2008-
ALL SUMMER OPEN CLASSES
[ go to the bottom of
this page for more information on
2008 Rains Retreat...] |
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"To learn about
Buddhism, you must not become a Buddhist! Use it to become a
better
whatever-you-are-already!"
Dalai Lama
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Summer Online Training
New Meditation Training Module being developed!
This year Venerable Vimalaramsi and Rev. Sister Khema are
co-writing a Training module for meditation that consists of
several installments. The modules or installments will contain
the basic foundation training and then go further into the 37 Requirements for
Enlightenment demonstrating their
direct inter-relationship with the
Meditation Practice and pulling them all together.
The first 5 of these installments have been put up on the Dhammasukha Yahoo Group
List (approved only membership) in the files section.
This group is a no
nonsense support group structure to assist your meditation
as you train according to the Sutta guidelines with guiding
assistance from the teachers at Dhamma Sukha Meditation
Center.
The online group consists of a wonderful
Tech Sangha, from around the world, who are earnestly investigating and practicing the
Tranquil Wisdom Mindfulness Meditation Practice found in the
Suttas now presented by Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi. These files are located in the File Folder section
of the dhammasukha
online list. You are most welcome to apply for admission to
this list online at www.yahoogroups.com . You can
also find
information on how to join this list on the first page of
www.dhammasukha.org
main website.
NOTE: These installments got a bit bogged down when we got
to the end of the basics. Upon enetering into the
Satipathana sutta to discuss the Four Foundations of
Mindfulness, we realized that this presentation part would
end up being at least 5 installments! Then, because of
Construction work going on at the center, we got pulled
away. But these will continue this fall for sure once the
new building gets up. Then they will continue to be edited gradually
as you readers give additional input to us.
You may utilize these installments
(without changing their content please) and ask direct
questions to the guiding teachers as we go along.
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Open Meditation
Classes- This year, 2008, classes are offered
:
--> Cape Girardeau every other Wednesday evening.
--> Farmington - upon request to LOCATION.
--> People may come by request to the center for three day
weekends to study with the GUIDING teachers.
--> Classes can be arranged for special groups one evening per week
or every other week if you have a location suggestion.
For arrangements: please contact
Sister Khema
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Farmington,
MO
A location is being worked on now and most probably
there will be classes offered on Friday evenings in
Farmington. These classes will
include instructions, a meditation session for 1/2 hour, and
a Dhamma Talk with questions as we go along. It's a very
friendly American style atmosphere
Please Stay tuned the location and time to be announced!
Let us know
if you are interested in that class. Please write to
Sister Khema
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| Daily RETREAT PLAN USED AT THE CENTER
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What is the Daily Retreat
Schedule at the Center?
There is no sleep deprivation during this
training. A student gets 8 hours of rest each day during
retreat. Most people do not get tired because of this
arrangement. In fact, when they leave, usually, they would
rather stay for more! For the most part everyone
understands how to keep the practice going all the time when
they complete their retreat.
RETREAT
COSTS ?
The center is striving to EVENTUALLY operate free for anyone
attending. This cannot happen until people understand they must
support the center which supports them with the Dhamma! At this time, we try to minimally meet the costs of operations and maintencnace of the center. A suggested donation to help make this happen,
is
about $25 per day (minimum). This assists with food, housing and
maintenance. This provides only for very basic needs.
Everything gets easier with more
people attending. People are bringing in food now and supplies. Capacity is 15 students total at this time and
4 monastics in the base camp. People are asked NOT to come into the center empty
handed! Everyone is encouraged to support the building of the center
in keeping with a longstanding tradition in Buddhism to
support the Monastic center where the teaching is preserved and
taught.
Generosity is the first part of the meditation training. It is
the
foundation step for opening the heart. Generosity is not only
about money. Generosity means kind speech, kind words and kind
actions. Everyone's support is needed to grow this center and to
help others to have an opportunity
to use the center in the future.
We also want to help as many Veterans who wish to come to the center as
possible. They can learn some easy sensible tools for grounding, helping with depression and anxiety difficulties as
they come back to adjust into society. We want to help them to
return to peaceful living.
WHAT IS DANA?
Traditionally, people also give Dana (a donation
of appreciation) to the
teacher and/or to the center at the end of a
retreat. They do this as they are able to do. It's up to each person what the teaching is worth
to them and what they feel they can contribute.
