Best Buddhist life for laypeople

The Buddha has good news for everyone pursuing a home-life or a left-home life (Ven. Bodhi).

Four-day hybrid retreat with Ven. American Bhikkhu Bodhi

During the Buddha’s time, thousands of people left the household life to take up the lifestyle of monastics (monks and nuns), but the Buddha also had hundreds of thousands of ordinary householder disciples who continued to live and practice at home.

To guide these lay disciples, the Buddha offered a rich body of teachings that would enable them to live the best life — a truly noble life — while fulfilling their household duties.

A Life of Boundless Blessings with Bhikkhu Bodhi (Talk 4/10)

Over four days, Bhante (Bhikkhu Bodhi) lead a retreat focused on the Buddha’s teachings for laypeople. The retreat was based primarily on the Maha Mangala Sutta, the "Great Blessings Discourse," but Bhante gathered a vast number of discourses (suttas) and other texts that show how a lay disciple can walk the path to liberation while dwelling amid “the dust of the world.”

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The retreat included Dhamma talks, discussion periods, and five sessions of meditation each day. It also provided the opportunity for those who haven’t yet “gone for guidance” (sarana) to go for guidance (aka refuge) to the Three Jewels, the first decisive step to formally becoming a practitioner of the Buddha-dharma (the Buddha's Teachings).

• Interview with Bhikkhu Bodhi: Translator of the Buddha into English (Inquiring Mind)
• A Day in the Life of the Buddha | Bhikkhu Bodhi (Wisdom)

The retreat was in hybrid mode, onsite and online. The teachings were given in English only. Those who wished to join in person could visit Chuang Yen Monastery (BAUS or the Buddhist Association of the United States) and attend the retreat live. Those unable to attend in person practiced at home, participating online over Zoom or YouTube.

The monastery was able to accept only 50 onsite practitioners. If applying after the 50 spaces have been filled, there was a waiting list and accepted if prior applicants drop out. If not joining in person, attend from home via Zoom or YouTube. Register to participate onsite only if a firm commitment to stay for the duration of the retreat can be made. If participating only part time, please join through the online channels. There is no charge for the course. Donations for the monastery are always welcome.

• Chaung Yen Monastery (BAUS), 2020, Route 301, Carmel, New York, 10512 (845) 225-1819 · (845) 228-4283
• Event was from 8/30/24 to 9/2/24: The Buddha's Guidance for Lay Disciples: a Retreat with Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi
• Bhikkhu Bodhi (BAUS.org/en); Amber Larson and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly