VIJAYALOKA RETREATS PROGRAMME 2021 At Vijayaloka, we run retreats throughout the year which offer excellent conditions in which to explore and deepen your awareness of yourself, of other people and of the world around you, away from the habits and restrictions of your daily routine. Vijayaloka is operated by Sydney Buddhist Centre as a dedicated space for meditation and spiritual practice, set in pristine bushland on the Georges VIJAYALOKA River just one hour from Sydney CBD. RETREAT CENTRE BOOKINGS & INFORMATION: SYDNEYBUDDHISTCENTRE.ORG.AU/RETREATS Introductory Retreats Qi Gong & Meditation INTRODUCTORY Learn two Buddhist meditation practices: A combination of Qi Gong movements and Mindfulness of Breathing and Mettā Bhāvanā. meditation, these retreats are open to all, RETREATS We will help you to set up in good posture and no experience needed. give a fully led practice, so there is no need for Qi Gong and Meditation Retreat any previous experience. Along with practical Connecting to the energy of the moon through instruction we’ll give some background on Qi Gong movements, we can share in the calm, where meditation fits into the bigger picture clear energy on offer and allow it to permeate of Buddhist practice and worldview. our meditation practice. Fri 29—Sun 31 Jan $200 / $145 (2 days) Fri 26—Sun 28 February $200 / $145 (2 days) Fri 23—Mon 26 April $265/ $200 (3 days) Fri 30 July—Sun 1 August $200 / $145 (2 days) Qi Gong, Walking, Meditation — Sesshin Fri 12—Sun 14 Nov $200 / $145 (2 days) Connecting to the energy of the earth through Qi Gong movements and walking, we can Introductory Retreat for Gay Men experience a greater sense of being held and To celebrate Mardi Gras, we are hosting supported in our meditation practice. a weekend retreat for gay men introducing meditation and Buddhist teachings. Fri 10—Sun 12 September $200 / $145 (2 days) Fri 12—Sun 14 February $200 / $145 (2 days) Family Retreat Introductory Mens Retreats For families with school-aged children. Activities include meditation for children and Know Yourself! Be Yourself! adults, parent sessions, drama, craft, activities Freedom is the taste of the Buddha’s teachings around the campfire, and exploring the bush, — confidently standing on our own two feet river and labyrinth. All adults attending must while being in harmony with all around us! have a Working with Children Check. This retreat is an opportunity to see more Thu 15—Sun 18 Apr (3 days) deeply into our own being and be ourselves. $150/adult + $30/child Wed 26—Fri 28 May $200 / $145 (2 days) Sat 18—Mon 20 September (2 days) $120/adult + $30/child The Path of Transformation The Buddha teaches that it is in our power to change our lives for the better. The possibility Eleventh Step and Recovery Weekend retreats introducing meditation and that we can change for the better is inspiring. For those in recovery from addictions. Ideal for Buddhist teachings. An excellent way for those who We learn to practise developing kind helpful learning and practising meditation with others thoughts and habits. Gradual changes lead in recovery in a supportive environment. are completely new to meditation or wanting to to a flowering of a new way of being. Fri 5—Sun 7 February $200 / $145 (2 days) re-learn meditation to spend time with like-minded Fri 17—Sun 19 December $200 / $145 (2 days) people, away from the distraction of everyday life. Fri 4—Sun 6 June $200 / $145 (2 days) Fri 3—Sun 5 September $200 / $145 (2 days) Open to people who attend our centres with all levels of experience. A great opportunity to go deeper in your practice and get to know other people involved. Weekend Meditation Retreats Young Sydney Buddhists OPEN SANGHA Creative Mind; Reactive Mind Retreats for people aged 18–35. What is the essence of creativity and how Young Sydney Buddhists Easter Retreat RETREATS can it help us meet our habits when it comes Thur 1—Mon 5 April $325 / $240 (5 days) to practice? A long weekend retreat for experienced meditators exploring one of Young Sydney Buddhists Weekend Retreat Sangharakshita’s most fundamental teachings Fri 22—Sun 24 October $200 / $145 (2 days) through meditation and workshops. Fri 11—Mon 14 June $265 / $200 (3 days) Working with Nature Weekends where we spend time together not only meditating but also caring for the retreat Sangha Retreats facilities, grounds and the surrounding Breaking the Chains bushland. Many people who enjoy coming A weekend retreat following on from the to Vijayaloka find participating in these Breaking the Chains course, exploring the weekends a great way to give back in power of Buddhist rituals to set us free. a meaningful and practical way. Fri 9—Sun 11 April $200 / $145 (2 