Fall Retreat 2011!

Fall retreat with Lama Jigmé in Cadzand.

From Monday 17 - Sunday 23 October is a retreat with Lama Jigmé, at the Naropa Instituut in Cadzand (Zeeland). The retreat will consist of two parts a midweek (Monday 17 – Friday 21) and a weekend (Friday 21-Sunday 23). You can choose to attend both or only one: the midweek or the weekend.  

The universality of the Buddhist approach to happiness (weekend)

The Buddhist teachings contain numerous skilful means which can benefit people regardless of their religious or cultural background. Indeed, they help us to develop an attitude of non-harming towards ourselves and others and to discover a natural spaciousness beyond our daily worries and preoccupations − thus we are led to find a profound source of inner happiness, contentment and peace.  

The heart of universal compassion (week)

During this week we will explore the development of the heart of universal compassion, which in Buddhism is called the ‘enlightened mind’ (bodhicitta). This refers to the altruistic attitude of compassionately striving for the benefit of all sentient beings.

The teachings will be based on Śāntideva’s classic Bodhicaryāvatāra. Continuing from last year’s autumn retreat, we will study Chapter 2. The main themes of this chapter are worship and the confession of sins. In the Buddhist context, this has nothing to do with venerating an external god or with being weighed down by guilt and a sense of eternal punishment. Rather, ‘worship’ places our mind in a receptive attitude, whereas ‘confession’ provides us with a tool to let go of our past mistakes and start afresh. Both become powerful methods in the development of the enlightened mind of compassion.  

Participants are asked to bring a copy of the book, which exists in several translations in various European languages.

Costs

Teachings

Lama Jigmé speaks in English. His teachings are then translated to Dutch.

Practical information

• Midweek: begins Monday 17 Oct. between 16.00-17.00, ends Friday 21 Oct. after lunch. Weekend: begins Friday 21 Oct. between 15.00-16.00, ends Sunday 23 Oct. around 16.00.  
• All meals are vegetarian. If you have a special diet, please inform us when registering. If possible we may be able to cater to your needs, however in some case this is not possible.
• The Naropa instituut has no employees it is run by volunteers. Therefore retreat participants are expect to help max 1 hour per day with household choirs or other duties.
• Bring with you: a pillowcase, 2 sheets or 1 sheet en 1 bed cover or a sleeping bag.
• A set of sheets can be rented for € 9,- 
• For a single room there is an additional fee of €6,50 per night.
• The daily routine is: 
  7.00 morning pratice, 8.00 breakfast,10.30 teaching,13.00 warm lunch
  Afternoon karmayoga/chores, workshops and freetime, 18.00 diner, 20.00 teaching.
• All payments should be made to bank account: 14.68.46.400 to Stichting Phuntsok Chö Ling, Rotterdam.

Registration and more information

Registration via aanmelden@phuntsokcholing.org before October 2nd 2011.
For more information send and email to info@phuntsokcholing.org or call 06-17905061. 

More information about the Naropa instituut, see: http://www.tibetaans-instituut.org/cms/index.php?page=naropa-instituut-te-cadzand

Address Naropa Instituut:
Vierhonderdpolderdijk 10
4506 HL Cadzand