The Diamond Sutra, BAUS class (10/6)

CLASS: The Various Aspects of Meditation Theory in the Diamond Sutra

Not Czech monk Ven. Dhammadipa (Xing Kong)

Ven. Dr. Dhammadipa Sak, Ph.D. (aka Fa Yao) is the abbot of the US Zen Institute in Germantown, Maryland, and the Amata Meditation Center in Boyds, Maryland.

He previously served as the abbot of Chuan Yen Monastery (BAUS' CYM) and the Temple of Enlightenment. He is currently a vice president of the Buddhist Association of the United States (BAUS).

The Diamond Sutra 

Wiki edit by Wisdom Quarterly

This Sanskrit discourse is a Mahāyāna Buddhist sutra (a kind of apocryphal sacred text) from the genre of "Perfection of Wisdom" (Prajñāpāramitā) literature.

Translated into a variety of languages over a broad geographic range, the Diamond Sūtra is one of the most influential Mahayana sutras in East Asia, particularly prominent within the Chan (or Zen) tradition [1] alongside the Heart Sutra.

A copy of the Chinese Tang Dynasty version of the Diamond Sūtra was found among the Dunhuang manuscripts in 1900 by Taoist monk Wang Yuanlu and sold to Aurel Stein in 1907 [2]. They are dated back to May 11, 868 [3]. It is, in the words of the British Library, "the earliest dated printed book" [4].

It is also the first known creative work with an explicit public domain dedication, as its colophon at the end states that it was created "for universal free distribution" [5], a tradition carried on today by many Mahayana publishers given that the Buddha's Dharma is priceless.

Title

I did it, Batman! - There's no I. Keep meditating!

The Sanskrit title for this work is the Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra, which may be translated roughly as the "Vajra Cutter Perfection of Wisdom Discourse" or "The Perfection of Wisdom Text that Cuts Like a Thunderbolt" [1].

In English, shortened forms such as Diamond Sūtra and Vajra Sūtra are common. The title relies on the power of the vajra (diamond or thunderbolt and also an abstract term for a powerful adamantine weapon) to cut things as a metaphor for the type of wisdom that cuts through illusions to get at ultimate reality [1], which is what the Abhidhamma literature of the Pali canon aims to do.

This sutra is also called Triśatikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra ("300 lines on the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra").

The Diamond Sūtra is highly regarded in East Asian countries with historical traditions of Mahayana Buddhism [1]. [It is not considered an actual "sutra," a discourse by the Buddha or his immediate disciples, in the Theravada tradition of South and Southeast Asia.]

Translations of this title into the languages of some of these countries include... More

ABOUT THE TEACHER: Born in Taiwan and raised in Malaysia, Ven. Dhammadipa received his ordination in Sri Lanka in 1987. He earned a Ph.D. in theology and religious studies from the University of Bristol, UK, in 2005.

Ven. Dhammadipa has also been a visiting lecturer at the University of Chicago School of Divinity. His primary interests include Abhidhamma and meditation practices, and he frequently emphasizes the importance of meditation in society.

He is fluent in Chinese, Cantonese, Hakka, and English and is literate in several other languages including Pali, Sanskrit, Japanese, French, and German for his academic pursuits.

• Chaung Yen Monastery (BAUS)
• Home of Bhikkhu Bodhi
• Sunday, October 6, 2024
• 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
• Please click here to register

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

• 9:00 am – Check-in
• 9:30 am – Meditation unguided
• 9:40 am – Greet teacher/bow to the Buddha
• 9:45 am – Introduction to the day’s master and class
• 9:50 am – Morning Class 1
• 10:35 am – Tea break and cookies
• 10:45 am – Morning Class 2
• 11:30 am – Lunch and break
• 12:50 pm – Meditation
• 1:00 pm – Afternoon Class 1
• 1:45 pm – Tea break and cookies
• 2:00 pm – Afternoon Class 2
• 2:45 pm – Share the merits, bow to the Buddha and teacher, and group photo
• 3:00 pm – Clean up

Celebrating BAUS’s 60th anniversary and the new Dr. C.T. Shen & Mrs. Woo Ju Shen Memorial Hall

• Diamond Sutra Study Retreat Series 3 • Ven. Dhammadipa Fa Yao • 10/6/24
• BAUS, Chaung Yen Monastery, Carmel, Upstate New York; CC Liu, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

The great Czech monk: Ven. Dhammadipa

Ven. Dhammadipa, Buddhistdoor Global, March 16, 2016; Dhr. Seven (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

Ven. Dhammadipa on the Buddhist Education Project in Sakarwadi, India

(BDG: Buddhistdoor Global) Born in the Czech Republic, for many years Venerable Dhammadipa traveled the world, ordaining in Chinese Mahayana then in Burmese Theravada at the world-renown Pa Auk Forest Monastery, where he trained with Pa Auk Sayadaw, attaining distinction in knowledge and vision.

