Exploring Compassion - weekend retreat

Unfortunately we had to cancel this weekend because Ven. Bhante could not leave the monastery in time

An experiential retreat

With Bhante Sukhacitto and Lobsang Norbu

One of the most fundamental aspects of the Buddha’s teachings is the cultivation of compassion. The Pāli and the Sanskrit traditions of Buddhism each have their own unique meditation methods for developing compassion. Together, we’ll explore these in meditation. We’ll include some chanting in Pāli and some mantras in Sanskrit.

Besides drawing on these ancient sources, Bhante Sukhacitto and Lobsang Norbu will share insights from modern approaches to compassion as well. Bhante Sukhacitto will use Insight Dialogue, a practice developed by Gregory Kramer for developing wisdom and compassion through vipassana meditation in dialogue. A form of meditation in which you remain in contact with a conversational partner. The calmness and insight you develop in individual meditation is directly integrated into the interaction with that interlocutor. As a result, you deepen your insight.

Lobsang Norbu will include some aspects from Western psychological research that might help clarify what compassion is, its benefits and how to develop it.

This retreat style meditation weekend will include:

• Brief inspirational lectures
• Meditation instructions
• Guided meditations
• Discussion
• Question and answer sessions

This weekend is suitable for everyone with an interest in Buddhism and compassion. No previous knowledge or experience is required. The retreat will be partially in silence. Participation in some household tasks will be part of our practice.

About Bhante Sukhacitto:

Bhante Sukhacitto is an Insight Dialogue Teacher. He first came into contact with Buddhism in Thailand by attending a meditation retreat, offered through Wat Suan Mokkh, in 1986. He ordained there as a novice in 1989 and as a monk in 1990, returning to the west a few years later. Since then, he has lived at various monasteries, including Dhammapala Monastery in Switzerland and Amaravati Monastery in the UK. On his first Insight Dialogue retreat in 2005, he was amazed by the powerful experience of meditating together with other people, leading him to join many more Insight Dialogue retreats. In 2010, he began his teacher training with Gregory Kramer and others. In his experience, interpersonal meditation is an extremely helpful aid for the development of wholesome qualities. It bridges the gap between traditional silent meditation and our everyday lives, including relationships with others. Bhante Sukhacitto sees Insight Dialogue as an important tool for liberation. 

About Lobsang Norbu:

Norbu has been intensively engaged with Tibetan Buddhism since 2001. He is the former director of Maitreya Institute in Emst and Loenen and currently assistant director and program coordinator. Norbu teaches introductory classes and retreats in Loenen. He recently concluded the CCT™ (Compassion Cultivation Training) Teacher Training Program under the supervision of Thupten Jinpa, Ph.D.