Contemplation as Meditation – Easter Long Weekend Retreat with Bhante Akaliko

Registration via Eventbrite

About the Retreat

Contemplation as Meditation: A Four Day Sutta Retreat on the Annusatis.

The Buddha taught that reflection, recollection and contemplation have an important role to play in the development of our meditation practice. Skillful use of particular subjects help us incline the mind towards wholesome states so that we can make progress on the spiritual path and develop peace and wisdom. The six main annusatis are: recollecting the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, Ethical Conduct, Generosity, and Heavenly Beings. Further contemplations include the body, death, and peace.

In this 4-day sutta retreat, we explore the Buddha’s themes for contemplation, inspiring and uplifting the mind in ways that naturally lead to joyful states and deepen into stillness.

ABOUT AKĀLIKO BHIKKHU

Akāliko Bhikkhu (he him) is an Australian monk in the Theravada forest tradition. Bhante Akāliko first encountered Buddhism as a teenager and spent over twenty years practising in different traditions before taking full ordination with Ajahn Brahm as his preceptor at Bodhinyana monastery in 2016. He currently resides with his long-term teacher, Bhante Sujato, at Lokanta Vihara (the Monastery at the End of the World) in Sydney, Australia.

Bhante Akāliko is the founder of Rainbodhi LGBTQIA+ Buddhist Community and a Buddhist chaplain at Western Sydney University. He is also on the board of directors of the Buddhist Council of NSW.

GENERAL

Vejjasala, located just outside the village of Wingello in the Southern Highlands of NSW, is the retreat centre of the Association of Engaged Buddhists (AEB). The name, Vejjasala, means a place for healing.

Tickets are assigned strictly on a first-come, first-served basis via Eventrbite.

Members and Friends of the Association of Engaged Buddhists should use the Promo code AEBMEMFRI to receive the member price of $320.

The non-member price is $400.

To join AEB visit: our membership page. The annual membership fee is $60.00

COVID

• We are requiring that all attendees conduct a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 24 hours of attending the retreat. Take a photo of your result and email to office@engagedbuddhists.org.au in order to be able to attend the retreat.
• All attendees must be fully vaccinated and send a screenshot of vaccination status along with RAT test results per the above. This is to ensure the safety of all members attending the retreat.

Adequate social distancing, hand-washing and other sensible measure should be followed by all attendees.

It should be noted that participants attend these retreats entirely at their own discretion and should consider their own risks and responsibilities in regard to COVID. While reasonable efforts will be taken in regard to providing a safe environment, the Association takes no responsibility for individuals’ behaviour or health consequences arising from attending a retreat. Obviously if you are experiencing any symptoms, please do not attend the retreat and notify the organisers at office@engagedbuddhists.org.au.

SCHEDULE AND EXPECTATIONS

After the first evening of the retreat, the rest of the retreat will be held in noble silence. Retreatants generally do not speak to each other unless absolutely necessary. In noble silence, retreatants can better stay with their own experience, moment by moment. In this way, awareness increases, the body relaxes and the mind clears and space opens for understanding and insight to develop.

Attendees will be asked to contribute to the ongoing maintenance of Vejjasala by spending some time on one or more of the various maintenance tasks that are necessary at the time. A list of current/ongoing jobs will be distributed with registration and participants are welcome to contribute to these activities either during the retreat or upon its completion (i.e. after lunch on Sunday). The Retreat Coordinator will be able to provide guidance on these tasks at the retreat.

Vejjasala is a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ people.

ENQUIRIES

If you have any questions regarding the retreat, please email the Retreat Coordinator at office@engagedbuddhists.org.au.