Vesak One Day Full Moon Retreat Sunday 11 May, 08.30 am to 05.00 pm at Dhammagiri

Vesak One Day Full Moon Retreat Sun 11 May 🌕

Celebrating the Birth, Supreme Awakening, and Mahā Parinibbāna of the Buddha.

One Day Retreat with Chanting, Triple Refuge & Precepts Ceremony, Meditation and Dhamma Talk at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage.

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Veask One Day Full Moon Retreat Program

Sunday 11 May at Dhammagiri

08:30 am

Arrival of participants at Dhammahall

Silent Meditation

09:00 am

Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem

Observance of 8 or 5 precepts

10:00 am

Preparation of food for Almsoffering

10:30 am

Almsoffering

Anumodanā & Blessing

Shared Meal

11:50 am

Vesak Dhamma Talk

"Birth of the Bodhisatta"

01.00 pm Break / Walking Meditation

01:30 pm

Sutta Chanting

Silent Meditation

03:00 pm

Evening Chanting

Guided / Silent Meditation

Dhamma Reflection on Vesak

Sharing Merits with All Beings

05.00 pm

End of program

• The ceremony at 9.00 am is not just for those observing 8 precepts as it includes the option of taking only 5 precepts

• Please observe Noble Silence out of consideration for yogis meditating all day. In particular, the back verandah is reserved only for those wishing to observe Nobel Silence

• It is possible to participate only for parts of the program, but please be seated in the Dhammahall at least 15 minutes before start of sessions. 

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On Vesak Day, we're commemorating and celebrating three main events in the Buddha's life, all of them occurring on the Full Moon of May:

1. Birth of the Bodhisatta

In beautiful Lumbini Grove under Sāl trees ('shorea robusta'), with his mother Mahāmāyā standing and holding on to the branch of an Ashoka tree ('saraca asoca'), and the newborn Bodhisatta pacing 7 steps to the North.

2. Supreme Awakening ('Sammāsambodhi') 

Meditating all night, seated on the Vajirāsana ('Diamond Throne' - actually several sheafs of kusa grass offered to the Buddha which he used as his seat ), facing east to the rising sun, under the Bodhi Tree ('Ficus Religiosa') at Uruvela/Bodhgaya near the banks of Nerañjana River

3. Great Final Nibbāna ('Parinibbāna')

Lying on his right side in the Lion's posture, facing West to the setting sun, between the Twin Sāla Trees near Kusināra in the grove of the Mallas.

"There is one person,

whose arising in the world

is for the welfare of the multitude,

for the happiness of the multitude,

who arises out of compassion for the world,

for the good, welfare, and happiness

of gods and humans,

Who is that one person?

It is the Tathāgata,

the Arahant,

the perfectly Enlightened One.

There is one person arising in the world

who is unique,

without a peer,

without counterpart,

beyond comparison,

unequelled,

matchless,

unrivalled,

supreme among gods and humans.

Who is that one person?

It is the Tathāgata,

the Arahant,

the perfectly Enlightened One.

The manifestation of one person

is the manifestation of great vision,

of great light,

of great radiance;

it is the manifestation of six things unsurpassed;

the realization of the four analytical knowledges;

the insight into the manifold elements

that constitute our universe;

the realization of the fruit of knowledge & liberation;

the realization of the fruit of stream-entry,

once-returning,

non-returning,

and enlightenment.

Who is that one person?

It is the Tathāgata,

the Arahant,

the perfectly Enlightened One."

(Anguttara Nikāya Ones 13.1, 13.5 & 13.6)