| who is the teacher? |
The teacher is Bhante Wellawatte Seelagawesi Thero. He is a senior Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka who ordained twenty years ago.
|
| who are the participants? |
They are friends who share interest in Dhamma, and the determination to develop and purify their mind, by making an effort to restrain it, concentrate it and investigate it.
|
| what is the program? |
| date |
morning |
afternoon |
evening |
| mon 14 June |
|
picking Bhante up from Belgium
|
meeting with family of Sheridha
|
| tue 15 June |
free |
meeting @ Drug Rehabili-tation in Winschoten |
7.30pm: meeting with Kwiz |
wed 16 June |
free |
moving to De Stille Kracht |
7.30pm: guided meditation |
| thu 17 June |
free |
1pm: dhamma speech / meditation |
| fri 18 June |
free |
7.30pm start retreat
|
| sat 19 June |
dhamma retreat day one |
| sun 20 June |
dhamma retreat day two |
| mon 21 June |
dhamma retreat day three |
7pm: speech and meditation |
| tue 22 June |
dhamma retreat day four |
| wed 23 June |
dhamma retreat day five |
7.30pm: guided meditation |
| thu 24 June |
dhamma retreat day six |
| fri 25 June |
dhamma retreat day seven |
| sat 26 June |
dhamma retreat day eight |
| sun 27 June |
Bhante leaving |
cleaning and goodbye |
|
| what is the subject of the retreat? |
Satipatthana - Developing The Four Foundations of Mindfulness:
- mindfulness of body
- mindfulness of the sensations
- mindfulness of thoughts
- mindfulness of Dhamma (phenomena of nature)
|
| what are the activities during the retreat? |
- the practice of mindfulness of breathing
- the practice of mindfulness of walking
- Dhamma teachings and discussion
- personal counseling and healing
Also:
- mindful working meditation (e.g. cooking, gardening)
- recitation and chanting
- metta meditation: to radiate universal loving kindness
- body scan healing and relaxation meditation
- candlelight meditation
- ...
|
| what is the daily schedule at the retreat? |
05:30: early morning meditation (optional)
06:30: breakfast
08:00: teaching and meditation
10:15: working meditation: preparing lunch, cleaning, gardening / personal counseling
11:20: offering lunch to Bhante (rice, vegetables, fruits etc.)
11:45: lunch for others
12:30: rest, individual practice / personal counseling
14:00: teaching and meditation
17:00: yoga
18:00: break
19:00: teaching and meditation
21:30: rest
|
| which moral precepts can we follow? |
Buddha advices to avoid the two extremes of pleasing and punishing yourself. So he advices to follow the middle path. We should be aware of the "Eight Precepts" for lay people during a retreat:
1. be kind / not harming or killing any other beings.
2. take care of the posessions of others / not taking what is not given to you.
3. be honest, kind, timely and purposeful with your words / not telling lies, gossip, slander, empty and harsh words.
4. be restrained with sensual pleasures / not having sexual activities.
5. keep the mind clean / not taking alcohol, drugs, cigarettes or other intoxicants.
6. be moderate with eating / setting your mind to be content with breakfast and lunch, have no dinner (or only a small dinner)
7a. refrain from singing, dancing, making music, watching television and entertainment.
7b. refrain from making yourself attractive to others with decoration and perfumes.
8. be moderate with sleeping / not using high, luxury beds.
Please don't see these as rules, but as guidelines. If Eight Precepts are too many for you, then feel free to follow the first five only. "De Stille Kracht" is a very suitable location for meditation and the practice of these Eight Noble Precepts.
Morality (Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood), Wisdom (Right View and Right Intention) and Meditation (Right Effort, Right Mindfulness amd Right Concentration), are the three components that lead us away from suffering.
|
| what to bring? |
- your meditation cushion
- your sleeping bag, a bottom sheet and a pillow case (mattress and pillow are available)
- comfortable white clothes and a towel
- your tent, if you would like to sleep outside.
Sleeping in De Stille Kracht is comfortable. (see here).
|
| how much money I should contribute? |
It depends entirely on you. You can contribute any amount you like. This is the practice of "Dana" (generosity) by both the organizer and participants.
The expenses are: (a part of) Bhante's plane ticket and transport through Europe + renting De Stille Kracht + buying food.
If you don't know how much to contribute, this might be a direction: eur 35,- per day (including the night).
This is a non-commercial retreat. Any profit made will be donated to Bhante Seelagawesi and his Nissarana Foundation.
|
| other information |
- the meals will be vegetarian.
- men and women will sleep separated.
|
| participants: |
| role |
attendees |
| Teacher (confirmed) |
Bhante |
| Yoga teacher |
Sonja |
| Host |
Wiel |
| Participants (confirmed) |
Toos, Janny, Johan, Ineke, Marleen, Sonja, Robin, Diane (18-23), Anita (22-27), Rommy (25-27) |
|
| contact |
If you have any questions or if you would like to join the program, please contact:
johanknol@gmail.com (06-42450621)
|
| facebook link |
click here
|
