Triple Gem of the North

A Four-Day Retreat with Bhante G

Join us for a long weekend retreat beginning April 5th 2012 with renowned Buddhist teacher, Bhante Gunaratana. He is the author of many classic meditation books including the best seller, Mindfulness in Plain English and Beyond Mindfulness. Bhante G is also the founding abbot of the Bhavana Society in West Virginia.

Our retreat will focus on insight meditation with evening teachings open to the public. Bhante G. is a highly sought teacher and we are honored to have him share the dharma with us.

Date: Begins Thursday April 5th at 5:00p.m. till Sunday, April 8th at 5:00 p.m.

Location: Holy Spirit Retreat Center
3864 420th Avenue
Janesville, MN 56048

Suggested donation: TGN is a non-profit organization; we need your support to continue bringing meaningful teachings to the community. More information regarding donation amounts to follow.

Registration: The Holy Spirit Retreat Center can comfortably hold 30 people. Registration is required.

Food
Vegetarian breakfast and lunch will be provided. We are looking for group of lay followers that who would volunteered to offer lunch and Brackfast (dana) for all those days. There may be days where meals may need to be prepared in house in which case utensils and raw materials are available onsite. You are welcome to participate in such events.
Meals will not be provided after noon. However, if for any (medical) reason you need to take meals, you may bring your own food items in a container with your name clearly marked on it. Please beware that we have limited refrigerator space.

Accommodation
This retreat is at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center. Your allocated room will be given at the time of registration. You will find the accommodations are not luxurious, but quite adequate for the purpose of the retreat. There is a scenic view of the lake and the meditation hall is quiet and spacious, and the bedrooms are conveniently accessible. There are separate quarters for male and female participants. Most rooms have two beds so you will likely have a roommate. Rooms will be assigned based on same gender. If you have any preference of a roommate, please let us know in advance.

Attendance

Retreat participants are asked and strongly encouraged to start and end the retreat with the entire group. Any exceptions to this are only made by the teacher with special permission granted. Retreat manager will assign work-meditation tasks for retreat participants.

Ways to Support the Retreat

We believe these teachings are extremely valuable, thus assigning a value to these teachings is an impossible task. Therefore, this retreat is offered freely in the spirit of generosity. Yet, there are many opportunities open to practice your generosity by making a donation to Mankato Meditation Center at the end of the retreat, to support the teacher,towards the costs of the retreat (such as meals, traveling expenses for the teacher, and basic accommodation needs). Also prior to the retreat, participants and the community members of TGN have the opportunity to make a donation to be used for cost of the retreat.
It is an ancient Buddhist tradition for the community to joyfully support/nourish/feed people, Monks, and who ever engage in intensive spiritual practice, thereby practicing in their good effort. Therefore, we present you with the opportunity to practice your good effort, by sponsoring a meal/s for Monks, retreat participant or for all parties during the retreat.
Monetary donations can be presented in-person at Monks Residence, by mail, or via internet. Please send your donations by mail to: PO box 323, St Peter, MN, 56082. Please make checks payable to Triplegem Of The North. You can also leave a donation during our weekly Meditation classes, in the envelope/dana backset labeled as - for retreat groceries.

Retreat Schedule

April 5th

5.00 pm Registration
6.00 pm Instruction for retreat
8.00 pm Q&A
9.00 pm end of Day

April 6th , 7th , 8th

5.30 am Taking Precepts/ Chanting
6:00 AM - 7:00 AM- Group Meditation
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM- Breakfast and Cleaning
8.30 AM - 9.00 AM - Walking Meditation
9:00 AM - 10.00 AM - Teaching/ Instruction
10:00 AM - 11:15 AM - Group Meditation (Walking / Sitting)
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM - Lunch
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Personal Time
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Teaching (Q&A)
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM- Group Meditation (Walking /Sitting)/ Interviews
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM- Tea
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Group Meditation
7:00 PM - 9.00 PM - Dhamma Talk and Q&A

April 8th After Lunch

1.00PM – 3.00 PM teachings and Q&A
3.00 PM – 5.00 pm cleanup time