MAHA BODHI SOCIETY BENGALURU Mahabodhi Meditation Retreat Center Dhammaduta Buddha Vihara, Narasipura, Bengaluru meditation@mahabodhi.info, Tel: 97316 35108, 09880374887 THIS IS THE PATH 2 nd Meditation Retreat 2016 Conducted by Most Venerable Achan Dtun (Thiracitto) 26-6-2015 to 30-6-2015 The Supreme Buddha has shown us the path of ultimate peace and happiness which has to be developed in our daily life. This gift of liberation has been passed on from generation to generation for last 2600 years which is ever fresh and enlightening. In this world of stress and irritation, confusion and negativity, Ven.Achan Dtun s refreshing teachings directly coming from his heart are touching, strengthening and transforming. The Retreat schedule will consist of morning/evening chanting, mindful work, sitting/walking meditation, Dhamma talk and Q&A in the evening. Retreatants are asked to observe the ten precepts and noble silence. This retreat is more suitable for experienced meditators and keen truth seekers. Ajahn Dtun is considered to be one of the greatest living meditation masters in Thailand. Renowned for his gentle demeanor and deep wisdom, Ajahn Dtun has always had a reputation as an impeccable and well-practised monk in the Ajahn Chah Tradition. Even while in his early days of practice, there was a buzz among the monks regarding Ajahn Dtun due to his dedication to practise and an aura of calm and clarity around him. Ajahn Dtun was born in 1955 in Ayutthaya, Thailand. He was raised in Bangkok. After completing his Bachelor s Degree in Economics, he decided to become a monk at Wat Nong Pah Pong with Venerable Ajahn Chah as his preceptor. Presently, Ajahn Dtun is the Abbot of Wat Boonyawad in Chonburi. Wat Boonyawad has grown from being a hermitage with a few monks to a large monastery with close to sixty monks training with Tan Ajahn. He will be accompanied by Ajahn Tejapanno, his translator. Ajahn Tejapanno, born in England, has been a monk for 21 years, and has spent the last 17 years living with Ajahn Dtun. If you are interested kindly go through the below instructions and fill up the form and send to meditation@mahabodhi.info We will be sending you a confirmation letter and only after receiving the confirmation letter, please arrange to arrive at the meditation center before 2 PM on 26-05-2016. You may also join the inauguration of BODHI RASMI PAGODA the same day at 9 AM.
THIS IS THE PATH Meditation Course details Conducted by: Most Venerable Achan Dtun (Thiracitto) Date: 26-6-2016, 2 PM to 30-6-2016, 7 AM Venue: Mahabodhi Meditation Retreat Center, Dhammaduta Vihara, Narasipura, Bengaluru 561123. This is a serene center 25 kms from the Bengaluru Railway station. Nature of the course: Residential course Cost: The meditation course is absolutely free of charge. If you wish you may donate to the Meditation Center. Language: English CODE OF DISCIPLINE FOR MEDITATION COURSE This code of discipline is prepared for the maximum benefit of participants in a practical way. 1. The participant will have to stay on for the full duration of the course, i.e. from 26-6-2016 at 2 PM to 30-6-2016 at 7 AM. 2. The participants will work seriously as per the instructions. If you are not serious not only you waste your time but also you start disturbing others. 3. The Participants will observe 10 precepts i. Abstention from killing ii. Abstention from stealing iii. Abstention from all sexual activities iv. Abstention from telling lies v. Abstention from all intoxicants vi. Abstention from taking food after 12 noon vii. Abstention from sensual amusements, dance, songs, music etc viii. Abstention from bodily decoration, scents, etc. ix. Abstention from using high and luxurious beds and seats x. Abstention from using money, silver/gold 4. Acceptance of the teacher and the teaching: For the period of the course, the participant must surrender completely to the Teacher and the teachings, instructions, rules, code of discipline and course timetable. This surrender should be with understanding, not with any blind faith. Such confidence in the Teacher is essential for the speedy understanding of Dhamma and progress. 5. Rites, rituals and other meditations: For the period of the course, it is absolutely essential that all rites and rituals, worshiping deities, yogic practices etc should be strictly suspended. 6. Silence: For getting maximum benefit of the course, silence must be strictly observed. However participants can speak only with the teacher and course responsible monk or manager for any needs concerning accommodation, food, etc. Even gestures, written
notes, sign language etc are prohibited. Don t discuss even Dhamma and meditation matters. 7. Valuables: Please don t bring any valuables. If you bring any valuables, please deposit them in the office before the course begins and collect at the end of the course. This is also a precept of the course, i.e. not to keep any money, or gold etc. 8. Don t use radio/transistor, tape, audio players, Mobile phones, etc. Deposit them in the office before the course begins. 9. Smoking and chewing tobacco is strictly not allowed during the course. 10. Keep the premises clean and use respectfully all the things available. 11. Please be five minutes earlier at meditation hall and for meditation and chantings. 12. Outside contacts are prohibited. Don t use mobile phones or talk with outside people. For any needs only contact the in charge monk or manager. 13. No writing or reading materials, books or anything should be brought. If you have brought them, please don t use them. 14. Don t use cameras till the end of the course. However you can take pictures on the last day, which will be informed to you. 15. There is absolutely no charge for this course, as it is conducted by the generous donations of other people. However at the end of the course you may donate any amount to the Mahabodhi Meditation Retreat Center which runs meditation retreats. 