days) Fri 9—Sun 11 April (2 days) Fri 9—Sun 11 July (2 days) Coogee Sangha Weekend Retreat: Fri 27—Sun 29 August (2 days) The Rolling Wheel Fri 29—Sun 31 October (2 days) The Buddha taught that life is continually $60+ By donation changing. Like a rolling wheel we move through a kaleidoscopic range of experience from tormented to blissful and back again. New Year Retreat On this retreat we’ll explore ways to move A week long retreat for reflection and from a repetitive cyclic existence to a rejuvenation over New Year. More details spiralling path of freedom. about the theme of our annual New Year Thur 19—Sun 22 August $265 / $200 (3 days) retreat to be announced closer to the date. Tara and the Dakini Sun 26 Dec—Sun 2 Jan $480 / $365 (7 days) A long weekend exploring the beauty of Tara and the mystery of the Dakini . Thur 23—Sun 26 September $265 / $200 (3 days) Women’s Meditation Retreat Mixed Meditation Retreats GOING DEEPER The Diamond Throne Kisagotami and the Door to the Deathless The Diamond Throne—on which the Buddha We follow in Kisagotami’s footsteps and realise MEDITATION RETREATS gained enlightenment as he meditated on the the challenge and beauty of impermanence? causes of suffering—was said to be the centre The Buddha taught us that great joy awaits us of the universe from where it first took form. as we more fully realise reality. This silent We could say that whenever we sit fully present, retreat provides us with a supportive we are ourselves sitting on The Diamond Throne. opportunity to draw closer to this teaching. On this retreat we will move towards grounding Fri 5—Fri 14 March $575 / $430 (9 days) and deepening our practice, bringing us into In Bahiya’s Footsteps greater connection with our bodies and our hearts, opening to the mythic earth, both This silent Retreat takes the teaching of the within and without. Buddha to Bahiya of the Bark Cloth for reflection and meditation. As we rest in Vijayaloka’s natural Thurs 29 April—Sun 9 May $585 / $435 (9 days) beauty can we experience more deeply and realise more clearly, this teaching as an end Men’s Intensive Retreat to suffering? Fri 6—Fri 13 August $480 / $365 (7 days) The 26th annual mens intensive retreat. The Mystery of the Five Wisdoms Thu 25 June—Sun 4 July $575 / $430 (9 days) Thu 25 June—Fri 9 July $780 / $580 (14 days) Prajna, Wisdom. Come and explore. Through meditation, reflection, ritual and workshopping, we will approach the five aspects of transcendental wisdom in all their mystery. Fri 15—Mon 22 October $480 / $365 (7 days) Moon in a Dew Drop ‘The Dharmakaya is like the empty sky, it manifests form like the moon in water’. Imagination in this sense is not the seeing of imaginary things but the faculty that Longer retreats for those who already have perceives reality. A retreat of reflection and an established meditation practice. There will meditation, with more than a touch of Zen be multiple periods of meditation each day and from Sangharakshita and his teacher Dogen. significant amount of time spent in silence. Fri 3—Sun 12 December $575 / $430 (9 days) 2021 RETREAT CALENDAR January July 29—31 Introductory Retreat 09—11 Working with Nature 17—29 Women’s Ordination Training Retreat February 30—01 Introductory Retreat 05—07 Eleventh Step and Recovery 12—14 Introductory Retreat for Gay Men August 19—21 Men’s Mitra Retreat: 06—13 Going Deeper Meditation Retreat: A Single Excellent Night In Bahiya’s Footsteps ORDER & MITRA 26—28 Qi Gong and Meditation 13—15 Women’s Mitra Retreat: The Parable of the Raincloud March RETREATS 19—22 Coogee Sangha Retreat 05—14 Going Deeper Meditation Retreat: 27—29 Working with Nature Kisamagoti & the Door to the Deathless 20—28 Women’s Ordination Training Retreat September April 03—05 Eleventh Step and Recovery Weekend Mitra Retreats Ordination Training Retreats 01—05 Young Sydney Buddhists Easter Retreat 10—12 Qi Gong, Walking, Meditation—Sesshin Weekends for mitras and Order Members For mitras training to join the Triratna Buddhist 18—20 Family Retreat to practice together. Order. Book directly with the GFR team. 09—11 Working with Nature 09—11 Sangha Retreat: 23—26 Sangha Retreat: Women’s Ordination Training: Going Deeper Men’s Mitra Retreat: A Single Excellent Night Breaking the Chains Tara and the Dakini A retreat exploring this short, beautiful and Sat 20—Sun 28 March (8 days) 15—18 Family Retreat profound sutta and attempting to crack it open October Men’s Ordination Training in the context of our lives. How do we stop 23—26 Introductory Retreat 01—04 Men’s National Order Gathering Thu 13—Sun 23 May (10 days) living in the past and future, enter the here 23—26 Mixed Mitra Retreat: 04—14 Men’s Post-Ordination Retreat and now..