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THIRD ANNUAL" EXPLORING MONASTIC" RETREAT

Sixteen participants of various ages spent over two weeks exploring their aspirations around monastic life. The group bonded quickly during full days of teachings, group discussions and offering service.

This year's experience was rich and fruitful with sincere Dharma questions, honest sharing, valuable teachings on the Vinaya (the monastic discipline) by Venerable Chodron and lots of laughter.

We became friends and some of us are committed to return for monastic training in the near future. Here's a sample of the experience from the inside:

Hearing, thinking and meditating on the Dharma don’t have to happen exclusively in a meditation hall on a meditation cushion. One of Venerable Chodron’s greatest gifts as a teacher is to use familiar environments and everyday situations to give teachings. Because the moment is so precious and unique, the Dharma seems to go in at a much deeper level helping us to integrate it into our lives.
On the first day of EML retreatants offer food to the Sangha

Lucia, from Mexico, is doing a one month silent retreat in the Abbey cabin while the EML program is in progress. She brings a lovely smile and quietude to the Abbey when she shares meals with us.

Venerable sets the daily motivation before breakfast. She is giving short teachings on the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva.

Exiquio in a quiet moment in the middle of a busy schedule

On a free day Venerable and a group of students recite the Extraordinary Aspiration of the Practice of Samantabhadra in the forest of the Abbey. She then gave an impromptu teaching on emptiness to the fortunate group.

The Exploring Monastic program offers many rare opPORT 71,92,111,213,131,31

No teaching went without Venerable's delightful and funny personal "sharings" of her life in the Dharma

Venerables Chodron, Saldon and Tarpa pose in the lower meadow where the future monastic resident will be built.

The Exploring Monastic participants pose with Venerable after an amazing 2 ½ weeks. Now we all get to take the Dharma and our new fresh perspectives back home.

 
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ffff99" href="getinvolved.html">Get Involved ][ Donate ][ Dharma ][ FAQ ][ Monastic Life ]
[ Calendar ][ Visiting ][ Links ][ Boards ] [ What's New ] [ Photo Gallery ][ Reflections ]
All website content © Copyright 2002 - 2008 Sravasti Abbey - No duplication without permission