This is the only support for the center. Sometimes people donate time or support in other than financial
ways outside of a retreat. We all do what we can do to help the center grow. This
teaching is life changing! We've been told that there doesn't
seem to be anything quite like it anywhere else. WE keep
looking. It brings back a smile into your
life. There is no question about that.
So, each person should be their own judge and, if they can, they
should help others to find this teaching by contributing
sponsorship through donations.
Envelopes are located around the Dhamma Hall
and you can ask Sister Khema for help to find them. You hand the
Dana to the teacher personally on the last day of your retreat
as your personal thanks for receiving the teaching. You
then give up the 8 precepts by taking the 5 precepts for lay
life.
Any questions you have, you can coordinate
through contacting
Sister Khema.
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Temporary-Ordinations
now available.
Proper requisites can be provided for any student
wishing to take a temporary ordination while training at the center. This must be
done for a minimum period of 2 weeks
or longer and can be pre-arranged with our Abbot, Bhante
Vimalaramsi. As is traditional in most Buddhist centers, students
contribute $75 to cover the cost of their robes during ordination
and may
keep the robes afterwards [if they can keep them with respect
or they can return them for others to use in the future]. Email
to
bhantev4u@dhammasukha.org
if you are interested in
taking a temporary ordination.
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In depth Sutta
study classes : From July through
October, during Rains Retreat, when there are interested
students attending at the proper level of training, in
addition to regular Dhamma talks, Buddhist texts are examined closely to identify supports for
this original meditation approach. The Majjhima, Samyutta,
and Digha Nikayas are used for this class. Commentarial
and sub-commentarial works are also consulted to sort things out.
This Class is
taken in conjunction with advanced
meditation training as approved by the
Abbot.
Guest scholar monks sometimes attend to assist
investigations and together with Sister Khema they help to verify accuracy of English translations
in relationship to successful meditation practice.
In-depth personal investigations are done each day in conjunction with these classes
during private meditation sessions to confirm findings.
Guest monks and nuns have opportunities to practice-teach by giving
short Dhamma talks
in English on
various subjects as part of their Dhamma Language training
and/or Sutta studies.
Be sure to contact us in advance so that we can be sure
any needed books are available for you. A firm meditation
practice must be first be established for these
classes to be of the most benefit. The cost of any books is the responsibility of each student.
Sister Khema can direct you where to find them.
The center helps, when possible, to obtain books for
monastics if
needed.
A notebook is provided to keep notes in.
Cost: Dana (donations) can be offered so that others will be able to
attend such a class in the future.
Email
sisterkhema@dhammasukha.org
for further
information.
Please put "sutta class info"
in the subject line of your email.
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Dhamma English
Classes are offered during the summer rains
retreat to monks and nuns who wish to expand and perfect
their English in order to teach westerners
meditation in a more effective way. These classes
are good for building Dhamma vocabulary. One
learns how to reference English Suttas in a very clear
way and to give Dhamma talks using the 4 Noble Truths as
an effective framework outline. Participants
can enter the class at any time during the summer. 4 week periods for this class
is most useful. For the most benefit, one should come
in for the entire Rains Retreat period from July 29th
through October 11 where you are encouraged to speak English the
entire time you are here while studying and working in the
forest.
English speakers can benefit by this class also by discovering
the corresponding Pali words for discussion of Dhamma and
Meditation.
These classes are free to monastics. You must sign up in
advance for these classes. Contact
Sisterkhema@dhammasukha.org
for arrangements.
Put "Dhamma English Classes info" in your
subject line.
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MONTH OF JUNE- |
Retreat Information, go to
www.dhammasukha.org/Study/study.htm#retreats
Contact:
Sister Khema
-Personal Retreats
can be scheduled at the Center by pre-arrangement with the
teachers.
-Early morning refuges, precepts and meditation session is at
5:30 AM daily.
-Daily Evening Dhamma Talks each night and/or Study
Discussion Topics discussed, with questions, from 6-8PM.
- You can make arrangements to come in for evening Dhamma talks
in the evenings. Just call us so we know you are coming.
- Activities during the Rains Retreat 2008 are at the bottom
of this page!
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MONTH OF JULY-- |
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Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center
presents
Artist's Meditation Retreat 2008
"Let Mind go; Let Art Arise!"
A 9-day retreat for Artists seeking to learn meditation.
