THE NEWSLETTER OF MADISON VIPASSANA, INC JANUARY 2011

AbhayagiriCLEAR Monks to Lead MIND April Retreat Madison Vipassana, Inc., is very Thai laymen who highly praised become the monastery’s first happy to welcome two monks, Chah, founder of Pah American-born monk. Ajahn Yatiko and Ajahn Karun- Nanachat in Ubon, Thailand, and The retread led by adhammo, from recommended he Yatiko and Karunadhammo will Abhayagiri Bud- visit the monas- take place at Pine Lake Retreat dhist Monastery in tery. He did, and Center in Westfield, Wisconsin, Redwood Valley, was ultimately in- from the evening of April 13 until California, for its spired to pursue midday on April 17. This retreat April residential monastic training will include morning and evening retreat. Abhayagiri there. He lived in “puja”—chanted recollection of is the first Ameri- the Wat Pah the teachings of the Buddha. To can branch monas- Nanachat commu- learn more about the monastic tery in the Thai nity from 1992 to retreat experience, see the article of Ajahn 2008. He arrived on page 2. Registration materials Chah and Ajahn at Abhayagiri in and retreat details are enclosed in Sumedho. We are January, 2008. this newsletter. extremely fortu- Venerable Ajahn nate to have two of Karunadhammo the monastery’s Ajahn Yatiko was born in North senior as Carolina in 1955. retreat leaders. After training as a nurse he Venerable Ajahn Yatiko was born moved to Seattle in his early in 1968 and raised in Edmonton, twenties, where he came in con- Alberta. He had a strong interest tact with the tradition. in religion from childhood and He decided to ordain as a monk after a few years at university de- while in Thailand in December cided he needed a spiritual 1995 and requested to be part of teacher rather than an academic Abhayagiri. He was one of the one. He was on his way to Tibet original residents arriving at Ab- for ordination when the plane hayagiri on June 1, 1996. He or- stopped in en route. dained under the preceptorship While having lunch in a Bangkok of Ajahn Pasanno in July 1997 and restaurant, he was joined by a few in 1998 took full ordination to Ajahn Karunadhammo

Monks to Speak on Sunday, April 17 Ajahns Yatiko and Karunadhammo will offer the Dhamma talk at Madison Insight Meditation Group’s regular Sunday night sitting from 6 to 8 p.m. at the First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Dr., Madison. Mark your calendars so you don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to benefit from their teachings.

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THE NEWSLETTER OF MADISON VIPASSANA, INC JANUARY 2011 Why Attend a Monastic-Led Retreat? (And what is it like, anyway?)

The Buddha taught that for his also experience the remarkable actually results in a noticeable sense teachings to be sustained it would sense of purity and release that of relief and release. When the eight require a four-fold assembly com- comes from practicing with monks precepts become second nature, it is posed of monks, nuns, laymen, and (or nuns). This sense is not acciden- evident how they support a sane and laywomen. He said that these tal or due to my personal propensi- healthy lifestyle—and how the ha- groups have much to offer to one ties or preferences, but is the result bitual choices and behaviors that another and a complete spiritual of the Buddha’s wisdom in outlin- arise when we are not living within community includes them all. For ing the precepts and establishing the framework of the many people in the west, exposure rules for living in spiritual commu- contribute to suffering and delusion. to the devoted practice of monks nity. On a monastic retreat, we join The eight precepts build upon the and nuns is limited. A monastic-led the community of monks or nuns basic to: retreat offers the remarkable oppor- who have devoted themselves to tunity to spend time with monastics. purifying the mind, through sim- 1) refrain from destroying liv- I have found that one of the plicity and the cultivation of kind- ing creatures; many benefits of practicing with ness, generosity and wisdom. On 2) refrain from taking that monks or nuns is retreat (and in which is not given; hearing the words daily life) 3) refrain from sexual miscon- of the Buddha their model duct; chanted. Often encourages us 4) refrain from incorrect there are words or to put forth speech; and phrases that really that same con- 5) refrain from intoxicating catch my interest tinuity of ef- drinks and drugs that lead to and attention. One fort and inten- carelessness. such phrase is part tion. of the daily For monks In the eight precepts, the morning-chanting and nuns, the precept on refraining from sexual recitation of the process of misconduct changes to refraining homage to the Ajahn Yatiko on alms rounds. training the from all sexual activity. The and it says: mind is struc- additional three precepts are to: “They give occa- tured by the sion for incomparable goodness to rules set down by the Buddha in the 1) refrain from eating after arise in the world.” The idea of in- . These rules establish the noon; comparable beauty arising in the best conditions for turning inward, 2) refrain from beautification, world inspired and comforted me.. where true freedom is found. On adornment, or entertainment; For me, it expresses the embodied retreat, following the eight precepts and sense of beauty, simplicity, clarity, offers lay practitioners a similar 3) refrain from lying in high or and wisdom that monks and nuns opportunity to establish conditions luxurious places. personify. supportive of turning inward and I am very happy that Ajahns training the mind. The last precept is usually Yatiko and Karunadhammo have Although we may think of pre- interpreted to mean refraining agreed to come to Wisconsin to lead cepts as limiting and confining, in from overindulgence in sleep or our April retreat so that others can fact abiding by the eight precepts from using sleep as just another

