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SAT CHIT
ANAND
RETREAT with KARMA SHENPEN
Buddhist Monk in Tibetan Tradition
Friday 08 - Sunday 10 July
2005
BEING HUMAN IS DIVINE
During a retreat at Samye Ling Monastery, a sentence came to me in
meditation. This sentence has helped me enormously on my spiritual
path. It was a very plain and simple sentence, but it gives me great
inspiration. After two years of contemplating the meaning of this
sentence, I humbly think I am ready to expand on its meaning … The
sentence is: “You don’t have to be perfect, because you already are.”
The foundation of Lord Buddha’s teachings is Buddha Nature, our pure and
enlightened essential nature. This is our Ultimate reality, even though it
may be obscured by delusions and defilements. Like the sun is always
shining above the clouds, our Buddha nature is ever-present and we can
access it here and now. Ultimately, we are already perfect. Ultimately, we
are already enlightened. Dharma practice teaches us how to overcome our
relative imperfections. With the right teachings and methods, it is
possible to overcome all the obscurations that prevent us from recognising
and realizing our Buddha natures. As humans we have precious opportunity
to strive towards greater awakening of our Ultimate potential. The fully
awakened person becomes the embodiment of Buddha Nature, transcending all
limitations. This is your destiny. As the Buddha said: Wake up, and
realize who you really are!
In Vajrayana Buddhism, enlightenment is considered to be our natural
state. This retreat will explain the three vehicles of Buddhist practice (Hinayana,
Mahayana, Vajrayana). It will examine the qualities and characteristics of
Buddha Nature; the obstacles that prevent us from recognising it; and the
means to overcome these obstacles. The retreat will include traditional
instruction on the Buddhist meditation practices of Samatha (calm
abiding); and there will be guided contemplations to increase our
understanding of topics such as precious human birth, impermanence, mind
poisons that obscure our inherent perfection, karma, relative and Ultimate
reality.
SHENPEN
is resident monk at
the Johannesburg Tibetan Buddhist Centre, established by Rob Nairn. He
became interested in Buddhism after attending a talk by His Holiness the
Dalai Lama in Johannesburg. In 1997, he took refuge with Dr Akong Tulku
Rinpoche. In 2002, he went to Samye Ling, Akong Rinpoche’s monastery in
Scotland, for a one year ngondro retreat, during which he took
novice monks vows. He facilitates talks and retreats on meditation and
Buddhism, since his return to South Africa in 2003.
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:
19h00: Free introductory talk
FRIDAY:
19h00 – 21h00: Retreat
introduction and meditation
Residents maintain
noble silence till morning Dharma talk
SATURDAY:
09h00 – 10h00: Dharma
talk
10h00 – 11h00:
Meditation instruction and meditation
TEA BREAK
11h30 – 12h30:
Question and answer session
12h30: LUNCH
14h00 – 15h00: Dharma
talk
15h00 –
16h00: Meditation instruction and meditation
18h00: SUPPER
(residents only)
19h00 – 20h00: Evening
meditation (optional)
Residents maintain
noble silence till morning Dharma talk
SUNDAY:
09h00 – 10h00: Dharma
talk
10h00 – 11h00:
Meditation instruction and meditation
TEA BREAK
11h30 – 12h30:
Question and answer session
12h30: LUNCH
14h00 – 15h00: Dharma
talk
15h00 – 16h00: Sharing
TEA and depart home
COST
RESIDENTIAL: Retreats commence on Friday evening and finish on Sunday
afternoon. Price includes 2 nights shared accommodation in garden
cottages, specified meals (vegetarian food only), and teacher’s dana.
Residential: R 600
NON-RESIDENTIAL: Special price for local residents who wish to attend the
retreats, excluding accommodation, but including specified meals, and
teacher’s dana.
Non-residential: R 300
Deposit of 50% is payable
upon reservation of place for residential retreats, and balance payable in cash or cheque upon
arrival. Deposit may be posted or paid into bank account, details of which
will be provided when booking is made. If booking is cancelled 2 weeks
prior to retreat, the deposit will be refunded, less cancellation fee of
R100.
Plettenberg Bay is a
popular holiday destination. It is possible to come early and/or stay
after the retreat. Special rates for retreatants participating in our
conducted retreats, who wish to stay longer in our self-catering cottages, are R150 per person per
night.
GENERAL
SCA is a non-smoking
space. Retreatants to uphold the 5 Buddhist Precepts (see Code of
Conduct).
We hope you can join us on the retreat. You don’t have to be a Buddhist,
because anyone can benefit from the Buddha’s teachings.
Number of
places limited, so early booking is advisable:
phone (044) 533 0453 or
email
satchitanand@global.co.za for further enquiries and bookings.
DIRECTIONS
There are 3
entrances to Plett: Coming from Cape Town side, take first entrance into
Piesang Valley. Coming from Port Elizabeth side, take third entrance into
Piesang Valley. Drive down the valley, till end of the road. There is a
traffic circle, garage and some shops. Turn right towards the BI Hotel
(left goes up the hill into town). Pass 1st right being Longships Road.
Take 2nd right into Longstone Road. There will be a small park on your
left hand side, and we are in the road that runs behind this park: no 16
Great Basses Road. NB please phone on arrival, because we do not always
hear the doorbell.
J
SAT CHIT ANAND namaste to you Buddha-to-be!
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