(ending after 9 days or optional time added to August 3 if
desired. Your choice.)
Dates: July 18th-July 27th
Meditation Training led by Bhante Vimalaramsi assisted by
Sister Khema
Art advisory support provided by Sharon Weston and Melanie
Richard
This is our first Artist's Meditation Retreat and YOU are
personally invited!
Consider for a moment. Would a masterpiece evolve if you had
a very clear undisturbed mind and if you truly felt happy
when you created your art? What would be different? Would
the colors change? The texture?
Would your attention change as you created it?
Come and help us to grasp the impact of meditation on a
person's art! This is a neat opportunity to run this
personal experiment! Join us as we paint in a rustic country
setting while, at the same time, we learn to practice
Tranquil Wisdom Mindfulness Meditation under the guidance of
Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi. Each evening listen to Dhamma
Talks and ask questions. Each day, practice meditation and
paint.
Spend 9 days in retreat and paint for at least three hours
each day. Paint, some canvases, easels will be provided. You
bring your experience, paint smocks and personal brushes if
you like!
There will also be a large 4ftX8ft Canvas on which the group
will create a mural! Sharon Weston will lead us on this
joint effort in a creative way. Each person will contribute
1 hr per day to the group mural project.
This painting and any others may be contributed to raise
money to build this new Meditation Center.
COST:
Suggested daily donation $25 and up per day to cover cost of
operation of the center. Everyone contributes with cooking,
cleaning, and general living jobs. Bring your own sheets,
blankets and towels! There is a washing machine available.
This is going to be fun and very revealing about how to let
mind go and let art arise!
**Maximum of 10 students for this first retreat! $35
secures your place.
Smiles are provided for all artists. Visit the center
online at
www.dhammasukha.org
For reservations and information email Sister
Khema before July 15th .
Subject line in email should say “Artist” |
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- Pali Primer Class in Real-time online.
This year we will be attempting to teach a Pali Course online in Real-time.
Whether this happens depends on us getting the old office converted into a studio from which this
class can
happen! There are five persons signed up to take
this course so far. 5 more slots are open. Please contact Sister Khema
if you are interested. You will need to get a camera for
your computer, we will supply you with a book that will be used, and
you must
be in attendence for each class by your computer wherever
you are! This is an exciting project and we hope it can
happen beginning sometime in July. We have been encouraged by Bhikkhu Bodhi to move
ahead with this Primer course.
COST: Entirely Dana based class.
CLASS ON HOLD AT THIS TIME>>>>> ATTEMPTING TO GET ANOTHER
TEACHER>>>>>
Contact
Sister Khema if interested.
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MONTH OF AUGUST
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- During August, Retreats will Emphasize
"ENDING SUFFERING-RECLAIMING JOY".
Write to
sisterkhema@dhammasukha.org to make arrangements.
Please put "JOY Retreat" information Request"
into the
subject line of the email.
People will be working on their individual meditation in this
retreat a lot more than usual so they get the feel for taking the
meditation back into life without any outside supports. This is a
very pleasant experience and progress is usually very good. You get
8 hours of sleep per day at this retreat and you will not be
exhausted when you leave! Come and
learn about a new tool for your "Toolbox for Life" !
Dates:
>August 2 - August 30th
Sign up as soon as possible.
There are three slots left as of June 5.
Cost: $35 reservation fee. See
http://www.dhammasukha.org/Study/study.htm#retreats
for more information.
Members contribute food,
share is chores and cooking and assist with suggested donations of about $20 per day on the average for utilities
and operation expenses. Each person gives a Dana (
generosity donation) for the teachings offered by the
guiding teacher at the end of the retreat. This amount is
whatever they feel they can do.
Accommodations: Vary here from camping
in an open campground tent area , lodging in small cabins which
can be shared by up to three people, living in a dome, or
even a large tent or pop-up camper. Space as
available. 15 people max.
Location: Go to
www.dhammasukha.org and check for directions.
Please Note: Five
cabins were established in 2007 including a 16-ft Buckminster Fuller geodesic dome.
A pop-up camper and a tenting area are available for private camping
in an area with 6 tent sites and 1 van site. A new bathroom and laundry
facility is newly completed and a small
winter health sauna heated by a woodstove will be ready for winter
this year.
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MONTH OF SEPTEMBER |
- Advanced class on the Impersonal Process of
Dependent Origination!
How to use this process to change you life!