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THE NEWSLETTER OF MADISON VIPASSANA, INC JANUARY 2011 way to distract the mind. These around 5 p.m. is completely suffi- not just those involving food. precepts, in addition to the basic cient as it tastes wonderful, is in- What response or reaction would five, simplify daily living so that credibly satisfying, and gives a pave the way for me to feel blame- effort and attention can more welcome energy boost. I feel bet- less and at ease right now? Using easily be directed to the training ter and sleep better because I am that reflection to shape my deci- of the mind. light and comfortable. sions, rather than endlessly weigh- The precept regarding not eat- Another practice that has been ing what is “right,” justifiable or ing after noon is the one that usu- helpful both on retreat and off is rational, is usually much more ally causes people the most worry. to recollect a short chant before I conducive to action that doesn’t This precept means that the main take my first bite of a meal. At the result in remorse or regret. meal of the day is served and fin- April retreat we will have this We sometimes have strong ished by noon. After that, only chant on cards in the dining hall views about what is necessary for clear liquids are eaten or drunk. for those who would like to chant happiness. When we open our- On my first several retreats, I was it to themselves before eating: selves to living by the eight pre- worried about how I would handle cepts while on retreat, it means not eating after noon, but in fact Wisely reflecting, I eat this we are willing to let go of what we on each retreat I have found that food not for fun, not for thought we needed and discover it is pleasant and conducive to pleasure, not for for ourselves a place in our hearts greater ease of well-being. Many beautification, not for that is bright, peaceful, and happy. friends also report this same re- fattening, but only for the Living in this way, and being with sponse and were also surprised maintenance and sustenance others who are doing the same, that it was so. For most of us, our of this body, for keeping it “gives occasion for incomparable bodies are well nourished, and healthy, for living the goodness to arise in the world.” hunger doesn’t actually become a spiritual life. Thinking thus, I What better gift could we give to major issue. In fact, not eating will allay hunger without ourselves or to the world? after noon has helped me realize overeating, so that I may that what I thought was hunger continue to live blamelessly —Jan Sheppard has little to do with a need for and at ease. food, but is usually thirst, sleepi- If you have questions or concerns ness or boredom. By late after- “Blamelessly and at ease” — yet about a monastic retreat, Jan Shep- noon, the habit to expect food another beautiful phrase that pard would be happy to talk with will arise for me, but I find that helps me redirect the trajectory of you (608-829-0944). the clear fruit juice that is put out my intentions in many situations,

Curious About Chanting? At the April retreat, Ajahns Yatiko and Karunadhammo will lead practitioners in a twice-daily “puja.” Puja consists of chants, taken directly from the Buddha’s discourses, in and English. There will be chanting sheets at the retreat, and everyone will be able to follow along if they wish. However, if you’d like to get a sense of what chanting may be like, you are invited to attend a practice night from 6:30 to 8:15 pm. February 15 at 9638 Shadow Ridge Trail, Middleton, WI. The evening, which is part of Madison Insight Meditation Group’s regular Tuesday night practice, is open to anyone, whether or not you plan to attend the retreat. We will meditate for 45 minutes, then discuss the pujas and try some of the chants the monks might recite with us at the retreat. Directions are at www.vipassana.net/weekly under the description for the Tuesday night meditation.

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THE NEWSLETTER OF MADISON VIPASSANA, INC. JANUARY 2010

Half-Day Meditation Dates CLEAR MIND This winter/spring Madison Insight Meditation Group will host half- The Newsletter of Madison Vipassana,Inc. day meditations from 9 a.m. to noon on February 12, April 9, and June Madison, WI 25 in the Gabler Living Room, First Unitarian Society, 900 University This newsletter is published periodically as a service to our Bay Dr., Madison. Meditation is followed by a potluck lunch. (If you meditation community. It is also can, please bring a food item to share.) The mornings consist of alter- available on our website at: nating periods of sitting and walking meditation. If you can't attend for http://www.vipassana.net the entire session, feel free to come for a portion of it. Plan your arrival Judy Woodburn: Editor just a little before the hour, so you can join the last few minutes of Cathy Loeb: Proofreader, duplication walking and stay for the sitting meditation. No fee or registration is and distribution Peter Kaufman: Mailing list required. Questions? Call Dave or Lori at 608-238-1234. To subscribe, sign up at www.vipassana.net MIMG Resource List Now Available or send a message with no subject or content to: Madison Insight Meditation Group has developed a resource list of [email protected] readings in the Theravada and other traditions. The list provides links to online resources and to books available from the Madison Public Folding and address labeling provided by Library. It’s available at Sunday night meeting and on our website at: http://madisonmeditation.org/MIMGbooklist.pdf

Madison Vipassana, Inc. 2522 Chamberlain Ave. Madison, WI 53705