A 4-day,  3-night meditation retreat in the beautiful Southern Highlands of NSW with Venerable Pandit Bhikkhu

About this event

Dates: Thursday 25th April to Sunday 28th April 2024, arrive 4pm Thursday, depart 2pm Sunday

Cost:  $335 – $450 per person depending on the type of accommodation. Early bird prices are available until 4 April. Registrations close 24 April.

Here for Life

About the retreat:

“During Covid I was locked down alone in my room for a couple of years – lots of time to reflect. I intensified my cushion time and made a lot of gains, specifically in meditation. Parts of Dhamma I had not fully understood before became integrated. I was always confident in what was taught in the original by Shakyamuni Buddha, but now in my mid 50s, I really understand it. And I look forward to sharing all this with you in the Southern Highlands retreat, to the best of my ability. When life and death and the drama in between torments our human condition, the dharma of the present moment, leads us to be Here for Life!

During this Here For Life retreat, we will take a look at the Story of the Jumping Mouse – you are welcome to look this up in advance, or not, as you like. The meaning and relevance of the story to our path of meditation development will be made clear; hope you enjoy!!

In addition to the regular sitting and walking meditation, this retreat will incorporate some Qi Gong moving meditation, as taught by Ven. Pandit’s long time associate Marisa Cranfill. Using this kind of gentle movement is sometimes a good alternative to walking meditation, especially in a retreat where the body can become stiff and uncomfortable. We will do this by recorded video. You can take a look at Marisa at www.youtube.com/@yoqi

Meditation Method:

Ven. Pandit has experience with all the common Vipassana (Insight) meditation methods and is happy to work with everyone based on their own preferred method. The emphasis of his own approach is to work exclusively with present moment perception as it arises and ceases. As the mind launches one thing into perception at a time only, insight is used to disentangle consciousness from this process, and enter into some of the higher, more mystic states of unified awareness; the direct experience of the life force itself! This is based entirely on Sakyamuni Buddha’s teaching around the Six Senses, from early Buddhism. There will be continual reference to these original teachings, as well as some colourful metaphoric teaching aids from relevant story telling.

Venerable Pandit Bhikkhu

Ven. Pandit entered the monastic system in the UK in 1994, and later ordained as a Bhikkhu (monk) in Thailand in 1996, in a large country temple, where his preceptor and teacher Ajahn Sermchai Jayamangalo resided. In 2000 he moved to Bangkok to stay in Wat Paknam, Bhasicharoen, so as to attend Thailand’s Buddhist university and study ‘Buddhist Psychology’ (in Thai medium no less!), followed by an MA in Buddhist Studies. He studied and taught classes there for 12 years. Aside from the Early Buddhism of the Pali suttas, he also is well versed in Faerie Tales and how they relate directly to meditation practice.

Venue and Cost

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. This beautiful retreat centre features recently renovated, comfortable accommodation, expanses of bushland, and lots of amazing wildlife.

The event cost includes accommodation and food, with three vegetarian meals per day. Please indicate if you have any allergies or dietary requirements. We may not be able to accommodate all requests.

Costs range from $335 – $450 per person depending on the type of accommodation. Early bird prices are available until 18 February. Bookings close 25 March.

Registrations close 24 April.

Please note:  Most accommodation at Vejjasala consists of well-appointed and spacious twin-share rooms. All shared rooms will be allocated to people of the same gender (please indicate on the form if you are booking a shared room and this is not suitable for you). Couples are not encouraged to share rooms during retreats. You can read more about the accommodation options.

Registration is at the bottom of the page via Ticket Tailor. Please complete the form and pay the full cost to reserve your place.

Scholarships are available via Open Dharma Foundation.

Payment to the teacher is made by donation (dāna or generosity) after the retreat. This continues the ancient Buddhist tradition where the teachings are offered freely. Participants are invited to make a donation that feels sustainable and generous according to their situation. These retreats and teachings are possible because of the generosity of others in the past and any dāna given will help make the teachings available in the future.

Full details about Vejjasala, accommodation options, directions, and information about what to bring can be found on the website.

There is a train station in Wingello, however trains do not frequently stop there. We will attempt to organise carpooling with the organisers and other participants, or you can take the train to a nearby station and then we will pick you up. Please indicate on the signup form if you require a lift or are able to offer lifts to others.

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

Fire Danger

Due to its rural location in the bush, Vejjasala Retreat Centre is ‘not to be occupied’ on days with an ‘extreme’ or ‘catastrophic’ fire danger rating (per Wingecarribee Shire Council DA for the property). During the bushfire season, if the forecast before the retreat is for an ‘extreme’ or ‘catastrophic’ fire danger rating, the retreat will not be able to proceed. We will monitor the fire danger, and in the case of ‘extreme’ or ‘catastrophic’ fire danger rating, we will advise all participants as soon as possible and provide a full refund. The on-site retreat manager, caretaker or other AEB committee member will monitor the fire danger rating for the duration of the retreat.

Risks and Responsibility

This retreat will be conducted in silence (you can talk to the teacher as required). This may not be a good environment for you if you are experiencing mental health issues, or if you have experienced recent or severe trauma. While meditation retreats are generally beneficial, intensive meditation practice can lead to distress or adverse effects. The teacher and volunteers will do their best to support you but they are not qualified to provide mental health support. Please consider your own situation and discuss with the organisers and teacher if you have any concerns. The teacher may ask to arrange a phone call prior to the retreat to make sure they understand your situation and how they can best support your meditation practice.

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 their own health needs and 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. 

If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID please take a RAT or PCR test and notify the organisers at office@engagedbuddhists.org.au. If you test positive for COVID you will not be able to attend the retreat and we will arrange a refund. If you have a negative result you may still be able to attend, depending on the severity of your symptoms and in discussion with the organisers.

Refund Policy

PLEASE NOTE: Bookings may be cancelled at no charge 14 days prior to the event with a full refund (minus booking fees). As catering materials need to be purchased in advance by the Association, bookings cancelled less than 14 days prior to the event will incur a 50% fee, unless the space is able to be filled by another retreatant, in which case a full refund (minus booking fees) will be issued.

Enquiries

If you have any questions about the retreat, please contact office@engagedbuddhists.org.au