With Each Step, a Flower Blooms
A Mindfulness Retreat with the Plum Village monastics
At the Asian Institute of Applied Buddhism, Lotus Pond Temple, Ngong Ping Village, Lantau Island, HK
Date and time:26/03/2015@4:00pm -29/03/ 2015@2:00pm
Feb. 12, 2015
Dear friends,
You are invited to attend the annual Spring retreat at AIAB–Lotus Pond Temple. The theme of this retreat is to live peacefully and happily in the present moment, by taking time to do things, to be aware of what's happening inside us and around us, to be really in touch with life.
The pace of life is so fast nowadays that we try to accomplish many things at the same time, even though by doing so, it has an adverse effect on our peace of mind. We don't want to waste time, and can't stand to be idle, so we are on the doing-mode most of the time. In MTR stations, stickers have been posted to remind riders to pay attention to other things beside looking at the screens of their smart phones while riding the escalators. We are so busy with things that we forget to live in the present moment, to realize peace and happiness in the here and now.
"The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms." ― Thích Nhất Hạnh
How do we live fully in the present moment, not to be caught by regrets about the past, worries about the future. How not to lose ourselves in the difficulties in the present moment? We will have a chance to look at these topics in the retreat, as taught in the discourse" Knowing the Better Way to Live Alone:"
" What is meant by ‘not being swept away by the present’? When someone studies and learns about the Awakened One, the teachings of love and understanding, and the community that lives in harmony and awareness; when that person knows about noble teachers and their teachings, practices these teachings, and does not think; ‘This body is myself; I am this body. These feelings are myself; I am these feelings. This perception is myself; I am this perception. This mental formation is myself; I am this mental formation. This consciousness is myself; I am this consciousness,’ then that person is not being swept away by the present."
In this mindfulness retreat, we will practice mindful breathing, mindful walking, and pleasant smiling. We will go back to the present moment, enjoying the beautiful scenery of Lotus Pond Temple and the surrounding area. We will enjoy the presence of our friends and fellow practitioners, who also take the time off from the busy daily routines to slow down, to enjoy a walk, to just be there for the present moment, for the preciousness of life
The tentative schedule is as follows:
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Thu. Mar.26thth |
Fri. Mar. 27th-Sat. Mar. 28th |
Sunday Mar. 29th |
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16:00 |
Registration |
5:15 |
Wake Up |
5:15 |
Wake Up |
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18:00 |
Dinner |
6:00 |
Guided sitting Meditation |
6:00 |
Sitting Med & |
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20:00 |
Opening Talk |
7:00 |
10 Mindful Movements & |
Breakfast outdoor |
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22:00 |
Noble Silence |
Walking Med. |
8:00 |
Breakfast |
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8:00 |
Breakfast |
9:15 |
Working Med. |
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9:15 |
Working Med. |
10:45 |
Dharma Talk |
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10:30 |
Dharma Talk |
12:30 |
Lunch |
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12:30 |
Lunch |
Closing circle |
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14:00 |
Total Relaxation |
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15:00 |
Dharma Sharing |
Fare well& |
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16:45 |
Exercise |
Happy Continuation |
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18:00 |
Dinner |
of the practice |
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19:30* |
Sitting Med/Presentation |
at home… |
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21:30 |
Noble Silence |
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Accommodation and cost: Accommodation for this retreat is limited to dormitory-room. Participants will be housed in dormitories (bunk beds) at Lotus Pond Temple and at a nearby temple. Pillows, bed-linens, and blankets will be provided if staying in dormitory. The cost per person is listed below (in HK Dollars).
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Room Type (4 days , 3 nights) |
Dormitory (HKD) |
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Adults |
1200.00 |
Working Meditation: Because the retreat is held in the monastery, all the preparation and cooking will be done by the monastics and some volunteers. During the retreat, we need help from participants in preparation works like: setting up the meditation hall and dining hall, washing up after meals… Participants will be grouped into Dharma discussion groups and will work together in the same groups to help with the retreat.
How to register: Registration is available online at the Plum Village Hong Kong Website at http://www.pvfhk.org on a first-come-first-served basis. Registrations are not final until we receive your payment. Please make payment within one week after you register. If payment is not received within one week, your registration will be placed on a waiting list. For means of payment, details will be sent along with the confirmation email to those who completed online registration.
Closing date for registration: March 18th, 2015. Payment is not refundable for cancellation after March 10th, 2015. Cancelation is subject to a 20% cancellation fee. For enquiries, please contact us by e-mail: retreats@pvfhk.org or by phone from 14:30 – 17:00 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday): 2985-5033 (English), 2985-5281 (Chinese).
We are looking forward to seeing you at the retreat!
A lotus to you,
A Buddha to be.
AIAB Retreat Registration Staff