{"id":8116,"date":"2024-12-16T11:32:12","date_gmt":"2024-12-16T10:32:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samita.be\/?p=8116"},"modified":"2024-12-20T22:57:23","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T21:57:23","slug":"chaos-and-metta-10-day-silent-retreat-with-bhante-sujato-10-19-january-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samita.be\/en\/2024\/12\/16\/chaos-and-metta-10-day-silent-retreat-with-bhante-sujato-10-19-january-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Chaos and Metta 10-day silent retreat with Bhante Sujato 10-19 January 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

This retreat is a collaboration of Samita asbl<\/strong>\u00a0and \u00a0IMA<\/a>\u00a0(inzichtmeditatie Antwerpen)<\/em><\/p>\n

Amid the chaos of the world, it can be difficult to\u00a0find peace and tranquility<\/strong>.\u00a0 However, it is precisely in these moments that Metta<\/strong>, or loving-kindness, can be most beneficial. As we delve into the concept of\u00a0chaos<\/strong>, we recognize that the\u00a0external world<\/strong>\u00a0is\u00a0ever-changing<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0unpredictable<\/strong>. By cultivating loving-kindness towards ourselves and others, we can learn to navigate the chaos with greater ease and grace.<\/p>\n

During this retreat, we will explore the\u00a0impermanence of life<\/strong>\u00a0and the\u00a0nature of suffering<\/strong>, gaining insights that empower us to\u00a0respond<\/strong>\u00a0to chaos with\u00a0compassion and clarity<\/strong>. The practice of Metta becomes a guiding force, transforming the way we relate to ourselves and others. This practice invites us to\u00a0embrace the chaos<\/strong>\u00a0of life as a catalyst for spiritual growth, discovering the boundless power of Metta to bring\u00a0harmony and well-being to our hearts and the world<\/strong>\u00a0around us.<\/p>\n

Join Mahathera Bhante Sujato<\/strong>, a renowned Buddhist monk and scholar, as he shares his insights and teachings on the ancient wisdom of the Buddha. Bhante Sujato will explore the theme of \u201cChaos and Metta<\/strong>\u201d from various perspectives and guide us through\u00a0practical exercises and techniques<\/strong>\u00a0to develop and deepen our\u00a0Metta practice<\/strong>, and to apply it in\u00a0daily life<\/strong>. Whether you are new to Buddhism or a seasoned practitioner, you will benefit from Bhante Sujato\u2019s lucid and engaging style and his wealth of experience and knowledge.<\/p>\n

\"Bhante_Sujato\"Bhante Sujato\u00a0is an Australian Buddhist monk in the Thai Forest tradition. He was the Abbot of Santi Forest Monastery in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales for 10 years. Bhante Sujato is a\u00a0Pali scholar<\/strong>\u00a0and a\u00a0highly respected meditation teacher<\/strong>. He brings a rare combination of humour, compassion and deep knowledge to his teachings which show us how to live our busy lives within core Buddhist principles.<\/p>\n

Bhante Sujato founded the Buddhist website\u00a0SuttaCentral<\/a>, to provide access to early Buddhist texts in their original language and make translations available in modern languages. From 2015\u20132018, Bhante Sujato has made a new English translation of the entire four\u00a0Pali Nikayas<\/strong>\u00a0that can be found on SuttaCentral.<\/p>\n

This retreat is designed to develop additional practical techniques and uncover deeper insights,\u00a0building on your existing practice<\/strong>. Experience is not necessary but prior practice is still highly recommended. You can expect a strong focus on sitting and walking meditation for many hours a day, over the entire retreat, only interrupted by 3-4 hours of daily teaching, personal interviews and (vegetarian) meals. The bulk of your retreat time will be spent in\u00a0solitude and silence<\/strong>, focusing on your inner states. We do not permit meditation methods that involve audible sounds and\/or vigorous body movement as they disturb others. All participants must keep the meditation conditions advised by the Buddha and outlined below.<\/p>\n

During the retreat, each participant should have a least one personal interview with Bhante Sujato to discuss their spiritual progress.
\nThe retreat will be held in\u00a0English<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Eight Precepts<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This is an eight-precept retreat.
\nAll who attend are asked to undertake the following precepts for the duration of the retreat:
\n1. To abstain from killing living beings
\n2. To abstain from taking what is not given
\n3. To abstain from all sexual activity
\n4. To abstain from dishonest speech
\n5. To abstain from intoxicants
\n6. To abstain from taking food after mid-day
\n7. To abstain from singing, dancing, listening to music and from bodily adornments
\n8. To abstain from sleeping on luxurious beds<\/p>\n

Noble Silence<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This is a \u201cNoble Silence\u201d retreat. This means that all participants are kindly asked to observe Noble Silence from the beginning of the retreat until the morning of the last full day. This applies as well for the public areas as for the rooms.\u00a0 Noble Silence means no talking or non-verbal communication of any kind, except of course in emergencies, interviews or discussion times with the Teacher. Noble Silence applies not only to speech but also to any signals and written notes etc. as well as to external contact by telephone or internet. The purpose of Noble Silence is to allow the mind to let go of outer distractions and to focus as much as possible on the inner world. In this regard it is also useful to minimize eye contact with other retreatants. Practicing restraint of the senses in this way provides an essential foundation for the powerful inner work which a meditation retreat facilitates. This Noble Silence will give the participants the maximum benefit from the meditation they learn and minimizes the disturbance to others. Therefore, please do not play\u00a0musical instruments, radios, mp3 players, etc.<\/p>\n

