Vipassana ("mindfulness") meditation retreat and noble day of silence on Saturday, March 17, 2012 from 7am to 6pm. This one-day meditation retreat will held at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara (3153 Miller Road, Lithonia, GA 30038). For this retreat, all meditation instructions, discussions, and Dhamma talks will be conducted in English. This retreat is open to everyone....those who are new to meditation as well as those who are experienced meditators.
Below is a tentative schedule of the day's events:
MORNING PROGRAM
7:30am – 8:00am: Observance of Refuge and the Eight Precepts, Buddha Puja ("offerings"), and traditional Buddhist chanting in Pali (with English translations).
8:00am – 8:30am: Breakfast (self-service)
8:30am – 10:00am: Meditation
10:00am – 10:30am: Break (coffee/tea) and personal reflection/reading
10:30am – 11:00am: Metta ("Loving-Friendliness") medita
11:00am - 11:30am: Buddha Puja
11:30am – 12:30pm: Lunch (self-service)
AFTERNOON PROGRAM
12:30pm – 1:30pm: Walking meditation
1:30pm – 2:00pm: Break (coffee/tea) & personal reflection/reading
2:00pm - 3:00pm: Vipassana meditation
3:00pm – 5:00pm: Sutta Discussion: We will continue our investigation of the teachings found in the Majjhima Nikaya (Middle Length Teachings) by discussing the Dvedhavitakka Sutta: Two Kinds of Thoughts (MN #19) - In this teaching, the Buddha describes his pursuit of Awakening, and his realization of two types of thoughts...those that lead to Awakening and those that lead to more problems/suffering/dukkha. Please click here for the Suttra - Please print a copy of the sutta and bring it to Saturday's discussion.)
5:00pm - 6:00pm Observance of the Five Precepts and Termination of the Eight Precepts, Buddha Puja, and concluding chanting.
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PLEASE NOTE:
Participants will need to bring (1) a small breakfast food that would go along with oatmeal which will be provided (for example fruits, bagels, etc.) and (2) a lunch dish (preferably vegetarian) to share with the monks and the participants in the retreat as a form of dana (generosity). It is also customary to bring flowers, candles (tea light), or incense to place on the shrine as an offering. It is also customary to wear white clothing when observing the Eight Precepts, though this is not a requirement.
During this special time, please consider making a monetary donation to the vihara as a form of dana (generosity) so that we can continue to support the monks and to keep the vihara open so that all people are able to practice and learn about the Dhamma (the Buddha's teachings).
I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, March 17 at the vihara. To confirm that you are planning on attending the retreat or if you have questions about our program, please feel free to contact me either by email (justinhowell2112@gmail.com)
I hope that you will be able to join us for this day of quiet contemplation. If you are unable to make this retreat, please know that we will be having regular, day-long vipassana retreats once a month throughout the year. Additionally, you may join us for meditation and discussion on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00pm.
May you, your friends, and family members be well, happy, and peaceful……
With metta.....
Justin
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Justin Howell
Cell phone: 404.375.0264
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." -M. Gandhi
"You can't lead the people if you don't LOVE the people. You can't save the people if you won't SERVE the people." - Cornel West
