A few months ago I decided I was going to attend a month long retreat. Flying from Australia, this weekend I start a month long retreat program at Zen Mountain Monastery, followed by a week off, then a few more weeks at San Francisco Zen Center.
Roger Walsh’s quote, “To Advance, I Retreat” has been floating around, helping me come to see that this is a movement, not a distraction.
Guest Posting
Whilst I’m gone some really great people, who I’m very lucky to call friends, have helped me out by writing guest posts. Greg from Meeting it Everywhere, Nick from Life2.0, and James from The Buddhist Blog have all written wonderful posts to keep this site flowing.
Precepts of The Buddha Way
Undertaking a Retreat program also requires the taking of Precepts/Bodhisattva vows. My vows are shared with you.
Atonement
All evil karma committed by me since of old.
On account of my beginningless greed, anger and ignorance.
Born of my body, mouth, and thought.
Now I atone for it all.
Refuge
I take refuge in the Buddha
I take refuge in the Dharma
I take refuge in the Sangha
I take refuge in the Buddha, the incomparably honored one
I take refuge in the Dharma, honorable for its purity
I take refuge in the Sangha, honorable for its harmony
I have taken refuge in the Buddha
I have taken refuge in the Dharma
I have taken refuge in the Sangha.
The Three Pure Precepts
1. Not creating evil
2. Practicing good
3. Actualizing good for others
The Ten Grave Precepts
1. Affirm Life / Do Not Kill
2. Be Giving / Do Not Steal
3. Honor The Body / Do Not Misuse Sexuality
4. Manifest Truth / Do Not Lie
5. Proceed Clearly / Do Not Cloud The Mind
6. See The Perfection / Do Not Speak of Others Errors and Faults
7. Realize Self and Other As One / Do Not Elevate The Self and Blame Others
8. Give Generously / Do Not Be Withholding
9. Actualize Harmony / Do Not Be Angry
10. Experience The Intimacy of Things / Do Not Define The Three Treasures
The Four Great Vows
Sentient beings are numberless; I vow to save them.
Desires are inexhaustible; I vow to put an end to them.
The dharmas are boundless; I vow to master them.
The buddha way is unattainable; I vow to attain it.
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Years ago, when I lived in France, I experienced a weekend meditation at a monestary located on an island near Cannes. The self-sufficient place was one of the most peaceful and life-changing experiences I have ever had. I suppose it was one of the occasions where I truly began to re-assess the value in silence, nature and myself at soul level. To think you retreat from what you know is really the beginning of rediscovering what you have always known, but buried deep inside yourself.
Hi Liara,
Thanks again for your comments on the blog, this and all your others. They are greatly appreciated.
Totally amazing to think/live the retreating to rediscover. I almost miss the process of rediscovering what I’ve missed when out in the world. It’s very challenging to live in the world, and learn from it’s experience. They always say it’s easier to practice in a monastery than out in the world. So many lessons….
May all beings be blessed by the Dharma.
Gassho,
Wade