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"This is the entire spiritual life, Ananda, that is, good friendship, good companionship, good comradeship. When a monk has a good friend, a good companion, a good comrade, it is to be expected that he will develop and cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path.”
~ The Buddha
SN 45:2

(source)

podcast

Sutta Studies Retreat

Thursday, August 12 to Sunday, August 22, 2010
(10 Nights)

This retreat is currently full.
What does full mean?

Level: Intermediate
What does Intermediate mean?

Teacher: Bhante Gunaratana

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.



    Suttas to Be Read Prior to Arriving August 12-22, 2010


    1. Upanisā Sutta
    Ref: i. Aṅguttaranikāya, Ekādasako nipāta;
    Nissayavagga, 1. 3 - 11. 1. 5: PTS 314] - 317;
    ii. DN. II, #15 Mahānidāna Sutta, 59, Samyuttanikaya, II, Nidanavagga;
    MN, II, Cankı Sutta,

    2. Alagaddūpama Sutta
    Ref: MN. I, Sutta # 22.

    3. Madhupṇḍika Sutta:
    Ref: MN. I, #18

    4. Cūḷahatthipadopama Sutta:
    Ref: MN. I, Sutta # 27

    5. Mahāsāropama Sutta:
    Ref: MN. I, Sutta # 29

    6. Mahātaṇhāsankhaya Sutta:
    Ref: MN. I, Sutta # 38.


All retreats begin between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm on the first day. Please arrive to allow enough time to complete registration here and settle in before the retreat begins. 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.