Sunday 16th October 2022
Arrival 9:00 – 10:00 am
Almsround & Lunch 10:00 – 12:00 pm
Ceremony 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Guided Tour 1:00 – 2:00 pm
The Robes Offering Ceremony marks the end of the Rains Retreat. On this occasion we rejoice in having spent the past three months at the Wat dedicated to the cultivation peace and kindness. This is a rare opportunity to take part in an old and inspiring Buddhist ceremony and a chance to connect with other practitioners.
The core values that are celebrated during the Kathina are those that make living together in harmony possible; qualities like kindness, compassion, patience and acceptance. In our sometimes confusing and competitive world, it is important to remember that our own sense of well-being cannot be secure unless it is founded on acts of generosity and goodwill to others.
The ceremony will include taking the Three Refuges and Five Precepts, auspicious chanting and Dhamma talks by Luang Por Tiradhammo and Ajahn Khemavaro. After the ceremony there will be a monastery tour, where visitors can see some monks’ huts.
For further info, please call 0409 389-887 between 8-10 am and 11am -1 pm or email: wbdoffice@gmail.com.
Robes will be available for offering at the monastery.
Community List for Rains 2022
Monks
LP Tiradhammo
Ajahn Khemavaro
Venerable Panyannda
Layguests
Megan
Annie
Tommy
Jackie
David
Yuliana
The Beauty of Simplicity and Silence
Weekend Retreat
with Ajahn Khemavaro
Friday 7th to Sunday 9th October 2022
Weekend Retreat Registration
Wisdom of Stillness
New Year Retreat
with Ajahn Khemavaro
Friday 30th to Monday 2nd January 2023
New Year Retreat Registration
Recent Talks on YouTube:
Sutta Class Rains Retreat 2022 Session #2
Three Cardinal Discourses of the Buddha
by Ajahn Tiradhammo
Sutta Class Rains Retreat 2022 #3
The Progressive Path to Freedom
by Ajahn Tiradhammo
The Life and Teachings of Ajahn Chah
by Ajahn Tiradhammo
Guided Meditation
by Ajahn Tiradhammo
Freedom from Desire Not Freedom of Desire
by Ajahn Khemavaro
Transcending Suffering Through Understanding
by Ajahn Khemavaro
Kathina 2019
For further enquiries, please email: wbdoffice@gmail.com or call the office at 0409-389-887 between 8 – 12 noon.
Doubts and Other Demons
Q: What can I do about doubts? Some days I’m plagued with doubts about the practice or my own progress or the teacher.
A: Doubting is natural. Everyone starts with doubts. You can learn a great deal from them. What is important is that you don’t identify with your doubts. That is, don’t get caught up in them, letting your mind spin in endless circles. Instead, watch the whole process of doubting, of wondering. See who it is that doubts. See how doubts come and go. Then you will no longer be victimized by your doubts. You will step outside of them, and your mind will be quiet. You can see how all things come and go. Just let go of what you’re attached to. Let go of your doubts and simply watch. This is how to end doubting.
Q: These days, there seem to be so many teachers and so many different systems of meditation that it’s confusing. Which one should I follow?
A: It’s like going into town. One can approach from the north, from the southeast, from many roads. Often these systems just differ outwardly. Whether you walk one way or another, fast or slow, if you are mindful, it’s all the same. There’s one essential point that all good practice must eventually come to-not clinging. In the end, you must let go of all meditation systems. Nor can you cling to the teacher. If a system leads to relinquishment, to not clinging, then it is correct practice.
You may wish to travel, to visit other teachers and try other systems. Some of you have already done so. This is a natural desire. You will find out that a thousand questions asked and knowledge of many systems will not bring you to the truth. Eventually you will get bored. You will see that only by stopping and examining your own heart can you find out what the Buddha talked about. No need to go searching outside yourself. Eventually, you must return to face your own true nature. Right where you are is where you can understand the Dharma.
An excerpt from Still Forest Pool by Ajahn Chah