• Ven. Dhammadipa (Xing-Kong) AUDIO (BAUS)
• Mahayana, Theravada? There is only ONE Buddhism
• Czech Ven. Dhammadipa | Loving Kindness in CT

Yogi: Ven. Dhammadipa (mahalaya-nepal.com)

He then continued his travels, giving teachings on serenity and insight meditation and Buddhist Studies. In this interview with Buddhistdoor Global, he discusses his landmark Buddhist Education Project in Sakarwadi, India, which is designed to educate the local Buddhist community (mostly composed of Dalits, formerly "Untouchables," who practice but know little about Buddhism) on bettering their poverty-stricken lives.

Be inspired by more Buddhist content at the Buddhistdoor website: buddhistdoor.net

Ven. Dhammadipa in Los Angeles (Jan. 19-23)

Ven. Dhammadipa (UBEF.org at wisdomlife.info); Jessie, Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly

• 日期 Date： January 19-20, 2019, 9:00 am-4:30 pm
• (備有午餐。 lunch served)
• Jan. 21-23, 2019, 7:30 pm-9:30 pm
• 主辦 Sponsor: 妙林蘭若 UBEF
• 地點 Location: 14614 Palm Ave., Hacienda Heights
• 請看詳細內容

What's so special about this enlightened meditation master?

Now 70 years old, Ven. Dhammadipa (Thomas Peter Gutman) was born in Czechoslovakia in 1949.

He studied Chinese literature and philosophy at Prague University, graduating in 1969, then studied Russian literature at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he received a degree in 1973.

In the late 1970s Ven. Dhammadipa began his Buddhist studies in Berlin, Germany, where he had immigrated as a refugee after the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.

In 1977, he received a Master's degree in Chinese literature and philosophy at the University of Paris. In 1979, he enrolled at Nalanda University in India (where he also taught French and German) to study Sanskrit and Buddhist philosophy. After receiving a degree at Nalanda in 1984, he returned to serve as the associate librarian at Berlin University.

Three ordinations
In 1986, he went to Japan [took Bodhisattva vows, which is tantamount to ordination there] and studied under Zen Master Harada Serrei Roshi of the Soto school (Chinese Caodong). He was given the Dharma-name Xing-Kong ("Nature of Emptiness").

In 1987, with the encouragement of Ven. Athurugiriye Nyanavimala Mahathera, Ven. Wijayasoma Mahathera, and Ven. Dikwelle Mahinda he ordained as a Theravada Buddhist novice in Meetirigala, Sri Lanka, and was given the Dharma-name Dhammadipa ("Island or Light of Dharma"). He then received full Theravada ordination in Sri Lanka, where he practiced forest meditation under the guidance of his preceptor, Ven. Nanarama Mahathera.

In 1989, he received also received ordination as a Mahayana Buddhist monk [while keeping his Zen and Theravada ordinations] at Hsi Lai Temple in Los Angeles, California, and began teaching Dharma in the USA, Germany, and Taiwan.

In 1996, he went to Burma (now Myanmar) to practice meditation with the enlightened contemporary Buddhist master Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw. He was recognized as the first of Pa Auk Sayadaw's Western disciples qualified to teach meditation. [This is a humble way of saying that he attained enlightenment and was therefore able to teach others the path to awakening.]

He has since been teaching serenity (samatha) and insight (vipassana) meditation -- tranquility as preparatory for direct seeing of the Dharma -- at monasteries and universities worldwide.

Ven. Dhammadipa speaks English, Czech, Pali, Sanskrit, French, German, Russian, Spanish, and fluent Chinese. He also translates ancient Buddhist texts from Pali and Sanskrit.

