Winter Retreat 2010

From January 3 to March 31, 2010, the residents of Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery will be taking a period of silent retreat. This annual time of quietude, gratefully supported by a team of lay supporters, gives Abhayagiri residents an opportunity to set aside work projects and concentrate on more formal aspects of meditation and the study of Dhamma. With short days, wetter weather, and the silence of winter, this is a natural time to be looking inward.

During these three months there will be no overnight guests accepted. (For overnight visits after the retreat please contact the monastery after April 1, 2010.) This, however, does not mean that the monastery is closed to day visitors. Day visits are still possible and the weekly Saturday night chanting, meditation, and Dhamma talk will take place as usual. The Lunar Observance night Dhamma talk and meditation vigils will also take place (see website calendar for lunar observance days). People wishing to visit the monastery to make meal offerings and offerings of requisites are also welcome.

For those people interested in listening to, or downloading Dhamma talks from the monastery website, a newly posted talk is scheduled to appear periodically throughout the retreat. Monthly chapters of the serial novel Mangala will also continue to appear here.