One-Day Anapanasati Samatha Retreat with Ven. Dhammadipa
On Saturday, December 13th, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
IMPORTANT
NOTICE: We ask that anyone who registered from Nov. 22nd through Nov.
29th (6:00 pm) to please register online again. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Bodhi Monastery will hold a one-day anapanasati samatha (mindfulness of breath/concentration) meditation retreat with Ven. Dhammadipa. In the morning Ven. Dhammadipa will first introduce the method and then build on this explanation bit by bit after each subsequent meditation session. Sitting sessions will be approximately one hour each. Talks will be in English with brief technical explanations in Chinese. Born in Czechoslovakia, Venerable Dhammadipa is a world-renowned meditation teacher with deep understanding in both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. In 1987, he received traditional Theravada ordination in Sri Lanka, where he practiced meditation under Venerable Nanarama Mahathera. In 1989, he received ordination as a Mahayana monk in Hsi Lai Temple, Los Angeles. In 1996, he practiced meditation with the meditation master Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw in Myanmar and is considered by the Sayadaw to be the first of his Western disciples qualified to teach meditation. Over the past ten years, Venerable Dhammadipa has taught meditation at western and Asian monasteries and universities around the world.
We hope that you can take advantage of this opportunity to develop your practice. For those of you who might like to volunteer for this retreat rather than meditate, please see the end of this article. The regular Saturday program of lectures in Chinese with Master Jen-chun will still take place.
Retreat Guidelines:
Registration: In order for us to properly prepare for the retreat, everyone must register by Dec. 7th.
Online registration beginning Nov. 22nd
Participants: Meditators from age of 21 years and older are welcome. Meditators should be able to sit comfortably in meditation for at least one hour periods.
Conduct: We ask that all meditators (including non-Buddhists) undertake the basic Five Precepts during the retreat
Arrival: Meditators must arrive between 7:15 and 7:45 a.m. Please be prompt and arrive early so that you don’t disturb the opening of the retreat.
Attendance: All meditators must participate from the beginning of the retreat at 8:00 a.m. You may leave the retreat at two times; following the late afternoon session, or at the end of the retreat at 8:00 p.m. For maximum immersion and benefit we highly recommend that you complete the retreat in its entirety.
Accommodations: The dormitories and nun’s quarters are not available for this retreat. If you do not live locally, we suggest that you stay with a local friend.
Food: No breakfast or dinner will be served. A vegetarian lunch will be served. There will be tea, juices, and broth served at the early evening break, but no solid food will be served then.
Dress: Where loose, comfortable, plain clothes. Dress in layers to adjust to varying body temperature. We recommend bringing stocking cap, gloves, and warm socks. Please do not wear any scents or noisy jewelry. Though we have towels available to cover your lap, we recommend that you bring a personal lap blanket.
Dana: There is no fee for the retreat but donations are appreciated. Those who cannot afford to make an offering are always just as welcome!
Volunteers Needed:
If you do not want to participate in the retreat but would like to volunteer to help set up on Friday, Dec. 12th or to work a portion of the retreat on Saturday, Dec. 13th, please let us know by contacting us with this form. Type “Volunteer for Retreat” in the subject box. Thank you!