His translated works in French and Czech include the Treatise on the Awakening of Faith in Mahayana (Mahayana-sraddhotpada-sastra), Entry into the Bodhisattva Path (Bodhicaryavatara), and a Collection of Han-San's Poems. His teachings in Taiwan have been compiled and printed in Chinese.

Over the years he has presented Dharma teachings and led meditation retreats around North America (BAUS.org), Europe, Taiwan, mainland China, India, and Southeast Asia. Personally he has a larger than life personality conjoined with a gentle and easygoing manner.

Teaching
His teaching follows the framework of the classic Theravada Buddhist commentarial work, The Path of Purification or Visuddhimagga: One starts with training in virtue (the precepts), which lays the foundation for training in serenity/concentration, and then one systematically develops insight/wisdom through establishing oneself in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.

He teaches that knowledge of the Buddha's Middle Way should be applied, practiced, and verified through direct (firsthand) experience. One ought to make a great vow to tread the Way and realize the Dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings. Ven. Dhammadipa is indeed a rare gem in contemporary Buddhism.

• Text originally published courtesy of Lansing Buddhist Association, Michigan, USA; originally written by Hanlin Wang, translated by George Yeh, edited by Bill Rittenberg and edited by Dhr. Seven (2019) for Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal.

Actress Julia Roberts becomes a Hindu

Religion is a private and personal affair

Vir Sanghvi (Express Buzz)
Julia Roberts has become a Hindu. In an interview given to promote her new movie "Eat Pray Love," the actress declared that she discovered the Hindu faith and adopted it while filming. (Part of the story was inspired by author Elizabeth Gilbert’s experiences at the Muktanand Ashram in Ganeshpuri).

• Glenn Beck angry at Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert

• Julia Roberts Hindu? Who knew?

Why the surprise when famous people become Hindus? Those who subscribe to cults are not regarded as being particularly Hindu. For instance, the Beatle George Harrison was an early convert of the Hare Krishna movement and had an on-off relationship with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. But Hindus regard Hare Krishnas as weird, not representative of mainstream Hinduism; Mahesh Yogi was a jet-set guru, not much of an advertisement for mainstream Hinduism.

Like Buddhism, Hinduism is a non-proselytizing, pluralistic faith. It does not seek "converts" nor does anyone need to join formally to practice. There are countless examples of prominent people in the West who have drawn inspiration from Eastern philosophy.

Hindus can deal with cultists and guru-worshippers since they do not follow mainstream Hinduism. But it is rare to find somebody who adopts mainstream Hinduism with its beguiling mixture of simplicity and complexity, ancient purity and latter-day practicality.

Hinduism may well be the oldest religion to come out of India but it is not the only one. Jainism is less well known outside of India. But Buddhism is probably better-known abroad than it is in India even though the Buddha was Indian.

The contrasts between Hinduism and Buddhism are interesting. Buddhism only became a global religion after King Ashoka converted to it after the conquest of Kalinga (around 273 BCE). Ashoka spread Buddhism throughout India and sent emissaries abroad to spread the Buddha’s teachings. It took a few centuries, but eventually Buddhism held sway in much of Asia: China, Japan, Thailand, and even Sri Lanka. Tibetan Buddhism took on a different form from Indian Buddhism and eventually Buddhist monks came to rule Tibet. (It is this tradition that the Dalai Lama is descended from.)

For some centuries Buddhism held sway in India till gradually Hinduism re-asserted itself and virtually pushed Buddhism out. (In contrast, Jainism which never spread globally retained its small and committed following within India.)

Vaguely conscious of this background, Hindus are not particularly surprised by the fervor with which Hollywood stars adopt Buddhism. Richard Gere is one of the Western world’s most famous Buddhists, and Uma Thurman was born into a family of Tibetan Buddhists. Buddhism welcomes converts and is more instantly appealing to followers of other religions.

Why has Hinduism — one of the world’s two oldest religions — remained an exclusively Indian religion? When Hindus are found abroad, they tend to be ethnic Indians rather than converts from other faiths. More>>

Rare Dana for "Worthy" Teachers

An opportunity to make the most beneficial offering is now open to all. Dana (spiritually meritorious support) is being collected for a six-month meditation intensive.