Program<\/strong><\/h2>\n

All sessions are optional<\/em>
\nFriday Jan 10<\/strong>
\n17:00 \u2013 Arrival and registration
\n18:00 \u2013 Evening meal
\n19:30 \u2013 Welcome, organization, introduction into the retreat, meditation
\n21:30 \u2013 Rest<\/p>\n

Jan 11 \u2013 18<\/strong>
\n6:00 \u2013 Morning meditation (Online on Zoom – click here<\/a> to sign up for the iSangha Zoom link)
\n7:00 \u2013 Breakfast and work-period
\n9:00 \u2013 Meditation teachings and Q&A (Online on Zoom – click here<\/a> to sign up for the iSangha Zoom link)
\n10:00 \u2013 Sitting \/ walking meditation
\n11:00 \u2013 Lunch
\n13.30 \u2013 Sitting \/ walking meditation
\n15:00 \u2013 Interviews
\n17:00 \u2013 Afternoon tea and \u201callowables\u201d
\n17:30 – Sitting \/ walking meditation
\n19:00 \u2013 Dhamma talk with Bhante Sujato (Online on Zoom – click here<\/a> to sign up for the iSangha Zoom link)
\n20:30 \u2013 Sitting \/ walking meditation<\/p>\n

Sunday Jan 19<\/strong>
\n6:00 \u2013 Morning meditation (Online on Zoom – click here<\/a> to sign up for the iSangha Zoom link)
\n7:00 \u2013 Breakfast and work-period
\n9:00 \u2013 Meditation \/ Q&A (Online on Zoom – click here<\/a> to sign up for the iSangha Zoom link)
\n10:00 \u2013 Closing ceremony
\n11:00 \u2013 Lunch
\n12:00 \u2013 Finish and cleanup \"Pindapat_monks\"<\/p>\n

Costs on Dana basis<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This retreat, including accommodation, food, and contribution for the Teacher, is organized on the basis of DANA<\/strong>\u00a0(donation). All expenses for your accommodation, meals, etc. are paid for you with the kind donations of previous participants and other donors, who wish to give others the opportunity to experience the Dhamma.\u00a0All work<\/strong>\u00a0is done on a\u00a0voluntary basis<\/strong>\u00a0only; nobody receives any remuneration.
\nThe table below lists the costs for the basic accommodation, meals, and expenses, depending on the type of accommodation you choose, and this\u00a0does not include donations for the teachings by Bhante Sujato<\/strong>.
\nThese costs also cover afternoon snacks and drinks, rental of the hall and kitchen facilities, travel expenses and accommodation for Bhante Sujato, etc.\u00a0Every participant may contribute at their discretion and according to their means<\/strong>, so you can also contribute to spreading the Dhamma further.<\/p>\n

Single room ensuite (own bathroom) \u2013 880 \u20ac
\nSingle room with shared bathroom \u2013 700 \u20ac
\nDouble room ensuite (own bathroom), per person \u2013 650 \u20ac
\nDouble room with shared bathroom, per person \u2013 540 \u20ac
\nShared room (4\u20138 people) with shared bathroom, per person \u2013 450 \u20ac<\/p>\n

Registration fee<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We ask a 100 \u20ac registration fee<\/strong>\u00a0when booking,\u00a050 \u20ac<\/strong>\u00a0of which are\u00a0non-refundable<\/strong> in case of cancellation. If you have difficulties paying 100 \u20ac registration fee,\u00a0 please\u00a0contact us<\/a>\u00a0for our support fund.<\/p>\n

In order for Samita and IMA to organize retreats on donation basis, we need to have a reasonable cash flow so that we can pay for venues up front. If you consider making a small donation before the retreat to help us meet our obligations, this would be much appreciated. You can do so via the bank account\u00a0BE36 3632 0274 3881, BIC-code BBRUBEBB from vzw IMA \u2013 2600 Antwerpen<\/strong>, and please mention your name and \u201cSujato\u201d as a reference. You can also use Payconiq<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Support fund<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you wish to support other participants who have difficulties to afford the registration fee you can make a donation mentioning \u201csupport fund Sujato retreat\u201d in the reference line. Every donation helps us\u00a0spread the Dhamma<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

Registration<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Click here\u00a0<\/a>to go to the registration.<\/p>\n

Venue<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The retreat takes place in the Tibetan center\u00a0Yeunten Ling<\/strong>, Promenade Saint-Jean L\u2019agneau 4, 4500 Huy, Belgium (in between Li\u00e8ge and \"YeuntenLing\" Namur) \u2013 click here\u00a0<\/a>for Yeunten Lings website and directions.<\/a>
\nThe center has received the\u00a0Dalai Lama<\/strong>\u00a0several times.\u2028 The meditation center offers simple accommodation in various categories of bedrooms as listed above.
\nPlease don\u2019t contact Yeunten Ling<\/strong>\u00a0if you have questions, but send them to\u00a0samita@inzichtmeditatieantwerpen.be<\/a><\/p>\n

Please bring<\/strong><\/h3>\n