Retreat is good choice for beginners
Buddist retreat offers teachings, meditation
From the Buddhist point of view, joy is a heart that delights in the happiness and good fortune of others. Sravasti Abbey, the Buddhist monastery near Newport, Wash., hosts a weekend meditation retreat, Sharing Your Joy, April 22 to 24, to teach meditations that deliberately cultivate this kind of joy, opening the heart to see much goodness in the world. Beginners are welcome for this residential retreat that includes teachings, meditation instruction and practice, and keeping noble silence.
Sravasti Abbey’s two senior nuns, Venerable Thubten Tarpa and Venerable Thubten Semkye, will lead this retreat, offering the Buddha’s view on how rejoicing in our own and others’ goodness reduces discouragement, depression, envy, and jealousy, bringing greater peace and happiness. The retreat includes a joyful Saturday morning “compassion in action” outing to join a community walk in downtown Newport to raise awareness of child abuse.
The retreat begins Friday evening at 3 p.m. and ends after lunch on Sunday. Meals are all vegetarian, and accommodations are in shared rooms.
All programs at Sravasti Abbey are offered on a donation basis, and a $100 offering is requested to reserve a place. Pre-registration is required.
Sravasti Abbey is a Buddhist monastery in the Tibetan tradition, founded by author and teacher Venerable Thubten Chodron. Ordained nuns as well as lay people live there, devoting their lives to studying and practicing Buddhist teachings and sharing them with others. People of all faiths and backgrounds are welcomed. Friendly curiosity and openness to learn are the only pre-requisites.
Detailed guidelines for visiting Sravasti Abbey can be found under the “visiting” section at www.sravasti.org. Write or phone Sravasti Abbey for more information and to reserve a place.
Information: 509-447-5549 or office.sravasti@gmail.com
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