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The Experience of Retreats
Retreat Schedule
Retreats at other Locations
Visiting Guidelines
Ride Sharing
Retreat Registration
Cost/Dana
What to Bring
Retreat Daily Schedule
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

"There are, O monks, these four lights. What four? The light of the moon, the light of the sun, the light of fire, and the light of wisdom. Of these four lights, the light of wisdom is supreme.”
~ The Buddha
AN 4:143

(source)

Introduction to Sutta Studies

Friday, September 19 to Sunday, September 28, 2008
(9 Nights)

This retreat is currently full.
What does full mean?

Level: Any
What does Any mean?

Teacher: Bhante Gunaratana & Bhante Rahula

This course is designed for any level. It is divided into three sections.
(a) Bhante Gunaratana will give either one or two talks on each Sutta explaining deep meaning of them with some technical Pāli terms in the morning session.
(b) Sutta discussion in the afternoon session
(c) Further Question and answer period in the evening.
Detailed schedule will be handed out with notes on each Sutta at the opening of the course.

This is not a silent retreat, although there will be several meditation periods.  Participants should have a basic understanding of Theravada Buddhist concepts, but previous experience with the suttas is not required.  There is however a list of required reading from Middle Length Discourses and participants should expect to bring a copy of this book with them.
All from The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A New Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya, translated by Bhikkhu Nanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi, Wisdom Publications, Boston.

  • Introduction (extremely useful in understanding the rest of the suttas)
  • MN 58 Abhayarājakumāra Sutta
  • AN.  Kālāma Sutta (Tikanipāta, Mahāvagga)
  • MN 56 Upāli Sutta
  • MN142 Dakkhiṇāvibhaṅga Sutta
  • MN 43 Mahāvedalla Sutta
  • MN 59 Bahuvedanīya Sutta
  • MN 64 Mahāmāluṅkyaputta Sutta
  • MN 77 Mahāsakuludāyī Sutta
  • MN118 Ānāpānasati Sutta

    • If something doesn’t make sense, just keep a list of questions to bring with you.  But you do need to read each part at least once before arriving. And the end notes, too.  They are important.

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Note: First time people should be at Bhavana by 4:30 p.m. on the first day of the retreat. Everyone else should be here by 5:00 p.m.. All retreats end after lunch on the last day.
Although every retreat is slightly different here is a typical retreat daily schedule.
For those who would like to take them, the Lifetime Precepts are offered at this retreat.

Specifc infromation can be found here.

If you would like to take the Lifetime Precepts (not to be confused with the regular monastery precepts), be sure to bring a set of white clothes.

For an explaination of the meaning of the precepts and their practice, read Bhante G's article Taking the Eight Lifetime Precepts. To read about the history of the precepts at Bhavana and what the ceremony is like, read The Seeds of Dhamma Take Root.