Monthly Archives: April 2012

Discovering the Truth: Meditation Retreat @ Deer Park (30 April – 4 May)

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What: Meditation Retreat
When: April 30-May 4,2012
Where: Deer Park Institute, Bir
Who: Venerable Aggacitta and Melitis Kwong

Discovering the Truth

Introductory Buddhism and meditation 5-Day Retreat

“The main purpose of spiritual path is awakening. This awakening isn’t some supernatural awakening. It’s awakening to the truth.”
— Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche

Buddhism is not religion in the usual sense of the word. It is a method of investigation and contemplation that allows you to work skillfully with the positive potentials and negative energies of your own mind in order to achieve a wakeful state of well being.

In this 5 day introductory course on Buddhism and meditation, we’ll explore the basic principles of the different schools of Buddhism. The facilitators will present an overview of the history, philosophy and practices of the Buddhist path through Dharma talks, discussions, teaching DVD and meetings with Lamas and Khenpos in the near by monastery.

The program will include guided sitting and walking meditation, silent reflection periods and personal interviews with the meditation instructors.

Faculty:

Venerable Aggacitta is a Theravada monk from Japan. He trained under the Burmese and Sri Lanka Buddhist monastic tradition for 9 years. He has been studying under various teachers of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Melitis Kwong is a long time student of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. She has completed a 3-year retreat in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

For more information: http://www.deerpark.in/programs/schedule/discovering-the-truth/

Weekly Meditation Group at Dharmalaya (April & May)

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What: Weekly Meditation & Discussion Group
When: 5-6pm, every Sunday in April & May 2012
Where: Dharmalaya Institute
Who: Tergar Meditation Community

WEEKLY MEDITATION & DISCUSSION GROUPS

group sitDharmalaya Institute hosts weekly sitting meditation groups and Dharma discussions. These sessions, centred on the curriculum of the Tergar Meditation Community, are open to everyone. They are free of charge, with donations welcome but not required.

The current schedule for Dharmalaya’s weekly meditation and discussion groups is as follows: From 15 April to 27 May, 2012, we will meet every Sunday from 5:00pm to 6:00pm in the main hall at the Dharmalaya Institute in Bir (directions). For those who wish to stay longer for discussion, we can continue till 6:30 or so. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. Tea will be served.

Schedule

4:45: Arrive early, catch your breath, say hello
5:00: Opening with a selection from Mingyur Rinpoche’s writings
5:20: Group meditation (40 minutes)
6:00: Informal discussion and tea

More information: http://dharmalaya.in/meditation-programmes/

Tuning Fork Film Workshop (24-29 April @ Deer Park)

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What: Film workshop

When: 24-29 April, 2012

Where: Deer Park Institute

Who: Ankit Pogula and Sachi Maniar

Description: Tuning Fork Film Workshops are about learning how to make films with minimum resources, how to get creative in filmmaking and above all how to evaluate the relevance of what one wants to convey through this powerful and captivating medium.

During the course of the workshop, through different exercises and activities participants will learn to script, storyboard, shoot, edit and finally export one’s ‘own’ film. It is a process that involves creativity, teamwork and self-reflection.

For more information: http://www.deerpark.in/programs/schedule/tuning-fork-film-workshop/

Sustainable Living in the Himalayas: Volunteer Programme at Dharmalaya (7 April – 31 May)

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What: Informal volunteer and service-learning programme
Topic: Sustainable living in the Himalayas, including green building, organic gardening, and permaculture landscaping
When: 7 April to 31 May, 2012 (Participants may arrive and depart anytime in this period)
Where: Dharmalaya Institute
Languages: English & Hindi
Facilitators: Mark Moore, Naresh Sharma, et al

Description: Informal programme at the Dharmalaya Institute open to both residential and non-residential participants. We will be doing fun, physical work, including green building, organic gardening, tree planting, and more. There will be plenty of opportunities for learning, application, questions, and relaxation (we’re also doing an optional meditation programme for those who are interested). Feel free to come and go anytime between 7 April and 31 May. (And, if you don’t mind getting very wet, you might even stay on longer during the monsoon tree-planting season if you like.)

For more information see Dharmalaya’s volunteer page, read the FAQ, and complete the volunteer application if you’re interesting in joining us.