Amitabha Mindfulness Retreat
December 14 - 22, 2024
Retreat registration is now closed.
Join us this December for a transformative experience focused on the mindfulness of Buddha Amitabha. Immerse yourself in the practice of reciting the name of Buddha Amitabha, known as "The Awakened One of Infinite Light", and experience how this practice can illuminate and center your heart and mind.
In East Asia, mindfulness of Buddha Amitabha's name is a deeply revered meditation practice. Chan (Zen) masters have long emphasized its importance as a complement to sitting meditation, as Buddha Amitabha represents our awakened nature. Pure Land School practitioners also focus on this practice, making vows to be reborn in the Pure Land of Utmost Happiness---a realm created by the vows of Buddha Amitabha---after this human life. It is in that supportive environment alongside compassionate friends, that they can further cultivate the capacity to serve and bring ultimate happiness to all beings.
By embracing the mindfulness of Buddha Amitabha, you will reconnect with your innate wisdom and compassion. And with this enlightened heart, you will contribute to creating the Pure Land in the here and now.
Join us for 7 days of recitation, meditation, and service within a monastic environment. Our daily schedule includes chanting, walking, bowing, sitting recitation, community work, and engaging discussions and lectures designed to deepen your understanding of Buddhism and its practical applications in daily life.
In East Asia, mindfulness of Buddha Amitabha's name is a deeply revered meditation practice. Chan (Zen) masters have long emphasized its importance as a complement to sitting meditation, as Buddha Amitabha represents our awakened nature. Pure Land School practitioners also focus on this practice, making vows to be reborn in the Pure Land of Utmost Happiness---a realm created by the vows of Buddha Amitabha---after this human life. It is in that supportive environment alongside compassionate friends, that they can further cultivate the capacity to serve and bring ultimate happiness to all beings.
By embracing the mindfulness of Buddha Amitabha, you will reconnect with your innate wisdom and compassion. And with this enlightened heart, you will contribute to creating the Pure Land in the here and now.
Join us for 7 days of recitation, meditation, and service within a monastic environment. Our daily schedule includes chanting, walking, bowing, sitting recitation, community work, and engaging discussions and lectures designed to deepen your understanding of Buddhism and its practical applications in daily life.
- Engage in discussions with practicing monastics and teachers
- Connect with our community and others interested in exploring Buddhism
- Experience the practices of Amitabha recitation, contemplation, and meditation
- Explore Buddhist sacred texts with experienced teachers and good friends
- Immerse yourself in a lifestyle designed for spiritual growth (see guidelines)
- Serve each other as part of the caring community
- Enjoy a vegetarian diet
Typical Schedule
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1st Day Saturday
PM 5:05 – 5:45 Dinner [Small Dining Hall] Before 6:00 Check-in at Admin Office 7:30 - 9:00 Welcome & Orientation [Old DRBU Conference Room] 9:00 - 9:30 Purifying Boundaries [Buddha Hall] 2nd Day Sunday AM 4:00 – 5:00 Morning Recitation [Optional] 5:00 – 6:00 Universal Bowing [Optional] 6:15 – 6:45 Breakfast (Small Dining Hall) 7:30 - 8:30 Stretches & Meditation with Instructions 8:30 - 10:30 Morning Class 11:00 - 11:50 Noon Meal PM 12:00 - 1:00 Viewing the Relics of the Buddha & Founder 1:30 - 3:30 Afternoon Class (Mechanism of Amitabha Mindfulness practice) 3:30 – 5:00 Break 5:05 – 5:45 Simple Dinner (fruits and bread) 6:30 - 7:30 Evening Ceremony with explanation 7:30 - 9:00 Evening Class 9:00 - 9:40 Great Transference |
3rd - 7th Day Monday-Saturday
AM 4:00 – 5:00 Morning Ceremonies 5:00 – 6:00 Universal Bowing 6:15 – 6:45 Breakfast 7:15 – 8:00 Amitabha Sutra / Walking Recitation 8:00 – 8:30 Seated Recitation 8:30 – 9:00 Silent Recitation 9:00 – 9:30 Walking Recitation 9:30 – 10:00 Seated Recitation 10:20 – 11:00 Meal Offering 11:00 – 11:50 Lunch PM 1:00 – 2:00 Amitabha Sutra / Walking Recitation 2:00 – 2:30 Seated Recitation 2:30 – 3:00 Silent Recitation 3:00 – 3:30 Walking Recitation 3:30 – 4:00 Seated Recitation 4:00 – 4:30 Silent Recitation 4:30 – 5:00 Transference ceremony 5:05 – 5:45 Simple Dinner (fruits and bread) 6:30 – 7:30 Evening chanting 7:30 – 9:00 Evening Lecture 9:00 – 9:30 Transfer of merit ceremony 8th Day Sunday AM 4:00 – 5:00 Morning Recitation [Optional] 5:00 – 6:00 Universal Bowing [Optional] 6:15 – 6:45 Breakfast 7:00 - 8:00 Stretches & Meditation 8:00 - 9:00 Wrap Up, Reflections & Evaluations 9:00 - 10:20 Clean Up Lunch [optional] |
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About Instructors
Afternoon discussion and evening sutra lectures with Doug Powers, DRBU professor. Buddhist monks, Jin-Chuan Shi and Jin-Wei Shi will also host orientation and meditation classes with Q&A. |
Guidelines
General Guidelines for your visit. |
Logistics & Info
Accommodations, packing list, meals, weather, and more. |