It will be conducted by Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw, who has taught in America at the Forest Refuge (Insight Meditation Society) in Barre, Mas-sachusetts as well as in California and Florida, and worldwide. He has a remarkable international reputation making the Teachings of the Buddha available to all who seek it out. Many teachers famous in their own right have studied with him, such as Leigh Brasington, Joseph Goldstein, and numerous IMS teachers.

Wisdom Quarterly fully and without reservation endorses Pa Auk Sayadaw as the foremost Buddhist scholar-practitioner alive today. Wisdom Quarterly regards his personal instruction (if it can be found), and his books and the instruction of his eminent students, as the best available in the world. A few of these teachers include:

• Venerable nun Sayalay Susila (Malaysia)
• Ven. Dhammadipa (Europe and Asia)
• Ven. nun Sayalay Dipankara (Burma)
• Pascal Auclair (Massachussetts)
• Tina and Stephen Rasmussen (California)
• Shaila Catherine (California)
• Ven. U Jagara (Canada)

(It is enough to say that the Sayadaw and most of his teachers -- certainly those able to teach insight -- have complete and unshakable confidence in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha).

The Sayadaw was most recently teaching in Germany (Pagoda Pat Hue), but frequently teaches in Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and Burma to both Theravada and Mahayana practitioners alike. His public talks, retreat instructions, and scholarship are available (for FREE distribution) in several English books (PaAuk.org) and recorded talks (DharmaSeed.org). Download at no cost or find them in hard copy form from WAVE (Wisdom Audio-Visual Exchange), Buddha Educational Foundation (Taiwan), and elsewhere, also at no cost as a gift of Dharma.

• Resources: Books available free of charge

This advanced meditation program will be held in the Buddha's birthplace (Lumbini, Nepal) between December 2009 and May 2010. It is for specially identified bhikkhus (Buddhist monks) and sayalays (ten-precept Buddhist nuns).

Everyone, however, is welcome to support this unique undertaking by pledging to provide dana, which is extraordinarily meritorious with recipients of this caliber. All gifts are strictly to cover the following:

1. Allowable requisites including robes for the Sayadaw (teacher) and meditating monks and nuns
2. Medicines as needed and allowable according to monastic discipline (vinaya).
3. Winter necessities including blankets, socks, hot water, and other cold weather items.
4. General including visas and transportation expenses for the Sayadaw and monastics.
5. Meditation facilities including lease of premises, electricity, water, dwellings, and logistical arrangements.
6. Preparation of premises including meditation mats, bedroom furnishings, and so on.
7. Food for six months (breakfast and lunch only).

To pledge support, kindly contact Brother Lim Poh Chuan at limpc2010@yahoo.com or limpc2010@gmail.com providing your name and contact information.

By the power of your meritorious deeds (karma), may your wholesome wishes come true for the ultimate attainment of the highest truth, nirvana.

• What-Buddha-taught.net: AUDIO - VIDEO

Free Meditation Talk in Connecticut

The Loving Kindness Meditation Group of Greater Hartford is hosting the Abbot of Chuang Yen Monastery (New York), Ven. Dr. Dhammadipa, who was ordained 20 years ago in Sri Lanka, where he studied Buddhism and in 2005 received his Ph.D. from the Dept. of Theology and Religious Studies at the Univ. of Bristol, U.K.

• Free Public Talk on Meditation
• Thursday, 1:00 pm, Sept. 17, 2009
• New Britain Publilc Library (Community Room)
• 20 High St., New Britain, CT (860) 224-3155

The afternoon talk will be followed by an intensive evening workshop of guided loving-kindness meditation (metta). Open to beginners and experts alike with step by step instructions on Buddhist meditation techniques. All are welcome regardless of religious affiliation or race.

• Meditation Workshop
• Thursday, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm, 9/17/09
• Hai An Pagoda Buddhist Temple
• 255 Cherry St., New Britain, CT 06051
• Please register: (860) 869-5350

Loving Kindness Meditation Greater Hartford Group (LovingKindnessInCT@gmail.com) hosts retreats, phone in and online Dharma study in English and Chinese, as well as ongoing Pali classes. Programs meet Thursday evenings on 9/17, 10/8, 10/22.

Buddhism, Meditation, Yoga, & Nirvana

Ven. Dhammadipa interview (1:00) Download: iPod/PSP

Illuminating interview with Czech-born Ven. Dhammadipa at Chuang Yen Buddhist Monastery in upstate New York. He speaks with clarity, deep knowledge, and understanding about the most important aspects of Buddhist meditation. This interview is slated to be on the BAUS Channel on Public Access Television.

