This is an important
topic because our negative thoughts and emotions are the biggest
obstacle to spiritual life. They stand between us and our freedom, and
they prevent us from accessing our Buddha nature, or spiritual
essence, which is by nature pure and peaceful, blissful and free of
all negativity. Just as physical
illness prevents us from enjoying physical well-being and good health;
so negative emotions prevent us from enjoying mental well-being and
our fundamental goodness. Negative thought patterns become entrenched
in our sense of who we believe ourselves to be, and this
identification is a major source of suffering. Fortunately, mental
afflictions are temporary obscurations and not permanent parts of our
intrinsic nature. They can be gradually transformed and eliminated, so
we can enjoy the inherent blissful state of our being, the bliss of
the Buddhas. Geshe-la will teach us how to do this, so we can realise
the purpose of spiritual life, which is to develop our unlimited
potential, and not remain stuck in our less than better selves.
According to
Buddhism, everything that we perceive and experience comes from our
own minds. The positive and negative imprints on our mindstreams
produces our positive and negative thoughts and emotions, and these
determine how we perceive and experience the world around us.
Happiness and suffering do not come from outside. The real causes of
happiness and suffering are the disturbing thoughts and emotions
within our own minds. Thus the importance of purifying our mindstreams
of negative imprints, so that we can experience and enjoy the
essential purity and blissful nature of our mind / consciousness.
GESHE PHENDE ordained as
a Buddhist monk at the age of 12 years. He studied Buddhism at monasteries
in Nepal and India, and obtained the prestigious Geshe Degree (Doctorate
of Buddhist Philosophy) after 18 years of monastic study, training and
practice. Thereafter he went to Tantric College to further study the
(secret) higher Buddhist teachings. Geshe-la is presently resident teacher
at the Lam Rim Buddhist Centres in Johannesburg and Durban. Sat Chit Anand
is privileged to host such a highly qualified Buddhist Teacher.
SAT CHIT ANAND is a Buddhist Centre
and Guesthouse in Plettenberg Bay. It has been hosting meditations
and Buddhist teachings for several years, and in 2005 it is pleased
to host spiritual retreats, which may be attended on a
residential or non-residential basis. A retreat is a time to remove
oneself from the distractions of the world, and focus intensely on
one’s spiritual practice. Traditionally this involves receiving and
contemplating teachings, meditating and doing spiritual practices.
WEEKEND RETREAT
SCHEDULE
THURSDAY 03 MARCH:
19h00:
Free talk by Geshe Phende: Introduction to Buddhism
You are invited to
meet this warm, friendly, wise, compassionate monk
FRIDAY
04 MARCH:
18h00: SUPPER (residential only)
19h00 – 20h00: Introductory talk
20h00 – 21h00: Evening meditation
Noble silence till after morning Dharma talk
SATURDAY
05 MARCH:
07h00 – 08h00: Morning meditation
08h00: BREAKFAST
09h00 – 10h30: Dharma talk
TEA BREAK
11h00 – 12h00: Guided meditation
12h30: LUNCH
14h00 – 15h00: Dharma talk
15h00 - 16h00: Q & A session: Dharma questions
TEA BREAK
Free time, walking meditation on beach
18h00: SUPPER
19h00 – 20h00: Evening meditation
20h00 – 21h00: Q & A session: Meditation questions
Noble silence till after morning Dharma talk
SUNDAY 06 MARCH:
07h00 – 08h00: Morning
meditation
08h00: BREAKFAST
09h00 – 10h30: Dharma
talk
TEA BREAK
11h00 – 12h00: Guided
meditation
12h30: LUNCH
14h00 – 15h00:
Concluding talk
15h00 – 16h00: Sharing
TEA and depart home
