Meditation Retreat

During the retreat we will provide com­pre­hen­sive information on two interrelated subjects: Meditation and Dhamma. The participants will get a thorough understanding of three different meditation techniques and the basics of Buddhism.

Big meditation hall

​Life involves both under­standing and experience, and both of these sup­port and build upon the other. Thus, right meditation depends on right understanding, and understanding is deepened and more thoroughly realized through expe­ri­ence. The Dhamma talks offered during the retreat give a com­pre­hen­sive explanation of why to meditate. This kind of understanding is necessary for meditation practice to develop fully. Dhamma teachings are not presented as religious articles of faith, but as helpful sup­port for the meditation practice. We ask that you relax personal opinions in order to investigate the new perspectives offered.

In addition to this information and advice, we will try to create a healthy atmosphere for exploring meditation and experi­menting with Dhamma practice. Our belief in simple living shows in the food and accommodations. These and the daily schedule may take some adjusting to, but after a few days you will begin to see how they help calming the mind.

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Meditation

​The meditation instructions cover:

• Concentration meditation, based on Mindfulness with Breathing (ānāpānasati in Pali) in order to calm and focus the mind.
• Insight- or vipassanā meditation to cultivate wisdom and to reduce attachments and unhappy states of mind.
• Loving kindness meditation, the antidote to anger and animosity, to develop friendliness to all living and non-living entities.
• Mindfulness based on the Four Foundation of Mindfulness is emphasised as mindfulness forms the basis of all other meditation techniques and is the best way for lay persons to continue ones meditative development outside of meditation centres in daily life.

Small meditation hall

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Dhamma Talks

Group sitting meditation in the big meditation hall

The core of the Buddha’s teaching is summarized in the Four Noble Truths. These Four Noble Truths are the focus of the teaching at Dipabhāvan. In order to deeply understand these truths one needs to understand some basic underlying principles as well. During the courses you will learn about:

• The Four Noble Truths incl.
  -  The 12 links of Dependent Origination
  -  The Noble Eightfold Path 
• The Three Characteristics of Life
• The Five Aggregates

and will get some additional information, e.g. regarding Karma, Nirvana and how to apply these teachings in your daily life.