Annual Youth Retreat 2018

Devotees and Friends of the Georgia Buddhist Vihara,

We are happy to announce the dates for the Georgia Buddhist Vihara's 7th annual youth retreat. This year's youth retreat will begin at 7:30 pm on Thursday, May 31st with a brief orientation for all participants and conclude on the afternoon of, Sunday, June 3rd. This is an excellent 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.(Youth Retreat Activity photos of 2017)

Please download the Retreat application for the GBV 2018.

Georgia Buddhist Youth  Retreat    

(May 31 to June 3rd) 2018

Orientation and Precepts

Brief Orientation begins 
On May 31 (Thursday) at 7.30 pm 

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


• 1:30–3:00 –Abhidhamma session  


• 3:00–3:30 – 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.
• Each participant should complete entire program to be obtained a  certificate 

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Family Sponsorship 

• Each sponsoring family will need to arrive at the vihara by 6 am 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 an afternoon.