8-Precepts Dharma retreat

About the Master

Ven. Thich Hanh Bao is the 42nd-generation successor of the Lam Te (Linji, Rinzai) Zen lineage. He is currently the abbot of the Lien Tam Buddhist Monastery in Turku, Finland, and Vien Y Temple in Padova, Italy. He is a member of the World Buddhist Sangha Council Board.

The master has more than 30 years of experience practicing and teaching Buddhism and is one of the most well-known Dharma teachers in Vietnam and among the Vietnamese community overseas. In the upcoming retreat, he will talk about "The Four Dharma Seals," an important teaching in Buddhism that distinguishes it from other practices.

About the 8-precepts practice

The Eight Precepts are a practical Dharma practice for lay practitioners, observed for one day and one night (24h only). The Eight Precepts in Buddhism are eight gates that block unwholesome actions, cultivate wholesome qualities within, and open the path to inner peace for each individual.

The Eight Precepts in Buddhism include:

1. The precept of refraining from killing.
2. The precept of refraining from stealing.
3. The precept of refraining from sexual activity.
4. The precept of refraining from lying.
5. The precept of refraining from drinking alcohol or using intoxicating substances.
6. The precept of refraining from applying makeup, wearing perfumes, singing, dancing, or watching performances.
7. The precept of refraining from sitting or lying on high, luxurious, or beautiful beds.
8. The precept of refraining from eating at inappropriate times (as per the monastery's regulations, or before noon if practicing at home).

It is important to understand that due to the responsibilities of lay practitioners, they cannot fully observe the same practices as monastic monks and nuns. Therefore, the Buddha established these Eight Precepts, allowing lay followers to take and observe them for one day and one night (24h), imitating the lifestyle of monastics. By doing so, one can accrue great merit and blessings.

You can choose to take these precepts or not. But we highly recommend that you take it as it will benefit your practice. By participating the retreat, you have almost already follow the 8-precepts, so there's no real reason to afraid. And it is only valid for 24h during the retreat.

Guiding Principles for the Retreat

The intention of this retreat is to train talented Buddhists who emphasize the cultivation of all the three studies of vinaya (precepts), samadhi (contemplation) and prajna (wisdom).

Practitioners at the retreat should possess all of the essential qualities of purity, diligence, minimal desire, refraining from conflict, tidiness, quietude, harmony, self-motivation, self discipline and self-rule.

One should respect each other, help each other, readily forgive each other and complement each other's strengths and weaknesses.

One should be well-learned and advance in cultivation on the Path and study, in order to accomplish the noble goals of study and practice.

One should take good care of all possessions of the Monastery and participate in the Monastery´s affairs with enthusiasm.

Except for the purpose of the Monastery´s business, one´s study, and one´s work, one must not get involved in unnecessary social relationships during the retreat.

One should not go out for the purpose of seeking entertainment and socializing with others.

One should fulfill one's responsibilities to the best of one's ability.

By doing so, one cultivates the virtues of applying both merits and wisdom as well as the vow power of practice the Dharma and benefiting sentient beings.

HOUSE RULES DURING THE RETREAT

1. REGISTRATION
When you register, indicate how long you would like to stay with us. The community of the center reserves the right to reject your application. Please do not come until you have received confirmation from us that you wish to stay at the retreat center.

2. RESOURCES
Dress comfortably; long pants, long shirt, blouse, which cover back, chest and belly well even when sleeping.

3. DISTRACTION
Entertainment through television, radio, magazines, newspapers, music, internet, smartphone, etc. are limited. Try to limit all activities that distract your time and others from the practice. Refrain from any kind of discussion on topics that are not related to the practice and the center.

4. INTOXICANTS
Smoking and alcohol consumption are forbidden during the whole time of your stay.

5. MINDFULNESS
In the center there is no precept of silence. However, you should always look at your mind and be wise and mindful with your words. You can exchange experiences and questions with your spiritual advisor.

6. COMMITMENT
Come to all activities during the day, whether practice, learning, eating or work, always on time.

7. CLEANNESS
Please help to keep the center clean and tidy at all times. Do not balk to clean up the dirt for others. Do not lose your equanimity and cheerfulness when you have to do the work of others.

*DISCLAIMER
The stay in the monastery is not a therapy for mental disorders and is not a substitute for it.
We are not responsible for the development and treatment of psychological problems. We are not responsible for valuables and for problems caused by the consumption of the food offered. The guest's insurance is responsible for accidents.

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