Monthly Retreat

I am writing on behalf of the Georgia Buddhist Vihara to invite you to the next day-long Vipassana (mindfulness) meditation retreat on Saturday, August 6, 2016 from 7:30am to 5pm. This one-day meditation retreat will be held at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara (3153 Miller Road, Lithonia, GA 30038). This one-day retreat is a great way to strengthen and enrich your spiritual practice, receive meditation instructions, and explore firsthand the benefits of mindfulness meditation. 

This retreat is open to everyone - those who are new to meditation as well as those who are experienced meditators. All meditation instructions and discussions will be conducted in English. 

The following is a schedule of the day's events:

MORNING PROGRAM

7:00–7:30am - Arrive at the vihara and prepare the space

7:30–8:00am: Observance of the Eight Precepts and traditional Buddhist chanting

8:00–9:00am: Breakfast (as a group) and clean-up

9:00–10:00am: Guided vipassana ("mindfulness") meditation 

  10:00–10:30am: Break (coffee/tea)
10:30–11:30am: Metta ("Loving-Friendliness") meditation 

11:30am–12:00pm: Preparing lunch & traditional Buddhist chanting

12:00–12:45pm:  Lunch (as a group) and clean-up

AFTERNOON PROGRAM

12:45–1:30pm: Walking meditation

1:30–2:30pm: Vipassana meditation

2:30–3:00pm: Break (coffee/tea) 

3:00–4:30pm: Sutta Discussion led by Ven. Wajirabuddhi Thera. 

• The sutta that will be discussed is the 

  The Greater Discourse in Gosinga 

  Majjhima Nikaya #32. Please bring a copy of the sutta to the Dhamma discussion.

4:30–5:00pm:  Conclusion - Termination of the Eight Precepts by observing the Five Precepts  

and concluding chanting

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PLEASE NOTE:

Participants will need to bring (1) a light breakfast food (e.g., fruits, bagels, etc.) and (2) a lunch dish (preferably vegetarian) to share with the resident monks and the retreat participants. It is also a common practice to bring flowers, candles, or incense to place on the shrine as an offering. It is customary in the Theravadan tradition for those observing the eight precepts to wear white clothing to signify purification of morality, though this is not a requirement for attendance.

During this special time, please consider making a monetary donation to the vihara as a way of helping to support the monks who make the teachings available to us and to keep the vihara open so that all people are able to practice and learn the Dhamma.

I look forward to seeing you on Saturday,July 31. I request that you RSVP (by email) in order to let us know that you will be joining us so we can adequately prepare for those who will be participating in the retreat. To confirm that you are planning on attending the retreat or if you have questions about this program or other programs offered by the Georgia Buddhist Vihara, please feel free to contact me by email at justinhowell2112@gmail.com. 

I hope that you will be able to join us for this auspicious day. If you are unable to make this retreat, please know that we will be having regular, day-long vipassana retreats throughout the year. 

Additionally, I would encourage you to join us for meditation instruction and Dhamma discussion on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.  

May you, your friends, and family members be well, happy, and peaceful. 

With metta,

Justin

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Justin Howell
Cell phone: 404.375.0264

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow.  Learn as if you were to live forever."  -M. Gandhi

"You can't lead the people if you don't LOVE the people. You can't save the people if you won't SERVE the people."  - Cornel West

Youth Retreat 2016

Devotees and Friends of the Georgia Buddhist Vihara,

We are happy to announce the dates for the Georgia Buddhist Vihara's 5th annual youth retreat. This year's youth retreat will begin at 7pm on Wednesday, July 21st with a brief orientation for all participants and conclude on the afternoon of , Sunday, July 24. This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to spend dedicated time learning about self-discipline, meditation, Buddhist teachings, and the Buddhist tradition. Young people will learn through first-hand experience the benefits of following the Buddhist path through a period of focused learning and practice.  

The retreat is open to any young person between the ages of 12 and 25 years old. If you are interested in registering for the youth retreat or learning more about the retreat, please contact the Georgia Buddhist Vihara at gbvihara@gmail.com or 770 987 8442.

Please download the application for the GBV 2016.

Georgia Buddhist Youth  Retreat    

(July 21,22,23 & 24)

Daily Schedule

• 5:00–5:30am – Wake Up, Coffee/Tea.


• 5:30–6:30 – Group Meditation


• 6:30–7:00 – Buddha Puja


• 7:00–8:00 – Breakfast (self-service)


• 8:00–9:00 – Vipassana Meditation


• 9:00–9:30 – Break, Coffee/Tea


• 9:30–10:00 – Meditation Instruction


• 10:00–10:30 – Walking Meditation


• 10:30–11:00 – Metta Meditation


• 11:00–11:30 – Buddha Puja


• 11:30–12:30pm – Lunch


• 12:30–1:30 – Work Period


• 1:30–3:30 – Abhidhamma session by Dr. Deeptha Jayaratne


• 3:30–4:00 – Break, Coffee/Tea


• 4:00–4:30 – Personal Reading and Reflection


• 4:30-    5:30- Sutta Discussion     


• 5:30–6:00 – Prepare for Temple visitation


• 6:00–7:30 – Temple Visits


• 7:30–8:30 – Atavisi Buddha Pujawa, Group Chanting (selected Sutra with English meanings) Metta Meditation


• 8:30–9:00 – Journal Writing; Prepare for Bed


• 9:00–Lights Out

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General Guidelines for Retreat Participants

What Not to Bring

• Do not bring illicit drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products.


• Do not bring personal computers, personal gaming systems, cell phones, mp3 players, electronic musical devices, radios, musical instruments, newspapers, magazines and secular books to the center. Buddhist reading materials will be provided.


• Do not bring clothing with distracting lettering.


• Do not wear perfumes or deodorants with strong scents.


• Do not bring pets.

What to Bring

• Flashlight


• Sleeping Bag, Pillow, Towel (shower facilities are available)


• Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, razors)


• Bring a cup (for tea/coffee and water), a plate, and a spoon and fork for eating.


• Ear plugs if you are a light sleeper


• Personal meditation cushion if you prefer (We have plenty of zafus, zabutans, and benches for everyone)


• Modest clothing. (Even in the warmest of weather, tank tops and short shorts are not acceptable.) Do not bring t-shirts with commercial or political messages. You are requested to wear white clothing, if possible.


• Work gloves, cleaning gloves, breathing mask (if working outside causes breathing problems) for the work period.

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Family Sponsorship Form 

• Each sponsoring family will need to arrive at the vihara by 6am on their designated day in order to prepare the morning meal for the monks and retreat participants.


• Sponsoring families will also be responsible for preparing the lunch meal.


• Sponsoring families will be responsible for preparing evening nutrition and leaving it for the participants to consume later in the evening.


• It is preferred that sponsors adhere to the following guidelines for providing meals during the retreat period:
  
  
  
  • All meals should be vegetarian.
  
  
  • Food for the morning meal should be light and consist of cereal, oatmeal, muffins, bagels, fruit, yogurt, or pancakes.
  
  
  • Food for the lunch meal should be more substantial since this will be the primary meal until the next morning meal.
  
  
  • Evening nutrition could consist of homemade juices, milkshakes, soup, etc. Please be mindful that retreat participants have taken the 10 precepts which stipulate that no solid, substantial food should be taken after noon.

Please download the application for the GBV 2016.

Vas Aradhana (Rains Retreat Invitation)

The Georgia Buddhist Vihara cordially invites you to participate this year religious activities during  Vas period at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. This yearKatina Ceremony will be sponsored  by  Weerasekara Family.

Up coming events;

Daily at 7.00 p.m. - Atawisi Buddha Wandana and Sutta chanting

7/31- Katina Sharamadana: "Bodhu Bathiyayi-Shrama Sawiyayi"  Sharamadana Campaign for Clayton, Cobb, Cherokee and Floyd County Devotees.

Organized by: Mr. Kithmin Samaraweera or Dr. Ajith De Silva


The Vas Aradhana was started during the time of the Perfectly Enlighten One, Buddha. Full ordained monastic community (Sangha) all over the world continue, up till the present time to observe this Rains Retreat for three months – from the full moon day in July to the full moon day in October. During this time, they dedicate their time to spiritual activities such as practicing meditation and studying damma thoroughly. This gives an opportunity for lay community to take care of the monastics by offering them food, medicine, cloth, and shelter, and also to participate in spiritual activities more often.

Article about Vas Season (Rains retreat).

https://www.facebook.com/gavihara/

Items to Donate

Items to Donate

People often want to bring items with them to donate when they visit. Because people want to donate useful things, we provide this list of things that we use on a regular basis or need at this time.

Household essentials:

Paper plates (Large)  -300

Dessert cups  (Small)  -300

Disposable cups – medium – 300

Disposable Gloves – 10 pkts

Ziploc bags  - 5 pkts (2 sizes)

Paper napkins – 3 pkts

Trash bags -30 and 45 Gal -200 each

Paper Towels – 10 boxes

Kitchen towels

Wash clothes

Glass  food storage container with lid -  10 (Medium size for store dana at the refrigerator)

Foods:

Water bottles –medium –  10

Water bottles – Small -10

Soft drinks -10

Biscuits -5 pkts
Medicines
fish Oil (Omega-3)
Glucosamine
Neosporn wound care
Sarna Anti-itch lotion

Electrical:

LED bulbs -20

LED series bulb sets -10

Wire cords – 5 (100 ft or over)

Rechargeable batteries – AA & AAA – 10 each

Sanitation:

Dishwasher detergent – 3 bottles

Washing Machine detergents (HE) – 5 gals

Shower gel –

Kitchen cleaners

Air freshener

Toilet cleaning items

Exterior Cleaning items

Wipes

Misc:

Exterior Paint – Please contact temple for details

Garage paint – 2 Gals

Lawn Weed killers

Lawn fertilizer

Storage Boxes (Heavy duty) – 10

Tea candles – 500

Push mover -1

Kitchen rugs

Rugs for outside