Mindful Journey through the Circle of Life:
Birth, Old Age, Sickness and Dying

A mind body health 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: 23/10/2014@ 4:00pm   - 26/10/ 2014 @ 2:00pm

Click here to register on line for the event

Sept 10, 2014

Dear friends,

You are invited to attend the annual Fall retreat at AIAB – Lotus Pond Temple. The theme of this retreat is to live mindfully through the circle of life, which manifests in the form of birth, old age, sickness and dying. In Buddhism, we usually talk about there is no birth and no death, only manifestation. Things are formed when conditions are sufficient for them to form, things dissolve when conditions are sufficient for them to dissolve.  Impermanence and selflessness (empty of a separate and permanent self) are nature of all phenomena. How do we apply these teachings when our loved ones are on deathbeds, but still clinging to their lives and fighting for every breath?  What can we do to lessen their physical pains and mental suffering, and help them to have peace in the final moments of their lives? How do we deal with these matters, when it is time for us to face this moment ourselves? How do we help people to take care of themselves while caring for the sick, and to cope with the loss of their loved ones?

Through the historical dimension (i.e our life, our experience, our relationships with others, our concepts of birth/death, coming/going..) we can realize the ultimate dimension, the nature of no-birth/no-death, no-coming/no-going ... We will study the Discourse on the Teachings to Be Given to the Sick, given by Venerable Shariputra to layman Anathapindika, a solid practitioner and strong supporter of the Sangha, who was on his deathbed and was full of physical pain. Ven. Shariputra told Anathapindika to take refuge in the Buddha, an awaken person and a wise teacher, the Dharma - the teaching of love and understanding,  and the Sangha - the community of practice in harmony and awareness. He then taught Anathapindika to contemplate on the nature of the six sense bases, the six sense objects, the six sense consciousness and the five aggregates (5 components of being). After hearing the instructions and practicing them, Anathapindika felt at ease and free. He passed away peacefully.

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: