In Tibetan, the word "Nyung" means less, "Na" means remaining. This means that during this retreat, we reduce our negativity and, ideally, eliminate negativity entirely. Nyungna is the most effective course of practices to purify both environmental pollution and our own faults. The practice was revealed by Bhikshuni Palmo, a practitioner who suffered from leprosy. She performed this practice for 12 years in conjunction with Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) practice and become a great siddhi, attaining the Celestial Body. Nyung Na involves powerful practice for purification and the accumulation of positive energy, based on the practice of Avalokiteshvara. It involves maintaining the eight Mahayana precepts, fasting (abstain from eating & drinking), prostrations and silence on the second day. Practitioners will recite the six syllable mantra: Om Mani Padme Hung. The mantra purifies the six seeds of the six realms within oneself and, furthermore, has the effect of pacifying the suffering of all beings.

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

The merit for practicing Nyung Na is immeasurable. In the Sutra of Great Liberation, one of the most profound purification prayers, Lord Buddha mentions that if someone were to recite this sutra, such enormous purification could take place that even if they had the karma to be born in the hell realm, they might only experience a little headache instead. The benefits of Nyung Na practice are very much like that, meaning that if you suffer at all, it goes a long way toward your own karmic purification. If one become torpid, sleepy or depressed but continued the retreat, this purifies the karma that caused one to be reborn in the animal realm. If one suffers from hunger or thirst, this purifies the karma that caused one to be reborn as a hungry ghost.

On the first day of the Nyung Na, we take the 8 Mahayana Precepts: avoidance of killing, stealing, sexual activity, telling lies, taking intoxicants, eating more than one meal, singing/dancing/playing music, wearing jewelry and using high seats or beds. Three sessions of the sadhana are practiced on the first day.

On the second day, we take the 8 Mahayana Precepts as above and with the additional vows of not eating, drinking or speaking for 24 hours. Three sessions of the sadhana are practiced on this day. Although we vow to keep silence, we continue to recite the prayers and mantras of the sadhana. If communication between participants is necessary, it must be done through writing notes.

The second day is the most difficult part of the retreat. We experience hunger, thirst, tiredness and pain from doing prostrations. Some people feel ill from the fasting. However, if we understand the purpose of the practice, we will not mind the discomfort. By experiencing hardships in our Dharma practice, we are able to purify a great deal of our negative karma accumulated over countless previous lives. We can also build up positive habits and states of mind to counteract the negative ones. The Buddha advised the "middle way" - not too soft, not too tough. During Nyung Na, we do experience discomfort, but it is bearable and not too tough. By experiencing this discomfort, we have a better understanding of the suffering experienced by animals, hungry ghosts, and some humans, and thus develop greater compassion for sentient beings, and greater renunciation of samsara.