Insight through Satipatthāna –
A Retreat with Ven. Dhammajiva Thera
This residential meditation retreat will be conducted in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition with a focus on Satipatthāna, the meditation practice of the “four foundations of mindfulness.” The practice strives for continuity of mindfulness through the noting of physical and mental objects as they arise in each moment. The retreat includes sitting meditation, walking meditation, and maintaining mindfulness throughout one’s daily activities.
Instructions and guidance for all meditators will include a daily discourse by Venerable Dhammajiva Thera as well as group interviews. At the interviews each meditator will be able to discuss their meditation experiences with the teacher.
During the retreat, all meditators are expected to observe the traditional eight precepts and to practice with a high level of commitment, effort, and dedication. Starting on May 27th the daily practice begins each morning at 4:00 AM and ends at 9:00 PM each evening.
Meditators are requested to register at 5 PM and attend the orientation at 7:00 PM on May 26, 2016.
Protocol of the Retreat
The Eight Precepts (all meditators are expected to observe the eight precepts during the retreat):
1. Harmlessness: not intentionally taking the life of any living creature
2. Trustworthiness: not taking anything that is not given
3. Chastity: refraining from any sexual activity
4. Right Speech: avoiding false, abusive or malicious speech
5. Sobriety: not taking any intoxicating drinks or drugs
6. Renunciation: not eating after midday
7. Restraint: not wearing make-up, jewelry or immodest clothing; not playing music or musical instruments; to refrain from dancing; singing and to refrain from the use of adornments and ornaments
8. Alertness: to refrain from using high and luxurious seats and beds
Meditators are required to strictly adhere to the rules of the retreat and to practice diligently, according to the instructions given by their teacher.
Noble Silence
Meditators are asked to maintain strict “noble silence,” that is, not engaging in any talk with each other, or anyone else, unless it is really necessary during the course of the retreat.
Dress
Meditators are expected to dress conservatively and to not wear sleeveless shirts, tank tops, shorts or short skirts when resident at the retreat. Female yogis should wear long skirts or loose trousers, or dresses and blouses with sleeves. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes.
Items to bring
Please bring your own toiletries, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, soap, shampoo, razors, mirror, hair-brush and nail clippers.
Meditators may also wish to bring a watch, alarm clock, vitamin supplements as well as any prescribed medicines.
The Teacher:
Venerable Uda Eriyagama Dhammajīva Thera is a meditation master from Sri Lanka. He has taught meditation for over fifteen years and is presently the Chief Preceptor of the Nissarana Vanaya Forest Monastery located about 30 miles from Colombo. On a daily basis, he provides training in both tranquility (samatha) and insight (vipassanā) meditation to about twenty monks resident at the monastery. Venerable Dhammajīva spent several years of training under Sayādaw U Panditābhivamsa, a leading Burmese meditation master who follows the lineage of the great Venerable Mahāsi Sayadaw. He is fluent in Sinhalese, English, and Burmese and has authored and translated many meditation guidebooks from Burmese to English and to Sinhalese. He is a rare teacher from the traditional lineages who is able to teach without an interpreter. As such, Ven. Dhammajiva is in great demand as a teacher par excellence and conducts retreats worldwide.
Chuang Yen Monastery
is situated on 225 acres of land in the Town of Kent, Putnam County, New York State. The name of the monastery, “Chuang Yen,” means “Majestically Adorned.” The “Adornment” refers to the adornment of the Buddha’s teachings.
Please Click here to APPLY
In order to properly arrange your stay, please kindly submit your application as early as possible, the application deadline is 5/20/2016. Application after the deadline add extra difficulties and stress to lodging and meal preparation, please be mindful and considerate for people who is helping your practice.
莊嚴寺 Chuang Yen Monastery, 2020 Route 301,Carmel, NY 10512 (845) 225 – 1819, cym@baus.org, register online www.baus.org