*Updated with Retreat Schedule - see bottom of post
A rare opportunity for you to spend a week at a Pureland residential retreat
Giving and Receiving the Unimpeded Light
led by Dharmavidya David Brazier, Head of the Amida Order.
Anyone interested in "giving and receiving the unimpeded light" will be welcome to come and find out more about living a spiritual life as seen through the lens of Pureland Buddhism. Those already involved with Amida will meet with old friends and new in our growing international sangha. The programme will include Buddhist practice, Dharma talks, space to share and continuous chanting and will conclude with a special ordination ceremony. More details below:
We have confirmed our venue as the Carmelite Priory in Boars Hill, Oxford
We have kept the cost of the retreat as low as possible. If you are able to afford anything more than our suggested fees, this money will go towards supporting those of our sangha members who work full time spreading the Dharma and those on no wages. Thank you.
The cost for Monday to Sunday, 6 nights and 7 days, fully catered and including all teaching, is £350. If you would like to share a room, the cost is £300.
There is also the option to arrive on Friday to join the 24 hours chanting and the ceremonies at the weekend, which will cost £150 for a single room and £120 for shared accomodation.
To reserve your space we will need 50% of the fee before the end of October. This deposit may be non-returnable if you cancel within four weeks of the retreat. Please email Kuvalaya [email protected] to book your space.
There may be lower cost spaces available for those on low or no wages - email [email protected] for more information.
Do help us to spread the Dharma by letting people know about this retreat. Forward this email to any interested friends and also send them the link about the retreat as advertised on the
Arrival and departure:
Arrivals for this retreat are between 15:00 – 18:00 on the first day of the retreat and departures are after lunch on the last. Please be in touch if there are difficulties arriving or departing at those time.
Travel:
If you are arriving by public transport, the retreat centre has an arrangement with taxi firm ‘Royal Cars’ (01865 777 333) whereby they shuttle visitors to and from either the bus or train station for £12. Please check prices upon booking.
If you are arriving to the retreat centre by car, there are parking facilities on site.
Meals:
Please specify in your booking email if you would prefer a vegetarian or vegan fare. If you have any specific dietary requirements, please be in touch as soon as possible.
Mobility:
Please inform upon booking if there are any specific mobility requirements that you have.
Namo Amida Bu
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The transmission of the Dharma is a central mystery of Buddhism.
Ananda asked Kashyapa, "Venerable sir, what was it that the Buddha gave to you beside a robe of special cloth?" In the modern world too we are concerned with certification and qualification, but these are merely indicators. What do they indicate? What is the essence of what is transmitted?
People concern themselves with finding the right idea, the right practice, the right group to be a member of, always some seeming guarantee that one is one of the right people, the "saved" or the "qualified", but in the eyes of Buddha all are qualified already, so what is it that we seek? What do we give and what do we receive?
We have a multitude of names for the Intuitive recognition of spiritual truth, the opening of the Dharma eye, the dawning of faith and liberation. On the 8th of December Siddhartha Gotama realised his bombu nature and was awakened. He was then alone in the world, together with all living things. He thought that none would understand, yet a divine voice told him to go forth.
Since then we have been receiving his blessing and similarly going forth in a myriad different ways, giving and receiving the unimpeded light.
*Retreat Schedule
Sunday
8.00 Admissions and advancements
9.30 Breakfast
10.30 Closing gathering
13.30 Lunch
Programme finishes before lunch, so it's optional to stay for lunch (which is included in the price)
Updated: September 14, 2013
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