Ven. Lama Pema Wangdak, one of the first young monks sent by the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism to the West, is at Sakya Kachod Choling Tibetan Buddhist retreat center on San Juan Island today through Oct. 21.

While here, he will be offering a teaching retreat on “Parting From the Four Attachments.”

Today from 7:30-9 p.m., Lama Pema will give a brief introduction and explanation on “Parting From the Four Attachments.” It is by donation and is open to the public.

The retreat begins on the 18th in the morning and finishes on the afternoon of the 21st by 5 p.m. It includes practice, teaching, discussions and Sojong. The retreat is also open to the public.

Sojong is the act of following one-day lay precepts and is a purification ritual. Buddhists follow Sojong on holy days and on full-, half- and new-moon days. The precepts are the same as monastic precepts, except instead of taking them for life, the practitioner takes them one day at a time. They are an effective way to help train the body and speech of a lay practitioner, which will help with one’s meditation practice.

For more details, such as the actual daily schedule, directions to the Center or more information about Lama Pema, e-mail thrinley@rockisland.com or call 378-4059.

The retreat will be held at Sakya Kachod Choling. Because of space restrictions, it is limited to 21 people. Carpooling is encouraged.