Harmony in the Home, Peace in the World

A mindfulness retreat for families and young people
with the Plum Village Monastic
from 16:00 July 17  to  13:00 July 21, 2019
at Asian Institute of Applied Buddhism - Lotus Pond Temple,
 Ngong Ping, Lantau Island

May 25, 2019

Dear parents, children, and young people, 

We would like to invite you to attend the annual Family and Young People Mindfulness Retreat, to be held from July 17 to July 21, 2019 at AIAB-Lotus Pond Temple, Ngong Ping. Families with children, young people and individuals are welcome to attend the retreat.  The retreat has become a space for families to have open communication and their loving care expressed. Everyone has lots of fun along the way of transformation and healing.  The parents and children enjoy just being themselves and being present for each other.  

The retreat will be in a camp setting.  Parents and children will have separate as well as joint activities. The children, teens, young people and adults will be divided into groups according to their age: Children program: 6 to 12 years old, teen program: 13 – 16 years old, young adult: 17 – 22 years old, and adults: 22 years old and up.  There are no separate programs for children under 6, and they have to be under the full care of the parents.   The activities held in this mindfulness retreat are similar to the ones offered in Plum Village France every summer.  We will learn and practice mindful breathing, mindful walking, and pleasant smiling; the foundation of the Plum Village tradition.  We will also practice deep listening and loving speech. By embodying these basic skills, we can offer our true presence to our loved ones, our children, and our parents.  

The tentative schedule is as follows: 

Accommodation and cost: Accommodation for this retreat is limited to dormitories. Participants will be housed in dormitories (bunk beds) at Lotus Pond, Bamboo Forest and nearby temples. Pillows, bed linens, and blankets will be provided for those staying in the dormitories.

Please write us at retreats@pvfhk.org to arrange accommodation for children under 6.

Working Meditation: The retreat is held in the monastery, all the preparation and cooking will be done by the monastics and 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 now full.  

Online Registration is available here on a first-come-first-serve 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 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: July 10, 2019.  Payment is not refundable for cancellation after July 10, 2019.  Cancellation is subject to a 20% cancellation fee.  For inquiries, please contact us by email: 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