feet at the shrine, a sacred image, or towards the teacher. Likewise, one never lies down in the shrine.