Saturday 28 August – Friday 3 September 2021
This retreat will be held online via Zoom. Please email education@meditateinchristchurch.org to get the link.
What is Refuge?
We can find true refuge from our problems and suffering by developing positive minds such as love, compassion and wisdom. This inner experience is the Dharma – a Sanskrit word which means “protection”. Gaining a deep inner experience of these virtuous minds can completely protect us from suffering and enable us to experience a deep inner happiness no matter what is happening in our life. We cultivate this precious mind of refuge by relying upon enlightened beings (Buddhas) and genuine spiritual friends (Sangha). On this retreat, we will have the opportunity to develop and improve our inner wealth of refuge.
Everybody is welcome to this retreat. There is no pre-required knowledge or experience in order to engage in this retreat. Whether you are a Buddhist or not, beginner or a more advanced practitioner, EVERYBODY WELCOME.
Retreat
There are three to four sessions per day. Each session lasts for one and a half hours and consists of chanted prayers in English and time for silent contemplation and meditation. During retreat everyone is asked to maintain silence from after the last session at night until after the second session the next morning. You are welcome to drop in for any or all of the retreat sessions. There is no charge for retreat sessions – donations welcome. Introduction is $10.
Session Times
Friday 27 August – Introduction with Kelsang Luma – 8 – 9.00pm
Cost $10
The Introduction will be available online click here to book
Saturday 28 August – Friday 3 September
Ses 1: 7.30 – 9.00am
Ses 2: 10.30 – 12.00pm
Ses 3: 4.00 – 5.30pm
Ses 4: 7.30 – 9.00pm
with the following exceptions:
Saturday 28th August – no session 2 – Half Day Course
Sunday 29th August – session 2 begins 11.00pm – 12.30pm
Sunday 29th August no session 4 – Kangso 6.00 – 9.30pm
Tuesday 31st August no session 4 – GP class 7.30 – 9.00pm
Friday 3 September no session 4 – WFJ with Tsog 6.30 – 8.00pm
Refuge & Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony
Friday 17th September 8.00 -9.00pm
During the Mahayana Refuge Ceremony we formally go for refuge to the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha; and during the Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony we make the strong determination to become a Bodhisattva—someone who strives toward enlightenment motivated by compassion for all living beings—and engage in all the actions of a Bodhisattva.
The Refuge and Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony is a special opportunity to formally take or renew the Vows and is open to everyone who seeks to follow the Buddhist path.
The event will include a teaching by our Resident Teacher, Kelsang Luma, on the benefits of taking formal Mahayana Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows. Then there will be chanted prayers and the very beautiful Refuge and Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony.
You are welcome to bring a vegetarian food offering for the Ceremony.