Preliminary Guide Retreat: Going for Refuge
With Resident Teacher, Gen Khyenwang
Saturday-Monday | February 15-17
During this retreat, we will spend time developing the powerful mind of refuge, our actual protection from pain and problems. Through the practice of refuge, relying on the three jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, we gradually build stable, peaceful and joyful minds that give us the confidence and strength to make authentic spiritual progress.
On Saturday morning, there will be a commentary to the practice of refuge. In this practice, we learn to develop our wisdom and compassion through meditating on Buddha’s teachings, by relying on the enlightened mind of Buddha, and through receiving help from Sangha, pure spiritual practitioners.
Following the introduction, there will be guided sessions on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, the sessions will be self-guided.
Saturday
Introductory Class to the Practice of Refuge | 9:00-10:15am
Three Guided Sessions as follows:
Session 1 | 11:00am-12:15pm
Session 2 | 3:00-4:15pm
Session 3 | 5:00-6:15
Sunday (All sessions are guided)
Session 1 | 8:30-9:45am
Session 2 | 10:30-11:45 (Regular Sunday Drop-in class – not a retreat session)
Session 3 | 4:00-5:15pm
Session 4 | 7:00-8:30pm
Monday (Self-guided, by donation only)
Session 1 | 7:45-9:00am
Session 2 | 11:00 am-12:15pm
Session 3 | 4:00-5:15pm
Session 4 | 7:00-8:30pm
Most sessions are 1 hour and 15 min. Last session of the day on Sun. & Mon. is 1.5 hours.
Sat & Sun. Intro & Guided Sessions
$8 per session | $25 per day | $45 for all sessions
$5 per session | $15 per day | $25 for all sessions for Full members
Free for Benefactor Members and TTP Students
More information about Refuge Retreat:
We all want a solution to our problems and spend much of our time and energy seeking refuge outside of ourselves – in our social life, our work, or simply time-wasting and indulging in meaningless activities. This is a fruitless search since none of these has true power to help us.
In Modern Buddhism Geshe Kelsang writes:
“When our life is in danger or we are threatened by someone, we usually seek refuge in the police. Of course, sometimes the police can protect us from a particular danger, but they cannot give us permanent liberation from death. When we are seriously ill we seek refuge in doctors. Sometimes doctors can cure a particular illness, but no doctor can give us permanent liberation from sickness. What we really need is permanent liberation from all sufferings, and as human beings we can achieve this by seeking refuge in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.”
We can find true refuge within ourselves by cultivating love, compassion, and wisdom. This inner experience is the Dharma – a Sanskrit word meaning “protection.” Deep experience of these minds has complete power to protect us from suffering and give rise to deep inner happiness. We cultivate this inner refuge by relying on Enlightened Beings (Buddhas) and our spiritual friends and companions (the Sangha).
For more information email info@odiyana.org or call 860-266-6041.
*Accessible entrance located in the rear of the building. Please contact the Center in advance of attending a class if you require the use of this entrance: info@odiyana.org / 860-266-6041.
Held at Odiyana Center
36 Main Street, East Hartford, CT.
Click here for map and directions