By request admission for this class. Contact
Sister Khema
- CAPE GIRARDEAU CLASSES
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DATE:
Wednesday September 24th,
2008
"One by One as they Occur:
A Progression of Meditation Stages"
The talk includes a meditation session
WHEN:
7:00 PM
Teachers will arrive at 6:30
PM
WHERE:
The Center
618 Bellevue
Cape Girardeau, MO
The talk will be held in the
kiva!
It was nice to see some new
people at the last "BhanteTalk." There is no
basic charge
for a Dhamma talk. However,
the center is supported
entirely by
donations which are gratefully
accepted in order to cover
travel costs and supply food
for the monastics who attend
and teach there. These folks
drive over 150
miles to come here
to give a talk and
offer training in
meditation. Please
support the center
so that Talks and
training can
continue to be
offered.
See you there…
Greg and Sherry Boyd
For additional information
contact Sherry Boyd at (573)
450-7086 or Sandy Horton at
(573) 238-5192.
DIRECTIONS:
The Center is easy to find:
>take Broadway EAST towards the River
> Turn LEFT on Sprigg St. ( towards the University)
> Go ONE block and turn Right into Bellvue St.
> We are halfway down the block on the NORTH side of the Street.
Look for the Turquoise doors and window shutters!
Parking is on the street or in our lot behind the building.
PROGRAM NOTES:
These classes with Bhante are a happy life changing experience leading to a
deeper understanding of the value of Meditation practice to
improve daily life. There
will be a Short meditation session [1/2 hr] with instructions
for newcomers in the beginning of each class. All levels of practice are welcome. A Dhamma
talk is given by Bhante Vimalaramsi
or by Sister Khema using the Pali Canon Sutta texts concerning
meditation training.
This program is ongoing the entire summer and possibly into the
fall. There is a value in
coming to any one talk by
itself too.
Join in the fun of discovering what the Buddha taught and how it
leads to Peaceful Co-existence and more smiling! This
practice is very
useful for daily
life.
This is an easy
to understand way of doing meditation that anyone can learn.
Many students will attest to
how useful this practice is
! It's all about experiencing
some relief from mental and
physical tension and tightness in mind and body that has led us
all into Suffering.
We are guided by a very gifted teacher
Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi from the Dhamma Sukha Meditation
Center near Annapolis, MO. This is a genuine Buddhist American Forest Meditation
Center set up very much like in the time of the Buddha. It
teaches meditation directly from the Buddhist texts.
Sister Khema has
been studying for
over 9 years now and
continues to develop
a program of
research, practice,
preservation, and
teacher training at
the center.
This meditation is catching on faster and faster all over the
world!
Please bring a cushion to sit on, or there are chairs to sit in.
Wither is fully
acceptable. This is
a mind yoga
and is excellent to
help relieve stress
or depression. Newcomers can listen online to the meditation instructions if
they are curious about it in advance at:
To listen to the
instructions, please go to "Metta Meditation"
at
www.dhammasukha.org/Study/talks.htm#metta
Look closely and you will find a 10 minute version of the
instructions, a 22 minute version or a longer one for your
listening.
Your choice.
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MONTH OF OCTOBER |
- Continue classes at the center.
- End of Rains Retreat October 14, 2008.
- Limited Retreat attendance until end of the Rains
Retreat. All Retreats end October 15 Until Last week in
November.
- Preparations for Japan Conference
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MONTH OF NOVEMBER |
- The 5th World Buddhist Summit Conference
Kobe, Japan November 1st-5th
Private meetings discussing Dhamma during a tour of Japanese
Inland seas
from November 6th through the 12th. This will include open discussions
concerningmany issues on Dhamma and the teaching of it in this century.
Venerable Vimalaramsi and Rev. Sister Khema will attend this
conference from November 1st- November 5th. This will be the
first time an American Representative and a US delegation
has ever attended the Supreme Buddhist World Summit Council. It was
difficult to find a Maha Thera American monk ( a 20 year
monk) to fulfill this
position. This is a rare and
wonderful opportunity to share what is successful today within the
Buddhist practice of several different traditions, to
discuss the future challenges for Buddhism worldwide, and to talk about
Peaceful co-existence and World Peace! It will
be fun to report on this event when returning to the
United States. Please stay tuned for glimpses of the New Royal Hall of
Buddhism as it is dedicated to the World! 33 Countries will
be attending this Summit Council event as well as many major
World Leaders, UN Representatives, and members from many
Peace Organizations. Over 3500 people will be in attendance
this time.