RETREAT: Ven. Dhammadipa

“Ven. Dhammadipa is a highly gifted meditation teacher who has trained in both samatha and vipassana meditation under eminent teachers of Sri Lanka and Burma. He is skilled in teaching both westerners and Asians”

-- Bhikkhu Bodhi

.

Currently giving retreats internationally: United States, Canada, Taiwan, Malaysia, and India. US locations include Vancouver, Toronto (2/09), Ohio, Atlanta Georgia, Lansing Michigan, West Lafayette Indiana, and San Jose (3/16)...then onto Taiwan, Malaysia, and India (12/09). Info: Gary at netherwood26@yahoo.com.

Born in Czechoslovakia and fluent in eight languages, Ven. Dhammadipa is a world-renowned meditation teacher, with a deep understanding of meditation in both Theravada and Mahayana traditions. Exposed to Zen and Tibetan Buddhism in Czechoslovakia, he has lived and studied in various Asian countries. Over the past ten years, Ven. Dhammadipa has taught meditation at Western and Asian monasteries and universities around the world.

• In 1987, he first received ordination as a Theravada monk under Ven. Nanarama in Sri Lanka.
• In 1989, he also received ordination as a Mahayana monk at Hsi Lai Temple, Los Angeles.
• In 1996, he practiced meditation with the world's foremost meditation master, Ven. Pa Auk Tawya Sayadaw, in Burma and is considered by the Sayadaw to be the first Western disciple qualified to teach meditation.

5 Day Anāpānā Sati Meditation Retreat
Ven. Dhammadipa will lead retreat participants in breath meditation practice (anapana sati), as taught by the Buddha. Breath meditation leads to tranquil mental states (samatha) and direct seeing of the Dharma (vipassana). Retreat participants will practice sitting and walking meditation, supported by the personal guidance of Ven. Dhammadipa through individual and group interviews. This is a golden opportunity for the serious student of the Dharma to practice alongside a seasoned master and to experience the liberating benefits of the Buddha's teachings.

Location: Toronto Mahavihara Society

4698 Kingston Rd, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada M1E 2P9
DATES: February 5-9, 2009
Times: 8:45 am-7:00 pm (refreshments but no lunch provided)
Please PRE-REGISTER

Contact: torontodhamma@gmail.com

Email: irenepandit@rogers.com or kpandit91@rogers.com

Telephone: 905-790-1146 or 416-208-9276

Meditation Masters: Advice on Enlightenment

Ven. Dhammadipa "The Approach for Western Buddhists" Phat Hue Pagoda, Germany

Tamil Siddha master on the question, "What is Enlightenment?"

.

Simple Hermit on reaching enlightenment by unlearning

From the works of living enlightened master Paramahamsa Nithyananda. In this clip taken from Shiva Sutras discourse entitled "Discover who you are," Swamiji explains that truly relaxing from the very idea of enlightenment will take you to the experience. In the initial level the inspiration and the thirst for enlightenment is required to bring you to be centered. Once this happens, just relaxing about the very idea of enlightenment liberates you. The complete discourse may be ordered online at http://www.lifeblissgalleria.com/

Ven. Dhammadipa Retreats

The renowned expert is scheduled to give numerous retreats beginning today in New Mexico, onward to Vancouver and Toronto, Ohio, Atlanta Georgia, Lansing Michigan, West Lafyette Indiana, and culminating in San Jose on March 16 for a 21 day retreat before setting off for Taiwan. More information: Gary at netherwood26@yahoo.com or Rev. Sudharma at baucym@aol.com.

“Ven. Dhammadipa is a highly
gifted meditation teacher who
has trained in both samatha and
vipassana meditation under eminent
teachers of Sri Lanka and
Burma. He is skilled in teaching
both westerners and Asians.”
--Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi

Born in Czechoslovakia, Ven. Dhammadipa is a world-renowned meditation teacher, with
a deep understanding of meditation in both Theravada and Mahayana traditions. In
1987, he received traditional Theravada ordination in Sri Lanka, where he practiced
meditation under Ven. Sri Nanarama Mahathera.

In 1989, he received ordination as a
Mahayana monk at Hsi Lai Temple, Los Angeles.

