Amida France Retreat Centre

SUMMER 2008 EVENTS

This Summer we will be hosting events in France from now until August 20th

May 15 - July 10 Centre open to visitors: Normal schedule, Buddhist practice, summer planting, groundwork, and lots of fun with Susthama and others from The Buddhist House.

The main teaching period this year will focus on  the crossover between Pureland spirituality, society and the arts. This begins with the annual teachings in July which is on Pureland and will continue in practical ways in the arts period. The schedule for the summer is:

July 10-30 Dharmavidya's Teachings: Buddhism and its Application in Society, Culture and the Arts (see below)

August 1-20 Arts in France: Creative Space and Buddhist Practice Time to enjoy exploring your creative side through a variety of media in a relaxed, holiday setting. The arts period gives opportunity for you to share time with others in a spiritually orientated environment. Definitely no need to be artistic. Plenty of inspiration if you want to have a go, but if you'd rather sun-bathe no-one will mind! (click on "continue reading" for details)

Dharmavidya's Teachings in France 10-30 July 2008

Dharmavidya & Prasada

will give lectures on

Pureland Buddhism and its Application in Society, Culture and the Arts

 

Do come and join us for the July teachings. During the three week period of the July Retreat. This year our theme reflect Amida Trust's interest in the arts and culture and in the influence which they have in society.  We will be offering 12 lectures over the three week period on themes related to these exciting topics. Besides being known for his writing and his work as Dharma teacher to the Amida Order, Dharmavidya has an interest in poetry and drama. This year he has been developing pandramatics sessions at The Buddhist House which combine improvisation with spiritual exploration. Prasada is also known for her writing. Her most recent book (to be published next February) explores Guilt, using fictional sections alongside more theoretical analyses. She is also interested in creative arts.

There will also be

• - periods of Pureland practice
• - introductory seminars for the less experienced on the basics of the Pureland approach
• - seminars and coaching for the more experienced related to Buddhist chaplaincy and ministry

As usual there will be plenty of opportunities for outdoor life, community living, discussion and sharing with stimulating company, and good vegetarian food, much of it from the centre's own garden.

Next Trip to France

Modgala will be taking some volunteers out to France on 5th October and will be there until 21st October.

Autumn is beautiful, the golden trees and blue skies offer a lovely backdrop to our harvesting.

We will be collecting walnuts and blackberries along with pumpkins, carrots, leeks etc. Jam and chutney making and making sure the house is safe for winter.

There will be time for gentle practice, walking and perhaps even swimming if the weather is kind.

all are welcome

Namo amida bu

Modgala

Dharmavidya's July teachings, August Arts

2007: July 10-29: SUMMER TEACHINGS

Teachings by Dharmavidya on 9 Principles of Amida Pureland Buddhism
Every other day through the Summer Teaching Retreat Dharmavidya gives a major teaching. The Summer Retreats are a pivotal point in the life of Amida-shu, being times when we gather to advance our understanding. This follows the early Buddhist tradition of holding a Vassika Retreat during the rains season of the monsoon in India when Shakyamuni would deliver his major Sutras. At our Retreat Centre in France, however, this is generally a period of very pleasant hot weather. This is an excellent time for an extended retreat. Concurrently there will be practical training going on for those folowing the Ministry Training Programme and this is also a good time for people considering embarking upon ministry training or interested in a Buddhist vocation to sample the Amida life and teaching style.

ARTS IN FRANCE       AUGUST 1 - 20 Following last summers Arts Week in France, this year we are offering an extended period of creativity in August 2007. Arts in France will run August 1st – August 20th. Set at the Amida Buddhist centre, it provides an opportunity to join Buddhist practice in a relaxed, holiday environment, while sharing in a wide range of arts activities. With meditation morning and evening, this week makes a gentle holiday retreat in the peaceful surroundings of rural Berry. Suitable for serious artists, families and complete newcomers. You can dabble in new creative techniques, swap ideas, attend arts workshops and have a lot of fun. Last year there was painting, candle making, mosaic, dance, voicework, ikebana, clay modelling, fabric painting, writing, ceremony as well as plenty of time for swimming and walking. The Amida centre in France is set in rural Berry, the ancient seat of the Dukes de Berry, nestling between two tributaries of the Loire; the rivers Allier and Cher. A region of rolling countryside, small fields, copses and scattered honey coloured farm buildings, this area is well off the tourist maps, and still carries the relaxed feel of earlier times. With several larger oak forests within easy range, supporting walking, horse riding and other outdoor activity, and swimming places at several local lakes it is a perfect environment for gentle holidaying in a Buddhist community. For those with an interest in history, there are many fascinating11th and 12th century romanesque churches, medieval villages and chateaux of various eras as well as the Cathedral cities of Bourges, Moulins and Nevers and the historic centre of the Bourbon kings at Sauvigny all within a short distance of the centre. Last summer we managed regular trips off site for sketching, visiting these historic and religious sites, and relaxing in the countryside. For many though, visiting Amida France is a time to unwind in tranquil countryside, to listen to the prolific bird life and enjoy the flowers and trees. You may well be happy not to step off the premises for your entire stay. The Amida centre itself was formerly a small farm. Set in thirty acres (16 hectare) of land there is plenty of space for camping. There is also basic accommodation in the house and outbuildings. Solitary retreats are possible in the retreat hut, or "bivvying" in more distant fields. A place of peace, mindfulness, celebration and practice, the lifestyle reflects the natural world with which we are surrounded. We live simply and close to the earth and the seasons. Mostly, we eat out of doors, weather permitting. Sometimes we sleep under the stars. Nature is all around us. Our approach to Buddhism is Pureland and we enjoy the creativity of nembutsu practice as well as the silence of meditation. We welcome anyone wishing to enjoy and participate in the lifestyle, whether or not they identify themselves as Buddhist. During the Arts time our days follow a gentle schedule. We wake at around 7.30am (although early risers sometimes enjoy yoga in the dawn light) and have a period of Buddhist practice and meditation before breakfast. After we have eaten together, we have a short community gathering to share plans for the day. The morning is generally taken up either with space for people to work individually or in small groups on arts projects, or with workshop sessions led by community members or visitors. After an informal lunch, some like to continue work or relax while others go off site to visit the lake or explore the locality. Generally we gather before dinner to share our experiences of the day, then enjoy a meal together as the light softens into a golden sunset. An evening meditation period closes the day most days, though sometimes we join in evening chanting in the sunset, or enjoy singing round a campfire. When families are with us, evening service can be kept short enough for older children to join in if they wish.

