Rains Retreat Observance Invitation (Vas Ārādhanā)

Rains Retreat Observance Invitation

(Vas Ārādhanā)

The Georgia Buddhist Vihara cordially invites you to participate this year Vas Aradhana (Rains Retreat Invitation) for resident monks on  Saturday, July 28th, 2018 from 5:45 pm to 6:45 p.m. at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. This year Vas Aradhana will be performed by  Niroshena & Erosha Jayawardena family.

 Agenda:
 5:40pm - Gathering & Preparation
 6.00pm - Observing precepts and worship
 6:30pm - Rains Retreat Invitation ceremony
 6:45pm - Anusasana

Atavisi Buddha Vandana Sign up Sheet

Atavisi Buddha Puja is offering obeisance to 28 past Buddhas including the present Gautama Buddha. This ancient devotional practice increases our affinity with infinite virtues of Buddhas and deepens and our commitment on the Path. In this event, we recite the names of past 28 Buddhas and make offerings to them individually. Traditionally this is performed to bring health, prosperity, and success.

We perform Atavisi Buddha Puja all three months in this Rains Retreat season. Please bring your family and friends to participate. Please arrive at the temple by 6:45 PM EST.

The devotees who bring Dana in the evening for the following day could sign up for the Atavisi Buddha Puja for the same evening.

This Rains Retreat season, we live stream Atavisi Buddha Puja on YouTube in every evening. That way one can continue to follow the "Sutta Deshana" that we are planning to discuss every day. 

Georgia Buddhist vihara YouTube live streaming link.

Atavisi Buddha Vandana Sign up Sheet

Esala Poya and Vas Ārādhanā

Esala Poya Program will be observed on Saturday, July 28, 2018, from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.

Morning Program
7:30	–	8:30	a.m.	Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8:30	–	8:45	a.m.	(self Serving breakfast) Tea & coffee break
8:45	–	10:00	a.m.	Dhamma Desanawa By Ven, Morakandegoda Piyananda Thero
10:00	–	11:00	a.m.	Bhavana
11:00	–	11:15	a.m.	Buddha Pooja (Must start @ 11.00)
11:30	–	12:00	Noon	Dana offering to the Bhanthes and those who observe eight precepts; (Self Serving lunch)
12:00	–	1:00	p.m.	Luncheon
Afternoon Program
1:30			2:30	Sutra Discussion  MN16 (චෙතොඛිල සූත්‍රය)
2:30	–	2:45	p.m.	Tea & coffee break
2.45	–	5:30	p.m.	Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne
		5:30	p.m.	Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja

Rains Retreat Observance Invitation

(Vas Ārādhanā)

The Georgia Buddhist Vihara cordially invites you to participate this year Vas Aradhana (Rains Retreat Invitation) for resident monks on  Saturday, July 28th, 2018 from 5:45 pm to 6:45 p.m. at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. This year Vas Aradhana will be performed by  Niroshena & Erosha Jayawardena family.

Vas Season (Rains Retreat) was started during the time of the Buddha, the Awakened One. Full ordained monastics all over the world continue, up till the present time to observe this Rains Retreat or Monsoon Season Retreat for three months – from the full moon day in July to the Katina Ceremony. During this time, they dedicate their time to spiritual activities such as practicing meditation and studying Dhamma thoroughly. This gives an opportunity for Buddhist community to take care of the monastics by offering them food, drinks, medicine, etc. and also to participate in spiritual activities more often.

Poson Poya

Poson  Poya Program will be observed on Saturday, Jun, 9th, 2018 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.

Morning Program
7:30	–	8:30	a.m.	Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8:30	–	8:45	a.m.	(self Serving breakfast) Tea & coffee break
8:45	–	10:00	a.m.	Dhamma Desanawa By Ven, Morakandegoda PiyanandaThero
10:00	–	11:00	a.m.	Bhavana
11:00	–	11:15	a.m.	Buddha Pooja (Must start @ 11.00)
11:30	–	12:00	Noon	Dana offering to the Bhanthes and those who observe eight precepts; (Self Serving lunch)
12:00	–	1:00	p.m.	Luncheon
Afternoon Program
1:30			2:30	Sutra Discussion  MN16 (චෙතොඛිල සූත්‍රය)
2:30	–	2:45	p.m.	Tea & coffee break
2.45	–	5:30	p.m.	Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne
		5:30	p.m.	Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja

Monthly Meditation Retreat

On behalf of the Georgia Buddhist Vihara to invite you to the next day-long  vipassana (mindfulness) meditation retreat on Saturday, May 19 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, explore meditation practices from the Theravada Buddhist tradition, 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 during this retreat will be conducted in English. 

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

MORNING PROGRAM

7:00–7:30am - Arrive and prepare the vihara for the day’s activities

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/discourse that will be discussed is the What is the purpose? (1. Kimatthiyasutta) found in the Anguttara  Nikaya, discourse # 10-1. You can access the sutta onlineClick here-. Please print and 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  

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PLEASE NOTE:

Participants are asked to contribute (i) a light breakfast food (e.g., fruits, bagels, etc.) and (ii) a lunch dish (preferably vegetarian) to share with the resident monks and the retreat participants. It is common practice to bring flowers, candles, or incense to place on the shrine as an offering – you may do so if you wish. It is also 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 resident monks who make the teachings available and to keep the vihara open so that all people are able to practice and learn the Dhamma.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, July 29. 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 the community for meditation instruction and Dhamma discussion on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:30 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

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.