16. Please bear in the mind that it is Ameditation course, following the life of simplicity. If you don t understand certain disciplinary rules, please get it clarified. The accommodation, food and facilities are simple. If you feel any discomfort remember about renunciation, the way the Buddha himself spent his life in forests, under trees with just minimal needs. Feel happy that you have got this opportunity. 17. Feel happy that you have these facilities. Feel happy that you have an eminent teacher to teach out of compassion. Feel happy that you are developing the paramis. Feel happy that you are sowing the seeds of Dhamma deeply in your life. Keeping all these aspects in mind maintain calmness, equanimity and enjoy every moment of the course. NOTES 1. Please come with simple white clothes, lose and comfortable. 2. Things to bring Tooth brush, tooth paste, tongue cleaner, soap, pillow cover, bed sheet, towel, torch, personal things. 3. Please bring extra slippers. Many times you will have to put on and off your footwear during the course. 4. Bring your regular medicines and inform the course manager at the time of registration. 5. Only double shared accommodation available 6. Only vegetarian food will be served 7. Please come with your return journey tickets so that you are not disturbed in the mind planning your return journey. MAY ALL BEINGS BE HAPPY
MAHA BODHI SOCIETY No.14, Kalidasa Road, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru 560 009. meditation@mahabodhi.info Tel: 09731635108 THIS IS THE PATH 2 nd Meditation Retreat with Ajhan Dtun, Thailand. Please enroll me for attending the 26 th -30 th June 2016 meditation course to be held at the Mahabodhi Meditation Retreat Center, Dhammaduta Buddha Vihara, Narasipura, Bengaluru. Name Email: Address City: State: Pin: Phone No: Emergency contact No. Age Male / Female Married / Unmarried Occupation Educational Qualification Any previous experience regarding Meditation. Why are you taking up this meditation program? (5 lines) Do you have any Physical/Mental problem? Any other information you may provide us. Do you accept to follow the Ten Precepts and Noble silence please tick. YES NO I fully agree to adhere to all the rules and code of conduct during the period of the course. Date and Signature (if sent by post) Please complete this form and send to meditation@mahabodhi.info or by post to The Meditation Course Manager, Maha Bodhi Society, No.14, Kalidasa Road, Gandhinagar Bangalore 560 009.
A Short Biography of Venerable Achan Dtun (Thiracitto) Venerable Ajahn Dtun (Thiracitto) was born in the province of Ayutthaya, Thailand, in 1955. At the age of six his family moved to Bangkok and he remained living there until June 1978. From a young age he was a boy whose heart naturally inclined towards having a foundation in moral discipline. By the time he was a teenager and on into his university years there would be many small incidents that would fashion his life and gradually steer him away from the ways of the world towards wishing to live the Holy Life. After graduating in March 1978 with a Bachelors degree in Economics, he was accepted into a Masters Degree course in Town Planning at the University of Colorado, USA. However, in the period that he was preparing himself to travel abroad many small insights would amalgamate in force and change his way of thinking from wishing to take his studies as far as he could and then lead a family life, to thinking that after graduating he would remain single and work with the aim of financially assisting his father until the time was right for him to ordain as a monk. One evening he happened to pick up a Dhamma book belonging to his father which opened, by chance, at the last words of the Buddha: Now take heed, monks, I caution you thus: Decline and disappearance is the nature of all conditions. Therefore strive on ceaselessly, discerning and alert! Reading over this a second and then a third time, the words resonated deeply within his heart causing him to feel that the time had now come to ordain, knowing this was the only thing that would bring any true benefit to him. He resolutely decided that within two months he would ordain as a monk and that his ordaining would be for life. In June 1978, he travelled to the north eastern province of Ubon Ratchathani to ordain with the Venerable Ajahn Chah at Wat Nong Pah Pong. Resolute by nature and determined in his practice he was to meet with steady progress regardless of whether he was living with Ajahn Chah or away at any of Wat Nong Pah Pong s branch monasteries. In 1981, he returned to central Thailand to spend the Rains Retreat at Wat Fah Krahm (near Bangkok) together with Venerable Ajahn Piak and Venerable Ajahn Anan. The three remained living and practicing together at Wat Fah Krahm until late 1984. At this time Venerable Ajahn Anan and Venerable Ajahn Dtun were invited to take up residence on a small piece of forest in the province of Rayong in Eastern Thailand. Seeing the land was unsuitable for long term residence, Ajahn Dtun chose another piece of land that was made available to them - a forested mountain that would later become the present day Wat Marp Jan. After spending five years assisting Venerable Ajahn Anan in the establishing of Wat Marp Jan, he decided it was time to seek out a period of solitude so as to intensify his practice, knowing this to be necessary if he were to finally bring the practice of Dhamma to its completion. He was invited to practice on an eighty-acre piece of dense forest in the province of Chonburi and remained in comparative isolation for two years until 1992 when he eventually decided to accept the offering of land for the establishing of a monastery - Wat Boonyawad. Presently, the monastery spreads over 160 acres of land, all kindly given by the faith and generosity of Mr and Mrs. Boon and Seeam Jenjirawatana and family. Since allowing monks to come and live with him in 1993, the Venerable Ajahn has developed a growing reputation as a prominent teacher within the Thai Forest Tradition, attracting between forty to fifty monks to come and live, and practice, under his guidance.