Teachings by Dharmavidya on 9 Principles of Amida Pureland Buddhism
Every other day through the Summer Teaching Retreat Dharmavidya gives a major teaching. The Summer Retreats are a pivotal point in the life of Amida-shu, being times when we gather to advance our understanding. This follows the early Buddhist tradition of holding a Vassika Retreat during the rains season of the monsoon in India when Shakyamuni would deliver his major Sutras. At our Retreat Centre in France, however, this is generally a period of very pleasant hot weather. This is an excellent time for an extended retreat. Concurrently there will be practical training going on for those folowing the Ministry Training Programme and this is also a good time for people considering embarking upon ministry training or interested in a Buddhist vocation to sample the Amida life and teaching style.

ARTS IN FRANCE       AUGUST 1 - 20 Following last summers Arts Week in France, this year we are offering an extended period of creativity in August 2007. Arts in France will run August 1st – August 20th. Set at the Amida Buddhist centre, it provides an opportunity to join Buddhist practice in a relaxed, holiday environment, while sharing in a wide range of arts activities. With meditation morning and evening, this week makes a gentle holiday retreat in the peaceful surroundings of rural Berry. Suitable for serious artists, families and complete newcomers. You can dabble in new creative techniques, swap ideas, attend arts workshops and have a lot of fun. Last year there was painting, candle making, mosaic, dance, voicework, ikebana, clay modelling, fabric painting, writing, ceremony as well as plenty of time for swimming and walking. The Amida centre in France is set in rural Berry, the ancient seat of the Dukes de Berry, nestling between two tributaries of the Loire; the rivers Allier and Cher. A region of rolling countryside, small fields, copses and scattered honey coloured farm buildings, this area is well off the tourist maps, and still carries the relaxed feel of earlier times. With several larger oak forests within easy range, supporting walking, horse riding and other outdoor activity, and swimming places at several local lakes it is a perfect environment for gentle holidaying in a Buddhist community. For those with an interest in history, there are many fascinating11th and 12th century romanesque churches, medieval villages and chateaux of various eras as well as the Cathedral cities of Bourges, Moulins and Nevers and the historic centre of the Bourbon kings at Sauvigny all within a short distance of the centre. Last summer we managed regular trips off site for sketching, visiting these historic and religious sites, and relaxing in the countryside. For many though, visiting Amida France is a time to unwind in tranquil countryside, to listen to the prolific bird life and enjoy the flowers and trees. You may well be happy not to step off the premises for your entire stay. The Amida centre itself was formerly a small farm. Set in thirty acres (16 hectare) of land there is plenty of space for camping. There is also basic accommodation in the house and outbuildings. Solitary retreats are possible in the retreat hut, or "bivvying" in more distant fields. A place of peace, mindfulness, celebration and practice, the lifestyle reflects the natural world with which we are surrounded. We live simply and close to the earth and the seasons. Mostly, we eat out of doors, weather permitting. Sometimes we sleep under the stars. Nature is all around us. Our approach to Buddhism is Pureland and we enjoy the creativity of nembutsu practice as well as the silence of meditation. We welcome anyone wishing to enjoy and participate in the lifestyle, whether or not they identify themselves as Buddhist. During the Arts time our days follow a gentle schedule. We wake at around 7.30am (although early risers sometimes enjoy yoga in the dawn light) and have a period of Buddhist practice and meditation before breakfast. After we have eaten together, we have a short community gathering to share plans for the day. The morning is generally taken up either with space for people to work individually or in small groups on arts projects, or with workshop sessions led by community members or visitors. After an informal lunch, some like to continue work or relax while others go off site to visit the lake or explore the locality. Generally we gather before dinner to share our experiences of the day, then enjoy a meal together as the light softens into a golden sunset. An evening meditation period closes the day most days, though sometimes we join in evening chanting in the sunset, or enjoy singing round a campfire. When families are with us, evening service can be kept short enough for older children to join in if they wish.

Ojo Retreat: Easter 2007

led by Rev. Master Dharmavidya

The Easter Retreat has been transferred to our centre in Narborough, Leicestershire, UK

Christmas and New Year Retreats

led by Ven. Sr. Modgala