In 1996, he practiced meditation with the world's foremost meditation master, Ven. Pa
Auk Sayadaw in Myanmar and is considered by the Sayadaw to be the first Western disciple qualified to teach meditation.

Over the past ten years, Ven. Dhammadipa has taught meditation at Western and Asian monasteries and universities
around the world.

5 Day Anāpānā Sati Meditation Retreat

with Ven. Dhammadipa

Ven. Dhammadipa will lead retreatants in breath meditation
practice (anapana sati), as taught by the Buddha. Breath
meditation leads to tranquil mental states (samatha) and

direct seeing of the Dhamma (vipassana). Retreatants will
practice sitting and walking meditation, supported by the personal
guidance of Ven. Dhammadipa through individual and
group interviews. This will be a golden opportunity for the serious
student of Dhamma to practice alongside a seasoned
meditation master, to experience the wonderful mind-liberating
benefits of this ancient meditation practice.

Location: Toronto Mahavihara Society
4698 Kingston Rd, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada M1E 2P9

DATES: February 5-9, 2009

Times: 8:45am-7:00pm
Lunch not provided--please bring you own, tea provided

Please PRE-REGISTER

Main Contact: torontodhamma@gmail.com
Additional contacts: irenepandit@rogers.com or kpandit91@rogers.com
Telephone: 905-790-1146 or 416-208-9276

Retreat: Exploring the Jhanas

Declaring serenity: Jhana mudra (hand signal) as yoga exercise and meditation aid

Come Explore the Meditative Absorptions

A four-week meditation retreat, led by Ven. Dhammadipa

"Ven. Dhammadipa is a highly gifted meditation teacher who has trained in both samatha ("serenity") and vipassana ("insight") meditation under eminent teachers in Sri Lanka and Burma. He is skilled in teaching both Westerners and Asians"

-- Bhikkhu Bodhi

This November (1 - 29) 2008, Ven. Dhammadipa will lead a retreat focused on serenity meditation and the development of the Jhana states ("absorptions").

JHANAS?

The Jhanas are meditative attainments. They are also known as "absorptions" and "samadhi." Tehy are held by many to be an essential part of the Buddhist path, vital for sharpening and stilling the mind to provide a foundation for the vipassana (insight) meditation practice leading to liberation.

INSTRUCTOR
Born in Czechoslovakia, Ven. Dhammadipa is a world-renown meditation teacher, with a deep understanding of meditation in both Theravada and Mahayana traditions. In 1987, he received traditional Theravada ordination in Sri Lanka, where he practiced meditation under Ven. Nanarama Mahathera. In 1989, he received ordination as a Mahayana monk in Hsi Lai Temple, Los Angeles. In 1996, he practiced meditation with the meditation master Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw in Myanmar, and is considered by the Sayadaw to be the first of his Western disciples qualified to teach meditation. Over the past ten years, Ven. Dhammadipa has taught meditation at Western and Asian monasteries and universities around the world.

DATES
The retreat will start on Saturday morning, November 1, and will end Saturday afternoon, November 29. Participants may join the retreat by arriving any Friday evening, October 31, November 7, 14, or 21, and may stay for one, two, three, or four weeks.

PLACE
Chuang Yen Monastery, 2020 Route 301, Carmel, NY 10512

FORMAT
Each day of the retreat will include intensive seated samatha meditation practice, walking meditation, yoga, and personal interviews with Ven. Dhammadipa. During the retreat, Ven. Dhammadipa will also give Dharma talks. The Dharma talks will include meditation instruction and teachings on the significance of the Four Elements for profound understanding of meditation. Dharma talks will be given in English, with a summary in Chinese if needed.

PARTICIPANTS
Meditators of all ages are invited to attend. Each participant should be able to sit comfortably in meditation for one hour.

COST
Because Chuang Yen monastery is run on the basis of donations, it welcomes your donation to help cover its costs for hosting this retreat. However, those with limited financial resources are most welcome, even if they cannot make a donation.

REGISTER
Download and complete the registration form on the BAUS website, http://www.baus.org/

• Program Information
• Registration Form
• Retreat Guidelines
• Donate and Support the Retreat

INFORMATION
Alan Mills, alan.mills@earthlink.net, (617) 332-1046
or
Reverend Sudharma, bauscym@aol.com, (845) 225-1819, ext. 115