- Preparations for the First Winter
Retreat at the Center.
Who will step up to the plate for this first winter retreat.
From Nov- 14th on
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MONTH OF DECEMBER |
- PERSONAL winter retreats begin December 1 and run
through January 31. Students may arrive as early as November
28. They may stay a minimum of 7 days for these retreats.
There will be Dhamma Talks each night and intereviews on a
daily basis to track progress with the Teachers.
Call and make arrangements in advance for your arrival.
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MONTH OF JANUARY 2009 |
- In Winter Retreat on site at the Center.
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MONTH OF FEBRUARY
2009 |
- In Winter Retreat on site at the Center. Ending in the
middle of the month.
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FEBRUARY 28 -
MARCH 14, 2009
Joshua Tree Retreat IV
This Retreat is held in Joshua Tree CA.
Contact Antra and Mark Berger at
antrapriede@pol.net
It's only July 2008 and People are already signing up for
this remarkable retreat held each year with Venerable Bhante
Viamalaramsi in the Californian Desert at the Dhamma Dena
Vipassana Center where Ruth Denison resides. This is the
real deal revealing, in very simple English, how the Buddha
yoked together the practice of Metta using a
Samatha/Vipassana practice and was able to fully Awaken
(reach Nibbana in his lifetime). It is a rare opportunity to
study with Ven. Bhante Vimalaramsi who has a true gift for
guiding students to clear understanding of the sutta
instructions for meditation! Come and see! It will truly
make you smile! You are likely to go deeper and clearer than
you have ever gone before in your practice! If you have a
beginners mind, it is likely you will soar along with this
practice! It's a wonderful happy experience of reclaiming
joy and energy back into your life. You will be learning a
useful tool to take home and continue doing all the time.
FURTHER NOTES ON THIS RETREAT:
This retreat is open to beginners and experienced meditators.
If you are attending only one week, you MUST
attend the first week of the retreat.
The
beauty and nature of the desert is unsurpassed
and all around us at this center. This year
the retreat will be a little warmer! Please consider
training with this wonderfully clear guiding
teacher. His gift is truly a marvel!
Each year this retreat just
gets better and better. Good food, fine company, and the remoteness from
daily life make it just great. Students have the perfect access to the teacher during
this independent personal
approach to training. Interviews happen daily. The retreat offers
the perfect setting to dig in and do the
necessary work using this lovely Tranquil Wisdom
Mindfulness meditation. It's an opportunity to learn from a
pro how to practice the Brahma Viharas through
breaking down all barriers, in a most effective
technique precisely as it was left to us in the
sutta texts!
This is a practice you will be able to take home and continue using in life
with a smile! COME AND SEE!
P.S. You DON'T have to become a Buddhist to
learn this tool. It's guaranteed to make you a
better whatever-you-are-already! <smiles> Sister
Khema
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MONTH OF MARCH-2009 |
- The Joshua Tree Retreat IV extends til March 14th.
Following that there is a return to San Diego area for a
brief time.
- San Diego Unitarian Universalist Church
Traditional Yearly Open Talk on Meditation, Buddhism and "World Peace"
Date TBA each year.
This talk might also be a report of the 5th World
Buddhist Summit Council that is happening in November 2008
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MONTH OF APRIL-2009 |
- WALDHAUS AM LACHER RETREAT
All European Retreat
April 20 - April 28, 2009
For information go to
http://www.buddhismus-im-westen.de/
- PAUENHOF RETREAT CENTER
This will be a 5-day retreat breakthrough introduction to
the practice.
( This will be an all Dutch Retreat and the dates will
follow the above Waldhous Retreat) TBA upon confirmation.
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MONTH OF MAY-2009 |
- Possible N.C. Retreat near
Greensboro/ possibly at " "Stonehouse Center near
Greensboro, N.C. dates TBA
- Possible Florida Retreat near St.
Petersburg/ dates TBA
- RETURN TO CENTER - Last PLANTING TIME>>>
CENTER CLEAN-UP TIME !
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MONTH OF NOVEMBER-2009 |
Chuang Yen Monastery Retreat #2 Carmel, New York.
DATES: TBA
[the time on this retreat might be rescheduled for another
month. Please keep checking. tba] |